A Win for NAR by Technical Knock Out in Round 8 (2009)

by Stefan Swanepoel

Rarely has pending legislation suggested changes to the financial services arena as controversial as the recent Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLB Act). The proposed rule would declare real estate brokerage, real estate management, and employee relocation to be activities that are "financial in nature" or "incidental to a financial activity" under the GLB Act. This would allow financial holding companies and national bank subsidiaries to enter these businesses.

Best Social Media Site for Realtors: Join the Revolution with these 10 Online Networks (2009)

by Stefan Swanepoel

Now that the 2009 Swanepoel TRENDS Report has hit newsstands, and social media and online networking again claims one of the top 3 slots for the second year in a row, many agents are moving in increasing numbers into social networking. During almost all of my talks this year, I am constantly asked which ones are the best, which ones do you recommend I use and where do I start?

Survival Tips for Brokers: If You Wish To Succeed In 2010, Here Are 10 Golden Rules (2009)

by Stefan Swanepoel

Survival Tips for Brokers: If You Wish To Succeed In 2010, Here Are 10 Golden Rules

Top 10 People to Blame for the Financial Crisis (2009)

by Stefan Swanepoel

TIME Magazine published last week their list of people they think should carry blame for the financial crisis. As controversial as one expect any such list to be, it is saturated with ‘the usual suspects and makes for an interesting read. Here they are the Top 10 in order.

Could Your Home Value Be Impacted By Rising Oil Prices? How Will Higher Energy Costs Change Real Estate? (2009)

by Stefan Swanepoel

When the Baby Boomers were younger (1960-90), families with children made up more than 50% of all households. By the time we got to 2000 this figure had declined to 33% and by 2025 it is estimated to be around 25%.

Your Worst Nightmare (2009)

by Stefan Swanepoel

Imagine answering the doorbell some Saturday morning only to be met by a process server who is prepared to deliver a blow that has the potential to wipe out your life savings and create havoc and stress for months or even years to come.

Micro-Blogging Takes Off (2009)

by Stefan Swanepoel

I received a few emails indicating surprise that I included micro blogging (Twitter) on my Top 10 Events impacting Real Estate in 2008 so I thought I would provide a little more information for those that are not that familiar with the concept of short text-based 140 character posts.

Exciting New Real Estate Business Model (2009)

by Stefan Swanepoel

Evolution is all part of the process of re-engineering the real estate industry and the home buying process so every time I come across a new business model that is working I get excited. Some may say that this concept is not truly new, but with its format and European origin, it is definitely unique and very different.

Another Online Community for Real Estate (2008)

by Stefan Swanepoel

Last weekend, real estate agents and brokers got introduced to yet another social and business network to participate in when online real estate news service, Broker Agent Professional, launched Broker Agent Social (www.brokeragentsocial.com). Within the first 100 hours after launch they exploded to 2,000 members - adding a new member every few minutes.

Five Factors Shaping Your Future (2008)

by Stefan Swanepoel

Real estate professionals need to think differently about the future. They need to do more and they need to move faster.

Transform Your Real Estate Business Today (2008)

by Stefan Swanepoel

Out of the housing bubble of 2006, the subprime ashes of 2007 and the mortgage meltdown of 2008 we are going to see a whole new real estate industry evolve and develop and we will look back at the years 2008 ? 2012 as the transition period during which the real estate industry made a major paradigm shift to reinvent the home buying and selling process.

Financial Crisis Advice 102 Years in the Making (2008)

by Stefan Swanepoel

Despite congressional passage of the historic $700 billion bailout legislation, which was signed by President Bush on Saturday, Oct. 4, the Dow Jones Index tumbled the following week with 22%; the worst week in its 118 year history.

Information You Can Count On: 2009 Trends Report Opens for Contributions (2008)

by Stefan Swanepoel

Change seems to be the buzz word this year, with Barack Obama touting "Change We Need," John McCain promoting "Real Change and even Hillary Clinton saying "Change you can count on."

Wiki in Real Estate Goes Web 2.0: Real Estate Information Now at Fingertips (2008)

by Stefan Swanepoel

After only 9 months Real Estate Wiki, the largest encyclopedia, dictionary and glossary for the real estate industry, has re-launched with a totally redesigned and vastly enhanced website.

Top 100 Most Influential Women in Real Estate (2008)

by Stefan Swanepoel

With 3,460 respondents casting 6,099 votes, the real estate professional community has decided who the Top 25 Most Influential Women are. And what an incredible list of powerful women this list represents.

Education is the Next Civil War (2008)

by Stefan Swanepoel

So said John McCain during his acceptance speech and the RNC convention.

Is this a Sign that the Market has Bottomed? (2008)

by Stefan Swanepoel

With a bail out the Treasury acquired $1 billion in preferred shares in each company while pledging up to another $200 billion. At the same time both Fannie Mae CEO Daniel Mudd and Freddie Mac CEO Richard Syron will be replaced and both companies will be under the conservatorship and management control of the Federal Housing Finance Agency.

A Weekend of Rescue (2008)

by Stefan Swanepoel

What a week and weekend this has been - the Government, State Rescue Operations and large corporations were all very busy. Millions of people were and remain at risk on many different levels - millions were affected by hurricane Ike, millions remain on the doorstep of foreclosure and millions will be affected by the closing and restructuring of various Fortune 500 companies.

The Next Killer App for Cell Phones and PDAs (2008)

by Stefan Swanepoel

There is no argument that cell phones have clearly changed the world ? in more ways than one. They started by removing the need for street corner pay phones, then raised being "in-touch" to a whole new level. The added feature sets noted above have changed the devices into multi-facetted tools or maybe toys.

How Will the Energy Crisis Impact Real Estate (2008)

by Stefan Swanepoel

Six billion people inhabit the earth; half in cities with 500 million of them driving cars every day. One of the single most important inventions of our lifetime, the vehicle, has created an ever increasingly appetite for oil.

Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 (2008)

by Stefan Swanepoel

The American Housing Rescue and Foreclosure Prevention Act of 2008 (the Housing Act) was signed into law last week as the most sweeping housing legislation since the Great Depression. The new Act authorizes the Department of the Treasury to stem the tide of home foreclosures and provide a lifeline to mortgage lenders.

Real Estate Wiki Affirms Need for Quality Information (2008)

by Stefan Swanepoel

With that rapid growth Real Estate Wiki has proven that the savvy consumer needs and wants access to quality information about the home buying and selling process. With so many websites trying to sell homes and real estate related services and products, Real Estate Wiki fills the crucial role of a free, third party neutral information resource.

Real Estate News from Australia and New Zealand (2008)

by Stefan Swanepoel

What is interesting is that the utilization of the Web by the public in Australia and New Zealand is amongst the highest in the developed world. It?s this global down market phenomenon and the surging usage of the web that is going to be the catalyst to re-engineer the real estate brokerage industry.

Three Gold Stars and Two Rusty Nails (2008)

by Stefan Swanepoel

In many occasions, and in many years, real estate has been the rock to depend, or in some cases even the rocket to ride to riches. But times have changed and the bright years of 2000-2005 have become a dull memory.

Real Estate Social Networks Reach Critical Mass (2008)

by Stefan Swanepoel

Both ActiveRain and RealTown have reached that magical six figure membership number - 100,000. Congratulations!!

The Power of Online Video (2008)

by Stefan Swanepoel

As CNN stated it started in an article it all starts innocently enough by you visiting YouTube for, say, a few minutes of football bloopers. Then you switch to funny dog antics, followed by goofy juvenile stuntmen. Before long you've inadvertently spent 30 minutes watching videos on your computer.

Are You Giving Your Confidential Information Away? (2008)

by Stefan Swanepoel

Search engines have become almost a way of life for most of us. They are an excellent way of satisfying our "need to know" on just about any subject. But what we don?t think about is that these same search engines are finding a lot out about us ? information that we would prefer to remain private.

Yes you are one in a million?the challenge is what are going to do about it? (2008)

by Stefan Swanepoel

There are about 2 million licensed agents. If you are one of them, you may often feel lost in the crowd. So how do you get ahead and succeed, in arguably one of the most competitive and entrepreneurial industries today.

Canada Reluctantly Follows the USA (2008)

by Stefan Swanepoel

After almost a decade of continuous growth most would even agree that home prices in Canada are not even substantially overvalued. At the same time Canada's new homes market is also not overbuilt as it is in many places in the U.S. Overall the underlying domestic housing fundamentals for the Canadian real estate market remain healthy.

The New Economy - Wikinomics (2008)

by Stefan Swanepoel

Wikinomics is a book by Don Tapscott and Anthony Williams. If you haven?t read it yet, do yourself a favor and get it. It is a good interesting read on how the Web is no longer about idly surfing and passively reading or watching, but how it has evolved into a new dynamic form of community and creative expression, one of sharing, socializing, collaborating and creating communities

Swimming Naked Risks Exposure and a Hangover (2008)

by Stefan Swanepoel

According to Warren Buffett, CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, "When the tide goes out, you find out who?s been swimming naked." Well, watching the shoreline we have been seeing a lot of national home builders standing in the wet sand in their birthday suits. While others are feeling the cold wind of exposure it?s this group that has really taken a hit.

The Real Estate Market Is Dead (2008)

by Stefan Swanepoel

Buyers are sitting tight and everyone is wondering when they are going to get up. Sellers are struggling against increasing competition and the housing market is in a slump with all the continual subprime fodder splashed across the news. Competition out there isn?t getting any easier. We have almost as many real estate agents in the industry today as we did 3 years ago. In fact, as recently as October 2006, NAR hit it?s highest membership level; 1,370,758. Today they still have 1,235,598 members, which is a drop of 10% but still a lot of agents vying for a fewer number of transactions.

So What Happened?and How Low Can We Go? (2008)

by Stefan Swanepoel

In the initial stages of a Recession (yes people are everywhere now referring to the ?R? word) sellers remain under an illusion of inflated home values regarding what their property is really worth while around them this false impression of value leads to a drop in sales as buyers respond by pulling out of the market. At some point (about now) reality sets in and some owners reduce prices fueled by a growing financial crunch. Short sales start occurring, foreclosures rise and banks start taking much unwanted properties, dropping cash flows lead to losses, that force property auctions and a downward spiral of home prices is created.

Real Estate Innovation and Change Will Come Mainly From Generation X and Y (2008)

by Stefan Swanepoel

It's true that generations come and go and each one is unique - reacting and changing what previous generations have done over time. But it is important to note that the immediate and short term impacts of both Generation X and Generation Y have already become very significant.

#1 ERA Company and Top Coldwell Banker Leaves Realogy (2008)

by Stefan Swanepoel

Disenfranchised? What's new? This time is different. We often hear about a company becoming disenchanted with one of the large franchises and subsequently taking their leave. This is not all that unheard of but there appears to be a growing trend of large companies being disgruntled with the position, or their lack of a position, within the large, multi-brand, multi-national Realogy Group.

Is Google Part of Your Strategy? (2008)

by Stefan Swanepoel

No one rules forever. But, as firmly as IBM ruled mainframe computing and Microsoft the personal computer age for many years, so currently Google is ruling the Internet. So says Stefan Swanepoel, 14 time author in his latest best-selling 2008 Swanepoel TRENDS Report.

The 10 Levels of the Listing Promotion Pyramid (2008)

by Stefan Swanepoel

So you have a listing. Well maybe that's not too hard at the moment. Many agents have listings. As a matter of fact as a nation we have over a 10 month listing inventory. It's what you are going to do with the listing that matters most.

How to Reach Buyers in Today?s Market (2008)

by Stefan Swanepoel

With an abundance of houses for sale and buyers still weary to return to the housing market, it is now more important than ever before that real estate agents improve their marketing, says the new, 170 page 2008 Swanepoel Trends Report from RealSure Publishing

Housing Bubble Tightens its Grip ? Highlights, Updates and Suggestions for 2008 (2008)

by Stefan Swanepoel

During the last 10 years the global financial and real estate markets have experienced huge volatility. We?ve had more bubbles and crises than during any other post Second World War period. Bubbles are usually hard to identify beforehand, not widely accepted during the upswing but easy to detail with hindsight. Retrospection is remarkable, isn't it?

Five Solutions for Realtors to Increase Productivity in a Down Market (2008)

by Stefan Swanepoel

According to Swanepoel, when the market was hot, every Tom, Dick and Harry wanted to be in the kitchen and sell real estate. Why? Because it didn?t take any skill or premier quality customer service. Now that the housing market has been on a steady decline for just over two years we have an opportunity to separate the good from the bad and the ugly.

Real Estate Identity Theft Crisis: 7 Steps to Save Your Hide (2008)

by Stefan Swanepoel

The critical important trend impacting everyone in real estate is the central focal point of trend #6 in the new 2008 edition of the Swanepoel TRENDS Report by industry visionary and best-selling author Stefan Swanepoel. According to the Report the protection of a customer?s data has always been important, but it was largely taken for granted prior to the Internet. Most data prior to the Internet resided in paper format, was typically communicated through snail mail or delivery services and was kept in paper file folders. With the advent of computers and the Internet, data on any given real estate transaction is now stored in multiple databases and computers, transaction management systems, Internet websites as well as paper files.

How to Attain a New Mindset to Unleash Success: Downturn Creates Opportunity for Smart Agents (2008)

by Stefan Swanepoel

The low barriers of entry into the real estate industry fueled during the 2002 ? 2005 housing boom also caused a disproportionately large amount of newly licensed agents. However, the downturn that started in August 2005 caused the number of transactions of existing homes to decline from an annual rate of 7.2 million transactions to an estimated 5.5 million. Yet the number of licensed agents has not declined with the same ratio, thereby reducing agent productivity even further.

The Evolution of Online Real Estate Communities (2008)

by Stefan Swanepoel

Success in the real estate industry over the next decade is knowing where the Web is going, how it works and what the opportunities are it offers. According to Stefan Swanepoel, author of the Swanepoel Trends Report, an annual report on residential real estate trends, the Internet has in less than one and a half decades evolved from a preferred method of connecting and finding information to sharing and being part of a community.

Women Take Over Top Jobs in Real Estate Business (2008)

by Stefan Swanepoel

When compared to other professions and industries, real estate has long been one where women can more easily achieve success and equality with men. The National Association of Realtors profile even put the number of all sales agents at 65% female.

2008 Edition of Swanepoel Trends Report Just Released Provides Guidance In Confusing Real Estate Market (2008)

by Stefan Swanepoel

"Every decade or so a year comes by that massively impacts and defines the real estate industry ? a year in which important events really take shape. Things like the bubble finally bursting, innovation becoming mainstream, and old-school traditions getting seriously challenged. Each one shaping our industry now and in the future." says Stefan Swanepoel in the 2008 edition of Swanepoel Trends Report. The 170-page in-depth research report gives real estate professionals the clearest overall picture of what?s happening in the residential real estate industry.

Top 10 Events that Shaped Real Estate for 2007 (2008)

by Stefan Swanepoel

This week the Swanepoel TRENDS Report (RealSure Publishing) released the names of the top companies that during the previous calendar year (2007) set forth actions that were different and memorable and could potentially have a far reaching impact on the real estate industry in the years to come. This week Swanepoel announces the top 10 events that made headlines and captured the attention of the real estate industry. The selection of these events was based upon their potential future impact on the industry rather than only their 2007 impact.

Real Estate Trendsetters for 2007 Announced (2008)

by Stefan Swanepoel

Every year the Swanepoel TRENDS Report (RealSure Publishing), as part of its in-depth study of the residential real estate industry, announces the top companies that during the previous calendar year (2007) set forth actions that were different and memorable and could potentially have a far reaching impact on the real estate industry in the years to come.

Getting the Edge in an Ugly Real Estate Market (2007)

by Stefan Swanepoel

It doesn't really make a difference which survey you read, but similar to the annual poll done by Harris Interactive, real estate agents almost always find themselves at the bottom of the "most prestigious" occupations list.

Learn from the Past and Shape Tomorrow (2007)

by Stefan Swanepoel

It seems that every decade or so a year comes by that defines a period in our history - a date when looking back we may point to as a turning point - a date when innovation became mainstream - a date when it changed forever.

Gallery of Better Red Homes, Carpets and Gardens (2007)

by Stefan Swanepoel

Large national brokerage companies have taken anywhere from a decade to a century to build a national brand. On average, many of the current real estate leaders appear to have invested approximately three decades in creating and building national recognition.

Real Estate Face Off: Microsoft and Google Eyeball FaceBook (2007)

by Stefan Swanepoel

Barely a year ago on October 9th, Google laid claim to their largest acquisition to date as they triumphantly announced the acquisition of YouTube for $1.65 billion in an all stock transaction. YouTube had been created merely 20 months earlier in February 2005 by three former PayPal employees and was little more than Adobe Flash technology used to display video content and movie clips. Yet it had made the July 2005 sale of buddy site MySpace to Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation for $580 million look like chump change

Mortgage Market Mayhem (2007)

by Stefan Swanepoel

The public media this past week headlined the apparent surprise "mortgage meltdown" as many reported the filing for bankruptcy protection by the nation's 10th-largest residential financer; American Home Mortgage Investment Corp., Melville, New York. Real estate, contradictory to its glamorous profile a year or two ago, was again headlined but this time as the big bad wolf. So is this the end of the real estate mortgage Merry-Go-Round? Probably not, as I haven?t heard "a certain lady sing yet!"

Real Estate Change: Bubble Trouble (Again?) (2007)

by Stefan Swanepoel

For real estate professionals there are lessons to be learned from every changing market condition; especially a housing bubble. The question is will they? For a great many agents who have never experienced anything other than the recent feeding frenzy this is the first time they?ll be learning them and for the rest who have ?been there before?, it?s a time to reflect on the last time through the cycle and add the new lessons learned.

Realtors: Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? (2007)

by Stefan Swanepoel

Most of us feel that we definitely are but many times, especially when watching the TV program with the same title, I am shocked at both the participants and my own apparent lack of knowledge or inability to remember the smallest of fact.

It's a Small World Afterall: Understanding & Working the International Real Estate Market (2007)

by Stefan Swanepoel

Over the next five years, as the globalization of property ownership and generational mobility blend and shape the world, we are going to see a smorgasbord of foreign companies, both online and offline, become active in the US real estate industry.

The World According to Google (2007)

by Stefan Swanepoel

Google is an exceptional company in many respects and is the undisputed leader of Web 2.0. Up 36% over the past year, this week has seen new record highs for Google shares (GOOG) as the stock climbed to $530. Wall Street analysts are even predicting a median price target of $600 in the not too distant future.

Industry Competence at Lowest Point Ever: Knowledge Becomes the Swing Vote (2007)

by Stefan Swanepoel

"With the expansion of the number of Realtors, the level of competence has fallen to its lowest point ever," says former NAR Chief Economist and best-selling author, Dr. John Tuccillo.

Real Estate Technology: The Race is On (2007)

by Stefan Swanepoel

Over the last decade the pace of technological change has been startling and for many brokers and agents a seemingly endless pit of innovation, change and of course dollars.

Web 2.0 - This Time it's For Real (2007)

by Stefan Swanepoel

The first generation of the Internet is widely accepted to be 1995 - 2004. In 1995, there were 23,500 websites of which 4,000 (17%) were real estate related. Today, Netcraft estimates that there are 100+ million websites of which about 48 million are active. Some academics estimate that approximately 6% of all commercial websites are real estate related and, if that were to be accurate, then we may be approaching 3 million real estate websites.

Average Realtor Productivity Collapses: Industry Needs to Loose One in Four Agents (2007)

by Stefan Swanepoel

We all know that 2000 - 2005 comprised one of the hottest real estate markets on record. During this period the country experienced a buying frenzy fed by low interest rates, a plate full of new mortgages, bullish customer confidence, low unemployment, strong economic growth and excellent price appreciation. Not only did home prices and the number of home sales surge but so did the number of REALTORS.

Feds Getting Involved with Real Estate Transformation (2007)

by Stefan Swanepoel

According to the latest Swanepoel Trends Report the industry has never before experienced as many new business models and competition as it has during the last couple of years as well as growing government interest in the industry.

The Sum of All Fears: Shifting the Real Estate Brokerage Paradigm (2007)

by Stefan Swanepoel

It isn't that real estate hasn't experienced new business models before, or that brokers are scared, but new models are multiplying like rabbits. The amount and assortment that have emerged during the last decade have proliferated into a full four-page menu of choice, enough to mystify even the savviest of broker. And while everyone slowly absorbs the abundance of alternatives, time is not standing still and a reshape of the industry is already visible.

Lead Generation: Pirate or Partner? (2007)

by Stefan Swanepoel

The concept has been around a long time, but it wasn't until third party "outsiders" started offering it as a subscription service, and very successfully by the way, that these companies became a focal point of many a heated discussion. The reason of course is simple - lead generation has quickly become big business in the real estate industry.

Is a National MLS the Way Too Go? (2007)

by Stefan Swanepoel

Many think that the notion of a national MLS is a good one. According to Jim Sherry, technically there is no reason a national MLS would not work. He says it's more about getting the egos out of the way first.

The Internet is Daily Reshaping Real Estate (2007)

by Stefan Swanepoel

In 1995 there were 23,500 websites of which 4,000 (17%) were real estate related. According to the Netcraft Web Server Survey in February 2007 there were 108 million distinct websites. Academics estimate that approximately 6% of these websites are real estate related; approximately 6.5 million. It's no surprise that Google lists real estate as its top search category. So, with a ballpark growth of 80% per year, every year for the last 12 years, it comes as no surprise that real estate is big on the Internet.

Which Brands are the Best in Residential Real Estate (2007)

by Stefan Swanepoel

With over 100,000 real estate brokerage companies, and literally tens and tens of thousands of real estate brands, it's very difficult to select the best national real estate brands in the country. But in real estate, branding is the name of the game.

MLS: Real Estate Asset or Public Utility? (2007)

by Stefan Swanepoel

Looking back in time the MLS was supposed to be simple: A seller ? a listing - an agreement to share - a buyer - a sale. Everyone benefited, including the buyers and the sellers. It was built as a B2B model, a cooperative among brokers licensed under state law not a B2C model, Yet today under the flag of ?all information should be free? everyone wants to promote the listing. As a result the MLS has evolved into a consumer marketplace and a quasi public utility. The proverbial horse is out of the barn.

The Real Estate Minority Opportunity (2007)

by Stefan Swanepoel

Today 33% of the US population is non-Caucasian. By the year 2050 the US Census projects that number to increase to 50% - half of the entire US population, yet walk into the average gathering of Realtors?, anywhere in the country today, and one is greeted by a predominantly Caucasian group.

It's Not Easy Being a REALTOR Association (2007)

by Stefan Swanepoel

Non-profit associations still have to make sufficient money to provide a meaningful service for their members and in a declining market, with a confused membership that?s not an easy task. If you add a few disgruntled members with political agendas and personal opinions the job gets even harder. And that doesn?t even consider the channel conflict that results from the changing make-up or the fluctuating size of the membership.

Managing the Effects of a Real Estate Hangover (2007)

by Stefan Swanepoel

We all know that 2000 - 2005 comprised one of the hottest real estate markets on record in which the industry enjoyed tremendous growth. But are there any consequences to the industry?

Do Today's Agents Understand Generational Selling? (2007)

by Stefan Swanepoel

While the exact dates for categorizing each generation are often in debate, Swanepoel says there is no debate about their existence and the fact that each has very different characteristics, resulting from the events that shaped them.

Does the Real Estate Industry Have Too Many Agents? (2007)

by Stefan Swanepoel

The past six years or so comprised one of the hottest real estate markets on record in which the industry enjoyed tremendous growth. During this period the country experienced a buying frenzy fed by low interest rates, a plate full of new mortgages, bullish customer confidence, low unemployment, strong economic growth and excellent price appreciation.

Top 10 Trendsetters for 2006 - Companies Leading the Way to Change (2007)

by Stefan Swanepoel

The Swanepoel Trends Report for 2007 has great pleasure in recognizing the following companies/products that have excelled during the last 12 months in that they have pursued innovation and paved the way for change. They are truly the trendsetters of our industry.

New Report Offers Brokers Guidance in an Evolving Market (2007)

by Stefan Swanepoel

The residential real estate brokerage industry appears to be about half way through a 10 -15 year industry transition - one that is creating confusion and frustration, but above all, huge opportunities. What is certain, in this turbulent environment, is that opportunity is coming to those who react appropriately to the trends that affect it.

Transaction Management is Back in Play (2006)

by Stefan Swanepoel

So reads the new Swanepoel TRENDS Report 2006: During the last few years Title Insurance companies have moved in and stepped up by acquiring MLS providers and Transaction Management software companies - all in pursuit of the "silver bullet." They are now very close to successfully "bundling" and "packaging" a large selection of services and every step they take moves them ever closer toward "one-stop-shopping" for the real estate industry. The new 110-page, 2006 Swanepoel TRENDS Report ranks integration of the real estate transaction as the 8th most important trend for real estate brokers and agents to watch.

The Outsiders Have Arrived (2006)

by Stefan Swanepoel

So reads the new Swanepoel TRENDS Report 2006: Zillow. Google. InterActive Corp. Walmart? Who Will it Be? Never before has the ?threat? of non real estate companies, often referred to as ?Outsiders,? entering the real estate brokerage industry prevailed as strongly as it does today. Read just about any current news or blog, and names like Google, Yahoo, Zillow, eBay, InterActive Corp., Craigslist, Home Depot, H&R Block and now even Wal-Mart are listed as potential players in the real estate and mortgage space.

Reaching the Chameleon Consumer (2006)

by Stefan Swanepoel

So reads the new Swanepoel TRENDS Report 2006: Change is one of a few rock-solid constants. We can trust it implicitly, especially when it comes to our favorite subject: us! People experience dramatic change during the course of their lives, both internally and externally. We grow and mature, and often, we move.

Increasing Numbers are Swapping the Rust Belt for the Sun Belt (2006)

by Stefan Swanepoel

So reads the new Swanepoel TRENDS Report 2006: Population shifts have always impacted the development and pricing of real estate. The latest 2006/7 Swanepoel TRENDS Report discusses this as one of the top 15 trends impacting the real estate industry and delves into the many resulting factors. As population shifts dramatically change the landscape of individual cities, states and even regions, Swanepoel recommends that agents should endeavor to identify those areas that may be affected the most and look for the niches that afford the greatest opportunity.

Time to Shift Your Marketing Dollars (2006)

by Stefan Swanepoel

The decline in mass media investment has occurred at an almost alarming pace, reports the Swanepoel TRENDS Report in its annual Report detailing the top 15 trends impacting the real estate industry. The Newspapers could lose $4 billion to online websites by 2007: Report predicts that as a result, newspaper ?dailies? are shifting their approach and are now directly supporting target marketing and consumer direct marketing in an effort to recoup the loss of advertising revenue.

Is MLS the Key or Demise? (2006)

by Stefan Swanepoel

So reads the new Swanepoel TRENDS Report 2006: MLS is as American as apple pie. It was designed for mutual sharing of information by industry peers to facilitate the research and sale of properties by brokers and agents for their customers. Today most real estate agents can?t operate without it, many Realtor Boards financially benefit from it, recently brokers have fought over it and now it appears more and more consumers have discovered the power of it.

In the Franchising Model, Brand Awareness Soars (2006)

by Stefan Swanepoel

So reads the new Swanepoel TRENDS Report 2006: Let there be no doubt that the franchising business model can exponentially spread brand visibility. For years now, U.S. real estate franchisors have ventured internationally to build their national brand into one of global awareness. Companies such as ERA, RE/MAX and Century 21 have achieved great success in the international arena, usually reaching a top five position within the first 3-5 years in every country they have entered.

Knowlege Vacuum is a Growing Concern (2006)

by Stefan Swanepoel

So reads the new Swanepoel TRENDS Report 2006: The real estate industry has fallen victim to its own success. As home prices skyrocketed over the past few years an unprecedented number of soon-to-be agents saw a seeming goldmine in the prospect of selling homes for a living. Emboldened by the sure success they thought was theirs for the taking, new licensees deluged the industry.

The Internet Has Forever Changed Real Estate (2006)

by Stefan Swanepoel

While technology has significantly influenced the way the real estate marketplace operates, the Swanepoel TRENDS Report highlights it as one of the Top 15 trends impacting the real estate industry. The Report predicts that Brokers and Agents can expect much more from technology as an increased wave of innovation and the continued development of existing technology flood the market.