Barely a year ago the real estate industry was stunned when Canadian-based Brookfield Residential Property Services (Brookfield RPS), a division of Brookfield Asset Management Inc. (Brookfield), and owner of Royal LePage, the largest Canadian residential real estate company, acquired GMAC Real Estate. With the departure of CEO John Bearden and a pending name change imminent, many labeled the GMAC franchise as yesterday’s news.

What a difference a year has made.

Announcing their second large acquisition today, Brookfield RPS has now also the owner of Real Living Network Services, a subsidiary of Real Living Inc. Combining the two companies creates one of America’s leading residential real estate franchises with more than $20 billion in annual home sales and an estimated 30,000 agents.

Although that in its own is huge news (and the largest real estate brokerage acquisition of the year) it is the merging of the two and the rebranding of the whole as Real Living that is electrifying.

The reason is that Ohio-based Real Living is a national award-winning real estate brand known for its innovation, customer service and a culture of partnership and collaboration within its network. Last year I even named Real Living as the “Most Promising New National Brand” in my Swanepoel TRENDS Reportwhile Entrepreneur Magazine listed them as one of the Top 50 New Franchises.

Yesterday’s news has turned into tomorrow’s future. Exciting times for newly appointed President Harley E. Rouda, Jr.

For more information visit anyone of the three companies mentioned www.brookfieldrps.com |

If I were writing for our Columbus newspaper "The Republic", or for the "Seymour Tribune". the headline would read "Market Plummets!" If I were writing for the Wall Street Journal, I would write, "The Market Signal is Buy!, Buy!, Buy!!!", But since I'm a Realtor , and Real Estate Professional in South Central Indiana, my hedline is:

Real Estate Market Shows Great Promise and Opportunity

Based on the following premises:

1. Housing in Indiana's South Central area is Affordable

2. Interest rates are the Best in Years!

3. Residential Lenders Have Money and Want to Lend IT!

4. Good Selection of Housing Inventory

5. Excellent Time for 1st Time Buyers

6. Great Time for Move-Up Buyers

7. Great Opportunities for Investors

8. Most Sellers are Realistic in their Expectations

9. More Qualified Buyers are on the Horizon

10. 85% of People Still Believe Buying a Home is a Good Financial Decision and Investment

Now is a great time to expect anticipated stability in the overall marketplace with the generally renewed confidence in the Office of the Presidency of the United States; lower gasoline prices, excellent interest rates; increased promise in entrepreneurial activities; and probable upcoming incentive rograms for business as the new Congress convenes.

Now is a great time to stay positive, encourage others to do so, remain steadfast and be grateful for the bounties and gifts you possess. The fate of 2009 will be determined by preception, either positive or not so positive. Please, choose like me, to make this a positive year, filled with anticipation for everyday success in all endeavours.

Just this weekend, I managed to Pend another one of my listings, maintaining my "Eleven Days on Market" goal, which I set for every listing I get. I admit it I've got two other that didn't make the mark; but my average days on market is still Absolutely Wonderfull.

So if you are a FSBO; Have an Expired Listing; or Have Withdrawn your listing; or are a Seller considering listing your property call me, Today! Martin Markets To Millions, And Sells For You!

Visit my website to see How I can Help You! http://www.columbusareahomesforsale.com or http://www.martinsellscolumbus.com

Martin Dorgan
Coldwell Banker
South Central Realty
1015 Third Street
Columbus Indiana, 47201
Office: 812-378-3331 ext.122
Cell: 812-603-1368
Website: http://www.columbusareahomesforsale.com
Active Rain Blog: http://activerain.com/blogs/martindorgan
XING Network: http://www.xing.com/go/invita/11704402

Spectacular Results! That's what you want! That's what you deserve! That's what you really want, Right?

You want to find the home that's right for you-at the right price. You want to find a home by negotiating the best price, with the least hassle...And You Want Someone Who Can Get The Job Done Right!

Well You've Come To The Right Place!

You want Martin Dorgan as Your Realtor!

13 Reasons You Should Consider Relocating to Beautifull Columbus Indiana

• Not only is Columbus an international architectural showplace.
• Columbus is also currently ranked eleventh in the U.S. on the list of safest cities per population. In 2006.
• Columbus won the highly competitive national contest, "America in Bloom." In 2004
• It was named as one of "The Ten Most Playful Towns" by Nick Jr. Family Magazine.
• The July 2005 edition of "GQ Magazine" named Columbus one of the "62 Reasons to Love Your Country."
• Columbus is the headquarters of the engine company, Cummins Inc.

• Why Buy a Home in Central Indiana?

• We have the highest homeownership rate in the nation.
• We boast the nation's most affordable housing market.
• The lack of physical barriers to metro area equates to ample fringe community housing options.
• Central Indiana is not completely built out-there's more land available than in other comparable markets.
• There are a variety of housing products available for a wide range of consumer income levels, from workforce housing to executive housing.
• We offer affordable cost of living.
• Central Indiana residents enjoy great quality of life-comparably low housing costs allows consumers more money to spend on other things that are important to them.

The above information should stimulate your interest in Columbus, IN., and it certainly gives you good reasons to consider moving to Columbus, Indiana. For a real life look at our lovely city, visit my website http://www.columbusareahomesforsale.com where you will find a "Welcome To Columbus" video. It's a great video, with real Columbus residents giving their own commentary, and expressing their own personal opinions.

The "Top Relocation Companies" that entrust their clients to our company know they are working with Professional agents, trained in Relocation, who know the process and will help guide them through the move. We have had the privilege of hearing "You at Coldwell Banker South Central Realty are the best in the business." That is a HUGE compliment as they deal with Real Estate Companies all over the Country.

I understand the stress involved in a move whether it is down the street or cross-country. You can count on me to relieve as much of that stress as possible, I will keep in close contact with you and with your relocation company (if you are using one). Let me know if you would like a relocation package sent your way, it has lots of information for your upcoming move.

Martin Dorgan
Coldwell Banker
South Central Realty
1015 Third Street
Columbus Indiana, 47201
Office: 812-378-3331 ext.122
Cell: 812-603-1368
Website: http://www.columbusareahomesforsale.com
Active Rain Blog: http://activerain.com/blogs/martindorgan
XING Network: http://www.xing.com/go/invita/11704402
Spectacular Results! That's what you want! That's what you deserve! That's what you really want, Right?

You want to find the home that's right for you-at the right price. You want to find a home by negotiating the best price, with the least hassle...And You Want Someone Who Can Get The Job Done Right!

Well You've Come To The Right Place!

You want Martin Dorgan as Your Realtor!

Columbus Indiana Takes another "Big Hit"

Yet again, Columbus Indiana takes another "Big Hit" to its residents and its economy, which will invariably be impacted. The flood in June of 2008 devastated businesses and some home owners. But the world's economy, the National economy, and overall recession, have trickled down to one of Columbus's major employers, and employees.

Cummins announced about a month ago, they were laying off approximately 600 jobs, Yesterday in the Republic headlines they announced a further 800 Job losses, see the copy of the memo sent to Cummins employees.

Global Recession Forces Further Workforce Reductions

To All Employees:

During the fourth quarter, we made several announcements regarding the state of the Company and actions we have taken to deal with the global recession and its impact on our businesses.

We shut down plants temporarily and instituted a hiring freeze, continued to prioritize our capital expenditures and make other discretionary spending cuts, and made significant reductions in our contingent workforce. We offered a voluntary retirement package to employees who met certain criteria, and, finally, we took the difficult step of reducing our permanent professional workforce by approximately 600 people.



Unfortunately, the economic situation has continued to rapidly worsen around the world, and our markets have been further impacted. It has now become painfully clear that even more actions are needed to align our cost structure with our projected business levels, meet customer requirements and preserve our ability to invest for the future.

That is why I am announcing today that we will be further reducing our professional workforce around the world through a combination of voluntary retirements and involuntary terminations. We expect to reduce our professional workforce by at least an additional 800 people by March 1.

The voluntary retirement offer will be open to employees in certain regions who meet specific criteria. Eligible employees will have until Friday, Jan. 23 to sign up and until March 1 to leave the Company. Employees who are eligible will be notified by Human Resources.

As with the previous actions, termination decisions will be based on performance, skill levels and the nature of the work being done, and all parts of the Company will be affected. The involuntary actions will take place in February.

In addition, there will be no merit increases for any of our professional people this year, and officer salaries will be decreased by 10 percent for 2009.

Finally, we will continue to monitor production volumes at individual plants and take whatever actions are necessary as dictated by demand for our products. We also will further reduce contingent workers across the company based on the nature of the work and demand.

It is difficult to comprehend that after five straight years of record performance and greatly improved business fundamentals we are being forced to take such difficult actions twice in such a short period of time. These decisions are not made easily and I am acutely aware of the impact these actions have on both the employees who will be leaving and those who remain to do the hard work necessary to help us pull through this challenging period.

It is of little consolation that the economic conditions we face today are not of our own making. At the same time, we have a responsibility to all our stakeholders to meet our financial commitments and to keep Cummins competitive through this downturn so we can emerge a stronger company when the global economy and our markets recover.

Following these reductions, Cummins will be a good position to weather this downturn with low debt, healthy cash balances and a $1.1 billion revolving credit line for additional liquidity if we need it. Based on our understanding of the current economic conditions, we have no plans for further actions at this time.

I want to close by saying it is more important than ever that we continue to work together to leverage our collective skills and capabilities across the company. All of us are hoping for improved economic news in 2009, but we are prepared to manage even in the toughest of circumstances. In the meantime, I will continue to provide you with regular updates, and, as always, I appreciate the good work being done to keep Cummins strong during these difficult times.

Tom Linebarger

Well, this speaks volumes to the public and business here in Columbus, IN.. It will have a major effect in almost all aspects of life. I know it will impact the Real Estate market. There are signs that are already visible to the trained eye. Some agents have decided to put their license in referral status, some have taken other employment and some have just given up.

As for myself I see this as another opportunity, although it sure seems like a sad state of affairs! For Columbus.

See my previous blogs:

"Sad State of Affairs" or is it "Opportunity Knocking?" http://activerain.com/blogsview/873150/Its-a-Sad-State-of-Affairs-or-is-it-Opportunity-Knocking

"Columbus Indiana & Bartholomew County Market Conditions" http://www.trulia.com/blog/martin_dorgan/2009/01/bartholomew_county_colum

Martin Dorgan
Coldwell Banker
South Central Realty
1015 Third Street
Columbus Indiana, 47201
Office: 812-378-3331 ext.122
Cell: 812-603-1368
Website: http://www.columbusareahomesforsale.com
Active Rain Blog: http://activerain.com/blogs/martindorgan

Spectacular Results! That's what you want! That's what you deserve!

That's what you really want, Right?

You want to find the home that's right for you-at the right price.

You want to find a home by negotiating the best price, with the least hassle...And You Want Someone Who Can Get The Job Done Right!

Well You've Come To The Right Place!

You want Martin Dorgan as Your Realtor!

It's a "Sad State of Affairs" or is it "Opportunity Knocking?"

Yes!, even here in Columbus Indiana, it's a sad state of affairs! Or is it opportunity knocking, where the housing market and Real Estate, have been minimally affected by the down turn in the economy, and many homes were ravaged with the Flood.

But is it a "Sad State of Affairs?", or is, "Opportunity Knocking!", a question that is not so easily answered. When people ask me, I say "It's sad for some and opportunistic for others!" With the lowest interest rates in years, that creates a great incentive to buy! The "Sad state of affairs" can be seen in the unemployment rate, the National Economy, and reflected in the stock market.

While checking the weather report and road conditions, I happened to visit the Columbus Sherriff's Website, where I located the next Real Estate Auction calendar, so I checked it out. I was simply in awe! There are 24 homes going on the auction block January 13, 2009, visit the following link to see homes that are available. http://bartholomewco.com/forms_center.php?folder_id=31&icon=31&dept=15

That made me think, so I then checked out Columbus, IN., on Trulia, first for Foreclosures, then Bank Owned, and then Auction, those you can look up on your own. Now imagine all those homes, plus the on hand inventory in the market today! Remember its a Buyer's Market. Should I suggest checking out "Ocwen" Properties http://www.ocwen.com/reo/home.cfm or even HMBI is dedicated to providing highly trained professionals to market and manage numerous single-family homes across the country for the Department of Housing and Urban Development http://www.hmbireo.com/. If you are considering the purchase of a HUD home, that is listed, on their site, I would be happy to answer questions for you, and represent you through the purchase process. And there is a definite process that requires strict adherence to HUD rules when purchasing a HUD home, I know I've experienced it a few times already.

The point here is that there are many individuals that are definitely saddened by the foreclosure and loss of their home and that is definitely a sign of the times and a sad state of affairs.
There is also a chance here for "Opportunity to Be Knocking" it's a very Opportunistic Buyer's market. So if you are thinking about moving or buying a home for the first time, or as an investment, the opportunity is there!

I suggest you hire an agent like myself to research and find that home. Visit my website at http://www.columbusareahomesforsale.com for more information regarding Buying or Selling. Get yourself Prequalified, have sufficient funds available, and as they say the "World Is Your Oyster!" and you too, can have the American Dream.

Martin Dorgan
Coldwell Banker
South Central Realty
1015 Third Street
Columbus Indiana, 47201
Office: 812-378-3331 ext.122
Cell: 812-603-1368
Website: http://www.columbusareahomesforsale.com
Active Rain Blog: http://activerain.com/blogs/martindorgan

Spectacular Results! That's what you want! That's what you deserve! That's what you really want, Right?

You want to find the home that's right for you-at the right price. You want to find a home by negotiating the best price, with the least hassle...And You Want Someone Who Can Get The Job Done Right!

Well You've Come To The Right Place!

You want Martin Dorgan as Your Realtor!