The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) sees a light at the end of the tunnel, citing an ease in foreclosure rates with the fourth quarter of 2009 seeing a smaller percentage of delinquent mortgages and a drop in those entering foreclosure.

In a written statement, their chief economist, Jay Brinkmann, stated: "We are likely seeing the beginning of the end of the unprecedented wave of mortgage delinquencies and foreclosures that started with the subprime defaults in early 2007."

The MBA survey took a look at 44.4 million loans on one- to four-unit residential properties, or about 85% of all first-lien residential mortgage loans that are outstanding in the country. The good news is fewer problem loans are entering delinquency.

Read more about the survey and its findings on RISMedia.

Posted in Education And Training

There is a lot of talk, speculation and data concerning the future of the real estate market, so if you're watching it closely, where are the best places to keep your ear to the ground?

Kenneth Harney at Realty Times discusses the findings of the Federal Reserve Beige Book report. The report has found that 9 out of 12 regional member banks are showing positive economic signs, and these regional banks are showing signs of consumer spending and manufacturing output increasing despite the bad blizzardy weather as of late.

In addition to these positive-trending findings and more by the Feds, there is some bleak news for the housing market, as the weather has put a damper on buying. However, there is a silver lining to the cloud as National Association of Realtors' chief economist Lawrence Yun points to a 12 percent increase in pending home sales in January, compared to last year's.

Read more at Realty Times.

Posted in Education And Training

In this video from WRTV-ABC's Channel 6 broadcast news, learn some handy tips that won't break your budget to sell a home. Curbside appeal is #1 in attracting the customer, while upgrades and renovations in the kitchen and bathrooms will help seal the deal once a buyer's inside.

View the original clip on Clip Syndicate.

Posted in Education And Training, Marketing, Seller Resources

What is strategy and how can one strategize to compete in the real estate industry?

Real estate can be a fierce business and determining a sustainable competitive advantage for some can be difficult.

Inman News columnist Robert Hahn offers some piercing insight that shifts perspective about strategizing competitively. He first dissects the general strategies of competition and competition in real estate, offering concrete examples and thoughtful analysis.

"I struggled with this issue for years, until I shifted my thinking a wee bit. I've been looking at things from the consumer's point of view and from the Realtor's point of view. Turns out, the proper point of view is that of the brokerage," he writes. In looking at the entire brokerage, the competitve advantage lies within the entire system of the brokerage.

Read Hahn's column here.

Posted in Education And Training, Marketing

Successful negotiating is all about effective communications. While agents may be nervous regarding the negotiating process, it's important to remember a good attitude is essential. Think positively--if you can, you can; if you can't, you can't.

On RISMedia, seven tips and other tidbits for negotiating are presented. Remember to negotiate with the whole offering in mind. Ask effective questions. Don't get emotional. Remember to find out as much as you can about your potential buyer as possible before you start the negotiation process. Conduct the negotiations in person and be mindful in your tone and make the space you're in comfortable. Keep the other person's perspective in mind as well as other ways of looking at it. Be honest.

In addition to the post, there is a free, 30-minute presentation courtesy Tami Bonnell, "The Art of Negotiation," that you can stream online.

Read the full blog post from RISMedia.

Posted in Education And Training