Why Reporters Call Steve Reese About the Shawnee Housing Market
Why Reporters Call Me About the Housing Market (And How That Helps You)
Every now and then, the housing market becomes a headline instead of background noise. Rates move, prices shift, or a new policy drops, and suddenly reporters need someone who can explain what is really happening for real people, not just on a chart.
Over the years, I have been interviewed or quoted by USA TODAY, Forbes Advisor, Realtor.com, The Oklahoman, FOX 25, KFOR News 4, and The Journal Record. That might sound fancy, but here is what it really means if you are buying or selling a home in Shawnee or Central Oklahoma.
My job is to translate headlines into real life
When a reporter calls, they are usually asking some version of the same question:
“What does this actually mean for regular buyers and sellers?”
My answer starts with what I see every day here in Shawnee and across Central Oklahoma, not what someone in another state thinks “should” be happening. I talk about real conversations at the kitchen table, not just numbers on a graph.
For example, in a USA TODAY story about falling mortgage rates and a slower economy, I shared what I was seeing in our local market:
“National chaos shows up fast in local markets. Buyers are more nervous than I have seen in years.”
That’s not about drama. It’s about helping people understand why they feel uneasy and what to do with that feeling.
Recessions, headlines, and what actually matters
When Forbes Advisor reached out during a recession scare, they wanted to know if the housing market was headed for a crash. My answer was steady and simple:
“A recession does not mean a housing crisis. I have been through enough cycles to know consumers stay far calmer than the headlines.”
If you own a home or want to own one, that is the kind of context you need. The goal is not to talk you into moving or talk you out of it. The goal is to help you understand the moment so you can make a choice that fits your life.
Timing the market vs timing your life
Realtor.com asked about the classic question: “Should I sell now or wait?” My answer in that interview is the same one I give my own clients:
“I do not promise anyone that rates will go down. Big decisions should not hinge on trying to time the market.”
Your life, your job, your health, your family, and your plans matter more than trying to guess the exact bottom or top of the market. My role is to show you the tradeoffs, not pretend I have a crystal ball.
How the pandemic changed what buyers want
During the height of the Covid pandemic, Heather Holman (a Shawnee girl!) from KFOR News 4 and I talked about how being home all the time changed what people need from their houses. After months of working, schooling, eating, and doing everything under one roof, buyers were looking for something different.
My takeaway was simple:
“Months at home reshaped buyer priorities. People wanted quiet, separation, and space that actually works for real life.”
If you wondered why buyers suddenly cared more about home offices, doors that close, and yard space, that’s why. The way we lived day to day rewired what “home” needed to do for us.
Normalizing after a wild market
FOX 25 asked about rate hikes and whether the market was falling apart. I pushed back on the doom and gloom:
“We had an artificially high market for a couple of years. What we are seeing now is not a downturn. It is a normalizing of the market.”
I still believe that. Real estate has seasons. Some are easier than others, but very few are truly “broken.” Having someone who can sort out the noise from the signal is a big part of my job for clients.
Big picture issues that affect Oklahoma buyers and sellers
The Oklahoman and The Journal Record often reach out when they want to go deeper on statewide issues. Things like inventory shortages, construction costs, or fair housing standards do not always fit in a 30-second sound bite, but they shape everything buyers and sellers experience.
In one piece about our housing challenges, I said:
“Oklahoma’s challenge is not buyer demand. It is the shortage of labor, materials, and buildable lots.”
In another, about ethics and discrimination, I shared this:
“Realtors cannot use discriminatory speech and then claim they do not behave that way in transactions. Our standards apply all the time, not just at work.”
That side of the work rarely makes it into casual conversation at showings, but it matters. Policy, supply, and ethics are the foundation under every contract you sign.
What this means for you as a client
I am not sharing these clips to brag. I am sharing them so you know how I think and how I show up when the stakes are high.
When reporters call, they are testing for three things:
- Can this person explain what is going on in plain language?
- Do they actually understand both the local market and the bigger picture?
- Do they sound calm, honest, and grounded when everyone else is shouting?
Those are the same things you should want from the person guiding you through a home sale or purchase.
If you would like to see some of the actual stories and interviews, I have collected a sample of them on my Media and Press page. It’s a quick way to skim how I talk about the market when the camera is on and the quote really matters.
Curious about what all this means for your next move?
You don’t need a newsroom to call to get straight answers. If you’re thinking about selling, buying, or rightsizing in Shawnee or anywhere on the right side of the metro, I’m happy to talk through your options.
We will look at what is happening in the market, what is happening in your life, and how those two things can work together instead of against each other.
You can always reach me at Hello@SoldonShawnee.com or call or text 405-585-6580. If the media trusts me to explain the market, my goal is to earn that same trust from you, one conversation at a time.
