Christopher J Bowman graduated from Army Basic Training May 15, 2008.  What an amazing experience.  My son is my new hero.  Meet Heather, Chris's girlfriend. Christopher is a Davison MI High School graduate.  Currently 20 years old.

Extra clean and sharp double door Shasta, Rear Queen Bedroom, Front Kitchen, New Hardwood Floors, Furniture updated, new Toilet, Newer Large Awning, Air, New Fridge, Double Sink, Lots of Counter top, Holding Water and Fresh, Scissor jacks, Crank windows-allows fresh air while raining, TV hook up, LP, 6500 Pounds, 1989, two 20 pound propane tanks,  call Angie 810 730 4532 or email Angie@AngieRidley.com   Location:  Davison, Richfield / Irish.

Just a SHARP unit...

 Four Burner Stove, New Fridge,   Dining turns to bed

   Couch turns into a bed

  Front Kitchen, Double Sink

    2 door entry with bath in the middle

  Full Bath     Queen Bed

  Storage over couch    Storage over dining

      Awesome layout                  

This trip was very enlightening.  I learned associations must position themselves to be Premier Associations.  We must find out what members want and please them.  I strongly believe the associations in Michigan will combine creating regionals.   Based on the information provided, the small associations cost as much to run as the larger.  This was not stated by anyone at Michigan, this view is a result of conversations and networking with people from various states.

  During the Medium Size Association meeting a questions and discussions occurred as follows:  (and as fast as I could write)

1. Visit the President Talk List Serv, available through Internet Crusade.  This keeps boards updated about what is happening around them.  (I search, can't find, I sent an email requesting the link)
2. Get Gen Y and X'ers involved.  Create an appointing system.  They are not going to wait 3-7 years to move up.  #12 is also about Generations  (FAAR has created an appointment system.)
3. Ethic Issue, there is a multiple system that doesn't allow the agents to file Ethics Complaints on each other.  It was stated that alone is a violation.
4. Why doesn't NAR have an entertainment at Mid Year?  It was suggested and informal networking opportunity be created after the meeting sessions.
5. NAR and Association dues increase, can NAR create a payment plan for the membership?  No additional conversation.
6. A suggestion was made that NAR assist local associations to create a "Local Leadership Academy"?  No other conversation was made.
7. Members would like to know how effective the "Quadrennial Training Sessions" have been.  No answer was given at this time.
8.  An AE said his membership is getting together and requesting a pay reduction for the AE and a staff reduction.  It was suggested the AE find whys to cut cost in the budget and get creative with ways to do business.  Possibly restructure. (FAAR has already done this.)
9. Members used to be able to attend the NAR Finance Meetings by requesting an invitation.  This has stopped and a member wanted to know why.
   1. Information is really confidential.  People were giving the information to the public.
   2. People asked for invitations to get appointed to seats.
   3. Example, when NAR was looking for a building in DC, it seemed prices would jump up when NAR would negotiate.  When done with out public knowledge that NAR was looking, prices were reasonable.
10.  How associations can start creating non dues revenue?  An association said they became a Consultant the local municipalities.    
11. Pay more dues, get more education, become elite.  End of conversation.
12.  30 and under Realtors®.  When are we going to realize we can learn from them.  Associations need to seek out this group.  When NAR had a "30 and Under" session in Vegas last year, the room was standing room only.  They want to learn, current education is not challenging enough for them to want to participate.
13.   The question was raised, "How can we get more affiliate participation and membership?"  Points were made the affiliates must see value in the association.  The value is getting the affiliates with the agents and other affiliates.  (FAAR is in the process of creating an affiliates membership package.)
14.  How can the association assist to keep a level of professionalism among the agents?  An association shared this success story, the association created it's own 3 year local professional designation program.  The program included:  cell phone etiquette, dining etiquette, dress, speech and more...with a test.
15. A member said they have created "board value" by giving free con-on to members.  Another member said to assist with ‘board value" and addressing the professionalism, they pay half of the expense for any and all NAR designation class.  If a member wanted to take 3 classes, the board paid ½ of 3 classes.  Money had to be in the budget, of course.
16.  One association had to assist members with media.  The local market was healthy so they had to override the national and state news.  The association set up a breakfast for the media.  NAR has created a system called "Surround Sound".  NAR paid a media company to assist them with teaching associations about media interaction.  This training was used to teach an association's board members and then used to teach the whole membership.  From what I understand, FAAR can request this and the expense is NAR's.  http://www.realtor.org/press_room/surroundsound
17. An association attempted to figure out "who is the target market purchasing homes?"  They ran a contest that asked "Why should you have a home?"  The winner won $20,000 to put down on a new home.  See "X" below for more information
18.   A member was concerned IDX feed's were being stolen and use on other agents websites.  No conversation developed.
19. Why to assists Diversity:  Bi-lingual workshops to assist people both wanted to purchase and those attempting to save their home.  The idea of partnering up with a non-profit also was presented.  One association had an "International Night Out" party.  They had various foods; different cultures were allowed to bring items that had meaning.  The night was very successful with the public and members.  Another association had a "Lunch and Learn" session.
20.  An association took the good press that NAR is putting on their website for associations to use and added more to make the new local.  The information resulted in a press release also using an economist remarks.
21.  Associations are upset other associations are recruiting their members.  That's just fair competition.  My thought is "Did the board the member left ask what the other board is providing that they are not?"
22.  An "Out Reach Program" was created by another association.  They set up workshops in places like college, hospital and more...  They had a workshop at the board as well.  They also had a "Credit Smart Workshop"

 My head was spinning after this.  Can you imagine if we take 2 or 3 ideas a year from a list like this and slowly integrate through the years?

Immigration:  NAR approved "Immigration Statement of Principles".  In simple text, NAR supports legal immigrants owning real estate.  NAR also supports borders controls to stop illegal immigration.

Election process changes:  Too many to type, please see www.Realtor.org for details.  This doesn't really affect us at the local level.             2009 National Association of Realtors® Leadership:
            President: Charles McMillan, Irving, Texas
            President-Elect: Vicki Cox Golder, CRB, Tucson, Arizona
            First Vice President: Ronald Phipps, GRI, CRS, Warwick, Rhode Island
            Treasurer: James L. Helsel, Jr., CCIM, CPM, CRE, GRI, SIOR, Lemoyne, Pennsylvania
            For Regional Vice President:
            Region 1 Sharon Steel, Providence, RI
            Region 2 Joseph L. Canfora, East Islip, NY
            Region 3 Dale Ross, Potomac, MD
            Region 4 Jayne Cox, Lancaster, KY
            Region 5 Russell E. Grooms Jr., Jacksonville, FL
            Region 6 Cathy Sherman Bittrick, Grand Rapids, MI
            Region 7 Stan Sieron, Belleville, IL
            Region 8 Scott Louser, Minot, ND
            Region 9 Doug Smith, Little Rock, AR
            Region 10 Connie Kyle, Baton Rouge, LA
            Region 11 Keith Kelley, Las Vegas, NV
            Region 12 W. James Johnson, Pocatello, ID
            Region 13 Toby S. Bradley, Santa Barbara, CA  

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are no longer redlining areas because of declining market status.  NAR has been working with Fannie and Freddie on this issue since it first happened.  This became nationally know Friday May, 16, 2008.

 NAR position in limiting loans areas.

1. 1. NAR was been having conversation with Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae.
   2. These discussions are confidential.
   3. NAR would like to eliminate needing at least 3% down for FHA loans.
   4. A big announcement is suppose to be made May 16^th that will cause us to never have this conversation again.  Update:  the announcement was made, Fannie and Freddie will no longer declince a loan because of "Declining Market" status.  Yeahy...
2. Credit Union Update: 
   1. The charter of 1200 pages was submitted. 
   2. Expecting approval with in 2-3 months
   3. Goal is to announce the opening at NAR in November this year.

(I have asked the question is NAR wants to keep banks out of real estate, why is NAR starting a credit union?  I am waiting for a response.)

1. Insurance for Realtors® update:  
   1. Coalition was made
   2. Bill is proposed
   3. Realtors® have great support
   4. All past objections have been research and met
   5. Bi-Partism bill
   6. All in favor except the "Insurance Committee"
2. All would like to see more contested races among the leadership.  This is from the local level to the national level.  It is happening; members just don't see it because people drop out from running so quickly.
3. The question was asked, "If an agent wants to join a neighboring MLS, does the broker have to join too?"  Answer from the floor, "Agent can't belong to any MLS that the broker does not.  The agent subscribes under the broker."
4. NAR's Travel Housing Bureau is not recording all information correctly, this will be looked at.
5. How do we protect the ethics and professionalism of agents selling in areas they are not familiar with?  Mr. Gaylord was quick to say, "Shouldn't we just beef up the criteria to be a Realtor®?"
6.  A Tampa association asked if NAR could do something to assist them with advertising while the Superbowl is in the area.  NAR is looking into that.  NAR is putting a float in the Rose Bowl Parade.
7. After the "Buy Now" campaign, NAR will start a campaign about inspections.

The 8th Annual Biking for Burns happened Saturday May 10, 2008. 

The event started at Perani Arena & Event Center, Flint, MI.  It is estimated over 3000 bikes which made a 40 mile Motor Cycle Parade to Shriners Park in Clio, MI.  The event was broadcast by WRS R-The Fox 103.9 FM.

People lined the route, East on Lapeer Rd, North on Irish Rd, West on Richfield Rd, North on Genesee Rd, West on Mt. Morris Rd, North on Clio Rd, West on Dodge Rd, North on Jennings Rd, East on Vienna Rd, South on Lewis Rd, West on Wilson Rd to Shriner's Circus Park.

I live on Richfield Rd, I am excited every year to see the heart the bikers have. 

 Looking west on Richfield Rd, only cycles are visable.    Bikers making the turn at Richfield and Irish.

 I am going to try to keep this post simple and basic.  Each state and lender may have different laws and rules. 

 I am consistently about people losing their homes because they are not seeking advice from a Realtor®. 

 1^st, call the lender for arrangements.  Ask for a temporary arrangement, if permanent will not be granted.

Options:  Deed in Lieu, the lender takes the deed with out foreclosure process; this could save the homeowners credit.

 Foreclosure:  the process of a bank reposing a home. 

            Stages:  1.  homeowner is late on payments

2.      3-4 months later, bank sends account to attorney to start the foreclosure

3.      ask the bank “Deed for Cash” homeowner gives deed, bank may give homeowner moving money

4.      homeowner recieives notice of “Sherriff Sale”

5.      at the “Sherriff Sale” the loan is purchased at auction, usually purchased back by the bank, then the bank can sell the property later to recoup loss

6.      after “Sheriff Sale” is home is occupied, homeowner can redeem home for 6 months (home owner can repurchase home from bank)

7.      ask the bank “Keyes for Cash” bank may pay homeowner to vacate premises

8.      if home is not occupied, MI law says bank can take over 15 days after “Sheriff Sale”

Can a homeowner sell during foreclosure?  Yes, until the last day of the redemption period.

 Short Sale during Foreclosure:  A short sale is when the bank will agree to take less then the homeowner owes the bank.  

                        Points to consider:  Will the lender consider the debt paid in full?

                                                Is the lender going to attempt to recollect the difference?

                        Will you get a 1099 from the lender? 

Will you have to pay taxes on the amount forgiven?

Purchaser must prove financial situation has changed.

http://www.mlive.com/flint/stories/index.ssf?/base/business-5/1210479674257830.xml&coll=5

On May 5, 2008, at 12:31 PM, Angie Ridley wrote:

Hello Melissa,

Thank you for the opportunity to assist with your article. In addition to the information below, I belong to many rating services also. www.MerchantCircle.com , www.Naymz.com just to name a couple.

 I have been Internet Social Networking since 2006. The social  interacting provides me with an opportunity to show the public and  peers that I am an expert in Genesee County real estate. Blogging  creates a personal relationship between me and my current as well  as future clients. I have had clients call me from my  www.AngieRidley.com blog (a www.realtownblog.com) because they see

 I like to camp or we have some thing else in common that the person calling read about. They meet me before I ever meet them. People are willing to share so much, so just have to want to learn. I learn, educated and advertise my sellers listing where I network.   www.ActiveRain.com social network has 2 values. ActiveRain is a real estate driven blogging website. To access all features a participant must become a member. No fees are involved. The education on ActiveRain is priceless. I have learned web tricks and received useful real estate information. Comments blogged on  ActiveRain can be for "Member Only" or Public. I post Flint real estate stats and listings on ActiveRain which upload to a public site called www.Localism.com . ActiveRain is a great place to generate referral business.

 Socializing on www.myspace.com assist me with communicating the younger generation. I am a Gen X, I am able to converse with Gen Y's over MySpace. It seem Gen Y's like facts and "just say what you mean quickly" responses.

 www.motorcityconnect.com is a place I can give and receive business referrals and education. This site hosts a calendar of free educational events.

 The Michigan Association of REALTORS® thought social networking was so important they created a group for Michigan Realtors on www.facebook.com Here we can discuss what is new with Michigan Real Estate.

www.LinkedIN.com is a professional business network that is based on linking to each to create higher results for the search engines,  as ActiveRain does as well. There is professional discussion,  quick tips and more...

 www.Plaxo.com keeps your systems in sync, members active, and update to with what each other is doing. If you use Outlook, Plaxo will keep your systems in sync. I have 3 systems that I sync  together with this system. If my friend Missy in Ann Arbor posts  to her blog, Plaxo alerts me.

 My next venture is www.MLive.com forums. These forums are broke down by area and category. This will create close community ties.

 I add www.youtube.com clips in my blogs so people can get a visual about me. Again, they know me before the call.

 I have a Mobile Notary that I separate from the real estate brokerage so I have a free blog in www.wordpress.com to advertise  that business with no expenses.

 I hear agents say, I don't have time to blog; I don't have time not too. I connect my www.AngieRidley.com blog to all other blogs I have, my business website www.CompleteRealtyLLC.com and my email address. I make myself very easy to find.

All the blogs I have listed are free to all!