What would you say if it was your daughter?

It was the question I always dreaded as a young girl when my dad would talk to me. In an effort to get me to think, he would ask me, "What would you say if it was your daughter?" Oh man...I hated that question!

Today, it's the question that drives my business. I was in a position to help my parents navigate the sale of property in another state last year. My knowledge of sale numbers and statistics as well as foreclosure filings and economic forecasts were invaluable in helping my parents make wise decisions. Each time I communicate with my clients, I ask myself, "What would I say if it was my mom and dad?"

...and we'll throw in a free trip to Disney World!

The last couple of months have been hard on buyers who are trying to find the home of their dreams before the tax credit expires and becomes the stuff of dreams. As I type this, a tax credit extension/expansion appears imminent, but leading up to this week, the under $400,000 market in Northern VA has been crazy. Buyers are having to put offers on four or five properties, or more, before they finally get a ratified contract.

I would be lying if I said that I haven't been grateful for the burst in activity and the effect that the positive statistics have had on consumer confidence. What concerns me is the feeding frenzy that circumstances have created--low inventory, low interest rates, and a tidal wave of buyers that did not exist four months ago--that mimics the boom market that left the balloon debris we are still trying to sift out of.