Ton A. Ali, Realtor - Broker Associate, Buyer's Representative

Well it has been about a week since we left for Detroit. I usually take this trip with one other person for two reasons. First, there aren't too many people willing to drive 6 hours and stay over night to look at cars and second; I don't like to travel with a crowd. One other like minded person is about all I can handle.

I have been following "show buz" for the last few weeks through automotive publications and everyone seemed to think that the show was going to be severely scaled back. It sure wasn't the show it was a year or two ago, but I have to say, with the exception of some missing manufacturers, it was great. The cars were a lot more accessible and the crowds were small. We usually get in early and try to get out before the crowds build to the point that you're shuffling from car to car. I loved it.

The weather wasn't fun. I am all about snow when I don't have to DRIVE. I own a rear-wheel drive car and they are notorious for poor snow handling. I was driving a friends car because no one else wanted to drive. I was sliding all over the place. We went out to visit a friend in a small suburb of Detroit. It usually takes 35 minuets to get there and it took us about an hour and a half; we drove from one multi-car accident to another. I was happy to get home to Kentucky.

Here is a photo of one of the most anticipated cars in the show, the Volvo S60 Concept. It was beautiful. The show car had a glass roof and a crystal console.

What an exciting day for our nation. I was in the car dashing home to see the oath of office, but had to settle for NPR's live radio broadcast. I got home in time to view the speech and the balance of the program.

I have great expectation for this President and for our country as a whole. I hope the call to service is heeded and a renewed sense of American cooperation, both internal and external, is before us.

Now back to business. Here are the stats for the last week. We seem to be seeing fewer listing in the last couple of weeks and certainly fewer sales but not to the degree that the national media is pushing. We are our own market and if you believe it, call me and I will show you the numbers.

Statistics

LISTINGS Residential (Single Family & Condo)

January 12 -18, 2009 512
Last Year 775

SOLDS

January 4 - 10, 2009 147
Last Year 158

Just got back from the North American International Auto Show in Detroit and it was a blast. The show was not a big as previous years, but you really got to get up close to the cars and that is why I go. More about the show in future blog posts.

Today I received an email from our Board with information that was presented as a service to local Realtors as a pep rally. We were encourage to keep a positive attitude and continue to do the things we know need to be done to help our clients get the results they are looking for when marketing their homes.

John May, former head of the PVA, gave some interesting statistics in a Power Point presentation that I thought was fascinating. It documented sales and other stats for the last eight years in Louisville and the surrounding counties. One of the most the most interesting slides was one that showed that our foreclosure rate is below the national average and it has actually dropped in the last few months. Our peak in foreclosures was just over 0.80% of all loans. Less than 1% of loans in foreclosure and we are dropping. The national news, and some local publications, would have us believing that the number is much higher. That might be the case in a few isolated markets, but when they say that foreclosures have doubled in the last year, in our area they are talking about 0.4% to 0.8%. To see the entire presentation, please contact me.

None of this really matters if it is your home in foreclosure. If that is a position you find yourself in, call a Realtor. We have resources that can help.

I often say, if you can't be positive, you can't be a Realtor. If you would like specific information about your area, please call me. The time is now to buy. If that means you have to sell first, talk to a professional, but in the long run, you could be in the house of your dreams.

Statistics

LISTINGS Residential (Single Family & Condo)

January 5-11, 2009 624
Last Year 652

SOLDS

December 28, 2008 - January 1, 2009 164
Last Year 198

I hope everyone is enjoying the new year and feeling positive about the market, our country and life in general.

I am very excited because this weekend is the public opening of the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Now for Realtors there has not been a lot to really get excited about in the last year before the rates came down, but I used to sell cars for Mercedes Benz and Jaguar and let me tell you, those poor guys are really challenged right now. I have been there covering the floor and you're trapped with no customers.

I have been going to the show way before I started selling cars. My first time was 1991. My first blog post featured a picture of a car from the 2008 show and more will be featured next week. I have heard that the show is not as glitzy as previous years, but they're putting on a brave face.

As much as love the show and look forward to it every year, when I tell folks I'm going to Detroit in January, they look at me like I'm insane.

As for the real estate business, I have a few buyers that were on the fence in 2008, but with the lower rates and prices and the small window for the tax rebate/loan program for first time home buyers, they are ready to get back in. So I am optimistic about all the things I went through in my opening paragraph. I hear what the media is saying, but as we know because I keep pounding it here, real estate is local like Microsoft Street View. Talk to a professional before you throw in the real estate towel. If you're a first timer, the time is now. If you have to sell to move up there are some bargains out there and you may have the advantage if the home you're selling is in a lower price range.

So call a professional (Me) and let them tell you how your neighborhood is doing and what you can expect. They (I) would be happy to sit down with you for a no obligation consultation.

STATISTICS:

LISTINGS Residential (Single Family & Condo)

December 15 -21, 2008 416
Last Year 376

December 22 - 28, 2008 166
Last Year 233

December 29, 2008 - January 4, 2009 349
Last Year 548

SOLDS

December 7 - 13, 2008 169
Last Year 235

December 14 - 20, 2008 142
Last Year 258

December 21 - 27, 2008 99
Last Year 126

Hello and happy new year. I have been busy with so many things except blogging. Business is slow, but I am pushing on with marketing and prospecting. I did finally close that one transaction that has provided several opportunities for cathartic blogging. I have never worked with a seller that was just not getting it. In the end my buyer is very happy in her home. I went over and helped her and her family paint; it was a good time.

Now I am working with a few buyers who, for one reason or another, pulled out of the market last year. Two of them rented, but only for six month. We are starting up the search again to get under the wire for the $7500 tax credit (loan) from the federal government.

I went to a meeting at the board regarding the new year and adjusting your attitude. It was a refreshing message. They started the meeting with hard numbers about what is really going on in our market compared to the nation as a whole; that was enlightening. Any Realtor will tell you that real estate is local. You can't rely on the national news to direct what you do in your market. Even in Louisville, there was a huge difference between areas of the city. The balance of the meeting was uplifting and team building. Now that things are the way they are, we need to work together more than ever.

Personally I have my hands full. I have joined two committees at the Board; MLS Improvement and I have been selected to join The Professional Standards Committee. The Board has offered several classes and I am taking everything I can fit into my schedule; the more qualified I am for my clients the better. That with my slowly expanding duties at the brokerage level has my calendar filling up.

We hear so much on a daily basis about the economy both good and bad. I am realistic, but optimistic and will keep doing the things that will drive my business and build my brand.

If you are looking for Realtor with a realistic view on the market; call me. I would love to list your home and sell you another one, but we have to be realistic about your home's value and the competition.

Statistics

LISTINGS Residential (Single Family & Condo)

December 15 -21, 2008 416
Last Year 376

December 22 - 28, 2008 166
Last Year 233

December 29, 2008 - January 4, 2009 349
Last Year 548

SOLDS

December 7 - 13, 2008 169
Last Year 235

December 14 - 20, 2008 142
Last Year 258

December 21 - 27, 2008 99
Last Year 126