Motivational Speaker

Great presentation from one of the masters of social media. Thanks for the trial blazing Jeff.

Business & Social Media & Networks have exploded the last 5 years. So much so that I have been asked by hundreds of brokers and agents when am I going to write about it more and provide suggestions, tips and strategies on how to master this growing "monster."

The good news is that I am busy writing as we speak and will be announcing in August details about my new Swanepoel SOCIAL MEDIA Report - A Field Guide for Real Estate Professionals.

Meanwhile it's important to be connected, get connected and to build your network. This survey should prove interesting and hopefully inspire many more real estate professionals to become more active in social and business networks.

Submit your name and lets get a snapshot every year of what it means to be one of the 100 most connected in real estate.

Last weekend, real estate agents and brokers got introduced to yet another social and business network to participate in when online real estate news service, Broker Agent Professional, launched Broker Agent Social. Within the first 100 hours after launch they exploded to 2,000 members - adding a new member every few minutes.

Broker Agent Social enters an already crowded field dominated by ActiveRain of course as well as other large online communities such as RealTown, Zillow Community, Inman Community and RealSeekr.

It isn't that there's not room for one more as I actually suspect we will see another dozen or more develop over the next year as different online communities each strive to find their niche and target audience. According to Morgan Stanley, networking online has become the 2^nd largest activity online after email.

Not all online communities are of course the same as My Space, Facebook, LinkedIn, Buzznet and Hi5 have already proven. In their case differentiation, at least in the beginning, may have started as a group of school friends, an international social network with a local flavor or an online community featuring a specific interest such as pop, punk or rock bands.

It will not be any different for real estate online communities.  Each one is going to have to first its specific importance and usefulness to its members and secondly find a revenue model that they can sustain. Although initial indications were that marketers strongly supported online networks, most of the largest networks have yet to turn a profit and with a downturn in the economy advertising budgets are being reeled in.

That said I am still positive that online networks will play a significant role in shaping the future of the home buying transaction and I have dedicated a trend to them in my 2009 Swanepoel TRENDS Report that is due for release on 2/2/09.

Time will tell who will be able to build a loyal and meaningful following that will cherish their online relationship enough to stay active members. Having a lot of members is important but it is the focus and specialization that instills the desire to for members to return on a frequent basis and it is quality of the content that encourages participation and loyalty - both key factors in long term survival.

So, in your opinion, which are the three best online communities in real estate? Now be objective...

On November 7^th, while I was at the NAR convention in Orlando, Fidelity surprised us all by announcing that it would be acquiring LandAmerica in an all stock deal valued at $128 million. This merger would have great the largest title insurance group with about a 45% market share. In terms of the agreement Fidelity had time till today, November 21^st to back out of the deal based on their due diligence. Well, last night, Friday at 8:00PM Eastern time they did exactly that.

 The deals off!

Real estate professionals need to think differently about the future. They need to do more and they need to move faster.

It has now been more than 10 years since my first book on trends, Real Estate confronts Reality, and many of the changes that we have been writing and speaking about are now coming to fruition. Things are definitely changing, and on a large scale. Within the next five years the real estate brokerage industry will significantly have changed and brokers and agents that don't adapt now will not enjoy the benefits of the next economic upswing.

Many of the leading companies of the next few decades are already starting to emerge and the time to stake your claim is now. How do you do that? The answer, of course, is not a simple one, but one that I will nevertheless endeavor over the course of the next few months to shed some light on.

Let's start our journey by identifying five factors that will characterize the future:

1. Change

Change is real. It is neither bad nor necessarily good. However it is constant and ever present. It is the very essence of life. So change in our industry is not something new, nor should it be deemed unexpected. It will however alter they way you do business. The more change we experience in a condensed time frame, the larger the transformation will be.

2. Complexity

Most adjustments in life are usually hard and therefore we by nature resist them. We have to deal with many changes occurring at the same time that are integrated with activities, products and processes we do not always understand - all of which create a myriad of complexities. And as the future is uncertain and ever changing these complexities just cloud the issue, often hiding very change needed. 

3. Confusion

And so the change together with the complexity creates confusion for us. We become bewildered by the new and often fixated with the idea that we cannot do something. This uncertainty is unfounded and must be overcome. As certain as there are new things you do not know, so also is the fact that you can master any new product, service or skill and that the path going forward can be revealed.

4. Choice

Remember that every scenario provides options and alternatives. Failure is more often than not self imposed barriers. Each problem, obstacle and impediment has more than one solution and you have the capability of discovering it. It just requires commitment, focus, time and execution.

 5. Courage

Do not resist change. Embrace it. Make it work for you. Find the thread from the past that you can carry into the future - build on your existing knowledge by adding new knowledge, grow your skill set by expanding your horizons and remain competitive by embracing innovation. Rather than resisting or fearing the change help shape the future of the industry.

Every year the Swanepoel TRENDS Report identifies, analyzes and then details out the most important and imminent changes that are expected to impact the real estate industry over the coming 12 - 18 months. The 2009 edition is currently in the final 60 days of research and writing.  

If you have information that you would like to share with me feel free to email me and my research team at 2009@REtrends.com before Monday, November 17^th. 

Change seems to be the buzz word this year, with Barack Obama touting "Change We Need," John McCain promoting "Real Change" and even Hillary Clinton saying "Change you can count on." 

Every year the Swanepoel TRENDS Report identifies, analyzes and then details out the imminent changes that are expected to impact the real estate industry over the coming 12 - 18 months. The 2009 Report is currently in the final 60 days of research and writing and obviously with all the recent financial disasters, the energy crisis, the housing collapse and foreclosure catastrophe this has made 2008 the worst year in real estate and financial history.

So with 500 million cars clogging our roads, 7 billion tons of carbon dioxide produced per year and a government financial bail out package of $700 billion we have been bombarded with huge numbers. What do they mean and how big is 700,000,000,000 - really. Well, 700 billion M&M's would be enough to give every American 10 one-pound bags - or alternatively $700 billion could buy every person on the earth 87 McDonalds combo meals. 

So what does it all mean to the real estate industry? That remains the $64,000 question and this is where the annual Swanepoel TRENDS report tries to provide insights, information and interpretation. And although 2008 has had more than its fair share of adversity, misfortune always provides a new opportunity if one knows where to look. Knowledge of course provides that foresight.

Already thousands of hours of researching has been invested in drafting the 2009 Swanepoel TRENDS Report by not only the regular team of analysts but over 50 regular industry leaders and contributors.

While we believe that the Swanepoel TRENDS Report is the most thorough and complete report of its kind it is impossible for us to cover the industry from top to bottom and, as we have done in past years, we would like to invite your input before we finalize the report for 2009. 

During the month of November the Team at RealSure is opening the doors and inviting anyone involved the residential real estate brokerage industry to write to us and tell us if they feel they know of or are involved with any new, innovative product or service or a company that has set a course that is changing or could potentially change the industry.

If you believe that you have information that will help us provide a more accurate assessment of the industry and the trends and strategies shaping our future please email us. However, we cannot promise that everything we receive will make it into the 2009 Swanepoel TRENDS Report. We can however promise that no piece of information will go unread.

This year's special email address is 2009@REtrends.com and it will be open to receive input until Monday, November 17^th.  You may also send any personal quotes on the industry or the Trends Report should you wish to be cited. We do however ask that you do not send confidential information or product promotional material.

For more information on the 2009 Report visit www.REtrends.com

Despite congressional passage of the historic $700 billion bailout legislation, which was signed by President Bush on Saturday, Oct. 4, the Dow Jones Index tumbled 22% last week; the worst week in its 118 year history.

Some calculations indicate that since the beginning of the year U.S. corporations have declined about $8 trillion in value ($20 trillion to $12 trillion) and we have seen giants stumble and fade like Countrywide, Washington Mutual, Indy Mac Bank, Lehman Brothers, AIG Insurance and Wachovia.

The current headlines read: Credit Crisis, Financial Meltdown and Stock Market crash.

It all reminds us so much of the year 1906; 102 years ago.

The city San Francisco had just been savaged by a major earthquake measuring 7.8. Over 30 fires caused by ruptured gas mains destroyed approximately 25,000 buildings in 490 city blocks causing a firestorm that lasted for four days and nights.

The event became the greatest loss of life from a natural disaster in California's history.

In the wake of this calamity one man took a stand and on behalf of his bank to help rescue the situation. He was Amadeo Giannini, the founder and President of Bank of Italy. Following the earthquake he sent out a telegram to his clients stating:

"Building Destroyed - Vaults Intact - Credit Unaffected."

The following day he opened for business and despite circumstances loaned money to as many people as he could to facilitate rebuilding the city, the businesses and thousands of people's lives.

He continued to create the first state-wide branch banking system and in 1920 renamed his bank, Bank of America. By 2008 Bank of America had become one of the Top 10 banks on the world, and according to assets the largest in the U.S.

What an inspirational story of success and the difference one person can make.

Who do you think, person or company, will be the success story of the current crisis?

GMAC Financial Services has sold GMAC Real Estate to Brookfield Asset Management, Inc., the owners of Royal LePage, the largest Canadian residential real estate brokerage company. The transaction is expected to close before year end. The transaction includes all three of GMAC's home services divisions including: GMAC Global Relocation Services, GMAC Real Estate and GMAC Home Services Mortgage.

With 3,460 respondents casting 6,099 votes, Rainers and the real estate professional community has decided who the Top 25 Most Influential Women are. And what an incredible list of powerful women this list represents.

Nine months ago when the 2008 edition of the Swanepoel TRENDS Report was published, the demographics that included women, youth and minorities were identified as key drivers in the future of the residential real estate brokerage industry. In the Trend titled "Shattered Glass" it was detailed how many women had reached leadership positions at national levels.

This trend lit the match to initiate a nationwide flame in search of the Top 100 Most Influential Women in leadership roles in the Real Estate Industry. Though the survey was not billed as warranting scientific rigidity, the tremendous response rate and distribution of over 6,000 votes speaks to a strength in collective wisdom about the relative placement of the most influential women in the Top 100 list.  Hence the results are being presented in alphabetical order within three group rankings.  The Top 25, Top 50 and the Top 100. 

THE RESULTS

Top 25

The top 25 Most Influential Women include a power list of Who's Who in real estate such as former National Association of REALTORS® Presidents, Dorcas Helfant-Browning (1992) and Sharon Millett (1999); co-founders of large real estate franchises and companies such as Gail Liniger (of REMAX International), Ebby Halliday (of Ebby Halliday Realtors) and Barbara Corcoran (of Corcoran in NY).  Also featuring prominently are current presidents and senior executives of large real estate firms such as Helen Hanna Casey (of Howard Hanna Real Estate), Michael Saunders (of Michael Saunders Real Estate) and Virginia Cook (of Virginia Cook Realtors).

The top 25 list, however, also comprises a variety of interesting female leaders that deal with all different walks of the industry such as Avis Wukasch (Board member of the Texas Real Estate Commission), Susie Hale (Frogpond Publishing) and Leslie Appelton-Young (chief economist of the California Association of Realtors). For a photo and full details of all of the Top 25 Most Influential Women click on each person's name in the list.

Here are the Top 25 in alphabetical order (names hyperlink to bios and photos):

Ann Defries
Avis Wukasch
Barbara Corcoran
Blanche Evans
Bonnie Mays
Danielle Kennedy
Dorcas Helfant-Browning
Ebby Halliday
Gail Liniger
Helen Hanna-Casey
Joeann Fossland
Judy Ladeur
Kelli Todd
Laurie Janick
Leslie Appleton-Young
Margaret Kelly
Mary Frances Burleson
Mary Tennant
Michael Saunders
Mo Anderson
Niki Rapattoni
Rita Santamaria
Sharon Millett
Susie Hale
Virginia Cook

Top 50

The next group of 25 women rounding out the top 50 includes numerous household names in the industry featuring esteemed authors such as Carla Cross and Bernice Ross and well known speakers and trainers such as Laurie Moore-Moore, Barb Schwartz and Dianna Kokoszka. The list is also adorned with numerous presidents of large real estate companies including Kaira Sturivant Rouda (Real Living), Sherry Chris (Better Homes & Gardens) and Dottie Herman (Prudential Douglas Elliman), Former NAR past presidents Cathy Whatley (2003) and Pat Vredevoogd Combs (2007), as well as incoming president for 2010, Vicki Cox also made the top 50 list.

Here are the Top 50 in alphabetical order (names hyperlink to bios and photos):

Adorna Carroll
Amy Chorew
Andy Capelluto
Ann Bailey
Anne Randolph
Barb Schwarz
Bernice Ross
Carla Cross
Cathy Whatley
Darity Wesley
Dianna Kokoszka
Dottie Herman
Frances Flynn Thorsen
Kaira Sturdivant Rouda
Kim Ades
Laurie Moore-Moore
Lenn Harley
Marilyn Wilson
Pam O'Connor
Pat Vredevoogd Combs
Patti Kouri
Shari Chase
Sherry Chris
Terry Murphy
Vicki Cox

Top 100

Rounding out the Top 100 Most Influential Women in Real Estate Leadership (in alphabetical order by first name) are:

Betty Graham, Beverly Faull, Bonnie Erikson, Brenda Casserly, Brenda Shipplett, Carmen Multhauf, Carol Clarke, Claudia Wicks, Darlene Lyons, Debbie Campagnola, Debra Ashwer, Donna Lee Laue, Edith Lank, Frances Martinez Myers, Ilyce Glink, Janet Branton, Jennifer Cummings, Joyce Bea Sterling, Joyce Paron, Judy Moses, Judy Stark, Karel Murray, Kimberly Gorsuch-Bradbury, Laurie Keenan, Lee Pappa, Lois Weis, Lorna Borenstein, Margaret Dixon, Maria Patterson, Mary Doyle Kimball, Mary Umberger, Maureen Mccabe, Nina Cottrell, Pamela Alexander, Pamela Geurds Kabati, Pamela Leibman, Pat Jensen, Patricia Choi, Robin Mueck, Ruth Ann Pepple, Sarah Shoemaker, Sharon Simms, Shelia Bair, Stacey Moncrieff, Sue Doerfler, Susan Johnson, Sylvia Shelnutt, Tami Bonnell and Tara-Nicholle Nelson. Bios of many of the finalists are listed at www.realestatewiki.com 

Incredibly impressive list of great women.

Congratulations to everyone!!

Who are you most excited to see make it to the Top 25?

So said John McCain during his acceptance speech and the RNC convention.

And I think he's right!

He was, of course, talking about our youth - I am, of course, thinking about my friends the real estate professionals.

Let's start with our kids. Survey after survey states that the US is falling behind when it comes to international education rankings. It would seem that many countries like Japan, Korea, Finland, New Zealand and even the United Kingdom have developed more effective education systems in recent years.

Generally speaking US reading results are lower than 30 years ago, and in a 2006 reading survey spanning 40 countries our 4th graders came 14th. SAT scores are basically unchanged in the last 3 decades. Even in science in which the USA features the best we are behind countries such as Finland, Hong Kong, Australia and, Germany. Even our neighbors to the north, Canada are above us.

So John McCain or Barack Obama, you have an important and huge responsibility on your shoulders for the decade ahead.

Meanwhile, back on the real estate ranch we are also sadly lacking. Compared to many other "jobs" or "professions" we are in most cases way behind. In a few states you can get your real estate license for as little as 40 hours.

40 hours??

That's about 5% the time we take every year just to research and write Swanepoel Trends Report. So what's in the Real Estate Licensing Exam? 100 multiple choice questions, some basic comprehension of real estate terms and a few simple math calculations.

Not good enough!! Do we always have to give everyone an incentive to do the right thing?

If we want smarter and brighter kids that have a better future, then education is the key.

If we want more professional real estate agents that have a successful career, then education is key.

So what should we do in the Real Estate industry to take a quantum leap forward?