Ever tasted government cheese?

Please.

One of the things about real estate is that you have to sell, whether the market is favorable or not. Sell, sell, sell. You have to call agents and tell them about your listings. You have to make certain your listings reflect the current market value. You have to educate and protect your clients. And you have to weed out of your clients' minds the biased rubbish of the media.

I have finally lost all interest in the 2008 presidential elections. One guy scares, one guy worries me, and the current guy disappoints me. I suspect that we can trust Obama to do things that will reduce the profit ordinary folk can count on from buying and selling real estate. It would't suprise me if McCain did something less painful along the same lines.

Neither candidate seems to have a passion for seeing the free market capitalist system live and breathe and cycle through its processes. We as a nation once believed that God would bless our good, honest efforts and provide for us. Today, it seems that many Americans believe that we shall not win but by the invasive heavy hand of government. Bail it out, buy it up, infuse it, nationalize everything and we'll all be better off?

Ever tasted government cheese?
Ever waited forever in line at the DPS, DMV, or Tax Office?
Every been frustrated because you did your taxes on a FORM 1040-EZ and the IRS said you had to use FORM 1040ES instead?
Every noticed how you had jolly well better pay the IRS on time, but they'll lolligag around about getting your refund to you?
Ever hear the phrase, "Close enough for Government work." And yet no one ever says, "Close enough for an independent small businessman."

Now, vote for whomever your mind and conscience lead you to support, but please do not allow evil forces to slip into your mind the foolishness that either Republican or Democratic governemnt will solve problems, improve quality of life, or make good moral decisions.

The Federal Governemnt should protect the innocent, build roads, and fight wars against our enemies.


I'm J.T. Oden, the Real Estate Man and I approved of this message.

Keller Williams Realty Holds Steady in Declining Market

Aliso Viejo, CA 8/29/2008 07:18 PM GMT (TransWorldNews)

According to Real Estate Wiki (www.realestatewiki.com) despite a two-year decline in the national real estate market, Keller Williams Realty continues to be one of the fastest growing franchises in North America, growing some 330% from 16,866 agents in 2003 to 72,594 in 2007. The company’s Profit Sharing Program has also maintained a strong growth pattern from $11.7 million in 2003 to $48.4 million for 2007.

Keller Williams Realty is not all just about profits, systems and strategies. In regional retreats called Culture Summits, agent “culture icons” gather with KW leaders. The purpose of which is to discuss, vision and share learned experiences about culture and, specifically, how the Keller Williams culture can impact market centers and regions.

As for best practices, Keller Williams has itself implemented various productivity-enhancing programs such as: Operation Heart to Heart – a $1 million program providing productivity and profitability tools to help agents manage the shifting market; Keller Williams Listing System – a company-wide database allowing agents full control of the accuracy, timeliness and depth of their listing information and which is promoted on a selective list of eight of the most powerful real estate Internet sites. Keller Williams has also made available to its agents resources such as the Market Trajectory Research and Regional Graphs – a reporting system that helps agents identify shifts in the real estate market three to four months in advance of shifts being noticed in local markets.

For more information visit www.kw.com

Gatekeeper@RealEstateWiki.com
www.realestatewiki.com

Don't Worry, Be Productive!

I Still Haven't Panicked.
In fact, I'm leaving in just a few minutes to deposit a check from a recent closing.

I spent the last two days hammering away at my brain, business numbers, and emotions in an attempt to plan my real estate business in a purposeful way. I think I succeeded. If you've known me very long, you know that I really enjoy the way that my natural ability and God's grace combine to let me surf through life "on the fly" so to speak. Well, the seminar led by Antoinette Perez threatens to lead me in a direction far more exciting than the seat-of-the-pants trip I'm accustomed to.

I'm expecting great things.

POST SCRIPT: In addition to remarkable professionalism, solid expertise, and impressive competence, Antoinette amazes me because she is less than half my weight, a full foot shorter than me, and I have no doubt that she could kick my butt in about 90 seconds. Very cool.