I Write The Words

Here’s the bottom line:

New agents come into the field convinced that it’s an easy way to earn money and that deals will simply fall into their laps.

Many new agents are not mentored or trained on how to sell real estate or complete the necessary contractual forms.  If you pass the DRE test, you can work as . . . → Read More: Recap About Real Estate and Real Estate Agents

The current status quo is based on the numbers of Realtors®.  Real Estate Agents become Realtors® in order to have access to the lockbox system, the contracts and forms used, educational classes, legal resource, and more.

The National Association of Realtors®, the California Association of Realtors® and the local Association of Realtors® all base the majority of . . . → Read More: The Status Quo in Real Estate

How do agents get paid?  Agents are independent contractors.  In general, they are not eligible for retirement benefits, health plans or vacation pay from the company they work for or contract with.  An agent negotiates their split with the company.  This is the portion of the commission the agent gets to keep in each transaction.  For . . . → Read More: How Real Estate Agents Get Paid

The number of members of the National Association of Realtors® has increased from 976,960 in 2003 to 1,357,732 in 2006 (NAR’s website).  This is a 38% increase in members. Based on the CAR membership information that I pieced together, CAR had 136,977 members in 2003 and 209,459 members in 2006.  An increase of 53% in the . . . → Read More: Who Succeeds in the Real Estate Business?

This is a difficult question.  It is in the Realtor’s® best interest for the market to settle down and for sales to increase.  It is in NAR and CAR’s best interest.  It is in the mortgage companies’ and banks’ best interest.  And to keep the banks solvent and more loans from defaulting, it may even be . . . → Read More: Who Can You Trust in the Real Estate Market?

Real Estate Agents, the National Association of Realtors®, the California Association of Realtors®, and lenders, whether direct lenders or mortgage brokers, all have a motive to make you believe that the market is getting better.  In fact, they want you to believe that the market is better than it really is.

The National Association of Realtors® needs . . . → Read More: Who is making comments about the Real Estate Market

In reality, most real estate agents don’t take the time they need in order to know what is going on in the market.  Most agents treat our area the way the weathermen do, with micro climates.  Higher end areas are one micro climate.  Lower end areas are another.   And the one does not affect the other.

But . . . → Read More: How Much Knowledge and Control Do Real Estate Agents Have on the Market?

For those of you who feel this is probably just sour grapes, I would like to say that 2007 was my best year in real estate.  I completed more transactions and made more money that I had in previous years.

And now you’re wondering:  Is she going to tell us exactly how many transactions?  I completed five . . . → Read More: My Continued Commentary on Real Estate

On September 14, I let everyone know that I am leaving the residential real estate business.  There have been a number of reasons for me to make this move.  Primarily, it is the nature of the real estate business.

Residential Real Estate is a very unusual business.

1.  It is considered a field with a lower barrier to . . . → Read More: Why I Decided to Leave Residential Real Estate Sales?