Stefan Swanepoel spoke to a standing only crowd at the WCR conference at the NAR
Convention. Swanepoel was promoting his latest book called. Surviving your Serengeti 

In his book he uses animals and his upbringing  in south Africa to help Realtors identify with their personal struggles and personalities in the cycle of the real estate market and how to maximize and leverage their efforts to maximize their ROI of their time.

Nearly 19000 Realtors gather on the city of Mickey in Anaheim, CA for the NAR convention also known National Association of Realtors  convention this week.m The Realtors came to learn the latest in  industry's news and to check out the greatest and best products. hundreds of vendors came to show their newest software and products.  at the NAR expo. At this convention Realtors can choose from many different classes from green practices to new home sales techniques. The basic message was of optimism but Steve Harney of  "www.keepingcurrentmatters.com" a broker from New Jersey explained that it's the best time in two generations to buy a home because low interest rates and the cost of obtaining a mortgage is going up despite the looming shadow REO inventory being released over the next 6 to 8 months. He explained that sellers should not wait to sell unless they are willing to wait several years for the near short term  drop in values to rebound. Harney mentioned how Moody's, the Wallstreet journal, Business week and many other respected periodicals are now saying buy real estate now. He explained how a 1% increase in interest rates would be be equal to a 10% increase of price as related to mortgage payments. Now is time to lock a low payment for the next 30 years, Many will look back and say I wish I would have purchased a home in 2011.

www.keithfurrow.com

CRS also known as the Council of  Residential Specialist held their annual Installation of of officers this week at the Hyatt Regency in Anaheim. CRS is the highest designation a Realtor can achieve. This honor,  which is given by NAR also known as the national association of Realtors.

These Realtors also known as CRS' Certified Residential Specialist are considered the best of the best. Those 3% of  Realtors who hold the CRS designation are responsible for over 27% of all real estate transitions. CRS travel all over the world to attend classes and learn the best ways to serve their customers and clients. This year many excellent workshops were given by excellent CRS instructors such Frank Serio 2011 CRS President, Pat Zaby, Rich Sands and  James Nellis. These incredible instructors  teach CRS' the newest and best state of the art techniques on how to market homes in the ever changing  cyclical real estate market. By hiring a CRS a buyer or a seller are ensured that they are getting the best possible advice in their real estate transaction.

http://www.northfloridacrs.com/

An old process recently prov-en by science research is being introduced to sellers nationwide, by the more progressive agents. This process will help a seller find a buyer and get their home sold.

Sit in a comfortable position and relax from head to toes. Take a few deep breathes and close your eyes.

In your minds eye Picture your home in it's perfect condition. Visualize all the repairs, improvement and updates you have just completed. Visualize a buyer exploring the World Wide Web coming across your home in there search. Your home is the perfect home for them because it fills all their wants and needs. See them make an appointment to view with there agent. See them leaving there old home and arriving at your home with anticipation. Visual them  impressed with your well manicured yard and notice your fresh Mulch. Watch them approach your freshly painted entry door and exterior power washed home. What them come into your home greeted by your exquisitely staged home as they notice the smell of freshly baked cookies. See them explore and discover your homes special features. Visualize them making a full price offer and you accepting the offer. Next watch them and you going to a successful closing. Feel what it will be like to sell your home and cashing the check.

Psychologist say to practice this exercise daily until your home sells. This a similar practice to what Brain Tracy has taught to the US Olympic team for 30 years.

In the market it is best try everything you can and this doesn't a  cost a seller anything to try...

There is nothing as basic and primal as our sense of smell. Scientist say that our sense of smell bypasses our consciences awareness and goes straight to our basal cortex in our brain.

You have seen it, house looked great on the Internet. You pull up and the yard is nice trim and manicured and looks inviting. You and your buying prospect are excited as you enter the home you came to view.

As you walk into the home you are immediately hit with an odor like hitting a wall. Odors and their severity vary from home to home. It can be a smoker's home, an exotic chef, dog and cat's residence, sulfur smell, mold, dirty filters and many other common or other rare vapors can be present.

A seller needs to consider how a smell will effect a a potential buyer's opinion of their home. To help ensure success and a quicker offer it is best to eliminate all unpleasant odors. Clean filters, clean or replace carpet, eliminate all molds, scrub grouts, keep all pet items extra clean and orderly. Use fresh paint, pine-sol, carpet fresh, air filters, deodorants sprays, and plug ins.

I have found the best smell for a listed home or an open house is vanilla or the fresh smell of cookies.

Keeping your home smelling great will lead your seller to the green smell of money quicker.

...locally we have seen inventories drop 20% in the last year. Every month for the last 12 months we have seen a small but positive up tick in price and sales in most local areas. Real Estate by it;s nature is Hyperlocal so not all areas have had the same positive news.

follow link for additional infomation

http://pensacolafloridastoprealtor.blogspot.com/2011/11/north-west-florida-housing-market.html

More than a 100 of Pensacola's top real Estate Professional gathered to view the state of the art affordable luxury homes built by Innovation Homes at Saverna Park. This central escambia county community is known for rolling hills, large lots and woods. It is adjacent to the Cantonment Sports Complex on Welline road.

Innovation Homes unveiled  their newest home line which features energy saving features rarely if ever built into affordable homes.

1. Radiant Barrier inside roof

2. 15 SEER Heating and cooling system

3. Heat pump water Heater

4. Low E argon filled vinyl windows

5. 15 YEAR Bonded Builder Warranty

6. LOWEST HERS Rating in NW Florida (independently rated)

These homes feature affordable luxury. Package B features all appliances such as Refridgerator, dishwasher, micro-wave hood, Self clean range, washer and dryer. Full Brick, Ceramic tile in baths, kitchens, choice of tile or wood in foyer and dining room, vaulted ceilings, Custome wood cabinets, granite in kitchen and baths, upgraded lighting and plumbing fixtures, quality hardware, sprinkler system and much more included

call Keith (keithfurrow.com)  or Les Furrow  (lesfurrow.com) 850-288-9725

www.keithfurroandassociates.com

I have heard it say 1st born, 2nd spouse and 3rd realtor. So often as a Realtor I give advice that is not heded by my sellers. I good realtor will give you a good chance to get your home sold at the market in the shortest possible time. As a seller of your own home you have the final word of where to set the price on your home. The decision is to be in the market or on the leading edge of the market. If you place your home in the market and after 30 days if you don't receive an offer than you have to accept the market has rejected your price.

There are homes selling in this buyer's market, but they must me in top shape, offered through the best Realtor using superior marketing and must be at  the leading edge of the market reflected in the price that they are being offered.

It is always best to make sure your your home is in the best possible condition when you put your home on the market. In a buyer's market like we have been in the last 4  years, they're are more homes on the market and consequently more choices for the limited number of buyers to choose from.

As a Seller, it is best to look at your home from the perspective a buyer would. Ask other to walk through your home and help you note items that need updating and improvements. Hire a qualified home inspector and make the  repairs of the items she finds. Hire a home stagger and have them stage your home to look the best it can be. Remove all clutter possible to a storage unit or give to the Good Will.

Once you feel you are ready, start your inspection at the street and inspect inside and out. Following this approach of looking at your home from the eyes of a perspective buyer will give you the advantage in this Buyer's market to Sell your home in the shortagest market time and at the leading edge of the market.

Studies show that having green features in a home helps it sell quicker and for more money. Green is the new buss word. But being green means different things to different people.

Results of studies report consumer are looking for 3 main categories.

1. health consideration

2. Sustaining material and resources

3. Money saving features

Green Realtors are tapping onto the pulse of the green community. Less than 10% of REALTORS have positioned himself through certification, themselves as a green home specialist.

There are less green homes available., so they are seller quicker and bringing more money to the seller.

Locally the leading energy Home builder is http://www.innovation-homes.com

They are the leader in Affordable energy efficient homes"

Most experts say green is here to stay

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