Ryan 's Blog

Lake Michigan Oddities, Water Spouts

Ryan Servatius (ERA Network Real Estate) — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 13:54:09 -0500

Just over a week ago my wife and cihldren were at the beach and when my wife looked up all of a sudden the dlouds got dark and low and behold a water spout was forming. A total of 3 were formed with one that actually made it to the mouth of The Black River...

Here is a few photos of the event... Enjoy...

What is your major attraction in your area & does it affect your sales???

Ryan Servatius (ERA Network Real Estate) — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 14:42:32 -0500

Lake Michigan is our attraction and makes our area a huge second & vacation home area and makes up about 70%+ of our sales. We do have a few sales for inland lakes in the area with some others who are moving in to our smaller resort town who will drive to the next larger town for their careers and want their families to have the small town experience.

From industry to resort themes, what is the major item that has the biggest influence on your market???

Expanding your services for your clients...

Ryan Servatius (ERA Network Real Estate) — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 16:18:48 -0500

Offering services that assist your clients needs as well as bring in more revenue is an excellent way to promote yourself and extend your marketing arm even further above your competition.

For instance, we have a huge second home and vacation market and have alot of people who look to purchase a condo or home to use for a few weeks a year. With that, the buyers look to rent out their units when not in use for extra income to cover taxes and other small maintenance items.

I have found out that just over 20% of renters end up buying a property in our area and thus offering rentals gives me an edge over the competition as they get to know me and become familiar with myself and company.

To add to that, the extra income generated from the rentals offers more security for an income to cover basics if the market slows due to the economy or interest rates.

Now that you have heard some of my extended services, what are some that you offer???

Is there something in the water? Buyers & Sellers becoming tougher to deal with.

Ryan Servatius (ERA Network Real Estate) — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 14:23:20 -0500

I have heard the horror stories and I have seen agents come unglued, but until recently, I did not first hand dealt with tough clients. Now when I say tough, I am not talking the normal everyday deal squeezer, but the new breed of buyers and sellers who look to squeeze every last drop out of each other and the agent if possible...

From golf carts coming in the kill or make a deal on a home (used golf cart most likely has a true value of $700) to buyers looking to negotiate after an accepted contract has been signed...

It appears the new breed of tough clients are out in force these days...

So what are your horror stories as well as how and if you successfully go them to close...???...

Texting on Sign Writers!!!

Ryan Servatius (ERA Network Real Estate) — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 08:52:18 -0500

We just started using TXT.com for ERA yard signs. We have the ProQuest 1-800 service already, but felt we needed to include the Gen X & Gen Y buyers who prefer the information directly on their mobile phones.

This captures the interested buyers phone, name and address and allows us to contact them immediately when they call for follow up.

Are any of you using the texting numbers yet for your listings???

Cool Finds while showing homes...

Ryan Servatius (ERA Network Real Estate) — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 12:55:32 -0500

I have more to come as soon as I can get the weather to clear up and stop raining. I thought this was really cool. I have a friend who has a small steam engine in his woods when I sent him these shots he told me about...

How do you handle STRESS!!???

Ryan Servatius (ERA Network Real Estate) — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 08:30:56 -0500

Stress is the consequence of the failure to adapt to change. It is, in medical terms, the consequence of the disruption of homeostasis through physical or psychological stimuli. Less simply: it's the condition that results when person-environment interaction leads someone to perceive a painful discrepancy, real or imagined, between the demands of a situation on the one hand and their social, biological, or psychological resources on the other. Stressful stimuli can be mental, physiological, anatomical or physical^[1]. The term 'stress' in this sense was coined by the endocrinologist Hans Selye in 1936.

Now in today's world, stress is everywhere. For example, I have a deal going on that the seller wanted an answer by 7PM and the buyer wanted to get back an answer the next morning. The other agent even tried to get an answer back by 9PM and the seller said no and kept to his guns. On one hand, the seller had a point as the buyer did not make one time line during the past negotiations and sometimes would take up to a week or more to get back with the seller. On the other hand, we had everything almost done and were down to one or two minor details to get the deal locked up.

All in all, we got it done with about 5 minutes left over... Now the inspections start...

All in all the stress from these types of deals can take its toll on a person, so with that said, what are the tips and advice you can give on relieving stress...???

Any adive would be greatly appreciated...

When is your busiest season???

Ryan Servatius (ERA Network Real Estate) — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 00:23:50 -0500

Just a thought, but I know we get busy showing properties in late spring and summer with alot of our sales happening at the end of summer and early fall when people look for a good deal before the holiday season starts and winter comes in for a nice cold spell. Also market tends to get a quick burst after the New Year that takes us into the new season...

So what season or time of year do you see sales actaully start to show up as closings???

My first all new development!!!

Ryan Servatius (ERA Network Real Estate) — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 15:13:43 -0500

I have been selling real estate for over seven years now and have successfully marketed and sold two developments. Now the first was nothing more than coming in and taking over where the previous real estate company left off, but I did sell the most during my watch that they had. The next, I was involved from the ground up and put in just over a year and sold the most units that development ever sold and to date has sold.

Now, I have been looking over a year for that perfect piece of property up and down the coast of Lake Michigan as well as looking at what price point and designs that sell well in our area.

After looking, I found the perfect piece of river front property that flows to Lake Michigan and is situated along a ravine and has over 149 feet of river frontage will all city utilities and 2 of 3 access points already approved.

The best part yet, is this is the last developable land in the city and on the river.

We have looked at the numbers and have found that we can successfully build anywhere from 15 to 21 homes on this 6.9 acres with the ravine taking up 2.3 acres and price point these homes at $300K. Almost every home could offer a walk out basement that goes into the ravine where we will have a path that leads to the waterfront where our boat docks will be along with a community pool.

The best part yet, is that we are on the water and surrounded to the North by a retirement community, to the West by a development that is on 40 acres with homes priced in between the $600K-$899K with no river frontage.

To the South we have a condo development that successfully sold out phase I & phase II within 24 months with less than 4 units remaining on phase II. (each phase had between 9 - 11 units) Pricing was between $249K with nice interior upgrades to $214.9K for basic main & upper level finishings with a community pool and option to purchase a boat dock for $16K extra.

Also to the South East are older condos along the river as well as two marina's in the area.

All in all, we are preparing to put together our sit condo plan for the city board and proceed in a manner that will allow us to get our utilities, basic roads and foundation for a model spec home to be completed by next April for the summer season.

If you can any ideas, assistance you can give and advice, I would greatly appreciate it.

I will be updating this Blog with news on the progress...

Stop with the Over Pricing already...

Ryan Servatius (ERA Network Real Estate) — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 14:08:14 -0500

WOW, totally amazing how we as Realtors can be so smart, yet still allow those in our field of expertise to come in and under mind all of our hard work, knowledge and success.

I am talking about the Realtors who come in and buy a listing buy telling the seller to just list it for whatever amount you would like and when an offer comes in, we can negotiate at that time. Or those who are taking listings to just have a sign up to use as a feeder for people to call in on and then tell that potential buyer that, "if that home will not work for you, I can find you another that will" style of marketing...

We have a local company that does just that, they grossly overprice a listing and then they believe people will think they are the greatest thing since sliced bread because they have yard signs every other block and NOT only for listings, but then use listing signs with LEASE on top for the sign writer that makes many people believe the home is for sale when actually it is available for a summer lease. This also makes our town look like everything is for a fire sale with For Sale Yard Signs on every block...

Why oh why some Brokers feel that having 20 part time agents verses 5 full time capable agents is better is beyond me. It starves the full timers and slows the sales process from time line to close to marketing it correctly where prices should be for the market at that time...

Anyways, that was my rant for the day...

Keep up the Realtor name and be the best you can be and price those homes correctly so they can sell and you have a happy seller and put some coin in your pocket...

When did your area actually start the down turn, or up turn???

Ryan Servatius (ERA Network Real Estate) — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 13:54:49 -0500

I was shifting thru some paperwork a few days back and found an older com sheet from 2005 VS 2006 sales and I noticed that even then our market was cooling and we had monthly and annual sales decreases. Now the sales prices were not as noticeable as some would still sell at full price, but all in all it reminded me that this is nothing new as the media tries to portray it...

All in all, our area is still declining in the number of sales but I believe we are back to what our area used to be before 1999 - 2005 when we were in a hay day...

Taxes Taxes Taxes!!!

Ryan Servatius (ERA Network Real Estate) — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 12:58:12 -0500

Every time I close a home it amazes me at the amount of TAXES buyers have to pay on their homes here in Michigan. With our area having a .58 mil rate for Non Homestead home owners it does not take much to have taxes accounting for almost as much as your mortgage payment...

Has anyone else had the taxes issue become a deal killer for home sales???

Deals that are Legendary!!!

Ryan Servatius (ERA Network Real Estate) — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 12:51:54 -0500

This thread is for those who have deals that are LEGENDARY. You know, the deals that had incredible returns and set forth a different path for you, good & bad. How you thought it through and made the necessary changes and smarts to make it possible and learn from...

Let's hear your LEGENDARY transactions...

The Awesome Day Post!!!

Ryan Servatius (ERA Network Real Estate) — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 15:37:21 -0500

This is where you come to post an experience or happening that made your day AWESOME!!!

Did you get a sale together, work through a tough inspection, close on time, get a new listing or just had a wonderful day???

Lets hear what happened...

Resort Sales Inquiry ???

Ryan Servatius (ERA Network Real Estate) — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 13:18:26 -0500

Being in the resort & second home market, I have seen some strange things happening in our market place recently.

I went back and found old stats that showed the decline starting in 2006 from 2005 numbers. With that I took into account the number of million dollar plus homes and the amount of them that sold compared to just expired or stayed on the market.

From what our market is showing, we are having increased sales prices on million dollar plus homes, but less of them are selling and our $400K - $900K homes are not moving at all, especially if they are not directly on the waterfront.

As for our $150K - $399K homes, they are moving but at a much slower rate and at discounts.

What are you noticing in your markets???

For those in regions dependant upon the Auto Industry

Ryan Servatius (ERA Network Real Estate) — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 13:52:48 -0500

DETROIT (Reuters) - General Motors said today it would cut salaried employment costs by 20 percent, sell up to $4 billion of assets and borrow at least $2 billion in a bid to bolster its liquidity by $15 billion through 2009.

GM CEO Rick Wagoner, speaking to employees before a 9 a.m. press conference, also said GM would suspend its common stock dividend in a restructuring driven by high fuel prices, a shift away from trucks and SUVs, and the lowest U.S. industrywide auto sales in a decade.

Wagoner also said GM would be allowed to wait until 2010 to make its first scheduled payment into the UAW's health care benefit trust fund for retirees. The establishment of the trust fund was a key part of the 2007 contract agreement with the union.

GM said it expects to generate $10 billion in cash savings from operations through 2009. It said it expects to capture those savings through steps that include cutting white-collar jobs and some retiree health-care coverage, eliminating executive bonuses for 2008, and reducing capital spending by $1.5 billion

... * Additional structural cost reductions of approximately $2.5 billion are expected in GM North America (GMNA). The reductions will be partially achieved through further adjustments in truck capacity and related component, stamping and powertrain capacity in response to lower U.S. industry volume. Truck capacity is expected to be reduced by 300,000 units by the end of 2009, half of which is from acceleration of prior announced actions, and half from new capacity actions.

In addition, GM will reduce and consolidate sales and marketing budgets, with a focus on protecting launch products and brand advertising. Engineering spending in 2008 and 2009 will be held at 2006-2007 levels, substantially lower than original plans. These operating actions, combined with the benefits of the 2007 GM-UAW labor agreement, are targeted to reduce North American structural cost from $33.2 billion in 2007 to approximately $26-27 billion in 2010, a reduction of $6-7 billion.

* GM is revising its capital spending plan and reducing approximately $1.5 billion in expenditures versus prior plans. Capital expenditures are now estimated to total $7 billion in 2009 versus prior plans of $8.5 billion (these figures do not include the $1 billion in capital spending planned in both 2008 and 2009 in China, which is self-funded by the GM joint ventures, to support growth in that market). A major part of the reductions is related to the delay of the next generation large pickup and SUV program, as well as V-8 engine development and associated capacity.

Spending for non-product programs will also be significantly reduced, while powertrain spending will be increased to support the development of alternative propulsion and fuel economy technologies and small displacement engines. The revised 2009 capital spending plan is higher than the average capital expenditures in 2005-2007, excluding large pickup and SUV-related spending. Excluding China, GM expects capital expenditures to run in the $7-7.5 billion range beyond 2009.

* GM will defer approximately *** billion of payments that had been scheduled to be made to a temporary asset account over the balance of 2008 and 2009 for the establishment of the new UAW VEBA.

* The GM Board of Directors has decided to suspend future dividends on common stock, effective immediately, which is expected to improve liquidity by approximately $800 million through 2009.

Asset Sales and Financing Activities

In addition to the operating changes and other actions, GM expects to raise additional liquidity of $4-7 billion through asset sales and financing activities.

* GM is undertaking a broad global assessment of its assets for possible sale or monetization, which is expected to generate approximately $2-4 billion of additional liquidity. The company believes there is significant liquidity potential from asset sales, without impacting the strategic direction of the company. Outside advisors are currently engaged in evaluating alternatives. A strategic analysis of the Hummer brand is underway, and GM is continuing to focus on profit improvement initiatives across all remaining GM brands.

* GM will continue to opportunistically access global markets to raise additional liquidity. The company is initially targeting at least $2-3 billion of financing. The company has gross unencumbered assets of over $20 billion, which could support a significant secured debt offering, or multiple offerings, that would far exceed the initial target. Examples of such assets include stock of foreign subsidiaries, brands, stake in GMAC, and real estate.

Tablet Notebook VS regular Laptop???

Ryan Servatius (ERA Network Real Estate) — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 12:47:52 -0500

I currently have a IBM ThinkPad T41. It is an incredible machine and lightweight. The problem is, it is over 4 years old now and starting to show its age.

Since I have purchased this great machine, I have really gotten more into technology for marketing and support. With that in mind, I have been looking to upgrade and have not yet settled on a make or model but have been attracted to the tablet style notebooks.

I feel that it would be a great presentation tool for clients on listing appointments and show them that I am up to date on technology and would give a great presentation asethetics on its own.

I have been looking at the Lenovo (former IBM) ThinkPad and wondered what you all think and what advice you can give me as well as what you use...

Mind Over Matter...

Ryan Servatius (ERA Network Real Estate) — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 10:33:05 -0500

Yes, Yes, Yes, I have heard and continue to hear how bad it is out in the world. I hear of people losing their homes as well as large mortgage companies going under.

BUT, and this is a HUGE BUT, People still need a place to live, the population is growing and by 2030 will be 450+ million strong here in America according to some stats.

What does that tell me, that tells me, that our inventory, will shrink and when it does will take these ridiculously low home prices and push them back upwards. With these low prices and low interest rates it is more important than ever to tell you clients to buy now and not wait. Just like stocks, the media pushed pushed pushed for people to jump on the tech band wagon until the bubble popped then they looked at excuses and who to blame for the crash.

Well housing along with food & shelter (transportation to another extent) are 4 main items people have to have... transportation can be handled by more metro are bus & rail lines while food & shelter are and continue to be an individual choice on where you raise your family and rest your head at night.

With that said, it is time to start educating the public and clients and let them know, that now is the time to buy. Buy low and sell HIGH... Same with stocks, but alas, so many do what others are doing and are always chasing the low number and end up buying high with the crowds and selling low with the crowds and never getting ahead.

One positive light we are finally seeing in the media is a report last week in USA Today about Mid West housing prices are holding steady while the South West is still taking a hit.

For our area that is a nice piece of information to hear from the media, but it is also like a single shot from a .22 caliber facing a full line of Bradley Tanks on the front line.

One thing I can add is that I have been updating my clients with the positive news and how at the current rates and prices, they are still getting a better deal then say 18 months ago...

Why are you a Realtor???

Ryan Servatius (ERA Network Real Estate) — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 11:23:02 -0500

Simple question, or is it???

Why did you become a Realtor and then why are you still a Realtor???

I know so many Realtors who say they got in for this and that reason but now they are where they are for completely different reasons..

Myself, watched my father do it for years and without any real interest in following suite, saw the writing on the wall for Southwestern Michigan careers without a PhD or MBA. I worked in the Nuclear Power Plant as a security guard (FATSO, Federal Anti Terrorist Security Organization) as we joked about it. Then I moved up as a Chemical Operator at the local Pharmaceutical Plant.

After working 12 - 16 hour NIGHTS between the two jobs over a course of 8 years and watching the company name change from buy outs (4 withoin 4 years) I decided if anyone was going to make my fate financially, it would be myself and NOT some mid level manager who only got the promotion because of time on the job or being a suck up.

I worked as much overtime as I could to pay off my bills, to my test and joined the board. I stayed at my jobs until I had enough in the savings from real estate sales and then took a short term leave of absence when offered to employees due to a lack of work product for us to do.

I left and never looked back. I have been in real estate now for 7 years and been on my own financially for almost 5 years. I took as many designations and courses as I could when I was still at the other job so I could take them and really study and concentrate with money still coming in.

I know have a passion for everything I do in my career and family life. If I can NOT do it the best or quickly see where I can gain, I do not mess with it. I recently just got into leasing for our home buyers who only use their vacation home a few times a year. They make money to pay the taxes and I get to meet renters who most likely will turn into buyers with a current 20% buying rate of all our renters.

I am also the sales manager of two of nine offices in Western Michigan and handle our Lake Michigan listings and developments.

All in all, I love what I do and can NOT see myself doing anything else unless I have a passion for it..

So, what about you???

So you like to Blog, well time to use it in a productive way!!!

Ryan Servatius (ERA Network Real Estate) — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 12:20:32 -0500

So we are are by nature an outgoing motivated group, us Realtors. With that, I notice alot of blogs and alot of others participating in responses to others blogs, so why NOT use this to your advantage???

I for one do a monthly "By The Numbers" report for our local newspaper. I give the stats on our market for number of sales for the past month verses the same month a year ago as well as Days On Market, total volume sold, average, median and my take on what has happened, why and what to expect next.

So far, it has really shown the locals and others who read our paper that I know my market and I am up on what is happening. It has become a real way to show how I stand out from the crowded field of Me To Realtors who are looking more than ever to get that listing or buyer when they come to town.

With that, and Active Rain, I have really pushed into the next level of client awareness for myself and brand. I even had a client the other week come into my office with information they looked up about me and I even saw an Active Rain home page print out of myself.

So if you can, call up your local newspaper or advertising newsletterand let them know that you would love to give them the area statistics and you will do it for FREE as along as you get a small recognition at the end of the report. Lock it up for at least 1 year, so no other Realtor can run in and try and take it away from you and you will be amazed at how much people actually will remember you as an industry professional. Better yet, go down in person to the papers office and talk to them face to face, you will get further and get more done than over the phone...

June Sales Stats for South Haven & Area ...

Ryan Servatius (ERA Network Real Estate) — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 12:08:15 -0500

The following information about housing sales in the South Haven, Bangor, Covert & surrounding areas is provided through the Southwestern Michigan Association of Realtors and complied by Ryan Servatius of ERA Network Real Estate.

Housing Units Sold

* 24 Units were sold in Jun down from 39 units sold in June of 2007, for a 38% decrease in sales

* 117 Units were sold from January through June, down from 163 units in the first 6 months of 2007, for a 28% decrease.

Average Number of Days On Market (DOM)

* For June, the average was160, up from 87 days in June of 2007

* For the first 6 months of 2008, the average was 122, up from 119 Days in the first 6 months of 2007 fro a 3% increase in time on the market.

Average Sales Price

* For June 2008 it was $168,154, down 38% from the June 2007 average price of $269,955

* For the first 6 months of 2008, it was $187,547, down 16% from the first 6 months of 2007 which was $224,600

Median Sales Price

* For June 2008, it was $111,700 down 3%from the June 2007 median price of $115,000

* In the first 6 months of 2008, it was $100,625, down 7% from $108,500 in the same period of 2007

Dollar Volume

* In June 2008 the dollar volume was $4,035,699, down 62% from $10,528,240 in June of 2007

* In the first 6 months of 2008, the dollar volume was $21,943,001, down 40% from the first 6 months of 2007, which was $36,609,786

Overview

South Haven, Bangor, Covert & the surrounding area housing market is down across the board with continued decreases in median price to dollar volume overall. The largest increase was the Days On Market or DOM. This is the average length of time a home sits on the market and does not take into account any price adjustments. Some of these homes may of been on the market with a price point that was not within the market specs, but may of been adjusted currently, so it could change for the next month with proper pricing on the inventory.

The good news, is that we have experienced an increase in showings for properties and buyers are looking. As stated in my last report, the buyers are here, but are taking longer to decide on a property because of the increased choices from our large inventory. In speaking with other industry professionals from other local and area real estate companies, we are all having about the same amount of traffic with increased showings and interested buyers & sellers who are looking to execute a successful real estate transaction. With summer in full swing and two of our major festivals behind us, we are headed towards our second half of summer with beautiful weather & warm temperatures, we should see an increase in sales for our area over the next 90 days and take us into fall. Also more reports are showing a holding trend in home values for the Mid West while the Southwest is still taking a beating on home values.

With low interest rates and new changes with FHA, now is the time to make sure your home is in showing condition and make sure it will pass inspections. With FHA now accounting for 25% of home loans, it is ever more important to do so. As I have stated before, if you do not have your home in showing order and in working order, the buyer will notice as will the home inspector and it will reflect in your offering price when and if an offer is made. Make sure your home stands out from the competition and gets noticed, so you can have a successful trouble free sale.

Ryan Servatius is the Associate Broker & Sales Manager of ERA Network Real Estate, ERA is Michigan's largest ERA franchise with 9 offices in Western Michigan. ERA is located on Cecilia Drive, just west of Phoenix Road. Ryan can be reached at 269-637-5401.

By The Numbers, South Haven Area Sales for May 2008

Ryan Servatius (ERA Network Real Estate) — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 11:24:57 -0500

The following information about housing sales in the South Haven, Bangor, Covert and surrounding areas is provided through the Southwestern Michigan Association of Realtors and compiled by Ryan Servatius of ERA Network Real Estate. Housing Units Sold 23 unites were sold in May, down from 32 units sold in May of 2007, for a 28% decrease in sales 93 units were sold from January through May, down from 124 units in the first 5 months of 2007, for a 25% decrease. Average Number of Days On Market For May, the average is 140, up from 139 days in May of 2007 For the first 5 months of 2008, the average is 111 days, down from 139 days in the first 5 months of 2007 for a 20% decrease. Average Sales Price For May 2008 it is $98,343, down 63% from the May 2007 average price of $265,729 For the first 5 months of 2008 it is $192,552, down 8% from the first 5 months of 2007 which was $210,335 Median Sales Price For May 2008, it is $75,500, down from $121,336 in May of 2007 For the first 5 months of 2008 it is $99,250, down 4% from $103,750 in the same period of 2007 Dollar Volume In May 2008 it is $2,261,900, down 73% from $8,503,321 in May 2007 In the first 5 months of 2008, it is $17.9 Million down31% from the first 5 months in 2007, which was $26.1 Million Overview South Haven, Bangor & Covert area housing market dollar volume is down a whooping 73% for May with a drop of 31% over a 5 months period compared to last year. May also saw a very slight increase in the length of time properties are staying on the market for the month of May, but overall for the 5 months we still have a decrease when all 5 months are added in. Again, the market remains slower than last year with our luxury high end still selling as is our opposite low end with bank repossessions that investors are snapping up and renovating into rentals. With increased inventory from new developments as well as other existing developments that are selling at a much slower rate than expected coupled with the credit issues from the mortgage fall out, it is more important than ever to make sure your property is priced accordingly as well as staged by a professional. This will allow potential buyers to see the home and not what is hiding your home from them, such as a wall of photos, or a room full of clutter. A unbiased eye is another great way to find what you may miss on a daily basis, such as a rubbed spot on the bottom of your entry door, a ripped screen in a window a flashing that needs to be tightened. All of these items affect the showing of your property and will come out in the offer or could keep an offer from coming in. Get the items fixed and increase the chances of an offer and also receive a better higher priced offer. On a positive note, we are experiencing an increase in buyer traffic now that summer is upon us and in in full swing. With summer events such as the Harbor Fest and the 4th of July coming, we will be able to tell if the market has really slowed for the season, or if buyers are waiting with a pent up demand for that perfect home with the correct pricing to make the deal happen. Ryan Servatius is the Associate Broker & Sales Manager of ERA Network Real Estate, ERA is Michigan's largest ERA franchise with 9 offices in Western Michigan. ERA is located on Cecilia Drive next to Wendy's off of Phoenix. Ryan can be reached at 269-637-5401

Progress Report from ERA Network Real Estate Lake Michigan

Ryan Servatius (ERA Network Real Estate) — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 11:15:52 -0500

ERA Network Real Estate sees increased sales in a down market with technology & service. ERA Network Real Estate, known for their national program called the SSP (Sellers Security Program) "ERA Sells It Or ERA Buys It" has seen an increase in sales and market share in a down market. With 9 offices in West Michigan and being the largest single ERA franchise in Michigan as well as being on 3 MLS boards, Southwestern Michigan, Kalamazoo Area & Grand Rapids Area, ERA makes sure their clients properties get the most exposure. New in 2008, ERA now puts all of their listings on 15+ Global Web Pages & Search Engines. Such as Google.com, Yahoo.com, OpenHouse.com, ERA.com, SWMRIC.com, NREMI.com, CallRyan.com, Trulia.com, Zillow.com, FrontDoor.com, LandAndFarm.com, GRAR.com. For homes priced over $500,000 we place them exclusively on The Wall Street Journal's RealEstateJournal.com, LuxuryRealEstate.com & LakeHomesUSA.com at no extra charge to the seller. With over 90% of all home buyers looking to the Internet first before they ever contact an agent, it is another innovation that ERA Network Real Estate is doing to lead the industry. Also new for 2008, we have added to our Proquest 1-800 phone number yard sign information, TXT.ERA.com. This is great for those driving by a home and want to know information instantly. The interested buyer just has to text in the numbers on their cell phone and instantly will receive the requested information on their phone. This is a great way for interested buyers to get the information they need and have it available for when they get home and can contact us for further information. Couple this with the Proquest 1-800 yard signs that instantly let the listing agent know someone has called on their yard sign and gives the agent the contact information so they can follow up quickly and not lose potential clients for their seller. In keeping with our success, the Sellers Security Program is now available for seniors looking to move into Senior Housing. This allows a senior who is looking to move into senior housing to do so in a timely manner with a set date. ERA will market the home and if it does not sell by set date, ERA will purchase the home, so the senior can move into senior housing. Also very popular, is our involment with U-Promise, that is a 529 program that puts a portion of the sales into the bueyrs or sellers's coolege fund. Finally, we continue to offer our agents e-Campus which allows them to continue their education online and to acquire such designations as Accredited Buyers Agent, Resort Specialist and other courses that help them be more knowledgeable Realtors for our clients and separate them from the crowd. As for community involvement, ERA Network Real Estate has added a new cause and is helping bring awareness and attention to The Gildea Club that was started by Gilda Ratner from SNL. The Gildea Club helps children living with Cancer and gives a human element for them to socialize in. The best part is the money given stays directly in West Michigan for those who need it. With that, ERA Network Real Estate is still strong in helping MDA and does annual events to help raise money and awareness for Muscular Dystrophy. From spending time with children who are afflicted to going out and taking the time to bring awareness to and help donate to the cause, ERA Agents show their love not only for real estate but for their community as well. On the expansion side, ERA Network Real Estate has brought in new and talented agents from Century 21 Lakefront. The addition of two experienced agents and another Broker to a bilingual Spanish speaking agent, ERA is covering all fields to make sure our clients are taken care of and represented with what we call "Setting The Benchmark In Custmer Service" "I am truly proud of how far we have come and how we are growing our market share and customer service. Our agents are not only continuing to grow their careers and the ERA brand, but are also stepping up and helping in community events, such as charitable causes, being members of local planning committee's and other organizations that look for the long term betterment of our community," says Ryan Servatius, Broker & Sales Manager. For more information on ERA Network Real Estate, call 269-637-5401 or check the web at www.NREMI.com

4th of July Parade anyone???

Ryan Servatius (ERA Network Real Estate) — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 10:07:40 -0500

One of the best marketing tools that we have on our area for a full turn out dedicated crowd that has their attention on us is the 4th of July Parade. This single event that takes place once a year gives us an entire morning to let people know we are part of the community and that we are here for them.

We follow this up with other local events such as The Art Festival, Blueberry Festival and in the off season Ice Breaker Festival.

So how many of you participate in these types of events???

The World Is Getting Happier...

Ryan Servatius (ERA Network Real Estate) — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 18:14:38 -0500

Study: World Gets Happier

LiveScience Staff

LiveScience.comMon Jun 30, 1:16 PM ET

Despite the anxieties of these times, happiness has been on the rise around the world in recent years, a new survey finds.

The upbeat outlook is attributed to economic growth in previously poor countries, democratization of others, and rising social tolerance for women and minority groups.

"It's a surprising finding," said University of Michigan political scientist Ronald Inglehart, who headed up the survey. "It's widely believed that it's almost impossible to raise an entire country's happiness level."

Denmark is the happiest nation and Zimbabwe the the most glum, he found. (Zimbabwe's longtime ruler Robert Mugabe was sworn in as president for a sixth term Sunday after a widely discredited runoff in which he was the only candidate. Observers said the runoff was marred by violence and intimidation.)

The United States ranks 16th.

The results of the survey, going back an average of 17 years in 52 countries and involving 350,000 people, will be published in the July 2008 issue of the journal Perspectives on Psychological Science. Researchers have asked the same two questions over the years: "Taking all things together, would you say you are very happy, rather happy, not very happy, not at all happy?" And, "All things considered, how satisfied are you with your life as a whole these days?"

A Happiness Index created from the answers rose in 40 countries between 1981 and 2007, and it fell in the other 12.

Scientists had thought happiness is stable over time when looking at entire societies. "Most previous research suggests that people and nations are stuck on a 'hedonic treadmill,'" Inglehart said. "The belief has been that no matter what happens or what we do, basic happiness levels are stable and don't really change."

So Inglehart's team was surprised that happiness "rose substantially." They speculate reasons for the sunny outlooks include societal shifts in recent decades: Low-income countries such as India and China have experienced unprecedented rates of economic growth; dozens of medium-income countries have democratized; and there has been a sharp rise of gender equality and tolerance of ethnic minorities and gays and lesbians in developed societies.

Previous research has found that happiness is partly inherited and that money doesn't buy much of it.

Yet the new survey finds people of rich countries tend to be happier than those of poor countries. And controlling for economic factors, certain types of societies are much happier than others.

"The results clearly show that the happiest societies are those that allow people the freedom to choose how to live their lives," Inglehart said.

A survey released last week found one reason America doesn't top the list: Baby Boomers are generally miserable compared to other generations. Further, a public opinion poll released by the Pew Research Center in April found that 81 percent of Americans say they believe the country is on the "wrong track." The response is the most negative in the 25 years pollsters have asked the question.

The World Values Surveys, led by Inglehart, was funded by the National Science Foundation, the Swedish and Netherlands Foreign Ministries, and other institutions.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Video: Why We Age Keys to Happiness and Why We Don't Use Them Top 10 Immortals Original Story: Study: World Gets Happier

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Now this is a great article. It shows that The United States & the rest of The West has shown people that thru Capitalism, they can accomplish their dreams for themselves and their families.

Remember this the next time you get down and use it to get your energy levels back up to Professional Mode, so you to can help someone else achieve their goal of owning a home, condo, beach home, farm or whatever real estate they have aspired for...

Have a great one...