2011: The Year of Optimism
By Jason Forrest
You know the highly hesitant prospects who come in thinking they just can’t afford to buy a home, and yet have solid incomes, little risk of losing their jobs, large down payments, and nearly perfect credit scores? Their consumer confidence (perceived ability to afford a home) is lacking.
Consumer confidence levels contribute to overall economic health. When optimism is high, consumers are more likely to engage in the market (i.e. buy homes). But when pessimism abounds, consumers tend to retreat and engage more in their savings accounts.
Bob Doll, of BlackRock Investments, made a list of ten predictions for 2011. Check out the first three below:
- US growth accelerates as US real GDP reaches a new all-time high.
- The US economy creates two to three million jobs in 2011 as the unemployment rate falls to 9%.
- US stocks experience a third year of double-digit percentage returns for the first time in more than a decade as earnings reach a new all-time high.
FoxNews (see article here) and CNN (see article here) each reported a slip in consumer confidence at the end of the year, but Doll’s predictions may help change the public’s mindset, especially as they come to fruition.
Just like in so many aspects of life, the way people perceive their circumstances is so much more influential than their actual circumstances. Since buyers’ perception of what they can/cannot afford may not be accurate, you, as a salesperson, can help educate them with the quieter headlines, facts, and predictions.
Here’s to 2011: the year of optimism!
