I got an email from a reader in North Carolina, wondering if I intended to say that 2008 would be a strong seller’s market.

I couldn’t even imagine what kind of story I would write that someone would get that impression. When I took a look at the story online and compared it with what I had written, I could see that whoever edited the story shortened it just enough to completely change the meaning.

The power of a single word. It’s a great lesson.

Meanwhile, here’s the introduction to this year’s annual New Year’s resolutions story for sellers:

New Year’s 2008 Resolutions for Home Sellers

By Ilyce R. Glink

A year ago, the average price of a home had dropped by 3.5 percent nationwide. As we end 2007, the average price of homes has dipped again – a small amount in some markets and by more in others.

But the next year (and perhaps the year after that) will be a sellers market that’s made for those with strong stomachs. While the National Association of Realtors claims that the housing market is stabilizing, other economists are calling for a turnaround in 2009, 2010 or even 2014.

If you want to sell and move, that’s not the kind of news you want to hear. But given that 2008 is a presidential election year, and real estate normally slows during an election cycle, a real estate recovery in 2009 seems plausible.

That doesn’t mean folks won’t be buying. If you’re going to sell next year, the key to a successful closing will be planning.

To get you going, here is my annual list of home seller resolutions you might want to keep. As a home seller, I resolve to:
And here’s how it was edited by one of the papers in my syndicate:
RESOLUTIONS FOR HOME SELLERS
Selling? Stage your house to show. Here’s a list of things you should do, even before talking to real estate agents
ILYCE GLINK
Tribune Media Services
This year — and perhaps next year — will be a real estate seller’s market.
While the National Association of Realtors claims that the housing market is stabilizing, other economists are calling for a turnaround in 2009, 2010 or even 2014.
If you want to sell and move, that’s not the kind of news you want to hear. But given that 2008 is a presidential election year, and real estate normally slows during an election cycle, a recovery in 2009 seems plausible.
That doesn’t mean folks won’t be buying. If you’re going to sell next year, the key to a successful closing will be planning.
To get you going, here is my annual list of home-seller resolutions you might want to keep.
As a home seller, I resolve to:

You can see from looking at the beginnings of each story that the meaning is entirely different. In my version, I talk about how you need a strong stomach to navigate the tough times ahead. In the edited version, it appears that I’m saying the market is going to do a turnaround. It’s completely different.

FOR THE RECORD: HERE’S HOW I FEEL ABOUT THE REAL ESTATE MARKET IN 2008:
I don’t believe 2008 will be particularly good year for sellers. Some people will buy and others will sell, but it’s going to be a tough slog for anyone who is selling a home that isn’t in the hottest neighborhood, in the best school district, that is in perfect condition. And, that’s how it is. It could be that 2009 will be better. My guess is that until we’re done with the Presidential Election cycle, and the new person takes over, we won’t know when this ship will right itself. In the meantime, there is always the power of the word.

Jan. 5, 2008