Inspired Real Estate For Today

Several months ago, I conducted an unusual real estate agent interview.  The request for the meeting to explore the possibility of working with my company had come in over the weekend.  The prospective agent had been in the mortgage business and wanted to diversify and enhance his portfolio by becoming a Realtor. 

After we settled down in the conference room, I asked him to fill in some of the details of his resume which he had forwarded via e-mail earlier.  He had an impressive curriculum vitae which included work with governmental agencies, serving as a city manager & his current job as a mortgage lender.  I admitted to being intrigued by his career choices and wondered aloud why he chose to enter mortgage lending & was now pursuing a real estate career. 

After some hemming & hawing...he admitted to me that he was in mortgage lending by default.  The broker he was working with had allowed him to come on board, although he wasn't really supposed to be doing anything which involved other people's money & he was becoming distressed by what he perceived to be inappropriate tactics at his current job. 

 "You see," he confessed, "I'm on probation for stealing funds from the government while I was managing a government lending program."  He continued "I was wondering if I could work for you under your broker's license while I get an understanding of how the real estate industry works."  I stared at him in disbelief & then asked him if he realized that being a convicted felon might impact his ability to get a real estate license in the state of Michigan?  Apparently, the question had not crossed his mind.

This experience provokes many interesting questions.  I was not dealing with an unintelligent individual; at least if his resume was to be believed.  He had already interviewed other brokers, some of whom had offered him a job.  He seemed  confident that the issues he had just admitted to me were not going to preclude his entry into a career that would give him almost unlimited access to credit information & other financial data for unsuspecting consumers.  Why would a convicted felon see a real estate career as a viable alternative after being convicted for fraud & financial theft?  What does the general public perceive the qualifications to become a real estate agent are?   

As the nation's spotlight remains on our industry, the answer to this question is becoming uncomfortably apparent.  Yesterday, ABC News launched a series entitled "The Home Wreckers" in which they will be discussing the negative impact that certain types of real estate & mortgage transactions are having on communities across the nation.  Charlotte, North Carolina was the location on last nights' segment about a subdivision in which 1 out of every 5 homes was in some stage of the foreclosure process. The reporter interviewed a couple who shared an increasingly familiar tale of victimization & loss.  Of course the builder/developer, Realtor & loan officer were all lumped under same assumed header...Home Wrecker.  A follow-up on-line by ABC network, this time set in Chicago, revealed the impact multiple foreclosures are having on the home values of entire neighborhoods.

Earlier today, another scenario juxtaposed itself,and in an unexpected way dramatized the difference in licensing requirements for various professions to serve consumers in the State of Michigan.  In talking with one of my agents today, she informed me about the process that her daughter had just gone through to get a license to be a cosmetologist in the State of Michigan.  Her one year apprentice program had included:  1500 hours on the floor, practising different techniques on clients which included grading on each assignment, constant supervision while she did any transaction which involved a member of the public, 2-4 styles, cuts etc. every week,  and multiple tests which she had to pass before she could take the 2 parts of the State Licensing Exam which included a Practical Exam & Theory. Whew, it makes one tired just to read this...

Contrast the following.  In Michigan,an aspiring agent needs one 40 hour class & the ability to pass the real estate licensing exam within the maximum alloted time of 3 hours.  Then he is free to find a wall in a broker's office of his choice on which he can hang his license before he is "let loose" on the general public.  Let's look at what it would take if the requirements to handle the largest financial transaction that 97% of Americans will ever make was as stringent as the requirements to place a pair of scissors next to your head or hands!

•  Instead of a 40 hour class...try 40 WEEKS of class.  This would be the equivalent of time required to be allowed to sit for the licensing exam. Instead of floor time prospecting for new clients, floor time would be mandated for new agent education!

• Every new agent would submit to an apprenticeship in which they would be graded on the following basic skills:  understanding the legal aspects of real estate paperwork & documentation, writing clear & concise contracts & addendums, classroom exposure to the different types of real estate services including title, mortgage, commercial, appraisal & property management, negotiation skills, prospecting, technology & on-line marketing, business administration, customer service, business communication, marketing, selling skills & time management. These are the skill set that successful professional agents excel in!

• Every phase of training would be monitored by an experienced real estate professional who would give written & verbal documentation of the potential licensees progress.  A passing grade would be required in all these basic skills to be allowed to take the in-house exam

• Potential real estate agents would be required to have 2-3 client meetings a week to practise, under supervision of course, their listing or buying presentation, offer presentation & prospecting calls & contacts.

• There would be a Comprehensive Practical & State Licensing Exam. After passing the in-house exam which would require a couple of days to complete, the State Exam would consist of the examinees demonstrating their skills with a prospective client in any number of potential real estate scenarios & a written exam.

Would this make the real estate license cost prohibitive for many.  Perhaps, but most budding hairstylist aren't wealthy either.  Would it make it more valuable for those who undergo the discipline, training & rigour necessary to become competent...Definitely!  Yes, a poorly trained stylist could do some major damage with her scissors, but consider the damage potential of a poorly trained real estate agent with an improperly handled real estate transaction. Does it make sense that my hair stylist is more adequately trained at the start of her professional career than many real estate agents are after a couple of years in the business?

 © 2007 Audu Real Estate  All rights reserved

http://www.auduhomes.com/  Audu Real Estate provides a comprehensive 1-2 year Mentor training program for real estate agents.  To learn more about this innovative approach to starting or building your real estate career contact us at info@auduhomes.com.  Click on the picture or link to tour the facilities.

*Last note:  During the commercial, I switched to Fox Broadcasting which was advertising America's latest Blockbuster TV program...."Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader" .  I am left wondering...Is the training that many receive in real estate qualifying us to earn more than our barbers & hair dressers?

Copyright 2007 Audu Real Estate  All Rights Reserved

We all know that time passes quickly, but every so often we experience a situation which really brings this point home.  As I opened the door to my office today, she was already there.  Smartly dressed in light weight spring coat, she looked relaxed and smiled brightly as I walked in.  It had been years since we had seen each other & there was so much catching up to do.  After a quick tour of my new office, we decided meet for lunch at a local Italian restaurant.

As we caught up on work & life, she said..."I read your blog about your oldest son.  I can hardly believe he is a senior now?  I remember having lunch with you at the Chinese restaurant when he was nine!"  That was nine years ago!  Was it possible that Sarah & I had not been to  lunch for almost 9 years? Yes, we had touched base occasionally during that time but somehow  we had lost touch professionally.

I had met Sarah in 1995 when I first started my real estate career.  One of my first clients had been pre-approved for a loan through a senior mortgage officer at the brokerage company she worked for.  When he decided to chuck the whole mortgage business aside and return to his first love...truck driving...Sarah was his recommended choice.  The real estate market was just beginning its' boom cycle & Sarah quickly moved up the ranks and then, after a couple of years, out the door to another bank.  Having lost 2 loan officers in the same company in a period of 3 years, I was tentative about following her...and over time, we both moved on.

During lunch, we reminisced about various people who had been a part of the mortgage company, which had now been sold.  One of the owners was now a stay at home mom with 2 adopted kids, & Sarah herself had married and become the mother of a delightful 3 year old daughter.  Although so many years had passed, there was instant connection based on mutual respect & regard for the bond of professionalism we shared.

It was at her company that I had learned the basics of financing which would be so helpful to my future clients.    There was never any doubt that the pre-approval  issued was anything less than a valid promise to fund the loan once a suitable property was found. I never felt that my questions were unimportant.  I was certain that my clients, regardless of who they were or the type of home they were purchasing, would be given a fair and honest evaluation when applying for a mortgage.  Closings were uneventful, the paperwork arrived at the title company well in advance of the closing and clients were not surprised by unexpected costs. In the context of what has happened in the sub-prime markets recently, this type of service remains a shining example. 

I wondered why it had been so easy to loose touch. I think it was a function of simple neglect and the distraction being busy. We used to sing a simple song as kids.  It went like this: " Make New Friends, but Keep the Old, One is Silver & the Other Gold. " I was reminded today that although we will all make new friends and connections, it is important not to neglect relationships which have stood the test of time.   Meeting with Sarah today reminded me of the gold that is present in well established professional relationships. 

• Gold is Rare.  Established professional relationships built on solid foundations of mutual regard and respect are not easy to come by.  They are are rare, appreciate them!

• Gold is an excellent Conductor.  Great professional relationships are able to propel your business to the next level.  Working with solid, honest ethical individuals tends to lead to contacts who possess these same qualities.  Examine the kinds of contacts your professional relationships are generating.  Are they good Conductors, creating Connections which are beneficial and healthy? I can see that connecting with the right people early in my career has had an incredible impact on my business, and I Am Thankful.

• Although Gold is heavy, it is also very soft & malleable.  Solid professional relationships last because they can weather the changes & challenges which are a part of life circumstances....They can carry the weight.  But, they can also adapt and are malleable and able to conform to fit the new needs that situations dictate.  Don't be afraid to explore new ways of relating to old friends and professional contacts.

• Gold does not tarnish.  A strong professional relationship can whether the test of time and allow reconnection in new and interesting ways.  This is why although so much time has passed, Sarah & I reconnected & reaffirmed the importance of keeping in touch.  Reach out & re-establish connections which proved their worth in the past.  Good relationships are not easy to find.

Sometimes gold is hammered into a very thin gold leaf...but in-spite of the fact that it is spread thin and there is not much of it, it retains incredible value in a wide array of applications including being utilized in jewelry & electronics.  This is true in solid professional relationships as well.  As we conversed over a leisurely lunch, I learned about some very innovative loan construction products that Sarah has become a specialist in.  She in turn is coming to a Blogging Seminar that I've invited her to.  So mine your professional relationships for the stuff that lasts...for even just a little bit of gold can go a long, long way!

For further information about the properties of pure gold visit:

The Properties of Gold

 PBS Series: The Gold Rush

Sarah Baar is an Experienced Senior Loan Mortgage Officer with Founders Bank & Trust in Grand Rapids, Michigan.  She services a wide variety of loan products and Specialises in Construction Financing.  Contact her at sbaar@foundersbt.com for all you mortgage and lending needs.

*Post has been entered in the Eco All Stars Contest 

My first passing glimpse across the lens of environmental awareness occurred in college. The biology lecture was on stewardship...stewardship of the earth.   It had never occurred to me that we were the earth's caretakers and that one of our primary missions was to be proper stewards of its resources.  The idea was thought provoking but also overwhelming.

According to Miriam Webster's dictionary, a steward is: "one employed in a large household or estate to manage domestic concerns (as the supervision of servants, collection of rents, and keeping of accounts."   When I googled the term "stewards" on-line, I was surprised to see how closely this word has become associated with the "green" movement and environmentally responsible home design.  It makes sense, after all that the earth is the biggest "home" we all currently occupy.

Improbably, it has been our kids who have most actively engaged our conversation about conservation issues..  Perhaps, because they are witnessing an acceleration of chaos which is at least in part due to our inattention as a society to the proper care and feeding of the earth.     

Getting high-school boys to talk about most things can be a challenge.  So, I was quite surprised by the passion they expressed about green issues.  My oldest, a senior feels very strongly about the need to recycle aluminum and plastic because they take forever to degrade.  He thinks that it is wasteful not to carpool when you can.  I was genuinely surprised when he said this, " Mom, it's important to get as much garbage as you can into the trashcan, plastic takes forever to breakdown.  Now...I'm sure that comment was MORE about taking GARBAGE out less frequently; not just out of concern for the planet!   But their interest and concern forces me to think and examine my actions.

The passion of a couple of Gen Y kids has put a different spin on the green discussion for me.  I don't see the green movement  as a series of rules as much as I view it as a shift of paradigm.  If the green movement is simply about actions which are deemed environmentally sound, we may fall short of all that is inherently possible in creating an environment that sustains, nourishes and replenishes life.  Yes, justice &  survival demand that we address issues which devastate life such as the deadly effects of asbestos, lead, radon and black mold. Our quality of life in the future will be largely impacted by our success in debunking the lie that compartmentalizes profits and environmental concerns as unrelated entities.  They are not.

But I think expanding our paradigm of the green movement might be useful and bring a deeper level of intentionality to our actions.  Green is a state of mind as well as a place of action.  Green is a community that is sustained because it honors the fact that it is inexorably intertwined with the success and the distress of others.  Green is re-using and recycling clothing which is perfectly good rather than throwing it away. Green is getting out the dinner plates and engaging in conversation with your family rather than always succumbing to the convenience of a disposable TV dinner or Styrofoam plates.

Green goes beyond purchasing the right home and making sure we are not surrounded by toxins.  Green is loving ourselves and our neighbor enough to limit our conspicuous consumption.  Green is appreciating the earth that surrounds us whether in little patches between the blocks of sidewalk in cityscapes or along stretches of highway which are litter free...because people understand that green is about each of us acting responsibly in the disposal of our trash.

Green is opening the windows to allow the cool breeze to drive out stuffy air from our energy efficient homes.  Green is walking the neighborhood, not always driving it.  Green is evaluating how we use energy and being conscious of little things we can personally change to be more efficient.  Green is about the little things...because everyone's little bit counts.

I think Gen Y will go much further in their holistic understanding of the earth's stewardship than we have ever imagined.  It will affect how they address everything, including how they live in and purchase homes. Perhaps, it's because they understand it's their future at stake.  Baby Boomers have just begun to explore this concept and we are still putting together the knowledge base which addresses the actions of irresponsibility.  But for the profound reorientation needed, this concept  will need to be more fully developed.  Unlike me, Green for my Gen Y kids is a matter of principle, not theory.

Gen Y are a breed apart, the largest generation to follow the Boomers, they are rapidly re-shaping our world.  I can certainly vouch for them re-shaping mine.

For further reference about creating a sustainable planet, visit this site Global Stewards, Environmental Tips for Individuals.  What's great about this resource, is that it is a comprehensive list for all sorts of little things you can do to be more environmentally astute.  You may find that you are doing more than you thought...and you may get ideas to assist you in doing a little or a lot more.

© 2007 Audu Real Estate  All rights reserved

From time to time, I work with clients who are having a really difficult time leaving a home.  Sometimes, it is a home that they have lived in for decades which holds a lot of precious memories.  At other times, circumstances have changed; perhaps a job transfer which necessitate a move.  It is a really difficult thing to be dealing with the normal stress of showings and a move and also wrestle with the fact that deep down inside...you're not really ready to leave...just yet.

Over the years as I've counselled with my clients, I've realised that there are a number of reasons why people struggle to let go of a dwelling...even when they know they must.  One of the biggest issues is fear of the future and the unknown.  Other times, it is the feeling that by leaving, they will be separated from special moments that were a part of this special space they call "home".

Here are a few simple suggestions that many of my clients have found very helpful. 

Practical Solitude

Set aside some time to alone & quiet within your home...quiet your heart, be still.  Turn off the TV, listen, hear and re-live special moments.  Look, really look at your home the way you would look into the face of a dear friend.  Relish the moments that have been shared, the laughter, the tears, the good times, the bad...Listen to hear things that may still need to be resolved.  In the stillness you will hear this as well.  Take note

Thanksgiving

Express gratitude outloud.  Yes, these walls have heard a lot of things during your time within them. Why not your thanksgiving? 

Thank out loud for the goodness & provision and shelter that your home has provided you.  Thank out loud for the many friends and family members who have found solace, refuge and friendship within it's walls. 

Thank out loud for the difficult lessons learned and the trials you survived.  Thank out loud that you and this home exist...many homes and people no longer do. Thank out loud that your home will soon be transferred to new owners who will be the beneficiaries of the shelter your home has faithfully provided.

Release the Blessing of Peace

A final step is to release the blessing of peace.  I suggest that you go through each room, thanking silently or audibly and then releasing God's peace into the space in preparation for the new owners.  This can be a wonderful time to envision the blessings that you desire for the welfare of those who will purchase your home. 

Different blessings can be released for different areas.  For instance in the kitchen, you can release wholesome goodness in the food that is prepared & bless this center of life to be a place in which the family or individual experiences the joy of friendship and satisfaction. Remember we all reap what we sow.  What you are doing for others will eventually be returned in some fashion back to you.

Many have found these few simple steps to be very helpful as they prepare to move.  Even if it is not a difficult move emotionally, this process can be extraordinarily enriching.

Readers of my Blog may remember a series I did about the challenge of finding land to build a home with some proximity to Lake Michigan entitled "Transformational Transactions" Parts 1 & Part 2.  Well, Joel the Builder delivered. Ed & Penny just recently moved into their new home!  Last week, I had a delightful lunch with Penny.  She & Ed are settling down finishing unpacking and she sent me a few pictures to show how beautifully things are taking shape. 

So much has happened in Penny's life over the past 2 years.  She & Ed moved to a completely different part of our state (from the Detroit suburbs to West Michigan), built a new home and Penny is now engaged in opening her own Interior Design business.  I'm so thankful to have had a small part in the enfolding of this beautiful transformational transaction!   We all changed and grew through this process.  The best part is that special friendships were formed.

The beauty and serenity of Ed & Penny's New Home is evident in the interior pictures framed against the gorgeous backdrop of wooded terrain.  I also discovered another talent that Penny has; she loves to write.  Penny has been gathering material and is in the process of launching her own blog to share her wisdom and creative ideas about staging.  I look forward to reading Penny's blog posts on Active Rain in the days ahead and seeing some more of Ed's photographs of the Lake and nature.

Affording a home is one of the biggest challenges facing new home buyers.  The median income in 2006 for US families was $59,600. A CNN Money.com article by Les Christie quotes  National Association of Home Builders President David Pressly as saying, "40.4 percent of all new and existing homes sold during the third quarter were affordable to families earning the median." 

In a related January 2007 news release by the National Association of Realtors for housing projections for the year 2007, NAR Economist David Lerah indicates that the market will steadily improve during the year after what he terms a "soft landing" for the industry in 2006.  The national median price for all housing is expected to rise 1.5% to $225,300 while the increase in new homes is expected to rise 3% to $248, 900.

During her term as First Vice President of the National Association of Realtors (NAR), Pat Vregdevoogd Combs who hails from Grand Rapids, Michigan and is now the 2007 President of the National Association of Realtors commented on the third annual National Housing Opportunity Pulse survey: "The survey sheds new light on the conditions that encourage people to support affordable housing," said Pat Vredevoogd, the first vice president of the National Association of Realtors, which sponsors the study. The NAR's hope is that the research will serve as a guide to local officials and give them "them the politcal will to do what the people want".

She's absolutely right!  People want and need affordable housing.  Results of the study  found that more than 70 percent of the respondents would support building more affordable housing if it made for more efficient use of their tax dollars for public services, did not hurt local property values, did not contribute to overcrowding in schools, or did not further exacerbate clogged streets and highways. In view of these results, it is noteworthy that Grand Rapids, Michigan is considered one of the most affordable major metropolitan areas in which to live in the United States. 

 The CNN Money.com article indicated that last year the median price of a home in Grand Rapids, Michigan was about $128,000 which is affordable by over 80% of the population. I did a March 2007 search which revealed that the median price for homes within the Grand Rapids school district are now $115,000 according to the Grand Rapids Association of Realtors database. If you're an investor,Grand Rapids, Michigan is definitely the Best Bang for Your Buck.  With good schools, a diversified economic base, low crime and high ratings on the quality of life index, this is definitely a community you should check out!  As a homebuyer, low interest rates and excellent inventory levels in most communities in and around Grand Rapids, Michigan make this a great time to get an excellent value on a home.

Are You Looking For New Listings that are Affordable Great Deals to Rent or Buy in Grand Rapids & Surrounding Communities?  Check these Out!  We have included several surrounding communities as well such as: Grandville, Mi, Sparta, Mi, Cedar Spring, Mi Jenison, Mi, Kenowa Hills, Mi, and  Kentwood, Mi .  Click below for a fully list of homes listed or updated within the past 7 Days!

Homes Priced between: 0 - $50,000

Homes Priced Between: $50,000 - $100,000

Homes Priced Between: $100,000 - $150,000

Find the Latest New Listings Here... 

Yes, this is Access to All New Home Listings as they come on-line!

Call the team at Audu Real Estate to arrange a pre-view tour of any of these homes. (616-791-0511)

Interested in Investment Opportunities in ForeClosure Homes in Kent County

Just another great Value Added Service from the team at Audu Real Estate

Copyright 2007 Audu Real Estate  All Rights Reserved

In the contemplation of spring, a faint stir begins to whisper underneath the blanket of snow.  Unobserved, and unobtrusively, the acorn having shed it's hard shell like a pair of worn out pants prepares to begin it's slow upward ascent. Absolutely dead and lifeless - as long as it remained a seed, it remained powerless. 

Even a squirrel could have its way with the acorn then. It was rolled on, and rolled over, kicked and ignored and finally buried and left alone. 

But underneath the cool shroud of darkness, deep within the earth...life renewed again, imperceptible to the observing eye, the seed became a sapling rooting further downward, excavating the deep rich terrain of the soil to dig deep for the nutrients it will need to burst forth into the sun. 

And we exclaim as awareness dawns..."Wow, where did this come from?"  "We didn't know she had that in her."  Still the sapling knows as it emerges that the road ahead will remain tough.  It can anticipate that there will be storms, rain, and wind, lightning and thunder; trying circumstances which will test its patience to live and remain connected to the life force of the earth. 

 But it has made a choice and live it will.  The suns' caress providing the sustaining energy and inner wisdom to thrive and grow; it will survive. The spindly sapling will conquer the odds for this is what it was born to do...it was born to be an oak tree and the struggle only reveals what was inherent even in dormancy. 

There is no overnight success.  Success is hard fought & hard won.  Perhaps right now, you find yourself buried, counted down for the count, ignored and marginalized...take courage and find strength undercover, it is your protection.  When you emerge, expect opposition...it is designed to strengthen the fiber of your being. 

Look for your teachers, for like the sun, they will be called forth to sustain and encourage you with their wisdom.  Be prepared to be flexible; bend but never break.  To bend is to be humble, to break is to accept defeat.  And you will not be defeated...for the shell of the acorn, like the cocoon of the butterfly merely preserved the dream until it was ready to burst forth into flight!