It's not a surprise to me, but Texas swept the top 5 spots in Builder magazine’s list of “Healthiest Housing Markets for 2009.”
Houston ranked first, Austin second, Fort Worth third, San Antonio fourth and Dallas fifth.
We have been saying for a long time that we are lucky to be in Texas. For those of us here, I don't think we know how lucky we really are. Sure there are title & mortgage companies going out of business and real estate professionals changing careers daily, but the Texas housing market remains strong and for that we should be thankful! GO TEXAS!
(Reported from RECON online- February 20, 2009)
Showing posts with label Amy Torres. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Amy Torres. Show all posts
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Monday, February 16, 2009
6 Percent is Dead?
Are the days of 6% real estate commissions dead?
Inman is posting an article today about 6 percent brokerages being dead....what do you think?
Here is a portion of the article written by CondoDomain.com founder Anthony Longo
"...the "standardization" and commonality of the 6 percent commission in the industry is dead and 2009 will be the year in which we will see major movement to innovative fee-based business structures."
Here is part on Longo's reasoning:
"As a seller, it is quite possibly a good idea to have your agent tied to a percentage-based commission on the sales price. After all, your agent's compensation is tied to the highest possible price he can negotiate for you. Not bad, actually -- this kind of makes sense.
But looking at it in reverse, as a buyer, the buyer's agent makes LESS commission for negotiating the lowest possible price for you. This is not in line. It doesn't make much sense. Actually, it does not make sense at all."
This makes perfect sense. Why has the industry stuck to the old 6% rule? I think agents like the 6% rule. It simplifies the process- makes it quite easy. I have noticed in the Dallas/ Fort Worth area that many listing agents are adding on a "transaction fee" to their commissions. They are taking the listing at 6% (or in some cases less than 6%) and then charging a $495- $1200 transaction fee. This seems to make more sense to me. Why would an agent spend time and money marketing a listing that is over-priced, never sells and eventually expires? Collecting a transaction fee makes perfect sense when coupled with a less than 6% commission. Maybe this is the direction that real estate is heading in 2009.
What do you think?
Friday, January 23, 2009
My Drop Card by Amy Torres Fidelity National Title
Are you looking for the perfect way to give someone your business card?
Tired of having stacks of business cards in your car, on your desk or in your purse?
Try www.mydropcard.com for the perfect solution. The best part is that the basic package is totally FREE!
How does My Drop Card work?
When you meet someone, you text their email address to "77950" and MyDropCard will send your business card information to them. They deliver by email, so it's saved in their inbox.
Tired of having stacks of business cards in your car, on your desk or in your purse?
Try www.mydropcard.com for the perfect solution. The best part is that the basic package is totally FREE!
How does My Drop Card work?
When you meet someone, you text their email address to "77950" and MyDropCard will send your business card information to them. They deliver by email, so it's saved in their inbox.
Logon today and sign up for FREE!!
Go Green??
THE FUTURE OF GREEN
LAS VEGAS (Real Estate Center) – While “green” may have become little more than a buzzword to some skeptical consumers, some building industry insiders say the vast majority of consumers have embraced the long-term benefits and understand that going green is “the right thing to do.”
At the International Builders Show today, representatives for several home appliance manufacturers were on hand to talk about the future of green as well as their efforts to create products that are more energy efficient.
So what does the future hold?
For Marvin Windows and Doors, it’s all about daylight. Company spokesman Brett Boyum said they are working on products that bring more sun — and the sun’s natural health benefits — into the home.
Energy efficiency gets all the press and attention within political circles, but what about finding more efficient ways to use the world’s water supply?
“In the very near future, water will be a bigger issue than energy is today,” said Omer “Butch” Gaudette.
Guadette, director of trade relations for Whirlpool Corporation, said 97 percent of the world’s water supply is salienated. Two percent of the remaining drinkable water is tied up in polar ice caps, leaving 1 percent for immediate consumption.
To help ensure that 1 percent is used as efficiently as possible, companies such as Whirlpool and Kohler are stepping up their efforts to create more efficient appliances. Among those efforts are waterless urinals and dual-flush toilets.
Does it cost more to be green? Gaudette says no. While some added cost goes into developing energy efficient products, he said consumers will see value in the long run.
LAS VEGAS (Real Estate Center) – While “green” may have become little more than a buzzword to some skeptical consumers, some building industry insiders say the vast majority of consumers have embraced the long-term benefits and understand that going green is “the right thing to do.”
At the International Builders Show today, representatives for several home appliance manufacturers were on hand to talk about the future of green as well as their efforts to create products that are more energy efficient.
So what does the future hold?
For Marvin Windows and Doors, it’s all about daylight. Company spokesman Brett Boyum said they are working on products that bring more sun — and the sun’s natural health benefits — into the home.
Energy efficiency gets all the press and attention within political circles, but what about finding more efficient ways to use the world’s water supply?
“In the very near future, water will be a bigger issue than energy is today,” said Omer “Butch” Gaudette.
Guadette, director of trade relations for Whirlpool Corporation, said 97 percent of the world’s water supply is salienated. Two percent of the remaining drinkable water is tied up in polar ice caps, leaving 1 percent for immediate consumption.
To help ensure that 1 percent is used as efficiently as possible, companies such as Whirlpool and Kohler are stepping up their efforts to create more efficient appliances. Among those efforts are waterless urinals and dual-flush toilets.
Does it cost more to be green? Gaudette says no. While some added cost goes into developing energy efficient products, he said consumers will see value in the long run.
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