Too many negative statistics.............

Those of you who have been following my blog for a while know how much I comment on the realty associations spending time and money to publish negative statistics about the local real estate market. Throwing more matches into the fire.

While I don't like seeing anyone put into this position, I will admit I found an element of humor while reading this story today:

http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2009/feb/10/home-resale-office-closes-miromar-outlets/?partner=RSS

Yes - it is true. The realty office of the President of the local Realty Association in Naples has shut down.

Naples thrives on those retiring and relocating from the cold weather cities up north, and here we are in the middle of February of one of the most brutal winters across the country in years. For this guy to have been elected President of the local realty Association, he has to have a great reputation and track record in the area.

But when people around the country, including the areas which have previously drawn home buyers to the Naples area, continue to be pounded with negative statistics, the carry over effect has had a direct impact.

Sure, I'm not going to deny that the economy has impacted many lives and that fewer people are looking at retiring and moving to Florida and/or buying a second home. But you can't tell me there isn't plenty of inventory to be had in south Florida, and probably at the best prices available in quite some time.

However, as people read about the decline in sales compared with previous years, it reflects poorly on the market - and not on the overall economy. My point continues to be that I could have just as easily read that "hundreds of homes sold in the Naples area in what many consider to be a down economy, with the most recent sales including an $800,000 home" or whatever it may have been. That would make someone get online or pick up a phone and seek more information. Reading that sales have dropped in a particular area is a negative reflection.

I don't know how many listings that realty office in Naples had, but now a large group of potential sellers is forced to relist their property simultaneously. While their association continues to pour out the negative statistics.