Realtors: What Have You Learnt in 2009 That You Can Use in 2010?

Mirela,

2009 has taught me the MOST that I've ever needed to know about myself.

Some great knowledge about what to do, what not to do.

2010 should be a very good, smart, low-stress year because of that.

I have learned that one must react quickly and obtain wise counsel from experienced Realtors to make it happen

Mirela, I could say it was a good year, but it wasn't! It's just my opinion of observation in the small part of the world I live and work in, and the people I listen to. I do however get a lot of personal satisfaction helping folks with their real estate issues. I mostly handle farm & ranch, and commercial/industrial properties. Not may people buying dirt in my area this year. Even the rural lenders were not making many new loans in the late spring into the summer. Land refinancing seemed to pick up in the fall. Most large industrial projects are on hold in our city. The city continues to spend, building streets and even a new fire station recently started. Electrical companies busy adding lots of street lights for the new streets! Even TxDOT appears to be mandated to add some highway entrance/exit ramp lighting. Commercial sales and leasing is slow, mostly downsizing, or defaulting on leases. One new big box retail building never moved into, sit vacant for a year, looking for a tenant after the intended user never moved in! Lots of vacant lease space available. Election to sale liquor was approved by the voters in our city, but shortlived real estate activity so far, and city seems to still be planning on how to regulate them. Residential seems to be holding reasonably steady, but lenders are picky, and really dragging on processing time, causing overshooting of closing dates on contracts. Highway right-of-way widening in 2010 may be the only thing to look forward to, in helping relocate businesses or select sites to build new facilities. It will take time, maybe into 2011, but the economy and real estate market will adjust itself, by itself, over time. It did in the late 80's into the early 90's. It's just a matter of which way it will continue to adjust, and how long! Most business owners tell me, they are not looking to make a profit, bidding jobs just to keep employees paid, and survive staying in business until the economy gets better.

The biggest thing I learned was to take advantage of the new media opportunities.  Our business models must change with the time.  Low overhead, good response to questions and inquiries, that  is the ticket to the future.

2009 was good year to evaluate what works,what doesn't.  There was time for education and the implentation of new systems, learning that I do not like short sales and referred them out, that buyers think every house is available at foreclosure prices, and taking overpriced listings is a waste of everyone's time.   It was reality time and I think we will all be better off for it!