Twitter Changing the World????

Is anyone besides me amazed at what is happening in Iran? The government would like to hide the people's reactions from the rest of the world, but because of technology, their country is "transparent". I was watching Rachel Maddow last night and other news outlets and was so proud of the Iranian people finding ways to have their voices heard. Today's NY Times printed an article, Social Networks Spread Iranian Defiance Online. From Twitter to youtube to private blog sites, Iranian protests are given relevance.
If you haven't begun your trip into the 21st century and introduced yourself to social media's power, start marching, or be left behind....

Are YOU Ready????

Today is a historic day. The country is officially switching all television broadcast from analog to totally digital. If you have an analog TV without a converter, you will not be watching "Family Guy" anymore (or any of your other favorites, unless of course you watch them via the web ;-)).
Today in USAToday, there was a great article discussing how this switch will totally change our viewing experiences.
We have all watched this happen in the print world, where more and more publications are eliminating their print versions and are going totally to digital.
The question is--- ARE YOU READY??? HAVE YOU SWITCHED THE CHANNELS OF YOUR BRAIN???? SIMPLY PUT -- ARE YOU ANALOG OR DIGITAL???

Talk to your buyers... NOW!!!!

Mortgage applications at lowest since November....Borrowing costs have soared as bond yields have risen (from cnnmoney.com).
Buyers who are on the fence, better jump off and make their move now. Interest rates are rising and it doesn't look like they will be returning to the lows we saw just 2 weeks ago. Today, the auction of 10 year Treasury notes was disappointing and oil prices jumped yet again causing further upward pressure on rates.
Last Thursday I broadcast a webinar, Why Now is the Time to Buy- Language, Tools and Strategies for Agents working With Buyers. It was hosted by mysoi.com and you can watch it in it's entirety by clicking this link. LISTEN, LEARN, AND EARN!!!!!!!!!

Social Media Explodes Again!!!

Everyday, journalists and bloggers are writing about the new power of social media. Today I found three articles on MSN.com about facebook... How to Live Your Entire Life on Facebook, 10 Tips for Facebook Power Users, and the best one, Are Boomers Killing Facebook and Twitter? ... Is this new power really reserved for the young?

This BOOMER thinks not...

Yes I am on facebook, twitter, linkedin, smallworld, MYSOI and this blog. I own an iphone, blackberry, several ipods, a Mac and a 2 wireless laptops. But not to make me "feel part of the younger generation" as the article suggests. Rather "being connected" has become a necessity. Who among us hasn't asked or been asked to "PLEASE PUT THE BLACKBERRY DOWN"? MY MOTHER IS ON FACEBOOK!!!!

In my social media classes, I suggest to my agents that they not just go on these sites, simply to be there, but that they first formulate their objective for "being there". Once you establish and recognize your motives, you work backward from there to accomplish your goals (no matter how old you may be ;-))...

So is progress for the young or young at heart????

JUST FOR FUN!!!!!

The Social Media Bible Ten Commandment Ball http://www.lonsafko.com/FastCompany/Commandment_Ball.pdf

You Snooze, You Lose

Bargain hunting buyers are back with a vengance. These buyers know value when they see it. Low prices and low interest rates have lured many investors back into the market. In an article I found today on cnnmoney.com, Les Christie reported that housing affordability is at almost an all time high (Most Over- and Under- Valued Housing Markets), so as a consequence, savey investors are starting to pounce.

Of the 330 housing markets studied in a recent IHS Global Report, 248 were considered under-valued... as much as 42.5% in Vero Beach, Florida!!! The most over-valued city is Atlantic City, NJ, weighing in at 44.1% over-valued.

You may also want take a look at some of my previous posts, which have other articles about surging sales and increased housing affordability (May 27th, June 1st and June 2nd).

Follow MYSOI on TWITTER!!!!

WWW.MYSOI.COM is now on TWITTER!! For a constant feed of great information follow them at http://twitter.com/mySOI. LEARNERS ARE EARNERS!!!!!

More on WHY NOW IS THE TIME TO BUY OR REFI!!!!

More news coming out today points to the fact that, indeed now is the time to think about pulling the trigger if you are considering purchasing or refinancing a home.
Freddie Mac released an article, MORTGAGE RATES CLIMB IN RESPONSE TO RECENT RISE IN BOND YIELDS, reminding us that we are now seeing rates that have not been this high since December 11, 2008. As long as treasury yields remain high, there will continue to be an upward pressure on interest rates.
In a related article written by Brian Louis on Bloomberg.com, US Mortgage rates Jump to Highest Since December, he states, "This week’s rate increase translates into an additional $31.79 a month for a buyer purchasing the median-priced U.S. home of $170,200 with a 20 percent down payment."
More great information is contained in my Monday, June 1st post, NOW is the Time to Buy.
Also if you missed the webinar this morning which discussed this very topic, you can sign on to http://www.mysoi.com/ tomorrow and listen to the archived version.
So unless you are an ALL CASH buyer, call your mortgage professional today to determine how the current rate trending is impacting your purchasing power.

No More CNN???...Constantly Negative News???

WOW... Lot's of promising news out there. First time and bargain hunting home buyers are storming into the market.

In an article from Bloomberg.com, U.S. Economy: Pending Home Resales Surge by Most Since 2001 , the author Carlos Torres points out that low prices, low interest rates, pent up demand and more market confidence have set the stage for this new uptick.

Les Christie of CNNmoney.com included regional sales data in an article he also published today, Pending Home Sales Rebounding.  Positive reports came from three of the four regions. The Northeast (+33% ), the Midwest (+9.8%), and the Western (+1.8%) all saw increases in pending sales, with only a 0.2% decrease in the Southern region.

Just for FUN!!!

Now IS the Time to Buy!!!!

So you think home prices are still going to drop a bit? Waiting to try to time the bottom? Well, while you were waiting to squeeze every last penny out of the sales price, interest rates started moving upward. So much so that the financial columnists have been banging out articles about "pulling the trigger".

Today on CNNMONEY.com, Les Christie wrote about how the high yields on Treasurys are going to keep the UPWARD pressure on mortgage rates (Mortgage RATES Staying above 5%). Brett Arends (WSJ) in his article, Low Mortgage Rates Are Going, Going cautions that rates are likely to keep inching higher and that if you are looking to refinance or to buy, you should start considering your monthly payments.

On Thursday, I will be presenting a FREE WEBINAR, "WHY NOW IS THE TIME TO BUY" (12pm EST). Arm yourself with the data, research and information to make informed decisions. Register at http://www.mysoi.com/ today!!!

One in Eight Americans Facing Foreclosure

Foreclosures are now at an all time high. 616,000 Americans are in danger of losing their homes and 50% of these homeowners, reside in four states- California, Florida, Nevada and Arizona.

One in eight Americans are behind in their mortgage payments. Many of them have lost their jobs and unable to find employment. “If people don’t have a paycheck they can’t support a mortgage,”said Jay Brickman, the MBA’s chief economist.

Yesterday, rates rose for the first time in while on the higher yields on treasury notes.

Even with this new data, economists and housing industry analysts are more optimistic that the bottom may be in sight. (See yesterday's post)

The Bottom???

Phil Izzo of the WSJ online collected opinions from several economists about their view of current market conditions. In his post the general sentiment from those he interviewed was that we probably have hit bottom as for the resale of homes (April resales rose 2.9%), but inventory continues to rise and prices my still be falling in some markets. Some good news is that housing affordability is at all time highs and interest rates are at all time lows.

Sign of the Times

If you haven't read Jeff Jarvis' new book, What Would Google Do? You may want to think about picking it up to read this weekend. It is so necessary for all industries to understand how the Internet is changing everything ... FAST!!!! All of us must reinvent ourselves if we want t0 survive. A wonderful company here in NYC is closing it's doors because of the challenges this new market presents.

Another book I would suggest is Seth Godin's book, Survival is not Enough. We are responsible for our destinies and must create our own future.

MONEY IS "ON SALE"!!!!!

In my April 16 post, "To Refinance or Not to Refinance", I wrote about what people need to consider before refinancing. While rates are at all time lows, it still might make sense for some homeowners to sit tight with their current mortgage.

Today, I ran across a great article in the Wall Street Journal, A Battle Plan for Refinancing Your Home, by KAREN BLUMENTHAL .

The author points out several items one should consider before refinancing their home. Ms. Blumenthal also discusses and explains the rigorous requirements now in place with most lenders, as well as some the pitfall and difficulties.

As with any big decision, one should seek the advice of a professional before making any decisions.

THE PERFECT STORM

If you read my May 14th post, you know that 71% of Americans feel that now is a great time to buy a home (Gallup 4/09). As my good buddy, Jeff Appel has said, "We are at a unique point in time which we will probably NEVER see again. Right now MONEY IS ON SALE AND SO ARE HOUSES."

Even the Homebuilder's Association is feeling confident about the current state of the market. NAHB Chairman Joe Robson said recently, "Builders are responding to what they perceive to be some of the best home-buying conditions of a lifetime." He also echoed Jeff Appel's opinion that mortgage rates are at an artificial low which we may never see again.

Right now homes are more affordable than they have been in 18 years. As a result, first time home buyers are seizing the opportunity and entering the market. In conjunction with low prices, cheap money and government incentives, now really is the time to buy!

YOU TUBE of Publishing?

Have you ever dreamed of being published? Now your dream can come true!!! In yesterday's New York Times, Brad Stone wrote an article about a cool new website, SCRIBD. This document sharing site gives authors the ability to upload their work, set a price they wish to charge the readers and keep 80% of the revenue.
Readers will be able to read the documents on the site, download to their KINDLE, and very soon be able to download to their Iphones.
"Kemble Scott, who has released a novel through a conventional publisher, said he would post his topical new political comedy, “The Sower,” to Scribd and charge $2 for it, partly because standard publishing is so slow. “If this is a book that is going to be interesting to people, now is the time that it fits into the national mood,” he said."
Do you have a book or article swimming in your head? Check out SCRIBD and and change your name to Edgar Allen Poe.

Short and Sweet Post

Yes... Here I am... Hanging in the Hamptons... Getting ready for my open house, but had to share this link with you!!!!
Great post from Mashable.com... What We Can Learn from Celebrities ... Highlights the 5 lessons we can learn from celebrities when it comes to building our social media brand.  Cool stuff from a VERY COOL site.

Let me know what you think... About the post, not my mink... ;-)

Want Some Good News???

The Gallup Organization released a report this week summarizing the results of a survey they conducted in early April (video report).
One of the survey questions asked of the American public was "For people in general, do you think now is a GOOD time or a BAD time to buy a house?" Seventy-one percent (71%) of those surveyed believed that now is a good time to buy a house.
Americans we also asked, "Which of the following do you think is the best long term investment- bonds, real estate, stocks, savings accounts, CD's or mutual funds?"
The results showed that Americans felt that savings accounts and real estate were the best long term investments, with far fewer choosing stocks, bonds and mutual funds.
So while prices are still soft in some markets, Americans are confident that in the long term, real estate is a great investment...when you BUY LOW AND SELL HIGH...
AND NOW IS THE TIME TO BUY LOW!!!

FREE WEBINAR THIS FRIDAY-10am PT / 1pm ET...

Need to recharge your batteries????
Give the rest of your year and your career a boost by attending this exclusive webinar only available to mySOI.com members. Your host will be 2008 San Diego Association of Realtors Broker of the Year…Drew Burks!
Learn first-hand how Drew used technology and innovative marketing to go from a complete unknown to Broker of the Year in one of the country’s most competitive real estate markets.
Register now at http://www.mysoi.com/

How's the Market??

Well... It depends!!!! Are you thinking of buying, selling renting or investing? Need to have your questions answered???
Tune into EYE ON REAL ESTATE...

WOW!!!! To get amazing information about the real estate market, tune in to WOR radio, 710AM every Saturday morning, 10am-12pm. If you are a listener outside of the New York area, you can go to the WOR website and listen to the live streaming audio of the show.

Dottie Herman, Jeff Appel and Jonathan Miller, are the hosts of the show and do a great job presenting timely and relevant information you need to know about today's current market conditions. It is a conversational, call in format which has taken the radio waves by storm.
Whether you are thinking of buying, selling, renting or investing, this show will answer all of your real estate questions.
There are podcasts also available from every show on the WOR site.

The Social Media EXPLOSION

Who hasn't heard the phrases "Friend me on Facebook", "Follow me on Twitter" or "Link to my blog"?
If you haven't, then you are part of an ever growing minority. No matter your age, gender, or profession, social media is taking over...in a huge way.
In Andrew Lipsman's April 15th blogpost, (Breaking News (and Making News): Twitter Surges 131% in March to 9.3 Million U.S. Visitors!), he points out, "It just goes to show you how much social media, and specifically a site like Twitter, has become woven into the fabric of our daily media lives."
More and more Americans (5 million more in the month of March alone) have started to "TWEET". And the most interesting thing is that the demographic driving this growth is the 25-54 year old population (read my 4/17 post).
Facebook is enjoying a similar user explosion. Lev Grossman of Time Magazine recently published a tongue in cheek article, Why Facebook is for Old Fogies giving the top ten reasons why the 35+ generation is signing up and logging in. According to statistics reported by the social networking giant, there are more that 200 million active users and more than 2/3's of these users are beyond college age.
So if you think that your clients, friends and family aren't "tweeting", "friending" or "blogging", then you are kidding yourself. This is the new communication vehicle and if you don't get in for the ride, you will be walking by yourself and talking to yourself :-)...
If you would like, you can follow me on Twitter, and on Facebook. I would love you to join the EXPLOSION!!!!

Business as Unusual

Today we had a great class for our agents, helping them craft their listing presentations. Clients really need a more informed presentation, filled with pertinent, valuable market information as well as how the current conditions affect the sale of their home.

Everything has changed; mortgages, contracts, appraisals, financial markets, buyers... We as real estate experts must be able to effectively communicate all of this in a way that makes sense and is applicable to each individual transaction.

A relevant article found on WSJ online, Crafting the Contract highlights how contract language has dramatically changed in the last few months. There have been several articles on financing/purchasing (my April 7th post and 4/16), as well as Jonathan Miller's post, Galloping to Thinking About Buying a New House .

All in all, clients want all the information and research available to make an educated decision. It is our job to make that happen.

You're Sooooo "Tweet"

What are you doing?
I mean it. Right now, what are you doing?
This is the question that MILLIONS are answering every minute of the day on TWITTER. Twitter was "born" on March 21, 2006. Relatively unknown then, over the past year TWITTER has grown 700+% to over 10 million users worldwide. Even more amazing to me is the fact that users who are between the ages of 25-54 are the demographic driving this tremendous growth. AND, my Mom is on Twitter!!!!

Because of this rapid rise to greatness, I did some searching and wanted to share some articles and blogposts about the TWITTER phenomena. Darren Rowse wrote a post in December, 2008, Why Twitter Will Go Mainstream In 2009. He shared 10 reasons why TWITTER will continue to take off, one of which being it's popularity among the political and celebrity crowds.

In today's NY Times, there was an article about OPRAH's first "tweets", Oprah’s First Words on Twitter . Wednesday's USA Today had a cover story highlighting how Twitter was interfering with personal relationships; Relationships in a TWIST over Twitter. YIKES!!!!

If you're not on TWITTER, check it out. In 140 characters or less, you can let the world in on what is going on (or not going 0n) in your life.

To Refinance or Not To Refinance...

That is the question...
Rates are at 50 year lows, so it would seem like a no-brainer to consider refinancing one's property. But because rates are so low, many homeowners who currently have an ARM which is about to adjust will actually end up with a rate lower than what they are currently paying.
In today's WSJ online, there is a great article about this topic, Low Rates Put Some Borrowers In a Quandary written by Nick Timiraos.
One example he cited was an LA technology industry employee who's mortgage will soon be adjusting.
"The 39-year-old says he decided against refinancing the $900,000 ARM on his four-bedroom Dutch colonial home after it reset this month to an annual variable rate of 3.25% from the 4.38% fixed rate of the past five years. The homeowner was considering a 30-year fixed rate at 5.5%, but he says by staying with his ARM will cost him about $22,000 less over the next year."
Timiraos also offered the following points to consider:
--Sticking with an ARM offers low rates now, but risks seeing rates jump in the future.
--Refinancing could lock in a good rate for a longer term.
--Some brokers say borrowers should consider refinancing out of an ARM if they plan to live in a home more than two years.
Always best to consult a professional to weigh out all of your options.
BUT ISN'T IT GREAT TO ACTUALLY HAVE OPTIONS :-)???
Just in from cnbc.com...Thirty-Year Mortgage Rate Falls to 4.82%

There is a Reason Why Dinasaurs are Extinct

Change is hard.
Companies do not want to believe that the landscape is changing.
Because of this, there are still companies squandering money on things that they should have never done, or should no longer be doing.
There is a great quote which totally sums this up;
"There is nothing as difficult and as expensive, but also nothing as futile, as trying to keep a corpse from stinking."
I found a great article which highlights some game changing ideas for businesses to start thinking about written by Jena McGregor, "There Is No More Normal". This artilce points out that we all have to start thinking very differently and changing quickly, if we are going to survive and thrive!
One the best quotes from the article was from John Chambers, CEO of Cisco. He said, "Without exception, all of my biggest mistakes occurred because I moved too slowly."
Yes, the game has changed forever. We are soon going to see some new "species of dinosaur" becoming extinct. Let's hope none of us are among that group!

YOU MUST WATCH THIS!!!!

Always go after your dreams!!!!!

Are You Ready?

I just finished reading a great book by Amy Shuen which highlights strategies behind successful Web 2.0 models. Given the new changes in business and the way companies have had to shift and adjust, this book is a necessary read for those of us who want to grow and evolve to the new ways of doing business in the Web 2.0 world (soon to be Web 3.0).
Learn about how companies are using Twitter, Linked In, Facebook, Youtube and similar applications to grow their busines and reach out to their sphere of influence.

This is the Year of the First Time Homebuyer

I my posts of March 2nd and 23rd, I wrote about comments from industry leaders noting that for the first time in a very long time, first time buyers have a "shot" at entering the home ownership arena.  Today's NY Times article echoes this sentiment.  With inventory priced more affordably and interest rates at historic lows (especially for conforming loans), now is the time to buy.

Here in NYC, the article points out that smaller apartments with smaller price tags are "hot".

The World Welcomes Helix

Jonathan Miller does it again!!!!
He lives among humans as a mild-mannered appraiser by day for the Gotham appraisal firm, Miller Samuel. By night he is a superblogger, authoring MATRIX and SOAPBOX. He now has another addition to his blog family-- The Housing Helix!!!!
Hollywood Miller, as he is known to all of his fans, has now entered the podcast world, poised to release a weekly podcast (at the beginning of each week) to recap the prior week's market events. He will also be including any of his televised and radio broadcast interviews about the housing market. Sadly, Jonathan will not be delivering any musical renditions of the housing market news, but perhaps he will add this if the demand is high.
But seriously, all of us will be able to use the recaps to keep us current and informed in this crazy marketplace. I for one am going to buy a "dedicated" ipod to house all of "Hollywood's" podcasts.
Luv ya buddy!!!

The Return Of Mr. Jumbo

There are sign that the banks are starting to lend to clients who are in need of JUMBO mortgages. Jumbo mortgages have been scarce as banks were scrambling for liquidity. But now, because of government bailout programs and the increase in refinancing, banks have found their sea legs and are starting to lend to the non-conforming rate customer.

This is great news for markets like Manhattan where the average sale price for a home still remains well above the $1,000,000 mark. (See the March 26th post)

Bank of America has rolled out a new jumbo program, offering 30-year fixed-rate jumbo mortgages with rates in the 5+% range. "We decided it was time to really go after that market," says Vijay Lala, a product executive for the bank. (WSJ online) Experts are confident that many of the other "players" will follow suit.

In the LA Times, I found an article written for homeowners with tips on how to secure the lowest rates for a JUMBO loan; How to Lock in the Lowest Mortgage Rate in Today's Tough Market by Kathy Kristof.

In a related article from the NY Times, Muted Signs of Life in the Credit Markets , Jack Healy points out that people's confidence levels are growing. So if you are thinking of buying or refinancing, now may be the time while rates remain at historic lows and product is much more affordable.

Follow Me...Where I Go and Who I Know...

On twitter: http://twitter.com/lauralscott



On facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/profile.php?id=725452801&ref=profile

TOTAL TRANSPARENCY

AKA- The Internet Never Forgets...

For the past few months I have been teaching several courses which have focused on using social media for business. I have reminded my students that now more than any other time, they truly are on "Candid Camera"... 24/7...

Because of this, one should always remember that people's first impressions about you can come from your Facebook page, information they find when the "google" you, your blog, your personal website, YouTube videos or anything else which has been posted about you.

Yesterday, Seth Godin had a great post, The Power of a Tiny Picture. Well worth the read!!!! Also below are some more links which highlights how your "electronic shadow" lives forever on the web...

Scientific American

Barking Robot

Wallet Pop

My March 3rd post

Learn To Earn!!!!!

Just Back From an AMAZING WEEK OF LEARNING with Chet Holmes and Anthony Robbins!!!!!

We all are aware of the current market conditions we face... They are challenging but also fraught with opportunities. Those of us who survive and thrive will be the ones most adaptable to change. We must also be ready to make tough decisions. Remember, it is not a question of resources, it's always a question of RESOURCEFULNESS!!!! Not having resources is an excuse not to get things done. Resourcefulness is the ability to find a means to get something done, regardless of resources!

Click here for a link to TED.com to listen to Tony speak about what it takes to achieve outstanding results. BE RESOURCEFUL!!!!

A Break From CNN (Constantly Negative News)???

While doing my research today I found a few articles that are TOTALLY worth reading and perhaps sharing with your friends and clients.
The first one I found on Businessweek.com, Jumbo Loans Could Make a Comeback , which sheds some light on how banks are starting to lend in the jumbo arena, and the criteria they are using to screen clients seeking these loans. I also found a similar article on INMAN.com , BOA Out to Make Jumbo Loans. These articles will be of particular interest to my agents here in the Northeast who have many clients wanting to buy, but unable to secure the appropriate funding needed purchase the $1million+ product in our markets.

On CNBC.com, the article Renters To Turn Buyers as Homes Become Affordable reports that "In some U.S. markets, prices appear to have fallen enough to make buying cheaper than renting."


Finally, from CNNMONEY.com there is a hint from Wall Street that folks there believe that the housing market may have finally reached the bottom. In Betting on a Housing Recovery the authors say that with better-than-expected home sales reports and homebuilder stocks climbing again, that this may signal a housing bottom.

Perhaps that is why these brokers are dancing? :-)....

FORECLOSURE Now Spells OPPORTUNITY

We have all heard all the news about the housing crisis and how foreclsures are bringing the economy to its knees. Now the press is starting to focus on investors and first time buyers who are seeing the "glass half full" and taking full advantage of this buying opportunity.

In an article today posted to CNBC.com, Wading Into Foreclosures, it states that if you are willing to do your homework, roll up your sleeves and do some work, one can pick up properties in some areas up 60% below the previous purchase price.

“Whether you’re an investor looking to purchase a rental property, or a homeowner who’s ready to retire and move someplace more affordable, the price of foreclosed properties right now is right,” says Debra March, executive director of the Lied Institute for Real Estate Studies at the University of Nevada Las Vegas, the nation’s leading state for foreclosures.

The article state that buying foreclosure properties comes with risks. One must have a long term strategy, and also be ready to do some work, as many of the properties have been dismantled to some degree.

If you have the desire and understanding of the market, this is a great way to find the silver lining in a the dark economic cloud :-)...

We're Having a Heat Wave????

The sun has not set on Ft. Myers real estate. While they are still feeling the pain of two years of declining prices, there may be light at the end of the tunnel.
Because prices have fallen, many "used to be renters" are now scooping up prime "2009 priced" properties. Lower prices coupled with attractive interest rates, have made Ft. Myers and similar areas around the United States interesting purchase prospects.
Trulia.com, a real estate search engine released a report showing that several of these hard hit markets are now enjoying increased sales and search activity. Click here for a full article found on CNBC.com, Some Real estate Markets Warming Up.

FIRST TIME HOME BUYERS BURSTING OUT OF THE GATE!!!

First time home buyers accounted for more than half of the sales last month, fueling a higher than expected existing home sales number. (See my March 2nd post about first timers)

Purchases increased 5.1 percent to an annual rate of 4.72 million from 4.49 million in January, the National Association of Realtors said today in Washington. The median price slumped 15.5 percent from a year ago, the second-biggest drop on record, and distressed properties accounted for 45 percent of all sales.

"Lower prices coupled with very low interest rates and an $8,000 tax credit are causing first-time home buyers to dive in,'' said Bill Emerson, chief executive officer of Quicken Loans in Livonia, Michigan. "While it's good to see sales go up, it's more important to see inventories go down. When that happens, only then can you start to talk about a housing correction.''

The Real American Dream

There was a great article yesterday in the New York Times which you may want to share with your friends and families. It was in the op-ed section, written by David Brooks, entitled The Commercial Republic. Basically the message is that we, as a nation always “bounce back”. It is in our cultural DNA. Click on the excerpt below for the full article….
“From Benjamin Franklin and Alexander Hamilton, through Horatio Alger and Norman Vincent Peale, up until Donald Trump and Jim Cramer, popular figures have always emerged to champion the American gospel of success, encouraging middle-class people to strive, risk and make money.
This gospel gets dented during each of the nation’s financial crises, but it always returns with a vengeance.”

CRAMER IS SCREAMING!!!!

NOW IS THE TIME TO REFINANCE!!!!

In today's article, Stop Trading!;Refinance, Cramer says, “Right now I have never seen a moment where the Federal Reserve is saying, ‘Here’s cheap money…Get back involved!”

So run, don't walk, to have a sit down with your loan officer to analyze your current situation and the new financing options that are available.

March Madness

Thanks to the NY Times, you are now able to fill out your brackets online, invite friends and compare your picks with other readers. You have to register or log in to participate, but is free and it is FUN!!! Below are the links for both the men and women's interactive brackets... I also included the links from the ESPN site for the games schedules and printable brackets....Go Bucks!!!!

Women's Bracket (NYT)

Women's schedule and printable brackets (ESPN)

Men's Bracket (NYT)

Men's schedule and printable brackets (ESPN)

News to SMILE About

FINALLY!!!!! Good news today… Housing starts up 22% (note that these were not single family homes, but rather apartment rental buildings)…

Another great article on the CNBC site was one that started off with the statement “Call off Depression 2.0!!!!”—ya gotta like that :-)!!!!
And since you know how much I push READERS ARE LEADERS, here is a 20% off Border’s coupon. I am re-reading the book, Mastery by George Leonard. In this book George Leonard describes the concept of "mastery" and explains how to achieve it.

Maybe St Patty's Day is a lucky day!!!!

Social Networks and Blogs - Full Steam Ahead

According to a new Nielson Online report, the internet users in the US and other countries worldwide are using social networks and blogs more than e-mail. (Search still holds the top spot for all online activity) Does this mean that the days of using email as a marketing tool are numbered? Is email going to the same graveyard where direct mail now lies?

You may be thinking that social network sites and blogs are just for fun or a trend. Research shows that the time spent on social networks and blogging sites is growing at over three times the rate of overall Internet growth.

If you would like to learn more, Nielson is hosting a webinar on March 25th, Riding the Wave of Social NetworkingInsights and Tactics for Publishers, Marketers and Agencies. Online analysts Alex Burmaster and Jon Gibs will be discussing the global phenomenon that social networking has become and its implications for business and marketing.

Another One Bites the Dust

If you read the NY Times this morning, you may have seen the article about the Seattle Post. Today is the last day they will distribute a print version of the paper. Moving forward, this Hearst Corp. newspaper will no longer be paper; it will be all-digital.

With this transition to all-digital comes a new business plan. Instead of a staff of 165, there will be a staff of 20. Also, the site will be interactive, allowing readers to comment on the various news items and op-eds.

So like many other industries, the newspapers will not vaporize, rather they will be pushing forward in the digital world.

How is your industry changing? Are you preparing and learning how to evolve and move forward? Or will you be like one of the 145 Seattle Post employees who were not ready for the future? ...the choice is your's...

STEP UP!!!

Now I am the Voice.

I will lead, not follow.

I will believe, not doubt.

I will create, not destroy.

I am a Force for Good.

I am a Leader.

DEFY THE ODDS!

SET A NEW STANDARD!

STEP UP!

STEP UP!

STEP UP!

Want to grow your business in 2009?
Join into a complimentary conference call with Tom Ferry live.... Thursday March 12th at 9:30am Eastern time. To participate, simply dial 218-486-1400 and use guest code 46001 # - We can not change market conditions, we can only change the way we think and take action.

Do You Pay Enough Taxes...Or would you like to pay more???

REQUEST YOUR SENATOR TO NOT PASS THE MILLIONAIRE’S TAX....
New York does not need another tax! Write your State Senator today-Your voice counts!!! As we requested during our “ON THE DOT” broadcast, please take a moment to click on this link to send an email to your senator. It takes only 30 seconds. Well maybe 60 :-)...

http://www.taxpayersforanaffordablenewyork.com/

When Warren Buffett speaks....

THE WORLD LISTENS...

Yesterday billionaire Warren Buffett told CNBC that he remains confident that America's best days are ahead... (WHEW!!!! Finally some good news!!!!)

"This machine is gummed up right now and it's gummed up by a lack of confidence, and that makes people scared... Everything will be all right. We do have the greatest economic machine that man has ever created, I believe," Buffett said.

He did say that we will feel more pain but also said that this is a necessary correction. CNBC has posted the complete transcript of his three hour interview as well as all the videoclips.

Click here for the highlights and a 3 minute video outlining Mr Buffetts thoughts and comments.

Recession Busters!!!!

Here are two (of many) FREE 411 services…

The first is a link to 1-800-GOOG411 which is a free information service for BUSINESS. There are plenty out there, but I find this one to be the easiest and most accurate. There is a video link on their page explaining the service.
http://www.google.com/goog411/

There is also a service for both business and residential 1-800-FREE411. Here is their webpage(no video) with all the info: http://www.free411.com/about/

Why pay $1-$2 for info when you can get it FREE???? FREE IS GOOD!!!!!!

If your name does not show up on a GOOGLE search...

DO YOU REALLY EXIST???

JUST GOOGLE IT is a well known command and we all know that GOOGLE has become a commonly used "verb". Just as you are "googling" others--you are being googled!!!

Internet search/research has become a recognized procedure in the hiring process, dating :-), product research, and checking out clients (and they are checking out you). Search has become part of our daily lives!!!

Marketing guru, Seth Godin authored a great blopgpost (2/28/09), PERSONAL BRANDING IN THE AGE OF GOOGLE. He talks about the delights and dangers of how you show up in a GOOGLE search.

William Arruda and Kirsten Dixson are two of the world’s leading personal branding experts, have written a manifesto on this same topic, entitled BRANDING YOURSELF IN BITS AND BYTES found on http://www.changethis.com/. They ask the tongue in cheek question, "Will GOOGLE change the way we name out kids?"

If you are interested in successfully increasing your "GQ" - Google Quotient - I highly recommend reading both of these posts!!! Also there is a MINDOPENING book by Jeff Jarvis, WHAT WOULD GOOGLE DO? (see my 1/26/09 post) which is an absolutely amazing read!!!!

FIRST TIME HOMEBUYER ADVANTAGE

In Sunday's New York Times was a great article, First Timer's Seize the Day. For the first time, IN A LONG TIME, first time homebuyers are actually in the driver's seat. Without the requirement to sell before they can buy, and with interest rates at historic lows (especially for conforming loans), AND WITH TONS OF DISCOUNTED INVENTORY FROM WHICH TO CHOOSE, first timers are jumping into this market of opportunity. National Association of Realtor statistics show that 41% of all buyers in in 2008 were first time buyers, up from 36% in 2006.

You may want to read (or reread) an article I referenced from the WSJ the other day, RENTERS LOSE EDGE ON HOMEOWNERS. It states that the relative cost of owning versus renting is swinging back in favor of homeownership in some U.S. markets.

Also available for qualified first-time home buyers is a federal income tax credit of up to $8,000. They must be purchasing a principal residence on or after January 1, 2009 and before December 1, 2009. Unlike the tax credit enacted in 2008, the new credit does not have to be repaid.

If you are a first time buyer, or know one here are the top 10 things you should know when purchasing your home (from CNNMoney.com)

One Man's Solution to the Housing Crisis????

CHINESE HOMEBUYERS????
While some US real estate developers and real estate agencies are still trying to find ways to overcome the sluggish sentiment among home buyers now, one in particular has begun to target some well-to-do Chinese as their potential clients. SOUFUN.com , a leading real estate Internet services provider in China, arranged for a group of 50 potential buyers to go on a 10-day trip to the United States to view properties.
According to Soufun's plan, the group will visit five cities in the US - New York, Boston, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Las Vegas – which began on February 24th and will go through March 5th . The houses they will be viewing are mid to high-class houses and townhouses and priced between $300,000 and $800,000 US dollars.

Click here for the entire article: http://www.cnbc.com/id/29406401
Click here for the video clip: http://www.cnbc.com/id/15840232?video=1046356813&play=1