Before Pointing a Finger at Others, Look in the Mirror First: Cost of an Overly Critical Society is Destroying Civility!

In our fast-paced, interconnected world, criticism seems to be everywhere. While constructive criticism can be a tool for growth and learning, an overly critical society can have deeply damaging impacts on individuals, families, communities, workplaces, and overall civility within our society. Where criticism becomes the prevailing tone, a culture of negativity and cynicism often follows. Look no further than online forums and social media platforms, where toxic comments can breed an unwelcoming atmosphere.

“Most of us are subjected to insults, sarcastic comments or bad feedback in our everyday lives,” according to an article on BBC.com. “But we weren’t built to deal with torrents of criticism.”

Managing Editor

Dave Anderton

Publisher Mills Publishing, Inc. www.millspub.com

President

Dan Miller

Art Director

Jackie Medina

Graphic Design

Ken Magleby

Patrick Witmer

Office Administrator

Cynthia Bell Snow

Excessive criticism doesn’t just affect our digital interactions. A 2014 study by the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada, uncovered that those who are overly self-critical struggle to form and sustain both personal and professional relationships.

Workplaces and educational settings are not immune to the stifling effects of a hyper-critical environment. According to Harvard Business Review, an environment rife with criticism can breed a fear of failure, dampening creativity, and hindering innovative thinking.

Sales Staff

Paula Bell

Dan Miller

As noted by social psychologist Roy Baumeister, co-author of “The Power of Bad: And How to Overcome It,” humans are wired to focus on the negative. While this can be helpful in extreme situations, it becomes unproductive in daily life. Baumeister argues that until we learn to balance this bias, our worldview remains distorted, impacting how we respond to daily challenges and interact with others.

Salt Lake Board: (801) 542-8840 e-mail: dave@saltlakeboard.com

Web Site: www.slrealtors.com affirmative advertising and marketing program in which there are no barriers to obtaining housing because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin.

The Salt Lake REALTOR is the monthly magazine of the Salt Lake Board of REALTORS . Opinions expressed by writers and persons quoted in articles are their own and do not necessarily reflect positions of the Salt Lake Board of REALTORS®

Permission will be granted in most cases, upon written request, to reprint or reproduce articles and photographs in this issue, provided proper credit is given to The Salt Lake REALTOR as well as to any writers and photographers whose names appear with the articles and photographs. While unsolicited original manuscripts and photographs related to the real estate profession are welcome, no payment is made for their use in the publication.

Views and opinions expressed in the editorial and advertising content of the The Salt Lake REALTOR are not necessarily endorsed by the Salt Lake Board of REALTORS . However, advertisers do make publication of this magazine possible, so consideration of products and services listed is greatly appreciated.

The ripple effects of a critical society reach even our political discourse, driving increased polarization. The divide between political parties has grown, obstructing collaboration and constructive dialogue.

To combat these negative impacts, it is essential to turn inward and evaluate our own tendencies to criticize. A 2013 study by the University of Illinois emphasizes the importance of self-compassion and recognizing our flaws. By approaching criticism with empathy and self-awareness, we promote more tolerant and positive relationships.

The consequences of an overly critical society reach far and wide, affecting our personal lives, professional interactions, and the overall civility that binds us together. While criticism can be a valuable tool for improvement, it must be handled with care and self-awareness. By understanding the costs and cultivating a more compassionate approach, we can mitigate these negative effects and foster a society that values empathy, innovation, and cohesion.

Rob Ockey President

REALTOR is a registered mark which identifies a professional in real estate who subscribes to a strict Code of Ethics as a member of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS

Utah is Ranked as The Best State

According to U.S. News & World Report, Utah is ranked as the best state in the nation across 71 metrics, including economy, education, health care, infrastructure, fiscal stability, and opportunities. Tourism and a growing tech sector are among Utah’s economic drivers. “Utah is well-known for its recreation opportunities, especially skiing,” the report noted. “With more than 300 trails, the largest ski resort in the country lies at Park City. The creation of the resort has added about 8,000 jobs to Utah’s labor force.”

Washington and Idaho ranked as the second and third best states, respectively. Louisiana ranked last. The Best States rankings provide insights into how well states serve their residents across various categories.

Home Prices Dip, But Decline Appears Temporary

During the first half of 2023, the median single-family home price in Salt Lake County fell to $580,000 from $623,277 in the same period in 2022, according to UtahRealEstate. com. This decrease was primarily attributed to higher mortgage interest rates. However, there was a noteworthy rise in monthly median single-family home prices, starting from $535,750 in January and reaching $600,000 in June. This increase was largely driven by a scarcity of available housing inventory in the region.

Median Single-Family Home Prices

Salt Lake County | January through June

The U.S. housing sector is back in full swing and builders are best positioned to ride the wave, according to MarketWatch.

The housing market went into a recession at the end of 2022, after mortgage rates surged from 4% to 7%, making homeownership more expensive, and depressing home sales. Since then, housing has mostly rebounded, but with the housing market seriously short of homes for sale as homeowners hold out on selling, the sector is still facing a fundamental supply-and-demand problem.

The key players poised to reap the benefits of — and permanently fix — this imbalance are home builders, according to two economists at mortgage-financing giant Fannie Mae. The government-owned enterprise purchases mortgage loans from lenders and either holds them on their books, or packages them into mortgage-backed securities — and sells them to the broader market.

“If they get to that level, that will help absorb current demand pretty well,” Doug Duncan, chief economist at Fannie Mae, told MarketWatch. And now for the bad news. “The question is catching up, and we think that will take two or three years,” he added. “So it looks to us like a pretty good environment for builders for some time.” bmwofpg.com

A decade of underbuilding is one reason why the U.S. is facing such a shortfall in housing supply, Duncan explained.

According to Realtor.com, the U.S. is short of 6.5 million single-family homes.

Electrify every drive with the BMW iX and i4. A generation of electric vehicles built like no other.

Confidently get behind the wheel of the 100% electric BMW iX. The new standard of electric driving, defined by elegant detailing, capability and premium experience.

Or experience a futuristic take on timeless style in the 100% electric BMW i4. With dynamic driving capabilities and advanced technology like the BMW Curved Display, you’re set up to take on any adventure.

That’s what you’d expect from the Ultimate Electric Driving Machine.

Visit BMW of Murray or BMW of Pleasant Grove today for a test drive.

Salt Lake Parade of Homes Realtor® Day

Several hundred members of the Salt Lake Board of Realtors® participated in the Salt Lake Parade of Homes Realtor® Day on July 26, held at the Realtor® Campus in Sandy. The event showcased a 312 square-foot tiny home and included various food trucks. This year's Parade also featured a strikingly large, nearly 26,000 square-foot home constructed by Anchor Construction & Design, marking it as the largest home ever to be showcased in the history of the Salt Lake Parade of Homes.

Jaren Davis, the executive officer of the Salt Lake Home Builders Association, hailed the turnout as a success, expressing his gratitude to the numerous Realtors® who purchased Parade tickets and toured this year's collection of 26 remarkable Parade homes. As a major sponsor of the Parade, the Salt Lake Board of Realtors® continues to play an integral role in this event.