Woodside, NY

So I decided to finally attend one of the LIBOR elections events..... needless to say I was left a little bit dissappointed.

The democratic process at the board level pretty much ends at senseless rhetoric and basically comes down to a popularity contest not even based on people's positions. Why do i say this? because in all of the ads the candidates just listed their resume and that they will help realtors and that they are the best choice...... umm DUH! Not that they are bad people... because i don't know them at all to even be able to say that they are or arent.... it just seems like i might as well shut my eyes or just go with my gut feeling.

As far as the event went. It was mediocre at best. The vendors on site were great to talk to, however 6 vendors for an entire board doesnt seem like a great turnout.

The realtors attending also seemed to lack numbers. i saw many familiar faces but MANY EMPTY SEATS as well. i spoke to a wells fargo rep who said last year was MUCH MUCH more packed.

I have many fellow realtors who refuse to go to these events due to the "boring" factor both professionally and personally. I felt they were just being pessimistic and just didnt care. but to be honest they had a point. There does need to be a change... a BIG ONE in the content of the events, the board activities, and the election process itself. Who knows what the future holds at least it was a decent networking event if anything. Well Goodnight everybody!

What set out to be monthly blog turns out to be a quarterly one... there's always something happening or getting in the way!!!

Challenging Times

Well since the last time alot has changed in the markets as much of you have already known. The good news is that if you arent watching the news business is just as busy as it was a few months ago.

Its the overall picture that is bleaker... for some at least

As fewer transactions force out many from the industry, those that remain will have less competition.... and hopefully the less professional bodies will be the one to EXIT the industry... hehe... i had to throw that in there lol

On a different yet somewhat related note, the stock market irresponsibilities could bring about change for the real estate world. In light of investment firm's and other corporate firms irresponsibility and outright fraud...this would be the perfect time for licensing reform. Perhaps adding more requirements thus raising the bar and ultimately benefiting the consumer. I never understood why in NY State it takes about 600 hours to qualify to cut somebody's hair but only 75 hours(which was just changed from 45 mind you!!) to qualify on handling a real estate transaction whether it be $10,000 or $10,000,000 dollars!!!!!! it just doesnt make much sense.

Most white collar entry level jobs require a college degree yet Real Estate doesn't. Why not? Some would argue that you are taking away the opportunity for advancement of the average american. I say in order to protect the american consumer why not? Then another person says A college degree doesnt guarantee a better agent.... i somewhat agree... college degree's don't guarantee this but i'd like to think that someone that has gone through for years of college without being expelled for integrity violations would think twice before committing some form of fraud in the real estate world. Or better yet.... why invest 4 years of time to throw it away right? The best example of lack of integrity in the industry would be one i've witnessed many times at the start of my career. (The following ethics references are in reference to NAR's and LIBOR's mandatory Ethics Course)"Hey do you have the answers for the online Ethics test?" or better yet "Hey i'll give you $50 if you take my ethics course for me" Sheesh!!! So yes i think having some kind of a higher bar would be in the best interest of all involved.

Well I must keep this one short as my time is up. I have to be up early in the morning to run the office. i bid you all adieu!

Funny how I've been reading Blogs since I was 18 (back in 1998...do the math) but never really got into it. Well here it goes! My very first blog. First though, a few promises about my blogs from here on out.

1. I will not advertise properties, It's nice but I tend to get mix them all up as a blur and im sure many of you that read blogs do as well.

2. You can Feel Free to contact me either via email, phone or in person at my officer whether you agree or disagree with my views, opinions, reports.

RE/MAX Broker & Manager Conference in Toronto

From August 9th until August 13th i attended the RE/MAX Broker & Manager conference in Toronto. I must say it was the first conference I've been to and I was very impressed. The guest speakers and Brokers and Managers from across the country had many interesting and groundbreaking ideas that if implemented locally will change real estate offices for the better.

Brian Buffini, Richard Robbins and Ross Shafer were all great speakers and ironically, the one that had the most insightful words came from Ross Shafer, who happens to not even be involved in Real Estate!

I got to hear from successful Managers and Brokers from across the country of all different office sizes and types. I basically got the same insight that I'm sure the rest of the professionals out here already know. In order to be successful in real estate you have to put in hard work!!!

It is true we have been spoiled in the past few years but the current market is not a bad market. It is the real estate market in general. There are still agents making over 100k, over 500k, over 100 million a year. It is what we make of it and we must be accountable to ourselves first and forthmost. Hard work, patience and a little common sense go a long way. "Everybody wants to get to heaven, but nobody wants to die to get there." We should all take a moment to reflect on that and see if that statement is a direct reflection of us and our behaviors. Chances are... it is.

Until Next time!

After Danny Thornton recommended this movie on his blog I just had to see it! Since he's already reviewed this film I'll be keeping it real short. 

Click here to see the review that prompted me to seek out this flick.

Here's a quick overview of this movie: A bunch of juvenile delinquents use a French riot as camouflage for their felony and flee from Paris into the countryside, where they decide to lay low in a hotel. The only problem is this hotel is run by a family of Cannibals that is happy to have them drop in for dinner! Trapped in an never-ending labyrinth of tunnels packed with starving subhuman cannibals, they must fight to live through their gory initiation into the innkeeper's wicked family cult. Check out the trailer below.

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