real estate market: The Second Most Asked Question Of Real Estate Professionals - 09/21/10 01:11 PM
In my daily travels and interaction with consumers, friends and family, I'm constantly asked about the state of the real estate market. I've come to the conclusion, that this is a question about the greater economy, and people generally tend to gauge economic healthiness, by what is going on with homes. 
The next question that seemingly comes up is "What area do you work?" My answer in the past, was usually that I work all over, in an effort to appeal to everyone and anyone. In recent years, I've made an attempt to narrow that focus. That focus has grown, and … (13 comments)

real estate market: Real Estate Consolidation. A Sign Of The Times? - 09/02/10 07:03 PM
I spoke with an employee of a real estate franchise recently, and stated that I believe we will began to see offices merge at an increased rate. Tonight, I received a mass email that two of our local major franchise offices have combined. The Remax office, and Avalar office, are two of the most successful locations, of their respective companies, in town. They are located within a few miles of each other, and the move will probably prove wise.
We see changes to the real estate industry every day. Actually, the business has changed for good in my opinion. So this … (17 comments)

real estate market: If You Haven't Been Fired Once Or Twice, You Aren't Doing Your Job - 08/29/10 10:26 AM
Every good agent I know has been fired by a seller. Some great agents have been fired numerous times. If you haven't been, there is a good chance you aren't doing your job right. Getting fired (or not getting hired in the first place) can happen for numerous reasons. The home may not be updated despite your requests. The house may not be priced well, despite your suggestions. Or you may have asked for staging, and the owner is too stubborn to do so, or doesn't see the value.
So you do the one thing that we aren't necessarily supposed to do- you … (68 comments)

real estate market: You Aren't Just The Neighborhood Expert, You Are The New Wall Street - 08/28/10 05:22 AM
When your clients or people you meet ask how the real estate market is, what they are really asking about is the economy. I can't pinpoint when it happened, but the housing market has become the new barometer for the economy as a whole.
Remember way back when, well, for like the previous sixty years, the news on radio or television led with the Dow or Nasdaq status? A big company or two might report earnings or a introduce a new product that would affect what happened in the market that week. Furthermore, the big guys on Wall Street were called … (30 comments)

real estate market: Is It Better To Rent A Home or Buy? - 08/27/10 07:23 AM
One of the most important questions people ask at some point is, is it better to rent or buy. The answer isn't immediate in all cases. For instance, during the last ten years of lending, the country has witnessed a great percentage of buyers who would not have qualified under historically established standards. There was an emphasis on home ownership, but not a priority if the home was affordable for the consumer. Furthermore, we live in an increasingly transient society, where renting is sometimes the better option.
But what about the person or family that can afford to purchase a home, and plan to … (4 comments)

real estate market: Selling A Home: We Are In A Price War And A Beauty Contest - 08/23/10 06:13 PM
Let's just lay it on the line. This isn't your fathers real estate market. Mortgage bankers and brokers are dealing with new stringent rules and regulations. Real estate brokers and agents have less business to go around. And inspectors and appraisers are doing their jobs on pins and needles. But the folks under the most pressure in the market are sellers of homes.  Falling values, lots of competition, and picky buyers, make for an uphill battle. What is a seller to do? Throw their hands in the air and give up?
Well, believe it or not, some homeowners actually sell their … (7 comments)

real estate market: Florida's Biggest REMAX Office Is Shutting Down. A Watershed Moment? - 08/16/10 12:00 PM
Remax Partners, Florida's Biggest Remax office, is closing it's office after twenty plus years in the real estate business. The reasons for a shutdown can vary. The recession, a volatile Florida market, and expiration of the home buyer tax credit are likely factors why this particular flagship might shut down.
In politics, elections specifically; we study what are called watershed moments. Which are defined as a critical turning point. A moment in time where things will never be the same as before.  I'm not picking on REMAX, which is a fine company, or any other national brokerage. But the real estate … (62 comments)

real estate market: How Is The Real Estate Market? It's 74 Degrees, Cloudy, And A Chance Of Rain On The North Side Of Minneapolis - 08/03/10 10:58 AM
 

It seems that no matter where I go, I hear the question, that many of us get in this business: How is the real estate market? There could be several different intentions when this question is asked:
The person who is asking the question is just making general conversation, based on what we do for a living. After all, asking a person about their occupation is right up there with talking about weather, the local sports team, or the popular tv show of the day.
The person asking you this, believes the market is in the tank, and engaging in schadenfreude. … (20 comments)