Proactive Ways on how to Educate the Media and the Consumer on the Local Housing Market
Lori Cain's featured blog "Members of the Media reporting on the housing market - would you shut the hell up?!!" inspired me to tell you about being proactive on how to educate the local media and the consumer on the local housing market.
A couple of years ago I was approached by the local newspaper after they have found my market reports on my Active Rain blog asking me if I could write up market reports for Polk County Florida for Saturday's issue of Polk Homes published as an insert of the Ledger. I replied that I would be happy to do so. However, Polk Homes is just an insert when compared to the local newspaper reporting on Lakeland FL local housing in the Ledger. A few month ago I received emails from readers who are reading my market reports asking me to justify my market reports vs. the reports of the local newspaper. I could only reply to my readers that I have the facts and that I can proof it. I don't not know how the local newspaper receive their statistics. Since I enjoy doing market reports and read the local newspaper, I decided to simply email the local housing reporter and asked him how he came up with his numbers, which were very inconsistent with my market reports for Lakeland Florida. He was very kind to respond quickly and after I provided him with a link to my market reports and he did some more investigating, he replied that they only pull the numbers from various real estate association within Polk County. Ha!
You see, Polk County is very centrally located in Florida between Orlando which is not located in Polk County, and Tampa, which is also not located in Polk County. However, all being serviced by Mid-Florida Regional MLS. Realtors® do not have to belong to an association in Polk County and sell homes. I can be a member at the Orlando Association or the Tampa Association and sell homes in Lakeland FL and any other city throughout Polk County. A member of the Tampa or Orlando Association can sell homes in Lakeland or anywhere else in Polk County.
As a result of this, the local housing market reported by the local newspaper was, in my opinion, done in error because we have Realtors® from the aforementioned associations selling homes in Polk County and these sales are not being accounted for by the local media reports, since they only look at the statistics from the Polk County Association.
I explained that to the local housing reporter and now there is a caveat of where the numbers came from, "The sales figures reflect transactions reported by Realtor associations based in Polk County."
Being proactive by educating consumers and the media, especially our local media by writing local market reports and submitting them to the local newspaper is a great way to help consumers and reporters understand the local housing market. If you are not in agreement with the local housing report, email the reporter and ask him if you could help, after all you are the Expert and you have one of the best resources available to provide them with the most accurate report - the Multiple Listing Service. It certainly will get you more exposure when reporting and writing local housing reports constantly.
As a result of my market reports and market reports in Polk Homes, people recognize me and ask questions about the local housing market. So stop complaining about the media - be proactive and let your voices be heard by writing to the local newspaper and educate them. You are already writing blogs - market reports don't have to be boring, plus studying statistics gives you an edge over your competition and more importantly you become the consumer's best source.
I hope you found this post useful! If you need help finding or selling your Lakeland, Florida home, please contact Petra Norris - REALTOR(R) at 863-619-6918. If you’re new to Lakeland, I’d especially like to extend a warm welcome. I value my clients and provide them with honest, reliable service. Allow me to introduce you to the Lakeland FL real estate landscape and all it has to offer.
Copyright © 2011 By Petra Norris * Proactive Ways on how to Educate the Media and the Consumer on the Local Housing Market*
Petra Norris - REALTOR®, SFR
Managing Broker - CDV TransAtlantic, Inc.
Managing Broker - CDV TransAtlantic, Inc.
(863) 619-6918
