Do you know what the symbol pictured above represents? If not, then please continue reading.
If you are like me, you find yourself visiting (more or less) the same websites on a daily basis. This is a time-consuming task. First, I have to remember all the sites I visit. Then I have to remember their url (that's the "web address that starts with "http://www."). Then I have to type it in. (If I'm slightly tech-oriented, I've added all my favorite sites into the "favorites" menu of my browser so I don't have to constantly re-type the url's.
Once the site loads onto my browser, I have to re-familiarize the site and look to places where the site adds new articles. This requires a lot of brain-power and often times makes web surfing prohibitively time/energy consuming. At this stage, some people decide the internet doesn't suit them. Alas, there is a web app called a "rss feed reader" that dramatically simplifies the web surfing process. I'd like to explain how feed readers work and how they can simplify your life.
Before, I start, though, I need to distinguish the term "feed reader" from "feed aggregator." A feed reader is "you facing" because you create it solely for your benefit. An feed aggregator is "them facing" because you create if for the benefit of others. Some examples of "feed aggregators" include The Huffington Post , The Drudge Report and Lawton's shared articles. The site creator has chosen specific articles to post their site because they think visitors will be particularly interested in them. For example, I choose articles for my feed aggregator that I think will interest folks who follow the Pittsburgh real estate market. Now that I've distinguished the terms, I'm going to explain how to create a feed reader.
The first thing you have to do is choose a particular brand of reader. There are many to choose from, including Google Reader, NewsGator. For a comprehensive list of available readers, click here. If you have read my previous emails, you know I'm a Google fan. So it should come as no surprise that I use Google's Reader. In order to start using Google Reader, you have to register with Google to obtain a username and password. Once you log in, creating a reader for yourself is easy.
The next thing you have to do is choose which "feeds" you want to include in your reader. What is a "feed" anyway. A "feed" is the web content (like an article or story) organized chronologically for the purpose of sharing with others. For a more detailed explanation, click here.
In order to use a feed reader, you must be able to perform this simple task: find a site (or from within a particular site - a columnist or column) that you regularly follow and then find the url for the site's feed and paste it into your feed reader. For example, here are the feed indices for espn , cnn and the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Each of these pages looks slightly different, but don't get frustrated! Just find the url: on the cnn page, it's found under the "Copy Urls to RSS" column; on the Tribune-Review site, you have to place your mouse over the orange "RSS" button and then right-click and "copy the link location:' and on the ESPN page, you have to place your mouse over the column title or columnist's name and then right-click and "copy the link location." Once you've copied the feed url, next go to your feed reader.
In Google Reader, there is a box at the top of the page entitled "Add A Subscription" Paste your feed url into this box and then click "add" and you will have successfully loaded your first feed url. Once you've completed this task, your Google Reader will immediately start loading the articles.
You should be able to find feed url's for your favorite sites, columns and columnists.
Here are a couple of feed url's that I recommend (just copy and paste them into your reader):
It wasn't long ago that REALTORS(R) were confronting the idea of "going online" to communicate with their clients. As their clients increasingly utilized the internet to stay in touch, REALTORS(R) were forced to adapt to the technology. Now, increasingly, consumers are finding new ways to communicate, including texting, tweeting, and chat. However, email remains a vital means by which REALTORS(R) communicate.
It's easy to think that all email options provide roughly the same features, but that couldn't be further from reality. Email services are much different from one another. The competition is so great that email services are evolving and inventing at a breakneck rate just to keep customers. I now use Google email, or "Gmail" as my email client and I strongly recommend Gmail to you for many reasons:
1) users can chat with other gmail users; my administrative staff all have gmail accounts and we chat throughout the day. chatting makes our intra-office communication much more efficient.
2) there are links at the top of the page which can take me to the various other google applications i use frequently. All the google applications have links at the top so you're just one click away from another helpful google app.
3) there is a very easy-to-use filter that enables me to control/limit/categorize incoming emails.
4) gmail has a very effective spam filter. I receive almost no spam in my inbox.
5) I can integrate my gmail account into Microsoft Outlook, which I use to download categorize and store my emals from Gmail.
6) gmail's web client means i can check email from any computer. Of you strictly rely on Outlook, you can only check your email when you're in front of your computer.
7) gmail accounts are free. gmail can afford to do this because they run ads along the right hand sidebar, but the ads aren't prominent - they won't get in your way.
8) gmail users have the ability to quickly search through through their email database to find that (otherwise) elusive email.
On April 24, 2009, the Pittsburgh Business Times published their list entitled "Largest Pittsburgh-Area Residential Real Estate Firms." This list reflects the performance results for 2008 as reported to the PBT by residential real estate brokers throughout Greater Pittsburgh. Achieve Realty has something to celebrate.
For the first time, in its 5 year history, Achieve Realty has cracked the top 10, rising to number 9 on The List. Last year, Achieve was eleventh. This distinction marks a continuation of an upward trend for Achieve Realty, which has risen up The List steadily over the years.
Kristen Stokes, President of Achieve Realty stated, "the PBT list shows that we have been successful in our mission to recruit and retain top professionals. This is a fantastic opportunity to congratulate our agents and our administrative staff for their hard work and their commitment to excellence."
This year's list reflects the difficult time our region's economy experienced during 2008, especially the fourth quarter. Many firms suffered double-digit decreases in revenue. It is one thing to lose market share, but it is quite another to lose colleagues from the industry. We at Achieve Realty understand that the general malaise in the local real estate industry translates into financial hardship for many real estate licensees and their families.
Therefore, as we celebrate our accomplishment, we also offer hope that the real estate market and the broader economy will flourish in the coming months and years so that we may all prosper.
First, you have to read the Post-Gazette article, here. Then come back for my analysis.
There is an old trick they play in politics, justice and business: if you create doubt in people's minds, they just may not buy into an idea. This doubt is created in many ways. Here are a few examples:
Do you remember the Michael Dukakis tank-helmet disaster? His opposition candidate, George H.W. Bush ran campaign ads showing Dukakis looking "out of character" as he rode around in a tank trying to portray himself as strong on defense issues.
Do you remember the OJ Simpson criminal trial? Defense attorney Johnny Cochran coined a phrase we'll remember forever: "if it [the glove] doesn't fit, you must acquit."
More recently, Gatorade has sued Powerade over claims made by Powerade that Gatorade is nutritionally lacking. (See the details of that suit here.) Regardless of whether Powerade's assertion is correct, Gatorade couldn't just sit there and watch Powerade take market share away from them. Instead, Gatorade decided to take the case to the court of public opinion.
In effect Gatorade is saying, "Dear Gatorade drinkers: our drink is not deficient and we're willing to spend the money to sue someone in hopes that you'll believe us. Until a judge actually decides whether Powerade's assertion is correct, Gatorade hopes you will continue drinking our product. Love, Gatorade."
It is readily apparent that Mr. Hackett is not pleased by Howard Hanna's recent "Buyer Advantage Program" that features "worry free home buying." Let's find out why: according to the Post-Gazette article, Mr. Hackett feels that Hanna is trying to deceive Sellers by hiding contractual language that would require them to pay $329 for an insurance policy that would pay for several mortgage payments in case the buyer loses his/her job after the closing.
Mr. Hackett apparently thinks that Hanna's buyer agents should be required to verbally notify listing agents that the language is included in the contract.
This is a huge red-herring for the uninitated. You see, real estate law dictates that everything about a contract to convey a house must be in writing. That rule is called the statute of frauds. In a nutshell, the statute of frauds requires that the terms of a contract should be in writing in order to prevent fraud from occurring. (For more explanation, please read here.)
By asserting that Howard Hanna is doing something "sneaky," you've got to accept at least one of three conclusions from Hackett's criticism:
Coldwell Banker agents don't read the contract when an offer is made to their sellers;
Mr. Hackett demands a verbal notice to the listing agent anytime a buyers agent makes any written request to the sellers via the agreement of sale; or
The agreement of sale should be one long, long page - like a scroll - because everything that has consequences that cost $329 or more should be on page one.
Before we analyze Mr. Hackett's conclusions, remember one thing: there is only one place in the body of the PAR agreement of sale to add additional terms: Page 10. Everybody who practices real estate knows that. There's ABSOLUTELY NOTHING SNEAKY about putting additional terms, whatever they might be, however they might be (typed or handwritten) on Page 10.
So let's proceed to the analysis:
1) surely CB agents read the contract thoroughly. That's their job. It's the job of every agent. 2) asking for a verbal notice for contractual language inserted by agents is impractical and would make the contractual negotiation process impossible. By the way, CB buyers agents do not now - as a rule - provide verbal notice to listing agents each time they insert additional contractual language into Page 10. 3) Almost every term of the agreement of sale has a financial consequence greater than $329. Plus scrolls don't fax well. The receiving fax machine has a tendency to cut scrolls into neat 81/2 x 11 sheets.
So why did Mr. Hackett complain to the press about Howard Hanna's sneaky conduct? My guesses: 1) Hackett is fed up with hearing the buzz about Hanna's "Buyer Advantage Program." His only regret is not thinking of the program first. Take heart George: you instituted the Admin fees to consumers before Hoddy did. 2) CB has spent so much money paying Hanna agents to leave Hanna, it would be unthinkable to lose market share to Hanna. 3) Maybe, just maybe, if George goes to the press and complains that Hanna's practices are deceptive, maybe someone will will actually believe him. Heck "someone" even told George that Hanna agents don't know that the language is appearing in their own contracts. (Interview with "someone" at 11pm.)
My advice to George: stay credible: create a gimmicky buyer "bailout" program of your own before Northwood or Prudential beat you to it. Quick, call your marketing department in Jersey!
I’m pretty skeptical that social networking, by itself, sells houses, but you’ll never know if you don’t try, right?
One piece of advice about social networking: don’t “go there” unless you don’t have plenty of time on your hands. That’s why I utilize online social networking sparingly.
A great way to dip your toe into the social networking pond is to try LinkedIn. Here’s my LinkedIn profile.
If you’re already on LinkedIn, please make me a connection of yours.
Earlier, I mentioned that I like web tools. Ideally, we spend as little time online as possible. So how can we optimize that experience? For starters, I recommend you go to google and get yourself a google email (gmail) account. From there, you can register and use any of their expansive services. In the future, I’ll discuss my favorite google web applications. But for now, I’ll just refer you to this page.
It is a page that I’ve created just for Pittsburgh REALTORS using “Google Reader.” Here’s my logic behind the page: if you don’t have time or the wherewithal to find articles about issues that impact you and your clients, don’t worry! I went out and found the articles for you. I update the page periodically, so check back often for updates. I’ll direct you to look for (what is now) the second post on the page entitled “What Do I Do Now,” which is a Wall Street Journal article with personal finance tips.
Achieve Realty, Inc. is proud to announce that Dolly Nicely has joined the firm. A successful professional Realtor with genuine client empathy. That best describes Dolly Nicely and her approach to real estate. “An advocate for my clients”, is Dolly’s self-described style and business model. Her primary goal is to ensure that clients receive exceptional service and a positive experience. She wants clients to know that she is working in their best interest, and will always be thorough and considerate towards that end. Your Agent Your Advocate is her go-to-business strategy and message, and has served her clients well for over ten years.
Since 1999 Dolly has worked hard to establish her business and build her brand in the industry. She has achieved acclaim from clients and peers. Dolly holds designations as an Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR) and a Real Estate CyberSpecialist (RECS). She was a member of the Re/Max 100% Club and Co-Founder and Past President of the BNI Network Connections Chapter. Her primary focus is Residential and Relocation Sales and Marketing, including Residential Investment Property, in northern Allegheny and southern Butler county.
Prior to real estate Dolly worked in health care as a RN/BSN. For over twenty years, a “challenging but very satisfying career”, is how Dolly described the experience. “Working with people in stressful situations can be tough, but your job is to help them move ahead and succeed.” When it was time to change direction, the move to Real Estate allowed her to retain that satisfaction from working with people. And that same desire and capability to help people meet their challenges and move forward, has proven the difference in her success.
Dolly says it is very important to make informed decisions for her business and on behalf of her clients. Clients can be assured they will benefit from her advocacy and support through all phases of any transaction, and she will provide education to make informed decisions to ensure a positive outcome. Kristen Stokes, President of Achieve Realty, stated, “Dolly perfectly fits the Achieve mold. She has the pragmatism that can only be gained by many years of experience and hundreds of closed transactions. And, her time-tested systems make her successful during good economies and bad ones.”
A Pittsburgh native and north hills resident for over thirty years, Dolly and her husband Mark Nicely, a Civil Engineer, live in Hampton. She is a proud Marine Corps mom with two adult sons, Matthew and Eric, two grandchildren, a third due in May 2009, and a beagle named Buster. Dolly supports many local organizations, and is particularly active with Children’s Miracle Network.
She enjoys her home inside and out, with interests in perennial gardening, interior decorating, and antiques. She loves to cook, shop, and play with her dog.
Connect with Dolly by phone or online. For Real Estate Nicely Done call her at 412-496-9725, or email dollynicely@verizon.net. You can also visit her on the web at www.agentnicelydone.com.
At a recent seminar for real estate attorneys, I heard a colleague lament the fact that Pennsylvania attorneys have been nudged out of the residential real estate transaction. Gone are the days when lawyers are a essential cog in the deal. For the foreseeable future, they're not coming back, either.
Somehow, the Pennsylvania legal community did not do enough to protect attorneys. The practice of law without a license is forbidden in Pennsylvania, but real estate licensees do so every day. How? By writing real estate contracts. A licensee may respond by saying, "we don't write contracts per se; we just fill in the blanks." To respond: there's a way to fill in the blanks that may benefit a buyer more than a seller, and vice-versa. To give an agent the discretion to fill out the contract equates to allowing them to practice law. This is detrimental to consumers. (Foreshadowing: watch for my future article about why Robert Shapiro did no one a favor by creating "Legal Zoom")
I have been involved in the transactional residential real estate business for over 15 years. I have co-owned a title insurance agency the entire time. For the last 8.5 years, I have owned two different real estate brokerages. Throughout my experience, I have witnessed first-hand the problems associated with real estate licensees writing contracts. The majority of the real estate sales force in Southwestern Pennsylvania is horribly incapable. It's not their fault; instead, it is the fault of their brokers who have failed to train them adequately. I have been training REALTORS(R) and lawyers on the agreement for a long time. It is a tedious, arduous process. It's no fun. I have no doubt that agents at other companies do not receive a remotely comparable level of Agreement of Sale training. During the course of my training, I state, "I consider it my duty to make you as capable of handling this transaction as any attorney." That's a lofty goal, but it's also impossible. You can't substitute for three years of law school and passing the bar exam. The only group of licensees who are somewhat qualified are those who have written contracts innumerable times and therefore have learned from experience. God helped their customers who served as their guinnea pigs over the years.
Once upon a time, the transaction was governed by attorneys, who used diverse forms, custom written, to memorialize the various terms and conditions of a residential real estate transactions. Over the years, the local REALTORS(R) association RAMP (Greater Pittsburgh's board of REALTORS(R)) in conjunction with Pittsburgh lawyers, created a form for an Agreement of Sale. Attorneys and REALTORS(R) alike used the form. This created greater simplicity for the process, making it possible to write or analyze the contract in a matter of minutes versus hours. It also made lawyers an expendable part of the transaction. In the mid-90's, RAMP adopted the form promulgated by the Pennsylvania Association of REALTORS(R). Over time, it became far less common for lawyers to write sale contracts.
Consequently, members of the local bar association have become marginalized. There are very few lawyers left who are familiar with current agreement of sale form. I presented a continuing legal educational seminar to my local legal colleagues a few years ago and I was disheartened by the level of interest (as judged by the number of questions and by the number of sleepers). This waning interest reflects the attitude the most attorneys have: we aren't invited to sit at the table anymore. Besides standardization of the contract form, there is another reason for lawyer marginalization.
In Pittsburgh, there has been a tremendous consolidation among real estate firms. Now, four firms control over 80% of the residential real estate market. Control of the market and the multi-list is in the hands of less than a half-dozen people. None of them value the participation of lawyers in the transaction. REALTORS(R) are never encouraged to recommend that their customers obtain their own legal counsel. The reason for this has to do with control and with changing laws.
Until the 1990s, real estate brokers were not permitted to own or financially affiliate with "ancillary services," ie. title insurance, homeowners insurance, mortgage services and more. As competition among brokers grew, commission rates decreased causing broker profit levels to decrease. In order to combat the trend, brokers lobbied successfully to change the law so that they can own their own ancillary businesses. Once brokers owned their ancillary businesses, it became crucial for the brokers to maintain control of the transaction.
If brokers recommend that another professional help in the transaction, the brokers may lose the ability to control who the borrower utilizes for all their ancillary services. A brokers' worst nightmare is to have a lawyer help a consumer shop mortgage interest rates or evaluate title insurance agents based upon their reputation, quality of ownership (lawyer-owned vs. lay-person-owned). By allowing the lawyer to participate, the broker may lose business.
As a result of the evolution of a standardized form and the brokers' successful effort to own their own ancillary businesses, lawyers have been pushed out of most residential real estate transactions. Do you think that excluding attorneys from the process is good for the consumer? Do you think that the "steering" of consumers toward ancillary businesses is good for the consumer? Do you think consolidation of real estate brokerages is good for the consumer?
Next, ask yourself the same questions and replace the word "consumer" with "REALTOR(R)."
Recently, RE/MAX International ran a print ad called, "Brand Matters." The phrase "Brand matters" appears three times throughout the sparsely worded centerfold ad of the October Real Estate Professional Magazine. Apparently, the ad is trying to sell the idea that "brand matters." After I read the phrase for the third time, I thought, "does brand really matter?"
RE/MAX is a great franchise. (I used to be a franchisee.) There are other great franchises, too. Coldwell Banker, Prudential, Keller Williams and Century 21 are some examples.
Pittsburgh has a few other brands that aren't franchises, including Howard Hanna Real Estate, Northwood Realty and Achieve Realty (my company).
These are all great brands.
However, none of these brands sell real estate. Not one. Do you know who sells real estate? Real estate licensees do. That's it. Nobody else.
Consumers don't drive down the street and say, "there's a Howard Hanna listing - it must be special!" Consumers don't care about the brand name on the sign.
If you ask a typical real estate licensee where their business comes from, they'll answer, "it comes from my sphere of influence ie. family, friends, repeat customers, word-of-mouth customers." They never say, "I got a customer who saw the RE/MAX Long Drive Championship and called RE/MAX International who referred the caller to me."
My point is that the only brand that matters is [insert your name here].
Let me give you another example: in the Northern Pittsburgh suburbs, where I concentrate, you can name the top agents without using their last names and everybody knows who they are: Kevin, Linda, Carol, Arlene, Judi. In my neighborhood, the name is "Mary Ann." THAT'S branding!!!
The typical consumer knows these names and recognizes them as a brand that is separate and distinct from their brokers' brands. In other words, as a friend of mine - who is the CFO of a large Cranberry-based company - recently asked me, "who does Kevin work for?" My response was, "EXACTLY!"
The interesting thing is that RE/MAX International essentially taxes their agents to promote their brand nationally and internationally. RE/MAX Agents must pay a monthly amount to support the National Ad Fund. This is not a voluntary contribution. Their ad suggests that this involuntary contribution is the "one reason" why their agents are "so much more successful than others in the industry
RE/MAX International believes that RE/MAX agents benefit by virtue of the national and international branding. I disagree.
In my opinion, if agents spend money promoting anything other than themselves as a brand, they're wasting their money.
Disclaimer: ActiveRain Corp. does not necessarily endorse the real estate agents, loan officers and brokers listed on this site. These real estate profiles, blogs and blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. ActiveRain Corp. takes no responsibility for the content in these profiles, that are written by the members of this community.
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