RealTown's Saul Klein  Kudo’s and thank you for thinking outside the box.  MLS 5.0 must be an MLS system, not another Realtor.com.  MLS Today and MLS Tomorrow - The MLS of the Future

The current structure of the MLS is built by boomers for boomers.  Now we need to accommodate 4 generations with a 5^th coming up fast.  We aren’t ready the X’ers, I can’t imagine the being ready for the Y’s and beyond.

Can you really have a national plan that focuses on the relationship between the consumer and the agent?  Can you really have a national business plan that is ready for technology changes and current implementation that puts the Realtors® in the center of the real estate transaction?

I would love one MLS for all.  In real town America, if the people making the MLS decisions are not keeping up with today’s real estate education, our MLS’s do not contain the fields needed.  The information is slim.  Example, NAR’s Green Designation information, some agents have the information, most do not.  The one’s that do not have the education that are making the decisions are holding back the educated agents back.  NAR keeps up on today’s information and needs.

            Resort and secondary homes is another great example.  Real Estate is local, it can remain local by using the “Agent Typed Remarks” field in a national MLS system.

Many MLS’s concentrate on keeping the information limited to a one page print out.  Information about a home should be pages long.

Let me use “Views” as an example of what could be in an MLS, “City View”, “Country View” “Lake View” “Mountain View, “ “City Skyline”  ect…  This list maybe in Colorado’s MLS, but it’s not in my MLS.

Another example:  Interior:  Drywall, Plaster, Paneling ect…  pictures don’t say it all.

                            Construction:  2x4, 2x6, cement block ect…

All that I have listed are not in my MLS.  I know they are important and should be included.  So if they are yours, the reader, please be understanding.

If these fields were listed, maybe agents would be forced to learn what these fields are therefore creating better education for their clients.  It almost seems like many Realtors® believe the less we know, the better off we are because, oh- we didn’t know.

I say skip the regional MLS and state MLS’s, go for one national…

Then I would stop all syndication.  The IDX for the MLS could be put on all agent and broker website but not syndicated to Zilliow, Truilia or any others.  Make the buyer or seller contact the Realtors® websites for housing information.  Yes tax records and deed information are available on various sites, if we pulled all our information back, then we would hold a majority of the information.  These places would then stop selling referrals to the agents based on the information the agents supplied to the syndicated sites.

I love the fact that you are including Transaction Management.  Interaction between agent, lender, and all parties involves gives the seller / buyer confidence that all servicers are on the same page.  Include mapping, GPS, ect…e-signatures, Contact management with a drip campaign for listings or news letters would be an great feature.  One stop shop!  As new tools become available and researched, add to the tools.  I know of one regional MLS that hasn’t had a dues increase in 10 years.  They just keep growing therefore adding tools for the agents and systems updates.  How many associations can afford a “Research and Development Department” to research tools for their members, I believe its call attend the NAR tradeshow to see what is new…

I don’t think most MLS’s have caught up to the idea of MLS 2.0 yet.  Not catching on to 2.0 is only causing agents to fail.  Move on to 5.0 and we can all progress with education and give education.  My MLS is not interactive, however the 2ndary MLS system that I am using is.  Why do I need 2 MLS’s?  I have to pay for each.  Again, if NAR was in control, we would have the correct tools for our careers.  Then it becomes a choice of rather an agents chooses to use the tools available. 

I know this probably will not happen in my life time, however, I can dream big in my life time.

Thank you!

Book Review, Nothing to Lose, Lee Child   

"Nothing To Lose", Lee Child

            The book took me about 2 days to read.  Since I am camping I like the idea that I don't have to think too much while reading.  Jack Reacher is a character in a couple of Child's books.  Lee Child has a series in the process.

            Jack is a veteran wonderer.  From military to wonderer.  He travels by foot, purchases clothes as he needs them.  No baggage, no fuss, or so he thought.  He wonders into 2 small towns, Hope and Despair.  Despair has a secret.  Hope employs a lovely police women.  Jack goes up against a whole town of Despair. 

What could a quiet recycling plant in the middle of Colorado be making?  Why is there a military post at the entrance of the plant?  Why does one man own everything in Despair?  Will Jack fall in love?

            The book has action and tender moments.  Jack is a man's man and a women's unknown hero.  I would recommend the book for summer reading.

            Enjoy...          

Book Review: Sundays at Tiffany’s by James Patterson and Gabrielle Charbonnet

            A simple delight.  The question is "What if your imaginary friend from childhood was your one true love?

            If you like happy endings, you'll love this love story.  Michael is there to assist Jane through childhood.  Michael leaves Jane when she turns 9; she is supposed to forget him.  All "imaginary" friends are forgotten.

Jane talks about all the insecurities women have.

            Michael returns.  Why does Jane remember him?  Why did he return?  Why does he bleed when shaving?  Snap, there's money.

            If you enjoy ice cream and diamonds, you'll appreciate "Sundays at Tiffany's".

Quick easy reading...

            Yes, I'm on vacation...

The 1^st quarter is officially over and we are will into the 2^nd quarter of 2009.  How is your business fairing?  Let’s talk about business plans, goals and accountability.

Is your business plan real or a wish list?  A questioned asked by Debra Asher in the MichiganRealtor May 2009, “Feeling Lucky? Your Success-By luck or by Design.  This made me think of my plan and what I have done to assist my business plan.

Everyone in business should have short term goals and long term goals.  Have self rewards for each level of goals accomplished.  Think of rewards as accountiblity.

Do you schedule time to achieve your goals? 

1.      Do you schedule online line social networking? 

2.      Do you schedule time for face to face marketing?  I bowl, that is part of my marketing plan.  I socialize and everyone knows I sell real estate. I took a year off from this activity the result was my business suffered.

3.      Do you schedule time to send out hand written cards weekly?  Better yet, do you have an assistant to send out cards for you?  Sending out hand written cards has been a success story for my office.  Many past clients call to thank me for remembering them. 

4.      Do you take time to update your active client base weekly?  Communication is the key to a successful transaction.  People just want to know what is going on.  They want to know you haven’t forgotten them.

5.      The list goes on.  Schedule your time to allow you to accomplish your goals.

Are you too busy doing the work an assistant can do?  Is not having an assistant slowing your bottom line down?  I went to a Women’s Council of Realtors® national meeting a few ago to learn everything I possibly could.  Gail Hardnett from Boise Idaho was a speaker that made a huge difference in my life.  Gail asks the audience, “How many of you have an assistant?”  Most of the room raised their hands.  Then she asked, “How many in the room have a house keeper?”  I was stunned; most of the room raised their hands.  She went on to explain how if I didn’t have an assistant, I was the assistant.  I also must say, the house keepers have helped my home life.  These 2 items have assisted to create balance in my life.  My clients and family benefit from the rewards.

            My goals become easier to reach, my transaction sides increased and past clients call me to thank me for thinking of them.  Totally a win-win situation.  My past clients are my future.

Take inventory, what are you doing that is preventing you from reaching your goals.

Angie Ridley
Complete Realty, LLC
810 744 4600

Serving Mid-Southeastern Michigan

The MichiganRealtor magazine did a great article for the “Industry Leader” section.  The MichiganRealtor interviewed Mike Riedmann, President of NP Dodge Real Estate Sales in Omaha, Nebraska.  I was intrigued with the questions asked in the article, of course most questions and answers have the economy as a key factor.

            Riedmann states his market is doing better than most of the United States.  To assist his bottom line he has cut back on print media, focused more towards internet advertising.  He includes “Facebook, ActiveRain and YouTube” in his description of media tools.  He remarks that personal and business ethics are the most important qualities for a sales agent.  His agents are the best recruiters he has.  Being involved in your membership is important. 

            Riedmann discusses how 2.0 web tools assist his business.  He would never be without his smartphone.  Reidmann says the new administration has a history of pro housing.  He is very optimistic about the housing future.

            This was good article.  Positive remarks is so important for everyone in today’s ecomony.

            “Good Job” MichiganRealtor and thank you Mike Riedmann…

(Source:  MichiganRealtor March 2009)

Governor Granholm Consolidates to reduce cost

As most of us are aware the 2009 Michigan budget is living with shortfalls.  Too assist with the budget issues, Governor Granholm is attempting to consolidate 18 state departments into 8.

            The Michigan Association of Realtors® (MAR) supports streamlining government to prevent tax increases.  In 2005, MAR in efforts with the Michigan Chamber of Commerce funded an initiative to change the way the state approaches the budget process.  The Price of Government (POG) approach is to budget for outcomes.   If this approach would have been used, perhaps we wouldn’t be in the budget situation we are now.

            Let’s hope the consolidation works in the long run.  Change can be difficult, we are witnesses that change is needed.  As of May 2009, these changes have not yet been implemented.

(Source:  MichiganRealtor March 2009, May 2009)

Angie Ridley

Complete Realty, LLC

Serving Mid-Southeastern Michigan

810 744 4600

Possible Property Tax Relief?

In Nov. MI voters maybe asked to make major decisions about property taxes.  House Speaker, Andy Dillon (D-Redford) says Michigan's tax system is too complicated.  Property taxes continue to increase while values decrease.  Representative Brian Calley (R-Portland) would like to add to the ballot a constitutional amendment to prohibit property tax increases when values stay the same or decrease.  If the Legislature doesn't put Calley's amendment on the ballot, he will ask for signatures from the people of Michigan.  He will need to collect 300,000 registered voter signatures.

            We have to think on the side of caution and make sure the full research is done before we vote.  How will this effect budgets?  The Michigan Association of Realtors® Public Policy Committee is watching the proposals closely.  The Michigan Association of Realtors® will review the proposals and share the information.  As always the Michigan Association of Realtors® is looking out for home owners and property rights.

            As if May 2009 the Legislature will be polling the Michigan consumers for ideas as well.  To be successful the plan will have to be simple...

(Source:  MichiganRealtor March 2009, May 2009)

Angie Ridley
Complete Realty, LLC
810 744 4600

Serving Mid-Southeastern Michigan