INCITE OR INFORM?

There’s a saying that goes “people who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones” – I’m mindful of this with respect to this post.

So what really is the role of journalism in today’s world?  

In my mind, it’s an interesting question to pose, and look at the impact of what we watch, read and who we listen to has upon our lives and decisions.   

Journalism has become pervasive and more divisive than ever before.  Social media in particular has given people platforms that just weren’t available a few years ago.  As a result, opinions are plenty, often controversial and, in the noisy space of media, often shouted with a lot of emotion.  

So, where am I going with this?  

I’m gobsmacked at the emotion and rhetoric that’s being spewed in social media, as well as traditional media, about the current real estate market.  

You’d think the economy and housing specifically were melting down like Chernobyl.  Just a few months ago, a lot of those same people and journalists were talking in amazement about how robust and strong the real estate market was. 

I have to remind myself that one of the purposes of journalism is to engage an audience.  The question today is: is that engagement meant to incite, inform or some combination of the two?  

Certainly one of the benefits of the proliferation of reporting has been how the same news event can have so many different interpretations.  We all have our favourite news sources and for the longest time I saw those sources and reports as balanced and the “truth”. Call me naive. 

I’ve become more critical in examining the source and the intention of the “news” that I consume.  

No, I’m not becoming a “fake news” proponent.  However, I do find myself asking the question why and who benefits from the information I consume.  

I worry that because we are flooded with so much information and from so many sources, many of which have murky backgrounds, we are forgetting to be critical in taking each story as the absolute truth.

The glass house thing:

I own and run a real estate brokerage.  

I own real estate and believe in it.  

I am usually optimistic.  

I believe in win/win or no deal.  

These will be the filters I usually apply to the topics I bring to this space.  

Regardless of market conditions, I’m not going to sugarcoat nor am I going to go doomsday.  Our goal has always been to be a source of knowledge for you to help you make better decisions about your real estate needs.  We know we won’t be your sole source and that not all of you will choose to do business with us in the end, and we’re ok with that.  

I will have considered our job done if you come away from this blog with a clearer understanding of our local real estate market, and you feel you can make better decisions about buying or selling real estate.  

Next week we’ll dive into the July sales stats and bring our take on where the market is headed.  

In the meantime, enjoy the long weekend safely.  

 

CHECK IT OUT! WE’VE JUST RELEASED OUR

JUNE/Q2 2022 MARKET REPORT

THIS REPORT CONTAINS

  • Q2 summary & analysis for Guelph

  • Neighbourhood breakdown for Guelph

  • Full home type breakdowns for Guelph, Kitchener, Waterloo & Cambridge

  • Township comparisons: Puslinch, Guelph/Eramosa, and Centre Wellington

 

THE PAST WEEK IN THE GUELPH REAL ESTATE MARKET

Take a look at the full key week comparison:

 

Are you curious what homes in Guelph are really selling for?

View today’s sales prices, plus photos, maps & property details – imagine realtor.ca, but for sold properties!

 

Learn more about the Home Group Realty Journey

 

KEEP READING