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The National Association of REALTORS® 2009 convention took place in San Diego in mid-November. The education was top notch, the events were packed with interesting people and the mood was positive as attendees looked to build a successful 2010.
We asked Arizona attendees to share their top takeaways. Here are some of the highlights:
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NAR Celebrates Presidency of Arizona’s Own Vicki Cox Golder
Arizona REALTORS® turned out in force to celebrate the inauguration of the National Association of REALTORS®®first-ever president from Arizona, Vicki Cox Golder. The inaugural ball, held in San Diego in conjunction with the national convention, highlighted the beauty of Arizona in the performances—including a show-stopping champion hoop dancer—and in the video of Vicki and her family on their ranch. The state sends its congratulations and best wishes to Vicki. Your leadership will guide NAR to new levels of success in 2010!
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 | Helen Snyder
Everett J. Jones Real Estate (Portal)
I learned a trick I may use for sellers who've got their property listed too high: Send them two forms, one a price change form and the other a listing cancellation. Add a friendly letter explaining that there have been no queries at all about their property, and ask them to please return one or the other. Also, stress to your sellers that their listing price should end in three zeros, NOT a number like $199,999. That number won't come up for people searching for a house in the $200,000-$350,000 price range. If you price it at $200,000, you'll catch both the buyers looking for a house up to that price and also those buyers for whom $200,000 is the minimum value. |
 | Ron LaMee, VP – Information Services
Arizona Association of REALTORS®
The Washington Association of REALTORS® discussed an interesting PR concept—a statewide open house conducted in tandem with a promotion of the homebuyer tax credit. They worked with their local associations to pick a weekend, provide unique identification materials and coordinate promotions around the state. This resulted in lots of media coverage and stimulated considerable activity as consumers flocked to open houses around the state. We are currently discussing an event like this for Arizona. |
 | Phil Sexton
John Hall & Associates (Phoenix)
You need to have a hub for all your social media efforts. Your hub is made up of four components: 1. Website - blog or not; 2. Dynamic Content - content that people will engage with; 3. Home Search - you have to have a good home search; 4. Lead Management - personal opinion: this separates the good from the great. (Read more of Phil’s takeaways from Dustin Luther’s “Defining the Social Me” session.) |
 | Paul Pastore
RE/MAX Infinity (Chandler)
I learned about NAR's new consumer website, www.houselogic.com, where homeowners can learn information to protect, maintain and enhance the value of their home. It will help agents keep in touch with their clients and build our reputation as housing experts. Also, agents can order MP3 or CD copies of any NAR session by visiting www.iplaybackNAR.com or calling 800-241-7785. |
 | Tim Massingale
Realty Executives (Scottsdale)
Eye-Fi offers SD cards for digital cameras that geocode your photos and upload them to your computer through your home Wi-Fi network. |
 | Laura Kruszewski, Marketing Manager
Tucson Association of REALTORS®
In Jeff Turner’s session on social media, I learned how important it is to have a vision when setting out on the road to use social media. It’s necessary to outline what your intentions are, how often you will update it your pages, etc. |
 | John Rundle
Award Realty Commercial (Surprise)
I'm a REALTOR® who deals in vacant land. At the NAR conference, I found that the Department of Agriculture has a free database, which has incredibly detailed information about the first six feet of topsoil, every ten feet, anywhere in the U.S. This is important information for people who want to build a farm, put in foundations for large buildings or determine the actual risk and cost of flood mitigation. I tell you, it's absolutely amazing. |
 | Barb Freestone, Senior VP – Professional & Business Development
Arizona Association of REALTORS®
John Ansbach did an outstanding job in his presentation, “Thriving in a Multi-Generational Marketplace.” We all need to learn to talk to customers the way they listen. Do you speak Boomer? Gen X? Gen Y? Mastering these languages will impact your listing presentations and negotiations, to name just two areas. What I learned: Civics communicate frequently and prefer face-to-face interaction. Boomers need to understand why it’s in their best interest and do not want long-winded explanations. Xers are tough, competitive negotiators and will want to try to negotiate themselves. Yers need to be made comfortable, are more left brain/factual and want to feel like you like them.
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