Tuesday, November 3 rd, 2009 SALES MEETING ADGENDA RPH NEWS An Archive of office meeting agenda s has been started. You can now download your copy of Office Meeting information at http://realtoreforms.com/rphoffice/rph123.pdf PASSWORD: rphsold Place your cursor over the logo Experience the Difference This page will become a resource page used by RPH Personnel only for information and training. NEW AGENTS Suzi Morrison 10-29-2009 OCTOBER 1 ST 26 th NEW LISTINGS Residential Listings************18 Multi Family***************** 2 Vacant Land ***************** 11 RECRUITING SUMMARY Email recruiting is sent out monthly to agents within the Blue Springs Metro Area. Emails consist of video presentations and plain and simple text messages. To see current recruiting media see Chip. If you have ideas for recruiting please do not hesitate to email Chip or just come by the office and explain your ideas. RPH CURRENT INVENTORY October 20 th 2009 Active Listings 153 $19,522,450 Pending Sales 31 $ 4,421,800 Contingent Sales 0 Back Up Sales 2 $ 390,000 RPH YTD CLOSED FILES October 20 th 2009 Closed Listings sides 143 $15,403,687 Closed Other s sides 187 $17,905,571 Closed Both sides 45 $ 4,579,888 OFFICE PROPERTY TOUR This week features *** Raytown / Lee s Summit KCRAR Keys to Understanding Short Sales 12 to 3 p.m. (lunch will be provided) Harrah's Casino & Hotel (1 Riverboat Drive, North Kansas City, MO 64116) $5 registration fee prior to Nov. 11. After that, registration is $10. 1 of 8
FEATURE STORY Top 10 Integrated Marketing Trends: Beware of Hyperfocus As 2009 hurtles to a close and marketers gear up for an undoubtedly leaner and meaner year in 2010, they will need to be increasingly vigilant about managing integrated programs with fewer resources, more diversity and less certainty, according to Judy Franks, founder and president of The Marketing Democracy. Despite these constraints, Franks still believes that if the industry can begin to look at the media landscape as a whole and less at its parts, and understand the ways in which it is changing, 2010 can still be the year of the good idea. Using data and observations gleaned from recent consulting projects and a extensive industry-watching, Franks compiled the following top 10 trends to help integrated marketers navigate the choppy waters she expects to see in 2010. The top 10 trends for integrated marketers: 1. Less will get done until we learn to do more with less: While the year 2009 was marked by extreme economic turmoil, the marketing industry won t feel its full effects until 2010. Right now, marketers and their agency partners are focused on simply getting work out the door, with reduced headcounts and budgets. However, if they learn to align resources with more singular and powerful integrated marketing programs - at the perhaps necessary expense of individual marketing tactics - the breakthrough ideas and greater productivity will be the norm again. 2. Marketers will mistakenly whack a medium of the marketing mix: With reduced marketing budgets, Franks said, something has to give. Unfortunately, marketers are making wholesale cuts to specific marketing/media channels in the process. Though the most dramatic cuts have occurred this year in newspapers and magazines, she cautions marketers to carefully consider if other media in the marketing mix can really compensate for these cuts, especially in terms of the consumer behavior. Though Franks believes that reduced resources should not affect a well-crafted, integrated, multichannel mix, she does expect that such blunders may occur in 2010. 3. Marketers rush to employ social networking strategies: Marketers are in what Franks calls a mad rush to enter the social networking space with tweets, widgets, apps and fan pages. However, she asserts that social networking is not, in itself, a marketing tactic; nor is it a surrogate for a brand s social experience or a line item on a marketing plan, a specific channel, or a form of content. In Franks s view, social media is an outcome, and no single channel has a lock on the social nature of content. Rather than scrambling for social media programs, Franks cautions marketers to step back and realize that most any medium can serve as the originating medium in a journey that can take a great piece of content across channels and into vast networks of hearts and minds. 2 of 8
4. More data but even less understanding : Web analytics are making online campaigns easier to measure, while more studies are emerging from more sources - including media measurement companies, foundations, academics, marketers and the media themselves. While all this data clearly point to a highly fluid, highly interactive and mercurial media landscape, these data sets are - at the same time - less projective when the media world changes so quickly. So, while marketers may have a better understanding of what happened last week, last month or yesterday, they cannot take this understanding too far into the future. In this respect, Franks likens today s environment to a Wild West era of integrated channel planning. 5. Lines between media will continue to blur: In the coming year, more prime-time TV content will show up in more places than ever before. Fans will have multiple access points into shows that used to be an appointment view controlled by network programming executives. Such models as live view, live+3 day views from a DVR, video on demand, Hulu, network owned websites, and shared distribution deals (ala DirecTV and NBC for Friday Night Lights) it is no longer clear as to where one screen medium ends and another begins. Marketers will do best to understand that it s all a screen, and plan accordingly, Franks said. 6. Push vs. pull will become less relevant: In 2010, the classification of marketing experiences into push vs. pull will become less relevant because the best content (both programming and commercial content) will increasingly become push and pull at the same time. For example, American Idol is both a push medium because it s broadcast during primetime on Fox, and a pull medium because of the plethora of votes, downloads, and chats which result from the broadcast. The reverse is also true. Given the vast reach of social networks, a viral experience that is pulled along by a small group of fans will quickly amass reach without too much effort on the part of the original sender. 7. Great content will travel at the speed of share while average experiences will evaporate: In 2010, marketers will continue to wrestle with a sense of time because messages can travel at the speed of share which renders the speed of traditional content distribution obsolete. With the click of a mouse, or a mobile phone, consumers can advance a great story/ad/video/picture/newsbite to vast, networked communities of hearts and minds. However, content will only travel at the speed of share if it is worth sharing in the first place. There now is much lower tolerance for mediocre content, and consumers in 2010 will have even more means of disposing of, and/or avoiding it. 8. The adult 18-49 demo will become even less relevant as a target cohort: Though the diversity within the 18-49 adult demographic isn t new, the dramatic differences in media use and consumption for an 18 year-old relative to a 49 year-old are becoming increasingly pronounced. The great divide between internet-raised and television-raised consumers may indeed become big enough in 2010 for integrated marketers to finally realize that this broad and unrealistic target cohort doesn t hold up. 9. Symbiosis will create interesting and - at times strange - partnerships: Though many forecasters are predicting wholesale collapses in media channels, Franks believes that the media and marketing landscape will be affected more by the laws of symbiosis than the laws of natural selection. As an example, the relationship between YouTube and TV - which at first appeared on the surface as a competing interest - continues to evolve into a symbiotic relationship. These emerging relationships will continue to develop among what appear on the surface as competing media channels. 10. 2010 will become the year of the good idea: The recent past suggests that integrated marketing, as an industry, has become hyper- focused on the dynamics of channels to such an extreme that it has taken its eye off the ball. However, when a collective realization is made that marketing channels serve only as pipelines for content and that only great content can be both pushed and pulled along at the new 3 of 8
speed of share, the good ideas will begin to flow again. Without a good idea, the content will simply evaporate. KCRAR SHOW ME REGION EVENTS None this week HMLS & KCRAR NEWS Compliant Data for MLS Input Data sheets MAR NEWS TECHNOLOGY *********Syndication of our Listings is almost here! Do you understand what that means?********** WORD OF THE DAY Contract For Deed An agreement between the seller (vendor) and buyer (vendee) for the purchase of real property in which the payment of all or a portion of the selling price is deferred. The purchase price may be paid in installments (of either principal and interest or interest only) over the period of the contract, with the balance due at maturity. When the buyer completes the required payments, the seller must deliver good legal title to the buyer by way of a deed or assignment of lease (if the property is leasehold property). Under the terms of the contract for deed, the buyer is given possession of the property and equitable title to the property, while the seller holds legal title and continues to be primarily liable for payment of any underlying mortgage. The features of the buyer s equitable title and obligation to purchase distinguish a contract for deed from a lease-option. The contract for deed document must meet the requirements for any contract and will also contain 4 of 8 a lengthy statement of the rights and obligations of the parties, similar to those under a mortgage, including use of premises, risk of loss, maintenance of premises, payment of taxes and insurance, and remedies in case of default. Specific rights, such as acceleration or the right to prepay without penalty must be expressly written into the agreement. The contract is usually signed by both parties, acknowledged, and recorded. The contract for deed is used extensively in many areas, where it may be called a land contract, agreement of sale, installment contract, articles of agreement, conditional sales contract, bond for deed, selling under contract, or real estate contract. They are useful in a tight money market where if it is difficult to qualify prospective buyers for conventional financing, the contract for deed is frequently the best method to sell or purchase a property. Others who benefit are first-time buyers or immigrants, who might have difficulty qualifying
for a bank loan at the time of entering into the contract for deed, but whose incomes will increase before maturity of the agreement, enabling them to refinance and pay off the contract for deed. Sellers may prefer to sell on a contract for deed because it can create an installment sale, which enables them to defer payment of a portion of tax. In addition, if the buyer defaults, the seller can sue for strict foreclosure, something he or she cannot do with a mortgage. However, a seller who chooses this remedy is rescinding the contract and cannot seek a deficiency judgment for the unpaid balance. Some contracts for deed provide that seller and/or buyer can convert the contract into a conventional security transaction. For example, upon payment of 40 percent of the purchase price, the seller may be required to deliver a deed and take back a purchasemoney mortgage from the buyer for the balance of the purchase price. Use of a contract for deed is not without some disadvantages. From the buyer s viewpoint: n Because the seller need not deliver good marketable title until the final payment, the buyer must, at the risk of default, continue to make payments even when there may be a doubt whether the seller will be able to perform when all payments are made. Some attorneys include a clause that the property is to be conveyed free and clear of all encumbrances except (those specified herein) and to remain free and clear except for the above-stated encumbrances. The seller is then discouraged from placing further mortgages and encumbrances on the property during the period of the contract for deed. n The buyer may have difficulty getting the seller to deed the property upon satisfaction. By withholding a large enough final payment, the buyer often can persuade a seller to pay the costs of drafting the deed. In addition, at the time of final payment, the seller might be suffering a legal disability or be missing, bankrupt, or dead, and the property might be tied up in probate. n The buyer might be restricted from assigning his or her interest in the contract for deed by covenants against assignment. n Liens that arise against the seller could cloud the title. n Unless a collection account is used, problems could arise if the seller does not apply the buyer s payments to the underlying mortgage. From the seller s viewpoint: n If the buyer defaults, the process of clearing record title may be time-consuming and costly, especially if the buyer is under a legal disability, is bankrupt, is a nonresident, or has created encumbrances in favor of persons who might have to be joined in any quiet title action. n The seller s interest in the contract for deed is less salable than a mortgagee s interest would have been had the seller sold under a purchase-money mortgage. n By its very nature, the contract for deed is a contract, and all contracts are subject to differing interpretations with the possibility of disputes and litigation. This "Word of the day" is excerpted from The Language of Real Estate, 6th Edition by John Reilly (published by Dearborn Real Estate Education, 2006 copyright). To purchase the complete book, with over 2800 key terms and definitions, or to browse through Dearborn's hundreds of other professional real estate titles, including Real Estate Technology Guide by Klein, Barnett, Reilly, click here. 5 of 8
HEALTH H1N1: Information is the Best Defense! Despite predictions from researchers at Purdue University that the H1N1 outbreak will peak this week, the reality is that it won't be going away any time soon. Let's not forget that the news is filled with shortages of the vaccine, as the number of H1N1 cases continues to surge across the country. And federal officials have warned that a second, larger outbreak could occur in early January. The reality is that the best way to stop the spread of H1N1 is to know the symptoms and to take steps to protect yourself-and others-from it. The following information can help. What are the symptoms of H1N1... and how are they different from the common cold? Symptom Cold H1N1 Flu Fever Fever is rare with a cold. Fever is usually present with the flu in up to 80% of all flu cases. A temperature of 100 F or higher for 3 to 4 days is associated with the flu. Coughing Aches A hacking, productive (mucusproducing) cough is often present with a cold. Slight body aches and pains can be part of a cold. 6 of 8 A non-productive (non-mucus producing) cough is usually present with the flu (sometimes referred to as dry cough). Severe aches and pains are common with the flu. Stuffy nose is commonly present with a Stuffy Nose cold and typically resolves spontaneously Stuffy nose is not commonly present with the flu. within a week. Chills Chills are uncommon with a cold. 60% of people who have the flu experience chills. Tiredness Tiredness is fairly mild with a cold. Tiredness is moderate to severe with the flu. Sneezing Sneezing is commonly present with a cold. Sneezing is not common with the flu. Sudden Symptoms Headache Sore Throat Cold symptoms tend to develop over a few days. A headache is fairly uncommon with a cold. Sore throat is commonly present with a cold. The flu has a rapid onset within 3-6 hours. The flu hits hard and includes sudden symptoms like high fever, aches and pains. A headache is very common with the flu, present in 80% of flu cases. Sore throat is not commonly present with the flu. Chest Chest discomfort is mild to moderate Chest discomfort is often severe with the flu.
Discomfort with a cold. If you think you have the H1N1 flu, you should take a few common-sense steps to protect your friends, family members, and coworkers. For instance, if you feel sick, stay home until you feel better and have gone at least 24 hours without relying on medicine to break your fever. In addition, wash your hands, linens, dishes, and so on thoroughly. And cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze--and then throw the tissue away immediately. Finally, if you have to share a small space with other people, consider wearing a facemask to help make sure you don't spread the flu to the people around you. Follow these steps and monitor your symptoms to help stop the spread of H1N1...and remain happy and healthy! "THE DEVIL IS IN THE DETAILS..." Or so the famous saying goes. And when it comes to really understanding the various reports and events unfolding in the economy, it's important to take a look at the details - not just the headlines. Here's what you need to know. On the inflation front, the Producer Price Index, which measures wholesale inflation, unexpectedly fell due to a drop in energy prices. While that seems like good news on the surface, keep in mind that next month's number could climb higher again, as oil and natural gas have both been on a tear higher lately. In housing news, Housing Starts and Building Permits both came in a bit below expectations, but this may be a sign that builders are exercising some caution - particularly in the face of the $8,000 tax credit for first time homebuyers that is presently set to expire on November 30th. Existing Home Sales came in better than expected - and a whopping 45% of those homes were sold to first time homebuyers - rushing to move in on that credit. Recent studies have shown that many who qualify for this tax credit aren't even aware of it...so please let me know if you or someone you know needs more information - the clock is ticking! Additionally, the level of existing homes inventory shrunk to a 7.8 month supply, down from a recent high of 10.1 months in April. ----------------------- Chart: Existing Home Sales (Supply in Months) 7 of 8
In other news, 3rd quarter earnings season continues, where companies report their status as of the end of September. While many companies are beating expectations, it's important to realize that many of those companies achieved better earnings by cost cutting and layoffs, not from increased sales. This is a big disconnect between Wall Street and "Main Street". Stocks are rocketing higher based on these "positive" reports, but the cost cutting and job cutting measures can only go so far...you can't simultaneously grow the ranks of unemployment - and then grow your business, hoping for increased sales to those same people who are without jobs. Last week's Jobless Claims numbers seem to confirm this as Initial Jobless Claims rose more than expected. In addition, the number of individuals continuing to receive unemployment benefits fell to the lowest level since March, but this is likely the result of people's unemployment benefits expiring, without them having been able to find jobs. Also worth noting is the news that ratings agency Moody's lead analyst, Steven Hess, said that the US needs to cut its deficit or it could lose its "AAA" rating in the next 3 to 4 years, which we have maintained since 1917! Think of all we've been through - two World Wars, the Depression, three Wall Street collapses and major terrorist attacks...yet our credit quality has maintained that AAA rating, allowing us to issue debt at the most favorable rates. Hess went on to say that if the US doesn't "get the deficit down in the next 3-4 years to a sustainable level, then the rating will be in jeopardy." And just like on a mortgage when the credit rating gets reduced, interest rates move higher. This will definitely be something we'll keep an eye on in the months ahead. 8 of 8