Realty World Northern California & Nevada

I was recently on a camping trip with several families and their children. Many of the kids are approaching their high school graduation in a year or two and, naturally, the subject of their futures popped up now and then while talking around the campfire. 

I was pleasantly surprised to learn that a couple of the older kids were interested in retirement and saving money. Wow! These are teenagers? I was excited to talk with them about saving money and the benefits that grow from starting the practice early. I told them (true story) that I bought my first home before my 21st birthday from savings I had tucked away. I have to thank my parents for making me save ten percent of my lawn mowing, stable shoveling, and busboy jobs. Admittedly, I really didn’t understand how important it was when I was a young teen, so I was fortunate. 

Anyway, if you have kids or grandkids, yesterday is the best time to start instilling the discipline of saving and teaching the power of compounding. Every kid should have a Roth individual retirement account (IRA). Don’t question the wisdom of starting to early as your kids might… the earlier the better. To open one, a child must have some type of earned income, however. The annual contribution is limited to the amount they earn during the year or $5,000 in 2009 (whichever is less).  

Children of real estate brokers and agents can have good jobs too! My daughter helps her mother with mailers, wrapping client gifts, gathering information, filing, and the like. As she became a little older, she answers the phone and makes appointments, and even helps out at open houses.

With summer job season here, now is certainly the best time to teach these valuable life lessons.   

Scott LeForce
President
Scott.LeForce@rwnc.net

I’ve had the blessings of great mentors and teachers in my life. A very wise gentleman I have the utmost respect for once told me during a tough time that “Nothing very bad or very good lasts for very long.” I have reflected on this lesson quite often over the years and even more so lately. I think many of us have had a tough go of it over the last year or so and it’s very easy to think that when times are tough, you’ll never see the end. But history repeatedly tells us that this just isn’t so.

I remember, as some of you might, that the early 80’s were real tough times, especially for those of us in the real estate profession. Prime lending rates were 21%, nothing was selling, and the only mortgage products available were 30-year fixed rate mortgages at 18% or “creative financing.” Adjustable/variable rate mortgages came later as a result of that difficult market. Many of us who went through that period thought it would never end, but it did! Actually, the end took only a couple of years and then the good times started to roll and continued for almost 2 ½ decades, with a few bumps in the middle.

See … nothing bad lasts for very long and, therefore, you and I should find great comfort in this valuable lesson.

So what about the flip side? Nothing GOOD lasts for very long. That’s not very reassuring, is it? This lesson, in my opinion, is more important than the former. When times are good, as they will be again soon (some say it’s starting now), we should be acutely aware that they won’t last forever. Many of us get caught up in the good times which is extremely easy to do. Then euphoria kicks in and we wind up making some pretty dumb mistakes due to arrogance or ego.

So what should we do when times are good?

1. Take advantage of all the opportunities presented before you.
2. Be positive and aware.
3. Be prudent in business and personal decisions.
4. Be grateful for the good times when they’re here.
5. Most importantly, be prepared for the next correction.

If we prepare, plan, and carefully keep our egos in check during the good times, the inevitable down cycle indeed will not be that bad at all! Make this year your “good” year!

Scott Gill
Senior Vice President
Scott.Gill@rwnc.net

Since the original release on June 29, 2007, the iPhone was arguably one of the best phones on the market selling over 21.4 million iPhones to date. Apple has released the latest of its operating systems (version 3.0) on June 17, 2009, bringing a variety of new (and much needed) upgrades.

Although the list of updates for the new OS is lengthy, and I am certainly one to appreciate updates, I can’t help but feel that the majority of the new features were so greatly needed that I am left saying to myself, “Ahh… finally! So, what’s next? And when?”

Don’t get me wrong, I love my iPhone. It’s almost to the point where I don’t know how I could survive without it. But with a list of updates containing “features” like cut/copy & paste, landscape keyboard in SMS and mail, and Safari autofill usernames and passwords, I am continually reminded with the thought that these “features” should have been on the phone years ago.

And let’s not forget about MMS and Internet tethering. Oh wait… I have AT&T so I can’t even get those features for another few months. Those who have AT&T service will sympathize with me when I say AT&T’s new ad campaign should be “More Bars in Less Places” with all of the dropped calls I get.

Maybe I’m being too harsh and I need to take a second look at my expectations with technology in today’s world.

What do you think?

Tei Baishiki
Chief Technology Officer
Tei.Baishiki@rwnc.net

Real estate professionals, it’s all up to you. 

In today’s real estate industry, it’s vital for realtors to realize that you are the only messenger that can take the good and positive news to the throng of individuals and families who need to be educated and directed.

As we know, the news media uses a negative spin on most everything for sensational impact. But you, the ‘messenger,’ needs to research the news and find the true interpretation to deliver the positive side… or, what isn’t being said. With all the foreclosure news, bankruptcies of major corporations, and unemployment, it’s a reminder that the economy has a ways to go before there is stability. But it has to start somewhere and the signs of the day show that things are changing once again; this time, in the right direction.

Just two weeks ago, the pending home sales showed a very good increase, rising 6.7% from the previous month and 3.2% from April of last year. This was the third straight month the index has increased, which is a key indicator that the new and existing home sales reported are showing steady increase over the same period of time. This is a strong statement that the housing market is finding its way to stabilizing. April figures on personal incomes increased, which has not occurred on a monthly basis since last September. On an annual basis, personal incomes have increased, albeit not in large numbers, but an increase nonetheless, which fights off much of the doom and gloom that the news media reports so bluntly.

Another great indicator is that consumer confidence jumped in May to the highest level since September of last year. The consumer needs to be on a steady diet of positive confidence building news.

Today’s messenger must study, understand, and deliver the facts about the positive changes in the real estate market. In a previous blog of mine, Differentiate vs. Directional, I mention a statement that carries a significant message: “If it is to be, it is up to me.” Remember it… because it’s up to all of us as real estate professionals.

Dennis Stewart
Vice President & Regional Director
Dennis.Stewart@rwnc.net

Realtors across the country are pacing back and forth in their minds every day pondering their temptation to buy a shiny new iPhone. I have to admit, as a Treo 755p owner, I think about iPhones often. Despite their ability to appeal to people and professionals across a multitude of markets, iPhone capability specifically tailored to Realtors is extremely limited. Trulia.com and Zillow.com both have apps for the iPhone and that is about all there is for real estate professionals to utilize. For now, Realtors are relegated to using any of the Palm, or Blackberry products, as well as many windows mobile enabled devices. Even though the market is very limited, that does not mean that it is devoid of good choices. For now, Realtors can get a rich smart phone experience with Supra eKey abilities from several phones.

First is the new Palm Pre. I don’t get the name either, but it’s pretty obvious that Palm is starting to get the new standards that smart phone users are expecting. It has the same old infrared to be able to access lockboxes as well as an overhauled operating system that functions much like an iPhone. It’s great for those who don’t like the touch keyboard on the iPhone because the Pre still has the classic QWERTY keyboard integrated into the phone. I’m very happy that Palm has taken great steps to be able to compete but it still suffers from the two main problems almost every smart phone has when it is compared to the iPhone: it’s too bulky and doesn’t have nearly as many apps.

Then there is the Blackberry Storm. I totally don’t understand this phone. I have never understood Blackberries and I never will. There are Blackberry people and there are non-Blackberry people. I say, “to each his own.” For those who do love Blackberries, the new Storm has a touch screen experience much like the iPhone and with the addition of a fob (a device the same size as a bluetooth headset that translates bluetooth signals into infrared) it can open lockboxes as well.

The other, lesser known alternative is the new Samsung Omnia. A personal friend of mine has this phone and loves it. I actually like it too and it has made me question my feelings for the iPhone (Shakespeare could only find the words to describe the torment this phone has caused me). It’s about the same size as an iPhone, has amazing camera features, and is very sexy. With the assistance of a fob, it too can open lockboxes.

Ultimately, as an iPhone enthusiast, I’m simply going to wait for the release of the iPhone 3G S. The new version of the operating system will allow third party developers access to the iPhone’s bluetooth capabilities which will allow programmers to make apps that communicate with lockboxes. iPhones aren’t for everyone though. Each Realtor who is looking to make a change has to do what Smoky Robison so accurately sang, you “…better shop around.”

For a complete list of phones compatible with Supra eKey software, go here.

T.J. Shanahan
Social Media Manager
tj@rwnc.net

As many of you know, the proliferation of cell phone technology continues to explode at an alarming rate. If you attended our Technology Rollout 1 & 2 this past Spring, you’ll recall the research and statistics on generational uses of technology and how we are adapting our tools to meet this growing and demanding market. 

One area that will extend the reach of your blogs and related content will increasingly be in the cell phone applications and increased broadband. Mobile networking and access to information via the “smart-phone” is just beginning. As more capital is currently being plowed into an infrastructure that permits your cell phone to be as powerful as your beefy desktop.

Based on a three month consumer study that ended in March 2009, the percentage of cell phone users who accessed various social networking websites show steady increases and revealed that 17.0% of Facebook, 11.1% of MySpace, 6.7% of YouTube, 2.9% of Twitter, and 1.6% of LinkedIn users accessed these applications via a cellular device.

Currently only about 13% of cell users have a “smart-phone” (one that can access the Internet and navigate websites), so prepare now for them to go mainstream down the road. What does this mean for you and your blog content? First, new, expanding and immediate access to information and property photos from a handheld device and potential customer. Second, a shot over the bow that is calling for your attention to participate in the blogosphere! 

Remember 90% is still just showing up!

Scott LeForce
President
Scott.LeForce@rwnc.net

After my last blog post, I recieved emails asking me to better explain what Twitter is. I decided that instead of writing a long explanation back to each of them, I’d let the power of video do the work for me. Here is a quick 5 minute video that explains what the latest web sensation is about.

T.J. Shanahan
Social Media Manager
tj@rwnc.net

I was at a meeting a couple of weeks ago at the Santa Clara County Association of REALTORS® (SCCAOR) where the President of that Association, Quincy Virgilio, Realty World-California Property Network and Gov Hutchinson, Assistant General Counsel and Staff Vice President of the California Association REALTORS® (CAR) outlined the various benefits of being a member of the local, State and National Associations of which there are many. I was actually surprised to learn that there are some real estate brokers who choose not to associate, primarily due to costs. Times are tight and I understand that; however, as I mentioned in an earlier blog article titled “Are You In or Out of the Real Estate Business?” Part 2,  there are certain costs associated with real estate that are necessary in order to function as a business and effectively compete. I believe this is one of those costs.

The annual combined membership dues at SCCAOR, including CAR and the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) are $474.00 per year. Some of the services include the use of the REALTOR® Trademark, CAR legal counseling services, access to group medical and insurance plans, free tech support services, etc. The legal hotline at CAR is worth the annual fee alone. How many times have you had a legal question and struggled where to get a quick and accurate answer, much less how to pay for it? Well, as a member of CAR, you can call their legal hotline and get your answers for FREE within 24 hours… it’s a bargain! If you’re a broker licensee, most of the time you will get your answer that same day. Ever have a computer problem? At SCCAOR, you can have it fixed (minus parts, if required) by their tech support team for no charge. Of course, Local Associations vary somewhat in services so make sure to ask your Association exactly what services they include. In the long run, if you’re serious about your real estate practice, keep these memberships active. They are very useful.

Scott Gill
Senior Vice President
Scott.Gill@rwnc.net

Bing is Microsoft’s new search (decision) engine and launched June 1st with the focus on assisting in decisions of travel, shopping, health, local amenities, video, and images. The landing page graphics are following the Microsoftesque feel with its use of enigmatic imagery.

Once a search is entered, Bing offers a variety of options at the top for web, images, video, shopping, and maps as well as search options to the left which are relevant to the search and include your search history. Hovering over the search results and videos provides a preview of the page and video while hovering over images provides image dimensions in a very convenient manner.

So far so good. I have found Bing’s search results relevant and useful, although is it enough to sway users from Google?

Tei Baishiki
Chief Technology Officer
tei.baishiki@rwnc.net