Comments on: Ten Take-Aways from the NAR Annual Convention http://www.matthewferrara.com/realtors/nar2008/ Building Real Estate, The Next Generation Wed, 17 Mar 2010 16:31:45 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Bunny Mostad http://www.matthewferrara.com/realtors/nar2008/comment-page-1/#comment-1832 Bunny Mostad Mon, 24 Nov 2008 19:21:47 +0000 http://www.matthewferrara.com/?p=469#comment-1832 A refreshingly honest assessment. As a past local Board President and Education Chair, I am totally amazed at the very few Realtors from my area that attend the convention. And even though many of the classes are not as fresh or cutting edge as they could be, they are still valuable especially to newcomers to our industry. I've only missed one convention in my 21 years and as a newbie they were invaluable. And the Trade Show is always awesome. (Sorry, I don't dress up as much as I used to - comfort has dictated that aspect, but then I do go from early morning to late day non-stop.) There's never enough time to explore everything or attend all the classes. By the way, what's the reason for the exorbitant CD prices? Because if I can't make the classes I try to buy the audios but the prices are formidable this year. And an extra $50.00 for the handouts that go with them!!!! A refreshingly honest assessment. As a past local Board President and Education Chair, I am totally amazed at the very few Realtors from my area that attend the convention. And even though many of the classes are not as fresh or cutting edge as they could be, they are still valuable especially to newcomers to our industry. I’ve only missed one convention in my 21 years and as a newbie they were invaluable. And the Trade Show is always awesome. (Sorry, I don’t dress up as much as I used to – comfort has dictated that aspect, but then I do go from early morning to late day non-stop.) There’s never enough time to explore everything or attend all the classes. By the way, what’s the reason for the exorbitant CD prices? Because if I can’t make the classes I try to buy the audios but the prices are formidable this year. And an extra $50.00 for the handouts that go with them!!!!

]]> By: Kevin Tomlinson-Miami http://www.matthewferrara.com/realtors/nar2008/comment-page-1/#comment-1756 Kevin Tomlinson-Miami Fri, 21 Nov 2008 14:34:10 +0000 http://www.matthewferrara.com/?p=469#comment-1756 Wow. You are spot on. I love when someone tells it like it is. Wow. You are spot on. I love when someone tells it like it is.

]]> By: Susan Lamerton http://www.matthewferrara.com/realtors/nar2008/comment-page-1/#comment-1703 Susan Lamerton Wed, 19 Nov 2008 16:21:42 +0000 http://www.matthewferrara.com/?p=469#comment-1703 Great article a little arrogant which seems to be the norm for Gen Y. It is the cutting edge of the business. The work is impossible without keeping up on technology. Education and training is key. That is what Weichert Realtors is all about. You cannot be a true professional without constant training. Susan Lamerton Weichert, Realtors-All Professional. Great article a little arrogant which seems to be the norm for Gen Y. It is the cutting edge of the business. The work is impossible without keeping up on technology.
Education and training is key. That is what Weichert Realtors is all about. You cannot be a true professional without constant training.
Susan Lamerton
Weichert, Realtors-All Professional.

]]> By: Lorraine http://www.matthewferrara.com/realtors/nar2008/comment-page-1/#comment-1674 Lorraine Mon, 17 Nov 2008 17:13:39 +0000 http://www.matthewferrara.com/?p=469#comment-1674 Thank You for the post giving your perspective on this years Annual Convention. Although I did not attend this year, you,mirrored many of the same thoughts I had at the last convention I took time out to attend five years ago when Michigan's ecomony was beginning its decline. I did not come home revitalized, energized and full of ideas I couldn't wait to put into practice in my business. It was more of the same old, same old. The Annual Convention needs to step it up alot to entice me to attend once again. I like the analogy about the Phoenix, there is a lot of merit in that. P.S. I and the fellow Realtors in my office always wear business attire to Real Estate seminars and conventions. It is a good reminder of where we are and why we are there, to improve our business. Thank You for the post giving your perspective on this years Annual Convention. Although I did not attend this year, you,mirrored many of the same thoughts I had at the last convention I took time out to attend five years ago when Michigan’s ecomony was beginning its decline. I did not come home revitalized, energized and full of ideas I couldn’t wait to put into practice in my business. It was more of the same old, same old. The Annual Convention needs to step it up alot to entice me to attend once again. I like the analogy about the Phoenix, there is a lot of merit in that.
P.S. I and the fellow Realtors in my office always wear business attire to Real Estate seminars and conventions. It is a good reminder of where we are and why we are there, to improve our business.

]]> By: Lorraine http://www.matthewferrara.com/realtors/nar2008/comment-page-1/#comment-1673 Lorraine Mon, 17 Nov 2008 17:07:28 +0000 http://www.matthewferrara.com/?p=469#comment-1673 Thank You for the post giving your perspective on this years Annual Convention. Although I did not attend this year, you,mirrored many of the same thoughts I had at the last convention I took time out to attend five years ago when Michigans ecomony was beginning its decline. I did not come home revitalized, energized and full of ideas I couldn't wait to put into practice in my business. It was more of the same old, same old. The Annual Convention needs to step it up alot to entice me to attend once again. I like the analogy about the Phoenix, there is a lot of merit in that. I'm embarrassed Thank You for the post giving your perspective on this years Annual Convention. Although I did not attend this year, you,mirrored many of the same thoughts I had at the last convention I took time out to attend five years ago when Michigans ecomony was beginning its decline. I did not come home revitalized, energized and full of ideas I couldn’t wait to put into practice in my business. It was more of the same old, same old. The Annual Convention needs to step it up alot to entice me to attend once again. I like the analogy about the Phoenix, there is a lot of merit in that. I’m embarrassed

]]> By: Bryson http://www.matthewferrara.com/realtors/nar2008/comment-page-1/#comment-1599 Bryson Fri, 14 Nov 2008 04:51:36 +0000 http://www.matthewferrara.com/?p=469#comment-1599 Great Post. As a younger Realtor (29 and practicing for 5 years), I'm proud that my generation is professional and eager to learn. I recently took my GRI 202 and the standouts in the class were of the younger generation. It seems you're right about some of the older agents rolling their eyes while the youth is focused and 'getting it,' and I don't mean just the new technology but the conceptual ideas on how to give great service. Great Post. As a younger Realtor (29 and practicing for 5 years), I’m proud that my generation is professional and eager to learn. I recently took my GRI 202 and the standouts in the class were of the younger generation. It seems you’re right about some of the older agents rolling their eyes while the youth is focused and ‘getting it,’ and I don’t mean just the new technology but the conceptual ideas on how to give great service.

]]> By: Ismael M. "Smiley" Calderon http://www.matthewferrara.com/realtors/nar2008/comment-page-1/#comment-1598 Ismael M. "Smiley" Calderon Fri, 14 Nov 2008 04:33:06 +0000 http://www.matthewferrara.com/?p=469#comment-1598 I enjoyed reading your NAR write-up. Unfortunately, I didn't attend this year, but am looking forward to next yr's in San Diego. I wondered if you could send me the CD-ROM you referred to in your blog ... Thnx. Smiley. :-) 931 S. Main St. Santa Ana, CA 92701 I enjoyed reading your NAR write-up. Unfortunately, I didn’t attend this year, but am looking forward to next yr’s in San Diego. I wondered if you could send me the CD-ROM you referred to in your blog … Thnx. Smiley. :-)

931 S. Main St.
Santa Ana, CA 92701

]]> By: Fred Light http://www.matthewferrara.com/realtors/nar2008/comment-page-1/#comment-1572 Fred Light Thu, 13 Nov 2008 00:00:42 +0000 http://www.matthewferrara.com/?p=469#comment-1572 Bravo! Well said. The real estate industry is a real head scratcher for me. I was a vendor at the Massachusetts real estate convention last year, and I must say it was the biggest waste of two days. I would never go back - even if they paid me! I still can't believe the tepid response... Most people were only interested in getting their 'card checked' off noting that that they visited my booth. This way they could win a prize. Of course, almost nobody KNEW what the prize actually was! (free admission for next year). And most would hardly even look at me... just talking on their cell phones, looking important and shoving their card in my face. The massage table behind me was quite busy though.. maybe I need to change careers. Things have to change. Fast. Bravo! Well said.

The real estate industry is a real head scratcher for me. I was a vendor at the Massachusetts real estate convention last year, and I must say it was the biggest waste of two days. I would never go back – even if they paid me! I still can’t believe the tepid response… Most people were only interested in getting their ‘card checked’ off noting that that they visited my booth. This way they could win a prize. Of course, almost nobody KNEW what the prize actually was! (free admission for next year). And most would hardly even look at me… just talking on their cell phones, looking important and shoving their card in my face. The massage table behind me was quite busy though.. maybe I need to change careers.

Things have to change. Fast.

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