All About Realestate

By Wantanee Khamkongkaew

Korea, acknowledged as the ”Land of Morning Calm,” is located in the heart of East Asia, occupying a mountainous peninsula, stretching about 500 miles south towards Japan. In recent years, Korea has made an outstanding progress in reforming its economy, which has attracted foreigners to invest in almost all sectors of economy.

Korea also holds the distinction of being a stable nation in both political and economical wise. All these have strengthened the real estate market in Korea. Investing in Korean real estate allows you to beat inflation, procure tax benefits, ensuring for cash flow, and above all helps you to effectively plan for retirement. In a snap shot, property market in Korea is unique and presents a range of distinctive features.

However, the prices of real estate in Korea are relatively high. The prices are even higher in such prominent areas as Seoul. But, investing in property market in Seoul provides tremendous benefits, due to such attractive features as landlord-friendly leasing system, market lucidity, and easy convertibility of capitals.

The capital as well as commercial center of Korea – Seoul boasts of the largest concentration of commercial property in the nation, with its two significant business districts such as Yoido, which is home to a number of leading financial institutions as well as the Korean Stock Exchange, and Kangnam area. When compared to other prominent Asian global commercial destinations, Seoul”s property market is about 50% larger than that of Hong Kong and about 100% larger than that of Singapore.

The housing or residential development in the country is mostly dominated by the public services, with the instructions of Ministry of Constructions. Housing developments in Korea are primarily undertaken through government agencies such as the Korea National Housing Corporation and the Korea Land Development Corporation.

One of the greatest specialties of Korean property market is leverage, ie, its ability to tie up an important asset for exceptionally small amount. Another feature of investing in Korean property market is freedom, ie it can fetch you good income without affecting or hindering your present job.

Mostly, people invest in Korean real estate in order to provide it for rent or lease. Literally speaking, tenants pay for your investment property in the form of rent. Also, a great feature of Korean real estate is that it provides you with a regular cash flow, which turns out to be an important income, particularly when the mortgage on property is completely paid off. Above all, Korean real estate is regarded as one of the greatest assets. In short, with these unique features, perhaps there would be nothing perfect than investing in a real estate in Korea.

The laws pertaining to buying or selling of real estate in Korea is quite liberal and simple. Further, in contrast to some Asian nations imposing restrictions on foreigners to invest in real estate, Korea does not put forward any specific restrictions for foreigners to buy a property here, except for complying with the FLAA Act or the Foreigner”s Land Acquisition Act.

In order to register the property with the court registry, alien registration number is required. Further, a foreigner is required to submit relevant documents with the local government office within 60 days of the date of the execution of the purchase agreement. Likewise, a foreigner is required to obtain permission from the local government office, if he is interested to invest in any of the protected areas as stated by the FLAA. A resident foreigner can easily acquire a property in Korea, particularly if he has been in the country for more than six months. Some local banks even provide mortgages to resident foreigners just as they provide it to Koreans.

But, in order to ensure secure real estate transaction, it is important that you must have a clear idea on the steps involved in the process of buying a property in Korea. Further, prior to signing a purchase agreement, it is important to thoroughly check the status of the building or land you are going to acquire. Hence, it is recommended that you hire the service of a professional attorney or a reputable real estate agent.

With a myriad of real estate firms and property builders in the scenario, property search in Korea is not at all a tedious process. Apart from property search, these service providers render a range of other services in connection with sales, leasing, portfolio management, valuation, research, and consultation.

About The Author

Wantanee Khamkongkaew is an independent author evaluating and commenting on leading International Property Consultants in Asia and Greater China, especially CB Richard Ellis – http://www.cbre.com.hk

By John Franco

Seven years ago I finally gave in to the real estate frenzy and signed up for a class to obtain my real estate license. I don”t have to tell you about the huge amount of business being done in all areas of the real estate market for the past eight to ten years or so. If you don”t know, you are probably not from this planet.

One friend of mine was doing very well in his own business as a mortgage broker. In fact, it was he that encouraged me to come to work for him. I had little trouble making that decision knowing just how much money his office was generating. Besides, I could work part time and continue to work my first job.

My new job description was contacting homeowners and offering them the “opportunity” to refinance their existing mortgage to obtain a better rate while paying off high interest consumer debt, or take a vacation, buy an automobile, etc. There were huge gains in the appreciation of home values and many homeowners wanted to access their new found wealth.

When I started in the business I knew nothing of mortgages, but I picked up on it quickly and had many opportunities available to me in learning about the industry. When I came to understand how mortgages were structured, I was shocked at how heavily a mortgage agreement weighed in the banks favor. To receive your interest in the beginning of the terms is a nice deal.

It will take the average home owner, with a thirty year mortgage, twenty years of payments before they reach the halfway point. That is to say, half of their payment applied to interest and the other half to principle. When you consider the average American home owner stays in their home only seven years, well that is a real nice deal for the banks. Just Google “mortgage calculator” and enter your numbers to take a look at how your term is amortized and what portion of your payment is going to interest.

However, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. You are not prevented from paying ahead of your agreed upon amortized schedule. When you pay ahead of schedule you are canceling portions of interest. You are probably wondering why I am repeating things you already know. “Sure, I can cancel interest but where is the extra money going to come from?”

This question has been answered by an ingenious individual from Australia named Harj Gill. In his best selling book “Own Your Home Years Sooner”, Harj Gill explains how home owners can cut the terms of their mortgage significantly and save many thousands in interest charges by doing so. This is done without having to refinance your existing mortgage, and without any change to your monthly budget. This is simply a powerful new approach in handling money to gain greater flexibility and economic freedom.

It is worrisome to see some homeowners who have been paying for many years on a mortgage, only to refinance and be right back where they started from. We can not expect our home values to rise any longer; in fact, the opposite is now taking place for many homeowners across America. It is time to take a sober look at what we can be doing better.

About The Author

Copyright 2008 John Franco. John Franco is a man who revels in the current renaissance. To read more tips and techniques like the one in this article, please visit John here http://formenoverforty.blogspot.com

By Tim Ebl

Most people will agree that purchasing and owning real estate is one of the most important milestones in your life. Like any large item, thought has to be put into the longterm effect a home or other property will have on your lifestyle and family. If you are thinking about getting out of the renter”s mindset and moving up to owning your own home, here are seven tips that might be useful.

1. Get an experienced real estate agent on your side. Instead of trying to find a house on your own and then negotiating with the owner or their representative, take advantage of a qualified agent”s experience and the resources he or she has. A real estate agent could have hundreds of real estate transactions under his or her belt, and this can be used to help you get the best possible home for your money.

2. Get your real estate agent to prepare a Comparative Market Analysis of the property you have in mind. This will show what similar real estate has sold for recently, and show you how the asking and selling prices of various homes compared.

3. Have the home inspected. For this inspection you need a third party inspection company. This will let you know of any problems with foundation, roof, etc. Before you buy is the time to know the true condition a home is in.

4. If possible, try to get pre-qualified for financing, with a mortgage rate guarantee. This will help find homes that you can afford, and avoid disappointment if you fall in love with a house out of your price range. It will also streamline the buying process later on.

5. Don”t let your eagerness and emotions get the better of you. It is easy to find a home that you just have to have. You need to talk to your real estate agent and weigh the pros and cons before you make any decisions.

6. Be aware of different negotiating tactics and styles. An offer that is too low may upset the seller, and make counter offers less appealing. An experienced real estate agent can help you get through offer situations.

7. Know and understand the legal documents before you make an offer on a home. Ask your real estate agent to explain the clauses and agreement, and make sure you know your rights as well as your obligations once the offer is put forth.

Remember, your best bet is to find a real estate agent that knows the ropes, and that is working to find you the best home you can afford. Good luck finding your perfect home!

About The Author

Tim Ebl is a property owner who enjoys home improvements and studies property values in his area. For more helpful real estate articles check out http://alberta-real-estate.net/

By Ricardo d Argence

As the area of Baja California, Mexico continues to grow, so do all the reasons for individuals and families to purchase beach front property there.

Whether its a privately gated community, instant access to an unpolluted beach, or just enjoying the scenic views, ultimate serenity is at your fingertips.

Add total land ownership with affordable financing, and you have got a match made in heaven.

It doesn”t matter if you are coming to Baja California to retire or just needing a vacation home once or twice throughout the year the answers all point here. Around the clock you will enjoy a secluded area with top notch security features leaving you feeling not only comfortable in your surroundings, but also like a celebrity.

Private beach access sitting in warm beautiful weather, enjoying the sites of yachts coming in off the water from deep sea fishing trips as a fresh sea breeze moves across your face are just some of the ways Baja will leave you wanting more.

Over the years the area has built itself up for tourists and residents both to enjoy.

The commercialization that started back in the year 2000 is just enough to fill the needs of the local community and tourists while leaving u.s. tendencies along the way in each store, deli, and the occasional restaurant.

Even if you want the real deal and move across the border of Mexico for the day, its just minutes away from downtown San Diego, California. However, Baja has a substantial amount of activities for you to enjoy.

Due to the positioning and the two bodies of water that surround it (Pacific Ocean and Sea of Cortez) there are several activities that require getting wet.

Adventurous people can partake in the snorkeling and diving where swimming with sharks, dolphins, sea lions, and other marine life are everyday events.

Other activities for your enjoyment include para-sailing, deep sea fishing, kayaking and much more.

You may be an outdoor enthusiast that would love to enjoy the various hiking, biking, mountain climbing, sightseeing tours, and camping available as well as horseback riding on the beach.

During your stay, its imperative you enjoy some of the delectable dining offered in Baja. Visitors continue to acknowledge the fresh and healthy food that is served in the area on a daily basis.

One restaurant in particular is the El Yogurt Place. Although the name says dessert, you find yourself entrenched in a array of salmon, chicken, turkey, vegetables, tuna and for the something different, ostrich.

The restaurant even has what is called “fruit potions” which are said to improve your overall quality of skin. Its one place you won”t want to miss.

There are several other restaurants for your dining pleasure which offer different styled Mexican, American, and other ethnic foods around the area.

With all of this available its no wonder Baja California, Mexico is one of the hottest investment areas in recent years.

One of the biggest benefits is the easy accessibility the area presents for people who travel whether around the harbors or airports its a great central location for all.

Which as an investor, can mean year round profits for the people that own beach front properties. Using it as a rental home, growing equity as the area does, USA title insurance, and complete land ownership makes this an easy decision.

About The Author

cbriveras, Real state & purchasing propperties in Cabo San Lucas, La Paz, Baja California, Pacific Corridor & San Jose del Cabo

http://www.cbriveras.com

http://www.pedregal.com

http://www.pedregalescapes.com

By David Cowley

If you”re someone lucky enough to be able to afford a vacation getaway home, you”re to be congratulated. With so many people in the U.S. who cannot even afford their first home, being able to afford a cottage or country house is a rare luxury. But before you drop your hard-earned money on that beautiful home you have your eye on, what are some things you should first think about before making that purchase?

For one thing, be practical and realistic about what you can afford by way of a vacation home. If you”re just making ends meet right now, no matter how much you love that little country house now, you may wind up resenting it when you realize what a dent it”s taking out of your budget. And this means other expenses beyond the mortgage or purchase price, including furniture, utilities, upgrades, and things such as these. If your getaway home is near a certain lake or country club, are there dues or fees you will need to figure as well?

Also, how often will you be using your vacation home? If you seriously can get away for only a few weeks every year, then is it worth outright ownership? Would a timeshare be more appropriate? Is it worth actually purchasing a getaway home you”re only going to use so infrequently? Are there other arrangements you can make, such as having friends rent it for a few weeks every year so as to cut down on your expense?

Are you planning on renting your getaway home when you are not using it? Who will maintain and clean between rentals? Who will actually rent the home? If you live close enough to your vacation home then you could take care it your self but most people do not live close by.

You may want to consider a rental management firm to take care of your rental for you. Most management companies charge between 8 and 12 percent of the income which does not include maintains or maid service. Be sure to include these figures in your budget prior to purchase.

Some people purchase a vacation home now, intending to move there after retirement. If this is your thinking, remember that your life and your circumstances may be very different when you reach retirement age. Will you still be interested in water skiing or hunting when you”re in your sixties? You may want to purchase a home that offers a bit more well-rounded interests. Is the retirement home accessible to those who have physical limitations – in other words, when you”re at retirement age, your knees may not be able to handle all those stairs, and you may not appreciate being in a “winter wonderland” when you have arthritis and poor circulation. No one wants to think about how they”ll change physically as they age, but in order to make your vacation home a proper investment for your retirement years, you need to be practical and realistic.

Purchasing a vacation home for your enjoyment now can be a great investment for families that are really going to make use of it, and for those who are looking forward to a permanent residence upon retirement. Use common sense and be practical, and you”re sure to make a wise decision that will serve you well for years to come.

About The Author

David Cowley has created numerous articles on real estate investing. He has also created a Web Site dedicated to real estate investing. Visit http://www.rgvre-team.com

By Lanard Perry

Real estate internet lead generating strategies are some of the many marketing initiatives employed by present day real estate agents and firms. The internet has benefited many businesses by helping them create a bigger presence through greater exposure to a wider variety of prospects.

No longer are agents focusing on just one market and lead stream – and rightly so. A single source of leads can be detrimental to your financial health, because you could find yourself up the creek without a paddle. Consequently, agents today are focusing on several niche markets simultaneously and are using the Internet to amplify their efforts.

But why implement real estate internet lead campaigns? What gives them an edge over other marketing strategies? There are many advantages, but number one benefit is cost-effectiveness.

Ever wonder why some businesses close after a few years of presence? It”s because of funds, funds which can become scarce even if the business is doing great. It happens for example when expenses exceed, or outperforms, income.

Spending more in expenses than income generated will quickly kill any business. But with real estate internet marketing campaigns you can find many ways to market and advertise your website -many of which are free to low cost.

You don”t need thousands of bucks just to get noticed for a short time and ignored the rest. You can start with a small budget as you build up your business and keep it relatively the same as it grows.

How to Generate Free Real Estate Internet Leads

Free Classified Ads. When you calculate the possible expenses for marketing your real estate website you should consider free options that are available all over the internet. The first place to look is for free ads sites.

Free classified ads sites offer exposure and internet presence offline techniques can”t duplicate. You can run a free ad for up to 3-4 months on some sites and generate a constant, steady stream of leads.

One location to place your real estate ad is in the “Homes for Sale” section. Start with this section and target owners trying to sell their homes as well as buyers looking to purchase homes.

If you come across a seller who appears to be advertising a lot properties contact them to see if they”re interested in listing them with you. You”ll never know unless you ask.

Search Engine Optimization. For the greatest exposure on the World Wide Web you should focus on search engine optimization, also known as SEO. This form of online real estate marketing has proven to be the best ROI for online marketing strategies.

So, if you want to have a successful real estate lead generating web site you should learn about SEO first.

But the short of it is this. Creating persuasive, keyword rich content is the way to go, as keyword-rich real estate articles and reports will drive traffic to your site, thereby generating leads and income generating opportunities. Prewritten content (real estate articles and reports) is also an effective approach.

When doing SEO work you should maintain a page for keywords that reflect your site”s content and offers. While it takes persistence and patience to have an effective web site you”ll be very pleased with the fruits of your labor.

Summarily, successful real estate internet lead generation doesn”t have to be prohibitively expensive. It can cost little to nothing to get started – and little more than that to maintain.

About The Author

Click http://www.farmingexpiredlistings.com to learn how to average 1 or more listings a week and http://www.real-estate-marketing-talk.com for more lead generating ideas.

By Art Gib

St. Louis is a rapidly growing city — increasing significantly in jobs and residents over the last ten years and creating a desirable culture for new residents as well as thousands of tourists each year. Currently, St. Louis is the nation”s 18th largest metropolitan area, with more than 2.7 million residents. One factor in this growth rate is the remarkably low cost of living that exists in the St. Louis area for a city of its size. In 2005, St. Louis had the 4th lowest cost of living of any U.S. Metro Area.

As a direct result of this growth, the housing market in St. Louis has become increasingly chaotic and cluttered. It becomes necessary, as a result, to be more strategic in finding a living space in and around the city, without ending up with a home in a less than desirable neighborhood that costs more than you would otherwise be willing to pay.

Due to the rising cost of homes, apartment rentals have been on the rise while home ownership is falling, due to the lower cost of renting.

Clayton, Missouri is one of these fast-growing suburban areas of St. Louis and is beginning to gain more attention in the housing market over the past several years. Clayton, Missouri apartments are becoming incredibly popular because of Clayton”s proximity to St. Louis” city center as well their reasonable prices and the somewhat small-town feel of Clayton (Clayton”s current population is under 13,000 people). Clayton also has great schools, businesses and churches and its demographics stand in line with the rest of the state, making it a microcosm of Missouri.

Clayton, Missouri Apartments Online

As the Internet space becomes the shopping mall of the future, every market — including real estate — is affected. Shopping around online for Clayton, Missouri apartments is an effective and incredibly easy way to use the broad-reaching capabilities of the Internet to shop for homes with all of the requirements that you desire for your new dwelling.

Using online tools can help allow you to quickly peruse hundreds of available Clayton, Missouri apartments in a single sitting; such as size, price range, and neighborhood of choice. Additionally, many sites will allow you to make comparisons based on the criteria you have chosen, once you have found a few homes that interest you.

The Internet will probably never replace traditional real estate companies, but it is making significant advances in comparison shopping for homes and apartments, as well as promoting competition in pricing. So, whether you are looking to move to the St. Louis area, or just to relocate within the city, using online tools can help you find the perfect residence.

About The Author

Art Gib writes for Barron Realty (http://www.baronrealty.com) an online realtor specializing in Clayton, Missouri apartments, homes, and other real estate in the St. Louis area.

By Wantanee Khamkongkaew

Thailand is one of the most popular destinations to live in. It is even better when you prefer to live in Pattaya, an incredible island destination, situated in the northern Gulf Coast of Thailand. The city of Pattaya is dotted with an amazing range of attractions covering superb beaches, picturesque landscapes, interesting museums and art galleries, beautiful parks and gardens, sumptuous as well as authentic seafood cuisines, and exciting nightlife.

The cost of living in Pattaya is exceptionally cheap when compared to other popular cities of the country, such as, Bangkok. Further, its great culture, salubrious climate, and presence of amicable Thai people all have made Pattaya truly a unique destination. Perhaps for these reasons, many people, especially westerns, choose Pattaya as their retirement destination, apart from a holiday destination. Many organizations function here exclusively for the welfare of expatriates, including, Expats Club of Pattaya, UK Club of Pattaya, and Pattaya Sports Club. Hence, it is no wonder why property market is booming in Pattaya.

A spectrum of properties is available in Pattaya. From affordable and stunning bungalows and villas to apartments and gated communities like flats, accommodation choices in Pattaya are vivid and colorful. However, with the flow of westerners as well as the increased demand for western style of accommodation, the demand for condos is greater than ever before. Many foreigners even prefer to acquire land and build houses as per their tastes and requirements.

However, expenses in connection with the building of single detached houses are quite high. Additionally, in order to own a land and build a house by a foreigner, certain legal tangles are associated with it. For instance, if you are a foreigner, you must require either a Thai spouse or a legitimate company to acquire a land in the region.

But, when comes to owning a condominium unit in Pattaya, the Thai government does not enforce any kind of precincts, except for some requirements to be complied with under the Condominium Act of 1979, including bringing in 100% of cash for the purchase of condominium unit in foreign currency and recording of it through a local Thai bank on a Foreign Exchange Transaction Form (FETF), which is regarded as an evidence to present it to the Land Department office.

Probably for this reason, nowadays both foreigners and natives prefer to own and stay in condominium units. Many of the upscale condo units in Pattaya are centered around such areas as Bang Saray and Tawanron beach, Jomtien beach, and Wong Amat beach.

On the basis of your lifestyle, budget, and preferences, different types of condo units are now available in Pattaya, from low cost condos to high end luxury condos. Condo units are also available depending upon the number of members in your family. You can choose from a range of condominiums in Pattaya, such as, apartment model, townhouse, and sometimes even in the form of a single detached structure.

No matter it is of any model, a condo unit in Pattaya comes complete with amenities such as superb bedrooms attached with relaxed beds, expansive living rooms, sophisticated kitchen, and bathing area with uninterrupted water supply. Some luxury condominium properties are replete with most modern facilities such as game rooms, laundry facilities, whirlpool spas and saunas, pools, meeting rooms, and parking areas.

A plethora of benefits can be derived from owning a condominium in Pattaya. Foremost is that condo living in Pattaya enables you to live in a well-controlled community. Another key benefit of living in condo is security, since many of the condo units are coupled with most sophisticated monitoring system. Low interior and exterior maintenance costs and access to superb facilities such as elevators and swimming pools are the other benefits of living in a condo unit.

In addition, buying a condominium in Pattaya is regarded as an excellent long term investment, guaranteeing good returns. But, the price of condominium units is exceptionally high in contrast to other accommodations options such as apartments and single houses.

With the introduction of the internet, purchasing or renting a condominium in Pattaya is no longer a tiresome process. Scores of realtors as well as real estate firms, property builders, and consultants, are now in the scenario to help in fetching your dream condo unit in Pattaya. Majority of them have their own websites, with details including expected price, amenities available and pictures of the condominium, it allows for convenient purchasing of a condominium. Further, many of them customize condo units according to your specifications.

About The Author

Wantanee K. is an independent author evaluating and commenting on leading International Property Consultants in Thailand, especially CB Richard Ellis – http://www.cbre.co.th

By dror klar

Almost all of the most famous buildings throughout the world are constructed and or decorated with natural stones of some sort. It has long been a tradition to use rock in its many forms to build structures for a variety of uses.

Everything from some of the first homes we made to live in, to the buildings that were a common meeting place for some purpose or another. Coliseums, museums, grand castles, and many other structures have been made using stone.

The Taj Mahal was completed in 1648 is considered one of the most beautiful buildings in the world. It is actually a mausoleum made for the third wife of the Muhgal Emperor Shah Jahan. It is considered a stunning representation of Mughal architectural design that combines Persian, Turkish, Islamic, and Indian styles for its interior and exterior design.

It has been dubbed the Jewel of Indian art. Its domed exterior is made using white marble. Marble elements can also be found in various places on the interior of the mausoleum as well as in the gardens that surround the mausoleum.

The exterior of the United States capital building is made from sandstone that was quarried from Aquia, Virginia. It was first to be designed by a French engineer named Pierre Charles L”Enfant. He refused to produce actual plans for his design and was dismissed. President George Washington then held a competition that was won by a doctor named William Thornton.

The actual construction began in 1793 and the building and all its added extensions was not completed until 1868 due to many problems that included the war of 1812. There were many improvements that were made throughout the years. It is one of the most visited buildings in America.

The construction of the Colosseum in Rome, Italy was begun about 70 A.D. during the reign of the emperor Vespasian and completed in 80 A.D. during the reign of Titus.

The Colosseum is an entirely free standing structure and its exterior was built using travertine. Watching gladiators was among the most popular spectacles that were held at the Colosseum.

It is thought to have been able to accommodate up to 50,000 people or more. In later years it was used for other things besides public events. In recent years the Colosseum has underwent a lot of repair to help stabilize the structure. It is also one of the most popular tourist attractions in the world.

About The Author

Dror Klar is an advocate and writer about top quality Jerusalem Stone and Granite. learn more about his sites :

http://www.jerusalemstoneny.com

http://www.milanogranite.com

By Barry Cunningham

“We are stuck in the dark ages, I have great confidence that we will have the best record company in the industry, but the reality is, in today”s world, we might have the best dinosaur. Until a new model is agreed upon and rolling, we can be the best at the existing paradigm, but until the paradigm shifts, it”s going to be a declining business. This model is done.” Rick Rubin, Chairman of Columbia Records

As chairman of one of the biggest record companies in the world, Rubin realized that the music industry needed a complete overhaul. To say that Rubin has been successful is an understatement. Rubin has won 6 Grammy awards, produced hundreds of albums, been responsible for the career success of a veritable who”s who of the music industry having worked with everybody from Johnny Cash to U2. MTV has called Rubin the most influential person in the music industry in the last 20 years.

From behind the scenes, Rubin has seen it all and he knows a change is desperately needed for the record industry. The downhill slide in music began in 1999. Its demise was a child. A young technologically advanced young man. His muse was called Napster.

Napster was founded in May 1999 by Shawn Fanning, a high school student that developed a program for people to share music files over the Internet. This technological advancement caught on with such popularity and grew so fast that the music industry was caught with its pants down. The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) with no way to stop what was going on decided to at first try to ignore the technology and when that did not work they began suing their customers. We all know how that turned out.

If that wass not bad enough, on October 23, 2001, just a month after the 9/11 terrorist attack, Apple computers basically put the final nail in the coffin of the music industry as we used to know it. They launched the iPod. Fast forward to January 2007, when Apple reported record quarterly revenue of US$7.1 billion, of which 48% was made from iPod sales alone. On April 9, 2007, it was announced that Apple had sold its one-hundred millionth iPod, making it the biggest selling digital music player of all time.

In 8 short years, the recording industry was turned upside down. They were ignorant to the value of technology, their governing body did nothing to react to the technology and now sales have been in a free fall decline ever since. Sort of like the housing industry.

So what can be learned from history so as it does not repeat itself? I believe it is too late for many agents, as in my opinion the real estate agent business model is obsolete and has even worse leadership. But that”s an article and opinion that has already been voiced.

Five Changes the Real Estate Industry Needs To Make Immediately

1. Toss out the baby with the bath water.
In the past, a bath was simply a tub of standing water in which every member of the family bathed in the same bathwater. The man of the house had the privilege of the nice clean water, then all the other sons and men, then the women and finally the children. Last of all the babies. By then the water was so dirty you could actually lose someone in it. Hence the saying, “Don”t throw the baby out with the bath water”. Whether or not this was true, the idiom remains. Real Estate is dirty. The landscape is murky and littered with sub par performers who are stinking up the joint. The industry is led by Brokers who in some instances are less knowledgeable than their rookie agents. It”s time to change and realize that the bath water, and all those lurking in the dirty water be thrown out so the real performers can start fresh and clean

Make it harder for new agents to enter the business. Embrace technology. Educate yourself with many techniques to get a deal done and most importantly understand there is NO business that can be successful without understanding the value of marketing and personal investment. MARKETING IS EVERYTHING!

2. Put the trophies away.
John Wooden was arguably the best college basketball coach of all time. The Wizard of Westwood as he is affectionately called won 10 national championships. Unbelievably his teams won 7 national championships in a row from 1967 to 1973. His UCLA teams also had a record winning streak of 88 consecutive games, four perfect 30-0 seasons, and won 38 straight games in NCAA Tournaments.

Wooden writes in his autobiography that after winning his 10th and last championship in 1975 that he was walking off the court and a fan came up to congratulate him. Wooden recounts that the fan said these resounding words to him, “Great win coach, this makes up for letting us down last year”. How strong is the legacy of THE Coach? Steve Lavin (fired from UCLA in 2003), has called this post-Wooden phenomenon a “pathology,” and believes that every basketball coach will eventually be fired or forced out from UCLA.

Just because you experienced success doing something one way, does not mean you can count on being successful tomorrow or the day after. Set aside your laurels, re-tool and play the game with today”s rules. Success did not last at UCLA and it will not, and has not, lasted in real estate. Change your gameplan right now. Don”t have one, create one. Don”t let the success of the boom years be your “pathology”.

3. Supplication in business breeds HUGE profits.
When is the last time you completely humbled yourself in front of a client? I mean actually show yourself as being completely and utterly undeserving of their business and that you would be honored for them to just to be speaking with you?

With all of the picturesque business cards with all of the alphabets on the cards with all of the brochures selling YOU…when was the last time you begged humbly for someone”s business? In this market, you had better learn!

Here”s a novel idea to follow. The customer is king. What is more important in today”s market is the realization that they may even be more knowledgeable than you. Not sure? Well, you better go into the deal expecting as much. In today”s market you had better understand that the appointment that you go on today is an informed prospect. Know your client and ask for the permission to SERVE him.

Permission to do business with the client IS what you are trying to have bestowed upon you. Permission marketing is what will save the real estate industry. In today”s digital world you have the ability to communicate with your client and your prospects in a way that you never have before. From their computer, anywhere in the world they should be able to find you and communicate with you, on their terms. But you must have permission. Permission marketing is effective because the client or prospect is contacting you and giving you the stated privilege to do business with them.

Imagine having a stream of qualified, interested prospects calling you. Imagine having had a month of dialogue with a client before you have even met them. Think you could close more business? Let them know you value their permission.

4. Go to War!
No, I am not saying join the Army and go to Iraq. I am talking about taking the gloves off with the media and going to war to combat the onslaught of doom and gloom. The market is not bad. There are deals to be had. There are tons of buyers out there. You are just not armed. David may have slayed a giant with a slingshot but in today”s reality, the slingshot just is not going to cut it. You need to be armed with the new and improved slingshot. The cyber-slingshot. Able to slay giants anywhere and anytime. Have I mentioned the importance of technology? Are you getting it yet? Here”s a hint, an autoresponder or spam filter is not an adequate use of technology. Your client or prospect may be afraid. People who are afraid, don”t buy…unless of course you utilize the aforementioned permission to provide them with information to support their buying decision.

5. Sell the iPod. Be the iPod.
Can you imagine selling a product that everybody HAD to have? Can you imagine BEING the product everyone HAD to have? Now imagine being both. Kind of wild isn”t it? Let”s agree, selling real estate is not and has not been traditionally sexy. No sizzle. In fact you are in the least prestigious “profession” known to man. Are you simply going to accept that? Become a rockstar…do something remarkable. Don”t go outside the box, stomp on it and kick it to the curb!

Earlier I spoke about the iPod. Here is a product that did not exist 8 years ago and now it is a must have. Like Fed Ex before it, how many products or services are created and then become something you can”t do without. Be the iPod! Re-Brand yourself as someone we NEED to do business with and someone we MUST do business with. People who learn to capture notoriety generate profits. What are you doing that will make you a rockstar in your community? You need to generate massive exposure and personal celebrity. At a minimum you need to try.

This would just be a starting point. A true roadmap needs to be developed by the individual. As an agent who truly wants to succeed in today”s market and beyond, there has to be a concerted effort to reward change and to embrace technology.

I had an agent email me this morning and say angrily that all I keep talking about is marketing and technology. He said I knew nothing about real estate or marketing and that I was an idiot. I asked him how he heard about us. Angrily he said he was reading our blog. And I”m the idiot. Marketing is everything!

Change, while not easy, is constant and quite fulfilling if you are prepared for it.

About The Author

Barry Cunningham is one half of the B&B Crew who are the hosts of Real Estate Radio USA.

Real Estate Radio USA is broadcast daily live worldwide at 4PM-6PM at http://www.realestateradiousa.com We invite you to listen in and participate in lively and spirited discussion.