Inspired Real Estate For Today

2009 is the year to take your knowledge to the next level!  Motivated real estate agents understand that the  challenges ahead carry unique opportunities as well.  What you know and When you know it will be as important as What you do in the year ahead! 

Education is rapidly emerging as a top priorty for real estate professionals because of the enormous challenges in our industry and the business community at large. 

If you're a real estate blogger, you've got a head start.  The knowledge shared on the blogosphere easily exceeds what is available through many local brokerages. 

But, it is always good to supplement online information with good books. Throughout the year, I enjoy reading a variety of books. 

I'd like to share with your some books which have been especially helpful to me.  If they're not on your reading list, you might check them out for 2009!  I've broken up my selections by general subject area, so skip around and peruse at your browsing pleasure. :)

Blogging & Social Media:

Blogging with Moxie by Jeolle Reeder & Katherine Scoleri

This fun book is chock full of helpful tips on blogging.  It's written by two ladies who indicate that they're dishing up the "IT Girl's Guide" to blogging, but there really is a lot for everyone..guys & gals in this entertaining and well written book. I'd especially recommend this book for newbie bloggers...but I definitely picked up some useful tips too.

ProBlogger Secrets for Blogging Your Way to a Six-Figure Income by Darren Rowse and Chris Garrett

If you're been blogging for a while or are really serious about blogging for business..that is making your blog pay you as a business investment, I'd highly recommend taking a look at this book.  I've just recently picked it and am working my way through it...gives you a lot to think about with practical tips and insights.

 

Trend Setters:

Grown Up Digital by Don Tapscott

The Net Generation (defined as those b/w 11-30) is changing the world as we know it dramatically.  It is imperative that real estate professionals understand this generation and the way in which they are re-shaping the context and methods of communication.  If you don't think that you will be affected, your model may already be irrelevant and you're simply unaware...

Nextville by Barbara Corcoran

On the other end of the continuum is Nextville by Barbara Corcoran.  This book talks about the trends impacting another large demographic...baby boomers and their retirement plans.  Written by someone who has had her hand on the pulse of what makes the real estate market tick, I appreciated her insights and engaging way of communicating where she thinks the values and movements of retirees will be trending in the future.

A Whole New Mind by Daniel H. Pink

This book was given to me as a gift when it first came out in 2006.  Since then, I've bought several copies which I've given out as gifts.  It's just that good.  Pink's ideas about the paradigm shift which is occurring and will necessitate that we evaluate our problems and decisions differently is fascinating.  He uses examples for the world of storytelling, design and symphony to engage you in re-thinking your world.

 

Mortgage Crisis & Financial Markets:

When Markets Collide by Mohamed El-Erian

This is an interesting book to read if you'd like to understand more of what is happening in the world of global investing.  As it became painfully apparent this year, what happens in this world can dramtically impact our lives as real estate professionals.

Confessions of a Subprime Lender by Richard Bitner

Reading this book was an eye opener.  Enough said.

 

Consumeritis:

Affluenza by John DeGraaf, David Wann, Thomas H. Naylor

This book really made me think about what drives us to buy to live.  It's a thoughtful book which will cause you to examine your live or more simply put, what surrounds your life.  It's really a book about the stuff of our lives and why this has crippled us as we have continued to strive for more & more & more...

Deep Economy by Bill McKibben

In the real estate industry, we're seeing a shifting focus towards neighborhoods and communities.  Here on Active Rain, Localism was revamped in view of this trend.  Deep Economy explores how local communities and grassroots movements can be mutually beneficial for society and business and sustainable environmentally.  A thought provoking read...

 

Inspiration & Spirituality:

Lifetime Guarantee by Bill Gillham

I read this book in my early 20's.  It remains a favorite as one of the books which most impacted my journey of faith.

The Spiritual Man by Watchman Nee

This three volume series (bound into one book) is one of the most profound spiritual books that I have ever read.  It's not a quick nor easy read.  It took me a year to read it the first time and I've pondered on the depth of truth revealed many times.  Nee's expose of the inner life of man is one of the most exhaustive and exquisitely mapped guides that I've ever encountered.

The War of Art by Steven Pressfield

This book is about the perils of Resistance.  We read through much of it as a group this year.  It forced us to look at the myriad of clever obstacles that we were continually putting in our own paths.  As we enter another year, I would highly recommend this book to jump start your thinking in the right direction.

 

Just for Fun...

The Good Husband of Zebra Drive & all books in the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency Series by Alexander McCall Smith

I love this series!  The story line encompasses the life of an African lady detective whose wisdom and wit have a way of leading her to the root of many of the problems which arrive in her office.  Smith writes with such humor and insight that one cannot resist becoming immersed in the whatever the No. 1 Ladies Detective, Precious Ramotswe is involved in at any given moment.   

At Audu Real Estate, we encourage our agents to invest in their education.  In fact we believe in this so strongly, the company provides qualifying agents with a generous credit towards educational classes on a yearly basis.  An investment in knowledge is an investment in your future welfare.  With the exception of the series, every single book on this list could be obtained for an investment of less than $150. 

Have you read a book which you'd like to recommend.  Please post it in the comments below.  I'm always open to recommendations!  Here's to more growth, insights and inspired learning in 2009.

 

 

 

 

 

 

It's been an interesting day online.  In between doing all the stuff that needs to be done for the holiday celebration which has included: cleaning, tackling the pile of laundry and re-shelving wayword books that have a way of landing in all sorts of nooks and crannies, I've dropped into several live conversations online via Twitter and watched a great Christmas eve service online.

We've got tons and tons of snow over here in Grand Rapids, MI...so it will be a very, very white and cold Christmas.  But, we're looking forward to time with the family and reconnecting with friends.  2008 has been an extraordinary year in so many ways.  There have been moments when I shook my head in wonderment at what was going on.  Yet, I'm thankful for God's grace and mercy and pray for His continued guidance and blessing in your life in the year ahead.

Purchasing a new home is one of the most exciting experiences an individual or family can have.  If you've been out of the real estate market for some time, you may be unaware of some dramatic changes in the real estate market landscape. 

In today's market, there are some unique situations which home buyers should be aware of as they prepare to consider the purchase of a new home.

GOOD NEW FIRST...

The good news is that home buyers in the Grand Rapids, Michigan area will find that they have a bountiful number of choices for a new home purchase.  Inventory levels of homes for sale are at historic levels. 

First time home buyers can also take advantage of some TAX FREE incentives to the tune of up to $7,500 dollars if a new home is purchased on or before July 1, 2009.

HOW THINGS HAVE CHANGED... 

However, home buyers looking for a home to purchase will also quickly become aware of a notation which currently accompanies almost 65% of the homes listed for sale in November 2008 through the Grand Rapids Multiple Listing Service.  This notation which is accessible to the real estate agent on the listing card, will contain an advisory warning indicating that interested parties should be aware of the fact that the sale of the listed home will necessiate a 'Short Sale'.

If you're a brand new home buyer or recently re-entering the market, this notation may prove perplexing and you may wonder...What is a Short Sale?

SHORT SALES IN BRIEF...

Well, in short (pun intended)...A Short Sale notation on a listing card is an indication that the home is priced below the mortgage balance owed on the home. (after costs associated with the home sale are paid)

WHAT DOES THIS MEANS FOR YOU...

Well, it depends. 

On the most basic level, this means that in order to become the new owner of this home, you will have to complete a successful negotiation with the owner (s) of the mortgage note to purchase the home to allow the ownership to be transferred to you for less than the current owner owes.  This adds several  additional steps and required signatures to the offer acceptance process which will now include:  the home owner who signed the listing agreement, the lender (s) and in some cases third party investors.

FOR STARTERS...

But for starters, it means that you should be prepared to be very patient and persistent if you truly want this home.  Short Sales are arguably among the most difficult negotiations to complete.  It is not unusual for real estate agents to negotiate for months to bring these transactions to closure. 

Being prepared for the long haul will save you the angst of increased blood pressure, stress and unnecessary temper tantrums. It will also be deeply appreciated by your hard working real estate agent who will probably accrue more stress than a commission will adequately compensate for.

BASIC STEPS...

Buying a home which requires the negotiation of a Short Sale will also add some additional steps to the home purchasing process.  Be prepared to wait while the bank (s) review the home owners paperwork to determine if they qualify for a Short Sale.  You can also anticipate that a Broker Price Opinion aka Appraisal may be ordered to determine if the bank wants to entertain your offer as one reflective of the current market conditions.

Offer submissions for Short Sales may languish on an Asset Managers desk while they sift through hundreds of files which have landed there before yours or wait to see if a better competing offer comes through.  Be persistent.  If you've done your homework and received some professional consultation from your real estate expert, you should be aware of the Value of your purchase.  A Short Sale negotiation done correctly can earn you your dream home with a significant amount of equity attached...no small feat in today's market.

HIRE A PROFESSIONAL...

Although it's not possible to cover the complexities of the Short Sale process in this short post, you might find the links below helpful as a home buyer or home seller in the Greater Grand Rapids, MI area.  You can also contact us at info@auduhomes to discuss the particular details of your situation.  We specialize in advising clients on strategies to buy and sell property in a challenging market.

Click this link for 15 Additional Articles penned by Lola Audu of Audu Real Estate about the Grand Rapids, MI Short Sales Process.

Copyright 2008  Audu Real Estate  All Rights Reserved

 

Wow, it's been two years already!  Two years since I first posted this. 

Two years since I first stumbled upon the Active Rain Network and wrote a little blog and hoped that perhaps someone, somewhere would read it. 

Two years which went so quickly, that I forgot about my anniversary until...

Todd Clark commented on a post  and wished me a Happy Anniversary...How did he know when I'd forgotten?   AND THEN...

Takara Taylor asked me today,  just how many blog posts I'd written & I couldn't remember.

Two years ago, contacts via the Internet were so rare, I wondered how to respond.  Today, there's rarely a day without them!

Two Years ago, I wondered why a "Face' needed a Book and why Twittering wasn't just talking.

Two Years ago, I had no idea how much potential business was hiding in plain sight!

Two years of connecting, communicating and just plain having fun. 

Two years of learning a whole new dimension of business

I'm glad that I started all this two years ago and not just yesterday.  

THANK YOU ACTIVE RAIN & TENS OF THOUSANDS OF READERS WHO HAVE MADE TWO YEARS FLY BY!