HARRY'S COLUMN

 

YOU'RE INVITED TO OUR FIRST "OPEN HOUSE WITH STYLE"

 

Please be our guest at our first "Open House with Style", which will take place at 8285 Clifton, on October 24, 2009. (This home is featured, below, in this newsletter). This Innovative event is a new approach to the traditional "Open House" and features a mini-trade show of local small businesses, gourmet hors d'oeuvres for all attendees, extensive advertising and an exciting way to network and promote local businesses and homes for sale. We are very interested in hearing from you about your reactions to this Innovation in real estate marketing.

 

We look forward to seeing you there !!

 

INFORMATION OVERLOAD FROM THE ERC CONFERENCE

 

I just returned from the semi-annual ERC Conference in Chicago. This event attracts representatives from every aspect of the relocation industry, including Corporate Human Resources Personnel, real estate Brokers, Mortgage lenders, Moving companies, Temporary Housing companies, consultants, etc.

 

I'm still digesting all of the new ideas and concepts discussed in the presentations, but, for the benefit of my readers who are involved with relocation, here are a few of the ideas about relocation that were presented at the conference. Please note that these random notes are not in any particular order:

 

Some observations about Relocations:

 

The most strategic investment of a business is the hiring process and those of us in the relocation sector play a key role in that process. Let's look at a few of the factors that are affecting the role of employee relocation services in today's market:

 

Within the U.S.

 

As a result of increased layoffs, there is an growing pool of highly qualified personnel available for hire. (The current national average for a professional job seeker to find new employment is approximately 23 weeks and seems to be increasing).

 

Shareholders are pressing harder for profits. So, corporations are closely monitoring home sale performance and their total relocation costs, including management fees and supplier fees and they are streamlining their relocation policies. Profits vs transfer costs for relocated employees are being closely compared. As a result, 2009 and 2010 will probably see a cutback in new-hire relocations.

 

It behooves companies that cannot educate their transferee Buyer and/or Seller about how to take advantage of the current housing cycle, to utilize the services of a trained relocation Specialist to provide this service. Selecting the proper relocation service providers will impact their entire staff.

 

International relocation issues

 

There is a "War for Great Talent" and countries from all over the world are competing with us for personnel. This global competition is irreversible. However, there is an increasing complexity of international compliances and security issues required for international relocation. International relocation issues are more political, social and economic than those in the U.S.

 

Some general business observations from the conference:

 

Within companies:

 

Many companies are cutting back on their buyout packages and others are providing a "loss on sale" package instead of the traditional reimbursements

 

There is an increasing number of lawyers and consultants at all levels of business

 

Corporations are shifting from print media to the internet

 

Most companies feel they offer appropriate health care benefits

 

Employees generally have not changed. They will give proper support to their company and abide by their policies, in order to preserve their careers. Employers should respect that.

 

There is an increase in diversification at both the individual and corporate levels

 

Cost reductions are becoming more "people-based and employee-centered"

 

Within the real estate profession:

 

From speaking with representatives from all of the major markets across the country, it was apparent that, to use one of my favorite expressions, "All real estate is Local", yet the problems are universal.

 

real estate has historically led the way in and out of recessions within their market areas and the decline of the Real Estate market has affected millions of people.

 

real estate companies are changing the way the consumer see's the Realtor's role in the process

 

real estate companies must become more technology oriented

 

Today's mortgage money is really cheap

 

 

Some of the issues that do not seem to have changed are:

 

There is an increase in transparency in real estate transactions, due primarily to the Internet

 

"On-line" real estate is here for good

 

The recent ruling, effective August 1, 2009, by the Federal National Mortgage Association that the trailing spouse income can no longer be considered will have a definite effect on the "trade-up Buyer" market.

 

Finally, Senior corporate leaders cannot agree on how long the present business cycle will last

 

We will continue to present new information from the conferences in future enewsletters.

 

And, please remember, I would be honored to serve as your Broker for all of your residential real estate needs. I want to help you, my reader, make the most prudent and accurate Real Estate business decision.

 

Also if you know of anyone who desires to buy or sell local real estate, or, who is moving in or out of the Pikes Peak region, remember that, with over 37 years of providing relocation and Real Estate services to clients throughout the country, I am uniquely qualified to assist them with the relocation process, including buying and/or selling their homes on both ends of their move. Please allow me to implement my negotiating skills on your behalf.

 

Just click on the icon at the top of this email to listen to my latest podcast. ..And, if you would like to learn more about our Job Loss Protection Program, or, about our CyberHomes Complete Market Analysis of a property, please contact us. 

 

 JOKE OF THE WEEK

 

For those of you in a quandary when considering your health insurance options, I offer the following Q and A:

Q. What does HMO stand for?
A. This is actually a variation of the phrase, "HEY MOE." Its roots go back to a concept pioneered by Moe of the Three Stooges, who discovered that a patient could be made to forget the pain in his foot if he was poked hard enough in the eye.

Q. I just joined an HMO. How difficult will it be to choose the doctor I want?
A. Just slightly more difficult than choosing your parents. Your insurer will provide you with a book listing all the doctors in the plan. The doctors basically fall into two categories: those who are no longer accepting new patients, and those who will see you but are no longer participating in the plan. But don't worry, the remaining doctor who is still in the plan and accepting new patients has an office just a half-day's drive away.

Q. Do all diagnostic procedures require pre-certification?
A. No. Only those you need.

Q. Can I get coverage for my preexisting conditions?
A. Certainly, as long as they don't require any treatment.

Q. What happens if I want to try alternative forms of medicine?
A. You'll need to find alternative forms of payment.

Q. My pharmacy plan only covers generic drugs, but I need the name brand. I tried the generic medication, but it gave me a stomach ache. What should I do?
A. Poke yourself in the eye.

Q. What if I'm away from home and I get sick?
A. You really shouldn't do that.

Q. I think I need to see a specialist, but my doctor insists he can handle my problem. Can a general practitioner really perform a heart transplant right in his/her office?
A. Hard to say, but considering that all you're risking is the $20 co-payment, there's no harm in giving it a shot.

Q. Will health care be different in the next century?
A. No, but if you call right now, you might get an appointment by then.