I came across a great tool for your use in your real estate office/business. It's called the Estate of Mind's Home Economics, a color wall chart outlining the history or real estate prices and trends. It seems everyone is down on real estate right now, but when you put it in perspective, real estate is still the corner stone of the American Dream. Real estate is a long term investment and over the long term real estate has always performed well. I bought one for myself and I love it.

You can order smaller handouts as well. This would be great to show to buyers when you get the question, "is now the time to buy?" Here are some of the highlights.

• For 43 years, real estate values have risen at more than 6%
• The average return on a 20% down payment is more than 28% per year
• The media has sensationalized the "bubble" idea as values have not exceeded their historical trend line.
• Values did rise quickly, but that was after 20 years of below average growth
• Mortgage Rates are near all time lows
• Inventory is higher than normal but nowhere near historical peaks
• The US population continues to rise and with it, so does the need and demand for housing
• Housing values have risen through all six recessions in the past 43 years
• Housing values have risen through wars, stock market crashes, terrorist attacks, corporate scandals, oil embargoes and even when mortgage rates peaked over 18%- rates are now below 6%

The information will keep you very interested. When you read it, think about how your Assist-2-Sell office fits with the long tail.

Many people ask me about blogs, and what all the fuss is about. Below is a video I found with an excellent explanation about blogs and the potential they have. There are some major benefits blogs have. There are millions of blogs out there on just about any topic you can think of. They are written by millions of "reporters" that bring you their perspective on very specific topics. I don't have to follow all the different trends, news stories, web sites, etc., I let the bloggers do it for me.

I like the fact that there aren't restrictions on what blogs can write about. Instead of a newspaper or magazine telling me what stories I should read, I can decide for myself. It's "user generated content" at its best.

Blogging is a excellent platform to tell your story and share your expertise with your customers.

There is so much good information floating round on the internet, but it is difficult to organize and track it all, let alone have time to read it. RSS Feeds are the perfect way to organize info from your favorite blogs, and web sites.

RSS feeds have been around for a while now, but plenty of people have yet to discover them. RSS stands for "Really Simple Syndication," and it allows users to browse quick updates from favorite sites in one place -- an RSS reader -- rather than surfing to each site individually. If you see something you like, you can click through to read more. There are many different RSS readers available for download. The technologically timid aren't out of luck. Yahoo users can receive feeds on their My Yahoo page, and Google users can put RSS readers on their iGoogle home page. Google reader can also be used. 

Setting up a feed is relatively simple and takes only a few minutes. Most sites and blogs you visit (including this one) have an icon or hyperlink that read "subscribe" or "RSS Feed" or something similar. When you click on the link you would normally be asked what service you would like to use to subscribe. Pick the site you are using subscribe.

Below is a link with further instructions.  I have also posted a video with a good explanation.

Setting up RSS Feeds on Google    

A big thanks to Dave Crumby in Phoenix for recommending this book.

One thing I have learned over the years is business is all about relationships. As the saying goes, it isn't what you know but who you know that is important. People like to do business with people they know and can trust. In real estate we like to do business with Lenders, Title Officers, Inspectors, Appraisers, and other agents we know will do the job right.

We also need to establish long lasting relationships with our clients. Establish good connections with your clients and the business and referrals will pour in. The beautiful thing about Assist2Sell is you have more opportunities to serve more clients and establish more relationships.

This is a great book that will open your eyes to the connections all around you.

I recently read an article (below) on Forbes real estate about the 10 best cities for bargain hunters.  The rankings were based on a number of different factors including industry and job growth, foreclosure rates, current inventory, and others.

I believe in most cites, especially ones hardest hit by a pullback, there are bargain hunters everywhere. First time home buyers, people looking to upgrade, investors, etc... Many people have been sitting on the side lines for a long time and are getting ready to move.

So the question is how do you find and service these bargain hunters?  How do you position yourself as an expert for bargain hunters? How do you make sure listings are considered bargains? 

I have a number of ideas but I would like to hear from you.  All comments will be archived and posted on the private section of this blog.

10) Houston, TX

9) Richmond, VA

8) Jacksonville, FL

7) Las Vegas, NV

6) Seattle, WA

5) Phoenix, AZ

4) Charlotte, NC

3) Orlando, FL

2) Raleigh, NC

And the number 1 area

1) Salt Lake City, UT

Happy hunting and I look forward to hearing from you.

Best Cities For Bargain House-Hunters
In these 10 markets, there is healthy job growth, a relatively low number of foreclosures and more houses available than people to buy them.

By Matt Woolsey

Full Story