Every couple of years we have our mandatory ethics classes and every time we are just amazed with the things Realtors do that get them in big trouble. Listing agents that present low priced comparables in order to get a below market property that will sell quickly and buyers agents that give their clients high comparables for quick sales are just a couple examples.  Then there was the commercial agent who priced an estate property with an out of town owner at 20% of market value, had a friend purchase it for him and then sold it for 5 times the purchase price. Then, you have to love it when they try to convince everyone that they "did nothing wrong".  Sorry I don't buy it.  Greed appears to be the driving force behind their poor decision making instead of doing the right thing with hone... 11/24/2008

Hello: My name is Maria Tascon and I finally got the courage to write my first blog.  I am at our Keller Williams office in Greenville Central, and with the help of our very own blogging expert Kirk Westervelt, we are learning how to get up and running in the blogging world.  Stay tunned! Maria Tascon Real Estate Consultant Keller Williams Realty 864-357-1022 11/21/2008

I've become very frustrated because we have not seen any positive results from the Billions of tax dollars given to bailout our financial institutions, and now the Automotive Industry?!  Yes, I agree that our automotive industry, and many others need help.  But all this started with the collapse of the housing industry, so when will we see results? The automotive industry needs to make a lot of changes in order to compete in the world market.  These changes have been late in coming and the fact that consumers are not purchasing automobiles will not change their excessive labor cost and inefficient manufacturing practices. Besides, before the public starts purchasing cars, the Real Estate Industry must get back on it's feet!  So Congress.....When do we begin to benefit? 11/20/2008

In a Shifting Market it is easy to Panic when business turns down.  Many who panic lose focus, become disoriented or just continue doing what they have been doing expecting a different result.  Others evaluate the issues and devise a new plan of action that will net the desired results. They analyze the current market data; take a look at their current practices of prospecting and the results they are currently getting.  They look at their marketing plan and the results it is generating.  They also look at their budget and areas where they can reduce expenses (which should have been done months ago). In essence, they redesign their business plan based on what activities will get them the best results and improve both income and cash flow.  All of this is followed by the most important p... 11/20/2008

Call it lack of knowledge or just a perception, but most home sellers focus on the wrong number; Selling Price.  The misconception is that they believe the difference in selling price minus real estate fees and mortgage payoff is what they will walk away from the table with.  They don't understand that there may be costly repairs for the home inspection, the buyer will likely want a home warranty or that their home needs cosmetic improvements in order to compete with other offerings. In this buyers market there are lots of homes to choose from and most sellers must reduce their asking price one or more times before they sell their home because it is not competitive with other offerings.  Is this because we have set the wrong expectations and they are focused on the wrong number? We beli... 11/14/2008

Every morning I read "Lowe's Daily Real Estate News".  It's full of articles, opinions and ideas, many of which are very useful.  Yesterday I read an article by Scott Einbinder which I believe tells the story and offers solutions to today's Real Estate Problem. Scott relates the subprime issue (brought about by 5% of the population defaulting on their mortgages) to the problem of non-professional, non-productive, poorly trained and even unethical agents that have placed the industry just below the perception of lawyers and used car salesmen.  He urges a cleansing of our industry and suggests that now is the time to do it. We are very passionate about our profession.  We believe the standards we must meet are very similar to Attorneys and Investment Specialists and our liability is certa... 11/13/2008

We often get feedback from agents who have shown our listings with comments like these: •·         They didn't like the wall color in the Bedrooms •·         They thought the green carpet was ugly •·         They did not like the Wallpaper •·         Did not like vinyl floors in bedroom Who's showing this house anyway? Vanna White?....Here's the kitchen.  Here's the bedroom.  Here's the Master Bathroom. We've all shown "ugly" houses, but when this happens with us we focus on floor plan, location, condition and livability for our clients.  And we always ask, "If we could eliminate your objections (the ugly stuff), would this house work for you and your family?" We know this isn't easy; but if you can get them to look past the cosmetics and focus on the home the way they would want it, yo... 11/13/2008

Great Empires have been built in the Real Estate Industry.  In days past the Realtor who controlled the listings controlled the market.  They were ruthless and hungry much like the Saber Tooth Tiger.  They roamed their area finding their next meal and protected their territory.  They were great hunters and others were not allowed to enter or have knowledge of where they hunted. Then there was buyer agency and they had to let others in.  They were not hunters; they were gathers and represented those looking to purchase a home.  They were however giants who grazed the land much like Dinosaurs.  They did not allow others in their territory to seek food and water or to know where to look. In their time they were mighty beast that ruled the earth.  Then came the Internet!  It allowed other r... 11/12/2008

We have started an aggressive program of working with Custom Home Builders.  Before we started we interviewed a number of top notch builders in our region to try and find out what type of relationship they had with their Realtors, and more importantly, what type of relationship they wanted to have. We were amazed to find that their Realtors were nothing more than Order Takers.  Their relationships all started during the good times, ‘build it and they will come'.  They did their normal listing stuff (most not so good) and the houses sold.  With the shift in the market the builders began to realize they needed more.  The builders would select  the subdivisions they wanted to build in, decided what type of home to build and how to finish it out and the price range in which to build with no... 11/12/2008

We're all Independent Contractors trying to scratch out a living in a down market.  It's competitive.  Fewer buyers and your listings are staying on the market for a much longer period of time. We received a call from a potential buyer who had an interest in several of our listings he had seen on our website.  He was motivated and qualified.   GREAT!  He selected two of our listings he wanted to see, but had several others he was interested in.  We reviewed the MLS info with him and he narrowed down his selection to 6 homes.  We then asked, "Are you working with another Realtor?"  He said he had worked with another realtor but had not signed any agreement.  Upon further questioning he said he had purchased a lot and was going to build until he got the new construction prices and decided... 11/11/2008

in Orlando Florida. Tomorrow is the last of her 35 radiation treatments for breast cancer. I speak with her every day (long distance...for almost 4 years now since I moved away) even if we speak for only 5 minutes. I can't believe she has been such a trooper through all this. She has kept the best of spirit in her mind and her actions. I'm certain her faith in God has pulled her through this also. The nurses and the patients that are regulars at her treatment time actually look forward to and enjoy seeing her every day and are very sad to see her completing her treatments. Of course... they are happy for her,... but sad for themselves. They will miss her visits. (She's kinda like the "life of the party" figuratively speaking). She is always making them smile in spite of such a serious t... 11/08/2008

THE ELECTION IS OVER!!! And since I don't speak on Politics or Religion... I will end it there. Now everyone is wondering what will happen next??? Just have to wait and see. As for the Real Estate Market I certainly hope we see some positive movement in the near future. One huge obstacle is past so lets get "moving" folks!!! Nance Burdette Keller Williams Realty Spartanburg, South Carolina nance@nanceburdette.com www.NanceBurdette.com    11/07/2008

We are very fortunate that our son Nate joined our team a couple of years ago.  As with many of his generation, he is very technology oriented as well as a great Realtor.  As Chairman of our office Technology Committee, he has been seeking out ways that we can incorporate technology into our business.  He was one of the first in our office to find Active Rain and learn how important it is to our current and future business. Many of the opportunities he finds are either free or very low in cost (compared to the $$$$'s per month we were spending in print media promotion).  When he finds these opportunities he first brings them to our team for evaluation, which gives us some advantage over others in our office, but mostly gives him a proving ground for the new opportunities. For us, this r... 11/06/2008

Most of you have been forced to reduce your marketing budgets and perhaps cut some of the activities that seemed to work in the past.  The flaw here is, "Did they really work or was it just the market conditions?"   In past markets, you may not have had to seek out motivated clients.   Long term activities, like marketing; made the phone ring.  However, in today's market the motivation to buy or sell may have disappeared. If you are to remain in business and be poised for the upturn you must convert your activities to prospecting with minimum efforts in marketing.  You need clients now and you have fewer dollars to throw into these activities.  It all starts with your budget. •·         Be honest with your anticipated earnings. •·         Search for ways to attract both buyers and selle... 11/06/2008

Every family has at least one...one member who stands out from the others by reason of their talent! Our Grandmother had six children,those children had families and as a result I had 21 cousins. Peggy was one of them.  She and I were only a few years apart and while we did not see each other often...we shared a comfortable bond. Peggy was always a bit of a Bohemian....marching to a different drummer. What stood out about Peggy was the fact that she took all of her life experiences and infused them into her Art. I have always admired that ability. I think that is why her projects are so intriguing. Several years ago Peggy did an exhibit that included a piece called "She Told Me Where To Find Them". It was dedicated to me and her memory of my showing her how to find Salamanders in the w... 11/03/2008

For those of you who don't play golf, this still makes sense.  Of all the sports; golf is the most like Real Estate and here's why: You don't have a salary.  In order to get a check each week you must compete at the highest level.  There are no guarantees. Although you are the one that has to execute the shot, you surround yourself with coaches and trainers who help you with the physical as well as mental parts of the game that keep you at your highest level and focused on the job at hand. Each professional golfer has a caddie, who is not only an inspiration and friend, but also the one who keeps you on track from shot to shot. In order to reach the highest level, you must be committed to success and disciplined.  You must evaluate each shot and decide which course of action will bring ... 11/02/2008

Real Estate is a seasonal business, and many agents take the downtime to spend with family, take vacations or just relax.  There are fewer buyers and those who want to sell their homes but don't have a time frame will wait until after the holidays to put their home on the market.  So, relax. Not exactly!  Now is the time to kick it up.  While other agents are resting it is a great time to build relationships that will lead to new clients next year (or sooner).  Contact expired listings who are waiting for the New Year to put their homes on the market.  Offer your services to preview their homes and recommend improvements to get their home show ready.  Update your sphere of influence on current market conditions and expectations for next year.  Remind them that referrals are the key to y... 11/02/2008

This has a "kick" to it and is packed with flavor. 2 cups diced peeled pitted peaches (about 1 ½ pounds) 1 cup diced unpeeled English hothouse cucumbers ¾ cup diced red bell pepper 1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro 2 tablespoons fresh line juice 2 tablespoons apricot preserves 1 teaspoon chopped canned chipotle chiles  Mix all ingredients in a medium bowl.  Season salsa to taste with salt & pepper.  Salsa can be prepared 2 hours ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Stir to blend before serving. 11/01/2008

Here's another great salad that is easy to make and has lots of flavor.  Hope you enjoy! 1 bunch of broccoli cut into small flowerets 1 cup craisins (the cranberry/raisins) 1 cup sesame sticks 5 tablespoons bacon bits 1 small Vidalia onion chopped Dressing: 1 cup mayonnaise ¼ cup sugar 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar Mix all dry ingredients except the sesame sticks.  Add dressing & sesame sticks immediately before serving.  Serve Cold 11/01/2008

We love to cook but we also love recipes that are really good and "do ahead."  This is a great salad that serves a lot of people that you have to make the night before.  How many salads can you do that with??  I think you'll really like it and with the holidays coming up it may come in handy. 1 head lettuce, torn into small pieces (or mixed greens) Green Onions, chopped 1 (8 oz) can of Water Chestnuts ½ (thinly sliced) Red Bell Pepper 2 stalks celery (chopped) 1 (16 oz) frozen green peas ½ lb cooked and crumbled bacon 4 boiled eggs peeled & sliced Tomatoes sliced 2 cups mayonnaise ½ cup Parmesan Cheese 2 teaspoons sugar 1-teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon garlic powder  Directions:  In clear glass bowl layer lettuce, onion, water chestnuts, bell pepper, celery, and frozen peas.  In a medium bowl... 11/01/2008