It depends on who I'm talking to Jeff and where and for what purpose. I can be just verbal, I will have charts and graphs in other circumstances. My people get it... I honed my communication skills about such topics in the corporate world having to make "simple" presentations to boards of directors of Fortune 500 companies about complicated financial issues. That skill has stood me in good stead in my real estate career.

It really depends on the client- Some want to know and others don't.  i am kind of of the mind frame personally let the professionals so their job and spend my time doing mine (when I am on the end of being serviced), but if I have someone that asks a slot of questions I will start filling in the blanks and give them as much information as they want;)

Jeff,

I think that when you are explaining something, one should never make the other party feel stupid by active professorial or superior. There is no better teacher than someone who acts casually and explains what is happening in the marketplace.  If needed, I would draw it out on a piece of paper...A

In a listing they get the verbal with visuals as well. With buyers its verbal until they isolate a property then I will give them specifics in writing.

I use nothing more than a local agent's phone # ; )

I have general info and know lending parameters in all the markets I serve, but the agents I know in those areas are where I send folks who need in depth knowledge.

rbi stats

Charts do the trick and they can see what is happening. I like them to see the number of competing properties as this is usually a wake up call.

I've tried it all at one point or another, but most people really don't care.  They are only interested in themselves and do not understand how the state of the market effects them.

Depends on the who I am talking to.  An engineer, accountant or attorney type wants detail and more is better.

If you were talking to my mother no graphs or charts are necessary. 

Know your audience is what I teach in my class.

simple charts will accomplish that task very easily....

It depends.   Some like graphs/charts, others like comparative market analysis, some like to have homes pointed out to them with prices as we drive through neighborhoods.   

Some get it quickly.  Others eventually.  Some get that glazed look in their eyes.  

DOM, off market sales and % of sales not financed.

But still, they don't believe until they let one get away thinking they had the luxury of time.

Then they get serious and will commit.

Graphicly on a website to which I will direct them.

Generally it is a conversation, sometimes market reports to further the explanation.

Jeff - If you are too vague, your client may thing you don't really know your specific market that well. If you present too much information they may get overwhelmed. I think there is a fine line, and you have to know your client. Some will be visual, some will like numbers, and some will just want conversation.

I had several new buyers yesterday, one relocating from AZ.   They have been looking on line, and know properties are moving fast.    When getting ready to write on a property, I provide comparables on each neighborhood, sometimes with graphs. 

An absorption rate in a report format.

The comps. Solds and expireds! They either get it or they don't!

Good morning Jeff. I spending the "time" necessary for the client to know that I have heard them.

 I think the charts and graphs speak well for themselves.

Getting and staying qualified for a loan and not becoming mortgage poor (verbally and handouts)

I do a side-by-side for seller CMA with charts comparing their home to each comp and links to virtual tours.  They usually get it.

I show the notebook of data I've compliled doing market reports. Then I explain and answer questions.

With buyers and sellers, usually verbally.  With prospects, I describe in a letter.  I should put in a graph.

I prepare a market analysis with DOM, listed, sold, etc.  I clearly show them what similar properties sell for.  The days on market and the number sold give buyers and sellers a picture of the market in the area they are buying or selling.

Jeff,

As always you have a great question. I tend to stress and question what the client anticipates the future of the area to be. Tends to be verbal, probably needs more visual.

Words.  Comps and numbers to support them if needed.  Most don't care about the nitty gritty.  My market reports do a good job if I need to bring in pictures.

I prefer things dumbed down and strait to the point K.I.S.S. 

i think the best way is to know your inventory, and show those homes that represent it. show the high priced one, the low priced one. show one that just went pending...they will see