Robert Dowding ~ Realtor ~ Greater Lansing, MI

November 2008

•· I have had an opportunity to compile the numbers for November after a very busy beginning to December. They are still showing losses in average sales prices for Eaton and Ingham counties. Clinton County reports an increase where November was up over $10,000 from the YTD average sales price and up over $7,000 from Nov. 2007.

•· Total units sold were up as well in Eaton County again last month as compared to 2007, with Ingham and Clinton counties slipping a little.

•· With interest rates dipping below 5%, now couldn't be a better time to buy. We still have lots of inventory to choose from as well as tons of investment opportunities. Be sure to contact me with any questions you may have.

I have attached the October real estate report for the Tri-County area. I hope you find this information helpful. I feel that it is very important that we are all armed with the most up to date data available. This monthly report can be a great resource to stay current with our local real estate market.

I also had an opportunity to meet with Nick Wright with Bank of America to discuss the status of lending and was pleased to hear that those who should be allowed to borrow money right now are getting loans. Banks are lending money and current interest rates on a 30 yr fixed are at 6.125%. Please let me know if you have any questions or would like any additional information regarding our local real estate market.

October 2008

•· Our October numbers for Eaton and Clinton counties unfortunately did not continue to increase as we had in September. Both are now showing a decrease in average sales prices for the month as compared to the year to date averages. Clinton counties loss was due to eight sales under $50,000.00 for the month including one for $10,000.00

•· The great news is we are still seeing an increase in total units sold across the board as compared to 2007 and only a decrease in total units sold in Ingham County for September 2008. Houses are moving just at a lower price.

So we just finished our first meeting of the "Shift" book club at the Keller Williams Lansingoffice. For those of you who aren't familiar with the book it is Gary Keller's latest release with Dave Jenks, Jay Papasan and hundreds of others who contributed in this great book. "It's Not About The Market...It's about what you do!"is written across the cover of this book designed to assist Realtors tackle tough times. It is forth in his series of Real Estate training books. Including:

• The Millionaire Real Estate Agent
• Flip
• The Millionaire Real Estate Investor
• Shift

I am far from a reader so having accountability is exactly what I need. I have read about 50 pages of the book so far but we were thrown for a loop today as we are starting from the back and reading the last 40+ pages first. We have assigned accountability partners as well(damnit no slacking) for added support.

I plan to have a weekly post with my thoughts from the weeks reading. What I've read so far is great a I am looking forward to the next few months as we tear this book apart and get real purposful about what I'm doing in this market.

This book is designed for ALL REALTORS, MANAGERS, BROKER OWNERS not just Keller Williams agents. If you would like to get involved and own the book or know where to get a copy (visit your local Keller Williams office if you don't) this week we are reading from pg. 241 to the end. So get your highlighter out and get reading.

• ROBERT DOWDING
• KELLER WILLIAMS REALTY
• 517.853.6390

To the parents, grandparents, expecting parents or whoever's listening.

Ever have one of those mornings? Of course you have. Well today was that day at my house. I realize I don't usually write posts like this ut hey this is what's on my mind today.

It all started last night and all was going so well. I was a little late getting home from work and picking up Samara from school. Dinner was done and waiting for us and Krista (my wife) was leaving for the gym. While at the gym Samara and I ate dinner, cleaned the kitchen, colored a few pitures(yes I did too, who doesn't love coloring), Samara had a shower, put clean sheets on her bed and everything was good. We all went to bed as the happy little family.

Roll ahead 10 hours: I'm awoken with "Rob you have to get up!" so everything that went well last nigt went horribly wrong this morning:

• While cleaning the kitchen I placed the coffee pot in the dishwasher not knowing that it had already been filled and scheduled to turn on automatically this morning. Not sure if this has ever happened to you but if not I don't suggest it.
• Samara had an accident last night and the fresh clean sheets and clean child were all wet.
• The dog had to be fed and let out(OK so this is everyday).

This may not sound like much but in our house that's enough to send everyone into a tizzy. You see we don't plan for things like this. In our house we leap out of bed, into the shower, coffee, clothes, a little light primping and its out the door. Mom and Dad are both now grumpy no coffee and running late.

After I dropped Samara off at school (only 3 minutes late) I got back in the car and had a moment of reflection and began to laugh. I realised I really have it good and I thought of this pic I took walking across a parking lot last year. This is why I do it! This is why I get up every day, go to work and can't wait to get home, change the sheets again, do the dishes again and go to bed with my perfect yet sometimes crazy little family.

Enjoy your family, they can leave us all too soon.

• Robert Dowding
• Keller Williams Realty