Concerning Courage, A Few Thoughts

Last week, I had the opportunity to speak to the Georgia Association of REALTORS at their annual Inaugural Meeting. It was one of my favorite experiences so far, partly because I was addressing a roomful of Association and MLS leaders throughout the state of Georgia. At the start of my presentation, I half-joked that I … Read more

Seven Predictions for 2013: The AKUS Experience

  Once again, it is time for the world famous (in my own mind at least) annual tradition of making predictions for the coming year that are Guaranteed to be Wrong, or Your Money Back! This year, I thought I would pay tribute to the greatest musical act still working today: Alison Krauss and Union … Read more

Grading Time! Reviewing My 2012 Predictions

Welcome to another edition of an annual tradition, in which I go back and grade myself on my predictions made at the start of this year. My track record so far: 2010 Predictions: 6 of 10 (.600) 2011 Predictions: 4.5 of 7 (.642) As was the case last year, I’m hoping to be wrong more … Read more

The Minneapolis Association of REALTORS Takes A Step into the Unknown

  Earlier today, I got a press release from the Minneapolis Area Association of REALTORS (r) (MAAR) about an official stance of the organization on a statewide ballot initiative: Minneapolis Area Association of REALTORS® Opposes Minnesota Marriage Amendment Proposal The Minneapolis Area Association of REALTORS® (MAAR) officially announces its opposition to the proposed state constitutional … Read more

Concerning REALTOR Politics, A Few Thoughts

  I recently had the privilege of attending an event in Southern California with the Pacific West Association of REALTORS(r) at which a California state legislator spoke on issues facing the state. There were some really interesting Q&A with the brokers in attendance, ranging from property tax issues to whether brokers would be paying payroll … Read more

Real Estate and the Party Platforms: Not a Party, Y'all

So the Democratic Party’s 2012 Platform is somewhat in the news these days. But that whole kerfuffle reminded me that I hadn’t looked through either party’s platform to see what they said about real estate, the industry in which I work and cover and opine. Since it’s highly unlikely that anyone with a sense of … Read more

NAR the PAC: Three Questions

I’ve been having a twitter conversation (remember those?) with my good friend Mike Pennington, who is not only one of the guys behind RETSO, but is an active member of his local and state Association of REALTORS, about NAR and political power. I assume it’s because of either the Trialogues podcast in which we discussed … Read more

Austin's IDX Kerfuffle and Antitrust Issues

So that whole Austin IDX kerfuffle is back in the news again, courtesy of Inman: A contingent of Austin Realtors say listing agents should be clearly identified when brokers and agents publicize each other’s listings on their websites. With two of the city’s prominent luxury brokers leading the charge, they’ve asked the Austin Board of … Read more