Consumer will not pick an agent based on who mailed the best pie recipe post card.  They are looking for one that can provide facts.

How do you answer the question:  Why should I buy now if prices are still going down?

Because of the changing market, you may not financially qualify tomorrow for what you financially qualify for today. 

The government is getting involved in the economy by lowering credit card and short term loans.  The impact of this action the interest rates will raise. 

            Price Today $150,000 @ 6% = $899.53 per month
               Price Later   $138,000 @ 7% = $918.12 per month

 MI 2008 Projected Foreclosures 28,239.
         MI homes affected by the 28,239 is 1,442,570.

The 2008 waive of foreclosures is not because of loans, it's because the values are declining so people just walk away.  The people that are walking away don't realize the market will come back and real estate is a cycle.

 Have you started your business plan for next year?  Have you included networking in your plan?  Have you reviewed this years plan to see where your current networking activities paid off?  Are you networking with people that will actually give you business?  Is it time to grow your network?

 Most of us network with in our groups.   We network in our churches, the Chamber of Commerce, and among other real estate professionals.   Get out of the box!

 Networking.  Think about your everyday life contacts.  The banker, the paperboy (he will grow up), your favorite waitress and your not so favorite waitress, the pizza delivery person, do they know you are a real estate professional?  Why not?  A card is very easy to give with cash, check or debit card.  Leave a card with everyone you touch.

 The very mention of real estate usually causes a conversation.

 In your plan do you consider the contacts that are draining you?  We all have draining contacts.  The negative, down talking, know it all people.  Get rid of them.  Why associate with people that affect you in a negative way?  Okay, maybe you have to associate with them during the holidays; don’t talk about your profession.  Politely change the subject; it’s not worth your energy.  I love the person that over hears a question directed at me, and then decides they know more about the subject than I do, and interrupts to give bad advice.  Politely give a card to the person that asked the question and walk away.  Make this part of your plan.

 Nothing new has been said here, I just hope a reminder goes off next time you are out in a restaurant or you have something delivered, to give a card.  Yes, even the UPS person. 

 I would like to recommend site for business planning, http://www.joeann.com/2008AwesomeYearPlan.pdf , she includes networking.  I learned about this plan in the Webinar Event hosted by the Women’s Council of Realtors®.  Watch for these events, they are free and very educational.

 Lastly, I would like to say “Good Luck and Congratulations” to Doris Nurenberg.  Doris is leaving FAAR to join HAAR (-:  Huntsville (AL) Area Association of Realtors®. 

 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.

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.

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!