I had to lay off 6 people Friday. The Flint Area Association of Realtors® publishing "This Week in Real Estate", a newsprint homes for sale guide, was put to sleep for awhile. I don't know at this point if it is for good or not. We are not closing the corporation, just not producing the homes for sale guide.

"This Week in Real Estate" (TWIRE) was created to be a member benefit. The paper assisted the Flint Area Association of Realtors® to keep advertising cost down. When real estate was booming, we were concerned the local paper, Flint Journal, would start gouging the members for print advertising. The Flint Journal printed a bi-weekly "Homes for Sale" magazine and (TWIRE) printed weekly. Our members saw the weekly print a benefit for open house exposure and seller advantage.

When the market started to change, we realized we were no longer a member benefit. We couldn't ask the agents or brokers who can barely feed their family to advertise every week in a market that has 1.5 years of inventory.

We are currently in negotiations to combine forces. Start fresh, have a new look. Our mission is to still keep prices down. The Flint Journal is agreeing to keep prices down for the Flint Area Association of Realtors® membership. When the deal is final, I will let everyone know.

The staff of TWIRE was amazing. They were gracious. The staff saw the paper dwindle for 2 years. Most already had other plans for the future and were just waiting for the word.

I must say, this was the hardest thing I have ever had to do in business. I know business is business, but this is people's lives.