How long will it take to start seeing upward trends in home prices?

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How long will it take to start seeing upward trends in home prices? We asked Ken Bennett Vice President / Regional Manager Watson Realty Corp. for his real estate view.

It's difficult to address a question about housing price increases, or decreases for that matter, because real estate activity and corresponding home values are driven more from a regional than national perspective.

Although real estate investors and practitioners in Florida, Arizona, California, and Nevada have become somewhat jaded due to the downturn in real estate values over the last two years, states such as West Virginia (+4.2%), Texas (+3.6%), South Dakota (+3.6%), Montana (+2.6%), Mississippi (+1.7%), Utah (+1.5%), and New Mexico (+1.3%) have all shown housing price increases during 2008. So what sets those states apart from the areas that are currently in decline?

These states didn't experience the tremendous boom or surge in housing market value that the now 'troubled' states did. The valuation explosion that was experienced in Florida, Arizona, California, and Nevada simply was far too aggressive to be supported by the local demographics of those states. There were too many investors taking advantage of ridiculously liberal lending guidelines... and far too many unqualified and under capitalized home buyers... and a Federal Government who was, rightly or wrongly, pushing to increase the overall percentage of home ownership across the nation.

The combination of increased demand due to the easing and lessening of credit restrictions, lead us to the place that we now find ourselves. A place where the supply of housing is far too great to be absorbed by normal market conditions, and the prices being asked by a majority of homeowners are still at inflated levels. This predicament combined with an overall erosion in consumer confidence, suggests that it is going to take some time for us to get back to a normal balance between supply and demand.

The good news is that we are now starting to see in Central Florida, some sustained signs that investors and home buyers are starting to 'nibble around the edges' of our local market, and they are buying those properties that represent the best on the market in terms of location, condition, and value. Further, our number of unit sales in January, 2009, is up considerably from January, 2008, and we feel that this trend is going to continue throughout the year and that our number of unit transactions will be up by about 25% - 30% by the end of 2009.

So, if you're sitting on a fence waiting for prices to go down, don't sit too long. You may wind up missing out on the home of your dreams!


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You don't know what you don't know about selling real estate!

How can you?

Let's face it, pre-license class was all about how to obtain a Florida real estate license. Now that you have your license, what do you need to do in order to be successful in real estate sales?

Watson Realty will show you what to do. You would think that most real estate companies would but the truth is the majority of brokers and managers need to list and sell property themselves to keep their brokerage strong. This leaves them little or no time for them to assist or or offering training to their associates.

At Watson Realty, the managing brokers are non-competing. We don't list or sell. Our job in part is to teach, train, coach and motivate our agents. In addition to the hands on instructions you will receive at our branch offices, we have developed a training program specifically designed for those who are new to real estate and for those who have never received the type of training they need to be successful. This program is our Success School. Our Success School is taught locally by the Central Florida Watson Realty brokers and managers. Hands on and practical, this program lives up to its name by providing you with the knowledge you will need to succeed.

That is just a small part of why Watson Realty is different. We are proud of our commitment to provide legendary quality service to our agents and customers. In order to accomplish this, we must train our agents so that they can offer the highest quality and professional real estate service in the business.

In addition we must provide our agents with the tools and resources necessary for them to do their job and to do it well. Our state of the art offices, equipment and marketing materials coupled with our strong support staff help us accomplish our goals.

It works. As a result, the Watson Realty name is one that the public can trust and real estate agents can look to when seeking an office that will help them be successful with their careers.

Would you like to know more about Watson Realty? Give me a call at 407-304-0255.

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- Greg Staker - Watson Realty Corp. - 407-304-0255

Kissimmee real estate school starting in August

Our current class is near capacity. Due to the increased interest by those wishing to obtain their Florida real estate license, we have began registration for a 2nd class to be held in Kissimmee this summer.

This upcoming class will begin on Wednesday August 13 to Monday October 6, 2008. Classes will be on Monday and Wednesday from 6 PM - 10 PM.

The cost of the class will be at a special price of $99.00 + $50.00 for the new text book.

The class will be held at the Watson Realty Kissimmee branch office:

KISSIMMEE Watson Office
1950 E. Irlo Bronson Mem. HwyKissimmee, FL. 34744

Contact me to obtain a registration package.


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Positioning ourselves for real estate success in the years ahead

People are retiring and retiring people move to Florida. Maybe not as many as predicted in years past but it would be foolish to think that the retiring baby boom generation will still not consider Florida as a great place to spend their golden years.

Our real estate agents are counting on this migration effect to increase their business in the years to come. As an agent and a Company we must have marketing and prospecting solutions that help us be the 1st contact point for these migrating homebuyers. Once the consumer arrives in Florida and has an opportunity to pick up a Watson Showcase print Magazine or the Orlando Sentinel to scan for homes available, chances are good they have already made 1st contact with a Realtor through their searches online.

Watson Realty’s involvement with Leading Real Estate Companies of the World, the creation of a new user friendly website, our award winning Relocation department and our individual agents efforts to understand the value and importance of online marketing, are all positive efforts that should help propel us to the front lines of capturing this new business.

Our goals are to continue strengthening our online position, capture more leads without relying totally on lead generating companies. By our accomplishing this coupled with our already strong proven marketing programs, training and management, we will ensure that the future for Central Florida and Watson Realty will be a bright one.


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Real estate sales success school starts again


- Greg Staker Watson Realty Corp. 407-304-0255

Success school revisted by experienced agents

Some of our experienced associates have already re-attended our new Success School and were pleased with the results. One day a week in class does not interrupt an associate’s on-going schedules and it gives the structure needed to find momentum and success in this market.

Its all about prospecting….it requires a commitment of 7 weeks of heavy prospecting!! If associates are serious about their future in real estate, this is a vehicle which will give them the push they need.

If your real estate career is stalled, contact me to discuss getting your career back on track.


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- Greg Staker Watson Realty Corp. 407-304-0255

Real estate sales success school starts again

New, inexperienced and/or agents who are in a rut and want a boost can now attend the 2nd success school for real estate agents held by Watson Realty in 2008.

Objectives of the real estate sales school include:

• Lead Generation: Where does business come from?
• How To Develop A Business Plan
• Goal Setting
• Developing Listing Skills
• Seller Qualification Skills
• Developing a Marketing Plan
• Conducting Successful Open Houses
• Developing Effective Prospecting Methods
• Listing Presentations
• Telephone Techniques
• Buyer Pre-qualification
• Working With Buyers
• New Construction
• Purchase and Sale Agreement
• Net Sheets
• Contract to Closing
• Presenting The Offer
• Handling Objections

To start a real estate career without adequate training and instruction is a recipe for failure. Give me a call if you would like to get your real estate sales career going in the right direction.

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I am now the Broker/Manager of Watson Realty's Kissimmee office

It will be official March 1 but I have already spent the past two days in Kissimmee getting comfortable with the office. Kissimmee has been the #1 Central Florida Watson office year after year.

I am excited about the appointment and opportunity that the Kissimmee office offers.


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Real estate school starting in Orlando

Are you interested in obtaining a Florida real estate license? Here is a great opportunity. Watson Realty real estate school will be starting on March 31, 2008. There will be special pricing of $99 + $40 for the book. Email or call for more information.


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M/I homes name Watson Realty Corp. preferred builder

LAKE MARY, Fla. – M/I Homes of Central Florida has been named a Preferred Builder by Watson Realty Corp.’s New Home Center.

Steve Wood, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for M/I Homes in Central Florida, said M/I Homes builds single-family homes and town homes in 23 area communities. The homebuilder is a frequent Parade of Homes winner and recent four-time Grand Award winner.

“Watson Realty’s New Home Center is a valuable resource that links new homebuyers with the area’s best homebuilders,” said Wood. “We are delighted to be part of the program.”

“Builders accepted by Watson Realty’s New Home Center program must meet a rigid set of criteria for building quality, warranty and customer service,” said Ken Bennett, Watson Realty Corp. V.P. and Regional Sales Manager, Central Florida Division.


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- Greg Staker Watson Realty Corp. 407-304-0255

Florida home sales remain healthy

While the country experiences a sharp decline in home sales and even the Central Florida market adjusted sharply in 2006, the sellers who contracted associates from Watson Maitland to sell their property, have not felt the full brunt of the changing market.

As an office we have avoided the double digit drop in closed and written business volume that our competitors and sister offices have experienced. Part of the staying power has been the increase of listings and the ability to close new business we have opened.

Besides the increase in listings and limiting "fall-thrus", the associates of Maitland have been diligent in their marketing, dusting off old stand bys of days gone by. Open houses on nearly every day of the week, Broker opens, creative flyers and post cards to targeted neighborhoods, phone calls to their center of influences to ask for referrals. Sign riders, associate paid advertisement and neighborhood walking all have had a part to the success of this year.

Maitland associates have also embraced the new. Virtual tours, virtual caravans during sales meetings and personal and real estate related website positioning all work to give our sellers the maximum exposure. Targeting the limited supply of buyers is the goal that each and every associate takes seriously.

No better example of how noticeable their efforts have been than noting a call our floor agent received last week. As relayed to me, our associate received a call from a seller who has their home listed with a nationally known company. The seller, through their own research, found that Watson Realty Maitland lists their homes on several different classified websites. They were curious if we would tell them how we get such exposure, so they could relay it on to their listing associate. Amazing.

The back to basics theme appears to have worked. The experience level, business minded nature and professionalism that the Watson Maitland associates have insured their continued success this year.

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- Greg Staker Watson Realty Corp. 407-304-0255

Our buyers and sellers are the true winners. Instead of gimmicks and negative results, we have been able to provide to them a service that is made up of positive attitudes and fundamental practices.

Hurricane Wilma and stuff

This new storm is projected to be here Sunday/Monday. It is still to soon to say if Central Florida will be in it's path. Fingers are crossed. Of course it has already impacted the Florida real estate market as insurance companies are not issuing new coverage so if you waited till this week to get your insurance, you are most likely not closing.

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Conversations in this company, as I am sure in others, has now turned to the real estate market returning back to "normal". Realtors who have joined the industry over the last few years and rode the milk and honey market of name your price , multiple offers and sales in 1 day after listing, will now have to adjust and learn the marketing side of real estate. Full service companies such as Watson Realty look forward to providing the second to none traditional marketing that established Watson as a premier Central Florida real estate company. Sellers will get to see first had the differences between full and limited service brokers.

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This week www.floridarealestategold.com received a page rank of 3. www.gregstaker.com went from a page rank of 3 to 4. That is the good news. The other side of the coin is that google's latest activity that dropped my main site's place in their rankings for some key keywords, is now being seen in my traffic count. Approximately cutting in half the number of unique visitors this week. I am still in a holding pattern to see if my rankings rebound over the next week. Matt Cutt's blog indicates that there is at least another week of activity to come. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

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- Greg Staker Watson Realty Corp. 407-304-0255