Heading to Atlanta for RETECHSO….

What’s RETECHSO?  It’s where the real estate techies go to meet and learn.

Why Atlanta?  Many people from all over the country will be presenting tech info for real estate agents.  It’s a place to network with those from across the country, learn more about ways to serve real estate clients, and hone our tech skills.

Wednesday night is a Tweet Up, Thursday night is a special Cocktail Party for VIPs, and Friday is a closing party.  Note:  techies party-hearty.

But, the real reason for attending is to see cutting-edge technology for the real estate market.  Just take a look at the presentation of the program.  Click here.

If you want to be at the top of your game, you have to train.  It’s all about learning and implementing!!

how2educate will be putting on RETTs on 4-16, 5-14, and 6-18 (with @PhxREguy, Jay Thompson).  Much of the information on those dates will come from RETECHSO and from the Phoenix REBarCamp to be held in Scottsdale on 4-9.

Technology is about giving you more time for personal relationships!

Kathy Howe

Kathy Howe, Owner/Administrator/Educator

how2educate LLC

1120 W SR89A  Suite A-1

Sedona, AZ 86336

Real Estate Tech Think-tank… SEDONA 4-16 & 5-14

What’s a real estate tech think-tank?

Ask the Phoenix Association of REALTORS(R) who recently designated one of their conference rooms to people who want to meet and talk tech.

Those of us who teach know that we learn from each other.  This is a great opportunity for those of us who belong to the Phoenix Association of REALTORS(R) to be able to rub shoulders and ask questions of the gurus like Jay Thompson, Nick Bastian, and more.

But, what if you are not in the PAR neighborhood and would like to “talk tech”?

These same gurus suggested how2educate use their offices one day a month (or more) for people to be able to drop in and discuss tech.

So we’re going to do just that.  Here’s the deal:

• Bring your computer, or use one of ours
• Password into our wi-fi network
• Bring Mac or PC (I’ll need help with my new iPad)
• No speakers – a workshop

Put this event on your calendar and come “talk tech” with us between 11 & 3.  Come and go, or stay for the whole time.  Bring a friend.

Twitter Bird Follow Me

In order to partake in the RETTredrocks, you must have a Twitter account and name.  Sign up before you come.  You don’t have to use Twitter yet – we can show you the ins-n-outs and how not to abuse Twitter by tweeting your business every second.  We’ll show you how to make friends and establish relationships.

Did I say it is FREE?

Kathy Howe aka @SedonaKathy #RETTredrocks

how2educate  LLC

Spring Remodel in Mind?

Why not get a tax credit while doing your spring remodel?

“The Existing Home Retrofit Tax Credit (Tax Code Section 25C): Tax credits are available at 30 percent of the cost, up to a $1,500 lifetime limit, for installation in 2009 & 2010 (for existing homes only) of these products…”

For the full list of qualifying appliances and materials, click here.

I’m getting a tax credit for removing the 22 year old hot water heater and replacing it with a Rinnai tankless hot water heater.  By the way, I am extremely happy with my choice.

The choices are endless… I have my 2009 tax credit, wonder what I’ll do for 2010…

Kathy Howe

Kathy Howe

how2educate LLC

March-April Real Estate Continuing Education Classes – Sedona, AZ

• Some changes: Scroll down to March 23rd.  Both of those classes will be held 3-29

• March 24th classes will be held on 3-30.  Kathy will be in Atlanta for the RETECHSO event, and will be bringing back scads of new techie ideas for our learners.

$75 annual pass (all the classes over a period of 1 yr from date of issue) or $25/class

how2educate Calendar To register:  email kathy@how2educate.com No phone reservations

March

Next Exit…the Future  3 hrs General  Thursday 3-11  1:30-4:30

From Stefan Swanepoel’s Trends Report 2010 (updated 2/20), see what the future brings. What new real estate business models will we see?  How will the consumer find us, lenders, title insurance costs, and how will education, learning, and information influence us in the future?

Sick Building Syndrome – Mold  3 hrs Disclosure  Friday 3-12   1:30-4:30

Updated course that many of you have already attended.  Houses and buildings that make you ill…Radon is now on the World Health Org. and EPA’s revisit list.  Found to be more of a carcinogen than thought.  New benchmarks.  Mold:  perception or reality?

Arizona’s Law of Agency… 3 hrs Agency  Saturday 3-13  10-1PM

Arizona is the only state in the US that has an amendment to their state constitution that allows real estate licensees to “draft” (not only fill in the blanks) legal documents (without charge) incident to the transaction.  We explain legal docs but don’t give legal advice.  We act in the best interest of our client..  When are we an agent?

Business Planning… 3 hrs Commissioner’s Standards   Friday 3-19  10-1PM

Your vision is the “What” and the mission is the “How”.  Explore other vision/mission statements.  Write a vision/mission for your business then work on goals and strategies to make it happen.  ADRE outlines business must-dos for brokers.  Do you have an Independent Contractor Agmt with your broker? Do you have a copy of the Office Policies?

Short Sales, Anti-Deficiency, Bankruptcy… 3 hrs Legal Issues  Friday 3-19  1:30-4:30PM

If your seller has a property that will receive an offer below the loan balance, do you know how to counsel that seller?  Does every seller who is upside down have the possibility of a short sale?  Who really decides at what the property will sell?  Is there any negotiation?  What about the 11 page addendum of a foreclosure?  Should you recommend an extended owner’s title policy on Short Sales and Foreclosures?

Essentials – the Middle… 3 hrs Contract Law    Tuesday 3-23 10-1PM

In this course we go hands on from listing docs to purchase docs and addendums.  Computers in the classroom or bring your own and guest-into our network.

Fair Housing:  Gender Issues… 3 hrs Fair Housing Tuesday 3-23  1:30-4:30PM

Take a walk down history’s path and discover the periods of discrimination against women over the years…see how the women’s movement paralled the Civil Rights movement… understand the difficulties that women have handled over the years.

Essentials – the Home Stretch 3 hrs Disclosure Wednesday  3-24  10-1PM

This class covers all the disclosures that RE agents are required to make during residential real estate transactions, and then some… workshop, Q & A.

Negotiation, Mediation, Arbitration… 3 hrs Legal Issues   Wednesday 3-24  1:30-4:30PM

This is a course that focuses on negotiation tactics first, then mediation and the process, finally arbitration and the courts.  Do you know your BATNA?  Do you know that of your client?  REALTORS are often some of the best mediators and facilitators.  Come hone your skills.

April

Roots of Discrimination  3 hrs Fair Housing  Thursday 4-1  10-1PM

Throughout the years man has put one race, one culture, one religion above another.  Know when it began (recorded times)?  What makes us look at each other differently?  When do we break the laws by favoring one person over another?

Residential v. Land Contract Workshop   3 hrs Contract   Thursday 4-1  1:30-4:30PM

Workshop on purchase contracts and addenda.  When do you use certain addends, working within timeframes, beginning to end…

Arizona’s Law of Agency… 3 hrs Agency  Tuesday 4-13  10-1PM

Arizona is the only state in the US that has an amendment to their state constitution that allows real estate licensees to “draft” (not only fill in the blanks) legal documents (without charge) incident to the transaction.  We explain legal docs but don’t give legal advice.  We act in the best interest of our client..  When are we an agent?

Essentials – the Beginning… 3 hrs Commissioner’s Standards  Tuesday 4-13  1:30-4:30PM

A review and application of the real estate statutes and rules for everyone.  Starting your career or in the middle, a review of IRS Independent Contractor definition, broker-supervision, assistants, agency, disclosure, cooperation and compensation, advertising, files…

Sick Building Syndrome… 3 hrs Discloure  Thursday 4-15  1:30-4:30PM

Updated course that many of you have already attended.  Houses and buildings that make you ill…Radon is now on the World Health Org. and EPA’s revisit list.  Found to be more of a carcinogen than thought.  New benchmarks.  Mold:  perception or reality?

Broker Management – a primer 3 hrs  Monday 4-19  (PENDING approval)  10-1PM

A broker management course that prepares an agent/broker/associate-broker a primer as to the setting up of a brokerage firm, management and supervision, and links to agencies who can be of assistance in the course of brokerhood.

Price, List, Market… 3 hrs General    Monday 4-19 1:30-4:30PM

Price it right, beat out the competition, market the property, and negotiate a purchase!  There are new rules for the 21st century.  How effective is print marketing?  Which websites work best?  Does Social Media offer opportunities?  Do sellers want to be more involved?  Do buyers want our information and advice?

Short Sales, Anti-Deficiency, Bankruptcy… 3 hrs Legal Issues  Tuesday 4-27  10-1PM

If your seller has a property that will receive an offer below the loan balance, do you know how to counsel that seller?  Does every seller who is upside down have the possibility of a short sale?  Who really decides at what the property will sell?  Is there any negotiation?  What about the 11 page addendum of a foreclosure?  Should you recommend an extended owner’s title policy on Short Sales and Foreclosures?

Next Exit…the Future  3 hrs General  Tuesday 4-27  1:30-4:30

From Stefan Swanepoel’s Trends Report 2010 (updated 2/20), see what the future brings. What new real estate business models will we see?  How will the consumer find us, lenders, title insurance costs, and how will education, learning, and information influence us in the future?

See you in class, soon!  Have a beautiful day and remember to check the website for any changes.

All classes held at:

1120 W SR89A, Ste A-1

LaTierra Plaza

Sedona, AZ

Who Is Profiting On A Short Sale?

Grab a beverage, sit yourself down, and prepare to be stunned.

Many people across the country are applying for the restructuring of their loans or are so far behind that they have to sell their property through a short sale process.  Why does it take so long?

The investor decides to take the short sale offer, or not.  One of how2arizona real estate’s clients has had a short sale offer in since mid-October and not until the agent suggested pushing the envelope for a response (with the client’s approval) by doing a full blown appraisal, was there a response from the local lender in February.

Note: Not until April do the banks have to respond within 10 days, so without pushing the envelope, this buyer might suffer the following consequences:

• miss out on the tax credit for return home buyers of $6500 (must have a binding contract by 4-30-10 and close by 6-30-10)
• miss out on another acceptable property
• get an unacceptable counter offer after waiting months

The latter happened.  On a full price offer, the local lender, countered the offer with a $36,000 bump.  Yes.  And, Fannie Mae is the investor in this example.

Note: Maybe someone up there is listening… within 6 hours of this post, how2arizona real estate’s client was notified that the original full price offer had been accepted with a closing date in March.

So how are banks profiteering?  View this video about IndyMac who was taken over by the FDIC.  We are not saying that in the example above, Fannie Mae or the local lender is profiting by the method explained on the video.  We are saying that buyers and sellers are the victims of the process.

The FDIC is the government entity who guarantees your savings and deposits in banks.

Other methods of profiteering in the current market:  ”drop bids“.  We called the Attorney General’s office to request an opinion of whether or not they are illegal and if so, by what Arizona Revised Statute(s).  We were given no opinion, only the reference to ARS 33-725 and a comment that they too had read the article published in the Arizona Republic but could not say definitively that “drop bids” were illegal.  This information came from the gentleman who works in the Attorney General’s law library.

Note:  Phoenix real estate and bankruptcy attorney Diane Drain was asked to weigh in with her interpretation of the laws on “drop bids” and this is what she had to say:

“The only answer I have is to refer folks to the statutes: ARS 33-809(F) Beginning at 9:00 a.m. and continuing until 5:00 p.m. mountain standard time on the last business day preceding the day of sale and beginning at 9:00 a.m. mountain standard time and continuing until the time of sale on the day of the sale, the trustee shall make available the actual bid or a good faith estimate of the credit bid the beneficiary is entitled to make at the sale.  If the actual bid or good faith estimate is not available during the prescribed time period, the trustee shall postpone the sale until the trustee is able to comply with this subsection.

I don’t believe that changing the bid amount more than a few hundred dollars is right.  Is it illegal?  Good question.”

For many people, the lack of clear-cut rules or a clear-cut process makes victims of them a second time.  Once, by their financial situation; then, second by those who have been told by Congress and the President to assist them.

The Resolution Trust Corporation looks better every day.

Maybe it’s time to have the attorneys weigh in on this…

Kathy Howe

Have a great day!

Kathy Howe

PS.  Over a year ago the banks lost their bid to be in the real estate business due in large part to the NAR’s lobbying efforts.

February RE CE Schedule

 Note Cancellations & Changes… 

February

Arizona’s Law of Agency…3 hrs Agency  Wednesday 2-10  10-1PM 
Arizona is the only state in the US that has an amendment to their state constitution that allows real estate licensees to “draft” (not only fill in the blanks) legal documents (without charge) incident to the transaction.  We explain legal docs but don’t give legal advice.  We act in the best interest of our client..  When are we an agent?
MOVED TO WED. 2-24 1:30-4:30

Sick Building Syndrome… 3 hrs Discloure  Wednesday 2-10  1:30-4:30PM
Updated course that many of you have already attended.  Houses and buildings that make you ill…Radon is now on the World Health Org. and EPA’s revisit list.  Found to be more of a carcinogen than thought.  New benchmarks.  Mold:  perception or reality? 

Essentials – the Beginnig… 3 hrs Commissioner’s Standards  Thursday 2-11  10-1PM
A review and application of the real estate statutes and rules for everyone.  Starting your career or in the middle, a review of IRS Independent Contractor definition, broker-supervision, assistants, agency, disclosure, cooperation and compensation, advertising, files…

Essentials – the Middle… 3 hrs Contract Law   Thursday 2-11  130-4:30PM
In this course we go hands on from listing docs to purchase docs and addendums.  Computers in the classroom or bring your own and guest-into our network.

Short Sales, Anti-Deficiency, Bankruptcy… 3 hrs Legal Issues  Friday 2-12  10-1PM
If your seller has a property that will receive an offer below the loan balance, do you know how to counsel that seller?  Does every seller who is upside down have the possibility of a short sale?  Who really decides at what the property will sell?  Is there any negotiation?  What about the 11 page addendum of a foreclosure?  Should you recommend an extended owner’s title policy on Short Sales and Foreclosures?

Roots of Discrimination… 3 hrs Fair Housing   Friday  2-12  1:30-4:30PM
Throughout the years man has put one race, one culture, one religion above another.  Know when it began (recorded times)?  What makes us look at each other differently?  When do we break the laws by favoring one person over another?

Business Planning… 3 hrs Commissioner’s Standards   Tuesday  2-23  10-1PM
Your vision is the “What” and the mission is the “How”.  Explore other vision/mission statements.  Write a vision/mission for your business then work on goals and strategies to make it happen.  ADRE outlines business must-dos for brokers.  Do you have an Independent Contractor Agmt with your broker?  Do you have a copy of the Office Policies? 

Res. v Land Contract…3 hrs Contract Law   Tuesday 2-23  1:30-4:30PM
Workshop on purchase contracts and addenda.  When do you use certain addends, working within timeframes, beginning to end…

Essentials – the Home Stretch (PENDING)  3 hrs Disclosure   Wednesday 2-24 (PENDING approval)  10-1PM
This class covers all the disclosures that RE agents are required to make during residential real estate transactions, and then some… workshop, Q & A.

Broker Management – a primer  3 hrs Broker Management   Wednesday 2-24 (PENDING approval)  1:30-4:30PM
A broker management course that prepares an agent/broker/associate-broker a primer as to the setting up of a brokerage firm, management and supervision, and links to agencies who can be of assistance in the course of brokerhood.  POSTPONED TO MID-MARCH

Negotiation, Mediation, Arbitration… 3 hrs Legal Issues   Thursday 2-25  10-1PM
This is a course that focuses on negotiation tactics first, then mediation and the process, finally arbitration and the courts.  Do you know your BATNA?  Do you know that of your client?  REALTORS are often some of the best mediators and facilitators.  Come hone your skills.

Price, List, Market… 3 hrs General    Thursday 2-25 1:30-4:30PM
Price it right, beat out the competition, market the property, and negotiate a purchase!  There are new rules for the 21^st century.  How effective is print marketing?  Which websites work best?  Does Social Media offer opportunities?  Do sellers want to be more involved?  Do buyers want our information and advice?

All classes are $25/class or $75 annual pass and are held at 1120 W SR89A, Suite A-1, LaTierra Plaza on North Airport Road in Sedona. 

March…coming shortly

Kathy Howe

Gallup Poll 2009 Results Are Out…

Gallup Poll is out…

Nurses top the list of the most ethical and professional.  At the bottom?

You guessed it:  Car Salespeople

But second from the bottom is one you might not think would be rated so low:  HMO Managers

See the whole list.  Click here.

Real Estate salespeople and brokers did not make the list.  For some reason the Gallup Poll has not asked about real estate people in years.  Is that good or bad?

Happy day to you…

Kathy Howe

As Of 2-1-10, FHA Relaxes “Anti-Flipping” Rules

Click here for your access to the HUD – FHA news release.

“As a result of the tightened credit market, FHA-insured mortgage financing is often the only means of financing available to potential homebuyers,” said Donovan. “FHA has an unprecedented opportunity to fulfill its mission by helping many homebuyers find affordable housing while contributing to neighborhood stabilization.”

With certain exceptions, FHA currently prohibits insuring a mortgage on a home owned by the seller for less than 90 days. This temporary waiver will give FHA borrowers access to a broader array of recently foreclosed properties.

“This change in policy is temporary and will have very strict conditions and guidelines to assure that predatory practices are not allowed,” Donovan said.

Be sure to read the full article which includes the rules.  It just may be the way in which you can purchase a home or assist a buyer in the purchase of a new property.

Kathy Howe

Have a great day!

Kathy Howe

Microsoft: Are Prices Too High To Be Competitive?

Great article from Information Weekly: “7 things Microsoft Must Do In 2010″.

First, most real estate people use PCs…Mac users:  approximately 8%.  Until the iPhone hit the streets, Apple was almost a foreign word in our industry.

Second, the costs associated with having 2 PCs has changed over the years.  Once Microsoft’s Internet Explorer and Office Suite were preloaded and included in the cost of the PC purchase.  Not so any more.

Most real estate licensees have 2 computers.  One for their office (with a large screen), and a laptop for traveling, mobility, or whatever.  If not a laptop, a smartphone such as the iPhone, blackberry…  Purchasing software from Microsoft becomes costly.

Let’s not forget Google.  They are moving into the real estate industry with Google Map overlays of properties for sale and sold.  And then there’s Nexus One.  Question:  will the smart phone become the new netbook?

What are the 7 things Microsoft could do, according to this article?

1. Cut the Price of Windows
2. Deeply Cut the Cost of Office
3. Acquire Data Services
4. Ditch Zune
5. Buy Yahoo
6. Retire Ballmer
7. Launch a Game-Changer

Technology.  It’s a great read.  Microsoft, are you listening?

Kathy Howe

Kathy Howe aka SedonaKathy

Twitter Me:  SedonaKathy

Email Me:  kathy@how2educate.com

Google’s Nexus One: Outting Jan 5, 2010

For some, this is a most “awaited” announcement.  For others, a “wait-and-see”. 

Here’s a sneak-peek at the new phone.

Happy New Year from Google…

Kathy Howe