Jason Robie: Real estate has its share of myths that can be tested

If you’re a terrible enough human being to ruin Santa for a little kid (like “he who shall remain unnamed”), then chances are — you deservedly got a lump of coal in your stocking this year. There are lots of misconceptions or “myths” we tend to hang onto throughout our lives. Some of us still believe there is good in all people. I will work hard at maintaining that one for as long as I live. Others still hang on to the notion that if you swim within 30 minutes of eating, you’ll sink to the bottom of the lake. Honestly, I’ve never tested that one. I’m not sure it’s worth the risk.

In real estate, there are also myths that folks tend to hang onto regardless of facts to the contrary or the sage advice of a real estate professional. Today I’d like to explore (expose!?) a couple of those so that you might be better prepared to play in the real estate game in the new year. Some of these are more obvious than others and others are going to fly in the face of what some of you have believed for years. I don’t require that you believe everything you read here, just that you give it a little consideration as you head down the road of buying or selling a home.