First things first: Yes, it’s more than a little ironic that the Virginia Association of REALTORS® is holding its annual convention in Baltimore instead of, say, New Baltimore, Virginia. Go ahead: shake your head and chuckle. But there’s a ton to love about VAR’s Convention & Expo 2008:

1. If you love to shop at Target stores, our opening keynoter is largely responsible for your affection. If you call the store “Tar-zhay,” thank Robyn Waters. Under her leadership as Target’s VP of Trend, Design and Product Development, Waters helped transform the retailer from an unremarkable, low-cost, low-service, low-profit retailer to an upscale discount shopping mecca. There was no such thing as an upscale discount store at the time Target started its turnaround. Discover how embracing paradoxes can help you make more money by developing a niche nobody else has thought of.
2. Calling all real estate bloggers! Virginia Real Estate BloggerCon continues its streak as the longest-running series of peer-to-peer learning experiences specifically for REALTOR® bloggers. You know that once you get to a certain point, the so-called “blogging experts” can’t help you anymore. To truly grow, you need to learn from those who are blogging alongside you day in and day out. This four hour session is your opportunity to learn from those very people.
3. Wall-to-wall Lem Marshall. Need we say more? Not really, but we will anyway… Nobody knows real estate ethics and law like VAR’s Special Counsel, and we have four sessions with Lem. You can get nearly eight hours’ worth of Virginia real estate ethics and legal updates from the undisputed expert at VAR’s Convention & Expo 2008.
4. So much networking that even the most outgoing extrovert will need to take a little “me time.” Our host hotel is big enough to accommodate all attendees, so you’re sure to bump into fellow attendees in the halls, the bar, the gym, the indoor pool. And of course, VAR is known for its remarkable hospitality, and this year’s convention is no exception. You’ll make new contacts and reconnect with long-time friends at the Opening Reception and Inaugural Party. Even if you’re a little shy, we have a speed networking session to kick-start your schmoozing.
5. You get the full conference experience for one low price. If you resent paying several hundred dollars for a conference only to find that the receptions and meals aren’t included, we feel for you. That’s why all breakfasts, lunches and receptions are included in the price of admission to VAR’s Convention & Expo.

And that’s far from everything. Baltimore is a scenic, historic and exciting city, and our host hotel is right on the Inner Harbor, right in the epicenter of the action. You’ll be informed by the substantive education. You’ll grow your contact list through the networking. You’ll be inspired by the experience.

This is a perfect opportunity to prepare yourself for the inevitable market rebound. Don’t miss it! Registration is open now.

Raw data is…well…raw data and that means if you misread the numbers, read them with bias, or even read them in a vacuum, it’s easy to misconstrue any sort of research. Home sales stats are no different and this realization is one of the driving factors in the renovation of Virginia’s home sales report.

VAR has now formed a strategic partnership with GMU’s Office of Housing Policy Research that adds additional value and context to its home sales reports. The main aim of the partnership is to produce more in depth quarterly accounts of Virginia home sales that view the state’s housing situation from a chronologically broader and more analytical viewpoint, improving on the snapshot analysis that was the former focus of monthly reports. The new report format now includes not only raw data from local associations, but also

• A look at both national and state markets
• Statistics on job growth and other important economic indicators
• Housing affordability analysis and
• Honest interpretation of the facts

In addition to reinventing the report format, VAR and GMU have also renovated its distribution. Members and the general public can still download reports online, however now media have the opportunity to call in and get an in-person perspective from Virginia’s REALTOR(r) leaders and expert researchers.

The Virginia 2008 first quarter home sales report is now available online and its most important messages are implicit: Perspective is critically important and considering context is crucial.

A Few Highlights…

If you’re looking at national stats, recession is likely. If you zoom into Virginia, our economy has continually outperformed the nation, is still experiencing job growth, and these factors and the diversity of industry across the state contribute to a healthy economic outlook.

Nationally households with an average income can afford 47 percent of homes on the market. When you zoom into Virginia you see households with an average income can afford 50-60 percent of homes on the market.

Nationally and in Virginia prices are dropping and in most areas stabilizing. In both cases, this is contributing to an overall housing affordability increase and created market entry opportunities for a new sect of savvy buyers.

It’s no secret that home prices in Northern Virginia are expected to continue to decrease; however, that’s only half the story. In Prince William, one of the hardest hit areas; pending sales have increased from 1,645 in the first quarter of 2007 to 2,341 in the first quarter of 2008. This isn’t surprising with interest rate decreasing and price stabilization, it seems like prospective homeowners are starting to get the message. Now IS a great time to buy.

No one knows exactly what the next stage will be in the life of the imaginary “national” housing market and its also true that unlike 2004-06 not just anyone can be successful in real estate. But for the smart buyers, sellers, and REALTORS(r), there’s a lot of opportunity for wealth building and Virginia is still one of the best places to be in real estate in the nation.

Don’t take my word for it; check out the good, the bad, and the real Virginia perspective on the housing market at www.VARealtor.com/HomeSalesReport today.

Tips on short sales, getting the VAR publications you need in a click, new economic development in Virginia, and help on helping sellers in Todays market; these are just a few reasons to check out the April edition of Commonwealth Online. Check your mailbox for your customized version or view it online to see it all. Either way, don’t miss this chance to tap into the relevant information you need as your business starts to heat up.

View Commonwealth Online

In about 24 weeks, VAR’s 88th Convention & Expo will kick off for the first time ever in Baltimore, Maryland. Yes, Maryland. I said it. Virginia REALTORS^® do leave Virginia on occasion. (GASP)

Obviously we aren’t the first first for 279 year-old B-more and our Virginia convention in Maryland follows quite a few other interesting inaugural events in the city. Here are a few for your notes, just in case you end up on jeopardy and the category is “The City of Hun:” (courtesy of our friends at the Baltimore CVB)

1800: First investment banking house in America founded by Alexander Brown. Thank Baltimore for your 401k’s and hedge funds

1811: First to import and package tea in America. The next time you order a good ole southern glass of ice tea, don’t forget about the northerners who brought it over.

1814: First printing of the Star Spangled Banner in the United States by Samuel Sands. Oh oh say can you read…

1819: First agricultural publication in the U.S. The American Farmer. The next time you meet a well read farmer, remember Baltimore’s where it started.

1828: First American umbrella factory in the U.S. Yes, Baltimore helps you hate the weather man a little less.

1830: First railroad depot in the U.S. at Pratt and Poppleton Streets All aboard!

1831: First National Nominating Conventions for President in the U.S. Not in Florida? You don’t say.

1838: First iron steamboat built in this country. This one makes sense.

1839: First dental college in the world: Baltimore College of Dental Surgery. Got teeth?

1844: First telegraph line in the U.S. routed between Washington and Baltimore by Samuel Morse. I think in honor of this year’s convention, we should all use telegraphs instead of our smart phones. Can you Twit with a telegraph?

1844: First publicly supported high schools for girls: Eastern High School and Western High School. Is it coincidence that the telegraph and high school girl were created in the same year?

1851: First commercial ice cream factory in America. Before Häagen-Dazs^® there was….

1859: First YMCA erected in America at Pierce and Schroeder Streets Village People in the 1800s?

1867: First pediatrician and gynecologist in the U.S. Dr. Wm. T. Howard, University of Maryland sets up shop. Not funny, just important. Perfect question for final jeopardy.

1883: Invention of the typesetting machine: Ottmor Mergenthalern A-S-D-F-J-K-L-; My job would be a lot harder without this one.

1885: First Commercial electric car line in the Western Hemisphere. I think it’s time we improve and revive this idea.

1892: First bottle cap made in the U.S. Who knew Baltimore was instrumental in us paying for tap water?

1901: First woman professor at a medical school in the U.S. Dr. Florence Rena Sabin, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Women could teach us something about taking care of people? Really?

2008: First VAR Convention & Expo in Baltimore September 24-28, 2008. Why should you attend? Log on to VARBuzz on May 8^th for the nuts and bolts of how this year’s Convention aims to improve your business.

Until next time…

-Jovan

I know there’s no blanket answer to this question, but I have to ask:

When your name is hyperlinked where do you want it to go?

While composing blogs and articles for e-newsletters sometimes we mention members by name. When this happens, I like to insert a hyperlink so readers can contact or find more information on the quoted or mentioned member; BUT, choosing which hyperlink can be a bit confusing and up until now I’ve used the eanie-meanie… method. The great thing about VAR members is they are EVERYWHERE online, but when you’re quoting or mentioning them how do you decide where the links should go? You tell me.

Active rain page? Facebook profile? Personal Website? Myspace? Broker’s site? Youtube? or Do you like being linked to at all? If you had a choice, where would the one click attached to your name go?
-Jovan

The only way NOT to get anything from a REALTOR event is to NOT show up…

At the close of the week of meetings, well attended and less attended sessions, CE and more I wanted to offer an observation about the best aspect of Legislative & Conference and REALTORS in my view.

Of all things that have impressed me about the Virginia Association of REALTORS and this conference, their connectivity is what stands out the most. Whether through blog-talk or conversations at the dinner table, I don’t think I’ve seen a group ‘conference’ so ‘effectively.’

Some groups convene for the sake of having a get together; but, this week I watched the largest trade association in Virginia convene and offer every attendee (REALTOR or not) something valuable to take away. From sessions on getting your website attention to AE2AE where a small group offered candid feedback on how state assn actions affect locals, the whole event was like a flood of useful information. So much so that I was on overload by day two.

I’m not a REALTOR and I walked away with feedback (both criticism and praise) that helps me perfect my craft, a new contact for graphic design, and information on RE and contacts that will never lose their value.

This made me think about President Pat Jensen’s Inaugural speech back in November. When I first watched it, it seemed like another well-written script with a great mantra at its close “Together We Can.”

But after meeting VAR members, local AE’s and other conference participants, I‘ve realized this organization isn’t just phenomenal on paper because of it’s size, but it’s also practically impressive in that whenever it assembles every attendee benefits.

Examples: At the blogger happy hour Candy Lynn taught me about ‘tumblers’, hanging out with Ben & Jim I learned a ton about the MLS proposed evolution and the ripple affect it could have on Realtors and consumers, and last but not least Tony & Danillo taught me that bloggers are most impressive (and maybe even most dangerous) when they come from behind the keyboard.

The smallest bullet in the brochure and simplest aspect of an event like this is perhaps the most powerful part of it all; Networking.

Maybe we should make a bigger deal about this in the marketing?