Katie Arnholt Kim

With the recent inauguration of a new president, there has been a powerful energy in the air for awhile. I have had many conversations with friends and coworkers as to whether they feel they are motivated to do something, such as motivated to make themselves better, make their work or home environment better, etc. or they motivated to see what is going to happen?

I hope that people are being "self motivated" by the new president and that he is empowering people to make themselves better, to challenge ourselves to do better, to make more with less, etc. I really hope people take this energy and motivation and use it to raise themself up.

I really hope people are not motivated to see what is going to happen....why? because we all know with government change happens slowly. So there is not going to be a quick change. I hope there is! Believe me I hope there is, but history shows us that things with government bodies does not happen quickly. So how long are these individuals going to wait until they become unmotivated and complacent.

So I throw out the question: are you motivated or are waiting to see what happens?

If you follow my blog, you know that I focus solely on commercial real estate. Lately I have had a lot of small businesses interested in purchasing their own space, which is great! They have worked hard, saved and are now ready to take advantage of the current market conditions - low interest rate and great supply! I love to work with these individuals because they take pride in what they do, as do I. So when we find the perfect space for their business it is such a satisfaction to see their business thrive.

However, I also have some clients who are looking but they are "waiting to see what the market is going to do"....do you have those clients or are you one of those individuals? I am sure a lot of real estate agents are getting that answer. So what is your/their normal response to that?

I tell my clients that if you know your business, your business' condition, and are not getting involved with risky mortgage practices - why not? It's the perfect time to take your business to the next level whether it is purchasing your own space instead of renting, expanding, or purchasing a second location.

According to Swanepoel TRENDS Report, Keller Williams is ranked #3 in Top 10 Trendsetters for 2008.

Below is the post from Stefan Swanepoel:

TOP 10 TRENDSETTERS FOR 2008

As part of the annual Swanepoel TRENDS Report we also every year include a look back at the year that just passed and list the Top 10 Newsmakers, Top 10 Events and Top 10 Trendsetters for 2008.

This week I am discussing the Trendsetters. Trendsetters are defined as those companies that during 2008 set forth actions that were different and memorable and could potentially have a far reaching impact on the real estate industry in the years to come.

The Top 10 Trendsetters in Real Estate for 2008 are:

1. Brookfield Real Estate Services

The acquisition of a Top 10 national franchise happens but once or twice a decade. So when it does occur it's important news - when it's done by a non-U.S. company it's very big news. The acquisition of GMAC Real Estate by Brookfield Real Estate Services, the holding company of Royal LePage, Canada's largest real estate company, solidifies them as a major real estate player in North America.

2. Cyberhomes

For its dynamic growth and rapid rise during the last year to become one of the strongest new forces in consumer facing websites we recognize Cyberhomes as a newsmaker. After various earlier missteps with FNIS and Dwayne Walker, Fidelity seems to have picked a winning horse in Cyberhomes.

3. Keller Williams

Despite the steep slide in real estate sales and the sharp reduction in the number of real estate agents among most large national real estate franchises, KW apparently bucked the trend in both cases. The company has continued to grow rapidly in size, stature and market share since 2000 as well as during the 2006-2008 housing bubble, to become one of top national real estate franchises in the industry.

4. Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac

These two Government Sponsored Entities (GSE), long considered economic pillars of stability in the real estate industry, shocked the world with their financial collapse and the extent to which their leadership apparently mismanaged funds and their responsibilities. The fact that government intervention was necessary to rescue them from total failure remains shocking.

5. Engel & Völkers

The #1 real estate company in Germany, and according to some reports all of Europe, expanded its real estate shop franchise concept to over 500 offices in 25 countries. It also aggressively expanded into the U.S. by opening shops in Florida, Connecticut and New York and with openings in California scheduled for 2009.

6. National Association of Realtors^®

This institution celebrated its 100^th anniversary in 2008 and as we reflect on all of its accomplishments it is evident that the industry would not be where it is today without the National Association of Realtors^® (NAR). However, what makes NAR newsworthy is not its survival but the announcement of their second century initiatives, which if successful, could significantly reshape the real estate brokerage industry.

7. Casa Latino

Rising rapidly during the last two years, Casa Latino has become the undisputed national leader in the Hispanic market with offices in 14 states as well as 14 countries and territories in South America and the Caribbean.

8. Realogy

There is no doubt that the higher the tree the stronger the wind. The industry leader and mega-brand real estate franchise enjoyed success and expanded during the strong real estate market of 2000-2005. The financial crisis and housing collapse have taken their toll on the company however, resulting in hundreds of offices being closed and almost half a billion in estimated losses in 2008. The company is large enough to survive, yet it carries an enormous debt to be restructured. 2009 might provide the answer.

9. Frontdoor.com

Since the launch of HGTV's frontdoor.com late in 2007, the site has been a true bright spot for the industry. The site has enjoyed significant growth while also offering a large selection of information for the home buying, selling and owning community.

10. Broker Agent News

Coming late to the Online Community world did not stop Broker Agent News. During the latter part of 2008 it not only changed its name from Broker Agent News to Broker Agent Professional, but also launched a new Social Network for real estate agents named Broker Agent Social. Within the first month participation exploded past 5,000

The 2009 Swanepoel TRENDS Report will be published the first week of February. You can still save $50 off the cover price by ordering pre the publication date at www.realestatebooks.org.

Brimfield Bank is hosting Nicole Frederick with the City of Peoria Grant Fund on Wednesday, January 21^st.

Nicole Frederick will present the Program Eligibility & Guidelines for the City of Peoria Grant Programs.

The presentation will be at the Cornerstone Office. Please try to attend because these programs could help your clients with down payment assistance.

Brimfield Bank is providing lunch which will begin at 11:30am. Please RSVP to me by Friday, January 16^th.

In an article from National Real Estate Investor, a Chicago-based firm points to four key investment opportunity plays this year:

· REIT shares trading at a massive discount;

· units in limited partnership funds trading at steep discounts;

· non-performing loans or pools of partially performing loans;

• defaulted land deals or development deals in need of recapitalization, but priced such that investors get incomplete improvements at close to zero cost.

Read the entire article at: http://nreionline.com/finance/news/opportunities_institutional_investors_0112