I ran across this article today and thought it had something to offer posted at Inman News

Opportunity knocks, even in a down market

Brokerage company reps say it’s never a bad time to grow

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

By Glenn Roberts Jr.
Inman News

It may take more than a year for the housing market to climb out of this slump, but that’s no reason for real estate companies to stand still, said brokerage company representatives during an Inman News audio conference Monday.

Companies should continue to try new approaches and should not close the door to growth and opportunity, said participants in the “2008: Thriving in a Real Estate Downturn” audio conference.

“As the market has tightened up we’re looking at things with a magnifying glass,” said John Reinhardt, president of Fillmore Real Estate, a commercial and residential real estate company in New York City that has about 18 offices and 500 agents. But the company continues to grow, picking up about 25 agents and paying to acquire 1,300 property listings from Foxtons Inc., a real estate company that has filed for bankruptcy.

“We’re opening up an office on Friday in the Bronx, and looking at three other locations currently,” Reinhardt said. “When the market was great it wasn’t really that difficult to sell a home and the other brokers out there also did alright.”

There can be acquisition opportunities for companies that are not faring well in the downturn, participants also said, and for agents who are looking to switch to a company with more resources and support.

Sherry Chris, president and CEO for Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate, a new real estate franchise brand of Realogy that is expected to launch next year, said, “I would imagine that in every company agents have left the business because they’re struggling now. There are also some good merger and acquisition opportunities right now. Some brokers are putting up their hands and saying, ‘I’m not sure I want to be in this business anymore.’”

The big companies may get bigger during these lean times, as some companies may find the right time to exit. “There are people out there who want to buy real estate companies right there.”

Pat Lashinsky, CEO for brokerage company ZipRealty, said the company — already operating in 17 markets — plans to grow into two to four new market areas in the coming year.

The impact of a plan by lenders to assist up to 1.2 million borrowers with adjustable-rate mortgages headed for reset by allowing them to refinance or modifying their loan terms could have a positive effect on the market, the panelists generally agreed.

Lashinsky said that this program will “psychologically have an important role” on consumers, even if it’s direct business effects are not widespread. Any program that works to stem the tide of foreclosures may serve to reduce buyer fear about the state of the market, he explained.

“It’s probably not a bad thing, particularly if it helps stave off a recession, if it helps homeowners,” said Chris. “I’m not sure whether it’s going to have a huge impact across the country … but it’s probably not necessarily a bad thing.”

Reinhardt said the program could soften the blow of foreclosures, noting that there are a number of people who are headed toward foreclosure in the Brooklyn market.

Training programs and innovative marketing can be a differentiator in a downturn, the call participants said. Lashinsky said it’s important for companies to work on making their agents more successful in this kind of market. Providing the proper tools is also important, he said, and “the quality and speed of communication is paramount” in developing technology solutions.

He said that ZipRealty has worked on a tool that quickly generates comparative market analysis reports for both sellers and buyers to help agents in marketing their services to prospective clients.

Dabbling in new marketing programs and revisiting old ones is also advisable, Lashinsky said. “When you test (something new) there is a certain amount of risk that is inherently built into that.” And just because something didn’t work before doesn’t mean it won’t work now, in a different market environment, he said.

Agents should get traditional training as well as “Internet training,” Reinhardt said. His company encourages agents to be involved in online communities as well as their real-world communities, he said, as that can help them to build online and offline relationships with people that can lead to new business, either directly or non-directly. “Communication is always the key,” he said.

Social networking and blogging sites can assist agents in reaching out to consumers, Chris said, adding that she expects these tools to become increasingly important in reaching the younger generations of home buyers and sellers. “I think that social networking is going to be a significant part of real estate in the years to come,” said Chris, particularly with the shift in demographics.

She said that blogging and social networking sites allow agents to build a long-term relationship with consumers, as the Internet empowers them to search for real estate information at a very early stage in the home-selling or home-buying process.

Reinhardt said his company posts property information to NewYorkTimes.com, Trulia and craigslist.org to multiply the audience. “Things like that don’t necessarily cost a lot of money,” he said, though they can pay off in generating leads.

Here are the stats for the month of November. Information provided by the GLAR

The Brainerd Lakes Chamber Holiday Extravaganza is coming up on Thursday December 6th from 4:30 to 7:30 at the Madden’s Townhall.   Guests will enjoy the spectacular holiday decor and feast on fabulous hors d’oeuvres while networking with several area business professionals.    A silent auction is part of the festivities to help raise money for the programs our Chamber provides it’s members.   Good food and good people make this “the” holiday event of the Brainerd Lakes Area!  

This week I am traveling to Sioux City, Iowa to a very special event for my family. On Friday the Sioux City Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center will be honoring Mrs Betty Strong (my mother). Here is the press release going out today

Cutline;Storm clouds gather over a Woodbury County cornfield in this shot from “Cornscape,” a photo exhibit at the Betty Strong Encounter Center which will open to the public at 1 p.m. Friday. (Photo by Greg Latza) 

Betty Strong Encounter Center to spotlight Siouxland’s rich heritage      SIOUX CITY, Iowa (Dec. 3, 2007) – The Betty Strong Encounter Center will open to the public at 1 p.m. Friday to celebrate Siouxland’s connections to the land, river and people who make their home in this region. Admission will be free.          Stories will be expressed in photo exhibits and maps, children’s portraits and artwork, a book and DVD, all focusing on area and regional themes.     The 10,000-square-foot Encounter Center connects to the Sioux City Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center on the Missouri Riverfront as a setting for the continuation of encounters in this area after Lewis & Clark. The private, non-profit cultural complex was built and is sustained by Missouri River Historical Development, Inc. (MRHD).     The journey begins with “The River Connection,” a 60-foot-long exhibit filled with aerial images, photographs and graphics illuminating the Missouri River, from Yankton, S.D., through Sioux City and on to the Omaha area. Wildlife and geologic features figure into the story that seeks to stir interest in the river as a conduit for encounters, both natural and social.      “The River Connection” reveals former channels of the Missouri known as “meander scars.” Visitors can see places where the river once flowed along Interstate 29 before dams and channelization altered it.    At the end of “The River Connection” visitors come to “The Crossroads,” a symbol of hope for dialogue, understanding and peace among all people who make Siouxland and the region their home. “The Crossroads,” which also serves as the Betty Strong Encounter Center logo, combines four colors of the first people of this land with a compass symbolizing those who came after.     Visitors continue to “The Children’s Connection” where 17 portraits of St. Augustine Indian Mission students are on exhibition. Photographed by Don Doll, S.J., earlier this year, the children represent a variety of cultures and backgrounds. They are educated at the Winnebago, Neb., mission, founded almost a century ago by St. Katharine Drexel.     “An Artful Encounter” completes the “The Children’s Connection” with images created by 35 children, mainly Sanford Community Center students, under the guidance of artist Anne Steinhoff. “The Children’s Connection” was inspired by Betty Strong’s belief that every child has something beautiful to give to our world.     Strong is remembered with a bronze sculpture created by the late Sioux City artist David West. A bronze plaque gives insight into Strong’s achievements as a community leader. Much of her energy was devoted to improving the lives of all people, particularly children and adolescents.     Strong served as president of Missouri River Historical Development, Inc. (MRHD) from its inception in 1989 until her death in 2004. A private, non-profit organization, MRHD has distributed about $14 million to Woodbury County non-profits and governmental agencies.     As visitors move into the Encounter Center lobby they find “Cornscape,” a photo exhibit celebrating the grain that transcends time as a symbol of life and a reason to celebrate. South Dakota agri-photographer Greg Latza traveled parts of Siouxland and beyond to encounter images of corn. The results are dozens of photographs that move from an old-fashioned corn-husking competition to family life on the farm to Curry Seed Company activity. “Weather” shots, aerial images, corn palaces and Jolly Time Pop Corn add luster to the story of the grain most of the world calls “maize.”     Corn has a huge place in Sioux City’s stockyards heritage. Tucked amid the range country of the west and a swath of the fertile Corn Belt, Sioux City was perfectly situated to become one of the world’s leading central public markets. “A Way of Life” serves up a lively slice of that heritage with an exhibit created by G.R. Lindblade & Co.     The Stockyards also are showcased with the release of the “A Way of Life II,” a 212-page book that picks up from the success of the first Stockyards book, released in 2006. “A Way of Life with Stanley Evans,” a DVD by G.R. Lindblade & Co., will be shown in the Stanley Evans Auditorium.     Drop-in children’s activities, celebrating Siouxland’s agricultural heritage, will be offered from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday under the direction of Katie Helling. Admission and all materials will be free.     The Betty Strong Encounter Center is located on Sioux City’s Missouri Riverfront, exit 149 off I-29. Admission and parking are free. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday; noon to 5 p.m. Sunday; closed Monday. For more information, visit www.siouxcitylcic.com or call 712-224-5242.

Sellers often ask should we fix this room up or not? What are the buyers really looking for in value of a remodled home? I ran across this and thought I would post it for my readers in the Brainerd lakes area.

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Today was one oft the coldest days we have had in the Brainerd area for awhile and things are starting to change. So while heading up north I stopped and snapped a few pics of the mighty Gull lake which is starting to freeze over. The steam was rising and the wind was blowing

Here we sit in the Brainerd Lakes area on a cold early winter day wondering what is happening out in the real estate world. Here is a glimps of what might be coming to our area What The Future Might Hold. It is already being discussed at the state level by the MAR

In the real estate world the word success means different things to different people. To some it means outselling their competition, increasing their sales numbers, selling that property that no other agent has sold, getting the best for their clients whether they are buying or selling, its about winning. For some of us it is more about having the time to do the things we want with the people we want, to have fun and take some time off if you want to and build relationships with the people we meet in our business. To get the truth out we do need to  have a little inner peace and listen to your heart. There are so many things that we can use to measure success best be careful which ones you choose.

Check This new information.out….. information provided by GLAR

Market Indicators 

 This article was sent to me by my friends at Lakeplace it was posted by the Inman news. I found it quite interresting and kind of follows the thought process from my earlier post Too Much or not Enough?  It sure makes you think.Consumer access in the cards for NAR’s real estate ‘Gateway’Planned database could be owned by association, controlled by brokersMonday, November 26, 2007

Here in the Brainerd Lakes area we as Realtors are faced with an ongoing discussion about how much information on our websites is enough. With the Internet as the biggest avenue for viewing and researching real estate for the consumer what is our role in that? Is to much information bad? I really think that with all the national and state and now even local associations granting full disclosure to their agents and not the consumer that will lead us down the wrong road. Stats show that if you do not have full disclosure on your company or personal websites the consumer will not use it. Is there something wrong with buyers and sellers doing their own work? The story always has two sides. Some agents feel if we give them all the information what do they need a Realtor for? That question is simply answered They need a “Trusted Advisor” to guide them through the process of buying and selling. They also need a “Skilled Negotiator” to finalize the transaction. Even with all the information out there the role of the Realtor has changed to a point but not to the point that we are not needed. Real estate is still done face to face and in common English. So just be aware that our clients are coming to us better prepared and a whole lot smarter. The brokers and agents that handle that like true professionals will gain market share and revenues together. 

Good afternoon to the Brainerd area readers. Having been a resident for the past fourteen  years here not to often do I encounter new things but I often meet new people. Today was one of those days. While visiting a young new mother and child at St Joe’s Hosiptal I came across an elderly man sitting outside on the steps. After stopping to make sure he was okay and didn’t need me to get him help I was going to head on in and make my short visit. Upon turning to leave he did say I could help with one thing and I said sure “what I can Help with”? well he proceeded to tell me his wife is very sick and not doing so well  was wondering if I could remember her in my prayers tonight. I was really taken back by that…. I thought for a minute and said sure I would add her to my prayers every night till she gets better.  He started to weep softly  I sat down next to him for about 5 minutes or so and we just sat there… he gathered himself and  said to me “god bless you young man” my reply was “ he just did”  I got up and went in and made my visit . Mother and baby were just great.  Thinking back I watched several people on my way in  walk right by that man and never say a word. See what they missed.. I am truly a lucky man

As the year winds down in the Brainerd Lakes area and we take a minute to evaluate the real estate market conditions it seems that we really do have many things to be thankful for. If you look at the stats that I posted earlier Stats and Facts things around here are not that bad. The Iman news posted a great article on how to change the outlook ourselves Realtors become own media to sustain market optimism . There is always an up side to everything and we should not forget the things that are the most important in life which is… family,friends,religion(whatever yours is) and freedom to do the things we choose  when we choose to do them. Taking a good outlook at the conditions in the Brainerd area and remembering that when talking to buyers and sellers always be positive about the situation and the word will get out soon enough that things are not that bad. Life and work are what we make it … Lets start turning things around. 

If you take a few minutes and review the area stats you will find that it is not all doom and gloom on the Brainerd Real Estate front lines. 

aitkin-north.pdf 

aitkin-south.pdf 

baxter-areas.pdf 

becker.pdf

 beltrami.pdf

 benton.pdf

brainerd-areas.pdf

cass-east.pdf

cass-north.pdf

cass-south.pdf

cass-west.pdf

crow-wing-northeast.pdf

crow-wing-northwest.pdf

crow-wing-southeast.pdf

crow-wing-southwest.pdf

hubbard-north.pdf

hubbard-south.pdf

itasca.pdf

mille-lacs-east.pdf

mille-lacs-south.pdf

mille-lacs-west.pdf

morrison-east.pdf

morrison-west.pdf

stearns.pdf

todd.pdf

wadena.pdf

In the past few weeks I keep running into articles like the one posted by Chris Galler Senior vice president of the Minnesota Association of Realtors called Is It Time for a Career Adjustment? . I do agree to a point with some of the article but I really think that he confused about a few of the ideas. Maybe Mr. Galler should remember who pays his salary. The number of Realtors is not the issue. The agents and brokers that do the job right will survive in the slow times because of the “quality not quantity” of the work preformed. The number of transactions that an agent does’nt  guaranty that he or she is a better agent. Leadership in the times of down markets is truly the key. Look to do a better job and the work will come. Even though all we hear is doom and gloom for the industry not everyone is sitting around waiting for that to change. Smart money is now entering the market because of the conditions so take advantage of the things you can control like “attitude and performance.” The number of Realtors doen’t effect that. Someone once said “Never be afraid to do something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark; professionals built the titanic”