The CE Shop, Inc

<p style="line-height: 12pt"> <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">This past weekend I attended the NAR convention in Orlando. I had the opportunity to meet many brokers, sales agents, trainers, vendors and other industry professionals. This gave me a grand perspective of just how great this industry really is and how important of a role the real estate professional has in pulling the country out of our slump. Everyone was upbeat and optimistic. This is often hard to come by given the state of the economy and the fear of the unknown for most consumers.<o:p></o:p></span> </p> <p style="line-height: 12pt"> <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">As a real estate professional I see great opportunity for you. At the center of most media attention today is our economy. Given the housing market is at the center that puts you at the center. How knowledgeable are you about the housing market? I would guess you are the expert. You know how homes are moving and at what price. You recognize where opportunities exist. You are a local housing economist in your respective markets.<o:p></o:p></span> </p> <p style="line-height: 12pt"> <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">How are you networking to promote yourself as the local economist? How are you leveraging this knowledge to position yourself as a real estate expert? There is a great branding opportunity for you! Personally I know who I want to work with, and trust the &quot;expert&quot; to sell my home. Seize the opportunity. <o:p></o:p></span> </p> <p style="line-height: 12pt"> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Mark Teckenburg<o:p></o:p></span></i> </p> <p style="line-height: 12pt"> <span style="font-size: 8pt; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Director of Market Development</span> </p> <p style="line-height: 12pt"> <span style="font-size: 8pt; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><o:p><a href="http://www.theceshop.com/content.html?cepage=news">http://www.theceshop.com/content.html?cepage=news</a></o:p></span> </p> <p> </p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt"> <font face="Calibri" size="3">Tis the season for gifts and giving, so plan on giving your prospects, clients, fellow associates as well as your family and friends some positive news and an optimistic outlook for 2009!</font> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt"> <font face="Calibri" size="3">Let me help get that process started….I receive a lot of data from some of our industry&#39;s best sources.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> The sum and substance of the data is good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> Interest rates on both 15 and 30 year fixed rate mortgages are down the week ending December 3^rd.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> The 30 year fixed rates have not been this low since January 2008.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> Frank Nothaft, Freddie Mac Vice President and Chief Economist has commented on the virtual &quot;dive&quot; fixed-rate mortgages have taken since the Fed took actions to increase liquidity in the mortgage market and the increase in activity that has since occurred.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> According to The Mortgage Bankers Association, over the Thanksgiving week there was a surge of almost 150% in conventional mortgage applications led by an almost 300% increase in refinances from the prior week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> Refinance applications are up from approximately 50% to 75% of all mortgage applications.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> Other signs point to a leveling off of foreclosures as well a decline in new foreclosures within certain mortgage product categories.</font> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt"> <font face="Calibri" size="3">One of the many gifts we have to give ourselves at any time is the gift of choice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> The ability to choose our thoughts and attitudes is a gift worth more than anything tangible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> As we change our thoughts to those focused on where we want to go, supported by positive news, we can change our businesses and our lives for the better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> This sounds kind of corny but stay with me, as this isn&#39;t just a &quot;feel good&quot; idea but rather a potential revenue generating concept.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> As I am traveling the country, I listen closely to a variety of industry participants from agents, brokers, lenders and REALTOR Association staff and executives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> I find it no coincidence that the positive comments are coming from those that have been in the industry for many years; this is NOT the first challenging marketing they have witnessed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> They exude a strong sense of what is good and talk about the good things going on in the market.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> Follow their lead and stay positive, focusing on the good news you hear, and let that momentum carry you and your business forward.</font> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt"> <font size="3"><font face="Calibri">If someone gave you permission to feel good or bad, which would you choose?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> Notice that I say &quot;choose&quot;.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> Much of life is a choice; the results we get in our lives are a choice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> This concept is easy and meets with little resistance during good times when deals are flowing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> If deals aren&#39;t flowing for you right now, choose different thoughts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> Don&#39;t be fooled, thinking positive is not enough, follow those thoughts through with thoughtful, consistent, client value/focused action.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> Yesterday&#39;s featured blogs on Active Rain talk about change and some back to basics actions that will support you in activities to support your business. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I encourage you to log on and spend a few minutes with your peers. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></font></font><a href="http://www.activerain.com/"><font face="Calibri" color="#800080" size="3">www.activerain.com</font></a> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt"> <font face="Calibri" size="3">Positive, inspired thought followed by thoughtful, consistent, client value/focused action is powerful beyond measure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> People like to be around those who are positive, so if you find yourself feeling less than positive, consciously make the shift and watch how things change.</font> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal"> <font face="Calibri" size="3">The next time Mark &quot;lets me&quot; write for Real Buzz will be after many of the holidays are either over or well underway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> I wish all of you the very best of holidays and a terrific 2009!</font> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal"> <o:p><font face="Calibri" size="3"> </font></o:p> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal"> <font face="Calibri" size="3">Happy Holidays!</font> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal"> <o:p><font face="Calibri" size="3"> </font></o:p> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal"> <font face="Calibri" size="3">Michael McAllister</font> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal"> <font face="Calibri" size="3">President</font> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal"> <font face="Calibri" size="3">The CE Shop, Inc</font> </p> <p> </p>

<p align="left" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> <span style="font-family: &#39;Tahoma&#39;,&#39;sans-serif&#39;"><font face="tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif" size="3">As I talk to our members around the country, everyone is relieved the election is over, and although the media tells us the economy still looms, I can&#39;t help but ask, <strong><span style="font-family: &#39;Tahoma&#39;,&#39;sans-serif&#39;">what&#39;s next</span></strong>? What I am hearing is opportunity! We all know the market is going to turn. Some economists are saying we will see this turn in mid 2009. Just today, Real Trends released information that from the indicators they are watching, bottom of the downturn may well be in the past. Are you ready for opportunity? How are you preparing yourself for opportunity?</font></span> </p> <p align="left" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p align="left" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> <span style="font-family: &#39;Tahoma&#39;,&#39;sans-serif&#39;"><font face="tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif" size="3">As a real estate professional, it is so important to continue marketing yourself.</font></span> </p> <p align="left" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> <span style="font-family: &#39;Tahoma&#39;,&#39;sans-serif&#39;"><font face="tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif" size="3"> </font></span> </p> <p align="left" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> <font face="tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><font size="3"><strong><span style="color: #c00000; font-family: &#39;Tahoma&#39;,&#39;sans-serif&#39;">DID YOU KNOW?</span></strong><span style="font-family: &#39;Tahoma&#39;,&#39;sans-serif&#39;"> It takes 18 impressions over the course of 12 months to build top-of-mind awareness and a memory of your name and face (which is your brand by the way). That is 1 impression every 3 weeks.</span></font></font> </p> <p align="left" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p align="left" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p align="left" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> <font face="tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><font size="3"><strong><span style="color: #c00000; font-family: &#39;Tahoma&#39;,&#39;sans-serif&#39;">DID YOU KNOW?</span></strong><span style="font-family: &#39;Tahoma&#39;,&#39;sans-serif&#39;"> 67% of real estate professionals are now part of an online social network such as LinkedIn and Facebook. <strong><span style="color: blue; font-family: &#39;Tahoma&#39;,&#39;sans-serif&#39;">&lt;<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fargo-ND/The-CE-Shop-Inc/21093581265" target="_blank">Click here to join The CE Shop&#39;s FACEBOOK Network</a>&gt;</span></strong></span></font></font> </p> <p align="left" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p align="left" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> <font face="tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><font size="3"><strong><span style="color: #c00000; font-family: &#39;Tahoma&#39;,&#39;sans-serif&#39;">DID YOU KNOW?</span></strong><span style="font-family: &#39;Tahoma&#39;,&#39;sans-serif&#39;"> Agents and brokers are spending 60% of their marketing dollars to market themselves online.</span></font></font> </p> <p align="left" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p align="left" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> <span style="font-family: &#39;Tahoma&#39;,&#39;sans-serif&#39;"><font face="tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif" size="3">Think about your marketing strategies today. How many &quot;good&quot; impressions are you making on your market?</font></span> </p> <p align="left" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> <span style="font-family: &#39;Tahoma&#39;,&#39;sans-serif&#39;"><font face="tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif" size="3"> </font></span> </p> <p align="left" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> <span style="font-family: &#39;Tahoma&#39;,&#39;sans-serif&#39;"><font face="tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif" size="3">I like to categorize my marketing efforts into 2 methods. This helps me evaluate the best method for building an effective marketing plan.</font></span> </p> <p align="left" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> <span style="font-family: &#39;Tahoma&#39;,&#39;sans-serif&#39;"><font face="tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif" size="3"> </font></span> </p> <p align="left" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> <strong><span style="font-family: &#39;Tahoma&#39;,&#39;sans-serif&#39;"><font face="tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif" size="3"><u>#1 Client Acquisition Methods</u></font></span></strong> </p> <p align="left" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> <span style="font-family: &#39;Tahoma&#39;,&#39;sans-serif&#39;"><font face="tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif" size="3">(Drive awareness and tell the market what you have to offer, stand out as an expert)</font></span> </p> <p align="left" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> <span style="font-family: &#39;Tahoma&#39;,&#39;sans-serif&#39;"><font face="tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif" size="3"><strong>Examples:</strong> Online listing promotion, direct mail pieces, leveraging your sphere of influence for referrals, blogging, social networking. </font></span> </p> <p align="left" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> <span style="font-family: &#39;Tahoma&#39;,&#39;sans-serif&#39;"><font face="tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif" size="3"> </font></span> </p> <p align="left" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> <strong><span style="font-family: &#39;Tahoma&#39;,&#39;sans-serif&#39;"><font face="tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif" size="3"><u>#2 Client Retention Methods</u></font></span></strong> </p> <p align="left" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> <span style="font-family: &#39;Tahoma&#39;,&#39;sans-serif&#39;"><font face="tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif" size="3">(Stay in front of those valuable friends and remind them why they selected you as THEIR professional, why you are THEIR expert)</font></span> </p> <p align="left" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> <span style="font-family: &#39;Tahoma&#39;,&#39;sans-serif&#39;"><font face="tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif" size="3"><strong>Examples:</strong> Personal emails, thank you notes and anniversary notices, providing outstanding customer service. Integrate yourself into their lives.</font></span> </p> <p align="left" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> <span style="font-family: &#39;Tahoma&#39;,&#39;sans-serif&#39;"><font face="tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif" size="3"> </font></span> </p> <p align="left" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> <span style="font-family: &#39;Tahoma&#39;,&#39;sans-serif&#39;"><font face="tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif" size="3">Consistency in your marketing is key to success, both in your efforts to engage new clients and the nurturing of the existing client base.</font></span> </p> <p align="left" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> <span style="font-family: &#39;Tahoma&#39;,&#39;sans-serif&#39;"><font face="tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif" size="3"> </font></span> </p> <p align="left" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> <span style="font-family: &#39;Tahoma&#39;,&#39;sans-serif&#39;"><font face="tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif" size="3">Ride the wave of opportunity - it&#39;s coming! </font></span> </p> <p align="left" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> <span style="font-family: &#39;Tahoma&#39;,&#39;sans-serif&#39;"><font face="tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif" size="3"> </font></span> </p> <p align="left" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> <span style="font-family: &#39;Tahoma&#39;,&#39;sans-serif&#39;"><font face="tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif" size="3">Mark Teckenburg</font></span> </p> <p align="left" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> <span style="font-family: &#39;Tahoma&#39;,&#39;sans-serif&#39;"><font face="tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif" size="3">Director of Market Development</font></span> </p> <p align="left" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> <span style="font-family: &#39;Tahoma&#39;,&#39;sans-serif&#39;"><font face="tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif" size="3">The CE Shop, Inc.</font> </span> </p>