Is that light I see at the end of the Recession Tunnel?

I just read an article from my real estate board stating:

"April 6, 2009-- In March 2009, Greater Toronto REALTORS® reported 6,171 sales - down seven per cent from March 2008, representing the smallest year-over-year decline in the last five months. The average price for March transactions was $362,052 - down less than five per cent from the same month last year." - Toronto Real Estate Board

With all the doom and gloom in the marketplace, it's sometimes worth reminding myself that our market (at least here), in my opinion, merely experienced the correction it needed. We couldn't sustain the huge rises in housing prices forever -- what goes up must eventually come down. But as I talk to friends/neighbours/clients, you'd swear that house prices were in free-fall -- and that's just not true judging by the above statement (at least in the Greater Toronto Area) -- numbers don't lie and statistics aren't swayed by emotion.

It seems in our market that, yes, people aren't jumping as quickly as, say, last year, but there is still business being done and there is a greater positive outlook beginning to emerge. I think that everyone has been forced to stand back and take stock of what's really important in their lives -- it happens every time we get into economic hard times -- and it's a GOOD thing! But with all this doom and gloom it's sometimes hard to remember that recessions don't last forever (although they feel like it!). It's funny how human nature allows us to gravitate and focus on the negative -- for example, we all hear -- "8% unemployment" -- how about 92% EMPLOYMENT!

I wish sometimes the media would stop and look at some of the good things that are happening instead of continually dwelling on the negative. That being said, my job as a Realtor right now is to educate about the realities of our local Brampton / GTA market - in some markets helping our people see the opportunities to buy up (or for the first time) and in others the benefits of staying put. At any rate, educating and assisting my client (and prospective clients) is what it's all about -- tough times breed stronger bonds if nurtured -- it's all about relationships.

So as I sit here in snow drenched Brampton (I thought this was April? what happened to the showers?), I muse that we all get mired in the negative and it's easy to be drawn in by it - almost like quicksand. My spring time pledge is that for every negative thing I'm told or hear, I'm going to counter it with something positive! Or at least try .... !

**this post is merely my personal opinion and is not meant as advice. If you are looking to buy or sell your home, please contact me directly and we can get working on the solution that's right for you!