The Membership Committee reviewed the answers for the April "Tip Us Off" Contest and decided that the entry by 24hrbkr was the winner! Congratulations! You have won a $25 Visa card good anywhere that accepts Visa!
To see the post, click here.
24hrbkr, please email Susan Hansen to collect your winnings! Thanks!
**THE NEXT "TIP US OFF" CONTEST!**
What is the most powerful technology tool that you use to be profitable and how do you use it?
Post your answer to the question in the comments and enter to win a $25 Visa gift card! If you post "Annonymously" (not logged into an account), please sign your comment so that we know who you are! Thanks!
Monday, April 27, 2009
Friday, April 24, 2009
10 Tips for Mastering Phone Etiquette
You use the phone everyday in real estate but could you be turning off potential customers with your poor phone etiquette? Follow these basic strategies to make sure your phone behavior is up to par.
By John D. Mayfield
Minimalism advocate D.H. Mondfleur once said, “Cell phones are the latest invention in rudeness.”
In fact, 68 percent of Americans say they observe poor cell phone etiquette—such as with overly loud conversations—at least once every day, according to a national poll from market research group Synovate.
Could you unknowingly be one of these offenders?
Here are some basic cell phone etiquette rules to keep in mind when interacting with colleagues and customers:
1. Remember who you’re working with. How would you feel if you were having an important conversation with a sales associate, and she broke off the discussion every time her mobile phone buzzed? Your customers are your boss. They want your attention, and you're compensated for the time you spend with them. Block out all other issues while you’re working with them and make sure you give them your full, undivided attention during the appointment.
2. Bluetooth headsets are not meant to be permanent. It’s good to use hands-free devices such as Bluetooth headsets, especially when driving or multitasking—but they don’t have to be affixed to your head 24/7. If you’re showing a property, attending a meeting, or simply having lunch with a client, get rid of the headset! Bluetooth is fine when you’re alone in your office or driving in your car, but try to avoid keeping it in your ear all hours of the day.
Click Here for More Tips on Phone Etiquette
By John D. Mayfield
Minimalism advocate D.H. Mondfleur once said, “Cell phones are the latest invention in rudeness.”
In fact, 68 percent of Americans say they observe poor cell phone etiquette—such as with overly loud conversations—at least once every day, according to a national poll from market research group Synovate.
Could you unknowingly be one of these offenders?
Here are some basic cell phone etiquette rules to keep in mind when interacting with colleagues and customers:
1. Remember who you’re working with. How would you feel if you were having an important conversation with a sales associate, and she broke off the discussion every time her mobile phone buzzed? Your customers are your boss. They want your attention, and you're compensated for the time you spend with them. Block out all other issues while you’re working with them and make sure you give them your full, undivided attention during the appointment.
2. Bluetooth headsets are not meant to be permanent. It’s good to use hands-free devices such as Bluetooth headsets, especially when driving or multitasking—but they don’t have to be affixed to your head 24/7. If you’re showing a property, attending a meeting, or simply having lunch with a client, get rid of the headset! Bluetooth is fine when you’re alone in your office or driving in your car, but try to avoid keeping it in your ear all hours of the day.
Click Here for More Tips on Phone Etiquette
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Why Do the Whole Social Media Thing Anyway?
Effective one-to-one marketing is more than just email," R.J. Talyor states in an article at MarketingProfs. "
Your subscribers and customers aren't always staring at their email inboxes. Rather, they're also posting, texting, watching, commenting, and they step away from the computer sometimes, too."
Because of this, he recommends the development of a broader strategy that reaches today's subscribers wherever they might be:
Start small.
You don't have to create a major campaign based on Web 2.0 tools. Instead, dip your toe in the water with, say, a single effort. "Gauge your customers' interest in communicating via a channel other than email," says Talyor. You might try sending a text message or inviting them to add you as a friend on a social network.
Strategize.
Once you've taken the first steps, expand your efforts. As with any campaign, create a goal and establish measurements for success; you'll likely find that subscribers appreciate contact in the channel that most appeals to them.
Measure.
This might be the most challenging aspect of the exercise. While email has well-established metrics like open rates and click-through rates, channels such as texting may prove more difficult to measure. "Expanding a program across multiple channels requires a more comprehensive look at the conversion funnel," Talyor notes.
The Point: Start a beautiful friendship. Think of today's email marketing as one piece of the engagement puzzle—not the entire picture. "Push forward with that small one-to-one campaign that links up one or more additional messaging channels," Talyor suggests.
Source: MarketingProfs. Click to read the article.
Your subscribers and customers aren't always staring at their email inboxes. Rather, they're also posting, texting, watching, commenting, and they step away from the computer sometimes, too."
Because of this, he recommends the development of a broader strategy that reaches today's subscribers wherever they might be:
Start small.
You don't have to create a major campaign based on Web 2.0 tools. Instead, dip your toe in the water with, say, a single effort. "Gauge your customers' interest in communicating via a channel other than email," says Talyor. You might try sending a text message or inviting them to add you as a friend on a social network.
Strategize.
Once you've taken the first steps, expand your efforts. As with any campaign, create a goal and establish measurements for success; you'll likely find that subscribers appreciate contact in the channel that most appeals to them.
Measure.
This might be the most challenging aspect of the exercise. While email has well-established metrics like open rates and click-through rates, channels such as texting may prove more difficult to measure. "Expanding a program across multiple channels requires a more comprehensive look at the conversion funnel," Talyor notes.
The Point: Start a beautiful friendship. Think of today's email marketing as one piece of the engagement puzzle—not the entire picture. "Push forward with that small one-to-one campaign that links up one or more additional messaging channels," Talyor suggests.
Source: MarketingProfs. Click to read the article.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
President Obama Names Federal Chief Technology Officer
On Saturday President Obama named Aneesh Chopra to the position of Federal CTO. This bio is from the White House press release:
Aneesh Paul ChopraChopra serves as Virginia’s Secretary of Technology. He leads the Commonwealth’s strategy to effectively leverage technology in government reform, to promote Virginia’s innovation agenda, and to foster technology-related economic development. Previously, he worked as Managing Director with the Advisory Board Company, leading the firm’s Financial Leadership Council and the Working Council for Health Plan Executives.
This is a welcome appointment and NAR looks forward to working with Mr. Chopra on issues of interest to Realtors.
Here’s a link to a National Journal article discussing the appointment.
http://techdailydose.nationaljournal.com/2009/04/obama-names-chopra-cto.php
Aneesh Paul ChopraChopra serves as Virginia’s Secretary of Technology. He leads the Commonwealth’s strategy to effectively leverage technology in government reform, to promote Virginia’s innovation agenda, and to foster technology-related economic development. Previously, he worked as Managing Director with the Advisory Board Company, leading the firm’s Financial Leadership Council and the Working Council for Health Plan Executives.
This is a welcome appointment and NAR looks forward to working with Mr. Chopra on issues of interest to Realtors.
Here’s a link to a National Journal article discussing the appointment.
http://techdailydose.nationaljournal.com/2009/04/obama-names-chopra-cto.php
Monday, April 20, 2009
Discounts on Laptops for NAR Members
REALTORS® take advantage of this Lenovo exclusive offer not available to the public.
Lenovo, through its partnership in NAR's REALTOR Benefits® Program, is offering exclusive pricing to all NAR members. Great savings on ThinkPad and IdeaPad notebooks along with all computing accessories.
Free shipping on all web orders. Hurry, offer expires April 30th.
Click on the exclusive savings box on the right of your Lenovo store for further details. Call 1.800.426.7235, Option 1, Ext 3887, or visit www.lenovo.com/NAR today.http://www.realtor.org/mktredir.nsf/pages/LS041509Spons1
Lenovo, through its partnership in NAR's REALTOR Benefits® Program, is offering exclusive pricing to all NAR members. Great savings on ThinkPad and IdeaPad notebooks along with all computing accessories.
Free shipping on all web orders. Hurry, offer expires April 30th.
Click on the exclusive savings box on the right of your Lenovo store for further details. Call 1.800.426.7235, Option 1, Ext 3887, or visit www.lenovo.com/NAR today.http://www.realtor.org/mktredir.nsf/pages/LS041509Spons1
Thursday, April 16, 2009
FAQ's About Ethics and Technology
Craig's List, Ebay, Facebook, MySpace, Blogs, Twitter... The number of ways for agents to communicate with the public and each other is ever increasing. However, so are the number of calls we receive about agents breaking the rules on these sites... Here are a few frequently asked questions about those sites....
If I post a listing on Craig's List, do I need to state I'm an agent?
YES, absolutely! Article 12 in the REALTOR® Code of Ethics explicitly states that you will display that you are a REALTOR® and the brokerage you work for on all advertising. In addition, Idaho Real Estate License Law 54-2053 states that all advertising of listed property will contain the broker's licensed business name.
If I'm selling my own house, and I post on one of those sites, is it still required?
YES! The rules do not change simply because you are listing your own property. You must explicitly state that the owner is an agent in order to meet the "truth in advertising" standard set forth in Article 12. Article 4 in the REALTOR® Code of Ethics also says that you will disclose to buyers and sellers any present or contemplated interest you have in a property that you are buying or selling. Idaho License Law 54-2055 also addresses this issue.
Twitter is like an ongoing conversation with my friends, so the Code of Ethics doesn't really apply, does it?
YES, it still applies. All communication, whether in person or electronic, must meet the standards set forth in the Code of Ethics. Just because it feels like a private conversation doesn't mean that it is, so you need to be careful about what you say (and who you say it about).
As you can imagine, we get a lot of calls from both agents and the public about these issues. When it is brought to our attention, our goal is not to prosecute, but to educate those in the industry about the rules, standards, and obligations that exist.
If I post a listing on Craig's List, do I need to state I'm an agent?
YES, absolutely! Article 12 in the REALTOR® Code of Ethics explicitly states that you will display that you are a REALTOR® and the brokerage you work for on all advertising. In addition, Idaho Real Estate License Law 54-2053 states that all advertising of listed property will contain the broker's licensed business name.
If I'm selling my own house, and I post on one of those sites, is it still required?
YES! The rules do not change simply because you are listing your own property. You must explicitly state that the owner is an agent in order to meet the "truth in advertising" standard set forth in Article 12. Article 4 in the REALTOR® Code of Ethics also says that you will disclose to buyers and sellers any present or contemplated interest you have in a property that you are buying or selling. Idaho License Law 54-2055 also addresses this issue.
Twitter is like an ongoing conversation with my friends, so the Code of Ethics doesn't really apply, does it?
YES, it still applies. All communication, whether in person or electronic, must meet the standards set forth in the Code of Ethics. Just because it feels like a private conversation doesn't mean that it is, so you need to be careful about what you say (and who you say it about).
As you can imagine, we get a lot of calls from both agents and the public about these issues. When it is brought to our attention, our goal is not to prosecute, but to educate those in the industry about the rules, standards, and obligations that exist.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Young Professionals to Tour Aspen Lofts
The ACAR Young Professionals Group is gearing up to tour the Aspen Lofts in downtown Boise on Wednesday, April 29th at 11:30am! For anyone interested in attending, please RSVP to Susan Hansen or Kit Fitzgerald.
In other updates, the ACAR Young Professionals are in the process for applying to be a local chapter of NAR's YPN (Young Professionals Network). We can tap into the resources available and connect with other young professionals across the nation! We are excited to be a part of this great project!
In other updates, the ACAR Young Professionals are in the process for applying to be a local chapter of NAR's YPN (Young Professionals Network). We can tap into the resources available and connect with other young professionals across the nation! We are excited to be a part of this great project!
Gain Seen in Pending Home Sales - Affordability Sets New Record
Pending home sales have edged up, hinting at a possible pickup of sales activity in coming months, according to the National Association of Realtors®.
The Pending Home Sales Index, a forward-looking indicator based on contracts signed in February, rose 2.1 percent to 82.1 from a reading of 80.4 in January, but is 1.4 percent below February 2008 when it was 83.3.
Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said the market is continuing to underperform. “Pending home sales have a way to go for there to be a meaningful increase, but recent increases in shopping activity are hopeful indicators that we’ll see additional sales gains,” he said.
“More buyers are getting into the market to take advantage of stimulus incentives and much improved housing affordability conditions, but it will take a few months before we could see this turn up in measurable sales contract activity.”
Read the release >
View the video >
View Pending Home Sales Index >
The Pending Home Sales Index, a forward-looking indicator based on contracts signed in February, rose 2.1 percent to 82.1 from a reading of 80.4 in January, but is 1.4 percent below February 2008 when it was 83.3.
Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said the market is continuing to underperform. “Pending home sales have a way to go for there to be a meaningful increase, but recent increases in shopping activity are hopeful indicators that we’ll see additional sales gains,” he said.
“More buyers are getting into the market to take advantage of stimulus incentives and much improved housing affordability conditions, but it will take a few months before we could see this turn up in measurable sales contract activity.”
Read the release >
View the video >
View Pending Home Sales Index >
Monday, April 13, 2009
Positive signs surface for Valley real estate market
Can it be...a newspaper story on an improving real estate market...? Here's a piece from today's online Idaho Business Review...
Spring has hit the Treasure Valley real estate market, and home sales are starting to climb.
According to numbers from the Intermountain Multiple Listing Service, in Ada and Canyon counties the number of sales climbed 43.8 percent between February and March, from a total of 363 homes sold to 522.
That number is still down 20.8 percent from the 659 homes sold the previous March but represents a positive change from sales that have been slipping almost every month since June 2008.
Treasure Valley new home sales rose more than existing home sales between February and March, up 58.1 percent compared to 40.4 percent.
Ronda Conger, vice president of Meridian-based CBH Homes, said she thinks the market is turning around. CBH sold 75 homes in March, she said.
“Some people in the valley would say we hit bottom in January as a whole,” she said. With declining inventory, low interest rates, low home prices and the $8,000 tax credit for first-time homebuyers, “we just really look at this as an opportunity to seize the moment.”
CBH is hiring 20 sales associates for the spring selling season and expanding service hours at its five offices in the Treasure Valley. The company hopes to find all 20 new hires at a four-hour job fair on April 16. The job fair will be executed in a “speed-dating” format. For details, go to www.cbhhomes.com.
Spring has hit the Treasure Valley real estate market, and home sales are starting to climb.
According to numbers from the Intermountain Multiple Listing Service, in Ada and Canyon counties the number of sales climbed 43.8 percent between February and March, from a total of 363 homes sold to 522.
That number is still down 20.8 percent from the 659 homes sold the previous March but represents a positive change from sales that have been slipping almost every month since June 2008.
Treasure Valley new home sales rose more than existing home sales between February and March, up 58.1 percent compared to 40.4 percent.
Ronda Conger, vice president of Meridian-based CBH Homes, said she thinks the market is turning around. CBH sold 75 homes in March, she said.
“Some people in the valley would say we hit bottom in January as a whole,” she said. With declining inventory, low interest rates, low home prices and the $8,000 tax credit for first-time homebuyers, “we just really look at this as an opportunity to seize the moment.”
CBH is hiring 20 sales associates for the spring selling season and expanding service hours at its five offices in the Treasure Valley. The company hopes to find all 20 new hires at a four-hour job fair on April 16. The job fair will be executed in a “speed-dating” format. For details, go to www.cbhhomes.com.
ACAR Announces Social Media Contest
Following ACAR's Social Media class on March 31, a few members commented: "This is interesting, but how can I use it to directly impact my business?"
"How can Facebook or Twitter or LinkedIn be employed as ancillary components of your marketing/promotion/client management plans?"
To find some answers to this and other pressing social media questions, ACAR is announcing the first ever "Realtors Using Social Media" contest.
Between now and May 15, ACAR members are invited to submit their success stories on how they are employing SM to enhance their real estate business. Members of the ACAR Communications Committee will review all entries after May 15 and select the top three submissions. These three will receive ACAR's first "Realtor Technology Awards" (currently open to a better title). They will be profiled in our Bulletin as well as on our own social sites.
Additionally, the winners will be featured at the June Agent2Agent meeting and each receive a cash prize of $100.
Watch for more details and contest rules on the ACAR website and in the Bulletin.
Many of you are doing some really creative things out there. Step up and share some. We'd like to appreciate what you're doing on our behalf.
"How can Facebook or Twitter or LinkedIn be employed as ancillary components of your marketing/promotion/client management plans?"
To find some answers to this and other pressing social media questions, ACAR is announcing the first ever "Realtors Using Social Media" contest.
Between now and May 15, ACAR members are invited to submit their success stories on how they are employing SM to enhance their real estate business. Members of the ACAR Communications Committee will review all entries after May 15 and select the top three submissions. These three will receive ACAR's first "Realtor Technology Awards" (currently open to a better title). They will be profiled in our Bulletin as well as on our own social sites.
Additionally, the winners will be featured at the June Agent2Agent meeting and each receive a cash prize of $100.
Watch for more details and contest rules on the ACAR website and in the Bulletin.
Many of you are doing some really creative things out there. Step up and share some. We'd like to appreciate what you're doing on our behalf.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Top Real Estate Dos and Don'ts for Using Facebook
by Arnie Goldberg
Top Ten Dos for Using Facebook
1. Do create relationships by adding friends both personal and business
2. Do update your profile daily
3. Do have a personal aspect to your social identity
4. Do join groups, selectively
5. Do go on the offensive
6. Do engage in discussion board and wall conversations in groups
7. Do become a fan of Nutella if you truly are a fan of Nutella
8. Do immediately change your security settings to fit your preference
9. Do create a fan page
10. Do create a group for your office, other groups or neighborhood
Top 10 Don'ts for Using Facebook
1. Don’t boast about your numbers, or add just for the sake of adding
2. Don’t forget others can see your friends, groups and content
3. Don’t SPAM other users’ walls
4. Don’t release personal or confidential information
5. Don’t submit and run
6. Don’t alter your social identity with inappropriate pictures
7. Don’t talk to masses when you’re intending to talk to just one
8. Don’t take open source, open identity, open Web to mean unfiltered tone
9. Don’t send automated messages, ever
10. Don’t assume everyone cares about real estate
Arnie Goldberg, founder of MKTGUSA.com, is an author, speaker, consultant, trainer and entrepreneur. You can see an example of his social networking on the Smaller Indiana site.
Top Ten Dos for Using Facebook
1. Do create relationships by adding friends both personal and business
2. Do update your profile daily
3. Do have a personal aspect to your social identity
4. Do join groups, selectively
5. Do go on the offensive
6. Do engage in discussion board and wall conversations in groups
7. Do become a fan of Nutella if you truly are a fan of Nutella
8. Do immediately change your security settings to fit your preference
9. Do create a fan page
10. Do create a group for your office, other groups or neighborhood
Top 10 Don'ts for Using Facebook
1. Don’t boast about your numbers, or add just for the sake of adding
2. Don’t forget others can see your friends, groups and content
3. Don’t SPAM other users’ walls
4. Don’t release personal or confidential information
5. Don’t submit and run
6. Don’t alter your social identity with inappropriate pictures
7. Don’t talk to masses when you’re intending to talk to just one
8. Don’t take open source, open identity, open Web to mean unfiltered tone
9. Don’t send automated messages, ever
10. Don’t assume everyone cares about real estate
Arnie Goldberg, founder of MKTGUSA.com, is an author, speaker, consultant, trainer and entrepreneur. You can see an example of his social networking on the Smaller Indiana site.
Tax Break Available for New Car Purchases
Just learned there is a temporary tax incentive for the purchase of a new car, light truck, motor home, or motorcycle during 2009. The deduction is available for the cost of all state and local sales and excise taxes paid on up to $49,500 of the purchase price. The amount of the deduction is phased out for taxpayers whose modified adjusted gross income is between $125,000 and $135,000 for individual filers and between $250,000 and $260,000 for joint filers. The vehicle must be purchased after Feb. 16 and before Jan. 1, 2010. The deduction is available regardless of whether a taxpayer itemizes deductions on their return but can't be taken on 2008 tax returns. For more info contact Bob McNamara, 202/383-1268.
Monday, April 6, 2009
March Numbers - A Preview
Sales jumped 48% in March compared to February (-8% to March 08). One of the biggest Feb. to March increases ever. Could this be the beginning of a gradual ramp up similar to what happened last year (without the big ugly ending of October 08)?
Maybe... Median prices are down 5% from February to $175,000 making this our most affordable housing market in more than 5 years.
Overall inventory is still declining. New construction is 812 units; down from 838 in February.
At the same time, the number of existing homes is 3317; up from 3200 in February. More sellers are recognizing that there is renewing interest and deciding to list. In March we had 10.0 months of inventory available; that's down from 14.9 last month.
Short sales and bank owned properties, "distressed" sales, accounted for more than 40% of the March transactions. "Potential Short Sale" now appears next to 18% of the active listings. REO sales are at 27%. Managing these transactions becomes more complicated daily.
ACAR will be offering the new one-day Loss Mitigation Certification course (LMC) which will equip REALTORS® with the tools to work on the complicated transactions involving foreclosures and REOs, short sales, and auctions. Watch fo the announcement of date and time.
With affordability where it is, this is an ideal time to focus on the first time buyer market. The new IHFA Tax Credit Advance, layered with numerous other programs offered by Boise, Neighborhood Housing Services and others is opening the door of ownership to more of our neighbors every day.
I was at a First time Buyer program Saturday put on by Serenity Real Estate Group. The energy and excitement are there. We just have to do what we do and the recovery will continue.
Maybe... Median prices are down 5% from February to $175,000 making this our most affordable housing market in more than 5 years.
Overall inventory is still declining. New construction is 812 units; down from 838 in February.
At the same time, the number of existing homes is 3317; up from 3200 in February. More sellers are recognizing that there is renewing interest and deciding to list. In March we had 10.0 months of inventory available; that's down from 14.9 last month.
Short sales and bank owned properties, "distressed" sales, accounted for more than 40% of the March transactions. "Potential Short Sale" now appears next to 18% of the active listings. REO sales are at 27%. Managing these transactions becomes more complicated daily.
ACAR will be offering the new one-day Loss Mitigation Certification course (LMC) which will equip REALTORS® with the tools to work on the complicated transactions involving foreclosures and REOs, short sales, and auctions. Watch fo the announcement of date and time.
With affordability where it is, this is an ideal time to focus on the first time buyer market. The new IHFA Tax Credit Advance, layered with numerous other programs offered by Boise, Neighborhood Housing Services and others is opening the door of ownership to more of our neighbors every day.
I was at a First time Buyer program Saturday put on by Serenity Real Estate Group. The energy and excitement are there. We just have to do what we do and the recovery will continue.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Breaking News
The Internet to close on Sundays, effective May 1, 2009.
At the urging of the Secret Service, President Obama has agreed not to use his Blackberry on Sundays. To avoid any temptation, the President has issued an Executive Order, stating that the Internet will be closed on Sundays. It is only fair that if he can't use the Internet, no one else can either. The move was applauded by former Vice President Al Gore (Inventor of the Internet…or was he the architect) as a "green move" which will save untold amounts of energy with computers out of operation one day a week.
In a surprise announcement this morning, Brad Inman announced that his very successful Real Estate Connect conference will be renamed the "InMAN" Conference and will be exactly that, a MEN ONLY event. Brad is referring all women applicants to Bernice Ross's AFIRE (Awesome Females in Real Estate) event. Quoting Brad: "It's time that men had an event to call their own." Shocked by the announcement, Fran Thorsen conferred with Tucson's leading sexual discrimination attorney in preparation for a class action suit.
Century21 announced today that it would be changing its name from Century21 to Century22, to remain on the chronological cutting edge. The Franchise colors will also be changing from mustard and chocolate to green and white, taking advantage of the Green Movement and NAR's commitment to the Rose Bowl Parade.
And speaking of the Rose Bowl Parade,
In recognition of the GREEN movement, NAR has begun preparation for next year's Rose Bowl Float parade in Pasadena. Rather than roses, NAR will bedeck the float in a four-leaf clover motif. In keeping with President O'Bama's energy conservation policies, the float will be powered by green beer.
According to a Nigerian technology company, there is a new breakthrough in the fight against spam. NoSpamo.com has developed software that is guaranteed to eliminate all spam without any risk of false positives. If interested, NoSpamo.com will send you a check for $10,000 to cover the guaranty. You simply send them a money order for $1,000 to reserve your account.
In other news:
Facebook and MySpace are merging. The new entity will be known as either MyFace or SpaceBook. It might develop into two social networking platforms…one for the under 30 crowd (MyFace) and one for the older, baby boomers (SpaceBook).
At 1:53 AM this morning, April 1, 2009, Congress passed the "US in Real Estate" bill, version 2.
As part of a bailout package for lenders, the US Treasury will purchase all adjustable loans (toxic assets) in the country for 25cents on the dollar, and then resell them with the assistance of General Motors Finance for 65cents on the dollar. The bill contained a record 465 earmarks totaling over 500 billion dollars and is expected to save the auto industry and the banking industry in a single move. All profits will be split between the Big 3 auto makers with the principal amount of the loans to go back to the US government, to be allocated to incumbent congressional candidates re-election committees.
Have a great day....
At the urging of the Secret Service, President Obama has agreed not to use his Blackberry on Sundays. To avoid any temptation, the President has issued an Executive Order, stating that the Internet will be closed on Sundays. It is only fair that if he can't use the Internet, no one else can either. The move was applauded by former Vice President Al Gore (Inventor of the Internet…or was he the architect) as a "green move" which will save untold amounts of energy with computers out of operation one day a week.
In a surprise announcement this morning, Brad Inman announced that his very successful Real Estate Connect conference will be renamed the "InMAN" Conference and will be exactly that, a MEN ONLY event. Brad is referring all women applicants to Bernice Ross's AFIRE (Awesome Females in Real Estate) event. Quoting Brad: "It's time that men had an event to call their own." Shocked by the announcement, Fran Thorsen conferred with Tucson's leading sexual discrimination attorney in preparation for a class action suit.
Century21 announced today that it would be changing its name from Century21 to Century22, to remain on the chronological cutting edge. The Franchise colors will also be changing from mustard and chocolate to green and white, taking advantage of the Green Movement and NAR's commitment to the Rose Bowl Parade.
And speaking of the Rose Bowl Parade,
In recognition of the GREEN movement, NAR has begun preparation for next year's Rose Bowl Float parade in Pasadena. Rather than roses, NAR will bedeck the float in a four-leaf clover motif. In keeping with President O'Bama's energy conservation policies, the float will be powered by green beer.
According to a Nigerian technology company, there is a new breakthrough in the fight against spam. NoSpamo.com has developed software that is guaranteed to eliminate all spam without any risk of false positives. If interested, NoSpamo.com will send you a check for $10,000 to cover the guaranty. You simply send them a money order for $1,000 to reserve your account.
In other news:
Facebook and MySpace are merging. The new entity will be known as either MyFace or SpaceBook. It might develop into two social networking platforms…one for the under 30 crowd (MyFace) and one for the older, baby boomers (SpaceBook).
At 1:53 AM this morning, April 1, 2009, Congress passed the "US in Real Estate" bill, version 2.
As part of a bailout package for lenders, the US Treasury will purchase all adjustable loans (toxic assets) in the country for 25cents on the dollar, and then resell them with the assistance of General Motors Finance for 65cents on the dollar. The bill contained a record 465 earmarks totaling over 500 billion dollars and is expected to save the auto industry and the banking industry in a single move. All profits will be split between the Big 3 auto makers with the principal amount of the loans to go back to the US government, to be allocated to incumbent congressional candidates re-election committees.
Have a great day....
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