Robert P Bowman

Real Estate is a very funny business. It seems like when times are real good, agents will do what they can to get all the business they can as though it is all owed to them. They will talk bad about other agents, competitive offices, and even fellow agents they work with. Then on the flip side, when times get real tough they want everyone to go out of business so they are the only office or agent in town. This is their plan to become the "go to" guy or gal in the Real Estate world. This self centered attitude only leads to self inflicted problems. As REALTORS, we have to realize we are all in the same boat paddling up the same river. Destination : Success. Now I realize some agents are happy with a leaky old fishing boat, and some require a Yacht. Overall we are in the same boat all trying to go in the same direction. If we all work together instead of holding grudges, gossiping, and looking for a way to get back at someone, we will all get to the destination : Success.

I say this at a time when things are actually going very well for me. However today I received a call from a board member telling me someone has made acquations about me that are not true. It did not take me more than two minutes to prove my point and side of the story, and make whoever made the complaint look like a fool. Never the less the firey dart has been shot. It does not take a rocket surgern to figure out who does these things, everyone leaves their calling card. And it is usually is the pot calling the kettle black!! Point is where does this get you as the one trying to make someone else look bad?

Every Wednesday our office has sales meetings, with agenda, and training unlike any other office I have been in. It is Professional. It is inspiring. It is how a Professional office is to be run. My Broker would never put up with one of his agents going after someone, or even talking bad about another office or agent. This is not his way, or any other agent in my office, way of doing business. We are Professional, and treat others as so. We are paddling together through the storm and all seeking the same destination : Success.

I say this to help those who feel compelled to seek avengence or what ever they are seeking. And this is for the entire membership of the NAR. We are better than this. We have a code of ethics that separates us from the used car group. Next time you catch yourself thinking of planning something bad against someone, remember the boat. Don't let yours sink. You may need help bailing it out someday. We are in this all together.

Robert P Bowman is a Licensed Professional REALTOR with Cornerstone Real Estate Professionals. He can be reached by e-mail loganrealtor@gmail.com or visit his website www.retireinlogan.com

I was fortunate today to attend a seminar with most of the agents in my Cornerstone Real Estate Professionals office.This program was taught via DVD by Brian Buffini, David Bach, Terry Watson, and Cara Heiden. The title was Meeting The Market Challenge 2008, and was geared to separate the Great REALTORS from the average. Basically there are many opportunities in this market for both Buyers and Sellers. As an Agent I have blogged on this in the past, (check out my blogs). It was great to hear these experts reinterating what I have been saying all year. Ignore the media, Educate your clients, Stay Positive, and IGNORE THE MEDIA !

Actually, with interest rates at attractive levels, and plenty of inventory, the Buyer is in the drivers seat in this market. It was not long ago that inventory levels were low, it was not uncommon to have multiple offers on the same property, and no negotiating on price or perks. Now Buyers can make offers on a home they REALLY want, and ask for perks, as a home warranty, or the stainless steel appliances. Sellers are in a good position as well if they are looking to upgrade. They may have to take a little haircut on the sale of their current home, but they have the opportunity to purchase a larger, nicer home and build equity to make up what they may have lost.

Knowing the market, pricing homes at realistic levels, and educating your clients on lending opportunities, home inspections, true value of homes they are looking at, are just a few things you can polish up on to become the Expert Agent and gain the trust clients are looking for today. There is too much mis-information out there given by the media, and sadly enough, some people that call themselves agents.

Yes there are GREAT deals on homes out there. Do not wait on the market to go lower, it is not timing the market that you will benefit from as a Buyer or Seller, it is time in the market. Yes there is great lending programs out there, and rates are very attractive. Yes NOW is the time to buy while the getting is good. So do yourself a favor. Shut off CNN, CNBC, and all the other lousy sources of media and contact your Professional Licensed REALTOR. They are up on the market, up on education, and ready to serve you for the long run. At least they should be. If you are not getting right answers, you are not with the right agent.

Robert P Bowman is a Licensed Professional REALTOR with Cornerstone Real Estate Professionals and can be reached by e-mail loganrealtor@gmail.com or his website www.retireinlogan.com

Now that we are all in the spirit of the holidays, it should snow any moment! Actually snow helps us feel like Santa is on his way, but for many people it is major stress time on how to get Santa to deliver this year. Since it is the season for giving, Cornerstone Real Estate Professionals in Logan Utah has decided to get involved in the Sub 4 Santa program. This is where agents sort of adopt a family in real need, and buy gifts for the children, so they will have a visit from Santa. I have done this in the past for families that are a having a hard time making ends meet. Nothing will bring you more joy or satisfaction than seeing the faces of children who now have a warm coat to wear in the cold weather, or a shinny new truck or doll to play with. For the little money it cost to get involved in a program like Sub 4 Santa, it is worth every penny to at least try to give rather than just talk about it.

Taking the time to think about others this time of the year is very rewarding in many ways. First it shows your faith in the gifts of sowing and reaping. I do not do this to get anything in return except the satisfaction that as a Professional REALTOR, I am taking the time and resources to give back to the community I am in, and outside of my area as well. A long time ago I started to adopt a family in my area, and one in a part of Mexico that is dear to my heart. Giving of oneself not only in time, but also in resources is my small part to Thank my maker of the many Blessings He has given me throughout the year, and beyond.

Get involved somehow this Christmas Season. I know everyone is struggling this time of the year, but when you step out of your comfort zone and do a little extra, the rewards are heavenly!

Robert P Bowman is a Licensed Professional REALTOR with Cornerstone Real Estate Professionals. You can reach him by e-mail loganrealtor@gmail.com or visit his website www.retireinlogan.com

In today's changing Real Estate Market, it is important to choose your Professional Realtor wisely. Some agents have been riding on a national company name as solid support to their professionalism. Sadly enough the national name brand Brokerages are falling to more solid smaller home town Brokerages. You can see it by the dwindling number of agents affiliating with the national name Brokerages. Professional Realtors are changing course and getting back to the basics, and becoming more proficient in their service to clients.

Recently I spent time in a large metropolitan area of Arizona. The market has dropped off significantly, and agents were re-evaluating their careers and strengths of the Brokerages they were with. I was amazed at the amount of agents that have traded Brokerages, opting for smaller local offices that offered more services for the same commissions. This resulted in agents fine tuning their careers and getting back to the full representation of their clients, resulting in more sales than they had before.

I am not saying all large offices, or offices with national branding are bad, there are still some that have stuck to their principals and offer great service to all their clients. What I am saying is when the market goes from vibrant to tough, the tough know how to get going, moving forward and coming out on top no matter what the market is doing. It is getting back to the basics. I am reminded of one time when Tiger Woods came off a tour with a very miserable game. He said the best thing he could do is act as he were starting all over. He would go out to a driving range, and practice his swing as he were just learning the game. Soon he found himself in the "groove" and he was doing all the things that made him successful from the beginning.

Although the market is changing, and it will continue to be challenging for some time, the good agents will go back to the basics and practice all the things that made them successful from the beginning. Small offices without national branding are more apt to be most Professional because there is more teamwork and more concentration on delivering to the client the absolute best. For example, here in the Logan Utah market a sharp agent did a study on days on the market for listings with all major offices. The offices with National Branding had an average of about 85 days on the market. Not bad for this market, yet a newer office, with a local home town brand, averaged 47 days on the market, almost half of the time it took the others to market and sell the homes. This tells me when agents decide to get back to the basics of serving their clients with impeccable professionalism, everybody wins. That is what our clients like to hear!

Robert P Bowman is a Licensed Professional REALTOR with Cornerstone Real Estate Professionals in Logan Utah. He can be reached by e-mail loganrealtor@gmail.com or visit his website www.retireinlogan.com

Cornerstone Real Estate Professionals - Not Your Average Agents!

One of the most important parts of buying a home is to get pre-qualified for your loan. This not only helps you to discover how much you can safely spend on your home, it also helps your REALTOR to find homes in your budget. After getting pre-qualified it is important to get pre-approved for your loan. This involves actually applying for a loan and receiving a commitment letter from the lender, stating you are ready for your loan as soon as you find the home of your choice. This will carry a lot of weight when you make an offer on the home you have found to be the "one" for you.

Next you should make a list of things you really want in a home. Keep part of the list for " must haves" ie. number of bedrooms and baths, square footage, garage etc. Then make part of the list you would "like" to have, as a pool, formal den, fireplace, etc, but you can live without on this purchase. This also helps to keep your expectations of what you can afford in a reality check. And it helps your REALTOR in searching for the perfect home to fit your needs.

The most important part is to make sure you are represented by a Licensed Professional REALTOR. People that feel they can do it all on their own often end up disappointed in their purchase, and are sometimes surprised with unexpected problems with the purchase process and or the home. A REALTOR will represent you with expertise and experience in making the purchase complete stress free. A Professional REALTOR will also help set up inspections, help you with the escrow process, and even help you find a reputable lender to work with.

Buying a home is exciting, regardless if it is your first or 100th. With the help of a Licensed Professional REALTOR it can be a fun stress-free experience that will benefit you for the long run.

Robert P Bowman is a Licensed Professional REALTOR with Cornerstone Real Estate Professionals in Logan UT. He can be reached by e-mail loganrealtor@gmail.com or visit his website www.retireinlogan.com