TheREALTYgram Blogger

NAR's New Blog Is One To Watch:Kudos To The Public Affairs Division

  The new blog NAR in the News published by The National Assn. of REALTORS® is off to a good start.

"News coverage shapes perceptions of people, organizations and entire industries. Yet few of us understand what goes into the making of a news story. “NAR in the News” will give its readers a peek behind the scenes into how journalists cover the nation’s largest trade association and the 1.2 million REALTORS® it represents.

"This blog is also a place for REALTORS® and others to express their opinions and ask questions that we will try to answer. “NAR in the News” is produced by NAR’s Public Affairs Division."

A recent  post about FSBO sales vs.REALTOR® assisted sales contains a series of comments that reflect a high degree of skepticism about the information gathering process at NAR. It invites a healthy exchange of dialogue. Let's hope this policy endures.

Real Estate Editors Assemble In Charlotte;Brainstorm Industry Trends & Blogging

Blogging was a featured topic at The Real Estate Journalism Spring Conference of the National Assn. of Real Estate Editors in Charlotte last week and I was honored to be part of a panel that looked at real estate blogging from a myriad of perspectives. Here are some of the highlights of the discussion:

David Feld (Raleigh News & Observer) ignited intense interest from attendees when he told assembled editors that his newspaper publishes over 50 blogs in all topical areas of the newspaper.

Paul Chaney (Blogging Systems) told editors that blogs are evolving as an effective vehicle to establish a sense of "community". Chaney's company offers a line of sophisticated blogging platforms with lots of bells and whistles designed for large organizations and is exploring products for single bloggers as well. (Chaney is shown below with Jessica Swesey.)

Jessica Swesey (Inman News and Inman Blog) offered some background and history about the Inman spin-off,  TurnHere, Inc., featuring industry short films designed specifically for the online audience.

Al Heavens (shown above ) of the Philadelphia Inquirer, current president of NAREE, gave the group a hands-on look at the anatomy of his blog, a chance to hear a Heavens podcast, and a video peek at the podcasting studio step at the Inquirer.

And I had the chance to share a little bit of my own story as well as an historical perspective and outlook for the future of blogging in the real estate industry. The e-PRO curriculum designed to enhance the online skillset of real estate professionals will now feature a blogging module, according to insiders at Internet Crusade, the program provider. There are approximately 21,000  professionals who have earned the e-PRO designation (including myself), and another 500 - 600 new e-PRO candidates who enroll each month. Internet Crusade hosts RealTown Blogs for members of its online real estate communities.

NAR Reports Rising Revenues In Ancillary Services;But Still Wants To Keep Banks Out Of Real Estate

Revenues are up at large real estate offices that offer a menu of services including  mortgages, home warranties, title insurance, and homeowner's insurance, according to a report by the National Assn. of  REALTORS^®. The report pointed to Howard Hanna Smythe Cramer of Pittsburgh, which posted a total sales sales volume in 2005 of 53,649 transactions, and income derived from ancillary services that accounted for some 43% of the firm's income.

NAR's stance against banks in real estate remains the same. The group continues to demonstrate a colossal  HQ (hubris quotient) in this regard.

Whoremaster Ranks Swell As REALTORS ConvergeOn Capitol To Plunder Health-Care Industry

How does it happen that a bill that puts to many Americans at risk of diminished health care can get so close to approval? National Assn. of REALTORS^® president Thomas Stevens has issued another Call to Action for passage of Bill S.1955, known as the "Health Insurance Marketplace Modernization and Affordability Act." State REALTORS^® presidents, including Pennsylvania Assn. of president Len Ferber, have been visiting Senators and urging support of the bill. The REALTOR^®  position gives members the impression that the bill will expand coverage to those who need it most. It does not tell the truth about the onerous effects of the bill.

"Not so," says AARP:

"Many states require health insurers to cover specific diseases or treatments and forbid them from refusing to cover older or sicker people or from charging them higher premiums. Health plans sold under this bill would not have to follow those rules.

"Certain states have adopted laws designed to prevent older or sicker people from being priced out of the insurance market or from being charged unaffordable premiums...allowing insurers to charge higher premiums for older people would create an incentive for employers not to hire older workers, who tend to use more healthcare services. He suggested that the bill would sacrifice older workers in the service of helping younger small-business employees.""

"Not so," says the American Optometric Assn.:

"S. 1955 would render useless state-enacted patient protections for eye and vision care, any-willing provider and insurance equality laws intended to protect health care providers and consumers.   If enacted, S. 1955 would preempt all state-mandated benefit legislation, not just those that are specific to eye and vision care. "

"Not so," says the American Diabetes Assn.:

"...a bill that could leave millions of Americans with diabetes without insurance coverage for their diabetes needs. The bill, S. 1955, will pre-empt the 46 state laws, passed over the last decade with bi-partisan support, that require state-regulated health plans to cover diabetes education, equipment, and supplies. As American Diabetes Association volunteers, this legislation directly impacts our mission. We must join together and stop it.

"Today the organization is asking for your help in our efforts to lobby Senators and secure their opposition to S. 1955 in its current state as it fails to protect state diabetes coverage regulations."

Foreclosures Are Up In California;REO Rush May Start Here

BusinessWeek Online Hot Property blog reports that foreclosures are up in California:

"Lending institutions sent default notices to 12,568 California homeowners during the July-to-September period, up 3.5% from last year's third quarter."

I'm predicting that the foreclosure market will enjoy a new renaissance, even when the rest of the market is cool, thanks to the bankruptcy bill that put new rules into effect last month. Bankruptcy attorneys tell me that many consumers who are not able to get relief from credit card debt will not be able to stay current on their mortgage payments and they forecast a huge increase in foreclosures.

David Lereah, chief economist of The National Assn. of REALTORS^®, told reporters that he is uncertain about the impact of the bill on the foreclosure rate, but that it is an open question and he will study the issue. We look forward to his findings. We just wish that NAR had the wisdom to ask their economic talent about such things before supporting that terrible bill in such a wholehearted fashion. (Note: This post appears also on the Real Estate Blog Squad. Typically I do not double post articles, but the nature of the material is so compelling and disturbing that I made an exception in this case.)

And They Called That Girl 'Pariah'

Would NAR's  Lucien Salvant have banished the Fat Lady Blogger from the press room if he knew that her plus-size boobs ranked # 1 on Google?

Welcome To San Francisco!!

The National Assn. of REALTORS^® convention is now underway in San Francisco. Most of my posts in the coming days will appear at The Real Estate Blog Squad site.

State Leaders Tell Congress: Say 'No' To BillThat Would Create Financial Lion's Den

Leaders from states with strong predatory mortgage lending laws joined the Center for Responsible Lending to send a clear message to Congress: Any federal bill must not roll back state laws that protect citizens from predatory mortgage lenders. A Ney-Kanjorski bill pending in Congress and supported by much of the lending industry would gut existing state laws. Another bill, sponsored by Reps. Miller and Watt of North Carolina and Barney Frank of Massachusetts, is supported by consumers and civil rights groups, and would let states keep strong laws and protect their consumers. Click here for a side-by-side comparison.

The National Assn. of REALTORS^® joined CRL to design a Shopping for a Mortgage? Do Your Homework First. NAR policy wonks opine: "The Watt-Miller-Frank bill (H.R. 1182) would make the Home Ownership and Equity Protection Act stronger and does not preempt state law. The sponsors are all Democrats, which makes House action unlikely." We're hoping that NAR will send some of its talented lobbyists to round up some Republicans to co-sponsor this bill and make this a bipartisan effort for financial security.

New Mexico Chief Deputy Attorney General Mr. Bluestone of New Mexico said:

"Two years ago, New Mexico passed a progressive Home Loan Protection Act in response to an alarming rise in abusive mortgage lending practices and home foreclosures. Too many homeowners were losing home equity because dishonest lenders rolled points and fees into mortgage loans and did so repeatedly through abusive refinances. New Mexico’s new law stops these abuses, but now Congress proposes in the Ney-Kanjorski bill to usurp our state’s ability to protect our homeowners. That bill would gut our new effective law, install in its place a weak federal standard and prevent us from adequately protecting our residents from lending abuses."

Massachusetts Rep. John F. Quinn warned:

"The passage of the Ney-Kanjorski bill would do irreparable damage to the protections afforded to consumers under the newly enacted anti-predatory lending law in Massachusetts. This bill is bad public policy and would weaken the ability of the states to protect consumers from unscrupulous lenders."

New Jersey Banking Director H. Robert Tillman said New Jersey’s law both protected consumers and preserved the marketplace for sub-prime mortgages, where people with imperfect credit borrow and where most predatory lenders operate:

"Our well-balanced law significantly reduces predatory lending…It appears that our state banks and licensed lenders have prepared for the new law and have helped create a more competitive market," said Executive Vice President Debbie Goldstein of the Center for Responsible Lending, a nonprofit that combats predatory lenders. "Rather than preserve and strengthen state and federal protections for homeowners, the Ney-Kanjorski bill wipes out state anti-predatory lending laws proven effective at preventing abusive practices and significantly weakens some protections available under the federal law today. This is a bad deal for consumers, who would be the real losers here."

North Carolina Reps. Brad Miller and Mel Watt and the ranking member on the House Financial Services Committee, Barney Frank (D-MA), have introduced a bill that prohibits abusive lending practices and ensures that everybody who can afford a home loan will get one. The Prohibit Predatory Lending Act of 2005 (H.R. 1182) is based on the  North Carolina’s predatory lending statute, widely considered the model for preventing abusive lending while preserving access to credit. Miller said,

"This bill protects vulnerable consumers without cutting off credit for lower income borrowers. It’s time that all American consumers have the protection that North Carolina consumers now have."

TAKE ACTION NOW!

New Orleans REALTOR® Marshals Web AssetsLaunches New Blog, Dives Into Katrina Relief Effort

As real estate professionals across North America rally to raise funds and support Katrina relief efforts there is a single name emerging from the crowd as a shining symbol of charity and a source of pride and inspiration. Vikki Morvant is a New Orleans  REALTOR^®  (Keller Williams) who lost her office in Mandeville, LA,  to the ravages of the hurricane. Some 15,000 RealTalk listserv subscribers have followed her personal escape to her son's home in Houston and the stories of her return visits to help displaced flood survivors.

In a normal work week Vikki would be driving with other agents on "office caravan" to preview new listings. Now she's behind the wheel directing a "refugee caravan" and personally escorting people out of the area to places they can call "home" until they are able to return. She's organizing truckloads of water and aid. She removed the password protection of her interactive message board  to provide an online resource for flood victims and their families. And now she has a blog, Mandeville Responds, that offers a chronicle of her journey and wonderful links and resources.

She implores local Louisiana residents:  "Invite people to live with you when you return."

Vikki had help with the blog behind the scenes from InternetCrusader John Reilly and REALTOR^® Ann Cummings (Portsmouth, NH), a fellow RealTalker. (Note: IC publishes the Katrina Blog.)

The only thing missing in Vikki's blog is a link to her own web site. In a real estate blog, that's usually the link that's right on top. Guess she has other things on her mind.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

UPDATE 3:55 PM   The following is excerpted from a RealTalk post this afternoon from Orlando REALTOR^® Paula Bean:

Musings of Vikki Morvant

On Friday 9-2-2005 an agent sent me this email from San Diego:

"Hi Vikki,   I'm not sure if you remember me, but a couple of years of ago we shared a few kind words together in the Keller Williams Office when I was fortunate enough to  have Southshore clients looking in your neighborhood. Let me say, what a thoughtful idea of creating a forum for sharing information. Having said that, I am stuck  in San Diego, trying to get a flight home to get  information about my elderly father on the Northshore. His name is Dr. S--- L--- and he resides on 7243  XXXXXX and last I spoke to him he was "riding the  hurricane out." He's in good health but nonetheless 76  years old.

"I'm pulling my hair out, trying to filter out trivial sensational news from real information. Where is the best source for me to reach word of my  father's condition? "

On Saturday, 9-3-05, I made it into this man's subdivision. His father is ok. He has been living in the house without air conditioning or running water  for 5 days. He was saving his gasoline for Monday, when the officials are allowing people to enter  Jefferson Parish. He is going looking for his other son, last heard on the Westbank. I begged him not to  go. If he runs out of gas, crossong the city of New  Orleans, it would be dangerous.

I tried calling his son for 7 hours. Finally when we drove back to sleep in Denha, Springs, our host, Mimi  Hagan (the administrator of Baton Rouge KW) got on her AOL IM and reached a friend in Seattle, who was then able to phone the agent. Like a 911 operator she translated between his words and my typing. He knows his father is safe. He is desperately trying to get  here.

The other good news for me was that my house is fixable. My son, daughter and a friend spent the day with a chainsaw, clearing huge pine trees. We go back today.

And the best news... I get to see my husband today!! I gotta run...I don't want to be late for THOSE HUGS  AND KISSES!!!!!! --Vikki Morvant

UPDATE SEPT. 6, 2005: REALTOR^® Magazine Online story

As real estate professionals across North America rally to raise funds and support Katrina relief efforts there is a single name emerging from the crowd as a shining symbol of charity and a source of pride and inspiration. Vikki Morvant is a New Orleans  REALTOR^®  (Keller Williams) who lost her office in Mandeville, LA,  to the ravages of the hurricane. Some 15,000 RealTalk listserv subscribers have followed her personal escape to her son's home in Houston and the stories of her return visits to help displaced flood survivors.

In a normal work week Vikki would be driving with other agents on "office caravan" to preview new listings. Now she's behind the wheel directing a "refugee caravan" and personally escorting people out of the area to places they can call "home" until they are able to return. She's organizing truckloads of water and aid. She removed the password protection of her interactive message board  to provide an online resource for flood victims and their families. And now she has a blog, Mandeville Responds, that offers a chronicle of her journey and wonderful links and resources.

She implores local Louisiana residents:  "Invite people to live with you when you return."

Vikki had help with the blog behind the scenes from InternetCrusader John Reilly and REALTOR^® Ann Cummings (Portsmouth, NH), a fellow RealTalker. (Note: IC publishes the Katrina Blog.)

The only thing missing in Vikki's blog is a link to her own web site. In a real estate blog, that's usually the link that's right on top. Guess she has other things on her mind.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

UPDATE 3:55 PM   The following is excerpted from a RealTalk post this afternoon from Orlando REALTOR^® Paula Bean:

Musings of Vikki Morvant

On Friday 9-2-2005 an agent sent me this email from San Diego:

"Hi Vikki,   I'm not sure if you remember me, but a couple of years of ago we shared a few kind words together in the Keller Williams Office when I was fortunate enough to  have Southshore clients looking in your neighborhood. Let me say, what a thoughtful idea of creating a forum for sharing information. Having said that, I am stuck  in San Diego, trying to get a flight home to get  information about my elderly father on the Northshore. His name is Dr. S--- L--- and he resides on 7243  XXXXXX and last I spoke to him he was "riding the  hurricane out." He's in good health but nonetheless 76  years old.

"I'm pulling my hair out, trying to filter out trivial sensational news from real information. Where is the best source for me to reach word of my  father's condition? "

On Saturday, 9-3-05, I made it into this man's subdivision. His father is ok. He has been living in the house without air conditioning or running water  for 5 days. He was saving his gasoline for Monday, when the officials are allowing people to enter  Jefferson Parish. He is going looking for his other son, last heard on the Westbank. I begged him not to  go. If he runs out of gas, crossong the city of New  Orleans, it would be dangerous.

I tried calling his son for 7 hours. Finally when we drove back to sleep in Denha, Springs, our host, Mimi  Hagan (the administrator of Baton Rouge KW) got on her AOL IM and reached a friend in Seattle, who was then able to phone the agent. Like a 911 operator she translated between his words and my typing. He knows his father is safe. He is desperately trying to get  here.

The other good news for me was that my house is fixable. My son, daughter and a friend spent the day with a chainsaw, clearing huge pine trees. We go back today.

And the best news... I get to see my husband today!! I gotta run...I don't want to be late for THOSE HUGS  AND KISSES!!!!!! --Vikki Morvant

UPDATE SEPT. 6, 2005: REALTOR^® Magazine Online story

NAR Publishes Slick New 'Real Estate Insights'Chock Full Of Economic Numbers And Stats

Real Estate Insights is the title of a new monthly electronic newsletter from The National Assn. of REALTORS^® that will satisfy the pecuniary curiosities of John Q. Public and serious economic eggheads. There are links to economic indicators and lots of statistical information--existing home sales, housing affordability, pending home sales, and metropolitan area home prices.