I spent last week at the 2008 NAR Convention and Expo in Orlando.  It was a rewarding experience, and a lot of fun, too.  One of the cool things that I got to do was meet Tom Everitt.  Tom is a REALTOR in Vancouver.  He sent me an email prior to the convention, sharing with me some of the cool video stuff he has been doing with his wife on his website, ThinkTom.com.  He asked if I would sit down for lunch with him at the convention.  I'm glad I did. 

Tom and I talked about all things real estate, and even a few things Canada (hockey, in particular).  We talked about video and the upcoming digital video summit at Inman Connect NYC '09.  Tom has been successfully using video for quite some time now.  After lunch, he asked if I wouldn't mind doing a quick interview.  I was happy to do it, and he sent me the link:

Tom is a great guy, and a dedicated real estate professional, making him a perfect fit in the Inman Community.  This got me to thinking, what do Stephen Jagger, Ian Watt, and Tom Everitt all have in common?  Not only are they using video, and not only are both Stephen and Ian going to be speaking at Connect NYC '09, but all three men are CANADIANS!  

I don't want to start an international incident here, but I think some friendly border competition is in order.  Our friends from up north have made it known that they are on the cutting edge of real estate technology and that they are going to be well represented at Connect NYC '09.  

What say you, pride of the Stars and Stripes?  When will we hear from the American contingent?

Share your videos, share your expereinces, and tell us why YOU are excited to be at Real Estate Connect NYC '09, among the top real estate professionals from around the world.  Make a video, and just email me the link:  daniel.rothamel@Inman.com  I always love when I have the opportunity to promote our members to the world.  

If you haven't registered yet for Connect NYC '09, now is a great time.  There is still time to save on the registration fee.  If you are a real estate blogger, there is even very special Blogger Pricing available.  

I think we all know Real Estate is in uncharted territory. Everyone is looking for answers and now, more than ever, we want to help unravel the mess. 

Inman News is excited to introduce Robert Shiller, Co-founder of MacroMarkets LLC, Co-creator of the Case-Shiller Home Price Indices, and Professor of Economics, Yale University, as one of our keynote speakers at Real Estate Connect in NYC where he will be addressing: How Today's Global Financial Crisis Happened, and What to Do About It.

He predicted the dot-com bubble and the housing bubble years before it happened. More importantly, Robert knows why it happened—no one understands market volatility and the psychology that drives market swings better.  

If you want answers, join us at Real Estate Connect in NYC, January 7-9, 2009.  This is one event you can't afford to miss! Register today and you'll save $170.

Down in Pinellas County, Fla., last month's transition to TEMPO 5 MLS system "was one of the smoothest I’ve experienced in more than 20 years."

So says the director of information services for the Pinellas Realtor Organization and Suncoast MLS in a press release issued by TEMPO 5 vendor MarketLinx (see Inman News story).

Many Inman News readers will recall San Diego-based broker-owner and Inman News columnist Kris Berg's take when Sandicor upgraded to Tempo 5 over the summer.

TEMPO 5, she complained, seemed to have been developed by "a rabid badger holding a doctorate in quantum physics and a grudge."

Now Pinellas Realtor Organization's chairman of the board reports (via MarketLinx) that TEMPO 5 business reports are "amazingly fast" and listing maintenance is "extremely efficient."

Pinellas County broker and Inman News member Anne Hensel begs to differ.

"Sorry, I am NOT impressed at all," with TEMPO 5, she comments. "It is Soooooooo slow and it takes twice as many clicks than it used to take to get a result."

Buyers are unhappy too, Hensel says.

"If I send them 5 listings, only one shows up and they have to click at the bottom somewhere on the right hand corner to get to the next listing," she reports.

Hensel says the only feature of TEMPO 5 she likes is the map search.

You know how the song goes:

"I've got to admit it's getting better, better

A little better all the time, it can't get no worse"

Pretty excited:

Ian is a Realtor in Canada, and he is a dedicated video blogger.  I've been an admirer of Ian's videos for quite some time, and I'm looking forward to meeting him in person at Connect NYC '09.  Ian is part of the fabulous lineup of speakers and panels we have for Connect.  Register today, and say hello to Ian when you're there!