I have been on a personal "soap box" and cannot be more thankful that the NAR has listened and understands how important it is to provided standardized education to all of it's members. I have earlier blog postings about my personal feelings about the need to made a legitimate certification available to all Realtors. http://activerain.com/blogs/lynncooper/archives/2009/06
As other professional Realtors respectfully shared their comments, so did the founders of one of the largest private companies who were offering "Certification" at a premium cost. I have no doubt that their course was well organized and valuable. My issue was not with the quality of the course that was being offered. Rather, my angst/issue was that they were presenting their course, as were others, as a real certification. When, in reality, they are not. The other problem I saw was the high cost of these courses and how pressure and manipulation through advertisement was used. Telling already financially challenged Realtors that if they don't get "their" certification, then they are not going to be professionally recognized as knowledgeable. I had so many emails from at least 6 different private companies putting the pressure on and using scare tactics to sell their courses! Now, the playing field is fair... An NAR Certification cannot be disputed. And, they will allow all Realtors to gain the same LEGITIMATE CERTIFICATION. This is ESSENTIAL to our professional Licenses and our profession as Realtors®. Thank you NAR! www.realtorSFR.org
NAR Helps Realtors® Make Short Work of Short Sales
Washington, August 26, 2009
Nearly one-third of all existing homes sold recently were either short sales or foreclosures, according to National Association of Realtors® data. To help Realtors® meet the needs of home buyers and sellers who need these services, NAR has launched a new Short Sales and Foreclosure Certification Program (SFR).
"Foreclosures and short sales can offer opportunities for home buyers, but it's extremely important to have the help of a real estate professional like a Realtor® for these kinds of purchases," said NAR President Charles McMillan, a broker with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Dallas-Fort Worth. "Realtors® add value to the real estate transaction with their extensive knowledge and market insights, and this new certification will help them serve a growing need."
The SFR certification program is offered by the Real Estate Buyer's Agent Council of NAR. The program includes training on how to manage short-sale, foreclosure, and real-estate owned transactions, and provides resources to help Realtors® stay current on national and state-specific information as the market for these distressed properties evolves.
To earn the certification, Realtors® must complete a one-day education program, either in-person or online, as well as three one-hour Webinars. The certification program will be offered at the REALTORS® Conference & Expo in San Diego, Nov. 13-16.
"As Realtors®, we believe that any family that loses their home to foreclosure is one family too many," said McMillan. "Unfortunately, there are situations in which people just cannot afford to keep their homes. A short sale can help families protect their credit by avoiding a foreclosure. When a foreclosed or REO property is sold, it helps the surrounding community by reducing the impact of those properties on home values in the immediate area."
For more information regarding the SFR Certification visit www.realtorSFR.org.
The National Association of Realtors®, "The Voice for Real Estate," is America's largest trade association, representing 1.2 million members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries.
I have been very angry over this issue for quite some time! But, we are not being protected by our NAR against false CERTIFICATIONS!!! And, we are being targeted and preyed upon by misleading companies who are taking advantage of our desperation in this tough economy. Taking a class to educate yourself is always good. But do not be suckered into believing that if you do not take a specific course, that you will be doomed and not recognized as a professional. THESE ARE NOT NAR RECOGNIZED CERTIFICATIONS!!!! Realtors... think about this before you open your wallets. Beware! (Some of these provide excellent courses... that's not my issue) But NAR should stand behind the American Realtors who pay their dues and provide current education based on the economy that is standardized and complies with CE Education. None of us should be made to believe that we have to pay hundreds and thousands of dollars we do not have because companies are taking advantage of our bad economic times. Who has been harder hit then the SELF Employeed???? Where is our STIMULUS PACKAGE. NAR, WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT! NOW!
Please feel free to read my comments below that I posted today on the NAR Research Facebook page:
NAR Helps Realtors® Make Short Work of Short Sales
Washington, August 26, 2009
Nearly one-third of all existing homes sold recently were either short sales or foreclosures, according to National Association of Realtors® data. To help Realtors® meet the needs of home buyers and sellers who need these services, NAR has launched a new Short Sales and Foreclosure Certification Program (SFR).
"Foreclosures and short sales can offer opportunities for home buyers, but it's extremely important to have the help of a real estate professional like a Realtor® for these kinds of purchases," said NAR President Charles McMillan, a broker with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Dallas-Fort Worth. "Realtors® add value to the real estate transaction with their extensive knowledge and market insights, and this new certification will help them serve a growing need."
The SFR certification program is offered by the Real Estate Buyer's Agent Council of NAR. The program includes training on how to manage short-sale, foreclosure, and real-estate owned transactions, and provides resources to help Realtors® stay current on national and state-specific information as the market for these distressed properties evolves.
To earn the certification, Realtors® must complete a one-day education program, either in-person or online, as well as three one-hour Webinars. The certification program will be offered at the REALTORS® Conference & Expo in San Diego, Nov. 13-16.
"As Realtors®, we believe that any family that loses their home to foreclosure is one family too many," said McMillan. "Unfortunately, there are situations in which people just cannot afford to keep their homes. A short sale can help families protect their credit by avoiding a foreclosure. When a foreclosed or REO property is sold, it helps the surrounding community by reducing the impact of those properties on home values in the immediate area."
For more information regarding the SFR Certification visit www.realtorSFR.org.
The National Association of Realtors®, "The Voice for Real Estate," is America's largest trade association, representing 1.2 million members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries.
This is my response to Ann: Ann, I got a call from a Wall Street Journal Reporter, on http://www.trulia.com/voices/my_answers/60339 Nancy Keates - WSJ Columnist Nancy Keates at nancy.keates@wsj.com.... It was a wonderful afirmation for me... that maybe, I'm on the right track... The strategy I use with listings is really something I've done for a few years now. As an experienced Realtor and Broker in my demographic region, I feel it's my "hallmark" to list homes within the market value... It's just good business all the way around. Nancy told me in mid December when we spoke, that she would want to interview me for her piece on getting Seller's to be "Realistic" and reality based with pricing their home. A few days later, I wrote her a huge 5 page e-mail and kindly returned her call... Nancy never called back and never responed to my e-mail... I'm fine with that... and I certain know how crazy and busy her life as a Report must be. She was very nice though, and I learned some important things. First and foremost, tt is apparent that we are being followed...And, people who are searching for information which is key to our industry are coming to sites like Activerain and Truila. Today, I believe that it is VITAL for us as professionals to become interactive and active with potential clients. Both sites offer exceptional formats for us to become active and heard. I encourage every Realtor to start Blogging. Also important, is your participation on the Social Networking Sites. My two key social networking sites are Facebook and Linkedin. The most important thing I have learned is that our industry has changed!!! And, we to not have to be technolgy experts to participate! If we can point and click, that's all we need to do!
As a Broker and Realtor, it's important to understand how to best utilize the power of the Internet in my career as a Broker and Realtor in Charlotte, NC. Countless sources state that 90% of all real estate transactions involve the Internet and the buyer or seller's interaction with accomplishing their goals. Of course, as a Broker and Realtor with over 23 years experience, I have relied on many types of media to perform well in my career. With the emerging technologies and on line world that the Internet opened in the late 1990s, we soon realized the importance of creating our on line presence with commerce and data sites, best described now as Web 1.0. The earliest websites were developed to present information and data which was static in nature. The web sites seemed to talk at you and the content would stay the same. In 2003, I began really noticing websites with Flash Applications. Although the technology was present before 2003, I can honestly say that I was not influenced by Flash technology until I started using pictures in my personal website. Even though I would like to think I was on top o f the latest technology, I guess I was actually behind the curve. Now, we are in the full force of Web 2.0 technology. Here is a diagram that I found helpful in explaining the evolution of the Internet, according to the technology world of "geeks. "
and here's another one... I thought was good...
........ <!-- @page { margin: 0.79in } TD P { margin-bottom: 0in } P { margin-bottom: 0.08in } -->
Simply, I gather Web 1.0 to have been the start of data collection on a large scale... but the information presented to the audience was static. It provided for one way communication of information.
Web 2.0 is all about interaction. Technology and Developers enhanced by Open Source (the free and creative distribution of software and applications for the Internet which are freely distributed and collaborated for free). Applications, widgets, wikis, platforms and applications now drive the Internet. The Web 2.0 environment is all about participation, expression, creativity & community. Astounding amounts of data, information, photos, video, and music are available to any participant on the Internet. Now, social networks, which modeled and began with sites like MySpace have transformed the Internet into groups, communities and networks of people based on there interests and needs.
I found this information particularly helpful on a blog by Wayne Hodgins: http://waynehodgins.typepad.com/ontarget/Wayne Writes:
“Problems not withstanding, we still feel that this emerging standard, combined with other new tools, such as AJAX and open source infrastructures, makes for a new and exciting environment. There's been a tremendous amount of hype surrounding all these new developments, but, for once, we are thinking that there really is some power that is beneath the hype that is worth paying attention to.”
Not only does he talk about the shortcomings of so much hype, but he also discusses a number of things that, parallel my own perspectives:
"The speed and ease at which these new applications were built is what is getting us very excited about the potential of the Web 2.0 world."
And speaking to the power of mashups, which I’ve addressed here at Off Course – On Target, he goes on to say:
"Evocative of Dr. Frankenstein building a monster in his attic laboratory using body pieces he found lying around his neighborhood, people with a little skill can create new applications using common elements found lying around the Web in almost no time at all. As the skill requirements for building these applications are decreasing, we think this opens a whole new world of possibilities."
Jared goes on to offer more examples of the emerging and lasting power of Web 2.0 characteristics such as APIs, RSS as an interface, folksonomies, and connections via social network, then finishes with an emphasis on the faster/cheaper nature of application development as well as some of the work remaining to be done. ........ <!--<br/> @page { margin: 0.79in }<br/> TD P { margin-bottom: 0in }<br/> P { margin-bottom: 0.08in }<br/> -->
Wayne's Podcast is exceptional in explaining the effects of change... Now living through the effects of unexpected change is really such an understatement for all of us as we start 2009 in the worst economic and political turmoil we never expected... Many of us have gone through the past years in a blur. And in real estate, we are told technology can make or break us.
In summary, I would just like to encourage everyone to jump into the world of Web 2.0. Don't worry about not being a "Computer" or "Technological" expert. The good news is that you don't have to be a technology wizard to participate. All of the brilliance and great minds of the Web 2.0 developers have created a world where all that is required is your participation. You only have to participate to receive the benefits of this world of information technology via the internet. Millions of applications which only require you to type, point and click are helping create a world of information and resources. If you take some of the simplest steps and move forward by stepping in, you will be amazed at how you become active in communities and become acquainted with people who have similar interests and needs. Start by creating profiles on MySpace and FaceBook... You will be surprised at how easy it is to become involved and participatory in the world.
In this podcast, Living in a World of Exponential Change, I show you how our inability to see today’s rapid change for what it is—exponential rather than linear—keeps us from adjusting to the challenges presented by technology and other factors. Understanding that difference now can help us develop new strategies, take control of our lives, and design a better future.
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.
at nancy.keates@wsj.com.... It was a wonderful afirmation for me... that maybe, I'm on the right track... The strategy I use with listings is really something I've done for a few years now. As an experienced Realtor and Broker in my demographic region, I feel it's my "hallmark" to list homes within the market value... It's just good business all the way around. Nancy told me in mid December when we spoke, that she would want to interview me for her piece on getting Seller's to be "Realistic" and reality based with pricing their home. A few days later, I wrote her a huge 5 page e-mail and kindly returned her call... Nancy never called back and never responed to my e-mail... I'm fine with that... and I certain know how crazy and busy her life as a Report must be. She was very nice though, and I learned some important things. First and foremost, tt is apparent that we are being followed...And, people who are searching for information which is key to our industry are coming to sites like Activerain and Truila. Today, I believe that it is VITAL for us as professionals to become interactive and active with potential clients. Both sites offer exceptional formats for us to become active and heard. I encourage every Realtor to start Blogging. Also important, is your participation on the Social Networking Sites. My two key social networking sites are Facebook and Linkedin. The most important thing I have learned is that our industry has changed!!! And, we to not have to be technolgy experts to participate! If we can point and click, that's all we need to do!
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