REI Wealth Monthly Issue 14 | Page 11

ATTRACTING MOTIVATED SELLERS IN A CHANGING MARKET TRACY ROYCE 1) Jobs As of November 8th, 2013, the long-term unemployed (those without jobs for more than 27 weeks) stood roughly the same as it was in October 2013, at 4.1 Million. This in general counts for nearly 36% of the total unemployed population. Overall, the United States is currently at a 7.3% unemployment rate. Historically, 5.8% is what is considered normal. Another full 8.1 million people are “under-employed”, meaning they are looking for full-time work, but were either cut back in hours or unable to find a full-time position. Trailing those groups, there’s 815,000 persons in the US that are considered discouraged workers; those whom are no longer looking for work because they feel no jobs are available for them. (Bureau of Labor Statistics). Depending on who you ask, or what you read, the picture of the America’s job crisis would seem to be lessening. What might be better is to research through your own Chamber of Commerce if there are jobs being created, or leaving, the area you plan to invest.