Grand Rapids, Mi  1996. 

You could sense the tension in the classroom.  We had been informed that we were going to be discussing It after the break.  An uncomfortable atmosphere hovered over the participants in the smallish classroom in which a group of real estate agents had gathered to continue their education. 

The mandatory 3 hours of Civil Rights Instruction was the elephant in the room.  Now, why did I feel that in an oddly peculiar way that this was about me? Being the only black participant in the class, I sensed that everyone was poised to be careful, ...very, very careful in how they responded to this provocative topic.  Or perhaps, they were watching to see how I would respond.

The instructor wasn't about to make this easy.  No Way!  This was not to be a polite discussion about the history of civil right laws & all the great progress that had been made in West Michigan.  After a hilarious (if it wasn't so serious) video, sporting a fellow in yellow polyester suit demonstrated how racism works in real estate through steering & other forms of discrimination, the instructor opened up the floor for discussion. 

The first few questions were tepid, somewhat timid.  I sensed that to most of my classmates, I was one-dimensional as though my color defined all that was important to know about me.  How could I explain that there is no such thing as the "typical" black person.  This figment of their imagination that they were trying so desperately to avoid offending by airing their opinions & perceived grievances.  People are people, there is no typical anything when it comes to the business of being human!  At some point, they seemed to forget that I was in the room fear & vulnerability began to surface.

Several individuals admitted they felt when dealing with individuals with whom they had very little experience or contact .  Others expressed the fear of being tested...the dreaded exercise in which undercover agents employed by the government would randomly send Testers from different ethnic backgrounds to determine if they received the same level of professional attention and service.  Advise designed to supposedly protect oneself from being "burned " ranged from "just treat others like you would like to be treated"  to "make sure you offer everyone a cup of coffee."  This, taken to a ridiculous degree, resulted in real estate agents offering every single solitary client they met in the office, Coffee even if it was 100 degrees & sweltering heat outside. This was considered proof positive you had treated everyone the same!

The dirty, not so secret reality in real estate, is that historically our industry has not treated everyone the same.  Steering & Redlining are words that are a stark reminder of our efforts as an industry to keep communities homogeneous & in a certain likeness. Even today, the number of minorities represented in our ranks is clearly not in tandem with the population of our nation. 

According to Marie Rosol, in an article published on Realtor.org entitled "Talk Among Yourselves!" 

"The real estate consumer is changing. For years, most U.S. residential agents sold houses primarily to white, two-parent families, of Anglo Saxon roots, with 2.5 children. Times changed and real estate agents changed too-becoming adept at serving the needs of varied households, including the single buyer, childless couples, single-parent families, adults caring for aging parents, etc. Yet many agents have still not focused on the changing ethnicity of homebuyers."

Although U.S. REALTORS® have been told for the past decade that changing demographics would impact the home-buying market, many have failed to take steps to educate themselves to better serve these homebuyers. When asked about the need for diversity or ethnicity training, a common response is that "it doesn't impact my market" or "only areas such as Florida, California, or New York City need to think about this."

These sentiments were expressed over a decade ago as I sat in that class & are still being expressed today.  Even in the face of some staggering statistics such as:

• "In the decade of the 90's the population growth in 37 States was due to an increase in the minority population.  Least you think this occurred only in California or Florida...think again.  According to Rosol's article,  167% of Connecticut's growth was due to minority population increase.  The numbers were 83% in Illinois, 109% in Pennsylvania, 145 % in West Virginia & get ready for this...422% in North Dakota.  No state had less than 21% increase in population as a result of an increase in the number of minorities according to the article.  Yet Realtors continue to debate just how to deal with people who are "different."

As the level of fear, frustration & just plain ignorance increased in the room, I raised my hand.  The instructor signalled that I could speak & all 30 pairs of black & white eyeball turned in my direction.  I spoke from my heart.  You see, my skin color is dark, but my soul & life experience encompass a coat of many colors.  Having grown up in an international community, I see the differences & distinctions in people as the Gift. 

This was the story I told.  Many years ago, people from this nation sent people to my country & other countries around the world as missionaries to be light & bearers of assistance.  Many of you gave Money to make this possible.  The Money was the Seed.  That Seed was planted through the individuals you sent who built hospitals, schools & in various ways benefited the communities where it was planted. Your Seed enabled progress & transformation to emerge.

It is the nature of Seed to grow & bear Fruit.  But Fruit never looks like the Seed that was planted anymore than an acorn looks like an oak tree.  You gave money which created opportunities & I and others like me are the result.  You never get the full benefit of your Seed until you eat it's Fruit.  Eating Fruit is a humble recognition of accepting the return on your investment of Seed.  People with their experiences, gifts, talents, ideas & dreams are the result Seed of America's Investment in the world.  The Fruit has come back to give it's Gift from all over the earth! Failing to understand this dimension will ensure that you miss the Gift that is yours. 

At it's root core, this journey of acceptance, affirmation & enrichment through appreciating the Gift is a journey of the heart.  Programs like "At Home With Diversity" offered through the National Association of Realtors may start the conversation & enlighten the mind through education and awareness, but if we fail to understand the implications for our industry and more importantly for ourselves, our actions will be mere surface observances; stilted attempts to obey the letter of the law for fear of retribution rather than embracing the Spirit which gives life. 

We will miss opportunities to benefit from fresh ideas from an outside perspective because the voices we need to hear are simply not at the table.  These voices are already changing the dynamics of how America thinks & functions and THIS is nothing New!  Our nations' heritage was built on this foundation. Ellis Islandstands as a tribute to the many different cultures & voices that travelled to this country many years ago whose gems of contribution continue to enrich our lives to this day.  Can we afford to miss the next wave?  Perhaps, instead of trying to figure out how to deal with people's differences, we might be better served by simply receiving & accepting the Gift of their unique presence. 

*The Grand Rapids Association of Realtors was remarkably forward thinking in addressing issues that limited housing opportunities for people of different races.  Read their mission statement...

Copyright 2007  Audu Real Estate  All rights reserved

Serious chocolate lovers have a way of finding each other.  Until I met Kathy, I thought I was a serious chocolate lover, but as she began to describe a velvet, delectable, svelte quality of a brand of chocolates that I had no familiarity with, I knew that her love affair was in an entirely different league.  But I was fascinated. 

Fresh out of college, my idea of a splurge was a Snickers bar a day, a 40 cent habit which was the limit of what I could afford.  My desire was fueled by the tantalizing enticement of sampling the best!

Kathy was describing chocolate bars that were the epitome of luxury and on which she spent a couple of dollars.  She said the name of the company was Godiva and if I was serious about tasting some really good chocolate, I had to try them. 

Well, once I started making some money, I did.  I think Kathy's description was more delicious than my tasting experience, but I'll  never forget the association that she enmeshed into my psyche.

Many factors contribute to creating a quality box of chocolates & this is not entirely unlike what creates the fascination and enchantment in a real estate transaction.  Texture, taste, aesthetics & stylish presentation are all elements that mold themselves into a delectable display when a box of chocolates sheds its wrapping to reveal its contents.  I anticipate the intriguing design elements that make each piece an epicurean delight.  Quality is not necessarily quantifiable, but I know when I've tasted it even if I have difficulty in adequately describing it.

Like the sequestered selections in an elegant box of chocolates, each client interaction is a succinct opportunity to discover differences in personality, needs & desires.  I approach each transaction with  a lot of curiosity & a little trepidation.  My endless fascination is fueled by the fact that this will be a unique opportunity; not unlike the dissimilarities in two different pieces of chocolate within an assortment. 

Will my choice deliver what I am anticipating?  Will the unveiling of dreams & hopes surpass our suppressed expectations? Every interaction reveals a little more of what's hidden in the interior.  It's the process of tasting that unearths the exquisite riches of a creamy milky core or succeeds in revealing the unexpected jarring of a hard core nut.  This is not completely unlike the peculiar verities of  a real estate transaction, is it?

Copyright 2007  Audu Real Estate  All Rights Reserved

The Smartest  $10.42 Investment I've Ever Made!

 I signed up for a subscription to  Real Estate Shows in March & posted my first video montage soon thereafter.  My first creative effort was a mailing to inform clients & friends about our new office location.  I thought that utilizing a promotional video  might make the e-card more interesting.  Since then, I've discovered a number of novel & interesting uses for Real Estate Shows . This Marketing Tool can take your promotional efforts to a whole new level, if you'll allow your imagination to develop wings!

Marketing a Business!

When we moved, I wanted to let people know about our brand new office.  I saw a post on-line in which Real Estate Instructor, Monika McGillicuddy, used this format to showcase her new training center.  This inspired me to try my first experiment with Real Estate Shows.  I found the format fairly easy to understand and the tutorials were fantastic.  When my family pre-viewed it, they swore that I'd had someone else put it together for me!  An unexpected Result was that this show is now showing up on Google when Audu Real Estate is typed in a search!  Now, that's Extra Mega Bonus for $10.42 a month of Unlimited Access to this Marketing Tool!

Interviewing for a Job!

We were contacted by a client who located one of our agents on-line.  They were intereviewing several agents & wanted to interview an agent from our company.  Ed Vogt set out with her camera to capture these images of the Crystal Springs area in Kentwood, Michigan.  We used this as a Marketing Promotion for our Services before Meeting with the client.  Now, how's that for A Pre-listing Promotional Package!  Once it's done, it can be easily modified & used again & again. This was excellent use of my $10.42!

Welcoming Friend & Clients into the Area!

When Ed & Penny decided to make West Michigan their new home, I created this Video to Celebrate the completion of the construction of their new home & to introduce Penny, an Interior Designer & Stager to the professional real estate community.  Ed & Penny can forward a show like this about their home to their family & friends.  It's a wonderful way to spread the Good News!

Advertising or Promoting An Event!

The Blogging Seminar in Grand Rapids, Mi on April 11th, 2007 was the first time I used Real Estate Shows to highlight an Event which brought real estate agents, brokers, mortgage lenders, home stagers, builders, & home warranty providers together to learn about Blogging.  If a  picture is worth a thousand words...this presentation showed in a way that my words never could have portrayed what happened that snowy April morning! 

It has occurred to me that this format will be an excellent way to promote the Graduation Open House for my son.  The shows can be easily e-mailed to invited guests celebrating highlights of highschool & reminding guests of the event.  Any one who has a child graduating knows that there are tons of Open Houses taking place...an e-vite like this creates an impression.

Generating Excitment for A Real Estate Auction!

The great thing about an Auction is that you KNOW when a home is going to sell!  My first experience with a real estate auction is proving to be highly educational.  We've teamed up with Masterbid Acutions Inc. to Auction a home on 2728 Shire SW, Grand Rapids, Mi.  Auctioneers saturate the marketplace with advertising to promote the property & generate excitiment.  This show advertises the auction & provides potential bidders with an on-line preview opportunity.  Thinking "outside the box" is what  Real Estate Shows & my $10.42 per month Investment is all about!

Marketing the Community!

Real Estate expertise centers on having information & knowledge about the local area.  This is even more important on-line.  After all, most buyers will not be buying sight unseen.  I've taken some pictures of local scenes which I am in the process of utilizing to create a Scenic Park Tour of great spots to visit in Grand Rapids, Mi during the summer. 

This is a way to make your efforts at picture taking do double & triple duty...First do the Blog post, Create a Show which highlights the community, Earn Photo Credits by posting the pictures on Localism & then watch Google index your show as a permanent marker that positions you as the Neighborhood Expert.  Now THAT is my $10.42 per month working hard AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN! 

Have you asked yourself yet...What in the World am I waiting for???   Head on over to Real Estate Shows, sign up for FREE to see for yourself & get yourself a piece of the best $10.42 Investment in real estate marketing history...

*Jeff Turner did not pay me to write this post! :)

* Real Estate shows cost $125 for a one year subscription hence the breakdown to $10.42 per month.

Copyright 2007  Audu Real Estate  All rights reserved

Going, Going, Going....GONE!   

AUCTION JUNE 26, 2007  2728 SHIRE SW,  GR, MI  49534

                      One of a Kind...

2728 Shire SW, Grand Rapids, Mi  49534

  Real Estate AUCTION HELD:  June 26, 2007 @ 6:00 p.m.

  PREVIEWS:  Sun. 6/3/ & 7/17 1-3 p.m.

  DOWNLOAD BIDDERS REGISTRATION FORM

Architectural renderings available upon request

Builder:  Klaas Kapteyne  Year Built:  1999

Lot Size:  1 Acre,  Grandville Schools

Main Level:  2327 sq. ft. – Main Level,  3657 sq. ft. – Total Finished Living Area

Bedrooms:  3 (1 utilized currently as office)  Baths:  2 Full,  3 Half Baths

3 Stall Garage

Natural Gas line to exterior patio

Underground Sprinkling

Garter Style pool with heater

Gazebo with sun-burst wrought iron patterning

Furnace- Zoned heating w/ air purifier & humidifier

Fully Handicap Accessible

Hickory Floors

Custom Maple Pillars

Casement style windows

Leaded Glass door & windows:  Created by Rainbow Resources

Formal Dining Room:  Trayed ceilings with inlayed recessed lighting

Kitchen design:  Kitchens by Stephanie

Corian Countertops with Granite top bar

Sub-Zero appliances with maple exterior paneling

Cabinetry by Rutt in elliptical design featured “curved cupboards”

Floor to ceiling pull out columnar pantries

Mantle design:  Customized design of Fossilized granite by Mantles & More

Master bedroom suite:  His/Her closets, separate vanities, Jacuzzi tub

Master bedroom suite:  reading area, expansive window views

Phone systems:  Hardwired for multiple lines & systems

           Downstairs:  Recreation room w/ wet bar, office, multiple Bonus rooms

If Life Throws You a Lemon...Squeeze Out the Lemonade!

Earlier this year, Grand Rapids, Mi was in the national spotlight.  A native son, the former President of the United States, Gerald Ford came home to rest.  The harsh cold wintry conditions were no deterrent for thousands who waited patiently in line for up to 8 hours to pay their respects.  The next morning, the crowds had thinned out & our real estate team headed downtown.  The line for the viewing extended out the Gerald Ford Presidential Museum,across the bridge over the Grand River & snaked through the DeVos Hall several times before exiting at the door.  When we arrived at 10:30, a secret service agent informed us that the viewing was concluding at 11:15 a.m. and the line was now a 2 hour wait.  He suggested we simply sign the guest book & make our departure.  I decided that we would stay in line. 

As the line inched forward & then began to move a little more rapidly, we anxiously looked at our watches...11:15 was rapidly approaching.  Although all seemed lost, I kept on repeating to my team..."We are on the viewing line!  I don't know what those who are turning around came to do, but we came for a Viewing & we will remain on the Viewing Line." 

11:15 came & went.  We remained in line, crossing the bridge & finally had clear sites of the museum door.  Although no more people were joining the line, those who were in line were allowed to continue to move forward.  When we reached the door, to our surprise, we were greeted by the children of President Ford.  Steven Ford shook my hand & when I told him that I was praying for him, he said, "You don't know how much that means to us."

We payed our respects that day in tremendous gratitude for the life of a great leader & Our President.  We later heard that the line had remained OPEN at the Special Request of the Ford Family.  This experience really showed me the power of perservering & not giving up!   We also learned another important lesson that has stuck with our team to this day.  Whenever anyone repeats dire statistics about the real estate market in Grand Rapids, Michigan, we recall the lesson we learned from being on the Viewing Line. We've decided that we are on the Selling Team.  We've decided that the houses we represent will be in the Homes Sold Statistics.  Yes, this is our choice & it's a Quality Decision.  Regardless of how long the line looks or how slim the chance, we know that all things are possible to those who believe & work hard.  So if you're a home owner who has determined to SELL your home, call us...We're the Selling Team.  In preparation for your impending success, here are a few tips to Get You Started.

Remember LESS is Sometimes MORE

Obtain a well researched Market Analysis (10-15 pages) from Audu Real Estate.  This invaluable guide to pricing your home is an Excellent Starting Point.  We will advise you on strategically positioning your home to create optimum interest & generate showings.  Over-pricing NEVER works in this type of market.  Rather, let us tell you  about a tactic has brought many sellers multiple offers THIS year.  One happy seller went to the bank with $14,000 ABOVE asking price & paid NO Concessions.  Contact us to learn about our comprehensive strategy for marketing your home.

Set the Stage for Success!

Get your house ready & then Stay in Ready Mode!  Audu Real Estate offers FREE staging consultations to our clients to make your home look & show it's best.  Most of the items we'll use...you already own.  We also provide a written list of all our recommendations.  Our website & our Blogs generate thousands of hits every month & multiple pictures of your home will highlight it's best features. Selling your home demands that you give yourself every advantage.  Audu Real Estate specializes in Selling homes & Presenting them well. Several homes in our inventory have recently closed or received offers.  We're ready to help you be the Next Home to Sell in Grand Rapids, Michigan!

Promote Profusely!

Times have changed, you've got to mix it up!  Today's buyer is looking in places on-line that you may not have considered.  Most of them start looking 6-12 months before they buy.  Real estate blogging has become on of the most important new promotional tools in the emerging marketplace.  I say emerging because we frankly cannot accurately determine the enormity of the impact of Web 2.0...but we know that some of these developments are going to change business as we know it forever. 

Along with blogs have come a number of important New sites to be aware of when promoting your home.  You may want to consider utilizing these to enhance a traditional MLS listing.  At Audu Real Estate, we have experienced results & leads through our Blogs and can also discuss the pros & cons of supplementing your listing with other listing portals like trulia.com or Craigslist.  You don't have to be the expert when you can simply call one!  Call Audu Real Estate...We're the Selling Team!

So we say, Down Market...No Problem,  Lots of Houses for Sale...No Problem,  Home Expired...No Problem,  Home Needing a Short Sale...No Problem.  We believe that when Life throws you a Lemon, the very best thing you can do is Determine to Squeeze Out the  Lemonade!