Real Estate Ray's Blog

It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change – Charles Darwin

It goes without saying that the Real Estate Market across the country has changed. As a progressive, forward thinking Realtor, it’s my job to adapt to that change so I can get the best results for my clients. Along with 18,000 other agents who are eager to learn, grow and adapt to this unprecedented shift in our housing market.

The largest Real Estate training think tank in the United States was held last week in Orlando! Speakers, Realtors and vendors from all across America came together to teach, coach and learn about what’s working in Real Estate.

Considering there at 1.3 Million Realtors in the United States, and only 18,000 attended (including just 11 our of 600 agents from Sioux Falls) it’s safe to say that only those who are really serious about getting results for their clients attended…and I’m proud to say I was one of them.

So…what did I learn? A LOT!

First, things aren’t as bad as what the news media has made things out to be (I’ve been saying that all along). Homes are still selling, people are still buying and the sky is not falling…Chicken Little will be just fine! So why is the media blowing things out of proportion? Here’s why:

• Major news media are powered by advertising dollars
• There are 2-kinds of news, hard news and soft news
• Soft News is when someone rescues a kitten out of a tree
• Hard News is when there is a “perceived crisis”
• The bottom line is this…Hard News sells more advertising that Soft News

I also learned tactics and strategies that are being conducted all over the United States that are selling homes in the least amount of time and for the most amount of money. These strategies are tested, proven and effective. Some of them are relatively simple, others are more complex but all of them have gotten results for home buyers and sellers.

The central theme of this conference was "adaptation". As an agent, as a consumer or as a home seller, we all need to adapt to the current market conditions. Our marketing must be up-dated and improved. Our communication must be razor sharp and our attention to detail must be at an all time high.

The information available was invaluable. I’m excited to share more information from the conference with you and with all of my clients…present and future.

If you or someone you know is thinking about buying or selling a home…someone that wants an agent with the very latest in knowledge and know-how…please have them call me at 728-9997 or e-mail me at ray@hjnteam.com

I love the holidays! There are 4-Sioux Falls holiday events that, if you're like me, you must do:

• Winter Wonderland Kick Off - Friday November 21 at Falls Park. Mayor Dave Munson flips the switch at 6pm to light up the beauty of Falls Park for the season. Santa & Mrs. Clause will make a special visit. You can also enjoy refreshments and holiday music. This is a great event for young and old. Admission is FREE and you can learn more by going to www.siouxfallscvb.com
• Brul'e & AIRO Holiday Concert - Saturday November 22nd, 7:30pm at The Washington Pavilion. Enjoy contemporary Native American music...if you have never heard their music, this is a MUST attend event...you'll be blown away! Proceeds benefit the Sioux Empire Home Builders Care Foundation. Tickets can be purchased at the Pavilion Box Office, at www.washingtonpavilion.org or by calling 367-6000. Admission: $32-$37
• Santa's Arrival-Empire Mall Sears Wing on Tuesday November 25. Bring the kids and get set for some fun. Phil Baker will perform a concert for kids of all ages. Call 361-3301 or www.TheEmpireMall.com for more information. Admission is FREE!
• Sioux Falls Parade of Lights - Friday November 28. This is the greatest! My family has attended this event for years and years, wouldn't miss it! Floats, music and much welcome heat, provided by Hot Air Balloons, will flood historic Phillips Avenue (from 14th Street to 5th Street). Get there early for a good spot to see everything. The event starts at 7:30pm and it's FREE. Visit www.dtsf.com for more information.

The holidays are a wonderful time of year, especially in Sioux Falls. I hope you have a chance to attend one or more of these events...you'll have the time of your life.

The most important Real Estate learning event ever held in North America...is happening this week! Now is not the time for Real Estate Agents to do "business as usual" when it comes to selling homes. What worked yesterday, is not working today. The questions is: "What IS working?" That's what I'm going to find out this week in Orlando at the 2008 National Realtor Convention.

The best brains in the world of Real Estate will share their newly discovered secrets to selling homes IN ANY MARKET and in any neighborhood! These secrets are being tested worldwide, and the results are starting to be seen. Some of these secrets are helping to sell homes in some of the most distressed markets in the Nation, including Nevada, Florida and Michigan! If these secrets can sell home in those states, they can certainly sell homes right here in the Sioux Empire. I can't wait to learn what these Masters will be teaching.

Here's the funny part...I'll be one of just 11 Real Estate Agents from Sioux Falls going to this convention...which means more than 590 other agents will be staying at home! What does that mean to you? Nothing...unless you're planning on selling your home in 2009! The information that I'll learn this week won't trickle down to other agents for 6 months, 9 months...maybe longer...maybe never!

If you or someone you know is ready to sell a home with an agent armed with information relevant to today's Real Estate market, call me at 728-9997 or email me at ray@hjnteam.com