One one my colleagues brought this to my attention. He is a firm believer in in commission cutting and bases his numbers on volume. I respect his opinion, but I must say that he has to sell 3 times what I do and to date, he has never even come close to grossing what I have. He is optimistic that he will surpass me at sometime. I welcome the challenge.

What frustrates me is that he very rarely offers 3% to the buyer broker, however when he is on the buy side, he only shows his clients homes that have a 3% or more pay out. I say what's good for the Goose is good for the Gander.

A decade ago when several discounted brokerages started popping up everywhere, I panicked for a brief moment, I thought as they did, that they would take over the market place with their low "flat fee" plans. Not the case at all.

I can't tell you how many internet leads I acquire each week, so I know that the internet is where they begin more often than not, but rarely do buyers buy a home sight unseen. At the end of the day, it is still face-to-face sales and I just don't see that EVER changing.

Again, this is my opinion and I respect and am open to others opinions. Please share your thoughts on this topic and be sure to watch 60 minutes on Sunday http://www.cbsnews.com/sections/i_video/main500251.shtml?id=2791263n. Have a fabulous Mother's Day !!

Happy Selling!!

Good Morning MOJO,

"I just can't bare it anymore".  "It just won't work".  "I just keep running into the wall".  "I am working so hard and things aren't getting better...they are getting worse"  "I'm calling it quits".  Perfect!!!!  This is exactly where you need to be.  You are at the point of having that radical breakthrough you've been waiting for.   It is at this specific moment when the magic happens for those few who can suck it up and grind through the pain, the failure, and the doubt.  When you are at the point of throwing in the towel and calling it quits is exactly when you need to turn up the heat and really go for it, because you are at the Tipping Point.  I know it sounds kind of nuts, but you have to experience the breakdown to have the breakthrough...it is just part of the process of getting better.  This is how it is with almost everything in life...personally, professionally, with your health...you name it. 

When we are born, we naturally have this fight in us...it is how we learn to walk, talk and read.  But then over time most of us lose our ability to not give up.  Our job now is to get it back.  The tough part is when you are one of the few who embrace failure as part of the process of getting better, you are going against the tide.  Because most people look to go the path of least resistance...not fighting when the going gets tough...just giving up is the norm. Most people are looking for the short cut...the quick fix diet or pill...the home run investment...the easy way to the top.  That is why obesity is one of the biggest epidemics in society...why so many people file bankruptcy...why so many marriages end in divorce.  Rather than doing what it takes to get what they want, people give up when the going gets tough and try the quick fix solution instead.  We try and find the easy way to avoid the pain.  There is no easy way...you have to attack it head on.  You just have to eat less/healthier and workout regularly...invest consistently, wisely and be patient...talk it out when you and your spouse are fighting...  You have to embrace the path of resistance...the path only the lucky 5 to 10 percent of society have the discipline and commitment to travel.

So, attack failure and breakdowns...because it is the last step just before the breakthrough to getting what you want.  Don't fear the breakdown...you actually need to embrace it as part of the process of getting better.  It is those people that when things become almost unbearable...when everyone else starts throwing in the towel and giving up...it is those that can keep on track just a little longer when most others quit who will experience the radical breakthrough to get what you want...taking it to that next level. 

Make it a GREAT week!!!!

"There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure!!!"

PLEASE SHARE SOMETHING THAT YOU THOUGHT WAS A LOW POINT, BUT TURNED OUT TO BE A TURNING POINT.

 

As of 5/03/07

  

Inventory levels dropped for the first time in 2 months by about 60 homes to 43441. Closing rates also slowed slightly with 4492 closings in the previous month, and the net result was an increase in the available supply of homes to a 9 ¾ month supply Valleywide.

 

I noticed an interesting thing. Of the homes available on the market, houses built since 2005 represent about 23% of the listings currently available, but should only be at about 10%. These are the homes that are being sold by the "flippers" that were trying to make a quick buck, and many of them were probably never occupied. Regardless, we still have to sell them before we can consider our market to be recovering.

 

The Scottsdale under $1 million market continues to be the best in the Valley at a 7 ¼ month supply. In comparison to the above numbers, houses built since 2005 represent only 7% of the availables in this area.

 

 

 

The comparison of current active listing change is based on the previous week's inventory. Supply numbers are based on the number of closings in the previous month, divided in to the total number of active listings. This data is for Single Family Detached homes only and does not include patio homes, condos, or town homes.

 

Entire MLS (Maricopa and Northern Pinal county), listing inventories are unchanged from last week. Total of 43441 active listings. Based on current rate of closings, about a 9 ¾ month supply.

 

200's area (Central Phoenix). Listing inventories are up 1% from last week. Total of 6022 active listings. About an 8 ½ month supply.

 

300's area (West Valley). Listing inventories are unchanged from last week. Total of 14541 active listings. About a 10 ¾ month supply.

 

400's area (NE Valley), Listing inventories are unchanged from last week. Total of 6597 active listings. About a 9 ¼ month supply.

 

500's area (SE Valley), Listing inventories are unchanged from last week. Total of 11411 active listings. About an 8 month supply.

 

Scottsdale over $1m. Listings inventories are down 2% from last week.

Total of 1346 active listings. About a 16 ½ month supply.

 

Scottsdale under $1m. Listing inventories are down 1% from last week. Total of 2128 active listings. About a 7 ¼ month supply.

 

Paradise Valley. Listing inventories are down 1% from last week. Total of 304 active listings. About an 11 ¼ month supply.

 

 

I hope this information is useful to you. www.kristareising.com

When I tried pasting the code it is just a bunch of mumbo jumbo on my site. Please help!!

Hi colleageus!! here is some Good Morning MOJO,

Sitting their watching TV with a beer in one hand and a slice of pepperoni pizza in the other, while his kids are in their room playing X-Box he says, "I want better health...I want to have better a relationship with my family...I want to be more successful...I want to make more money...and I want it now!!!!!"  Well, I have news for you...unless someone comes up with some new "non-obesity pill" so you can eat whatever you want, never work out and still never gain a pound...some great method that can replace you spending quality time with your family and still have a great relationship...some way to get ahead at work without being positive, energetic, efficient and hard working...some way of getting ahead financially without saving and investing, your going to have to start making some changes.  Here is the good news...all you have to do is make some small changes.  However, you need to maintain these small changes for a long time...perhaps a life time.

From the outside looking in, it appears it's some big break...a massive change that catapults people to get what they want in life.   I am not going to sit here and say that is not the case for some, but for the majority of us to get more of what we want in our life, it is about the cumulative affect of all the small decisions we make everyday.  It's the slice of pizza or the salad...going for a run/walk or watching TV...spending quality time with our family or working until 8pm...being focused and discipline at work or chit chatting with whoever will take the time to talk...spending $10 to $20 for lunch or brown bagging it instead with a PP&J.  Doing any one of these things just once, won't have much, if any, impact...but if you do any of them long enough the cumulative affect will amaze you.

Here is a great example of how the cumulative affect of a small thing can make a big difference.  If I gave you penny and said I would double it every day for 30 days, how much do you think you would have?  A penny is not a lot...right?  Heck, after 10 days of doubling it every day it still is not a lot of money...it's only $10.24.  However, at the end of 30 days, get this...that penny doubled every day becomes $10,737,418.24.  So, if a penny doubled everyday is over $10 million at the end of 30 days, imagine what these types of changes could do for you over time:

• a salad instead of pizza
• a walk/run instead of watching TV
• hanging out with your family instead of hanging out in the office until 8
• brown bagging lunch and saving the $10 (over $600,000 total savings in 30 years if invested at a 10% return on investment)

It is the cumulative affect of the small things which will makes the difference between getting what you want or getting more of what you've already got.  Now, it is going to take more than 30 days, but if you do it long enough, you will have life which is pure magic.

To learn more about how little changes can change your life, here is a link to Jeff Olson's audio book, The Slight Edge... http://www.amazon.com/Slight-Edge-Jeff-Olson/dp/B000NU3KS6/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2/103-1085872-9815049?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1177905623&sr=8-2   Check it out...it could change your life!!!!

Make it a GREAT week!!!!!

"When you feel like giving up, dig deep and see what you're made of...you'll be surprised what you are capable of if you really want it!!!"

KRISTA'S  Real Estate Recap as of 4/27/2007

Residential listings increased from 50835 to 52441 an increase of 1606 residential properties; an increase of 3.2%.

5436 properties went under contract since April 1, 2007.  Month to date there has been 4261 closed properties I expect an additional 1000 closes before the end of the month.

March was the highest sales month in the past 6 with 5,936. The overall available supply dropped to 8.3 months.  The increased inventory supply and drop in sales across the board has increased the overall available supply to approximately 9.9 months

Concentration of this report will be on the East Valley. The 500's will be broken down and examined.

The comparison of current active listing change is based on the previous week's inventory. Supply numbers are based on the number of closings in the previous month, divided in to the total number of active listings. This data is for all residential properties and does include single family residences, patio homes, condos, or town homes. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. 

Entire ARMLS, listing inventories are up 3.2% from 4/10/2007, making for a total number of 52441 active residential listings.

501 & 504 areas (Ahwatukee and Kyrene). Total listings increased in the last 17 days by 332 to 1511. 12% of the new 332 listings went under contract in the first 17 days. 72 properties either canceled or expired in the last 17 days. 215 properties sold in March making the inventory rate 6.4 months

503 area (Tempe/ASU). Total listings increased in the last 17 days by 123 to 538. 16% of the new 123 listing went under contract in the first 17 days. 38 properties either canceled or expired in the last 17 days. 115 properties sold in March making the inventory rate 4.4 months

505, 509 & 508 areas (Central Mesa), Total listings increased in the last 17 days by 413 to 2378. 9% of the new 413 listings went under contract in the last 17 days. 155 properties either canceled or expired in the last 17 days. 386 properties sold in March making the inventory rate 5.8 months

506 & 510 areas (Central Chandler & Gilbert), Total listings increased in the last 17 days by 542 to 3007. 8% of the new 542 listing went under contract in the first 17 days. 216 properties either canceled or expired in the last 17 days. 422 properties sold in March making the inventory rate 6.7 months

507,511,515 areas (South Chandler, Gilbert, Sun lakes), Total listings increased in the last 17 days by 441 to 3177. 8% of the new 441 listing went under contract in the first 17 days. 244 properties either canceled or expired in the last week. 356 properties sold in March making the inventory rate 8.5 months

512,513,514 areas (East Mesa Plus), Total listings increased in the last 17 days by 264 to 1814. 6% of the new 264 listing went under contract in the first 17 days. 160 properties either canceled or expired in the last 17 days. 241 properties sold in March making the inventory rate 7.4 months

516,517,520 areas (AJ plus), Total listings increased in the last 17 days by 81 to 499. 10% of the new 81 listing went under contract in the first 17 days. 32 properties either canceled or expired in the last 17 days. 48 properties sold in March making the inventory rate 9.7 months

522,521 areas (Gold Canyon plus) Total listings increased in the last 17 days by 32 to 450. 9% of the new 32 listing went under contract in the first 17 days. 31 properties either canceled or expired in the last 17 days. 33 properties sold in March making the inventory rate 13.8 months

518,519,523 areas (Queen Creek) Total listings increased in the last 17 days by 60 to 415. 3% of the new 60 listing went under contract in the first 17 days. 29 properties either canceled or expired in the last 17 days. 44 properties sold in March making the inventory rate 8.6 months

Why settle in a buyer's market? Have it all !! Large home..Very Private Swimming Pool.. and Pride of Ownership. Home has surround sound in Great Room AND Gigantic Media Room. There is also a Formal Living Room and a loft. Chef size Kitchen has a walk-in-pantry. Guest bedroom on the main level and 3 bedrooms upstairs. Got stuff? We have plenty of storage. North/South exposure.Master has large w-i closet. Backyard has lush grass in addition to very secluded pool.All appliances stay as our 'House Warming Gift' to you. Conveniently situated close to US 60 and Loop 202.Visit www.c21phoenixarizona.com for 6 hoto's and a virtual tour.

Gorgeous home in Ahwatukee. True 4 bedroom with no homes behind you. Enjoy views of South Mountain while in your oversized backyard with grass and fruit bearing trees. Custom cabinetry in step-saving kitchen with walk-in-pantry. Kitchen opens to dining room and great room. Living Room is inviting with wood burning fireplace. 20'' porcelain tile throughout main living areas and on countertops and shower surround. All bedrooms have plenty of elbow room. Home is priced to sell.Be sure to see all the built in cabinets on both sides of garage.Close to Kyrene De La Colina Elem, Centennial Jr. High and Mountain Pointe High Schools.For color photo's and a virtual tour visit http://www.ahwatukeefoothillsrealesateagent.com/.

WELCOME TO YOUR COZY HOME! THE FIRST VISIT WILL CAUSE 'LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT'. TRULY REFLECTS PRIDE OF OWNERSHIP (CLICK ON THE PICTURE ABOVE TO SEE FOR YOURSELF). UPGRADES INCLUDE: TASTE PAINT & DECOR,CERAMIC TILE, KITCHEN CABINETS,BATHROOM COUNTERTOPS AND FIXTURES. PROFESSIONALLY LANDSCAPED BACKYARD, PERFECT FOR RELAXATION OR PLAY. YOU GUESSED IT..VERY LARGE PEBBLE TECH,DIVING POOL.GOT STUFF?...NO WORRIES! THIS HOME HAS STORAGE GALORE. THE WASHER, DRYER AND FRIDGE STAY AS OUR HOUSEWARMING GIFT TO YOU.ALL OF THIS IN 'THE LAKES' COMMUNITY. COME ON OVER AND EXPERIENCE WHAT 'HOME SWEET HOME' FEELS LIKE.BEDROOMS ARE HUGE!!Visit www.realestateagentinphoenixarizona.com for 6 color photo's and a virtual tour!!

I have decided to get back into the REO niche. I have forgotten how lucrative it can be.

I did not miss the headaches associated with it though or the fact that you pay for all of the costs out of pocket upfront (most of the REO's anyway).

I listed 3 this last week and one of the homes I had re-keyed and stuck a contractor's lockbox on.Went to swap it out with a supra lock box last night only to find a different lockbox on there and my copy of the key not unlocking any doors. Not too sure who had it re-keyed again. I have an cash offer on it already !!

Any recommendations as to which REO comany you enjoy or dislike working with. I would appreciate your feedback.

Happy selling!!