Bill Lublin

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Bill Lublin CRB,CRS,GRI CEO CENTURY 21 Advantage Gold Visit me at MovePhilly & REreflections Click Here to Find Homes in PA & NJ Marc: So much of your post is rhetoric without substance that I wonder how much is based upon your seat assignment, how much is based upon a lack of information, and how much of it is a position taken to stir discussion. I get that you had a bad flight. I get that the economy stinks right now. I get that your wife is upset. But why is that NAR's fault? So much of your post is rhetoric without substance that I wonder how much is based upon your seat assignment how much is based upon a lack of information, and how much of it is a position taken to stir discussion. Now is a good time to buy (if you are able) because of the meeting of lower rates and affordable prices. That is demonstrable and empirical. It really is that simple. That being said, as always, the decision to purchase is based upon the needs of the individual or family and is not something that needs to be proven any further, or indeed could be proven any further. Real Estate is a long term investment. And one that should be made because of a thoughtful analysis of the individual purchase. I have been in the business for long enough that I have seen other "economic readjustments" and I can tell you that people who buy real estate to fulfill a need or a longer term investment plan based upon sound financial principals make money. People that invest without sufficient resources, or anticipate appreciation as the core of their investment plan, or try to convert real estate into a short term high return investment are taking a high risk position and therefore may (and often will -) lose money - And while you lambast NAR, where have you ever seen NAR (or any state or local association) take a position that people should spend money that they don't have? NAR, as a trade association, promotes and supports its members (which any trade organization does) and speaks to the best interests of their membership. As far as Trade Associations go, NAR was founded 100 years ago by members of our industry to improve the industry at a time when there was little or no regulation of the industry or its practitioners. Our Code of Ethics (which is 95 years old) is a living document which provides protection for consumers and practitioners from improper acts by members of the Association, the principles of which were used by many states in the creation of their first state regulations. Ethics training is required by members on a quadrennial basis, and if the conference you attended didn't have "panels that discuss the difference between a huckster and a real estate professional" perhaps that was a deficiency of the planning of your conference. But you do know that NAR mandates quadrennial ethics training for its members, and that training on the Code of Ethics is part of every new member orientation. NAR also creates and distributes lots of resources for companies and associations to utilize in training their associates on ethics, diversity (if not sensitivity), and professionalism among other topics. Having spent almost 3 decades working in our Professional Standards systems, teaching the Code, working on the Professional Standards Committees on the local, state, and national level, I can tell you that the system works well and is recognized by courts across the country as an exceptional example of self-policing and due process. Not to mention the Millions of dollars in legal fees that our members have saved by utilizing our arbitration process over the years. Nowhere have I ever seen NAR take a position that "all Realtors are saints " . An example rather than unsupported rhetoric would be nice here. In closing, I agree that these are trying times, that the economy is scary, and that we need to do what we can to get through these times, because all cycles, good or bad, are cycles – nothing lasts forever – so if you are frustrated because no one knows when this will end, and people tend to try to make predictions - then ignore their predictions, knuckle down, and do the best you can – this too shall pass. But stop blaming NAR for all of the ills of the industry and recognize it, and the state and local associations for what they are – people in an industry who care about the industry and are doing their best to improve it- they just don’t deserve your abuse Be part of the solution instead of part of the problem

Bill Lublin CRB,CRS,GRI CEO CENTURY 21 Advantage Gold Visit me at MovePhilly & REreflections & BuzzBuilderz Click Here to Find Homes in PA & NJ CAR is always in the foreforont of this type of research, ligthing the way for those of us committed to Internet Marketing in our businesses. While it is not suprising to see the growth by consumers, it would be wonderful if it were possible to distinguish between the static web sites and blogs used by agents as their "web sites" to help us refine our tools

Bill Lublin CRB,CRS,GRI CEO CENTURY 21 Advantage Gold Visit me at MovePhilly & REreflections Click Here to Find Homes in PA & NJ Marcie; Cheer up ! There is still plenty of reason for people to buy, though you concentrate your statistics on the California housing issues which are far more severe than most parts of the country. Even there, you cite an increase of over 60% in the number of people that can afford a home (26% to 44%). It would strike me that Mr. Ownes misses the point also. My real estate company is located in Philadelphia, and his argument over the long term for a family is just not sensible. Let me see, I can either own an older home, build equity, have a stable monthly payment, a tax deduction, and modify the property to suit my needs over a 7 to 10 year period (when I can use that equity to buy a larger, newer or better home) - or I can pay rent for that period of time, never modify the property, build no equity, have no tax deductions, and pay someone else's mortgage - Which do you think would make more sense. According the NY times rent vs buy calculator, if your landlord raises his rents only 5% a year, and appreciation is only 2% a year, you are better buying after only 4 years. And to the point of future returns, while I would never speculate about them, the 7 to 10 year time frame would take anyone through all of the price adjustments we've seen in the 37 years I've been in business. Houses are for people to buy as homes. They are the best long term purchase any family can make, and have benefits that far exceed the simple comparison of a short term rental (Do me a favor though, don't tell the people who rent properties that I won!)