WCR LIVE - LEADERSHIP - 03/31/10 08:08 PM

THIS MONTH'S SHOW - LEADERSHP WITH WCR PRESIDENT ELIZABETH ROBB
In this episode of WCR LIVE-THE ST. LOUIS BROKER CONFERENCE CALL, hosts Michelle Silies and Klaus Bank discussed portraits in leadership with 2010 WCR President Elizabeth Robb. The episode include a discussion of such topics as identifying leaders, leadership styles, building your team, delegating tasks, demanding accountability and more. You can listen to this archived show or subscribe to this and future podcasts at www.BlogTalkRadio.com/WCRLive.
NEXT MONTH'S SHOW - COMMUNICATION STYLES WITH WCR PRESIDENT ELECT CAROLYN MANTIA
In this episode of WCR LIVE-THE ST. LOUIS BROKER CONFERENCE CALL, hosts Michelle … (0 comments)

NEXT BUSINESS RESOURCE MEETING - APRIL 1, 2010 - 03/31/10 07:52 PM

The next Business Resource Meeting is set for April 1, 2010, and will feature a discussion with Kate Howell and Kelly Moore of the International Institute St. Louis. Ms. Howell and Ms. More will discuss the ethnic communities of St. Louis and some of the services available to them. They will also discuss some of the ways in which REALTORS® can better serve these communities. For more information on the services provide by the International Institute visit: www.iistl.org.  This Business Resource Meeting is sponsored by Insight Title.
… (0 comments)

BUSINESS RESOURCE MEETING - MARCH, 2010 - 03/31/10 07:43 PM

 

Wells Fargo Home Mortgage continued its support of the Women's Council of REALTORS® on both the national and local levels by sponsoring the 2010 WCR Technology Panel. Karen Alexander from Wells Fargo Home Mortgage outlined the mortgage services and training/assistance programs offered by Wells Fargo to St. Louis REALTORS. 
2010 WCR Technology Panel addressed such topics photo blogs, video tours, blogging, productivity tools and tech gadgets. If you missed the panel, here are some of the tips offered by tech panel:
MICHAEL ALLEN/PRESERVATION RESEARCH OFFICE
* Prepare your subject.
* Edit the photographs.
* Develop a theme.
* … (0 comments)

First-Time Home Buyers Benefit from Recent Market Trends - Is It Time to Buy My First Home? - 03/31/10 02:40 PM

Via Ryan Shaughnessy, Broker/Attorney - Your Lafayette Square Real Estate Partner (PREA Signature Realty - www.preasignaturerealty.com):
THE QUESTION - TO BUY OR NOT TO BUY
Recently, a first-time home buyer asked "Is now the time to buy my first home?"  Well, there is no simple answer to this complex question.  Real estate professionals aren't necessarily the best equipped to predict future economic conditions.  However, real estate professionals do monitor current trends as well as historical trends in local, regional, and national real estate markets. 
NATIONAL TRENDS INDICATE THAT THE TIME TO BUY IS NOW
Presently, there are three key national trends which provide … (0 comments)

Stop Annoying Your Facebook Connections - Use SeeMyListings.com to Place Your Listings on Your Profile Page - 03/31/10 02:37 PM

Via Ryan Shaughnessy, Broker/Attorney - Your Lafayette Square Real Estate Partner (PREA Signature Realty - www.preasignaturerealty.com):
The Marketing Machine - Annoying your Friends, Family and Other Members of Your Social Network
Social networking sites such as Facebook can be great tools for keeping in touch with members of your sphere of influence.  Keeping your friends and family informed of your professional interests is an appropriate use of social networking sites.  However, there is a fine line between sharing your professional insights and experiences on social networking sites and using social networking sites as an advertising and marketing machine.  For those new to social networking sites, … (0 comments)

Think Locally - Where Should Purchasers Search for New Homes and Condos? - 03/31/10 02:32 PM

Via Ryan Shaughnessy, Broker/Attorney - Your Lafayette Square Real Estate Partner (PREA Signature Realty - www.preasignaturerealty.com):
USE OF INTERNET WEBSITES AS A HOME SEARCH TOOL
With the rise of the Internet, there are now hundreds of websites that offer consumers the ability to search for homes online.  According to NAR and other surveys, over 90% of purchasers use the Internet to assist them in searching for a new home. In the 2008 NAR Survey of Buyers and Sellers, the survey found that purchasers used the Internet reported using the following sites:
60% Local Multiple Listing Service Sites 48% Realtor.com 46% Real Estate Brokerage … (0 comments)

Agent Safety is No Accident - 03/31/10 02:02 PM

Via Ryan Shaughnessy, Broker/Attorney - Your Lafayette Square Real Estate Partner (PREA Signature Realty - www.preasignaturerealty.com):
 
As real estate professionals, we often show vacant homes or work with new customers that we do not personally know.  As a result, there are inherent risks associated with our jobs.  Every year, there are news stories regarding assaults and other crimes against real estate agents.  To read a few of these stories, visit:  http://realguard.com/news.htm.  In September, 2008, NAR sponsored its annual Realtor Safety Week.  Over a month has passed since this event and I ask the following question: 
Have you reviewed your personal safety … (0 comments)

THE URBAN BUS TOUR - MAY 19, 2010 - 03/31/10 11:48 AM

 

Our next fundraising event is the Urban Bus Tour on May 19, 2010. The tour will focus on the historic Lafayette Square neighborhood as well as the new Georgian Square community. We are pleased to announce that the tour will include:
During the bus ride, a photo tour of Lafayette Square presented by historic preservationist Michael Allen. A tour of the Saint Louis Palladium, an event venue in the City Hospital complex that is home to local caterer Butler's Pantry, which will include a champagne toast to start the evening. Developer Chris Goodson will also provide a brief … (0 comments)

EDITORS NOTES - WCR METRO ST. LOUIS E-ZINE - MARCH, 2010 - 03/31/10 10:39 AM

IN THIS ISSUE:
• Message from Our President – p. 1
• Editor's Notes – p. #
• 2010 Membership Drive - This Month's Challenge – p. #
• New Member Introductions – p. #
• March Business Resource Meeting – Technology Panel – p. #
• Article: **** – p. #
• Tech Toolbox – p. #
• Word from Our Sponsor: Wells Fargo Home Mortgage – p. #
• WCR Reservations - New Reservations Policy Now in Effect – p. #
• WCR Live - www.BlogTalkRadio.com/WCRLive – p. #
• 2010 Chapter Fundraising Events – p. #
… (0 comments)

A WORD FROM OUR 2010 E-ZINE SPONSOR - INVESTORS TITLE - 03/31/10 12:58 AM

In the 24 years that I have worked for Investors Title Company, many things about our business have changed. Some changes have been for the better; some changes have made our business more complicated. The availability of technology has certainly increased the accuracy and improved the appearance of closing documents and made it possible to make changes more quickly, when necessary, at the closing table. Likewise, title and property information is easier to obtain. These advances for our industry have come later than for real estate agents and lenders, but a good deal of progress has been made in recent … (0 comments)

2010 WCR LEADERSHIP CLASS TAKES ON CHICAGO - 03/30/10 09:41 PM

 

2010 Leadership Series Class Attends National WCR Leadership Skills Training Workshop
On March 19th, the WCR-Metro STL's 2010 Leadership Series Class and Class Facilitators attended the National WCR's Leadership Skills Training Workshop at the Marriott Downtown Michigan Avenue in Chicago. Held in conjunction with The New Rules of Real Estate summit, this dynamic day-long leadership skills event included training, practice and take-away tools in the important leadership areas of Leadership Essentials, Public Speaking Skills, Planning and Delivering an Effective Meeting and Conflict Management Strategies.
The Leadership Skills Training Workshop is designed to prepare individuals to take themselves, their volunteer participation and their businesses to … (0 comments)

METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS CHAPTER RECEIVES GOLD MEGA CHAPTER AWARD - 03/30/10 07:25 PM

Congratulations to the Metropolitan St. Louis Chapter of the Women's Council of REALTORS® for winning the Gold Award in the Mega Chapter category. Each chapter is judged based on its annual business plan with points given for such items as:
Chapter Charter Date Chapter Members as of March 31 New Chapter Members - November 1 thru October 31 Existing Member Renewal Rate Quarterly Newsletter Meeting Reminders Association Executives as WCR National Members Website or Facebook Fan Page with Mission Statement Website Links to National, State and Local REALTOR® Associations Chapter Featured in Non-WCR Published News Articles WCR Members as Directors of REALTOR® Associations … (0 comments)

PMN DESIGNATION - 03/30/10 07:23 PM

Congratulations to Jean Ewell on her receiving the PMN Designation! The Performance Management Network (PMN) REALTOR® designation is offered by the Women's Council of REALTORS® and focuses on business development skills including negotiation, networking, time management and more. The PMN designation is designed to develop the real-world skills, the know-how and the tools that will keep REALTORS®' businesses out front and on top of an ever-evolving market. The PMN's professional performance training courses are taught by recognized experts on topics that are driving the marketplace.
Why earn the Performance Management Network Designation? By becoming a PMN Designee, agents show their clients that they are committed to … (0 comments)

2010 REALTOR NATIONWIDE OPEN HOUSE - APRIL 10 & 11 - 03/30/10 07:21 PM

Many of our WCR members will be holding their listings open on April 10 and 11, 2010 as a part of the 2010 REALTOR® Nationwide Open House. This is a great opportunity for first-time home buyers and others in the market for the purchase of a home to see a multitude of homes available for sale in a single weekend. The tax credit won't be extended and eligible purchasers must have their homes under contract no later than April 30, 2010. For WCR members participating in this program, post your open house dates and times on the WCR LinkedIn Group … (0 comments)

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE - TAX CREDIT PROGRAMS UNDER SEIGE - AGAIN - 03/30/10 07:19 PM

The Missouri General Assembly has several proposals that would reduce the effectiveness of the Missouri Historic Tax Credit Program or, worse, eliminate it. If you are a REALTOR® serving or selling in the historic neighborhoods of the City of St. Louis, Missouri, the Missouri Historic Tax Credit has been an extremely important tool for financing the construction and rehabilitation of historic buildings. With changes in the credit markets, the importance of the Missouri Historic Tax Credit Program as a financing tool for construction projects has increased (not increased).
CURRENT LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS
Here are some of the current legislative proposals:
SB … (0 comments)

FOR REALTORS HANDLING NEW CONSTRUCTION SALES - WARRANTYELEPHANT.COM IS THE ANSWER - 03/30/10 07:17 PM


WarrantyElephant.com is a great website designed for storing and organizing warranty information. For new home construction or custom homes, you often have a ton of warranty booklets and product information scattered about your client's new home. After moving in, the purchaser often has additional work done which may have a warranty associated with the work. Warranty Elephant allows you to organize and store warranty information in a single location.

With Warranty Elephant, you enter the warranty information such as purchase information, serial numbers, date of purchase, warranty contact information, expiration dates, etc. into their database and can upload … (0 comments)

WCR MEMBERSHIP DRIVE - 03/29/10 08:47 PM

The 2010 Membership Drive ends this month. However, recruiting new REALTOR® and affiliate members is a neverending process. We will announce the results of the 2010 Membership Drive next month. However, even with the end of the 2010 Membership Drive, we encourage our members to spread the word and continue to invite their colleagues and customers to join the Metropolitan St. Louis Chapter of the Women's Council of REALTORS®. We are looking to grow our membership this year with a renewed focus on the WCR mission of developing industry leaders and assisting REALTORS® to grow their business in 2010 and … (1 comments)

WCR MEMBERSHIP - NEW MEMBER INTRODUCTION - 03/29/10 08:12 PM

WELCOME NEW & RENEWING MEMBERS
We would like to introduce our new and renewing members of the Women's Council of REALTORS®:
Mark Lohmann/Frontier Mortgage – marklo@frontierstl.com Jennifer Harris/Insight Title – jharris@insighttitle.com Holly Walker/Delmar Gardens - hwalker@delmargardens.com Nate Johnson/Real Estate Solutions – nateresrealtors@realtors.com Stephanie Oliver/Dielmann Sotheby's International Realty - stephanie.oliver@sothebysrealty.com  Mark Warren/ABA Inspection - mwarren@bpgwi.com  Eric Meyer/Weiss and Associates - ericmeyer@weiss.ins.com Steve Arenz/Arenz Pest Control - arenzs@sbcglobal.net Dale Wier/Coldwell Banker Gundaker - dale@yourstlhome.com UPDATE YOUR MEMBER PROFILE TODAY
For all members, we encourage you to take the time to update your contact information and professional profile. Your contact information and professional profile is … (0 comments)

WOMEN IN THE BOARDROOM - THE BUSINESS AND BENEFITS OF BOARD SERVICE - 03/09/10 11:33 PM
 
On March 9, 2010, the Metropolitan St. Louis Chapter and the St. Charles Chapter of the Women’s Council of REALTORS®, along with other local and national organizations, sponsored the St. Louis 2010 Women in the Boardroom Event at the Hyatt Regency St. Louis Riverfront. Women in the Boardroom, formerly known as Women on Boards, is an executive leadership event designed to assist in the preparation of board service - better qualifying and connecting individuals with the right people and the right resources. The event featured an informative panel discussion of local women business leaders Beryl Raff (Chairman & CEO of Helzberg Diamonds), Gina Galgano Hoagland … (3 comments)

A MESSAGE FROM THE WCR-STL PRESIDENT (MARCH, 2010) - 03/02/10 03:34 PM

 
The Metropolitan St. Louis Chapter of the Women’s Council of REALTORS® proudly includes cultural diversity as one of its core values. In April, the Business Resource Meeting will focus on the strengths and challenges of cultural diversity and will outline some of the resources available to assist REALTORS® to better serve these communities in its presentation INTERNATIONAL ST. LOUIS: 101 - Celebrating Diversity with Kate Howell and Kelly Moore of the International Institute St. Louis.
Cultural diversity is an important source of strength for the Women’s Council of REALTORS®. Historically, women had been excluded from professional organizations and lacked a strong … (1 comments)