Dave Thurman's Real Estate Blog

I have been searching the Internet, reading the local newspaper and analyzing my own recent listing / sales information trying to find something positive about the real estate market in Stockton, California and other parts of our country; but I think that I have failed!!!

• First-time buyers running out of time to use the $8000 tax credits
• Unemployment is high almost everywhere
• Americans have again lost faith in the government nationally & locally
• San Joaquin County listing inventory has decreased almost 60%
• Closed sales in the county are down 35%
• Median prices are up by over 10%

I refuse to give up…I will work weekends, hold open houses and go door knocking… just like a brand new agent! Please help me find something more positive to blog about next week. Please comment…are you out there?

As a proven real estate professional; I have often been asked why did you purchase a Realty World franchise? Especially, when many of the other larger real estate brokerages have been dropping the franchise and going independent. Well, there are many reasons…but here are a few of them.

• A successful and internationally recognized brand name
• A structured business operating system with proven technology, marketing, advertising and training
• The most successful online advertising program available in real estate
• Economies of scale on all types of products and services that are absolutely affordable for even a one-person office

The power of a brand name!

Home prices fell in November for the first time in seven months, according to a industry report released Tuesday.

The S&P/Case-Shiller 20-city home price index recorded a decline of 0.2% from October. Prices were down 5.3% compared with 12 months ago. Read more from CNN.com…

If you are considering going into the real estate profession or if you are a REALTOR®  trying to decide if you should stay in the business; I would highly recommend that you listen to what Carole Rodoni has to say.  I am not easily impressed by others, but I feel her very strong opinions about the real estate business and our nation’s economy in general are “right on”!

Carole Rodoni is a highly regarded speaker, author and advisor in the Bay Area Real Estate Industry. Formerly President of Fox & Carskadon Realtors, COO of Cornish and Carey Real Estate, President and COO of Alain Pinel Realtors, and now the President of her own consulting firm, Bamboo Consulting.

I had the pleasure to hear her speak at our Realty World convention held last August 14th and was very impressed by her knowledge. She seems to know what is really going on in the real estate market and also what is happening in Washington D.C.

Please take the time to listen to this lady…youtube.com or purchase her newsletter for $100 per year. http://www.bambooconsultinginc.com

Almost every buyer seems to be frustrated about the home buying process…well they certainly should be! The inventory of homes, active listings has been delayed for months, due to foreclosure moratoriums. Usually, the home has a sale pending or ten offers waiting for an answer which never comes. Well, another problem which many home buyers are not aware of is called Home Valuation Code of Conduct (HVCC).

 The Home Valuation Code of Conduct (HVCC) establishes standards for solicitation, selection, compensation, conflicts of interest and appraiser independence. REALTORS® and mortgage brokers are prohibited from selecting appraisers. It was effective May 1, 2009, for any mortgage that will be sold to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac.

 All summer real estate transactions have been delayed, re-negotiated and cancelled. According to a July 2009 survey of REALTORS®, 76 percent of respondents said the length of time to obtain a completed appraisal report increased after May 1, 2009. More than one third of REALTORS® have lost at least one sale because of a delay in the appraisal process.

Friday, August 14th, 2009 – Realty World Northern California & Nevada held our Annual Convention in Pleasanton. Wow, even in this tough market there was a full house with approximately 500 REALTY WORLD Agents and Brokers!

Scott Leforce, President welcomed the Realty World brokers promtly at 9:00 AM at the “Brokers Council” as we all got down to business. One of the most unique characteristics about Realty World is the fact that our company is helped run by our brokers through a Brokers’ Council.

I was very impressed by “Featured Keynote Speaker” Carole Rodoni, President of Bamboo Consulting  and a Real Estate Industry Expert and News Columnist. Her comments and understanding of the current real estate market and our nation’s economy were “right on”, in my opinion.

The agenda also included:

• Keynote Speeches & Panel Sessions
• Exhibitor Hall
• Free Lunch
• Professional Agent Photos & Videos
• Prize Giveaways

The Realty World Strategy For 2009…”Our goal by year’s end is to have the largest online presence by our associates of any real estate company in the United States.”

www.realtyworldnca.com

Maybe it is time to take our website back! It is a well known fact that REALTOR.com has more traffic than any other real estate website on the Internet, but where are all the leads going? Our own MLS listings are automatically uploaded to the site within 24 hours, but we have to pay an extra fee to add additional photos, edit or enhance each listing and also pay extra to add a virtual tour. Where did we REALTORS® loose control of our own business? Have you noticed the ridiculous looking advertisements on our website? All REALTORS® and contact information should be represented on the website equally without regards to how much is paid by a brokerage.

NAR, Local Associations and all REALTORS® need to take a good look at this website and start working to improve on our image to the public.

REALTOR.com

Dave Thurman

Realty World – Dave Thurman

Staging Your Home Checklist

The REALTOR® you work with can be one of your most valuable resources in the home buying process. Unlike many real estate agents who are simply licensed by their state to do business, REALTORS® have taken additional steps to become members of the local board of REALTORS® and have agreed to act under and adhere to a strict Code of Ethics. Here is what a REALTOR® can do for you:

• A REALTOR® can help you determine the price you can afford.
• A REALTOR® can often suggest ways to accrue a down payment and explain alternative financing methods.
• A REALTOR®, in addition to knowing the local money market, also can tell you what personal and financial data to bring when you apply for a loan.
• A REALTOR® is already familiar with current real estate values, taxes, utility costs, municipal services and facilities, and may be aware of local zoning changes that could affect your decision to buy.
• A REALTOR® can usually research your housing needs in advance through a Multiple Listing Service (MLS) – even if you are relocating from another city.
• A REALTOR® can show you only those homes best suited to your needs: size, style, features, location, and accessibility to schools, transportation, shopping and other personal preferences.
• A REALTOR® often can suggest simple, imaginative changes that make a home more suitable for you and that will improve its utility and value.
• A REALTOR® is sensitive to the importance you place on this major purchase and commitment that you are about to make.
• A REALTOR® can facilitate negotiation of a win-win agreement that will satisfy both you and the seller.

Can you believe it? We are already 12 days into the new year! Happy new year to all…and boy am I glad 2008 is gone…let’s move on OK!!!

Did you write down your new years resolutions and goals for 2009? If not, don’t worry it is still not to late yet. My favorite short personal and business resolution for 2009 is “I need to be more positive and friendly to everyone.” Well, all of a sudden last Monday and all through the week it was crazy busy with new leads, new clients, new sales and new listings. Maybe it was just some sort of a wierd week or maybe reading and thinking about my resolutions and goals all day long did the trick. What do you think? Please tell me about your new years resolutions and goals for 2009.