Best of NAR MidYear Meetings

By Joeann Fossland, Master Certified Coach, e-PRO Trainer, GRI Trainer, and REBS Blogger.

This year's NAR Mid Year Meetings in DC were attended by 10,000 of us. I enjoyed the trade show and the education sessions and meetings, and found the networking the most valuable part. It was fun to visit with ePROTalk and RealTalk folks. The Internet Crusade treated us to libations! What great guys!!!!

Some highlights
NAR Chief Economist David Lereah statistic-filled presentation, After The Boom, indicated deceleration in 2006 after five straight years of spectacular growth. He does not predict a bust and suggests we may see more growth and appreciation in 2007 after some cooling this year. Future strength will be impacted by the favorable demographic trends, the baby boomer retirement and 2nd home purchases, the growing Asian/Hispanic populations and more balanced markets.

Internet Crusader, Saul Klein shared the information about identity theft and how NAR is getting involved.

WCR invited me to be part of a very fun Tech Tools presentation facilitated by Tech Queen, Amy Chorew. Fellow WCR Members, Marilyn Urso, Alisa Hagner, and Louise Thompson, shared tips on virtual tours, using a Treo and Microsoft Outlook. I presented on Tablet Computers.

Update on Tablets
VREO  is no longer selling hardware, but their Real Estate Dashboard software is now available for use on all tablet pc's.
It gives you a toll free fax line, on line storage vault and ease of encrypting signatures. This is the key to becoming paperless!!! Their website has some terrific, short videos on using the tablet, and the differences between a notebook and a tablet. They will educate you to all the important criteria when choosing.
Use my name when ordering to get a $50 discount on the software.

VREO President Brian Boero shows me and Candis Darby, (past president of WCR Citrus Valley (CA)) tricks of the trade with Real Estate Dashboard on the Red Tablet. VREO software converts any tablet computer to a RED tablet.

 

The tablet has a Snip-It tool that lets the user "lasso" any part of a web page or document, incorporate a handwritten note, and then use it as an image file or send it via e-mail. The "snip" that appears above is an image that appears as my tablet screensaver...I drew a circle around a section of the screen, wrote a little note, and sent it via e-mail...it appears here as a jpeg.

WCR honored me with their Connections Best Article 2005 Award at the Awards Dinner last Friday! What a delightful surprise. This was my article on Tablet Computers. If you are thinking of buying, my article will help!

My new preferred provider for the Motion Computer Slate Tablet is TopTabletPC. I can offer you a $50 rebate to you if you order through them for your Tablet.

Trade show had few new products or vendors
Although I guess just still being there is an accomplishment! I mostly gathered giveaways to bring home to Lily.
We saw 3 booths with lights for your signs-how long will those last before being stolen, I wonder?
One new product called Hyperhitch caught my fancy. Turn your vehicle into a moving billboard!
I also liked the Magnetic Garage Door Banners from Door Sign LLC.