The Massachusetts Real Estate Guy

The "Un-Christianity" of some "Christian" Real Estate Agents ...

I might get hate email or comment posts for this ... That's okay... I need to get this off my chest...

I REALLY hesitated writing out THIS post, believe me, but this bothers me...

A couple of months ago, I had a phone call from an agent in another part of the country...

Through my blogging, he found me and contacted me concerning a referral he wanted to hand over to me ...

Which I deeply appreciated, don't get me wrong. I was curious as to why he singled me out. I was hoping it was due to my blogging, my qualifications on various important topics in real estate. Maybe he liked my online "personality"... who knows? 

Whatever it was, I was a little "curious"...

So, he called. Asked me the usual. How many years, my area of service. 

Then he asked me a bizarre, really bizarre question. I NEVER imagined THIS question could be construed as a "qualification"...

If this type of question was asked by a potential employer to a job interviewee, I can only imagine the civil right violations and the potential for lawsuits it may have opened up.

"Are you a Christian" real estate agent?  Because my friends, they asked me to find them a "Christian" real estate agent."

Like I said, I was absolutely floored ...

It took me a moment to regain my thoughts. The first thing I thought was  "I'm NOT dealing with THIS jerk."... "Who need this?"
 

He kept asking that same question, "Are you a Christian" real estate agent? over and over again. If anything, I felt he was (unintentionally) sort of "taunting" me ...

I was flabbergasted.  Stunned, was more like it.  I couldn't believe it.  I immediately mentally tried to answer to myself, "what does it matter?"

I mean, we do live in America, don't we?

Plainly speaking, I was insulted.  I didn't want to deal with this narrow minded jerk.

So, I quickly collected myself, and explained I just didn't feel comfortable answering his question. He gave me a long, "drawling" kind of laugh, like he verbally exposed the devil in a lie, and then I told him someone else would be calling him.

In other words, my marketing efforts and blogging made someone else a potential commission because I didn't like the position I was put in by this "Christian"...

A Christian, mind you, who acted very "Un-Christian like".

How Christian? Eh?

What irks me is the indirect discrimination the referring agent practiced. 

I just didn't like it.

Whether or not I'm a Christian has nothing to do with the issue, and I'm not looking to get anyone in trouble. I am looking to expose a very important, very frustrating, issue at hand. The issue of how religion can be used to practice prejudice in a "commission" only, independent contractor status type of hiring. 

LOL, what's even funnier is, up until now, I pretty much have tried to keep religion out of my real estate discussions. Didn't even think of it, to be honest. I mean, really, when you think of it, who cares?

But it's wrong. You know it's wrong. It can be construed as a violation of housing laws.  I want NO part of it, on any end. BUT IT'S WRONG..

I honestly don't even go there, in terms of religion, when dealing with the public. However, I worry about agents like the guy I am writing about, because if he did THAT to me, what did he do to others?

I never considered someone's religion to be of paramount importance when I went to a Doctor, hired or recommended an accountant, a lawyer, chiropractor, or auto mechanic. 

Christian Real Estate Websites have been under fire before for similar allegations, as I found out when I did a "Google" Search.
I guess my gripes were someone else's too, a while ago...

Which begs the question; would most of these "Christian" real estate agents work with non Christians in terms of helping them buy or sell property?

I think you know the answer to that ... and that's what I don't like, the "one sidedness"....

Let me turn the tables and ask, are they saying they are more honest than everyone else?

Does that make everyone who doesn't meet "their" standards liars? Unethical? 

What was that Jesus said? "Let he without sin cast the first stone"

Yeah, right ...

How dare they?

And that, my friend, is the honest "Truth"... no matter what my religion is ... or yours, for that matter....


 

Michael Jackson Michael Jackson Michael Jackson Michael Jackson

Just figured I’d write something, ANYTHING about Michael Jackson. I’d be a fool NOT to,  after I read that Google got hit hard with hits… 

This is my blatant attempt to “capitalize” on the “I wanna know how, why, and even ‘if’ Michael Jackson died”… craze…

I’m not gonna speak ill of the dead, so don’t go there.. I actually have THAT album.  You know, “Thriller”… bought it when it first came out to look “cool”.. I think I even have a white suit (won’t fit now, LOL)…

I’ll just post MY memories and thoughts on this guy. And by the way, I DID see the memorial yesterday. Very touching.  Felt very badly for his kids..

I just wish MJ had the sense of control to live a while longer. No, I’m not a fan. I’m just human…

Where housing is headed...

Interesting article.

I've been very busy lately... Reo's, Short Sales, Multiple offers...

Yup, sorry I lagged in writing posts, but I've been very busy lately, mainly with short sales. 

I think I'll try to at least type a couple of sentences every couple of days, instead of writing a major big post once every so often. Probably easier for everyone to read, too.

Based on activity, I can tell you, properties are "flying" off the shelves!  Some are being sold within the hour! 

It doesn't matter if it's a bank owned or a "human being" owned property. If it's competitively priced, it'll move!

If you prefer to think that's a property being "given away", you stick to your opinion, let me not try to change your mind. I frankly, am too busy.  

But I personally am seeing multiple offer situations, with bids over and sometimes even WAY OVER asking price.  It's a war out there! 

A client who lost out on a couple of multiple offer situations asked me; "I thought it was a buyer's market out there!" 

Yes, my friend, it is.  When you're looking at a property (3 family) that's on the market NOW for $100,000 and probably has offers over $110,000, that's still better than $300,000... what THAT property may have sold for in 2004.

Yup, it's a buyer's market, all right...

I heard rumors that seem to be coming true.  In terms of short sales and reo (bank owned) properties,, I hear that soon enough you will start seeing a reduction in the availability of reo bank owned real estate and a rise in "short sale" properties.  This makes sense, what with the government stepping in and trying to slow down the foreclosure rate.

It's great news BUT "things" need to happen... to make this process smoother.

Number 1, in terms of short sales on government loans, I heard that lenders will be REQUIRED to pay 6%.

Couldn't be happier with that. Any "Realtor" haters out there, go work twice as hard for half salary and THEN stop by and comment on THIS blog....

Number 2, Lenders will NOT be able to pick and choose their own choice of appraisers.  They will have to use an appraiser who will be in a rotating pool.

I can see why this is happening, to reduce lender fraud, and for that, I have NO problem with this. 

However, as a friend of mine, who was previously in the mortgage industry, pointed out to me, it also elevates the appraisers who DON'T know what they're doing or are horrible appraisers to a new level..

I've observed over the years that REPUTABLE lenders tend to pick REPUTABLE appraisers. Scumbags pick Scumbags. "Birds of a feather flock together..."

Well, we'll see how THAT turns out...

I looked all over for more training on short sales.  With the short sales I've done in the past year I can tell you, I've learned a couple of things;

1.  I will either handle the short sales myself or ask my clients to get legal help. As for loss mitigation companies, I couldn't see what extra advantage they bring to the table.  Lenders prefer to work with LICENSED Real Estate agents anyway, in my view.

2. Sometimes lenders pull tricks out of their hats in the last possible minute, like the case I had where they "all of the sudden", in the last day before the closing, wanted the seller to take a non secured loan for a lot of money (let's say for this discussion, $40,000), because when it came down to the nitty gritty they were going to make more by foreclosing the property due to the private mortgage insurance! What a cruel, cruel thing to do in the last minute.

3. What attracts me to short sales the most is not that they are much much more difficult; what attracts me is the fact that a person who does a short sale may be in a position to buy again and start all over in around 2 years!  Having a foreclosure can be devastating....

I think it's about time short sales are standardized and possibly even regulated. Waiting 2 and more months for just an answer from some of these lenders is bad, bad for the buyer, bad for the seller, bad for the lender. Any ideas, anyone?

I've written enough now. Gotta go to an appointment. In the meantime, comment away!

15 companies that may not survive 2009?

One of my fellow agent partners from Keller Williams found THIS article. Even though I heard this stuff before, I really didn't care then...

Here is the excerpt from the article, which first appeared at the WXYZ - TV (Detroit) website.

"5. Realogy Corp. - which employs about 13,000 people. The biggest real-estate brokerage firm in the country is suffering from double-digit declines in both sales and prices. The company, which includes Coldwell Banker, ERA and Sotheby's franchises, carries a huge debt load that goes back to the 2007 real estate implosion. It is also facing legal problems over it's attempts to refinance its debt."

Just before I left, I did in fact, receive an email from "corporate", imploring us fellow agents to ignore these "rumors".. and nothing could be further from the truth.  Basically, the email was telling us to understand everything was fine with Realogy. The email sounded sincere; I had no reason to doubt it or second guess it.

My take?

I really DON'T care...

It doesn't matter to me. Real Estate agents are "independent contractors", meaning we are self employed. I "choose" to affiliate myself with Keller Williams, and my system and way of doing business is very complimentary to their "model".  I am very familiar with the Coldwell Banker "model".  I've worked that model from 1997 through 2004, and again from 2006 through January 2009.

If Realogy folds, I'm sure Coldwell Banker will be acquired by another real estate entity.  Who knows who it could be? It could be one of the remaining real estate "models". It could be Proctor & Gamble, for all we know. How about Microsoft? Now there's a scary thought LOL.. (Just kidding),.. Maybe a reorganization will occur. Maybe Coldwell Banker will stand on it's own. Maybe Chrysler will step in (Chrysler Banker?).. Who knows? Who cares? 

I don't. I don't think the general public does. The only ones who really really care are the employees, understandably so, and the stockholders.  To me, real estate is a person to person, consultative business. Yes, it involves sales, but, at least in the way I practice real estate, it's consultative in approach. That's why I have "clients".. not just "customers"... I don't need "corporate this. and corporate that." Sure, there's some "corporate" at Keller Williams, but then again, there's also "culture". And that is what made the biggest difference for me.

The recent layoffs, shutdowns, and office consolidations  that took place didn't matter to me in least.  That is a by product of a tough economy, which is the best "efficiency expert" anyone could ever hire.

Seems like Gary Keller's books, "The Millionaire Real Estate Agent" and "Shift" really come to play here.

The whole industry is changing. For some that's great news. For others, that's another nail in the proverbial coffin.  BUT... make no mistakes about it, the industry is changing.

"Change is the essential process of all existence..." If you're a real estate agent, a potental or present seller, buyer, whatnot, try looking ahead for any possible insights. Use the past as history and look forward for direction.  

This guy here to the left would agree... (Mr. Spock)

Yes You Can! News Release from Keller Williams January 27, 2009

Keller Williams Realty Bucks National Business Trends During the Toughest Real Estate Market on Record

Company celebrates 25 years as it outpaces market through its financial model

 

AUSTIN, TEXAS (January 27, 2009) — Bailout. Credit crunch. Foreclosure. Despite these words permeating the headlines and airwaves, there are companies out there moving forward – even in real estate. Keller Williams® Realty Inc., the fourth largest real estate company in North America, announced today that it outpaced the market in 2008, while remaining free of debt, and gave back more than $30 million in profits to its agents.

 

“Our strategy is no secret. We faithfully follow the sound financial model of leading with revenue – the same model our market centers follow,” said Mark Willis, CEO of Keller Williams Realty Inc. “As we watch companies throughout the country take on billions of dollars of debt, we are proud to say that our company has not one dollar of financing debt and we remain strong and financially sound. It is our joy to be able to give back to our agents during these times.”

 

Despite pervasive downward trends in the real estate industry, Keller Williams Realty continues to outperform the industry. For the first 11 months of 2008, existing home sales for the United States fell 17 percent when compared to the same period the year before. By comparison, Keller Williams Realty is poised to outdo those numbers by 10 percentage points, and in addition, the company experienced a much smaller contraction in its agent base compared to the National Association of REALTORS®, who saw a 10 percent decline in membership.

 

“Keller Williams was founded 25 years ago during one of the toughest markets on record – when interest rates were higher than 18 percent. We continue to urge our agents to zero in on lead generation and reducing expenses so they can thrive during this market,” said Mary Tennant, president and COO of Keller Williams Realty Inc. “We admire our agents’ spirit, tenacity, and dedication to their businesses. They just keep powering forward.”

 

Throughout 2008 Keller Williams Realty launched new products and services specifically to boost its agents’ businesses, including two new books: Your First Home: The Proven Path to Home Ownership for first-time home buyers, and SHIFT: How Top Real Estate Agents Tackle Tough Times. Both books are written by Gary Keller, co-founder and chairman of the board of Keller Williams Realty, who also authored national best sellers The Millionaire Real Estate Agent and The Millionaire Real Estate Investor.

 

 

Additionally, Keller, co-author Dave Jenks and trainer and coach Tony DiCello hit the road to teach the 12 tactics laid out in SHIFT, drawing more than 20,000 attendees in 29 cities. The company also continued to provide agents support through Operation Heart to Heart 2, a training initiative designed to help agents and market centers deal with today’s market.

I am very happy and proud to return to Keller Williams Realty...

This week, I left my Coldwell Banker office in Worcester to return to the Keller Williams office in Westborough, the first Keller Williams office in New England. The Keller Williams office I first joined back in 2004.

Coldwell Banker Worcester - Park Ave is a great office.  everyone in that office are all super and they are true professionals.  Having been both a Coldwell Banker and a Keller Williams agent, I wasn't intentionally comparing, but that's what happened.  I just had to go back to Keller Williams.

What it is for me is philosophy.  With Keller Williams, my business is mine, not the company's. 

I couldn't take the feeling of "corporate" anymore...

I was affiliated with Coldwell Banker from 1997 through 2004, and then I changed to Keller Williams.  I was with both the Westborough and Worcester office through 2006, changing back to Coldwell Banker in April 2006.  I suppose you may say I've "been around"...

Keller Williams is THE MOST AGENT CENTRIC COMPANY I've ever seen.  It's all about the agent, not the company.  The agent is the one communicating with the buyers and sellers. The agent is the one doing all the running around, the driving, the work.  The agent is the one taking care of the business.

The Keller Williams model understands that real estate is a local, people to people business. National ads don't matter to me. My clients are all local.  I do my best to service them, not my company.

Simply put, the Keller Williams model is the only one that I'm aware of that an agent can enter into and come closest to running their own business without actually opening their own business, and STILL have the support of a major real estate franchise behind them. I'm sure their are other models; I either am unaware of them or my opinion may beg to differ.

I can run my business MY way, without having a "corporate" shadow behind me.  That alone was a problem for me. There is a feeling of "togetherness" with Keller Williams I haven't seen elsewhere. It really is unique. Of course, there are restrictions everywhere you look, and Keller Williams is a corporation, too.  For someone like me, who's been in real estate for over 26 years, I prefer an environment where I am allowed to be more of a business owner.  I'm talking "the little things" here.. More flexibility to design and buy business cards. An ACTUAL Website (Not Webpage), with Keller Williams, with an IDX from Wolfnet. Wolfnet is a great IDX.  These "little" things make a big deal to me. Even when I bought my signs, they were MY signs; my phone number.  Price?  Around $240 or so for 5 signs, with a couple of riders. Less than $50 a house.. Reusable...

It's a "no brainer.."

I read a book, "Small is the New Big", by Seth Godin.  That book was a "revelation", and a "confirmation."

"Revelation" in the sense if it's "corporate", that doesn't necessarily mean it's right. "Revelation" in the sense that "corporate" at times may tend to think a little bit much too much of themselves.

Of course, this is MY opinion. Everyone's entitled to theirs...

The books are open at any Keller Williams office, The agents really do have a stake in the success of the company.  I couldn't grasp that concept at first. It was just a mind boggling concept that I couldn't get into and had to leave and come back to appreciate.  Knowing you are business partners with the agency you're affiliated with can have the potential to "bring:" you to a new level.  The agents actually have a say in the management, the everyday operations, and the general direction of the company.  Profit sharing may be available and although it shouldn't be depended on, it's a nice potential bonus.  When agents recruit agents, they do it from their heart.  When some agents take turns running training classes, they do it from their heart.  At least they're supposed to. At least I always did. 

Of course, "corporate" isn't normally keen on that...

I am an independent contractor.  I like to "feel" that way. "Corporate" and "Independent Contractor" seem like a contradiction to me.  They can't mix well, at least for me...

The support services from Keller Williams are the best I can find.  Every company has it's unique features.  So does Keller Willams.  The training," oh my God!"  At Keller Williams, there is SO much training available. On a daily basis.  Free.  Sure, you can also get advanced stuff like coaching and materials you may pay for, but believe me, most of it is free. In a market like this, training and support are necessities, not luxuries.  Repetition is the key to success in learning. That's Keller Williams' strongest asset.  The best way to learn and master a topic is by teaching it.  I used to love public speaking, and I REALLY missed it.  Nobody likes to be "muzzled" after a while.

How about the client's needs?  Well, if you know me personally, you know how fanatical I can be about that.

The internet is the portal to market homes today. With "KWLS", a listing is added in all the important websites; ie., Googlebase, Trulia, Zillow, etc...

I get an "instant notification" via email from any website anywhere, including my website and other websites via my smart phone. 

My own signs. All the calls go to me.

In March, Openhouse.com, owned by Realogy,  will allow any agent or company to DIRECTLY input listings for open houses.  Right now, it can be done, through an "FTP".  The system will be infinitely easier in March. It costs the agents NOTHING. Zip, Nada. Not a flat penny..

The internet is the place everything's happening.

So, what else was "the frosting on the cake"?

I bought and read a book by the the CEO of Keller Williams, named "Shift: How Top Real Estate Agents Tackle Tough Times"...

I haven't read any other book or been able to even find another book that comes even close to what this book does.

This book helped me because as a real estate agent in tough times, I needed a guidebook on what to know.  For my clients, it explains to me and gives me the information I need to provide data to buyers and sellers about what they should know about today's market.  You have NO idea how I felt after reading this book. This book was 100% information. I met Gary Keller and Dave Jenks a couple of years ago and I can tell you, they both are two of the most "down to earth" guys out there; they seem to truly care about their agents  concerns and are only interested in helping everyone succeed. They left a lasting impression on THIS guy. 

What else can I say? I want my past clients to know that I'm always there for them; that I will never change improving or "tweaking" what I can, and through my return to Keller Williams I am looking forward to providing the very best I can of myself.  I am in the Westborough office at 276 Turnpike Road.

My address is as follows;

Keller Williams
Jim Gatos, Agent Partner
276 Turnpike Road
Suite 221
Westborough, MA 01581
508-365-3581

Primarily, I am at the Westborough office because through Westborough, I can be accessible to my Metrowest clientele through Route 9 and 495. I can be accessible to my Millbury - Grafton clientele through Route 20.  I can go to Worcester through Route 9. Clinton through Route 135 to I-290 or "the back roads"... Hudson-Marlborough, and even Sterling - Lancaster are within driving distance.  Of course, Auburn and Oxford - Webster - Dudley, Leicester, and Spencer are accessible too.  The location is an added "plus"... 

The services both the Worcester & Westborough offices give to their agents are top notch; I spoke to both the Worcester and the Westborough office but for my needs, Westborough won out.   Both offices are great.  Both have "super" "Team Leaders" and I can say from experience Kathleen Goneau, the Team Leader (manager and trainer) at my office is UNBELIEVABLE!  I don't have the 5 plus hours of typing I need now to type how great she is!  Maybe another time...

Through this blog, I will be showcasing in the forthcoming posts the many great features of Keller Williams and what I can do to better service my clientele. I welcome any and all questions, as always. 

Here's a video from Keller Williams Realty concerning the "Shift" book I was talking about. If you're interested in obtaining any of Gary's Books, including "Flip!" and "The MIllionaire Real Estate Investor", let me know... Contact me Here...

Our first major snowstorm is coming; and be careful of scammers.

Here we go; our first major snowstorm is scheduled to start sometime around the afternoon. Total overall snowfall is expected to be somewhere around 10-12 inches.  Update; Two days straight; total accumulation around 20 inches PLUS...

One "disturbing" piece of news I read about in today's Telegram was about the proliferation of "scammers" out there.According to the Telegram,  Scam artists claiming to work for National Grid or local light departments have been knocking on doors offering to restore power to homeowners for a couple of thousand dollars, authorities said.

This is very very disturbing. I wouldn't fall for something like that mainly because I live in a condo community.  My mother's house in Worcester? Well, last Sunday my wife, brother, long time friend, and a friend of his spent 6 hours clearing branches and placing them on the sidewalk the way the city instructed everyone to do (so the city could pick them up)...

My basic nature would not allow me to "fall for it", to be honest.  And I NEVER pay anyone or anything for anything UNLESS I AM SURE of it.  Beleive me, if you ever go buying a car, you'd want me to be there with you. I scrutinize the pen used to sign the contract, that's how I am.

So,when I see "an official", even with "official" badges, I'd most likely make a call first. Of course, if they're crooks, chances are they won't stick around. 

The thought of these jerks actually trying to take advantage of these trying times with innocent people who need help just sickens me. 

According to FEMA, here are some tips:

•Request identification from anyone who visits your home. Actual officials will be able to provide their name and identification.

•Do not provide credit card or banking information to anyone who comes to your home unannounced.

•If you have a concern about a person claiming to be a contractor, contact your state attorney general’s office.

Read this 4 Point Action Plan from The National Association of Realtors and my thoughts alongside.

My email this morning had this from the NAR (National Association of Realtors).  The Four Point Plan.

Since I'm waiting out a minor snowstorm (our first winter snowstorm this year with SNOW! LOL!...), I thought I'd take the time, post this email and post along my thoughts (in Bold Italics)...

From the NAR.

The most recent economic stimulus bill, the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act, was a good first step towards stabilizing our nation’s economy.  Unfortunately, a number of the Act’s provisions have not proven to be as useful at stabilizing the nation’s housing markets as was first thought.

Congress may consider a second economic stimulus bill this month.  If they do, there are a number of changes that could help to provide more stability to the nation’s real estate markets which most agree is a necessary step towards recovery.

NAR has urged Congress to include the following provisions in any future legislation:

• Make the $7500 tax credit available to all purchasers and eliminate the repayment requirement.  The credit’s limited availability and required repayment terms have severely limited the credit’s appeal to potential homebuyers.  As a result, the credit has not been widely used or proven effective at stimulating sales. 

Yes!  I agree 100%. What the point of giving something if it's been taken away later. Anytime I see this sort of "Credit" take place, whether on a local, state, or national level, the effectiveness of the program goes away. $7500 too much?  Okay then, lower it A BIT, (not a lot), or don't give it at all. I personally feel this incentive, not paid back, would do the government and our country a world of good!

• Make the 2008 FHA, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loan limits permanent.  New rules for 2009 would significantly reduce the FHA, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loan limit from their 2008 levels. Now is not the time to limit the availability of affordable mortgages. 

Totally agree too!  Now that prices AND interest rates are at their lowest I've generally seen in YEARS, and I MEAN a LOT of years (yes, I AM THAT old!), I personally know would be buyers that STILL sit and wait on the sidelines, not taking advantage of an opportunity no one really knows how much longer will be here.  People can get scared, nervous, or not even be aware.  The stimulus we want will only be helped, not hindered, by making these loan limits permanent.

• Get the Emergency Treasury bank relief program back on track by targeting more funds to mortgage relief efforts and increasing efforts to mitigate foreclosures.  Don't just give the banks unrestricted cash. Make the program work to improve mortgage and housing markets as it was originally intended.

Giving unrestricted cash to the banks is silly. Will they give themselves bonuses, even in the face of this unprecedented economic crisis?  Don't think for a moment I like most mortgage companies, mortgage loan officers, or banks, 'cause I don't!  Most mortgage brokers and loan officers are a gigantic pain in the neck to me., they try to "bond" at a broker open house (the only reason I may go to those is depending on what they serve for lunch that particular day, LOL.), and then chase me around for a while until they get tired and go away or go to another industry.  I really detest irresponsible lona officers who lie, mislead, or otherwise. In fairness, some buyers and borrowers aren't that honest themselves, and some people only hear what they want to hear, no matter what was said.  Generally speaking, however, I only rely on a couple of mortgage lenders, including the ones from NEMoves Mortgage, which is a division of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage.  In light of what I've witnessed and what I read, I'd say unrestricted cash to a bank is like free cigarettes for a smoker; sooner or later they'll get used up. 

• Permanently bar banks and banking conglomerates from engaging in real estate brokerage and management.  The banks have proven they have enough to do to simply properly manage their current lines of business.  Do we really want them to manage the home buying process?  Imagine what could have been the situation now if they already had the added ability to engage in real estate sales.

If this happened, I can only see a lot of unfairness and greediness take place. What's to stop lenders from totally controlling the process?  At my office, NEMoves Mortgage is an option, not mandatory.  What I like is the overall integrity and process, BUT we do our selling and the loan officers do their mortgages.  That's it, end of discussion.  They as loan officers also get mortgages from other sources, agents from outside of our office and company.  The truth of the matter is, these banks and lenders don't care about you; they hope to use our business as a way to get more leads.  In my opinion, professionalism and objectivity will go out the window.

That's it. I'm taking their side on this one.  As always, you're welcome to comment

Take action now!

For more information on each of these ideas, visit Realtor.org.

Wow... this was a BAD Winter Ice Storm...

The Day After...

Burncoat St got hit pretty bad...

The Summit;

 

A tree down at Route 110 in Clinton headed towards Sterling.

Update: I just heard the very very sad news...

Kevin Connolly's body was found in the Sudbury Reservoir near the Marlboro/Southboro boarder Saturday afternoon, according to the Mass. State Police Department.