Kathleen Shaffer

OMG......what else do they want us to learn now...

Another software program from the wizards of the real estate world.

Our local Multiple Listing Service is changing again and forgive me for being blunt......BUT I DON"T LIKE IT. It is slow, logs you off if you are idle for too long, loses searches and is just plain unresponsive.

What other profession requires yearly, monthly and somtimes DAILY reinvention of our systems. Do lawyers have to learn new laws.....uh,yeah. Do doctors have to learn new procedures...uh, yeah.

Ok, ok, I know, it's the nature of the business and everyone struggles with change. But, change is good when it is an improvement. We are to evolve forward not backward.

I was told to get busy learning the new system and to make sure that I imported my contacts to the new database. They neglect to tell you that it only imports part of the contact information...and none of the saved searches.

WHAT? I have to recreate the email search alerts for my buyers and sellers.....UGH, this is so disruptive.

I don't know about other Realtors, but I am very busy with new buyers who are "testing" the market. They want to just "look around" for awhile. Well, I don't have time for that, so I am spending days and nights meeting with them, qualifying them, setting up a schedule. I don't have time to relearn a multiple listing system that I used to be able to do in my sleep.

For now, I will just use our broker software and my personal website to store my contacts and create accounts for new clients. That way, there is no reinventing the wheel.

The Obama administration proudly announced last week that it had hit its goal of 500,000 trial loan modifications almost a month ahead of schedule. Well, book the Cruise.

Oh, yeah, they conveniently forgot to mention the record high foreclosure filings this past quarter of 937,840 homes, a 23% jump from 2008, according to a RealtyTrac report released Thursday.

Here's a look at why home foreclosures continue to break records even in the face of the administration's expansive efforts to prevent them.

1. Why Again? Borrowers, and the lenders who allowed their buyers to over leverage themselves played a central role in the foreclosure crisis when it first picked up steam. But as the housing crisis rumbles forward, lenders have witnessed a significant shift in the types of mortgages going delinquent. There was a major drop in foreclosures on subprime ARM loans. The drop was offset by increased foreclosures on other types of loans, with prime fixed-rate loans having the biggest increase.

2. Labor not Delinquencies. Mounting mortgage delinquencies for borrowers with good credit is a key indication that the labor market is the most significant force behind the foreclosure crisis we see today. The national unemployment rate at nearly 10% is triggering a whole new wave of homeowners going into foreclosures.

3. How? The central theme in government's efforts to fight this housing war was a $75 billion initiative to reduce monthly mortgage payments for as many as 4 million homeowners. But in order to receive a loan modification, the homeowner needs income. The administration admits this initiative was never designed to assist foreclosures caused by unemployment...even though that is the central cause for foreclosure. In addition, there is no guarantee that homeowners will not default on the new loan modification.

4. Is Hope Gone? Initially, the hope was to use the loan modifications to stem the flow of foreclosures into the marketplace...but the size and scope of the delinquencies is staggering. "The truth is somewhere between 1 and 1.5 million mortgages that must be modified over the next 3 years. This year will be around 1.9 million, and next year will just be a tad shy of that." (Celia Chen, the director of housing at Moody's Economy).

5. What Next? Unemployment rates will have to peak before we can expect to see a meaningful and sustainable reduction in home foreclosure. In its 2010 economic forecast, the MBA projected that the unemployment rate would peak at 10.2% in the second quarter of next year.

Remember though, these figures are based on current wage earners who are already claiming unemployment benefits.

What about the droves of unemployed Realtors, Lenders, other self-employed business people who cannot claim benefits?

Webster defines a rainmaker as " One who is known for achieving excellent results in a profession or field, such as business or politics"

Do you make things happen or let them happen?

Are you actively pursuing your lifes goals and using your gifts to succeed?

Do you represent yourself to others with "Success" in your eyes?

You can become a Rainmaker by waking up each day with a positive outlook and a strong affirmation on your lips. Zig Ziglar lives his life with positive attitudes daily.....and he is thriving at 82 years of age. He has written many best sellin books on the subject....check one out today, www.zigziglar.com.

Now, I believe as Rainmakers we can be optimistic, but we need to also be realistic. This economy is in deep trouble and needs serious attention. But we can certainly approach that solution with positive ideas and emotions. Home values may be down, but every market is good for someone.

As an investor in real estate, this is the market to BUY. But many investors are finding difficulty in getting loans to purchase more than 4 properties. There are solutions out there for investors who want to increase their cash flow and their net worth.

Checkout www.sjrei.net a local investment club that has valuable information for investors on how to make it happen using IRA funds and saving taxes at the same time.

Take the time to stay positive, get educated and together we can Make it Rain in Morgan Hill.

Would you be happy if someone was willing to give you $720,000? I think most of us would answer, Yes!

What if it was an offer on your home? What if you were asking $775,000 for that home?

Oh, doesn't sound so inviting anymore. Well it still should still make you roar!

In this market, an offer is just that...an offer. Take time with your agent to review the offer, consider the offer and counter the offer. Your REALTOR is a professional negotiator working on your behalf. Use their talents and expertise in this market to your benefit.

I cannot tell you how many sellers I have spoken with recently who "shoulda, woulda, coulda" regarding offers they did not accept on their property.

Remember, the market is not in your favor right now. If you have a live buyer willing to buy, push them back once, or even twice, but do not let them go. Keep them on that hook and reel them in for whatever you can get.

The savvy seller right now may not be getting the highest sales price.....but, they may be the ones getting out alive.