Who compared BAS and Showing Desk?  The Broker Support Unit (BSU).  All Brokers are invited to the BSU meetings.  All brokers have input.  If your broker was not involved, it’s up to you to ask why.  The BSU reviewed both programs.  BAS has more to offer, per the BSU.

  The BSU looked for a showing product to meet the needs of a desk agent, mobile agent, broker and most important, the client.

 Did everyone involved know the product was just over a year old?  Of course we did.  Just because a product is new doesn’t mean it won’t work or last.  If you think about it, weren’t we all new at some point.  Just because something is old doesn’t mean it is the best.  Do you use a rotary dial telephone?

 BAS is a live program.  Not an offline database.  The information is current with in 2 hours.  Safety is the main goal for me and my clients.  An offline database cannot provide that.  Simply taking a license number by the telephone and verifying on MI Licensure Lookup is not enough.  I had to show people in a demonstration how to look up licenses.  This is not safe for you or your client.

 Have you ever been attacked by a vagrant in a vacant home?  I have.  Once that happens, you look for any way to make our industry safer.  Only members of FAAR have access to the codes in the BAS.  I guess that’s why I am passionate about the program.

 Please remember, I don’t work for BAS.  I am a peer that is attempting to make our MLS system a little better. I do the demonstration on my own time.  What is the reward?  If most the MLS users use BAS, my cell phone bill will decrease, my office will be better organized and my clients will be pleased.

Why can’t people just be nice and for real?

It is so hard to have a decent conversation with many people in this day. 

Example:  I try to have a conversation with “S”, half way through “S” throws me curve ball, then says “Just kiddin.”  I don’t know about you, but I do not need a “just kiddin’ in a conversation.  I find it to be rude.  How am I supposed to know if someone is “just kiddin” or not?  I don’t.  I’m not a mind reader.  It ruins the integrity of the whole conversation.

Example:  I join a new bowling league at an old bowling house.  I am friends with most of the staff.  I said “See you soon, I’m joining xyz league.”  My friend says, “Aren’t’ we lucky.”  This person is always like that.  I know she is “just kiddin” but she hurt my feelings. 

Putting people down or causal “just kiddin” insults are not funny.

 Why do people find it funny to attempt to make an a$$ out of someone else?  Think about what you’re doing to someone before you do it. 

Example:  A clerk that I know well gave me a pen to use, he didn’t bother to tell me that it was a trick pen.  When I couldn’t operate it he laughed at me.  He said, “I thought you were smart.”  I was furious and belittled.  I said “No I’m obviously not as smart as you.”  Why did he have to do that to me?

I believe in lifting people up.  Helping people to believe in themselves, letting them believe they can accomplish what ever they choose. 

 Why can’t people just be NICE!!!!!

 Thank you, I feel better.

Complete Realty, LLC is attempting to assist homeowners’ that are facing possible foreclosure.  There are more options:  Short sale or Deed in Lieu.

Short Sale

Homeowners who are upside down and can no longer make their mortgage payment, up to now the only option was bank foreclose. That’s not a good option since a foreclosure sticks on your credit record for at least 10 years. Experts are now advocating a “short sale.”  You sell the house for a loss, and the bank agrees to take a loss (although they could still demand the homeowner make some kind of payment or share the loss). Posted by: Dean Foust on March 05, http://www.businessweek.com

Put another why,

A sale of a house in which the proceeds fall short of what the owner still owes on the mortgage. Many lenders will agree to accept the proceeds of a short sale and forgive the rest of what is owed on the mortgage when the owner cannot make the mortgage payments. By accepting a short sale, the lender can avoid a lengthy and costly foreclosure, and the owner is able to pay off the loan for less than what he owes.   http://www.nolo.com/definition.cfm/Term/51715E63-5BC5-4DCE-B5E96F71DFF3D5AB/alpha/S/

A Deed in Lieu of foreclosure (DIL) is a disposition option in which a mortgagor voluntarily deeds collateral property in exchange for a release from all obligations under the mortgage. A DIL of foreclosure may not be accepted from mortgagors who can financially make their mortgage payments.  Please see the following website for more information.  http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/nsc/faqdil.cfm  The lender is not required to accept the Deed in Lieu and can show his/her refusal by filing a Notice of Non Acceptance with the County Recorder. In any event, a decision is required whether to accept the Deed in Lieu. Usually the owner is submitting the Deed in Lieu when he/she is unable to meet his/her obligations and the property equity has gone to zero.  http://www.wealthnetwork.com/products/prod_foreclose/deed_lieu_foreclose.htm  Your bank will tell you if they will allow the Deed in Lieu.

To start either process the home must be listed with a licensed real estate agent in most cases.  The client will need to sign an authorization for the creditor to speak to the listing real estate agent.

You may not need this information personally, but you may know someone who needs this information.  Please tell them to give us a call.  We are helping people save their credit.

Summer’s almost over.  I hope everyone had a chance to enjoy the heat and smell the flowers.  Summer’s about over, now let’s talk business

What are you going to do to help your business adjust in the everyday changing market?   Are you going to listen to everyone else complaining?  Are you going to agree with them?  Are you going to get proactive? 

If you decide to get proactive, what are you going to do?  Have you really thought about it?  Education is the key!  Please allow me to give you a few suggestions or reminders.

Take the “Effective Negotiation” class offered by WCR Sept 12.  This class is an ABR elective, a PMN designation class and approved con-ed.  Hmmm, that tells me it’s a good course.  I know it is I took it.

1. Stand around successful people.  Listen.  Just listen.
2. Ask successful people questions.  They aren’t afraid to give neither advice nor information.  They are the confident people that freely share information.
3. Come to the Flint Chapter Women’s Council of Realtors® monthly meetings.
4. Take Kinnexus classes at FAAR.  You will be surprised at what you don’t know.
5. Create or join a goal group.  Find someone to hold you accountable for your actions.
6. Learn to use the programs you have already on your computer.  Outlook, Explorer, Top Producer ect…. (I bet you have computer programs you pay for and don’t use!)
7. Ask your children or grandchildren what’s new on the internet.  They’ll teach you a thing or two.
8. Attend functions at the Cultural Center; you will be able to educate your clients first hand about the Cultural experience.  Experience your community.
9.  Join a real estate committee or a business group.  It doesn’t matter which one.  Just meet new people, I think they call that “Networking” (-:

 Remember, sitting behind a desk or standing around in an office is not proactive in the real estate business.

   This was 2006.                                                                 This is 2007!!!!!!

NAR's Gateway

The National Association of Realtors® (NAR) is at it again.  It is up to you decide whether or not it's a benefit.  Have you heard of the "Gateway"?

The "Gateway" is supposed to be a National MLS.  Hmmmm.    I'm not sure where to begin.

1. Unrepresented Sellers will be able to list their homes.
2. The term "Realtor®" is not in any of the rules.
3. This will be a shareholder company.  Who will the shareholders be, NAR doesn't know yet.
4. Isn't this what Realtor.com started out to be?  Oh, they sold Realtor.com to another company that decides what information they will let the public view.
5. Do you think NAR will sell the "Gateway" too!  Nice money maker.
6. Will NAR attempt to dominate our local boards and MLS's?
7. Does anyone remember what Realtor® stands for?  Does NAR?

Please Google  NAR Gateway, the internet is full of information.  That is what little information is really available.

Here's a thought, let's just use POINT2.

Wow, the listing total in the Flint Area Association of Realtors (FAAR) has reached a record high, 8192 listing.  This does not include homes for sale by unrepresented sellers, nor does this figure represent homes listed by out of area real estate agents.  The average number of listings use to be 3000-4000.

Actual closed sales are are close to last year.  FAAR is down about 66 closing, this year to date FAAR agents closed 2804 last year, 2870.  2001 was acutally a tougher year for real estate agents, just less noticed.  2001 had 2551 total closings.  We sure wasn't paniced then.  The years between average about 3000-3200 closings per year.

I don't have to tell you the prices of homes have dropped dramatically because of the price investors are purchasing foreclosed homes at.  Some are angry at the investors and some home buyers getting these good deals.  I look at this way, the home gets fixed up, the purchase helps the neighborhood stay in tact and the cycle of a seller's market will begin again in a couple of years.

I was watching the news today, I was stirred when I heard some banks and lending companies will no longer provide mortgages until the market changes.

The news keeps taking about sub prime loans, I don't think the news ever explained sub-prime loans.  Sub prime loans are loans that would not be approved through normal channels.  Sub prime loans have special investors and fees.  Adjustable rate mortgages are an example.  Loans that require no documentation are also an example. 

FHA loans are up.  FHA seems to be the new sub prime as my brother from ICON Mortgage Lending puts it.  It's the new sub prime with the government calling the shots.  Right now, that's a good thing!