AUSTIN, Texas – July 21, 2008 – Dr. Chris Pullig of Baylor University Hankamer School of Business' Keller Center for Residential Real Estate Sales & Marketing shows the relationship between housing market strength and lead conversion strategy in the July issue of the Keller Center Research Report.  The rest of the story...

TAMPA, Fla. – July 18, 2008 – For two years, Edwin Letras searched for a home he could afford. Discouraged, he thought his three young children were destined to grow up in a two-bedroom apartment.

But the now-sluggish real estate market has brought better luck for the family.

This weekend they’re moving into a new, three-bedroom, 1,271-square-foot house in the Highland Ridge subdivision in Hudson. They paid $138,400. Husband and wife both work at the nearby Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point, and several of their co-workers are buying homes in the subdivision, too.

“This is great,” Letras said while doing yard work last week. “Real estate is finally low enough. And we’ll already know some of our neighbors.”

In Florida, the state's biggest real estate company is offering more than 600 homes at cut-rate prices, beginning this weekend and for a limited time only. For 10 days Coldwell Banker will take an additional 10 percent off the home's list price.

"The great idea behind it is to energize the market," Coldwell Banker Senior Vice President Gus Rubio said.

With the housing market stagnant for a year, sellers hope amenities with slashed prices will woo potential buyers.

A national Home Price Index confirms prices across the country have decreased 14.1 percent from a year ago. The worst-hit areas include Las Vegas, which is down 25.9 percent, Phoenix, down 23 percent, and Miami, down 24.6 percent.

Read more http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Consumer/story?id=4954666

The top real-estate professionals in the nation's hardest-hit cities say their business is booming. What do they know about selling homes in a down market that you don't? Check out what they have to say in this MSN feature story...including Miami's own Carlos Garcia, Keyes Co. Realtors

1. Central Air Conditioning
2. Garage (2 or more spaces)
3. Walk-in closet in master bedroom
4. Backyard/play area
5. Cable/Satellite TV-ready
6. High-speed Internet Access
7. Separate shower enclosure in master/main bath
8. Patio
9. Fencing
10. Home less than 10 years old

Source: NAR 2007 Profile of Buyer's Home Feature Preferences

In this special video podcast, 2008 NAR President Dick Gaylord shares with REALTORS® his top ten tips to boost business in today's market.  From becoming an expert in your local market and pricing homes to sell, to getting involved in the community and working with a mentor, these are sure-fire ways to stay ahead in a competitive environment.   Click here to view this timely podcast.

I have attached the presentation for the Commercial Tool Belt class today sans Purple and Green Monsters.

For those of you who attended the class thanks and to those who didn't I hope you find useful information.

In addtion, many of you have asked for the presentation on Commercials blogs..this is also attached

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