Do you allow the Buyer’s agent at the presentation of the offer?

This article might be of interest to you.  Click here.

Kathy Howe

Real Estate Broker/Agent/Educator/Mediator

Sedona, AZ

Putting together a Statewide MLS…

The Arizona Association of REALTORS(R) Board of Directors today voted to purchase ARMLS and begin building a statewide MLS.

The benefit to consumers cannot be understated:

• Wider exposure
• More agents to see and show property

…if, all small MLSs join the statewide MLS.

STATEWIDE MLS

As a seller, you should be ecstatic that a statewide MLS is in the near future.  It will allow more agents the availability of your property and the possibility of your sale increases.  The more fences that are removed, the numbers go up.

Keep tuned for the next step…

NOTE:  When it came time for the formal vote with the terms and conditions defined, WEMAR and SEVRAR chose not to vote to go statewide MLS.  At this time AAR is continuing to negotiate with the parties who are principals to put together the statewide MLS.

Kathy Howe aka SedonaKathy     

– a believer in a statewide MLS for 15 years –

• how2arizona real estate LLC
• Sedona, AZ
• 928-274-4088
• kathy@kathyhowe.com 

Yes!  Arizona allows disclosed “dual agency”.

First, we need to understand the agency structure in Arizona.

In Arizona, under the 26th amendment to the State Constitution, real estate licensees are allowed to “…draft, or fill out or complete…” such documents as “…purchase agreements and earnest money receipts, deeds, mortgages, leases, assignments, releases, contracts for sale of realty, and bills of sale” when incidental to a transaction when acting as a salesperson or a broker for a party.  Licensees may not draft or fill out documents and charge to do so.  The listing agreement or the buyer broker agreement works as the employment agreement, spells out the representation, and addresses compensation.

Can a salesperson in Arizona represent a buyer or seller without a written employment agreement?

Yes.  But, under the Statute of Frauds, Arizona Courts will not entertain a claim for compensation without a written agreement.  To compensate for this situation, the REALTORS(R) can file with the Arizona Association of REALTORS(R) through their local Association for arbitration under the REALTOR(R) Code of Ethics.

Listing Salesperson + Seller                               Buyer Broker + Buyer

What happens when a Listing Salesperson who works with Regis Realty receives an offer from a Buyer Broker who is also with Regis Realty (both work under the same Designated Broker)?

DUAL AGENCY

representation

It means that neither the Designated Broker or the Salesperson can “…represent the interests of one party to the exclusion or detriment of the other party…”  REALTORS(R) use a “Consent to Limited Representation” form for the purpose of disclosure, consideration, and consent.

How does it work?

Listing Salesperson cannot (without written permission from seller) disclose anything about the price or the terms but the list price and the terms offered.  The Buyer Broker cannot suggest a price other than the list price to the buyer-client.

• No confidential information may be disclosed in either direction.
• Salespersons are obligated to deal honestly with all parties.
• Negotiating for the client may not be possible.
• Limited representation.

In Arizona, the employment agreements are with the Designated Broker.

A Listing Salesperson acts for the Designated Broker when taking a listing, and the Buyer Broker acts for the Designated Broker when agreeing to represent a buyer.

Arizona requires disclosure of agency (not necessarily in writing) before an offer is written.

The REALTOR(R) community uses the READE form for the purpose of letting the public know how agency works in Arizona and then the person can select the representation s/he wants or needs.  The READE form is only a disclosure form, not an employment agreement.

Listing Salesperson also represents buyer =

DUAL AGENCY

The same rules apply.

In each case, the Designated Broker is the only “broker/agent” in the mix.

Dual Agency is legal in Arizona as long as it has been disclosed and the clients have consented to the limited representation.

Question:

Should a buyer go directly to the Listing Agent for information about a property?

It never hurts to talk to the Listing Agent.

Do you want to be represented by the Listing Agent as a Dual Agent?

Or do you want a Buyer Broker advocate to assist you with your purchase?

QUESTION:

As a Seller, you want everyone to see your listing and many of you will list with a company who is known to move property.  You will be asked to sign an Arizona Listing (employment) Agreement that says you want the company to show the property to any potential buyers, even if it places you in a dual agency position.   The new SVVAR Exclusive Right to Sell Employment Agreement has no “Agency” information in the agreement at all.  Be sure to read what you sign and be sure that your agent gives you a READE form (disclosure) with the listing agreement.  In Sedona and the Verde Valley, agents who do not give the Seller a READE form could be guilty of not giving agency disclosure before an agreement is signed.

The question becomes:  Do you understand Arizona’s Dual Agency = Limited Agency representation?

Give it thought…

Then take a look at the different Sedona properties for sale at our sister site:  how2arizona real estate LLC

Kathy Howe, owner/broker of how2arizona real estate LLC

and owner/administrator of how2educate LLC

In a prelicense contract writing class a newbie said he needed to use an “As Is” form in the counter offer because the “seller didn’t want to make repairs…”

Three or four agents mentioned the same words in a slightly different context, but with the same intent during an attorney-taught real estate CE class. The surprise came when the attorney did not clarify “As Is” and it took two brokers in the audience to make clarifying statements.

So what is the “As Is” addendum and how should it be used?

If your Buyer has signed an “as is” addendum and submitted it with the offer, or agreed to an “as is” condition with the counter offer, does that mean the Buyer cannot ask the Seller for repairs?

No.

Does the Seller have to grant the Buyer’s wish regarding the repairs?

No.

Does everyone need to get their shorts in a knot about it?

No.

Do you know what an “as is” really does?

First: The Seller and Buyer agree that the premises will be sold “…in its existing condition.”

Believe it or not, nowhere in the AAR “as is” addendum does it say that seller does not have to pay for repairs. The AAR form only says that the “Seller shall not be obligated to correct any defects that may be discovered…” Bless the listing agents who state in the Agent Remarks of the listing: “Seller will not pay for any repairs”, instead of stating “Must include an As Is addendum”.

If the Buyer’s agent recommends that his/her Buyer fill out and attach an “As Is” addendum with the purchase offer, what will the Buyer give up?

“As Is” addendum

“…Seller makes no warranty to Buyer, either express or implied, as to the condition of the premises, including but not limited to, Seller’s Warranties in Lines 166-168 of Section 5a…”

Lines 166-168 of Section 5a.

“Seller warrants and shall maintain and Repair the Premises so that at the earlier of possession or COE, (i) all heating, cooling, mechanical, plumbing, and electrical systems (including swimming pool and/or spa, motors, filter systems, cleaning systems and heaters, if any), free-standing range/oven, and built-in appliances will be in working condition…”

The “As Is” language removes the warranties on these items.  Can that be good for the buyer?

And, “…Buyer waives (2) zoning of the Premises, or (3) Premises’ fitness for any particular use or purpose…”. Translation: Seller is not warranting the “zoning” or…

Okay, so a bank would understandably want an “As Is” addendum included with any purchase offer on their properties because they are not occupying the premises, have probably never seen the property, and probably acquired it through a Trustee Sale.

But really now, a Seller who has lived on the property for 10 years wants an “As Is” addendum attached to the purchase agreement?

Why?  Is there something to hide?

The Seller does not want to pay for any repairs? Maybe.  Maybe, buyers beware…

Would a home inspection disclose issues like this?

If the sale goes through and there is a dispute, will the “As Is” stand up in court?

Only if the Seller has disclosed “all known latent material defects…” and has given the Buyer the opportunity to investigate and do his/her due diligence. In Arizona real estate CE classes you will hear reference to “S-Corp”. Read more about it.

Example: Property is a top floor condo. Buyer has an inspection performed. Inspector misses an area where the ceiling and the wall intersect. Had the inspector gone up on the ladder (ceiling 16 ft high), he would have seen a small discoloration which would have disclosed a current leak. Buyers move in after closing and during a rain storm they have water dripping from that same small area. Nothing on the SPDS. Buyer calls in HOA and insurance company. Insurance company says “pre-existing condition”. HOA says previous owner was aware of the leak and had requested HOA take care of it, but the HOA was still getting bids when the property conveyed to the buyers and the meeting minutes did not reflect the issue in the packet received by the Buyer during the inspection period.

Will “As Is” stand up should this go to Court?

You be the judge…

Ask yourself: what lurks behind “As Is”?

Kathy Howe, Owner/Broker/Educator  

• how2educate LLC
• how2arizona real estate LLC
• how2realty referrals LLC
• Sedona, AZ
• Sedona Properties for Sale
• Sedona Verde Valley MLS
• Greater Phoenix MLS:  ARMLS
• Facebook.com/sedonakathy
• Twitter.com/sedonakathy

On Wednesday, April 27, at 1PM, the Sedona Verde Valley REALTORS(R) will meet at the Sedona Elk’s Lodge to hear about the proposed endeavor to have ONE (1) multiple listing service for the entire state.  One MLS.

If you are a consumer, you would say:  ”No brainer!”

Some REALTOR(R) members, both salespersons and brokers, do not see it that way.

So what could possibly keep a real estate person from not wanting to share their listings with REALTORS(R) from all over the state?  After all, isn’t it the job of the listing agent to market properties for sale?  Wouldn’t you want to expose them to anyone and everyone?  Would a seller NOT want broader exposure?

On the AAR blog site, Jay Thompson commented:  ”We take listings to sell them. Our clients want maximum exposure for their home. A statewide MLS is a big step toward providing that.”  And Jay further commented:  ”Will someone in Tucson, or Flagstaff, or Kingman, or Timbuktoo, AZ see a listing we have for sale and decide to buy it (or tell someone else about it)? Maybe. Someone might argue the odds of that happening are slim. Well, the odds of it happening right now, with no statewide MLS, are zero. I’ll take slim over zero any day.”

Truth.  Buyers want to work with someone they trust.  Many people call a REALTOR(R) friend to find out who they should work with in a particular area, while others go online, find a property, call a REALTOR(R) and set up an appointment.  But, the one thing that is constant today:  The client wants to be in control.

Many REALTORS(R) argue that we have REALTOR.com.  True.  But, REALTOR.com has slipped as a real estate search engine over the last couple of years.  In May of 2010, REALTOR.com was ranked 3rd.  Click here.  Another ranking by hitwise on 4-16-11 shows REALTOR.com as #2.  Click here (and scroll down to real estate).   The point is that there are many different ways for the consumer to find real estate listings now versus in years past.  The landscape has changed.

Todd Menard, reminded me of the new ARBI platform being put out by the Arizona Association of REALTORS(R) which merges all aspects into a paperless office and at the heart of the platform is one MLS.  My brokerage firm has been paperless for 4 years and we are completely on board with this proposal.  Our state REALTOR(R) association has transcended the present with tools to help us achieve our future.

Tiffany Cloud “Agreed!” with the statement of the AAR blog post:  “When I hear some of the negative reasons for not wanting a statewide MLS, I am reminded of the subagency days when we all represented the sellers. For those of us who are aged enough to remember those days, we remember how many agents thought buyer broker representation would be the ruin of our REALTOR® way of life. Actually, we became better agents, and we learned to better represent our clients. That’s the issue now. How we represent our client(s).”

But, perhaps the most poignant comment made was when a friend reminded me about the Sun City Board of REALTORS(R) who chose not to join the aggregation of small MLSs in the Phoenix area.  They opted not to join what became ARMLS.  Today, the Sun City Board/Association of REALTORS(R) no longer exists.

Change is not easy and I use as my email signature line, a quote from Jack Welch, past CEO and Chairman of General Electric:  ”Change before you have to.”

The sum of the whole can be found in the words of Seth Godin’s, “The realization is now.”

You choose…

Kathy Howe, Owner/Broker

how2educate LLC

An owner’s title policy is a must for those purchasing a home in Arizona.  And over the years the coverage has increased items such as zoning, encroachments, permits and subdivisions.  Sedona real estate agents are used to seeing preliminary title reports and asking for documentation to Schedule B items.

Reviewing an owner’s policy should be part of each real estate agent’s “to-do” list.  Amazing what you might find.  Today I was reviewing a pre-lim for a buyer and I found that there are now deductibles for certain insurance items:

Note: The owner’s policy of title insurance committed to be issued will contain Deductible Amounts and Liability Limits relative to certain Covered Risks as follows:

• Covered Risk 14 (Subdivision Law Violations) has a deductible of 1% of the Policy Amount or $2500 whichever is lesser, and a Maximum Dollar Limit of Liability of $10,000.

• Covered Risk 15 (Building Permits) has a deductible of 1% of the Policy Amount or $5000 whichever is lesser, and a Maximum Dollar Limit of Liability of $25,000.

• Covered Risk 16 (Zoning) has a deductible of 1% of the Policy Amount or $5000 whichever is lesser, and a Maximum Dollar Limit of Liability of $25,000.

• Covered Risk 18 (Encroachment of Boundary Walls or Fences) has a deductible of 1% of the Policy Amount or $2500 whichever is lesser, and a Maximum Dollar Limit of Liability of $5,000.

Licensees:  It’s important to review the Schedule B information and be sure to have all supporting documents given to your buyers and sellers.  Some exceptions or exclusions may cost your clients greenbacks!

Have a great day.

Kathy Howe aka SedonaKathy

No.  Not a joke.  And it will cost REALTOR members a $40 increase in dues next year.

$40 mandatory dues increase in 2012 for all members.

Read Rob Hahn’s synopsis of the announcement.  Click here. Feel free to add your comments to the blog.

Jay Thompson, Phoenix Real Estate Guy, will be doing a blog on the subject today.  Look for more from him.

You can log-in at REALTOR.org and read NAR’s description of the plan.

Also, let Tom Farley, at AAR know what you think of NAR’s move:

tomfarley@aaronline.com

Kathy Howe, Owner/Administrator/Educator

• how2educate LLC
• 1120 W SR89A, B-5, Sedona, AZ 86336

Using gMail for your business…

…will give you a more simplistic approach to sending, finding, and filing your emails.

Many of you use different contact management programs and are very happy with the whistles and bells they provide you.  This information is for those of you who want to simplify your lives.

For years Microsoft Office provided me with all that I needed for my business.  And, as my emphasis turned into keeping school records rather than drip-mailing clients; and later, when the Hawaii Association of REALTORS® scheduled me as a GRI Instructor for two of their modules, I found myself very comfortable using only MS Outlook for all my contacts.  Until I received an invitation to Google’s new gMail Beta…

April of 2004, Google sent out invites to people to beta test their new offering:  gMail.  Can’t believe I have morphed with Google over 7 years – we’ve grown up together.  So much so that I only use MS Outlook when I want to create a great signature.  While gMail has applications you can use for signatures, I still find it easier to do mine on MS Outlook.  Call me an “old dog”.

Fast-forwarding to the present, let’s explore the reasons I think “gMail rocks”:

gMail:  Priority Mail Inbox

Instead of writing about it, let the video tell you how it works:

Yes, you can make “rules” in Outlook, but gMail really does do a better job of filtering spam, has a more simple search box, allows easier filing… forgive me, I’m getting ahead of myself.

gMail:  Labels

One area where gMail does a great job is in filing by labeling. When an email comes in from a client you check the box next to the email or if the email is open, go directly to “label” and a dropdown box will appear. If this is a new file you want to create, type in the name for the file and click “create label”. If you already have a file for this email, just scroll down the dropbox till you reach the file name you wish to use and click on it. If you are ready to file the message, you then click on “archive”.

gMail:  Files

To your left, as you look at gMail, you will find a list of your labeled files. Easy access by clicking on one of them, or by the use of the search box you can bring up the emails in the file.

gMail:  Search

This is one of my favorite components of gMail. As a designated broker I’ve learned to save everything and am constantly looking in my digital files for information. Sometimes I know who sent me the information and other times I don’t. gMail will search the email addresses and the text. It’s like searching Google itself!

See this video for particulars:

It’s awesome! My life is searchable on gMail!

gMail:  Threaded Conversations

This feature is to-die-for!!

When you’re working with a client, you can stack, stack, stack, and then go to the left side of your email browser and look to the top right side and find a menu of link choices: “New Window”, “Print All”, “Expand All”, or “Forward all”.

For agents who still prefer paper files, you can “print” all at the end of a transaction and put them into your paper file.

For agents who are digital, you can print to pdf and save in your transaction file, or “select all”, “copy”, and “save as” to your digital transaction file.

There’s soooooo much more I can say about gMail.  Feel free to contact me about how you can use gMail to better your business.

Kathy Howe aka SedonaKathy

• Designated Broker: how2arizona real estate LLC
• Owner/Educator/Administrator: how2educate LLC
• Twitter: @SedonaKathy
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/sedonakathy
• YouTube: www.youtube.com/sedonakathy

The Arizona Association of REALTORS(R) have revised the Arizona Residential Purchase Contract.  A welcome revision as the last agreement was dated 2005.  Things change as of 2/28/11.

You can access the AAR website for specific sample forms, which include a complete 2005 PC showing the deleted verbiage and a complete 2011 PC with highlighted new language.

Thanks, AAR!

Sedona agents can take how2educate LLC’s February 24th “Contract – Writing – Cures” which will use the new AAR Contract.  Class starts at 1:30.  3 hrs Contract Law.  This class covers what is a cure notice, its purpose, when to use it, and when not to use it.

Sign up for the class by sending an email:  kathy@kathyhowe.com

BE PREPARED!

Kathy Howe aka SedonaKathy

Arizona short sale negotiations governed by new FTC guidelines.

Arizona Association of REALTORS(R) in-house counsel, K. Michelle Lind alerts Arizona licensees about the new MARS rule and how it affects Arizona licensees.  See related post for alert from, Commissioner Judy Lowe, of the Arizona Department of Real Estate.

MARS/Short Sale Negotiator UPDATE:

AAR has been diligently working to obtain concrete guidance for its members on these issues.  A FTC attorney has informed AAR that a real estate broker/salesperson negotiating a short sale with a lender on behalf of the seller should comply with FTC’s MARS Rule.   MARS applies to any person that provides, offers to provide, or arranges for others to provide, any “mortgage assistance relief service.” A “mortgage assistance relief service” includes any service, plan, or program, offered or provided in exchange for consideration to assist or attempt to assist the consumer with negotiating, obtaining or arranging a short sale. The FTC attorney also strongly cautioned against a  listing broker/salesperson charging the seller a non-refundable retainer fee in a short sale transaction. AAR contacted NAR and confirmed that NAR had received a similar response from the FTC.  NAR has informed AAR that it is working with the FTC on more detailed guidance on MARS compliance and guidance is anticipated to be provided by the end of the month.

To review the MARS rule, go to http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2010/11/mars.shtm.

NOTE: On February 1, 2011 AAR sent an article authored by Arizona Department of Real Estate (“ADRE”) Commissioner Judy Lowe and AAR General Counsel Michelle Lind entitled “Short Sale Negotiator Regulations.” The article may have been misinterpreted to imply that the Attorney General’s Office has issued a formal legal opinion on this subject. The Attorney General’s Office has not issued a formal legal opinion on this subject.  AAR apologizes for any confusion.

Kathy Howe aka SedonaKathy

Owner/Educator:  how2educate LLC

Owner/Broker:  how2arizona real estate LLC

Owner/Recruiter:  how2realty referrals LLC

1120 W SR89A, B-5, Sedona, AZ

928-274-4088   kathy@kathyhowe.com

proud resident of Uptown Sedona

Arizona real estate licensees:

February 3, 2011

Message from Commissioner Lowe:

All real estate licensees, active and inactive, received this alert from Commissioner Lowe as a courtesy to inform licensees that Arizona will vigorously enforce the recent FTC rule which describes who can and who cannot negotiate short sales and the conditions under which a person may negotiate and who may or not be paid.

ADRE will begin enforcement of the “MARS” rule on March 1, 2011.

Click here to download the rules for Arizona licensees as co-written by Judy Lowe, AZ RE Commissioner and K. Michelle Lind, General Counsel for the Arizona Association of REALTORS(R).

This article brought to you by:

Kathy Howe aka SedonaKathy, Owner/Administrator/Educator

how2educate LLC

“The Essence of Learning”

Sedona, AZ

A REBarCamp is an “unconference”…

I had the priviledge of facilitating with Sheri Moritz (@RealLifeSheri) on blogsites v. websites.  We demonstrated the use of wordpress.org themes.

Sheri Moritz rocks!  Read her Inman Boot Camp article:  Click Here

Kathy Howe aka SedonaKathy

• www.how2educate.com
• www.how2arizona.com
• www.how2realtyreferrals.com
• www.how2businessplan.com
• www.sedonakathy.com
• 1120 W SR89A, B-5, Sedona, AZ 86336
• 928-274-4088   kathy@kathyhowe.com

Proud resident of Uptown Sedona… an “Uptown Girl”

Currently, police can confiscate your cell phone (smartphone) without a search warrant.  Yes, they can go through your emails, your web searches, your documents, your pictures… without a warrant.

• What about when you leave your cell phone somewhere?
• What if you lose your cell phone?

This article discusses ways you can encrypt your phone in a way that will keep your information private.

It references the different phones, the apps for security and encryptions, as well as how easy it is for the information to be obtained with passwords, etc.

Great article.  If you have ever lost your smartphone and realize that you do online banking, password in to different sites…read the article and see if it could keep your information more secure.

Kathy Howe aka SedonaKathy

• www.how2educate.com
• www.how2arizona.com
• www.how2realtyreferrals.com
• www.sedonakathy.com
• www.how2businessplan.com
• 1120 W SR89A, B-5, Secona, AZ 86336
• 928-274-4088     kathy@kathyhowe.com

Proud resident of Uptown Sedona – an “Uptown Girl”

The Sedona Verde Valley Association of REALTORS sent out this information recently and it affects anyone who does residential or commercial renting or leasing:

Tax Requirements for LandlordsStarting in 2011, there is a new tax requirement for landlords.

All landlords who receive $600 or more in rent for the year must send a 1099 to all service providers that the landlord paid $600 or more during the year, such as plumbers, carpenters, yard services, and repair people. 

The new requirement applies to owners of both residential and commercial property.

Prior to 2011, this requirement had only applied to those involved in full-time property management, but now the requirement covers all types of landlords.

Landlords will need to gather federal tax ID numbers from service providers in order to file the 1099s. Failure to file the 1099s with the IRS can result in fines of $50 per 1099 not filed with the IRS. In 2012, these requirements will expand to cover providers of good to landlords.

NAR actively opposed this change in the law and is working with others to have this requirement repealed or otherwise modified. Congress took this action in order to assure that income paid to contractors can be verified through a section 1099. To read more about the history of the law as well as the actions NAR has taken to oppose this change in the law,

click here. 

Kathy Howe aka SedonaKathy

Proud resident of Uptown Sedona and business resident of West Sedona

• www.how2arizona.com
• www.how2educate.com
• www.how2businessplan.com
• www.sedonakathy.com
• 1120 W SR89A, B-5, Sedona, AZ 86336
• 928-274-4088  kathy@kathyhowe.com

Recently a listing agent was so distressed by what he considered to be an outrageously low offer from a buyer that he ranted he would not present the offer.

Can a listing agent NOT present an offer?

Even a verbal one?

This is from the Arizona Department of Real Estate’s Administrative Code, or what we in the business refer to as “Commissioner’s Standards”:

R4-28-802 states:

“…B. During the term of a listing agreement, a salesperson or broker shall promptly submit to the salesperson’s or broker’s client all offers to purchase or lease the listed property. Upon receiving permission from the seller or lessor, the salesperson or broker acting on behalf of the seller or lessor may disclose to all offerors or their agents the existence and terms of all additional offers on the listed property. The salesperson or broker shall submit to the client all offers made prior to closing and is not released from this duty by the client’s acceptance of an offer unless the client instructs the salesperson or broker in writing to cease submitting offers or unless otherwise provided in the listing agreement, lease, or purchase contract. The salesperson or broker may voluntarily submit offers to the seller or lessor regardless of any limitations contained in the listing agreement and may submit offers after the listing agreement is terminated…”

     No one knows when an offer might become an agreement…  A low offer is an opportunity to sharpen negotiation skills!

Kathy Howe aka SedonaKathy

• www.how2educate.com
• www.how2arizona.com
• www.how2realtyreferrals.com
• www.how2businessplan.com
• www.sedonakathy.com
• 1120 W SR89A, B-5, Sedona, AZ 86336
• 928-274-4088   kathy@kathyhowe.com

Thinking about making some “viewing” changes?

Think about Google TV

We are looking at it as an addition to our classroom.

Kathy Howe aka SedonaKathy

• www.how2educate.com
• www.how2arizona.com
• www.how2realtyreferrals.com
• www.how2businessplan.com
• www.sedonakathy.com
• 1120 W SR89A, B-5, Sedona, AZ 86336
• 928-274-4088   kathy@kathyhowe.com

Stefan Swanepoel asked many of us to describe in one or two words, the last decade.  This was my contribution:

For me, personally:

9/11
compassion
reframing
refocusing
networking
stretching
learning
encompassing
trusting

For the world:

9/11
compassion
reframing
refocusing
networking
stretching
learning
encompassing
trusting
wondering

In 2001 my husband and I were in the process of moving to Oahu from the Big Island of Hawaii and change was in the air for us.  We had purchased a small condo on the water at the Colony Surf in the Diamond Head area and used it for weekends or times when I was teaching GRI in the Oahu area.  The morning of 9/11 I received a call from my Phoenix friend Susan who asked if I was watching TV…no, but I turned on CNN.  I was stunned.  And then I realized the quiet.

Perhaps that was the alarm clock for the rest of the decade.

Real Estate, as an industry, was moving along without understanding that the world had become one.  We were in a monster seller’s market and our eyes were wide shut.  We watched “shock and awe”.  We groused about “GW”.  We quit negotiating for our clients, rather we negotiated with them to submit an offer that would be accepted by the seller.  We believed that the economy issues were short term.  We forgot the past.  We forgot the cyclical nature of our business and many of us suffered with our clients.

But, Americans are resiliant and have an incredible ability to roll up their sleeves and look for the niche, to innovate, to create.  Google.  Facebook.  Twitter.  The world of the print media morphing into online reading…the Kindle.  Touch tablet PCs.  The iPhone and the iPad.  Too many to mention.  Our young minds at work.  They show us the way.

What will the next 10 years bring? 

The American spirit lives, creates, innovates, and knows no bounds.  If we can rid ourselves of the angst and the outrage, we will continue to lead the world.  Our contribution to the world is our compassion and our ability to reframe and refocus. 

As for the real estate industry?  This is my personal 3rd downturn.  As you have guessed, real estate is my career and my profession, not just a stepping stone to another career.  We will survive and we will be stronger from it.  Each time I have seen real estate make major corrections and strides.  It’s during down times that we catch up with where we should be.  We take a hard look at where we are and what we are doing…we adjust.  We quit resting on our laurels.

The ship is turning.  The next 10 years?  REALTOR.com will be morphed into something else.  MLSs will aggregate.  The consumer will change the way we serve them.  Actually, they already have…

PS  Marc Davison says it better than I…

Kathy Howe aka SedonaKathy

• www.how2educate.com

• www.how2arizona.com

• www.how2realtyreferrals.com

• www.how2businessplan.com

• www.sedonakathy.com

• 1120 W SR89A, B-5, Sedona, AZ 86336

• 928-274-4088       kathy@kathyhowe.com

This tickled my funny bone:

Women prefer more traditional methods of cooking a turkey.  One of them is doing it in the kitchen.  By nature, women do everything in their power to keep from having to call 911.  It’s in our genes!  When the police person or fire fighters show up, they look at us and they roll their eyes or suppress a laugh. 

With guys they say:  “Hey man, what happened? …”

Love the insurance company ad talking about the number of houses that burned down when turkey-frying became a garage/driveway event. 

Seriously. 

Thanksgiving is a time of reflection.  A time to realize that each of us is not the center of the Universe.  Each of us owes what we are and what we do to someone else.  Seth Godin says it well.  Each of us … well, click on the link. 

how2educate LLC wants to thank each and every one of you who have helped us make 2010 a successful year.  We appreciate your support and your attendance in our classroom…or just the reading of our blog posts.  You complete us!

God bless…

Kathy Howe aka SedonaKathy

• how2educate LLC
• www.how2arizona.com
• www.how2realtyreferrals.com
• www.how2businessplan.com
• www.sedonakathy.com
• LaTierra Plaza 1120 W SR89A, B-5, Sedona, AZ 86336

928-274-4088  kathy@kathyhowe.com

Proud resident of Uptown Sedona

This AM I read a most interesting article from Seth Godin.

Seth Godin, for many of us is a voice of reason.  He seems to get it.  And, he helps us get it.

You know you hate the political ads.  The marketers know you hate the ads.  Throw the bums out.  But, what do you really do?  You ignore the elections because you don’t like anyone.

“Political TV advertising is designed to do only one thing: suppress the turnout of the opponent’s supporters. If the TV ads can turn you off enough not to vote (“they’re all bums”) then their strategy has succeeded.”

Show the advertisers that they cannot take your vote away from you this Tuesday… Vote.

My voting spot is in Uptown Sedona…and then I’ll have lunch and do some shopping…

Kathy Howe aka SedonaKathy

• www.how2arizona.com
• www.how2educate.com
• www.how2realtyreferrals.com
• 928-274-4088
• kathy@kathyhowe.com
• LaTierra Plaza 1120 W SR89A, Sedona, AZ 86336

Proud resident of Uptown Sedona