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Downturn forces industry changes

By Matt Carter, Friday, January 9, 2009.

NEW YORK -- The financial crisis and housing downturn are proving to be a catalyst for change in real estate brokerage, title insurance and lending that could accelerate if the downturn is prolonged.

For the most part, regulators and lawmakers should let the industry shake itself out rather than impose new conditions from above, a panel of experts said Thursday ...  more...

Experts predict major change for MLSs

By Glenn Roberts Jr., Friday, January 9, 2009.

NEW YORK -- The idea of a national multiple listing service has moved out of the realm of science fiction and into the realm of serious discussion.

"I think it's only the political constraints and the human constraints that keep that from happening," said David Charron, president and CEO for Metropolitan Regional Information Systems, the largest multiple listing service in the United States. MRIS serves about 55,000 real estate professionals in the Mid-Atlantic region.  more...

Coldwell Banker listings reach smartphones

By Inman News, Friday, January 9, 2009.

Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC this week announced that iPhone and BlackBerry users can now search the company's property listings in 28 countries at coldwellbanker.com.  more...

BH&G Real Estate courts luxury

By Inman News, Thursday, January 8, 2009.

Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate LLC today announced the launch of Premier Selection, a brand extension that aims to connect real estate sales professionals with buyers and sellers of high-end properties.  more...

Don't delete that blog -- tweak it

By Matt Carter, Thursday, January 8, 2009.
Jay Thompson, The Phoenix Real Estate Guy

When it comes to generating leads and landing new clients, many brokers and agents have their doubts about whether a blog is the best use of their time.

Two prominent advocates of blogging as an effective tool for realtors -- Dustin Luther and Jay Thompson -- say that if you're not getting results, you might reconsider how you're going about blogging rather than give up on it altogether.

Speaking at the Inman News Real Estate Connect conference in New York, Luther and Thompson offered advice on how to make sure that the time you spend blogging pays off in results results.  more...

Listings to get walkability ratings

By Inman News, Thursday, January 8, 2009.

Real estate Web sites with more than 80 million online listings -- inlcuding Zillow.com, ZipRealty.com and Postlets.com -- will provide a "Walk Score" with each property using an application that automatically scores the walkability of each home's surrounding neighborhood.

In announcing the partnership with real estate Web sites, Seattle-based "civic software" developer Front Seat said the company hopes a property's Walk Score will rank right up with the number of bedrooms and bathrooms in a home in importance.  more...

Craig: on change, democracy and technology

By Glenn Roberts Jr., Thursday, January 8, 2009.

NEW YORK -- Craigslist founder Craig Newmark sees light at the end of this economic downturn, with technology and teamwork serving as sparks for a recovery.

"Our system of representative democracy, with its flaws, works OK. What's different now is the Internet makes this grassroots democracy possible on a large scale," said Newmark, an avid supporter of President-elect Obama, during an appearance Wednesday at the Real Estate Connect conference in New York City.  more...

The Great Depression: Episode 2?

By Glenn Roberts Jr., Thursday, January 8, 2009.
Robert Shiller

NEW YORK -- It's beginning to look a lot like 1930s, and the nation's latest dive in home values and stock values is a very serious matter that will likely be with us for awhile, says economics professor and author Robert Shiller.  more...

Panel: Little optimism for 2009

By Matt Carter, Thursday, January 8, 2009.
Flickr photo by <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/petes_travels/2882633185/" target=blank>petes_travels</a>.

NEW YORK -- The ongoing credit crunch and misfiring economy leave little reason to expect a dramatic turnaround in housing in 2009 -- regardless of steps the government is expected to take to head off a depression, a panel of industry experts said Wednesday during a "Bulls vs. Bears" session at the Inman Real Estate Connect conference.

Home prices remain unaffordable in many markets, and with unemployment headed up, it's not realistic to expect lower interest rates on conforming loans will be enough to boost home sales.  more...

Agents reveal video secrets

By Matt Carter, Wednesday, January 7, 2009.

NEW YORK -- Video can boost Web site traffic and generate business for real estate agents and brokers, whether they hire a professional production company to shoot elaborate videos showcasing agents, listings and neighborhoods or create impromptu shorts with their own handheld camera.

That's according to some agents and brokers who are putting video to good use and who agreed to share some of their secrets today at the Inman News Real Estate Connect conference in New York City.  more...

Manhattan sales down, prices up in Q4

By Inman News, Tuesday, January 6, 2009.

The sales volume of Manhattan co-ops and condos fell 9.4 percent year-over-year in the fourth quarter while the median sales price rose 5.9 percent to $850,000, according to a quarterly industry report.

There were 2,282 Manhattan condo and co-op sales in the fourth quarter, compared with 2,518 in fourth-quarter 2007, according to the report, prepared by Miller Samuel Real Estate Appraisers for brokerage company Prudential Douglas Elliman Real Estate.  more...

Readers: Tech isn't the only answer

By Inman News, Tuesday, January 6, 2009.

Blogging and social networking may be all the rage, but don't discount the value of old-fashioned lead generation, word-of-mouth referrals and even print advertising, Inman News readers say.

The latest wrinkles in online marketing are bearing fruit for many who adopt them, but it's also important to maintain a personal touch in dealing with prospects and clients, a survey of more than 700 Inman News readers suggests.  more...

MyDealBook becomes GreenPearl.com

By Inman News, Tuesday, January 6, 2009.

MyDealBook.com, the social networking site geared at helping real estate professionals land clients and collaborate on deals, has a new name: GreenPearl.com.

Chief Executive Officer Ryan Slack -- formerly with PropertyShark.com -- said the name change was prompted by the New York Times' efforts to protect its trademark of the newspaper's DealBook financial news blog.  more...

'New IndyMac' to continue loan mods

By Inman News, Monday, January 5, 2009.

A group of investors who have agreed to put up $1.3 billion in cash to acquire IndyMac Bank are expected to continue an FDIC mortgage loan modification program that's aimed at helping nearly 50,000 borrowers avoid foreclosure.

The FDIC said it will continue to share losses on loans made by IndyMac and provide secured financing to the new owners, who are expected acquire the failed bank's $16 billion loan portfolio and $6.9 billion in securities in late January or early February.  more...

Xobni integrates inbox with networking

By Glenn Roberts Jr., Monday, January 5, 2009.

Xobni is an e-mail and social networking mashup, a sort of master control center for managing contacts and communications.

And while the freely downloadable Xobni application -- its name is "inbox" spelled backwards -- is still in its infancy, it's no surprise to find real estate professionals among its early adopters.  more...

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