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Aug

27
2008

Long live full-service commissions

By Ashfaq Munshi, Wednesday, August 27, 2008.

In the ongoing argument over the state of real estate commissions, I say long live 6 percent commissions. Technology hasn't replaced the agent, but it could help save the agent and justify the value the agent brings to the table if they choose to take on the challenge.

Today's market sends waves of information at consumers, a confusing bath of foreclosures, fluctuating values, and changing lending rules.  more...

Aug

26
2008

Add firepower to real estate presentations

By Rich Levin, Tuesday, August 26, 2008.

There are six presentations that are the foundation of every successful real estate career:

  • Seller/listing presentation
  • Buyer presentation
  • Showing homes
  • Offer presentation including negotiating
  • Offer writing
  • Price-reduction presentation

The success of your career is based on your effectiveness with these presentations.  more...

Aug

25
2008

Curbed getting into the listings game

By Drew Meyers, Monday, August 25, 2008.
Curbed Marketplace screenshot.

Editor's note: This article was originally posted on the GeekEstate Blog by Drew Meyers, community relations specialist at Zillow.

By Drew Myers

If you follow the Curbed blog, you probably saw Lockhart Steele’s post mentioning the new Curbed Marketplace.  more...

Aug

19
2008

The Myth of the Million-Dollar Producer

By Scott Einbinder, Tuesday, August 19, 2008.

In pursuit of authenticity, transparency and truth in the residential real estate brokerage business, we must stop and take a look at many of the messages we send to the public. Far too often in real estate we promote the consumer perspectives that seem valuable, yet in our own private circles we know there is little to no value: open houses and silly ads, to name a couple.  more...

Aug

18
2008

Letter to Editor

Home buyers need more 'skin' in the game

By Inman News, Monday, August 18, 2008.

Re: 'Last ditch attempt to preserve seller-funded gifts' (Aug. 4)

Dear Editor:  more...

Aug

14
2008

The Global Real Estate Connection

By Bradley Inman, Thursday, August 14, 2008.

In his book, "The Post-American World," Fareed Zakaria offers a blueprint for the United States to participate in the growing world economy -- not as a bully, but as a partner.

He describes how fear-driven parochial isolationism is eroding our position as a leader on the global stage, and how arrogance could cripple our economy and our way of life.

I agree.  more...

Aug

12
2008

Real estate's July report card

By John Burns, Tuesday, August 12, 2008.

In recent weeks, we were in several meetings where analysts made the bullish argument that affordability had improved to the point where home prices could fall no further. While affordability has indeed returned to normal levels (as shown by the 5.2 reading on our Housing Cycle Barometer below (click here for an explanation of the barometer), we beg to differ.

 more...

Aug

8
2008

Letter to Editor

'Good agents charge full commissions'

By Inman News, Friday, August 8, 2008.

Re: 'Real estate commissions are negotiable -- if you ask' (Aug. 5)

Dear Editor:

Lower commissions? Not if you want your home to sell. Think it through -- it doesn't make sense.

I agree that a lot of bad agents are starving in a buyer's market and discounting their services, but do you really want a discount agent who can't even stand up to the seller on their commission rates negotiating a contract for you?  more...

Letter to Editor

The law is clear about real estate steering

By Inman News, Friday, August 8, 2008.

Re: 'Real estate firm charged with racial discrimination' (July 31)

Dear Editor:

It is beyond belief that anyone would take the time to intentionally steer or guide people seeking professional help to find a home. Offering the buyer a simple list of homes that meet the buyer's guidelines of the size, bedrooms and geographic areas is very simple. People can live where they want and have the right to do so.  more...

Aug

6
2008

Death of the listing presentation

By Scott Einbinder, Wednesday, August 6, 2008.

The death of the listing presentation cannot come soon enough for me. I have reviewed thousands of these presentations and the indisputable fact is that they all basically look the same, feel the same and clients could really give a damn about most of their content. Potential clients stare at the flip chart or PowerPoint presentation that reveals silly pie chart market share graphs, branding graphs that range from 94 percent to 99 percent awareness, print media outlet programs, open house campaigns and personal production awards that are deceptive at best.  more...

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