Facts About The Mortgage Interest Deduction (MID)

Are you running an Open House this weekend?  Are you a potential Buyer and you're considering making an offer on a home?  Here are some facts about the Mortgage Interest Deduction (MID) that you should know:
                     

                       

                                               
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  7 Mortgage Interest Deduction Myths

  
                         
  
  Think losing the mortgage interest deduction would be no big deal? We bust seven myths to show why the cost is bigger than you think. Read
  
                         
  
  
                         
                                               

                       

                       

Visit houselogic.com for more articles like this.

                             

Copyright 2011 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

                       

                       

Be on the Lookout for Con Artists Knocking on Your Door

From the Massachusetts office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation, comes this warning:


Attention Homeowners!
Be on the Lookout for Con Artists Knocking on Your Door

Individuals looking to steal or con people out of money may work in pairs and pose as utility workers in order to enter a home. While one distracts, the other robs. Senior citizens are particularly vulnerable to these types of scams. An elderly Braintree couple was recently robbed by a North Carolina pair posing as state electrical inspectors in order to gain access to their home.

When people show up in person claiming to represent a state agency or other organization, it is always best to err on the side of caution; don’t let strangers enter your home without first asking for identification; and, when in doubt, call the police. State electrical inspectors will always carry identification, badges, and business cards and usually drive marked vehicles.

In Massachusetts, all electricians must be licensed by the Board of State Examiners of Electricians. The Board examines and licenses candidates and enforces the regulations and general laws relative to electrical installations in Massachusetts. The Board also prosecutes those found to be working without a license, either through the Division of Professional Licensure (DPL) Office of Prosecutions, the Attorney General’s Office, or directly in the courts of the Commonwealth. Many other professions such as plumbers, realtors, and home inspectors are also licensed by DPL and should provide identification prior to entering your home.

Consumers are urged to visit the Division of Professional Licensure’s website at http://license.reg.state.ma.us/loca/locaprof.asp to determine whether a professional they are considering doing business with is licensed and in good standing.


If you have concerns about a licensee that you are considering, the DPL Office of Investigations can be reached at (617) 727-7406.

Barbara Anthony, Undersecretary       10 Park Plaza      Suite 5170      Boston, MA  02116

Hotline 617-973-8787    888-283-3757    www.mass.gov/consumer

Do You Have a Blockbuster Gift Card?

If you have a Blockbuster Gift Card, you need to know that as of April 7 it will expire. For more information, please read our Consumer Advisory. The Advisory is in PDF format so you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to open the file. If you already have Acrobat Reader you will be able to open the advisory without any problems. If you do not have it, you can go to the link below and download it. There is no fee associated with downloading Acrobat Reader.

http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html



Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation
10 Park Plaza, Suite 5170
Boston, MA 02116
www.Mass.Gov/consumer
News & updates at http://consumer.blog.state.ma.us/blog
and follow us at www.twitter.com/Mass_Consumer

Beating the June 1st Change

Starting June 1st, candidates for the Massachusetts Real Estate Salesperson license examination will need 40 hours of classroom instruction.  This is an increase from the current requirement of 24 hours of classroom instruction.  People who are thinking about getting their license in the near future are signing up for classes, such as those at Annex Real Estate School to meet their required time.

NAR Dues Increase

There is a lot of buzz online about the proposed $40 increase in dues of the National Association of Realtors.   

Nobody represets the interests of all real estate licensees, Realtors and non Realtors, more or better than NAR.  And nobody does a better job at representing the interests of the average buyer and seller of real property than do the Realtors. 

With discussion, we can see where the proposed increas will be spent and whether it is justifiable in these times.

I have no doubt that there will be a dues increase.  It's just a matter of how much and what it will be used for.

What's your opinion on this?

Century21 Annex Realty Agent's Summer Contest Ends in a Tie and a Dinner!

A friendly summer contest amongst the Century21 Annex Realty agents ended in a tie so all the agents were invited to an evening out at a local restaurant and the broker/owners picked up the tab ; )

Rescheduled: Crane Library hosts Vintage Car Show and Songs of the Sixties - Quincy, MA - The Patriot Ledger

Due to the rainy day forecast for Saturday, the Quincy High Car Show, on the lawn of the Thomas Crane Library in Quincy, has been rescheduled to Sunday, October 17th. The show hours are 10am to 2pm. Crane Library hosts Vintage Car Show and Songs of the Sixties - Quincy, MA - The Patriot Ledger

Poll of Quincy Real Estate Agents

In a recent poll of Quincy Real Estate agents to determine their opinion of the local market, 68% said that the prices of existing single family home was still dropping, and the other 32 % said that prices a\have stabilized.  When it came to estimating the sale activity, 88% responded that the market is still slow and only 12% answered that the market had finally stabilized.

The view of the multi-family was slightly more optimistic.  53% of those who answered the surveyed felt that sales were still dropping, 33 %  and 14% saw a slight improvement in prices.  This optimism was also reflected in viewing market activity, 13% seeing an improvement in sales, 27 percent saying that sales levels are relatively stable and 60% still seeing a decline in the market.

What's happening in your town?

Don't Throw Away The Snow Boots and the Wool Hats

Who are we to believe? The old Almanac or the Weather bureau? Watch this video for their predictions.

Check this out: 5 real estate tech tools for buyers | Inman News

5 real estate tech tools for buyers Inman News

Scary if True! NewsGeni.us - Article - 75% of Home Mortgage Mods Will Default

This is scary if true! NewsGeni.us - Article - 75% of Home Mortgage Mods Will Default

Your Real Estate Listing and Rain on the Lawn

After many dry days, it rained here last night. "Weather dot com"  data shows that the last significant rainfall of 0.49" was 11 days ago.  Not a flood and not just a light sprinkle, but almost 3/4 hour of moderate to light rain. More rain is expected this week. 
If the lawn on any of your listings looks like mine, it is mostly brown with patches of green.   Last nights rain and today's possible thunder showers are to be followed by two dry partly sunny days, a rainy Thursday and sunny Friday. 

This mixed bag of weather may awaken the lawn so that by the weekend and your next Open House, it will show new signs of life.  This  might be an opportunity to get some fresh out door pictures for your listings.  And, if the lawn and shrubs respond vigorously, look to see if they neeed a trimming!

Good luck in changing your listing to 'Under Agreement'.

What Does Your Lawn look Like? Welcome to Green Aches -

I'm beginning to like the color of my brown lawn! I have two neigbors with in-ground watering systems. Dutifully, at 6 am, their lawns get watered. Because one neighbor's lawn is three large pine trees, as well, neither the water or their lawn service have made much progress in improving the lawn.

Another neighbor's lawn , gets the afternoon sun, that doesn't seem as intense as the sun in the morning. It is also watered automatically and is routinely professionally serviced. That must cost big bucks! And then my third neighbor does his own watering and has a lawn service. That lawn is 50/50, green and brown.

And then there is my lawn. All spring it's very, very green and very, very tall. I have read that the blades of grass don't obsess over their looks! Besides, that lets the roots go deep (?). Right now, it's mostly brown except for a few patches of hardy weeds and dandelions. In September, as the rains return, so will the green color and by the late fall, just as the leaves begin to fall ( ;-D it will have greened out again!

Now read about someone who is obsessed about his lawn: Welcome to Green Aches - The Boston Globe

Homeowner Oil Heating System Upgrade and Insurance Law - Extended

Do you have oil heat in your home? Then you should know that the date for compliance with the new Massachusetts Law "Homeowner Oil Heating System Upgrade and Insurance Law" has been extended until September 30, 2011. Insurance companies must have had the optional insurance available as of July 1, 2010. To learn more of the fine details, check out the site of the Mass DEP  that has information about exemptions, approximate costs as well as a sketch of an upgraded system.

Sales Class Studies Income Approach to Real Estate Appraisal

Sales Class at Annex Real Estate School studies the Income Approach to Real Estate Appraisal

Surprising Demographic

Last weekend, we had an accelerated Real Estate Salesperson Class at Annex Real Estate School  This class is a pre- requisite to taking the Massachusetts state Real Estate Salesperson exam.

We discovered that the mean age for approximately 71% of the students was 24 1/2 years old! With essentially none of the students in the 30 's, the other 29 percent of the students were approximately 44 1/4 years old. So much for the theory that only old retired people are going into real estate now.

Realtor.org provided the following statistic:

• Median age of first-time buyers:  30
• Median age of repeat buyers: 47

Looks as these new salespersons should be able to relate to their potential customers and clients

Surprising Age Demographic of Real Estate Salesperson Class

Last weekend, we had an accelerated Real Estate Salesperson Class at Annex Real Estate School  This class is a pre- requisite to taking the Massachusetts state Real Estate Salesperson exam.

We discovered that the mean age for approximately 71% of the students was 24 1/2 years old!   With essentially none of the students in the 30 's, the other 29 percent of the students were approximately 44 1/4 years old. So much for the theory that only old retired people are going into real estate now.

Realtor.org provided the following statistic:

• Median age of first-time buyers: 30
• Median age of repeat buyers: 47

Looks as these new salespersons should be able to relate to their potential customers and clients

Real Estate Class Enrollment Reaches Max!

Here it is, the first week of summer, and we have a Massachusetts Real Estate Salesperson Class scheduled for this weekend. This class will be held at Annex Real Estate School, in Quincy, MA. What is amazing as well as gratifying, is that we've had to cut off the enrollment!

Observing and talking to the students, I estimate that their average age is in the mid 30's. This is good match to the average age of the first time home buyer in the U.S.

We hope the weather will cooperate and will not max out the air conditioning!

Loan modification scams - Boston, MA - AmericanTowns.com

The Massachusetts AG has posted a very informative article on avoiding loan modification scams on her blog.

Loan modification scams - Boston, MA - AmericanTowns.com

Looking for work? Unemployed need not apply

Is this a new way to make or save jobs?

Looking for work? Unemployed need not apply

With just 2 weeks to go, reservations for the intensive WE Real Estate Saleperson Class at http://ping.fm/kI3ld are filling up!

Mass. Senate passes crackdown on illegal immigrants - Local News Updates - MetroDesk - The Boston Globe

Mass. Senate passes crackdown on illegal immigrants - Local News Updates - MetroDesk - The Boston Globe

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Real Estate Prelicense Class at Annex Real Estate School

The Weekend Class reviews the Massachusetts Laws and Regulations about Real Estate Licensing and Practice.

We have another weekend Mass real estate pre-license class starting May 21st. Like last month, the Applications are coming in early.

Cape Wind announcement expected at noon - Local News Updates - MetroDesk - The Boston Globe

Cape Wind announcement expected at noon - Local News Updates - MetroDesk - The Boston Globe

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Ted Kennedy was strongly opposed to this project. So, why don't those who supported health care reform to honor Ted also respect his wishes and turn this down?

Century21 Annex Realty hosts the Quincy Real Estate Caravan at it's newly remodeled office, 49 Beale Street, in the Wollaston section of Quincy

Weekend Massachusetts Real Estate Salesperson Class

Watching the Applications come in for the next weekend Massachusetts Real Estate Salesperson pre-licensing class. This class meets the state requirements as a pre-requisite to the Massachusetts state Real Estate Salesperson examination.

Annex Real Estate School is conveniently located in the Wollaston section of Quincy, near the T stop on the Red Line.

The class will start on Friday evening, April 16th, 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm. The class continues on Saturday and Sunday, April 17th and 18th, 8am to 6pm. The cost is still only $200 which includes 2 text books and all class handouts.

Class availabilty depends upon enrollment. Class size is limited to assure class quality. You can download an Application on the school website. Don't be disappointed, as this class is filling up!

Weekend Massachusetts Real Estate Class

Watching the Applications come in for the next weekend Massachusetts Real Estate Salesperson pre-licensing class. This class meets the state requirements as a pre-requisite to the Massachusetts state Real Estate Salesperson examination.

 Annex Real Estate School is conveniently located in the Wollaston section of Quincy, near the T stop on the Red Line.

The class will start on Friday evening, April 16th, 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm.  The class continues on Saturday and Sunday, April 17th and 18th, 8am to 6pm.  The cost is still only $200 which includes 2 text books and all class handouts.

Class availabilty depends upon enrollment.  Class size is limited to assure class quality.  You can download an Application on the school website. Don't be disappointed, as this class is filling up!

POLITICO Arena: Karen Kerrigan's response to 'Does the March unemployment rate of 9.7% - unchanged from the previous month - help President Obama politically?'

POLITICO Arena: Karen Kerrigan's response to 'Does the March unemployment rate of 9.7% - unchanged from the previous month - help President Obama politically?'   

1/3 of the March figure of added jobs are temporary census workers.  These jobs are not permanent and they are not in the private sector.

SPRING AHEAD - Quincy, MA - The Patriot Ledger

SPRING AHEAD - Quincy, MA - The Patriot Ledger

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Frank pushing for administration's plans on Fannie and Freddie - Political Intelligence - A national political and campaign blog from The Boston Globe - Boston.com

Frank pushing for administration's plans on Fannie and Freddie - Political Intelligence - A national political and campaign blog from The Boston Globe - Boston.com

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NewsGeni.us - Article - Obama Plan Helps 16% of Enrollees

NewsGeni.us - Article - Obama Plan Helps 16% of Enrollees

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U.S. Economy: Pending Sales of Existing Homes Unexpectedly Drop

March 4 (Bloomberg) -- Fewer Americans than expected signed contracts to purchase previously owned homes in January, indicating the extension of a tax credit is doing little to lure buyers.

The index of purchase agreements, or pending home sales, dropped 7.6 percent after a revised 0.8 percent increase in December, the National Association of Realtors announced in Washington. Other reports today showed factory orders increased and first-time jobless claims declined.

The drop in contract signings adds to evidence the housing market at the center of the worst recession since the 1930s is struggling to rebound after reports last week showed unexpected declines in purchases of new and existing homes. The market may get another blow this month when the Federal Reserve ends planned purchases of mortgage-backed securities.

"When you take away all the support from the housing market, the underlying demand for housing is a lot weaker than we thought," said Mark Vitner, a senior economist at Wells Fargo Securities LLC in Charlotte, North Carolina. "We clearly pushed some demand forward, and there wasn't that much demand to pull forward anyway. The housing recovery is going to be very, very slow."

Builder shares fell after the report, with the Standard & Poor's Supercomposite Homebuilding Index declining 0.7 percent at 11:52 a.m. in New York. The broader S&P 500 climbed 0.1 percent to 1,119.74.

Factory orders rose 1.7 percent in January, boosted by a surge in commercial aircraft bookings, according to Commerce Department data that also showed less demand for computers and machinery.

Jobless Claims

Reports from the Labor Department today showed initial jobless claims fell from a three-month high, while productivity rose in the fourth quarter. Claims dropped 29,000 last week to 469,000.

Productivity, a measure of employee output per hour, rose at a 6.9 percent annual rate in the final three months of last year. Labor costs dropped 5.9 percent, more than anticipated.

Economists forecast a 1 percent gain in January pending home sales after a previously reported 1 percent rise a month earlier, according to the median of 40 projections in a Bloomberg News survey. Estimates ranged from a drop of 4.2 percent to an increase of 4 percent.

In November, the number of signed contracts dropped a record 14 percent. The Realtors group said February figures may be depressed as well following snowstorms in the Northeast and South.

February Sales

"The abnormally severe and prolonged winter weather, which affected large regions of the U.S., hampered shopping activity in February," Lawrence Yun, the group's chief economist, said in a statement. "We will see weak near-term sales followed by a likely surge of existing-home sales in April, May and June."

The Realtors' report showed declines in January pending sales in all four regions, led by a 13 percent slump in the West. Contract signings fell 8.9 percent in the Midwest, 8.7 percent in the Northeast and 2.1 percent in the South.

Pending home sales are considered a leading indicator because they track contract signings. The Realtors' existing- home sales report tallies closings, which typically occur a month or two later. The pending sales data go back to January 2001, and the group began publishing the index in March 2005.

Reports last week showed the housing market may be faltering. Sales of previously owned homes unexpectedly dropped 7.2 percent in January after a record decline a month earlier, according to Realtors group's report Feb. 26. New-home sales slumped to an all-time low, the Commerce Department said Feb. 24.

Credit Extended

President Barack Obama and Congress extended the first-time buyer credit in early November to cover deals signed by April 30 and closed by June 30, and expanded it to include some current homeowners.

Among other concerns for the housing outlook, the Fed said it plans to end a program later this month to purchase mortgage- backed securities, which helped contain borrowing costs.

The rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage dropped to 4.71 percent in early December, the lowest level since Freddie Mac started keeping weekly records in 1972. The rate has hovered around 5 percent since then.

Foreclosures pose another threat. Foreclosure filings rose 15 percent in January compared with a year earlier and exceeded 300,000 for the 11th straight month, RealtyTrac Inc. said Feb. 11.

The housing market will "follow a similar pattern" to recovery as it did in the late 1980s and early 1990s, which both took "several years," Toll Brothers Inc. Chief Executive Officer Robert Toll said in a statement Feb. 24.

The company, the largest U.S. luxury-home builder, said its orders almost doubled in the first quarter compared with a year earlier. It projected it will sell between 2,100 and 2,750 homes in fiscal 2010 at an average price of $540,000 to $560,000 each.

To contact the reporter on this story: Courtney Schlisserman in Washington at cschlisserma@bloomberg.net

===
Sent from Bloomberg for Blackberry. Download it from the Blackberry App World!
Mitch Rudnick
Century21 Annex Realty
617-921-6521
Mitchell.Rudnick@Century21.com

Bulk of Red Sox tickets on sale Saturday, Jan. 30 - Extra Bases - Red Sox blog

Bulk of Red Sox tickets on sale Saturday, Jan. 30 - Extra Bases - Red Sox blog

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Local pending home sales rose in December - Daily Business Update - The Boston Globe

Local pending home sales rose in December - Daily Business Update - The Boston Globe

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This is GOOD NEWS!

SPEAK OUT: Too many unanswered questions around revival of Wollaston Theater - Quincy, MA - Wicked Local Quincy

SPEAK OUT: Too many unanswered questions around revival of Wollaston Theater - Quincy, MA - Wicked Local Quincy

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Coast Guard wants more fishing boats to undergo stability checks - Local News Updates - The Boston Globe

Coast Guard wants more fishing boats to undergo stability checks - Local News Updates - The Boston Globe

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A comprehensive solution to combustible markets - The Boston Globe

A comprehensive solution to combustible markets - The Boston Globe

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89 Forbes Hill Road

Forbes Hill. New kitchen with stainless steel appliances and granite counter tops, new bathrooms, new windows, heating system 1 year old , new lighting,and new garage doors. Interior freshly painted, floors newly sanded, finished room in lower level rooms,exterior landscaping professionally done, roof is 3 years old. Large private porch in back surrounded by mature trees. Access to garage from house. Walk to bus line and close to Wollaston T.

I Oak Court Video

This area has it's own private charm while being close to Route 3 and 228. Spacious end unit townhouse with plenty of closet space. New carpeting and newly painted. Living room with cathedral ceiling, skylights and fireplace. 1st floor den. Deck off first floor. Master suite has full bath and walk in closet. Second bedroom has walk in closet. Pull down access to attic area. New vanity in 2nd floor full bath. Tennis court and outdoor swimming pool. This is a pet friendly complex.

New Video of Townhouse at 1 Oak Ct, Rockland ,MA

Hi, we've just made a new video of our listing at 1 oak Court in Rockland, MA that we want to share with you

This area has it's own private charm while being close to Route 3 and 228. Spacious end unit townhouse with plenty of closet space. New carpeting and newly painted. Living room with cathedral ceiling, skylights and fireplace. 1st floor den. Deck off first floor. Master suite has full bath and walk in closet. Second bedroom has walk in closet. Pull down access to attic area. New vanity in 2nd floor full bath. Tennis court and outdoor swimming pool. This is a pet friendly complex.

Northeast home resales post 11 pct annual increase - Boston.com

Northeast home resales post 11 pct annual increase - Boston.com

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$8,000 tax credit has home buyers at war - The Boston Globe

$8,000 tax credit has home buyers at war - The Boston Globe

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Extending The First Time Home Buyer Credit - A Good Idea?

As we approach the shut off date for the First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit, people are asking: Should the credit be extended? Has the credit been a help, and if so, to whom? Just take a moment and express your opinion about Extending The First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit.

Thanks, we'll be posting the result in a few weeks.

It's Amazing - The Turnout for the Massachusetts Real Estate Salesperson Classes

Tuesday turned out to be an amazing day at Annex Real Estate School in Quincy, Massachusetts. When I drove up to the office in the morning, about 15 minutes before the start of the first midweek September Real Estate Salesperson class, there was no one waiting to get into the school. Well, that has happened before, last minute arrivals. We had just finished an intensive Weekend class that was about 3/4 full. I was totally unprepared for what followed.

At ten minutes before the start of class, three students were in class. Five minutes before the start of class, there were ten students. Then, suddenly, the room filled up. We needed extra chairs and tables. What a surprise! We did not even have enough text books. Fortunately UPS showed up an hour later with the extra books we had ordered and the class went smoothly.

There was a similar story with the evening class. What a surprise! I surveyed the students and found that each felt that there is an opportunity in real estate sales. Most of the students have a reasonable expectation of the local real estate market....not a boom, but never the less, a gradual recovery.

This is very encouraging as we are also seeing a definite improvement in the actvity in our affiliated real estate office, Century21 Annex Realty .

I know that the National Association of Realtors is urging an extension of the first time home buyer credit. This would be good, as there has been a lag in the program getting underway and it being used. One deterent that has been eliminated in many states isthe ability to use the credit at the closing. Signs of good things to come!

Real Estate Salesperson Class Starts Today

We're'll be heading to the office and Annex Real Estate School to open up. This is for the morning session of the Massachusetts Real Estate Salesperson pre-license course. The response has been almost overwhelming.

Between the registration for the morning and evening, we've had to order more text books. We'll have to find out the motiviation of the students. Why have they decided to go for their Massachusetts Real Estate Salesperson license, now? What do you think?

Real Estate Weekend Class Starts Tomorrow

This week's weather makes it easier to get into the Weekend Class that will be starting at Annex Real Estate School, tomorrow night, September 11. The response has been very good, so we've had to order more text books from Dearborn Publishing. This is because we have both a day and evening class starting on Tuesday, September 15th, and our original book order was on the conservative side. We're even receiving Applications for the October classes.

Keep your travel plans off-limits online -- themorningcall.com

Keep your travel plans off-limits online -- themorningcall.com

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Good Weather, Good Real Estate Activity, Good RE School Enrollment

Here it is, almost the start of the Labor Day weekend, and the outlook for local real estate is good, good, good! The sales activity at our real estate firm, Century21 Annex Realty is definitely a plus. It's not just here in Quincy, MA, but a good part of Boston's 'South Shore'.

We're also seeing an upswing in the registration at our school, Annex Real Estate School. There is increased enrollment in the midweek programs that have both morning and evening classes. We're also seeing the popular accelerated Weekend Class fill up. It gives us a positive indication about the sentiment of the local market. Increase class size is an reflection of the attitude that the market is going to recover.

Now, we would like to see increased activity at our marketing sites, the Annex Bookstore over at Amazon as well as the general Annex Real Estate Source.

Wishing you all an enjoyable Labor day Weekend

Backups Made Easy with clickfree Transformer

With all the talk about the importance of backing up your files, I had starting using some external drives for piece of mind. I had originally started using a Acomdata drive, which has served me well. Except for capacity, it's very similar to the AcomData PureDrive 1 TB USB 2.0/FireWire 400/eSATA Desktop External Hard Drive PDHD1000UFSE. The drive is now full with pictures as well as a complete backup of the 120 GB Drive on my IBM Thinkpad.

For some time I had been thinking of how I was going to use the Seagate FreeAgent 1 TB USB 2.0 Desktop External Hard Drive ST310005FDA1E1-RK I had picked this up at a very good sale and it was still in the box.

Then I read about a new easy way to back up all of your 'data' files (not system and programs). It's called the clickfree Transformer from Storage Appliance Corporation . You first connect the clickfree to a USB port on your computer. You then connect the included USB cable between the clickfree and an external drive. The clickfree acts like a smart bridge between the computer and the external drive. The built in software in the clickfree, searches your computer for virtually all of the data types and then simply copies them over to the external drive.

The first time I used the clickfree Transformer, it took approx 2 hours to copy all of my document files, pictures, movies, sound files, email backup. I did this at night, just before going to bed and I didn't wait up.

Now, the incremental backups take just about a minute or two!

As with many of my electonic purchases, I bought my Clickfree Transformer over at Amazon. As you can see, the price is very right!

Although I've never used a Mac, the Quickstart Guide does include directions for use with Mac OSX Leopard 10.5 or later .

The Big Red Fez - Internet Markting Ideas

When Seth Godin wrote The Big Red Fez: How To Make Any Web Site Better he was already credited with authoring 5 other books as well as co-authoring The Guerrilla Marketing Handbook with Jay Levinson, who has since been the author of Guerilla Marketing on the Internet: The Definitive Guide from the Father of Guerilla Marketing
.

I didn't realize what a prolific author on the subject of Marketing, that Seth Godin had become, until I saw over 160 references when you search on his name at Amazon.com. Similar searches at other online book seller sites give similar results.

As Realtors, we usually do not have much spare time, so it's good that The Big Red Fez: How To Make Any Web Site Better is a relatively short book with 111 pages. These pages are jammed with content, using 45 examples of good and bad web sites. Somed of these sites are from small local business and others are nationally know brands. In each example, Seth uses the technique of 'show me the banana'! OK, you got me to your site, now what action do you want me to do? Is it to buy? Is it to subscribe? How easy is it to complete the action! As Realtors, this is know as closing the deal.

In too many cases, the web site has made it difficult, if not impossible to close the deal. I've never heard any marketer say this before, but Seth Godin says this and it is so true..

"...once someone is online, she's only a click away from your competition."

WOW. That's something too many forget when the build their web site.

No matter what your business, this is so true.

The Big Red Fez: How To Make Any Web Site Better is an IDEA book, it is not written for 'techies'. If you're a techie and edit your own site, you can go and incorporate the lessons from the book to accomplish your internet goals. If you're not a techie, use the ideas from the book to check out your own site. Then get your web site developer to do the programing.

Seth Godin points out in the introduction, "There are two versions of what happens online. There's the engineer's version, which is that smart people, with plenty of time, who know precisely what they want from their online surfing, are able to make a considered decision with access to all the data........"
"Then, there's the marketer's version. This says that people are busy, ill informed, impatient, not very thoughtful, and eager to click on something right now. Marketers also believe that if you don't give a prospect the right thing to click on right now, he's going to click on the "Back" button and leave."
"The second version is the one that's backed up with all the data and all the successful results. Because it's the right version. The first version is what leads most web-based companies to failure"

Make your web site, web user friendly. Get and read your own copy of The Big Red Fez: How To Make Any Web Site Better

Good News From National Association Of Realtors On The Pace of U.S. Existing Home Sales

In a press release, issued today, the National Association of Realtors, said " For the first time in five years, existing-home sales have increased for four months in a row...."....The NAR chief economist, Lawrence Yun , who said he is encouraged, is quoted as saying "..the housing market has decisively turned for the better."

I know that we are seeing more activity in our real estate school with more new persons wanting to get into the business, as well as at our real estate business with more buyers and sellers.

You can read more of the Reator article at their news release site .

The Fall Real Estate School Season Is Just A Few Weeks Away

As we gear up for the September Real Estate Classes, we have a few questions. Where has the summer gone? For a while it seemed as though it would never arrive! We really haven't broken any heat records. We had a bit of an escape to Maine and a short trip to the Cape.

Annex Real Estate School is conveniently located in the Wollaston section of Quincy, near the T stop on the Red Line. The pre-licensing classes are taught by Massachusetts Real Estate Brokers who are also licensed Real Estate Instructors.

The September schedule will start off on Friday evening, September 11th, with an Accelerated Weekend Real Estate Salesperson Class. Then on the following Tuesday, September 15th will be the start of the traditional, easier paced, Midweek Classes, with Day and Evening offerings. These Massachusetts Real Estate Salesperson Classes are still only $200 including two (2) professional texbooks. Annex Real Estate School uses the latest edition textbooks (not just someone's 'class handbook') to teach to the General Section and for the Massachusetts Specific Section of the state exam.

You can see the entire September and October Schedule just by clicking HERE

If you would like to learn more abut the Real Estate licensing process, start by reading THIS

When you're ready to sign up for a class,then go to the page of Annex Real Estate School where you will be able to pre-register for a class as well as download an Application.

Don't put this off, as the state legislature is favorably considering two bills that will significantly increase the number of classroom hours need prior to taking the state licensing exam.

See you in School.

You might also check out our affiliated shopping site Annex Real Estate Source You'll find books on real estate of interest to all as well as a few special gift and personal shopping opportunities.

Home Price Declines Continue to Abate According to the S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Indices

New York, July 28, 2009 – Data through May 2009, released today by Standard & Poor’s for its S&P/Case-Shiller1 Home Price Indices, the leading measure of U.S. home prices, show that, although still negative, the annual rate of decline of the 10-City and 20-City Composites improved for the fourth consecutive month in 2009.

To read the full report as well as the just go to this link

Summer School at Annex Real Estate School

It's summer (at least that's what the calendar says it is ; 0 ). At Annex Real Estate School, we thought we were in for a vacation from teaching real estate until the fall. However, that was not to be! After too many emails and phone calls, Annex Real Estate School is holding a pre-licensing class for the Massachusetts state Real Estate Salesperson Examination.

In keeping with the summer schedule, the class will be held over three consecutive, midweek days: Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, July 27, 28 and 29th. The class hours will be 9:00 am to 5:30 pm for each day, 24 hours of state mandated classroom instruction. (No nights, no weekend day!).

The class is already beginning to fill up. Class availability depends upon enrollment. As usual, the class size will be kept small to assure class quality. This is one of the reasons of the high pass rate of our students.

Even though this is an intensive, accelerated course, the fee is still only $200 which includes the latest editions of two professional textbooks. Annex Real Estate School does not use somebody's 'class notes'

After getting their Massachusetts Real Estate Salesperson license, students will immediately qualify to apply for an interview at the affiliated real estate firm, Century21 Annex Realty.

After this class, the instructors hope to have a break from class until the fall session begins.

If you are interested in this July class, just go to the place on the SCHOOL WEBSITE were you can click on the link to sign up to be contacted, about the July class or email the Registrar at Annex Real Estate School (.)dot com, or call the direct number 617-773-2576.

If you would like to be put on the contact list for the Fall Schedule of classes, just go to the FALL CLASS SIGNUP on the website.

Special Accelerated Midweek Real Estate License Class

In response to requests for a mid summer class, Annex Real Estate School has just posted an accelerated Massachusetts Real Estate Salesperson pre-licensing class. Annex Real Estate School is conveniently located in Quincy, MA near the Wollaston stop on the Red Line.

This class is scheduled for the last week of July for 3 days, 9am to 5:30 pm, each day, with a 1/2 hour lunch break (24 hours of state mandated classroom instruction, without giving up a summer weekend). The class is held in the environment of an active real estate office. Your instructors will be Massachusetts Real Estate Brokers who are also licensed be the state as Real Estate Instructors.

Once you are a licensed Massachusetts Real Estate Salesperson, you will have the opportunity to apply for an interview at our affiliated real estate firm Century21 Annex Realty.

At Annex Real Estate School. we use the latest editions of profession real estate textbooks, rather than someone's "class manuals". The cost of the class is still only $200, including books.

If you are interested in this special mid summer class, then go to the website and sign up to be put on the class list at school's SITE You can download an Application from the same page under the Higlights column. Initially, the exact class schedule is being held open to accommodate the instructors and students summer schedule. The class may be held either Mon, Tues and Wed, (July 27, 28 and 29) or Tues, Wed and Thurs (July 28, 29 and 30). The schedule will be set to accomodate the majority.

If you want to learn more about the Massachusetts Real Estate licensing process, you can read more on the Catalog Page or at this convenient WRITE UP

Annex Real Estate School
49 Beale Street
Quincy, MA 02170
617-773-2576

Eagle Signals The Admiral Onboard

Eagle visits as part of Sail Boston 2009.

Cash for Clunkers Survey: Vote NOW

In an effort to stimulate the sale of autos, the Cash for Clunkers program will provide up $3500 or $4500 of credit and depends the type of vehicle and the difference in fuel economy between your tade in and the new vehicle.

What do you think of this program? Will it do any real good? Vote now in this Short Survey

Some essential points of the program are :
a) Your vehicle must be less than 25 years old on the trade in date
b) Only purchase or lease of new cars will qualify
c) Generally, trade in vehicles must get 18 or less MPG (some very large pick-up trucks and cargo vans have different requirements
d) Trade in vehicles must be registered and insured continuously for the full year preceding the trade in
e) You don't need a voucher, dealers will apply a credit at purchase
f) Program runs through November 1, 2009 or when the funds are exhausted, whichever comes first
g) The vehicle which you are trading in is required to be destroyed. Therefore, the value that you negotiate with the dealer for your trade in is not like to exceed its scrap value. The law requires the dealer to disclose to you an estimate of the scrap value of your vehicle.

What do you think? Will it help? Take this very short survey and CAST YOUR VOTE

Read more at http://www.cars.gov/

Find out the rating of your car at fueleconomy.gov

Massachusetts Realtors Advocate for Consumers

Yesterday saw a large group of Massachusetts Realtors converge on Beacon Hill to meet with their local legislators to discuss real property issues. One point of this event, that is overlooked or not given enough emphasis, is the full role of the Realtors.
As one may expect, the Realtors are there at the State House to highlight the point of view on potential legislation from the Real Estate Professional's perspective. The Realtors are also carrying another banner with them, that of every consumer in the state who will be effected by real property issues.
No one else is there to recommend higher education requirements for real estate licensees, to ask that additional state taxes not be put on property owners when they sell, not impose new state taxes on private property owners when the rent out their home or an apartment, protect landlords and tennants property in an eviction situation.

Massachusett Real Estate License Fees and Examination Costs to Increase

We have received notice that the fees for the Massachusetts Real Estate Salesperson and the Massachusetts Real Estate Broker license will increase on July 1st. Also, the cost of the examination for both licenses will also increase at the same time.

The biennial cost for the Salesperson will increase from $93 to $103. For the Broker, the increase will be from $127 to $142. Also, the cost of the Corporate , the increase is from $195 to $221. To access the total list, look at the Massachusetts Professional Licensure page.

Two June Mass R.E. Salesperson Pre-Licensing Courses

***NOTE*** We have just been informed, that effective July 1st, the fees for taking the Massachusetts Real Estate Saleperson and Massachusetts Real Estate Broker examinations will be increased. Also, the fees for both the Massachusetts Real Estate Saleperson License and Massachusetss Real Estate Broker License will be increased, effective July 1st. ***

Annex Real Estate School, conveniently located in the Wollaston section of Quincy, has posted two Massachusetts Real Estate Salesperson Courses on the WEBSITE for June.

The first is an intesive WEEKEND Class that will start Friday evening, June 12th, from 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm. The class then continues on Saturday and Sunday, June 13th and 14th, 8am to 6pm, both days (24 hours of state mandated classroom instruction).

The second program is an Accelerated MIDWEEK Class that will start on Tuesday, June 23rd, 9am to 5:30 pm. That class willcontinue on Wednesday and Thursday, 9am to 5:30 pm, all three days. (24 hours of state mandated classroom instruction).

The school is now accepting Applications for both programs. You can read more about the classes on the Annex Real Estate School website where you can also download Applications. You can also get an application for the WEEKEND Class here and for the MIDWEEK Class here.

You can read more about the Massachusetts Real Estate licensing process at this informational site.

Visit the website, call the school direct @ 617-773-2576 or email the Director at AnnexRealEstateSchool.com for any questions.

HUD Sec'y Donovan Announces Method of Bringing Tax Credit to FHA Closing

DONOVAN ANNOUNCES RECOVERY ACT'S HOMEBUYER TAX CREDIT CAN IMMEDIATELY HELP THOUSANDS OF FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYERS TO BUY A HOMEFHA plan will stimulate new home sales and help stabilize housing market
WASHINGTON - Speaking to the National Association of Home Builders Spring Board of Directors Meeting, U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan today announced that the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) will allow homebuyers to apply the Obama Administration's new $8,000 first-time homebuyer tax credit toward the purchase costs of a FHA-insured home. Donovan said that today's action will help stabilize the nation's housing market by stimulating home sales across the country.
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 offers homebuyers a tax credit of up to $8,000 for purchasing their first home. Families can only access this credit after filing their tax returns with the IRS. Today's announcement details FHA's rules allowing state Housing Finance Agencies and certain non-profits to "monetize" up to the full amount of the tax credit (depending on the amount of the mortgage) so that borrowers can immediately apply the funds toward their down payments. Home buyers using FHA-approved lenders can apply the tax credit to their down payment in excess of 3.5 percent of appraised value or their closing costs, which can help achieve a lower interest rate. To read the FHA's new mortgagee letter, visit HUD's website.
"We believe this is a real win for everyone," said Donovan. "Today, the Obama Administration is taking another important step toward accelerating the recovery of the nation's housing market. Families will now be able to apply their anticipated tax credit toward their home purchase right away. At the same time we are putting safeguards in place to ensure that consumers will be protected from unscrupulous lenders. What we're doing today will not only help these families to purchase their first home but will present an enormous benefit for communities struggling to deal with an oversupply of housing."
Currently, borrowers applying for an FHA-insured mortgage are required to make a minimum 3.5 percent downpayment on the purchase of their home. Current law does not permit approved lenders to monetize the tax credit to meet the required 3.5 percent minimum down payment, but, under the terms of today's announcement, lenders can now monetize the tax credit for use as additional down payment, or for other closing costs, which can help achieve a lower interest rate. Buyers financing through state Housing Finance Agencies and certain non-profits will be able to use the tax credit for their downpayments via secondary financing provided by the HFA or non-profit. In addition to the borrower's own cash investment, FHA allows parents, employers and other governmental entities to contribute towards the downpayment. Today's action permits the first-time homebuyer's anticipated tax credit under the Recovery Act to be applied toward the family's home purchase right away. Unlike seller-funded down-payment assistance, which was a vehicle for abuse, this program will allow homebuyers to shop for the best home price and services using their anticipated tax credit.
According to estimates by the National Association of Home Builders, the Administration's homebuyer tax credit will stimulate 160,000 home sales across the nation - 101,000 of which will be first-time buyers who will receive the credit. Another 59,000 existing homeowners will be able to buy another home because a first-time buyer purchased their home. Given FHA's current market share, it's estimated that thousands of families will be able to purchase a home by allowing the anticipated tax credit to be applied toward their purchase together with an FHA-insured mortgage.
Homebuyers should beware of mortgage scams and carefully compare benefits and costs when seeking out tax credit monetization services. Programs will vary from organization to organization and borrowers should consider whether the services make sense for them, as well as what company offers the most suitable and affordable option.
For every FHA borrower who is assisted through the tax credit program, FHA will collect the name and employer identification number of the organization providing the service as well as associated fees and charges. FHA will use this information to track the business closely and will refer any questionable practices to the appropriate regulatory agencies, as necessary.

Supply and Demand in Real Estate Prices and Gas/Diesel Prices

It seems like so long ago that the price of real estate went on an upside ride. In addition to other factors, it really was supply and demand in action.
How long ago was it that a gallon of diesel fuel was $1/gallon more than regular gas. Why is it that I've seen diesel now any where from just 2-3 cents above to 4 cents per gallon less than regular gas. Typically, the price of gas rises several cents in 'honor' of the Memorial Day weekend. And, the price of oil has risen in recent weeks. Is this the gas companies way of making the roads safer by discouraging the purchase of their product? The percent increase at the pump has gone up approximately 2X the cost of the raw material. So, where is the supply and demand?

Happy Holiday and do not forget the real reason for the day off is to remember those who have given their lives so that we may enjoy our freedom.

Sell Your House In 7 Days !

OK! The exclamation mark is mine, but I just drove by East Milton Square and there, nailed to a utility pole is a sign that reads "SELL YOUR HOUSE IN 7 DAYS" , followed by a phone number. I'll bet every Realtor wants to know how they do it. ; )

Memorial Day: Three Day Weekend or May 30th

The origins of Memorial Day go back to just after the Civil War, with remembrances of the war dead. Quoting from the Wikipedia write up about Memorial Day:

"According to Professor David Blight of the Yale University History Department, the first memorial day was observed in 1865 by liberated slaves at the historic Washington Race Course (today the location of Hampton Park) in Charleston. The site was a former Confederate prison camp as well as a mass grave for Union soldiers who died in captivity.
The freed slaves disinterred the dead Union soldiers from the mass grave to be inhumed properly reposed with individual graves, built a fence around the graveyard with an entry arch, declaring it a Union graveyard. A daring action for freed slaves to take such in the South just shortly after the Union's victory. On May 30, 1868, the freed slaves returned to the graveyard with flowers they had picked from the countryside and decorated the individual gravesites, thereby creating the first Decoration Day. Thousands of freed blacks and Union soldiers paraded from the area, followed by much patriotic singing and a picnic."

You can read the entire Wikipedia about the holiday HERE

For some time, there has been a movement to restore the observance to May 30th, similar to the resetting of the observance of Veteran's Day.

If you are interested in learning more about the efforts to restore the observance of Memorial Day to May 30th, then visit the site of usmemorialday.org where you can also sign a petition.

Twitter Power Review

I just finished reading "twitter power ..How to Dominate Your Market One Tweet at a Time" by Joel Comm. As you might have heard or seen, twitter is a 'microblog' where you can post short statements, up to 140 characters in length.. In that regard it's similar to texting except your message can be seen by millions.
This is a great tool for real estate agents to network with other real estate professionals and perhaps more importantly with buyers and sellers. You can check out my 'tweets' on Twitter at QuincyBroker
Joel Comm's book tells you how to get started on twitter, from setting up an account, enhancing your page , and getting a following. After the basics, must reads are: Chapter 8 Using Twitter to Help Build your Brand, Chapter 9 Leveraging the Poweer of Twitter to Drive Behavior in Your Followers, Chapter 10 Beyond Twitter.com: Third Party Tools You Will Want to Know and Chapter 11 Building Powerful Solutions on Top of the Twitter Platform. These chapters of the book show how even the non-techie can make use of thes relatively simple tools and methods. You can get your own copy of this book at Amazon: Twitter Power: How to Dominate Your Market One Tweet at a Time

"Avoiding Mortgage Foreclosure"

Last night I attended a Forum on "Avoiding Mortgage Foreclosure" at the Thomas Crane Public Library in Quincy, MA. The program was led by Kim Arouca of the Office of Congressman Bill Delahunt. It featured presentations by Attorney Nadine Cohen of the Greater Boston Legal Services, Attorney Deidre Jacobs Hall from Quincy Community Action Program (QCAP), Attorney Jean Healy from the office of the Massachusetts Attorney General, and Attorney Joe Leanard from the Massachusetts Division of Banks.

This was an excellent presentation with information of resources for homeowners who are experiencing difficulty in paying their home mortgage.

In addition to explaining the foreclosure process and the various options that are available, including mortgage remodification, they all cautioned against scammers that our preying on home owners. The two most prevalents scams involves (1) prepaying someone who promises to help you through the mortgage remodification process and (2) receiving offers to purchase your home, clean up the mortgage problem and then sell the house back to you.

Real Estate Classes a Predictor of the Real Estate Market

Can you judge the real estate market based on the number of people who want to start a real estate sales career?
For the past several years, the enrollment in real estate schools in Massachusetts had been phenomenal. Over 900 first time candidates wee taking the state examination to become licensed as a Real Estate Salesperson. This was an obvious reaction to the ever increasing sales at increased prices that was observed.
By early 2008, there was a marked decrease in enrollment of real estate students as the media covered the increasing problems with real estate proce drops and real estate foreclosures. In the fall of 2008, as the news about the economy became more and more catestrophic, along with the attention of the national campaign, many classes became very limited in size.
Just as there is usually a spring real estate market, we see some positive signs in real estate school enrollment. The students come to class with different background and different expectations from those of 4 - 6 years ago. Many of todays' students have experience in finance, insurance banking and related real estate estate. They acknowledge that they will have to work to be successful, and that there is a future.

Your comments are welcome.

Do I Want To Have Fun In My Real Estate Continuing Education Class?

Just how exciting are real estate continuing education classes supposed to be? Last week we received a flyer in the mail of some up coming classes. Both the brochure itself, plus the testimony of previous students, assured us that we would be in for 12 hours of fun! Wow!

Then yesterday, the mailman brought another brochure from another real estate school. Apparently the promise of fun was called to the attention of this school, as his message now included "fun" in the package!

Are we missing something over at Annex Real Estate School? Just how much stand up should we be including in our Continuing Education classes? Do you enjoy going to a real estate class where you will learn something that will make your business more profitable as well as keeping you up to date on good real estate practice? How important is the fun?

We really need to know, so we're asking your cooperation. We've put together a little poll over at Micropoll.com (aptly named) where you can tell us what you expect in your real estate continuing education. To take the poll, just click HERE. We promise we won't collect your email address or sell it to anyone. If the program works right, we will know what city or town you are located (part of your ip address), and that's all. If you want, just comment here at this blog, but comments are monitored to eliminate spam.

Oh yes, we do have a weekend of Continuing Education coming up. March 14th and 15th. The subjects include Offers, Chapter 93A Consumer Protection, Mass. License Laws and Regs., Technology and R.E., National Economic Trends, and Foreclosure. You can download an Application Here. This class is filling up and class size will be limited to assure class quality.

Local Housing Market Stimulus

AS one of the instructors at Annex Real Estate School, here in Quincy, Massachusetts, I look at the correlation between school enrollment and the general real estate market. Traditionally, our most popular class at the school has been the Massachusetts Real Estate Salesperson pre-licensing course. The other factor, that I've seen is the connection with the local job market.

For most of 2008, there was an increasing number of hits on the school website, and a corresponding increase in the number of students at the school. There seemed to be a consensus that there was an anticipation of leveling off in the housing market as well as the opportunity of improvement.

Then in early September the hits on the website and the enrollment dropped off dramatically as the national economic news became the headlines. This was far more than just the seasonal slowdown.

So, what is the current picture? With only two months of 2009 registration experience, we are observing a definite up tick in interest in entering the real estate field as a Real Estate Salesperson in Massachusetts. At least for the school, it looks like the 'Spring market' has started.

Again, there are at least two obvious factors. Seeing the down turn in employment, people are looking for new career opportunities, at least as a back up. Getting into real estate in Massachusetts is relatively easy with only 24 hours of classroom instruction required before taking the state exam. Many of our students are 20 - 40 years old with good work experience and/or college training that will make it easier for them to learn the material for the exam.

The other factor at play has to be the attitude of these new students. They realize that the market is down and slow. This equates to a market that will eventually be getting better as they improve their real estate skills. We all hope that these new students are right!

Hosting and Domain Name Sale Thru February 28th

We ususlly don't blog about this but we've received an email alert from 1&1 Domain Hosting Services of an unadvertised sale thru the end of February. Host unlimited domains + get up to 5 FREE domains with your 1&1 hosting account. Must see monthly hosting specials!First 3 months $0 when you sign up for a whole year of hosting on all plans!

And for a limited time, first year of Dot.Com Domain names for only $6.74 and first year of Dot.Info Domain names for only $0.99. Stop paying too much for domains! Reg. price $8.99 but click here for 25% Off Discount! Plus free privacy + free email + website builder.

We'll get $13 extra per week, starting in June. Should help pay for some of the real estate tax increase. Down to $8 in Jan '10. Comments?

Heading to the office. The wind is creating a wind chill of 0F and below. The good news: The real estate market seems to be warming up!

Reading in Yahoo: Home town banks that do not want bailout money: http://ping.fm/86ENh

at the office. Because of the declared snow emergency, we'll have to move our cars by noon.

Back to back speeches tonight from the President and the Massachusetts Governor. Which message will be more encouraging? Any comments?

The Celtics and Bruins may have lost, they were down but not out! So 2, the real estate business..it's still alive.

Today, we're starting the 2009 season at Annex Real Estate School with morning and evening Real Estate Salesperson classes.

We're starting the 2009 season today at http://AnnexRealEstateSchool.com with morning and evening Real Estate Salesperson classes.

We will be teaching the January class of the Massachusetts Real Estate Salesperson Course at http://AnnexRealEstateSchool.com starting next week.

Using the new ping.fm

LATEST EDITION OF "YOU" MAGAZINE

Thanks to Mike King, Vice President1st Mariner Mortgage (Phone: 781-760-9268 Fax: 617-801-8081mike@mikekingmortgage.com ) we've received a link to the latest edition of YOU Magazine. There is someting for everyone, mortgage information and a recipe for a Thanksgiving pie. So check it out!

Marketing and Technology Fair at Plymouth and South Shore Association of Realtors

I'm realy excited about the upcoming Marketing and Technology Fair which will be held on November 13th by the Plymouth and South Shore Association of Realtors. This function, which is open to Realtor and Associate members, features three speakers and a trade fair. Mike Cutlip from the Massachusetts Association of Realtors will address Social Networking for Realtors. Bob Mitchell from Home Center Sotheby's will show you how to improve your listing's pictures, inside and out. Nelson Zide from ERA Key Realty will talk on Generating NOW!! Business.
The booths at the trade fair will feature local and national vendors whose products and services may enhance the Realtor(R)business. You can check it out and pre-register for this event at the PASS website.

Massachusetts Association of Realtors Holds Annual Convention

I'm back from two days ( September 22, 23) at the annual convention of the Massachusetts Association of Realtors. This year's convention was held at the Worcester Conference Center. I'm not sure of the exact figures, but I did hear from one staff person an estimate of 600+ (?) registrations.


In addition to attending the Trade Fair (I was there on a mission, which I will explain), I had the opportunity to attend sessions on technology for the real estate profession as well as the real estate market in today's economy.


As this year's chairperson of the Marketing and Technology Committee at my local Realtor (R) association, the Plymouth and South Shore Association of Realtors, I was hoping to recruit some vendors for our own trade fair. This event will take place in Pembroke on November 13, 2008. We are looking for vendors whose product or service is consistent with the Marketing and Technology theme of the Fair, and it looks as those we will have some of these vendors at Pembroke. I'll write more about the convention in another post.

Update on FHA Loans

With all the excitement about the financial market, I almost forgot to post some intersting news about an event at our office, Century21 Annex Realty. We had William McCarthy, from Wells Fargo, give a very informative presentation on current FHA loans that available to the home buyer. It appears that many buyers and sellers could benefit from today's FHA program. Good buyers who do not have 20% for a down payment may still qualify to get a reasonably priced home. You can reach Bill at William.McCarthy at WellsFargo.com or contact one of our agents at Century21 Annex Realty.

Mass Real Estate Saleperson Classes and Cont. Ed Classes @ Annex Real Estate School Oct 2008

As the real estate market is recovering, there is the need for new, enthusiastic real estate people to make it happen!

You can start your real estate career by taking the Massachusetts Real Estate Saleperson Class at Annex Real Estate School and then passing the state examination.

At Annex Real Estate School, conveniently located in Quincy near the Wollaston T stop,
the Fall season continues on Tuesday, October 7th.
Day and Evening, Massachusetts Real Estate Salesperson classes are being offered in the traditional, easy paced, 8 lesson class that runs on Tuesdays and Thursdays. You can select the DAY program which meets from 9 am to noon, or the EVENING program which goes from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm. Start on Tuesday, October 7th.

Whether you elect the DAY or EVENING program, you will receive the same quality, state mandated 24 hours of classroom instruction that is a requirement before taking the state examination.

If you want a faster paced class, sign up for the intensive WEEKEND program that will start at 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm on Friday evening, October 17. The class then continues 8 am to 6:30 pm, on Saturday and Sunday, October 18th and 19th.

Class availability depends upon enrollment. Class size is limited to maintain class quality. Pre-enrollment is a must.

The cost of either program is still only $200, which includes two books and class material. (Annex Real Estate School uses professional books rather than someone's "class manuals").
Your class will be taught by experienced Massachusetts Real Estate Brokers who are also state Approved Real Estate Instructors. It's not too early to register for these classes.
You can read more about the whole process at this Massachusetts Real Estate Information
site. Or, go directly to the school's WEBSITE

Massachusetts licensed Real Estate Salepersons and Brokers will have the option to apply for an interview at our associated real estate office.


Already Licensed? A special weekend of Continuing Education in October is now posted on the Annex Real Estate School WEBSITE. You can get all of your state mandated hours in one weekend, Saturday, October 11th and Sunday, October 12th. Take all 12 hours or just as many as you need.

Annex Real Estate School
49 Beale Street (near Wollaston stop on the T Red Line)
617-773-2576

It Get's Even Better: Banker says, "Now people are going to actually have to have a job to get a loan.."

In yesterday's (September 18, 2008) online version of the New York Times, Louis Uchitelle wrote an article "Pain Spreads as Credit Vise Grows Tighter".

In the article, he quotes Bradley E Rock, Chairman, President and CEO of Bank of Smithtown, Smithtown, NY (L.I), and current Chairman of the American Bankers Association, "Now people are going to actually have a job to get a loan and they are going to have to make installment payments that are actually higher per dollar borrowed than they used to be,"..

Uchitelle has this to say: "The winners so far are the Brad Rocks of America, the bankers who have emerged unscathed, their capital intact and with enough retained earnings to support lending, on their terms. A residential mortgage from Bank of Smithtown requires 20 percent down and clear evidence of adequate income to repay the loan, as well as a good record of paying down debt. "

Then, as a further comment: "Bank of Smithtown specializes in small businesses — the stationery stores, pizza parlors and pharmacies of eastern Long Island with annual revenue of $2 million or less, regularly in need of bridge loans, for example. During the credit boom, Mr. Rock said, many of these business owners went to lenders who required, as he put it, nothing more than a tax ID number to qualify for a loan. [Emphasis added]
“Now many of these lenders are gone,” Mr. Rock said, “and the small-business borrowers are coming to us, and we are doing good old-fashioned underwriting, and the result is that fewer people are getting loans.”

Also, in the same piece in the New York Times, there is also an example about loans in the trucking business:" “The banks were giving loans for the full value of these trucks and the value was falling, and the truckers found themselves owing more than the trucks were worth,” Mr. McCormack said. “They found themselves forced to keep driving or let the banks repossess, and many have elected repossession.” In the Times article, Mr. McCormack is referenced as being the operator of an online site called truckertotrucker.com.

So let's see, not only were loans made on homes, but also on businesses and on personal property (trucks), with the same lack of standards. And, some bankers, who held to standards are in pretty good shape. Furthermore, traditional Wall Street brokerage firms and insurers are in trouble.

This would seem to emphasize that the real source of the problem is NOT the housing market. IF, the source of the problem is in the housing market, then that's were you would need to find and make the fix. But as you can see, the problem is being worked on in the financial marketplace. They need to stop the rhetoric of blaming housing. That's just where we all live.

They Still Don't Get It

Yet another of many articles on why the housing market is the cause of today's financial market crisis appeared on Yahoo Finance, as supplied by CNN.com.

Let's understand that there are two markets. The housing market is where the sellers and buyers of houses get together to negotiate the transfer real property from one person to another. The financial market is where lenders and borrowers get together to negotiate a loan of money.

The real crisis in the housing market has been caused by financial market. The headlines that blame the housing market, without looking at the real source of the problem are making it difficult, if not impossible for sellers and buyers to get together.

This may seems rather naive. But, as long as a mortgagor, the real estate buyer and borrower, makes the monthly payments on their loan, regardless of the value of the property,there should not be a crisis in the housing market or the financial market.

From what I see, the crisis in the financial market is occurring because of two factors: 1) Loans were made that never should have been. (Have you heard of ninja loans? No Income, No Job, No Assets) So now loans are not being repaid, and 2) the Gamblers who bet on the future increase of value of those loans, have lost their bet.

The loans were made in the financial market, not the real estate market. The bets were placed on Wall Street, not Main Street. Now, we're all losing.

Hm..I remember, not too long ago, when the banks wanted to get into the real estate business and sell houses. The only real opposition they had was from the Realtor (R) Association. This one article in BNET Business Network, from April 2001, is one of many that talk about this issue. Now it looks as though the banks have their wish fulfilled. The banks have a lot of houses to sell.

If this problem is going to be fixed, someone will have to be gutsy enough to fix the way loans are made, and limit the gambling to those who can afford to lose without asking the rest of us to pay.

It's NOT the Housing Market

Today's financial news was dismal, at best. Lehman Bros has declared bankruptcy, insurer AIG is having financial woes, and Merril Lynch is being bought out by Bank of America. The Dow Industrial Average on the New York Stock Exchange, closed at 10,917, down 504 points!

All eyes are on blaming the Housing Market for what is being described at a financial hurricane. I don't see where the blame should be on the 'Housing Market" which is where buyers and sellers meet to exchange real property. Although the recent surge in prices (yes, it seems so long ago that prices were on the increase) was fueled by a pent up demand by buyers and the exuberance of sellers (another familiar word), they certainly could not have done this on their own.

If there wasn't the financing, this couldn't and wouldn't have happened. The experts and commentators on TV and the Internet are looking for an easy scapegoat for today's bad news. It's not the housing market. They should instead take a serious look at the real source of the problem, those that made the loans that shouldn't have been and those that bought and exchanged the paper that those loans created, without really looking, caring or understanding about the value. This was not the housing market. It is a different market where money is changes hands to finance these loans, loans that never should have been. That's where the focus of any correction needs to be.

Final Score:Boston Red Sox 7; New York Yankees 3

As a Red Sox fan, for more years than you might imagine, this score really makes me feel good. Now, I know this may have nothing to do with real estate, but I felt that I had to state it ;)! Also A-Rod's 0 for 5 in this game, which is probably the last time the Sox will meet the Yankees in the old field. "How sweet it is"

I'll probable add more to this posting later....