GlarStar Blog

 REALTORS CHART A WINNING COURSE WITH 20,000 REALTORS^® IN SAN DIEGO 

            Baxter November 20, 2009 – Twelve members of  The Greater Lakes Association of REALTORS  joined 20,000 Realtors^® in San Diego during the 2009 REALTORS^® Conference & Expo, “Chart a Winning Course,” held November 13-16.  Conference attendees are:  Sandy Arildsen (C21 Brainerd Realty); Rob Birkeland (Larson Group Real Estate); Tim Bosch (Weichert REALTORS Tower Properties); Kevin Goedker (Goedker Realty); Carrie Lee (Larson Group Real Estate); Sue McAllister (United Country McAllister Realty); Sheila Holley (Edina Realty); Diane Pogatchnik (Keller Williams Brainerd Realty); Rebecca Sellnow (RE/MAX Lakes Area Realty); Dinah Sundberg (Edina Realty); Marvin Strong (Keller Williams Realty Brainerd Lakes) and Janie Weston, CEO of the Greater Lakes Association of REALTORS.

            Attendees assembled at the National Association of Realtors^® annual conference to address industry issues affecting Realtors^® nationwide and to invest in education and networking for their local businesses. The various forums, classes, exhibits and workshops provided attendees with the pertinent information and skills necessary to prepare themselves for today’s industry challenges and opportunities.

 Charles McMillan, NAR’s 2009 president, praised his fellow members for their resiliency in the face of a challenging year for real estate.  “Realtors^® handle hundreds, if not thousands, of real estate transactions over the course of their careers, and understand the real estate market is cyclical,” said McMillan.  “They’ve been there every step of the way to ensure potential buyers are well informed about the once-in-a-lifetime opportunities available to them in this market – low interest rates, lots of inventory, affordable prices and, of course, and the recently extended and expanded home buyer tax credit.”

 Days before the conference, Congress voted to extend the home buyer tax credit through April 30, 2010, and expand it to include current homeowners.  Realtors^® welcomed the news and are hopeful about the impact of the expanded tax credit to help stabilize home prices. According to an NAR survey, first-time home buyers made up 47 percent of all transactions in the past year, the highest on record dating back to 1981. 

 It was noted that the incentive has already spurred national home sales and more than 2 million home buyers are expected to take advantage of it this year. “Congress’ decision will enable many more families to achieve the dream of homeownership and take advantage of current low interest rates and affordable prices.”  

NAR launched a new Short Sale and Foreclosure Resource Program during the conference. The program is designed to strengthen Realtor^® expertise in handling distressed properties by giving them stronger knowledge and greater resources to help families on both sides of the transactions. Through this certification and other programs, NAR is working to help streamline short sales and help more families avoid foreclosure.

 Realtors^® also examined the impact of the Home Valuation Code of Conduct on the nation’s real estate recovery efforts. NAR has been calling for a moratorium to address the unintended consequences of HVCC and its implementation and believe accurate, timely appraisals are necessary for successful real estate transactions. Both Realtors^® and appraisers report HVCC has adversely affected the appraisal process and was the cause of many lost sales.

 A highlight of the conference was an address by former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice who shared her perspectives on current world events that helped contextualize the global economic crisis and set the framework for Realtors^® as they focused on real estate recovery during the week.

 During the conference, Vicky Cox Golder, from Tucson, Ariz., was installed as the 2010 NAR president.  Touting her theme, “On the Rise,” Cox Golder called on all members to prepare for the dawning of a new day for real estate in America.

 More than 400 exhibitors displayed the latest in professional development services, “green” products and services, Internet advertising and other state-of-the-art industry tools at the conference’s Expo.       

            The Greater Lakes Association of REALTORS represents 650 members in Aitkin, Cass, Crow Wing, Hubbard, Mille Lacs, Morrison, and Todd Counties.

 The National Association of Realtors^®, “The Voice for Real Estate,” is America’s largest trade association, representing 1.2 million members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries.

GLAR Market Update
There were strong home sales in the Greater Lakes region once
again in October.  For the month there were 242 closed sales,
up 14.7 percent from a year ago as low mortgage rates and the
federal tax credit for home buyers spurred activity.
With the home buyer tax credit extended and expanded, we can
expect that first-time home buyer activity will remain strong,
but don’t bank on the same blockbuster numbers we say this year.
If you were a potential first-time home buyer who was qualified to
purchase in 2009, odds are pretty dang good that you already bought.
The fact that the income limits have been raised for eligibility does
help since it widens the credit’s availability.
The $6,500 credit for second-time buyers will spur some sellers
in the low-to-mid price ranges to put their homes on the market
who had previously been on the fence.  New listings will likely
increase this winter and into early 2010 as a result

The National Association of REALTORS holds an Annual Conference each year.  This year the Conference and Expo is in San Diego, California, November 12 – 16.  Thirteen members of the Greater Lakes Association of REALTORS will be attending; Sandy Arildsen, Diane Pogatchnik, Marv Strong, Rob Birkeland, Kevin Goedker, Rebecca Sellnow, Sue McAllister, Sheila Holley, Carrie Lee, Tim Bosch, Dinah Sundberg.

GLAR Market Update
After two consecutive months of growing closed sales, August saw a slight cool-down in buyer activity in the Greater Lakes region. There were 203 homes sold in August, down 18.1 percent from one year ago. Year to date there have been 3.5 percent fewer homes sold in the region this year than last year.
Thankfully, new supply coming on the market has slowed. In August there were 446 new listings, down 15.7 percent from last August. With 27.5 months of supply available, the market does not need an influx of new properties to come on the market.
Home prices continue to decline, but this is partially a function of increased market share of non-waterfront homes, likely sparked by the federal tax credit for first-time home buyers

Fundraiser is Monday, Sept 21 @ 6:00 PM

Travis Banks has been a Realtor in the Brainerd Lakes Area for many a year. This past summer his 11 year old son, Justin, was diagnosed with Leukemia. Justin was just starting a new baseball season, and looking forward to what every other kid looks forward to in the summer, sleeping in, spending his days outside playing catch, going to the beach, and hanging with family and friends.

Justin’s life changed drastically, and life as he knew it was forever changed. With weeks spent at Children’s Hospital and bouts of chemo, he stood up tall and said I am going to fight this and beat this. With his parents by his side every step of the way, it has been an unforeseen financial burden on the Banks family.

So this is where we, as a family of Realtors and Community Members in the Brainerd Lakes Area, have an opportunity to reach out and bless the Banks family.

Justin was excited about playing football this fall, but because of his condition, he took the field not playing quarterback, but as his Dad’s assistant coach on the sidelines. His first coaching job was this past Saturday, and his father was beaming from ear to ear watching his son cheer on his team and encouraging the players on the sidelines. On Monday, Sept 21 at 6:00 PM, Brainerd 4th & 5th graders will be recognized at the Brainerd High School football game with their annual “running through the tunnel” with Justin leading the way and he will be recognized by coach Stolski.

What we are asking is for all the Realtors and Community Members to donate $50.00 (or whatever you can) towards the cost of printing T-shirts that will be sold at the game. All the proceeds will go into a fund set-up for Justin Banks.

I am very excited about this opportunity, and hope that you will get on board, and show we are pulling for Justin. 

Please contact myself (Tina) or Jim Christensen, Kurilla Real Estate (jim@lakeshorebroker.com) to get more information or drop off a check.

Tina Anderson, Broker, Positive Realty
Direct: (218) 825-3375
Cell: (218) 330-1650
TinaAndersonSold@msn.com

Take Action Now!
Don’t let America’s real estate recovery expire! Tell Congress to extend and expand the homebuyer tax credit.
 Take Action

REALTORS Paint a House

A big thank you to those who painted a house in Emily last Wednesday.  Meri Lysne (Vacationland Realty), Roxi LaBore, Pat Kuss (Advisors Mortgage), Kurt Hanson (Hanson Home Inspections), Vern Lewis
(C-21 Jacobs Realty), Tom & Carol Pierce (Lake Country Properties), Holly Connaker, (Positive Realty) and Janie Weston, CEO, Greater Lakes Association of REALTORS.

Bonnie & Ray

Ray and Bonnie (the recipients of the housing painting) were so appreciative.  As both Ray and Bonnie are getting up in years, Bonnie cannot walk very much.  Physical work is hard for them, but they have been spending their time sending care packages to the Soldiers in Iraq.  Ray mentioned that the soldiers appreciate such simple things like bath
towels.  Even though theirs are washed, the sand never gets out of the towel.  The things we take for granted are precious to those at war.  Our many
thanks to Ray and Bonnie for there contributions to our servicemen.