Real estate agents from across the United States and Canada will soon flock to Austin for Keller Williams Realty’s annual Mega Camp. The event, which focuses on education and motivation over four days, features sessions led by real estate’s top producers that highlight their techniques for success.
Speakers at Mega Camp include Keller Williams Realty’s Co-founder Gary Keller, CEO Mark Willis, President and COO Mary Tennant, and President of MAPS Coaching Dianna Kokoszka. Additionally, this year will feature keynote speaker Chris Gardner, whose story was immortalized in the 2006 movie The …

The American Association of Private Lenders (AAPL) has established the first code of ethics for private hard money lenders in the United States. These ethical standards are the foundation of how AAPL members conduct themselves in their business operations.
“The purpose of this code is to establish the highest standard of conduct for the industry,” says Wallace Groves, AAPL Executive Director. “Both borrowers and investors can use it as an important indication of professionalism for the lenders with which they are dealing.”
Key sections of the Code of Ethics include strictly adhering …

Majestic Properties, South Florida’s premier full-service real estate organization, today announces the launch of their new interactive web site, www.MajesticProperties.com.
The new site, designed and powered by marketing group CiaoBella, is optimized for iPads, iPhones, BlackBerrys and other PDA’s; and is fully optimized for the second generation of the web, providing an array of insight for those in need of real estate expertise.
One attractive feature of MajesticProperties.com is the fully searchable listing of MLS properties, made available through integration with the Zillow.com and Realtor.com web sites. Users can view available condos, …

Mortgage lenders nationwide are trying to figure out how best to meet the new appraisal management rules outlined in the Dodd-Frank Financial Reform Bill, which is likely to become law in mid to late October. The bill’s appraiser independence standards present lenders with new options on how to manage appraisers, and they must now evaluate their options to decide what will most benefit their business.
“With an October deadline looming for the issuance of new appraiser independence rules under the Dodd-Frank Bill, lenders must quickly choose how to execute the directives …

N-Play(R), the real estate industry’s first online bid/offer and negotiation service for residential property listings, has entered into a marketing agreement with the REALTOR Association of Miami-Dade County (RAMDC). Through the agreement, RAMDC members will be able to implement N-Play(R) on their website, and homebuyers searching for properties online can place competitive, non-binding offers on all of their listings.
Two of Florida’s largest brokerages, Prudential Florida Realty and Keyes Realty, will jumpstart the service on their websites, adding over 150,000 new properties for buyers to bid, compete and negotiate online. However, …

BY DANET LINARES
Joining a professional organization is not a novel concept for most. But as deal flow slows and phones stop ringing, these outlets have become critical for many who are finding it more difficult to stay connected with other members of the business community. CREW-Miami is evidence of this, as our organization added 37 new members to our roster during the one-year period ending April 2009. People are attending events and getting involved with renewed enthusiasm because they recognize the need to remain visible during the slowdown.

By Douglas Smith
Salespeople are getting hammered in today’s economic environment. Entire market segments have evaporated. Potential clients are holding back on buying a home until the market changes. Opportunities and new prospects are fewer and further between. In 2008, many salespeople earned only half the commission they earned in 2007. When you take a 50 percent pay cut, you know what a recession feels like.
But not all sales professionals and real estate agents are in a slump. Some are thriving. Some are busy growing their client base and making good …

BY MELINDA JOSEPH AND CECE GONZALES VIDITO
Networking is an important part of marketing and business development, regardless of the current economic conditions. There are ways to put yourself out there to gain exposure at no cost and receive a return, and you should practice the mentality that “everyone knows someone.” Even if you meet someone that might not have a need for your product or service, they may know someone who does. Here are a few tips that are easy to do to expand your networking, and virtually have no …

By Jon Cheplak
One of my clients shared a great quote with me the other day: “Lack of preparation on your part doesn’t create an emergency for me.”
The media is having fun with “the air leaking out of the bubble” babble. How are you dealing with this in your organization? Forget the media talk, let’s talk about the reality of your income and expenses. Things are a changing, aren’t they? Let’s see, when we have experienced a marketplace in most parts of the country that is unlike anything we may ever …

By Bernice Ross
Have you ever noticed how many people are sick around the holidays? Illness results when we become overly stressed from trying to squeeze too many activities into our already hectic schedules. What is supposed to be a joyful, spiritually based time of year gives way to stress-related illness, short tempers, frantic activities and overeating. If you want to have the best holiday season ever, follow the tips below.
1. Underpromise
List all the holiday events and activities that you feel obligated to do. Place these in priority order. Commit to …