REALTOR Convention & Expo in Orlando

Realty Executives stole the show again this year! The front of the Orange County Convention Center displayed two giant Realty Executives banners flanking the three REALTOR banners in the center. We also had larger than life-size column wraps at the entrance as well.

While Randy McKinney, our Regional Developer was busy in meetings serving as your NAR Region 5 Vice President, Drew Rambo, Director of Franchise Development for our region was working our International booth. We were literally everywhere again this year!

In addition to the fun everyone had, there were several important topics covered at the Convention including the Economic Stimulus Package, policy changes and the new REALTORS Federal Credit Union that will be entirely Internet based and will begin in mid-2009.

• Another noteworthy topic is the new NAR green designation. This designation fully supports 'a green philosophy and excellence in green leadership.'
• NAR also announced the launch of the new and improved Realtor.com. To get a tour of the new site and all of its benefits, visit TourtheNewRealtor.com.
• NAR's FHA Toolkit ("an interactive publication providing valuable information on the use of FHA for financing mortgages") is available online at Realtor.org for members.

Stay informed on the many important issues facing our industry today. Take a look at the above links and continue to learn and improve the services we provide our consumers, customers and clients.

MidSouth Meeting Has "Meaty" Content

Our Realty Executives MidSouth Regional Meeting took place last week here in Gulf Shores. We focused on mazimizing opportunities, increasing profitability and marketing in today's market. Attendees were pleased they made the trip. We welcomed two guests from Realty Executives International: Todd Sumney, Director of Marketing & President of Brand Architects and Marissa Leon, Communications & Public Relations Manager. In addition, two representatives from the Warranty Group came to discuss our branded Realty Executives Home Protection Plan. The shrimp boil Monday night was also a success, thanks to our "Shrimp Bake" chef, Drew Rambo! A huge thanks to those who participated. Below are a few comments from Executives who attended.

"...I just wanted you guys to know how much I learned, needed and enjoyed our mini convention! To all of the agents who didn't attend, they don't know what they missed out on!"

"Good facilities, good time, meaty subject matter...encouraging; great ideas"

"Good information...The services have been greatly improved since I last accessed the website."

Next year we are looking to hold our Regional Meeting in conjunction with the Southern Region in Savannah, Georgia around the same time of year. We look forward to a productive 2009!

Realtors hoping markets rebound

Below is an article by Trevor Stokes, Staff Writer for Times Daily, in which our Regional Developer and Broker/Owner of Realty Executives Gulf Coast, was quoted. Different Brokers from around the state speak on the condition of the market in their area. Good to know. Please read...

By Trevor Stokes

Alabama real estate has been relatively sheltered from the ongoing national foreclosure and mortgage crises, but the state's housing market has slowed significantly, which has been a topic of discussion this week during the Alabama Association of Realtors convention at the Marriott Shoals Conference Center.

From January to July, home sales decreased 22 percent; during the same period in 2007, prices increased a slight 0.4 percent on average and homes stayed on the market 10 percent longer, according to the Alabama Center for Real Estate at the University of Alabama.

"We're coming out of a difficult market," said Randy McKinney, owner of Realty Executives Gulf Coast. Many condo flippers - so called because they are short-term buyers who intend to sell at an inflated price - got trapped when Hurricanes Ivan and Rita increased the area's insurance costs and when subprime mortgages adjusted and increased their rates. McKinney said that after Ivan in 2004, the condo-flipping market heated up, but after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the market cooled down. Condo owners were stuck with mortgages worth more than the actual property. "They gambled - they lost the gamble," McKinney said.

Across the state, McKinney said that some of the best markets in Alabama are in regions associated with the military's Base Realignment and Closure Act, areas such as Huntsville, Phenix City, Dothan and Enterprise.

According to the Alabama Center for Real Estate, the Muscle Shoals region ranked first in the state's smaller markets for the greatest stability in home sales for the year to date.

"We're lacking listings; our inventory is low," said Joy Long, president of the Shoals Area Board of Realtors. Last year was slow in new construction, keeping the Shoals market stagnant.
One local trend, Long said, is homeowners who downsize from a large house to a patio home.
Unlike the Shoals, Montgomery has suffered from overconstruction.

Sandra Nickel, a real estate agency owner in Montgomery, said the state capital's market was down 14 percent over a year ago. The biggest drag is oversupply of new construction. She said that existing home sales were even from 2007. Like all real estate markets, location is key. Nickel said that in Montgomery's historic downtown pocket, supply was lower than demand, but in some outlying suburbs, the housing supply far outpaced the demand.

Statewide, the number of new construction permits in July was down 44 percent compared to July 2007, a decrease many say comes from increasing labor, materials and land costs. Closer to the Shoals, Huntsville presents a unique market because of its diversified employment pool, an influx of industrial workers and the upcoming BRAC, which is projected to bring additional residents.

"We're not so heavily tied to one industry," said Sid Pugh, a Re/Max broker in Huntsville.
Although Huntsville gained 665 jobs for a total of 197,773 from a year ago, its unemployment rate increased from 3 to 4.2 percent, according to the Alabama Department of Industrial Relations.

"What's hurting our market is people coming in from a depressed market and can't sell (their former property)," Pugh said. For example, someone who might afford a $400,000 home will instead buy a $150,000 home or may even rent a home while their former residence, in another state, stays on the market. "More people would buy in Huntsville if other markets were stronger elsewhere," Pugh said. Pugh said that a February report from Market Graphics, a market research group, indicates that if Huntsville maintained its current trajectory, the demand would outstrip supply by 2010 without factoring in BRAC. Pugh said the current overstock of houses would take one to two years to be absorbed into the market, and that sellers have begun to offer prospective buyers incentives. Interest rates remained at historic lows with the rate for a 30-year mortgage recently dipping below 6 percent. Pugh, who has worked for 30 years in real estate, said he remembered when the rate was 16.5 percent. "There's no reason why people shouldn't be buying," Pugh said, even as credit tightens as the market readjusts from loosened credit requirements.

Robert Scott, a Birmingham broker for Re/Max, said that the UAB Health System, the city's largest employer, "has been our stabilizer and our salvation. If we still relied on steel, we would be hurting." Like the Shoals market, Birmingham saw gradual and modest growth in its real estate market, Scott said, unlike other areas that saw unsustainable booms.

Trevor Stokes can be reached at 740-5728 or trevor.stokes@TimesDaily.com.

CINDY STEWART JOINS REALTY EXECUTIVES

Gulf Shores, AL (Grassroots Newswire) September 4, 2008 - Realty Executives Gulf Coast is pleased to announce that Cindy Stewart has recently joined its team and will be practicing as a real estate sales professional out of the company's office located at 3479-B Gulf Shores Parkway in Gulf Shores.

"We are honored to have someone like Cindy who so accurately portrays what the Realty Executives brand represents on our Realty Executives team," said Broker/Owner, Randy McKinney. "She is a hard working experienced individual that will no doubt add to the quality service that our team provides to the communities in and around the Gulf Coast."

Stewart is a native of Mobile, Alabama who began her career in real estate over 20 years ago. Her experience stems from working for the family business in Orlando, Florida and later in the country of Norway. Cindy and her son, Brandon, decided to return to the Gulf Coast in 1995. Since that time, Stewart has become an expert in the Baldwin County real estate business in areas from condominium association management to real estate consulting and sales.

As an affiliate of the National Board of Realtors, the Alabama Association of Realtors, and member of the Baldwin County Board of Realtors, Stewart continues to stay involved in Realtor Associations on local and state levels. Additionally, Cindy is very involved in her community. She is a member of the Alabama Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce, a graduate of the 2005-06 Leadership Baldwin County program and also works with the Sea Turtle Watch (Share-the-Beach) project. Stewart has participated as the Volunteer Chairman and co-chairman of VIP services for the Annual National Shrimp Festival and is currently on the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo Board of Directors.

For additional information, please call 251.968.4300 or visit http://www.realtyexecutivesgulfcoast.com/.

THE CUMMINGS COMPANY IN MOBILE CONVERTS TO REALTY EXECUTIVES BRAND

Addition of the Mobile office will give Realty Executives MidSouth Region coverage along the Gulf Coast with offices in Mobile, Gulf Shores and Daphne

Gulf Shores, AL (Grassroots Newswire) -- Realty Executives MidSouth is pleased to announce the opening of a new office in Mobile. Realty Executives The Cummings Company, owned by veteran real estate developer and broker, Reid Cummings, and his wife Rebecca Cummings, opened last week at 2316-C Knollwood Drive in Mobile.

After moving back to Mobile in 1986, Reid Cummings has been heavily involved in Realtor association activities including his service as president of the Mobile Association of Realtors in 2000, Realtor of the Year in 2001, and participation in numerous association committees and leadership roles over his 22 year membership.

"In today’s market when we’re so inundated with negative media attention I felt like we needed to evaluate where our best opportunities for growth are and after much research I am confident that the Realty Executives brand has the capacity and stability to help us grow and provide exceptional service to our customers and clients," said Cummings. “Realty Executives is a company with great business ethics, good family values and the international support and connections we need. We looked at other companies and decided that the tools, systems and technologies offered by Realty Executives International were unsurpassed."

Over the years Cummings has distinguished himself as a leader in the real estate industry and has gained an enormous amount of experience in a variety of different areas including development, leasing, management, and brokerage of shopping centers, office buildings, warehouses, restaurants, movie theaters, waterfront properties and residential subdivisions. He currently serves as an adjunct professor of Real Estate at the University of South Alabama. He is a member of the Advisory Board for the Center for Real Estate in USA's Mitchell College of Business, and is a member of the President's Advisory Council at the University of Mobile.

Realty Executives The Cummings Company currently has 5 sales associates with the resources and plans to expand significantly in the coming year. "We plan on recruiting additional Executives to assist us in the development and sales of all of our development projects, including two new ones in Mobile,” said Cummings. “Snowden Place is a mixed-use single-family and townhome gated community on Cottage Hill Road, and Mobile Aerospace Park is a new light industrial and warehouse distribution park on Pleasant Valley near Montlimar Drive."

"I am so pleased that Reid and Rebecca have affiliated with Realty Executives because they possess a superior level of professionalism and are highly motivated entrepreneurs. Given that Realty Executives has the tools and systems designed for the highly productive professional practitioner of real estate, the Cummings Family will be able to build on their already successful business by providing an even higher level of real estate service to the greater Mobile area," said Randy McKinney, regional developer for the Realty Executives MidSouth Region.

For additional company information, please call Realty Executives, The Cummings Company at (251) 602-1941 or visit http://www.rexcummings.com/ or Realty Executives MidSouth Region, which consists of Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Arkansas, at (251) 949-5000, http://www.realtyexecutivesmidsouth.com/.

Randy McKinney Acquires Realty Executives Gulf Coast Brokerage

Gulf Shores, AL (Grassroots Newswire) August 14, 2008 - The Realty Executives MidSouth Region announced today that Randy McKinney, regional developer for Realty Executives in the States of Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Arkansas, will now own and manage the Realty Executives Gulf Coast office. The company will remain at the same office location at 3479-B Gulf Shores Parkway, Gulf Shores, Alabama 36542.

The company currently has eleven Executives (sales associates) with the resources and plans to expand significantly in the coming year to better meet the needs of consumers.

McKinney has more than 25 years of real estate experience on local, regional and national levels where he has consistently established himself as a leader and educator in the industry and local community. He is a Certified Real Estate Broker (CRB), Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) and was also recognized as the 1999 Baldwin County Realtor of the Year. McKinney also served as President of the Alabama Association of Realtors (AAR) in 2005 and has served on numerous committees in the Realtor organization including the Executive Committees for both AAR and the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and is currently serving as the Regional Vice President, Region 5 for NAR.

"I have watched the Realty Executives name continue to grow globally in recent years and I am excited about the opportunities for the continued growth of the Realty Executives brand here in the MidSouth Region," said McKinney.

Drew Rambo, director of franchise development for Realty Executives MidSouth, will assume additional regional leadership to continue the organization's focus on growth and support of its franchisees. This will permit McKinney to reduce his travel schedule in order to focus on expanding and improving the local brokerage.

For additional company information, please visit http://www.realtyexecutivesgulfcoast.com/ or call 251.968.4300.

About REALTY EXECUTIVES
Realty Executives International, Inc. is one of the fastest-growing real estate franchises in the United States, with nearly 15,000 sales associates and more than 800 franchisees. The Phoenix-based, privately held company has offices in 15 countries including the United States, Canada, South Africa, Mexico, Costa Rica, France, Panama, Nicaragua, Australia, Israel, Greece, Poland, Indonesia and Singapore. Publications like Entrepreneur, Success and Inc. magazines have regularly ranked Realty Executives International as a leader in the real estate industry based on franchise growth, management stability and financial soundness. For more than 10 years, Realty Executives MidSouth Region, which consists of the states of Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Arkansas, has been responsible for awarding Realty Executives franchise rights and protected territories throughout the MidSouth and can be reached at (251) 949.5000 or http://www.realtyexecutivesmidsouth.com/.
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2008 MidSouth Regional Meeting

REALTY EXECUTIVES M I D S O U T H
2008 Regional Mini-Convention
October 13th and 14th at Gulf Shores Adult Activity Center
260 Clubhouse Drive, Gulf Shores, Alabama

Tentative Schedule

Monday, October 13th, 2008, Broker/Owner Day, 10:00am- 5:00pm:
· WELCOME & UPDATES
· BEST PRACTICES BROKER/OWNER ROUND TABLE
· WORKING LUNCH PROVIDED
· GRASSROOTS PR

· BROKERAGE PROFITABILITY
· RECRUITING & MARKETING TOOLS FOR BROKER/OWNERS (Including
the NEW Online Recruiting Presentation)

Tuesday, October 14th, Executive & Broker/Owner Day 9:00am- 5pm:
· WELCOME & UPDATES
· KEYNOTE SPEAKER, RANDY MCKINNEY, REGIONAL DEVELOPER
· COMMUNICATIONS, PUBLIC RELATIONS & STRATEGIC ALLIANCES
· LUNCH PROVIDED
· EXECUTIVE MARKETING & BRANDING, (Including the NEW REX 2.0 Online Ad Builder & NEW Buying & Listing Presentations)

Other Events to Participate In:
- 37th Annual National Shrimp Festival, Thursday- Sunday (10/9/08- 10/12/08), http://www.nationalshrimpfestival.com/
- CRS Financing course CRS 205, Thursday, 10/9/08 and Friday, 10/10/08

Accommodation Suggestions:
· *For golfing & shopping: COURTYARD BY MARRIOT AT CRAFT FARMS; Phone #1.800.360.9375 or local #251.968.1113
· On the Beach: PERDIDO BEACH RESORT IN ORANGE BEACH; Phone #1.800.634.7263 or local #251.981.9811
· Closest to Gulf Shores Adult Activity Center: LAQUINTA INN; Phone # 251.967-3500
· Or visit http://www.gulfshores.com/lodging/ for other lodging information

*NEGOTIATED ROOM RATE OF $109 AT COURTYARD BY MARRIOT. ROOMS HELD UNTIL SEPT. 12TH, 2008 AND ARE AVAILABLE ON A FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE BASIS.


Click on, print out & mail/email/fax the Registration Form below to Register or Call 1-877-963-9876. Look forward to seeing you there!

Entrepreneurs Give Advice on How to "Bounce Back"

In August's edition of Entrepreneur magazine is an article by Carol Tice titled "Bounce Back". In it she interviewed entrepreneurs who have successfully made it through two recessions. They share how they not only survived these times- but thrived. Every one of them agrees that the discipline they develop in the downturn lays the foundation for their long-term success. Here are some tips on how to cope with a slow market:

1) Overhaul the Business Model: Assess whether or not your business model still makes sense and go from there.
2) Don't Stop Marketing: "You don't necessarily have to spend more money. You have to market smarter," said Barbara Weltman, co-author of Small Business Survival Book: 12 Surefire Ways for Your Business to Survive and Thrive
3) Cut Expenses: Slash your overhead, but do not lose critical personnel. Be creative with other ways to save beyond staffing - "You can barter for goods and services. If you normally travel [for business], maybe just video conference," says Weltman.
4) Keep the Cash Flowing: As revenue decreases, manage your cash flow more aggressively. Negotiate better terms with vendors and make sure your clients pay on time.
5) Find the Upside: "Don't assume demand has vaporized. It hasn't, but the way demand is getting met has changed," says Andy Birol of Birol Growth Consulting. Search for niches that are less affected by the downturn.

Use the discipline you have developed in the slower market to prosper as the economy recovers.

Baldwin County Real Estate in Comparison

Betsy McKinney of Professional Land Title in Gulf Shores sent out another email this morning. This is positive information for Baldwin County, Alabama. Click on it to enlarge...

Baldwin County Real Estate Outlook

Here is the second email. Looking forward to more...Click to enlarge.

Baldwin County Real Estate Statistics

These emails from Betsy McKinney, President of Professional Land Title in Gulf Shores are great. I decided to start posting them. Here is the first one... Click to enlarge.

We're on Google Earth!

Realty Executives International would like to present to you a view of our Territories and Offices across the world. Please download the program (for free) if you do not already have it at http://earth.google.com/. Once Google Earth is installed please email MidSouth@RealtyExecutives.com and we will send you the Realty Executives Google Earth .kmz file.

This will show you the name and location of every office around the world. Realty Executives is one of the fastest growing real estate franchises in the United States, with nearly 15,000 Executives and more than 800 franchisees. The Phoenix-based, privately held company has offices in 15 countries including the U.S., Canada, South Africa, Mexico, Costa Rica, France, Panama, Nicaragua, Australia, Israel, Greece, Poland, Indonesia, Singapore and Spain.

LOCAL REALTOR® CONTINUES HELPING SCHOOLS

Huntsville, AL (Grassroots Newswire)- Local Realty Executives real estate agent, Lynda Tallyn, remains focused and involved in local community schools. Tallyn was recently selected to serve on a planning and advisory committee with ten other local business leaders and educators who will examine the current status of all of the schools in the Huntsville City School System.

The advisory committee will take a close look at growth patterns in Huntsville and make recommendations based on their findings. They will examine the costs of running several small schools (fewer than 250 students) versus consolidating and maintaining fewer buildings. Many believe this approach could save the Huntsville school system money in the future.

“As a former educator and employee of the Huntsville City Schools, I feel that this committee will make recommendations to the superintendent that will benefit the school system in the years to come,” Tallyn said.

Randy McKinney, regional developer of Realty Executives MidSouth, commented on Tallyn’s position on the advisory committee: “My opportunity to serve on the State Board of Education gives me a special insight and appreciation for Lynda’s willingness to serve in this capacity. I am very proud of her contributions.”

For more information, contact Lynda Tallyn at (256) 656-2328 or visit http://www.lyndatallyn.homesandland.com/.

The Warranty Group Announces Agreement with Realty Executives International

RISMEDIA, May 22, 2008-The Warranty Group has announced an agreement with Realty Executives International to offer a branded home protection program. The program, named “The Realty Executives Home Protection Plan,” will be available to consumers in all 50 states through more than 700 Realty Executives offices.

The program will cover multiple dwelling types, including single-family homes, condominiums and new construction, and offer comprehensive coverage on appliances, plumbing and electrical systems and heating and air conditioning systems.

Home protection plans often increase listings and sales, while potentially reducing costs and risks to sales associates and homeowners alike. Homeowners benefit through protection against unexpected expenses related to home repairs.

“Realty Executives is a perfect partner for our innovative approach to enhanced buyer loyalty and satisfaction,” said Mike Frosch, President & COO of TWG Home Warranty Services, Inc. “Our industry-leading home warranty expertise will be a win/win for both Realty Executives brokers and their customers.”

“Teaming up with The Warranty Group further distinguishes Realty Executives as a leader in the real estate industry and adds even greater value to our customer experience,” said Rich Rector, President and CEO of Realty Executives. “Our Home Protection Plan will deliver increased peace of mind to our valued clients.”

The Realty Executives Home Protection Plan will be available on all homes listed by Realty Executives sales associates.

2007 Realty Executives MidSouth Award Winners

Hattiesburg, MS Award Winners from Left to Right: Ken Broom, Amy Simpson, Mark Graham, Veronica Staten, and Jim Stroo (B/O)

Top 5 in Commission Dollars
#1 Dell Palmer, Madison, MS
#2 Sherry Dinges, Huntsville, AL
#3 Mark Graham, Hattiesburg, MS
#4 Ken Broom, Hattiesburg, MS
#5 Cynthia McAllister, Daphne, AL

Top 5 in Units Sold
#1 Mark Graham, Hattiesburg, MS
#2 Dell Palmer, Madison, MS
#3 Ken Broom, Hattiesburg, MS
#4 Sherry Dinges, Huntsville, AL
#5 Tanja Adams, Madison, MS

Executive of the Year
Bonita York, Gulf Shores, AL

Rookie Executive of the Year
Veronica Staten, Hattiesburg, MS

Executive of the Year Nominees
Bonita York, Gulf Shores, AL
Mark Gunsaullus, Tuscaloosa, AL
Darcy Peoples, Enterprise, AL
Bradley Mayfield, Lafayette, LA
Amy Simpson, Hattiesburg, MS
Tanja Adams, Madison, MS

Rookie Executive of the Year Nominees
Kathryn Scott, Tuscaloosa, AL
Ronald Guilbeaux, Lafayette, LA
Veronica State, Hattiesburg, MS
Barry Becker, Madison, MS

CONGRATULATIONS & THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR HARD WORK!!!

Local Brokerage Hosts Benefit Golf Tournament

Realty Executives Gulf Coast in Gulf Shores joins in with community initiative

Realty Executives Gulf Coast, located in Gulf Shores, is hosting their 10th Annual Habitat for Humanity Benefit Golf Tournament this coming Friday, May 9th at Cypress Bend Golf Course at Craft Farms. Each year this local real estate company organizes this event to raise funds for Habitat for Humanity of Baldwin County.

"Those of us at Realty Executives believe that it is important for us to give back," said Anthony Kaiser, broker/owner of Realty Executives Gulf Coast. "We always encourage positive efforts in the local community, as well as throughout the nation. This initiative is just us doing our part."

The golf tournament shotgun will be at 1:00 pm on Friday and will end with prizes along with food and camaraderie. The community is encouraged to participate for only $100 per player for a 4 person scramble team. This year’s title sponsor is Armbrecht Jackson, LLP. For more information on how to participate or help sponsor the Habitat for Humanity of Baldwin County Benefit Golf Tournament, please contact Lacie Maynard of Realty Executives at (251) 968-7925 or lacie@gulftel.com.

Habitat for Humanity of Baldwin County, Inc. is a grassroots Christian nonprofit organization that is dedicated to the elimination of substandard housing and worldwide poverty. For additional company information, call (251) 943-7268 or visit http://www.baldwinhabitat.org/.

For more information about Realty Executives Gulf Coast, please contact Anthony Kaiser at (251) 968-4300 or visit their website http://www.realtyexecutivesgulfcoast.com/.

REALTY EXECUTIVES OPENS NEW OFFICE IN ENTERPRISE AT 1200 RUCKER BOULEVARD

Realty Executives, Meade and Associates, headquarted in Enterprise, Alabama announces the opening of their new home office building at 1200 Rucker Boulevard. The ribbon cutting ceremony was held at the new location on Thursday, May 1, 2008 at 10:00 am and the Open House was from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. Thank You to all who joined Realty Executives, the Enterprise Chamber of Commerce and Mayor Kenneth W. Boswell for food and fun as we celebrated the opening of the new Realty Executives office.
Since April 1997, Hugh and Eva Meade, broker/owners of Realty Executives, Meade and Associates, Inc., have been serving real estate consumers in the Wiregrass area which includes Enterprise, Daleville, Ozark, Geneva, New Brockton and surrounding areas. Realty Executives Meade and Associates in Enterprise is one of five Realty Executives offices in Alabama. Other Realty Executives offices in Alabama are located in Gulf Shores, Daphne, Tuscaloosa and Huntsville.
“The opening of our new Realty Executives office is one of our proudest achievements to date for enhancing and establishing our business. This attractive new location adds usable floor space in order to accommodate our growing real estate office and new Executives (sales associates),” said Eva Meade, associate broker/owner.
For more information on Realty Executives, Meade and Associates, please contact us at (334) 347.7334 or visit our website, www.meadeandassociates.net/.

Regional Meeting Information (Rescheduled for October 13th & 14th)

Why Should I Go?

Glenn Melton, Chief Operating Officer for Realty Executives International had this to say..."Over the last year, we've had a paradigm shift in how we look at our company conferences and meetings. While we do still have annual, all-company events, more and more we are bringing the content directly to our franchisees and sales associates through content-rich regional meetings where we can roll out new programs and tools face-to-face in a broker or sales associate's backyard.

What Do I Get If I Go?

• Motivation & Inspiration
• Regional Networking Opportunities
• NEW Tools & Education from Convention
• Meeting Materials
• 3 Guest Speakers from Realty Executives International
• Lunch & Snacks

What Else is There To Do?

• Like the Beach? Home to the nation's most beautiful white sand beaches
• Like to Shop? Home of the Tanger Outlet Center, Pinnacle Shopping Center, The Wharf in Orange Beach & San Roc Cay
• Would you prefer to Golf? Play on one of the area's famous golf courses such as Cotton Creek, Peninsula or Kiva Dunes

Meeting Schedule

• Broker/Owner Meeting, October 13th, 10:00 am - 5:00 pm at Gulf Shores Adult Activity Center
• Executive & Broker/Owner Meeting, October 14th, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm at Gulf Shores Adult Activity Center

Speaker Topics

-Broker/Owner Meeting, Monday, October 13th:

• Best Practices Round Table
• PR, Homeworks and Grassroots PR
• Marketing & Recruiting Tools
• NEW Electronic Recruiting Presentation

-Executive & Broker/Owner Meeting, Tuesday, October 14th:

• International & Regional Updates
• Executive Level Marketing & Branding
• NEW Buying & Listing Presentations
• NEW REX 2.0 Online Ad Builder
• Communications, PR & Strategic Alliances

Man, I Wish You Had Been There

Convention in San Diego was an absolute BLAST! Sorry if you missed it, because you missed some valuable information, inspirational and motivational speakers and most of all the new buying and listing presentations and REX 2.0! Man, I wish you had been there.

First, valuable information: So many breakout sessions with different speakers provided a wealth of knowledge and perspective about the real estate industry. I'll just give you a snippet of statistics and real estate trends from Anne Randolph, publisher of LORE Magazine and Partner for Murray Consulting. Despite the negativity the media is pushing on its viewers about how awful the mortgage crisis is, if you tell the real story, people just might buy. The media is fueling negativity...and we as real estate agents and experts are letting their hoopla win! Did you know that less than 6% of all mortgages in the US are behind in their mortgages or at risk of foreclosure (1)? According to the Mortgage Bankers Association there are currently about 72 million mortgages active in the US, 3 million mortgages are behind an additional 1 million were at risk of foreclosure...you do the math. Although subprime mortgage delinquencies have risen to just above 10%, it is still below the delinquencies in 2002 (2). Our "mortgage mess" partly stems from the fact that (3) roughly one half percent of homeowners should not have purchased a home in the "hot" market. To say that everyone should be a homeowner would be a fallacy. (4)Despite the property value loss in areas with overbuilding, speculation and excessive price increases (ummm, the Gulf Coast), homeowners who purchased their house 2 years ago still have an average 5% equity in their home. Yes, the market will probably continue to decline for the next year or two until it corrects itself because people will return to renting for various reasons (medical, job loss, can't afford a mortgage, etc.). There were people who purchased homes who should have never done so to start with. Lenders loosened their guidelines and loaned money to borrowers that would never qualify under normal market conditions. Anne Randolph said it perfect, "Anytime you go through a party like that, you have to clean up." But guess what...there are opportunities even in an overbuilt and overpriced market! REAL Trends PULSE report shows buyers and sellers softening their stance and 68% of reporting brokerages are seeing conditions improving. If you are an investor, this is perfect buying opportunity. If you are a hurting builder or developer in a vacation market, find the foreign investors...they're out there. Use our International network of Realty Executives offices. They're everywhere (Canada, Israel, Greece...etc.). I could go on and on, but man, I wish you had been there.

Second, motivational speakers: We had the pleasure of listening to James Arthur Ray and Jerry Rossi. Very soon the convention seminars will be uploaded on KnowledgePoint. I STRONGLY suggest you watch them. Their energy & attitude is so contagious, you can't help but be excited about what they have to say. Man, I wish you had been there.

Third, new tools and strategies: Easily customizable, brand new buying and listing presentations were presented. And they sure do look sharp. Not to mention the amazing new REX 2.o. This program puts the original REX to shame. You will be amazed at marketing capabilities that REX 2.0 has. Not kidding. Not trying to hype it up out of proportion. Seriously. Man, I wish you had been there.

HOWEVER...Haha! We will be holding our MidSouth Regional Meeting and Awards Dinner May 1st and 2nd in Gulf Shores to further explore some of the great strategies & new tools that are available to you. Our keynote speaker will be your regional developer and Region V Regional Vice President for NAR, Randy McKinney. Ask your broker/owner for registration details. Over 95% of our region's regional meeting attendees are in the top 5% of our region. Coincidence? Man, you better be there.

(1) MBA March 7, 2008
(2) MBA National Delinquency Survey
(3) Anne Randolph, REAL Trends, March 18, 2008
(4) Zillow.com US Home Value Report-Q4 2007

MidSouth Executives We Need Your Input!

Thank you Realty Executives MidSouth Broker/Owners and Executives for visiting our blog. With a completed survey, you will receive a $5.00 Starbucks giftcard. Click Here for survey.

*Offer is only for Realty Executives MidSouth broker/owners and agents. Only one entry per agent. Offer extended through March 31st, 2008 @ 7:00 pm.

Spend Saint Patty's Day in San Diego

It's all about you in San Diego at the Annual Realty Executives International Convention. Really...it is. This year's Convention is promised to be full of a plethora of tools, education & networking that are relevant for today's real estate agent.



The Convention will be held the dates of March 17-20 at the host hotel, Manchester Grand Hyatt, in the heart of the famous downtown gas lamp district. Keynote speakers include James Arthur Ray and Jerry Rossi. Ray, a self-made millionaire, coach and mentor, has been featured on shows like The Oprah Winfrey Show, CNN and the today show for his contribution to the wildy successful book, "The Secret". Rossi, a nationally acclaimed motivational speaker, educator and business consultant is the author of the recently published book, "Dog Eat Dog: How to Put the Bite In Your Marketing."

Other speaker topics include:

• Economic Trends & Reports


• Implementing an Advertising Strategy


• Getting Free Publicity
  
• Technology Trends


• Business Planning


• Marketing & Branding Your Business


• The Perfect Listing Presentation


• Getting Your Listings Sold


• Generational Selling


• Strategies for a Changed Market


• and more...
  

Of course there is more than just educational sessions that you will benefit from. One of the best aspects is being able to network with your INTERNATIONAL Realty Executives family at the always entertaining socials, cocktails and awards gala.

Time is running out, Early Bird Registration has been extended until March 7th. Visit Executive Access on http://www.realtyexecutives.com/.

Click here to read full press release.

"Tell the real story...and people just might get out and BUY!"

Anne Randolph, Publisher of LORE (Lives of Real Estate) Magazine, and key-note speaker at the Realty Executives Regional Developer Symposium in Phoenix tells it how it is... how it REALLY is. Anne is a Murray Consulting Partner for real estate trends, statistics & forecasts and has a plethora of information regarding the current conditions in the real estate market.

While in Phoenix, Anne Randolph spoke about how the media is distorting the actual situation, therefore buyers and sellers are frozen by anxiety. She covered a variety of topics, such as what you should know about the mortgage mess to counteract the sensationalist media, real estate investors as clients, the growing importance of niches for real estate agents today, and technology in real estate is not optional. She delivered several key messages that we feel are important to pass on to you so you can inform your Executives so they may in turn inform their clients.

• Despite what the news media is saying, the vast majority (over 95%) of mortgage holders are not in default or delinquency. The highest mortgage delinquencies were in the markets troubled by weather effects and job losses. (1)


• Subprime and Alt A loans will continue to be offered, but more carefully than in the past.


• Most people who bought in 2004 or earlier are still in a positive appreciation situation.


• Mortgage rates continue to be at historically low levels. (2)


• Most mortgage companies are trying to do work-outs for people who have been paying their loans but are facing higher mortgage rates with adjustable mortgages.


• President Bush signed legislation putting on hold the ability of banks to send 1099s for the amount of difference between the mortgage and what the home sells for- giving more freedom to people who are underwater to get out of the mess.


• FOR BUYERS, while housing prices may depreciate a little further, as housing recovers, pent up demand will cause prices to rise quickly, and the Fed will increase interest rates to avoid inflation...so, DON'T WAIT!


• FOR SELLERS, housing may depreciate a little more before it goes up. You can decide to sell now by lowering your price a little, or wait until the turn comes. It totally depends on how badly you need to sell your home.


• FINALLY, it is really a local situation- and the agent needs to know the details of each neighborhood for their client. For example, visit Cyberhomes on the web.

Now is the perfect time for investors:

• It is easier to get mortgages with conforming loan guidelines.
• Rents will go up as demand increases.
• This will help the purchasers to achieve positive cash flow.

Unlike purchases for primary residences, 79% of investors find property by driving around neighborhoods. In addition, 70% also use a real estate agent or broker, and 56% also use the Internet. (3) It is mandatory that real estate agents work harder to insure they are the expert in their area and in their niche. Which brings us to Anne Randolph's next topic, "The Growing Importance of Niches". She makes the following points:

• The mass is gone, niche is in...forever.


• "When you try to serve everyone, you serve no one well."


• Examples of niches: Neighborhood or geographic area, luxury homes, second homes, golf...beach...mountain...rural, investment, target demographics, short sales, foreclosures, or interest & hobbies (i.e., pet enthusiasts).


• *Consumers don't need the help of a REALTOR® to get basic information, they want the REALTOR® to provide knowledgeable perspective and advice.*

Anne's next point was that technology in the real estate industry is not optional if you want to continue to improve productivity. Technology under-used means under serving the customer.

For more accurate information than the sensationalist media's rhetoric, please visit Anne Randolph's blog.

The sources for the statistics Anne Randolph provided are pulled from (1)Guy Cecala, Inside Mortgage Finance, (2)Lawrence Yun, National Association of Realtors and (3)REAL Trends/Harris Interactive 2008 Study of Real Estate Investors.