What holds you back is not a lack of resources. For even when you start with almost nothing, there is a sure pathway to the goal. What holds you back is not an absence of opportunity. For even in the most desperate situations, there is always the opportunity to make a valuable, positive, powerful difference.Most likely, the thing that holds you back more than anything else is the lack of a firm commitment to move forward. And that's great news, because that is something you can most certainly change.Whatever you truly decide to do, will get done. Where you truly decide to go, you will be.When you decide to, you will find what it takes to work through any challenge. When you decide to, you can take whatever may come and dig the real value out of it.Decide to, and you unleash a powerful,... 01/19/2008

There are a few things that you must respond to immediately. In most cases, though, an immediate response, without taking the time to think it though, can be worse than no response at all. Give yourself some valuable space between what happens and what you choose to do about it. And in that space, use your powerful mind, use your experience, use your perspective, use your intuition to craft a positive, effective response.Lean toward under-reacting rather than overreacting. Not only will you reduce your levels of frustration and anxiety, you'll be able to more effectively handle the challenges that life brings you.Learn to be ok with the fact that something will not be immediately resolved. Then calmly, thoughtfully, carefully and diligently move forward to obtain the most positive, valu... 01/19/2008

Asking for price reductions can make or break a top real estate agent's business. Not only will price reductions quicken the sale while minimizing overhead in a real estate agent's business, but it will also prove to everyone that your marketing systems work. Remember, price is 90% of any marketing plan and the faster you achieve market value, the faster everyone's needs are met.We've all experienced the seller who, no matter how much information is given them including pre-listing sales packages with pricing technologies and the right scientific research showing the exact value of their home, still wants more! What are we to do?All I can do at this juncture is to assume that the right questions were asked prior to and during the listing presentation, and they received information on ho... 01/19/2008

Technology today has the inherit the ability to control what agents do and don't do. When the agent gets a call from the consumer it is more then likely the consumer has spent time on the Internet looking at homes.  It also helps the consumer realize that real state is an ongoing growing business. Today's technology has allowed the consumer to choose homes before seeing an agent. It also allows the agent to spend less time, in efforts finding that consumer a home.  Technology will keep the consumer and the agent connected.  We as agents had better be the best we can be on-line so the consumers call us first.Till Next TimeMatt RatcliffeTeam LeaderKWRBV 01/19/2008

Listen to video. Did you listen to the speech? If you did, did you notice how he pushed the technolgy issues. What I'm wondering is where would our great country be if the moon trip never happened? Where would our technology be? It may have all may have happened, however what did it mean for our country. What I wonder is what will be our next big push that will grow us to the next level of acheviement. I wonder if we do not come up with something, will we get tired of trying to keep up with what we have now or will we grow our future? What we do now will effect our children greatly. The election year is coming up america, choose wisely. Till Next Time Matt Ratcliffe Team Leader KWRBV 01/18/2008

"Many observers expect that the Federal Reserve, which is making$60 billion in short-term loans available to banks and financial institutions through two auctions this month, will move to cut short-term interest rates for a fourth straight time when the Federal Open Market Committee meets Jan. 29 and 30th. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke raised expectations of a rate cut in a speech last week."This was found on Inman News.  Rate cuts will not work when the lender restricts what the consumer has to come to the table with in down-payment.  We have been down the rate road before.  If we are going to restrict based on credit score then the rate does not matter, there will be a complete segment of the market cut out.  It will hurt the refi market when appraisals do not hit.  The same o... 01/14/2008

I wondered how long it would take NAR to show up on the housing industry.  They have finally put up a website that stats some facts that we as agents already knew.  They had some facts that I had heard about, however I understand them now some what better.  We control our industry and it is a great thing to have NAR on our side during these uncertain challenges that we face.  Here is the link that NAR built for the consumer:http://www.housingmarketfacts.com/Take sometime and study the site and help consumers understand what is going on.Till Next Time,Matt RatcliffeTeam LeaderKWRBV 01/14/2008

Thriving in a Shifting Market  The real estate market is always changing. But one thing does not change. In any market, there will always be buyers and sellers - the challenge for your agents is whether or not those buyers and sellers will become their clients. Your agent's success is dependent on their ability to recognize a changing market for what it is - an opportunity to pull ahead of the competition.   In this video, industry leaders Dianna Kokoszka, Chris Heller, Gene and Rebekah Rivers, Kurt and Darla Buehler discuss their proactive approach to using a shifting market as an opportunity to do what they do best - generate leads and convert those leads into closings. Use this video in your next sales meeting and give your agents the tools and confidence they need to thrive in an ev... 01/11/2008

We had another great year here in the Brazos Valley.  Homes in all price ranges sold.  Unit count was about the same, however volume was up another 2-3%.  This has been the trend here for the last few years,  I believe it is one of the reasons that we have faired as well in all of the housing idustry issues.  The university along with the medical center will continue to bring changes to the area.  We look forward to a great 2008.  We see continued 1031 exchanges and land deals.Till Next Time,Matt RatcliffeKWRBV 01/11/2008

Citi looks to secure further $14bn in new capitalWell here we go again, while the politicians fight amongst themselves Rome burns.  I wonder how much this whole financial mess is going to cost all of us in the long run. It is amazing how the oil money runs full circle from our gas tanks to bailing out our banks.  What a ride.Citigroup is putting the final touches on its second major capital-raising effort in as many months, seeking up to $14bn (€9.5bn) from Chinese, Kuwaiti and public market investors, people familiar with the negotiations say.Under the proposal being discussed, the bulk of the money - roughly $9bn - would come from China. The Kuwait Investment Authority would contribute about $1bn, while $2bn to $4bn would be raised through a public placement of shares. The formula is ... 01/11/2008

GIANT WRITE-DOWN OF $15B What is another few billions among friends and foreign countries.  The housing crises will continue into 2008 with more write downs and more bailouts.  If you remember the savings and loan issues, RTC in the late 80's, well here we go again just on a world stage. not just local.  Make a bad loan, foreclosure and now the IRS is forgiving the taxes owed on the home...Wow   Does anybody want tot by a home?  I mean does anybody want to stay in the home until the are above the loan balance or is it easier to walk away from the 100% financing?  What a ride!Till Next Time,Matt RatcliffeTeam LeaderKWRBV 01/10/2008

 $750,000 more funding for the Brazos Valley.  We are into space technology, what a ride.  "StarVision's SpeedStar prototype, which looks like a large silver hockey trophy, uses a digital system to determine a satellite's position. Jacox said SpeedStar can detect the direction a satellite is pointing 10 times faster than existing technology."Source: The Eagle NewspaperWe have had more Federal and state funding in the last few months.  I think it will really impact our local economy.  Time will tell I can not wait to see the results for this next year.Till Next Time,Matt RatcliffeTeam LeaderKWRBV 01/10/2008

Texas athletic director DeLoss Dodds and A&M athletic director, Bill Byrne has agreed to move the annual A&M/UT game back to Thanksgiving Day at the request of ESPN.  The agreement still has been worked out with the Big 12 and the TV contract finalized for the next 2 years.  But expect your Aggies to play on Thanksgiving night after the NFL games are over.  The last time the Aggies played on Thanksgiving day was 1993 at Kyle Field in College Station(my freshman year at A&M).  The teams have meet 60 times in the past on Thanksgiving Day.   There will be plenty of Texas football on Thanksgiving in 2008.  The Dallas Cowboys at 3pm and now Texas and A&M at night. I think this will be great national exposure for the Aggies and our new coach, Mike Sherman!     01/09/2008

Business is not the same as it ever was, or is it.  You are the business I refer to, the agent.  The agent of today had better have a grasp of market conditions, technology and seller knowledge or they will not exist in todays market for very long.  I see the gap between those who know and those who know not growing.  I wonder what it takes to get the agents who do the some old, same old to move forward.  They whine as to their market share is falling but do nothing about it.  The consumer will eventually choose the agent who can make things happen in todays market, and they will choose those who are just like them.  The consumer know more now because of the Internet then some agents.I applaud all the agents who continue to learn and move forward.  The active-rain community is full of a... 01/07/2008

Why Use a KW associate? In our experience, a home isn't a dream home because of its room dimensions. It's about how you feel when you walk through the front door. And the way you can instantly envision your life unfolding there.This is about more than real estate. It's about your life and your dreams. Let our associates help you realize those dreams.Our Difference:Knowledge:Powerful curriculum through Keller Williams University keeps our associates ahead of trends, tools and advancements in the real estate industry.Teamwork:Unlike other real estate companies, Keller Williams Realty was designed to reward agents for working together, to serve our clients better.Reliability:Keller Williams Realty was founded on the principles of trust and honesty, emphasizing the importance of having the ... 01/06/2008

2007 saw a new company appear on the horizon, it was jus a small dot.  In four short months we got organized and put together a great team of agents.  We have ended the year at 43 agents.  That is right, 43 agents have joined our office and have decided to grow their business with us.  We have gone from no market share to 8 in 4 months.  We also had profit in Nov and December 2007.  So what does 2008 look like will we have posted our goals and we look forward to an awesome year.  Our team will grow, profits will grow and yes profit share back to the agents will continue to grow.  I'm glad I moved my family to College Station and I'am very proud of the way in which our agents have jumped on board the bus.Till Next Time,Matt RatlciffeTeam LeaderKeller Williams REALTY Brazos ValleyBryan/Co... 01/06/2008

Agents I know most you did not, however they should have given you a gift.  If they made money last year in most parts of the country it was because agents like you held transactions together and got them closed.  You retooled and learned more about short sales and new finance instruments.  You learned beeter technology skills.  What you did to save the companies was nothing less then historic and heroic.  You are the Hero's of 2007 and I lift my glass to you and yours.I wish you the best in 2008 and I know that with the things you have learned you will do well.Till Next Time,Matt RatcliffeTeam Leader 01/06/2008

When another agent who is not a member of my association of Realtors calls and want me to give them comps for the area where they have found a house for thier client and they are from out of town, I say no.  Here is why.1)  They pay money to belong to their board of REALTORS and so do I.  I do not go and sell property in the area they work, I refer.2)  Our MLS says to only give out MLS information to those who are involved in the transaction and are members of our association.3)  Texas is a Non-Disclousre State.4)  The code of ethics is clear that I work for the seller until I sign a buyers representation agreement with the customer.  When the agent calls me with all the great details of the buyer and the subject properly I could tell the listing agent all about it.Here is what the Code... 01/06/2008

You may have seen these types of listing strategies:1)  I listed the home at the highest price for the area so that I could sell all the others first then maybe with the appreciation that will happen over the next 2-3 year I will sale your home.2)  I took a discounted commission and cooped to my fellow agents on the MLS a fee that was well below poverty level and expect them to bring me a great offer.3)  The condition or smell of the property will not matter to the new buyer because when they move in their stuff it should smell like their home.4)  I know you have been smoking in your home for the last 20 years and that is ok.  You see I think we can turn it into a therapy house for those who want to quite smoking.  We can break that hand to mouth issue and they can just breath the air i... 01/06/2008

Real estate is very much like an airplane flight.  when a plane takes off it uses full thrust to get off the ground, then it levels off for the main flight.  Before it takes off, the flight plan must be filed so that the FAA knows where it is going.  Checks and balances are all over the place on a plane.  Once it gets to where it is going it must land.  Again this process is thought through.Real estate has the same process as well.  You must write your plan and goals for yourself, then implement the plan.  Yes it will cost more to get started then to just keep things going, but that is what your after.  Launch your career then keep it in play. Till Next Time,Matt RatcliffeTeam Leader 01/05/2008