...ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY PICK AND CHOOSE WHAT THEY WANT TO HEAR!

I had the unique opportunity to speak to the media not once, but twice this past week, while at the NC Association of REALTORS Convention, earlier this week. Well, that was an eye opening experience for me!

First was a News 14 TV Interview... http://news14.com/Video/BuildASX.ashx?vids=71687&StationId=5&am...

Well, it was very interesting to me to see what "tidbits" they edit out to get what they "want to hear." My comments were much more upbeat and positive for the future in actuality, but this interview was just the tip of the iceberg. Overall, this story wasn't a horrible report.

However, in the Tuesday edition of the Charlotte Observer, I was (MIS) Quoted as saying my business was down 50%. While I did state that, it was NOT the end of my sentence! Nor the beginning! My "quote" was prefaced that my particular market had a double whammy, because not only were we hit here in Union County with the market downturn, that the new APFO's (adequate public facility ordinances - i.e. tax on new construction), and other anti-growth measures, as well as the sewer moratorium, which all affects new construction (my primary focus - now changing! )... had hit us as well. Union County was the 6th fastest growing county in the NATION last year, but I doubt if it will be in the top 20 next.

I hate it more than anyone that my business has slowed, but I also told the Observer that my year last year, was a BANNER year, so it's hard to compare and I am just back to a "normal" market year. Of course, they didn't say all that. (But I will be happy to take your referrals now! LOL )

The Observer then took all that out and made it seem like the entire market was down 50% in Waxhaw, when the resale market is actually doing pretty well. Just great! I took quite a bit of razzing at the NCAR Convention for the piece. But I also found it interesting that I also had MANY agents come up to me and say... "Finally someone telling the truth."

Which also makes me wonder, how do you be honest and upbeat (I was trying really hard!)? I know a lot of complaints have been issued against the National Association of REALTORS for not being totally forthright with their market reporting, and that their "It's a great time to buy campaign!", which I personally like, makes it hard to get sellers to also be realistic with pricing and selling terms. So where is the balance? Can it even be done?

I don't think either being "chicken little" OR the "ostrich" with my head in the sand, is a good way to go, but the media always seems to put their slant on the story, no matter how balanced and accurate you try to be.

So in hindsight, I am thinking... how do we talk to the media, or should we even try? How do we chose our words carefully. Hence the reason for my post. My experience should serve as a warning... Your words can and will be taken out of context. But it's also a reminder that in ALL things that the media reports on, that we need to keep in the back of our mind, that those things too, also might not be fair and balanced reporting either. Be careful out there.

Post your bad experiences, warnings, or even good ones here... I'd really like to learn more about what everyone else has to say. And I hope everyone will take a moment to "read between the lines" and re-evaluate the information provided to you by the news outlets.