The Problem With Generalities

Many moons ago I was a philosophy major.  It didn’t take long before I realized that wasn’t my cup of tea.  There are few things in this world that annoy me more than hypothetical questions because I don’t care about the answers.  I don’t care about the answers because they are fake.  So what if nobody hears the tree fall?  There is no doubt in my mind that it makes a sound.  It’s simple science.  If something of mass falls through the air and lands on something else, it will make a sound.  In fact, even if it were to never land it would make a sound (but I guess that’s not realisitc either-what a hypocrite I am).  I can tolerate theories to an extent so long as they are tested and I believe they have value whether or not they prove to be true.  The problem with generalities is they are specifically flawed…always.  We live in a grey world and however much we try to box things in, there is always an exception. 

Real estate is no different.  There are lots of theories and studies about what sells, what doesn’t; why it does or doesn’t.  I don’t discount the fact that there are trends and clearly we’re in one now, a negative one.  But not everybody buying or selling is suffering and not every segment of the market is an apocalypse.  I so like the saying that a home’s value is the price someone is willing to pay for it.  For me that is an absolute truism because it reflects the nuances of any sale.  Now, don’t get me wrong, I am ready and willing to slam the idiots who overpay or underprice out of sheer ignorance.  But I also realize there are subtle factors that affect each and every individual property too numerous to count.  So let me close with the idea that maybe you can also overthink the market and agonize about making the right decision until you are blue in the face.  If there is a good buy on a property you love, you have truly done your due diligence and you can afford it, don’t kill yourself over the state of the market.  I’m not suggesting you be foolish either.  I’m just saying relax and be smart.  On that note, here are some good byes.

1719 Adams Avenue

• 1920 single family home with 3 beds, 2 baths
• Asking $399,000
• Zestimate $497,500
• Last sold for $415,087 on 9/13/07
• On Redfin 120 days

2412 30th Street

• 1926 single family home with 3 beds, 1 bath
• Asking $450,000
• Zestimate $492,500
• On Redfin 8 days

4763 Hawley Boulevard

• 1924 single family home with 2 beds, 1 bath
• Asking $479,000
• Zestimate $470,000
• Last sold for $545,000 on 3/24/06
• On Redfin 4 days

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