Saturday, January 20, 2007
Great news!
As announced on the radio show this weekend - our major indicator of consumer real estate interest at Weichert is our leading Weichert Lead Network. This past week, we experience 3 of the biggest days every for web traffic and consumer inquiries. What does this mean? My theory of a 2007 mini-frenzy is shaping up. The real estate market appears to be correcting and consumers seem to be on the prowl looking at real estate again. There are still bargains, and inventory is high - so don't expect a huge jump in prices or a rapid market, but a more healthy market is on the horizon!
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Ignorance on the Air!
The following information was on Clark Howard's website:
"Realtors tampering with MLS listings
The National Association of Realtors is at it again. The NAR is trying
to establish fixed commissions, despite the fact that they are against
the law. The organization is trying to use the Multiple Listing
Service (MLS) to keep business from the discount realtors. NAR reps
are actually delisting the discount realtor listings from this site.
The average real estate commission in the U.S. has dropped to 5
percent. And realtors are terrified that what happened in the travel
agency business is going to happen to them. So, they are trying to
stop the clock from marching forward by tampering with the listings.
The U.S. Justice Department has already filed suit against the NAR for
another issue. They will most likely jump on this one too. It's simply
wrong and should be against the law. People should be able to use any
kind of broker they would like. Clark uses a full-commissioned broker
because he believes she's worth it. But a discount broker who offers
fewer services might work for you. The industry is morphing, and part
of that is due to Foxtons, the full-service agency that only charges 3
percent commission. The company is only in the Northeast right now,
but it's growing like wildfire. So, the NAR is not going to succeed
with this mission no matter what."
This is spoken like a truly ignorant person in the media. The problem is that the "spin" is so great in these reports. This simply isn't true. The fact is that the limited service brokers do not comply with the MLS guidelines for which they join. As an interesting note, the consumers of Charleston have spoken: Limited Service Brokers don't work. Over the last 5 years, I can count more than a dozen of them that have come and gone. So, Clark: I know you're a big radio personality in Atlanta - but get your facts straight before your start bashing one of the largest and most ethical trade organizations in the World!
"Realtors tampering with MLS listings
The National Association of Realtors is at it again. The NAR is trying
to establish fixed commissions, despite the fact that they are against
the law. The organization is trying to use the Multiple Listing
Service (MLS) to keep business from the discount realtors. NAR reps
are actually delisting the discount realtor listings from this site.
The average real estate commission in the U.S. has dropped to 5
percent. And realtors are terrified that what happened in the travel
agency business is going to happen to them. So, they are trying to
stop the clock from marching forward by tampering with the listings.
The U.S. Justice Department has already filed suit against the NAR for
another issue. They will most likely jump on this one too. It's simply
wrong and should be against the law. People should be able to use any
kind of broker they would like. Clark uses a full-commissioned broker
because he believes she's worth it. But a discount broker who offers
fewer services might work for you. The industry is morphing, and part
of that is due to Foxtons, the full-service agency that only charges 3
percent commission. The company is only in the Northeast right now,
but it's growing like wildfire. So, the NAR is not going to succeed
with this mission no matter what."
This is spoken like a truly ignorant person in the media. The problem is that the "spin" is so great in these reports. This simply isn't true. The fact is that the limited service brokers do not comply with the MLS guidelines for which they join. As an interesting note, the consumers of Charleston have spoken: Limited Service Brokers don't work. Over the last 5 years, I can count more than a dozen of them that have come and gone. So, Clark: I know you're a big radio personality in Atlanta - but get your facts straight before your start bashing one of the largest and most ethical trade organizations in the World!
