The Reality of Real Estate

I don't have all the details and I won't name any names, but another large realty broker is closing an office this week.  It is really no surprise-  with fewer closings, lower sales prices, greater competition and increased advertising expenses it is harder for big box brokers to make a profit.  ...

I work in the business on a day to day basis and it is easy to get immersed in all the changes going on and shrug them off as no big deal.  I really think that each market presents its own challenges and it is sometimes hard to think like a buyer or seller.But this blog posting is not about my ex...

I have always been interested in real estate TV.  Here is a link to a clip I produced through Saint Paul Neighborhood Network: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DxRwaABYUmQ Producing through your local cable public access studio is fun and very affordable.  The annual member enrollment is dirt cheap...

This Sunday I am taking part in a bus tour.  Has anyone done one of these?  I have heard of other parade of homes and listing bus tours, but I think this is a fairly new concept.  Kirk in my office said they started in Duluth and now are growing in popularity.In the late nineties we did low-incom...

The real estate broker has always been the center point of the transaction.  Over the past ten years or so other factions within the industry, most notably the mortgage industry has made an effort to become the center point of entry with the customer.  The idea was to get the customers first and ...

On Monday, April 21 hundreds of real estate professionals gathered in St. Paul, MN for the Realtor Expo, Unlock Success.  It was a very fun event.  Agents came from as far away as Grand Rapids, MN to share ideas and learn about the new trends in the business.I always love Realtor events because I...

Agents in many parts of the country view home warranty service as a standard practice in the transaction process.  In the Midwest, however warranty usage, although growing, is still added to a relatively small percentage of transactions.  If anyone doubts the validity of warranty companies, or fo...

There are always new advancements being made in the real estate business.  I can remember when lock boxes (the dial combination kind, not the new electronic ones) revolutionized showing procedures.  Each office had a big board with keys to all the listings.  The showing agent would have to come t...

Benefits for Buyers:A Home Warranty Can Save You Time - One toll free call, any time of the day or night puts you in touch with a pre-qualified service professional in your area to fix your broken item.A Home Warranty Can Save You Money - No matter the cost of the repair or replacement you will b...

Sellers can use the warranty to cover the mechanical aspect of their home during the listing, and they don't have to pay until closing, even if we pay a claim.  Roof and foundation coverage is available, however we require additional training on how to present this to buyers and sellers.  The pro...