Posts

Showing posts from 2016

Statewide MLS Is Long Overdue!

This past week an old acquaintance (one I had thought had long sinc e perished) walked back into my life. I must admit that I was not so happy to see him again. To be clear, it is not a person. It is the multiple MLS requirement foisted upon us so that we can merely conduct our business.  I live in Chatsworth (LA County) Right on the border of Simi Valley (Ventura County). My stepson, needed me to rent out his home for him. And, because the data sharing infrastructure we have come to enjoy and rely on is now fractured, I could not represent him properly without joining the neighboring MLS at an astounding cost of over $600 just for the initiation fee! To be clear, I understand the value of competition in relationship to keeping cost down. But, if they accomplished nothing else, CARETS proved that sharing data empowered the local MLS operators to offer more to their clients. This step away from data sharing by this (and other associations), is a major step backwards.  I know that

It Is Not The Size Of The Dog In The Fight...

Those of you who work with me know that it is my passion every Wednesday to go out on caravan. This not only allows me to see some of the most amazing houses the state has ever seen. It also allows me to interact with some amazingly talented agents. These meetings provide the seeds of familiarity. Which are the foundation on which relationships are built. Today I ran across an agent with whom I have enjoyed a casual relationship with for the past couple of years. His company has been in this market place for more then 30 years. Ours just six. His has dominant market share. Ours has good market share. He was just leaving a nearly 10 million dollar listing. I was just entering. And as we passed each other on the walkway I said hi and addressed him by name. He in return asked why I was there. And, stated that this was not a KW type of listing. My immediate response was "why would say that"? At this point he obviously understood that I did not take his comment well. He stut

It Is Not The Size Of The Dog In The Fight...

Those of you who work with me know that it is my passion every Wednesday to go out on caravan. This not only allows me to see some of the most amazing houses the state has ever seen. It also allows me to interact with some amazingly talented agents. These meetings provide the seeds of familiarity. Which are the foundation on which relationships are built. Today I ran across an agent with whom I have enjoyed a casual relationship with for the past couple of years. His company has been in this market place for more then 30 years. Ours just six. His has dominant market share. Ours has good market share. He was just leaving a nearly 10 million dollar listing. I was just entering. And as we passed each other on the walkway I said hi and addressed him by name. He in return asked why I was there. And, stated that this was not a KW type of listing. My immediate response was "why would say that"? At this point he obviously understood that I did not take his comment well. He stut

A LONG LOST LOVE RETURNS

Twenty two years ago, I lost someone who held near and dear to my heart. She left me for greener pastures. It seems that the promise of new found wealth, a bigger home. And, a stage suitable for mega rock stars was more attractive to her then my life long commitment, devotion, and adoration ever would be. When she left, I was devastated. I vowed to never love her again. When her name was mentioned, I turned a deaf ear. She was dead to me. I must admit that in her absence, I sought the comfort that I had come to know with her from others. And while these dalliances were pleasant. They were not the same. About a year ago, I started hearing rumors that she might in fact be coming back. I feigned a lack a lack of interest. But, deep inside my heart was beating with anticipation, that once again we might be reunited. Finally rumor became fact and I was faced with a real dilemma. Should I remain faithful to the one who had provided me a secure, loving relationship. One in which I had f

Anatomy Of A 400 Day Listing

A troubling wind is blowing and the destruction it leads too if left unchecked could lead to a serious black eye for our industry. Most everyone knows that it is our (REALTOR) code of ethics that separates us from other licensees. It is these code of ethics that establishes our conduct, standards of performance and customer care. And, it is our Code of Ethics on which we lean when we seek to rehabilitate an agent who fails to live up to those standards.  Consumers on both sides of the transaction can be hurt. So with that I will (if you will indulge me) lay out for you the Anatomy Of A 400 Day Listing. Keep the listing out of the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) with the intent of securing the buyer        yourself. Historically it has been the "Best Practices" of  the National Association of REALTORS(R) (NAR), and of most MLS service providers that a listing be put in the MLS within the first 24-48 hours of a listing contract being executed. Failure to do so could

Training

Image