Home sales during the rest of the year will be lower than earlier projections as the market works its way through an inventory and price imbalance, according to the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®.

David Lereah, NAR’s chief economist, said the most obvious effect in the near term will be with home prices. “A year ago we had record home sales and tight supply with buyers bidding over the asking price,” he said. “This year sales are slowing, homes are plentiful and sellers are negotiating. Under these conditions, we’ll probably see prices dip temporarily below year-ago levels as the market works through a build up in housing inventory.”

“This is a normal pattern during a market correction, but home prices should return to positive territory within a few months and annual appreciation will be slower than historic norms,” Lereah said. “Keep in mind that over time, home prices rise at the rate of inflation plus one-to-two percentage points – buyers in most of the country who plan to stay in their home for a normal period of homeownership can pretty well bank on those historic averages, but people who purchased last year with the intent of flipping are likely to get burned.”

The national median existing-home price for all housing types is expected to grow 2.8 percent this year to $225,900, with the median new-home price rising only 0.2 percent to $241,400. New-home appreciation is dampened by builders offering incentives to reduce inventory.

Existing-home sales are forecast to fall 7.6 percent to 6.54 million in 2006, the third best year after consecutive records in 2004 and 2005. New-home sales should to drop 16.1 percent this year to 1.08 million, the fourth highest on record. Housing starts are projected to decline 9.6 percent to 1.87 million in 2006.

NAR President Thomas M. Stevens from Vienna, Va., said higher interest rates slowed home sales during the first half of the year. “The slowdown occurred mostly in higher cost markets, while other areas continued to expand,” said Stevens, senior vice president of NRT Inc. “The shift we’ve seen lately results from psychological factors with buyers on the sidelines trying to time the market. Both buyers and sellers need to understand what’s going on within their local market areas, so it’s even more important now to work with a professional who can guide you through current changes and the negotiation process.”

The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is likely to rise to 6.7 percent in the fourth quarter. “Mortgage rates are one of the bright spots in the economy right now, with an unexpected decline recently in the 30-year fixed rate to a narrow range around six-and-a-half percent,” Lereah said. “This should encourage some of the nearly 4 million people who’ve found newly created jobs over the last two years.”

The unemployment rate is expected to average 4.8 percent for 2006, while annual inflation, as measured by the Consumer Price Index, is forecast at 3.5 percent. Growth in the U.S. gross domestic product should be 3.4 percent this year. Inflation-adjusted disposable personal income is projected to grow 3.5 percent in 2006.

Reprinted from REALTOR® Magazine [September, 2006] with permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. Copyright 2006. All rights reserved.

New Assistant Director of Information Technology

Effective September 11th, the Senior Management Team proudly announces the promotion of David Eagle to the position of Assistant Director of IT.  David, who has been with the Advanced Access family since May 2000, has recently been serving as our Systems Administrator in charge of day-to-day server maintenance tasks and network monitoring.  He has also served as one of our “On-Call 24/7” staff and has coordinated high level client issue resolutions.  His new duties will involve the complete monitoring and maintenance of the entire Advanced Access system, while still continuing his current and future additional duties as directed by our current Director of Information Technology.

David recently celebrated his one-year wedding anniversary to his lovely bride, Kim, and looks forward to helping Advanced Access continue to improve its’ Information Technology systems.  Born and raised here in Southern California, David has been working on computers since he was about 10 or 11-years old. 

Scott Johnson, Director of Information Technology, commented on the announcement, “…It continues to be a pleasure working with David, and his advancement and increase in duties and responsibilities is naturally a direct product of his level of performance in his career here at Advanced Access.  He has a natural aptitude for computers and modern technology, and he continues to demonstrate his commitment to excellence.”

Please join us in congratulating our newest Assistant Director of IT, David Eagle!

Advanced Access Mobile Website Team Members
Slated For National Featured Speaking Engagements

The Advanced Access Mobile Website Team is once again, visiting a neighborhood near you!  If you're a modern-day REALTOR® who is becoming more and more dependent on a real estate Website, it helps to know all you can about the industry, trends, and helpful hints on how to effectively utilize and integrate your Website into your everyday Internet Marketing Program.

Members of the Advanced Access Mobile Website Team who are slated to appear as featured speakers over the next few months include:

*Larry Lokker, Regional Sales Manager/National Speaker
presents “Shift Into High Gear – From Website To Website Success!”
Tuesday, September 26th, 9:00 a.m. to 9:50 a.m.             
Michigan Association of REALTORS® 2006 Convention & Expo
DeVos Place, Grand Rapids, MI

*Jane Ellsworth-Purcell, Sr. VP Advanced Access Sales
September 26th – 29th, ‘2006
Oregon Association of REALTORS®  2006 Annual Convention & International Symposium
Westin Bayshore Resorts & Marina, Vancouver, B.C., Canada

*Darren Kipfer, Regional Sales Manager/National Speaker
presents “Internet & Website Marketing Tips!”
September 20th, ‘2006, 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Virginia Association of REALTORS® 2006 “Style & Substance” Convention & Expo
The Homestead Resort, Hot Springs, VA

*Advanced Access Mobile Website Team Member
Monday, October 16th, ‘2006, 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m.        
Kansas Association of REALTORS® 85th Annual Convention
Wichita Marriott, Wichita, KS

*Larry Lokker, Regional Sales Manager/National Speaker
presents “Power of Perception – Internet Presence That Grabs Consumers”
Tuesday, October 17th, ‘2006
California REALTOR® EXPO 2006
Long Beach Convention Center, Long Beach, CA

Interested parties who would like more information on the Advanced Access Mobile Website Team please contact Maria Valderrama, Toll-Free at 1-888-902-4653, Ext. #1008.

Featured Clients of the Month - Leon and Connie Collins

HISTORY & THEIR START IN THE INDUSTRY

Leon & Connie Collins (www.collinsrealestate.net) are a successful husband and wife team of real estate professionals representing the greater Central Georgia region.  Born and raised from a family of REALTORS^®, Leon is the son of Clarence and Lorraine Collins, who worked in the real estate industry for over 40-years and actually started Collins Real Estate.

Leon was raised in Fort Valley, Georgia.  He earned his real estate license at the age of 18, which at the time made him the youngest agent in the state of Georgia.  At the age of 21, he was licensed as a real estate Broker, and again, at the time was the youngest Broker in the entire state of Georgia.  While in college, Leon worked for the Real Estate Department at the University of Georgia as a computer programmer.  Since he had always enjoyed computers, he was able to utilize his skills and knowledge at the time to develop technological innovations that were still in the infancy stages in that part of the country.  He graduated cum laude from the University of Georgia with a BBA in Real Estate and Urban Development.  Later on, Leon earned his law degree from Emory University, and also attended the University of Miami, where he completed his Master of Laws Degree (LL.M.) in Taxation. 

“My knowledge and application of the law has always helped me keep one step ahead in the real estate industry,” stated Leon. 

In 2000, Leon was honored as “REALTOR^® of the Year” by the Central Georgia Board of REALTORS^®.  He is the 2000 Past-President of the Central Georgia Board of REALTORS^®, and in 2003 served as Chairman of the Central Georgia MLS Board of Directors.  Leon is also a member of the Greater Byron Rotary Club and Central Baptist Church in nearby Warner Robins. 

The other team member of this “dynamic” real estate partnership is Leon’s wife, Connie.  Connie, a native of Plains, Georgia, is a member of the family of Plains’ most famous citizen, former President Jimmy Carter.  Connie and Leon met while attending school at the University of Georgia, where Connie earned her Master’s Degree in Elementary Education and graduated summa cum laude.  Later on, she received her real estate salesperson’s license and has been working with Leon ever since.  After graduation at the University of Georgia, Leon married his college sweetheart Connie, and this past June, they celebrated their 30^th wedding anniversary. 

Connie reflected, “…while Leon matriculated through Emory Law School, I taught and was able to help out and take full advantage of my Bachelor and Master’s Degree in elementary education by teaching school in Atlanta.  Later on I obtained my real estate license and recently this past August celebrated twenty-four years in the real estate industry, which I have enjoyed thoroughly.” 

Connie is also a member of the Central Georgia Multiple Listing Service, a member of the Board of Directors of the Byron Better Hometown Community Program and a member of Central Baptist Church.  Leon and Connie have one daughter, Carolyn, who is also a summa cum laude graduate of the University of Georgia, and earned her MBA from Yale.  Carolyn also obtained her real estate salesperson’s license.

THEIR IMPRESSION AND REFLECTIONS ON THE REAL ESTATE INDUSTRY

Connie commented about the real estate industry.  “…When we first came into the industry in the early eighties, the lowest interest rate was between seventeen and twenty-percent for a thirty-year fixed rate mortgage.  With that kind of economic climate at the beginning of our careers, imagine the experience that we were able to develop and use to survive and grow our real estate business.  We always felt that if we could start in that climate, we both could manage to survive at any time in the industry!” 

Leon also commented on the changing real estate market and industry.  “…We both can certainly appreciate the changing market place in terms of changing trends and developments within the industry.  The changing interest rates, the demand for different kinds of homes, the needs of the clients, I will tell you one thing, it can be a very exciting profession and you never have to worry about boredom!”  Leon continued…”However, whenever we need a break, we go on vacation…even if it’s just a long weekend.  We need to take some time off every now and then so we can come back refreshed and ready to go again!” 

“We both have seen a lot of changes in our industry, and we have always been inclined to use computers to enhance our business and real estate goals and objectives,” stated Leon.  He continued, “…At the University of Georgia, I took computer courses in COBOL and FORTRAN programming languages.  One summer I worked for the Real Estate Department at the University of Georgia and wrote the first program in the country that used the computer to complete and print a HUD-1 Settlement Statement from the input of basic data.” 

Leon continued, “…Because of my early work at the University of Georgia, when computers came into the industry, I was right up front in making an initial purchase in order to utilize it in my office.  Initially, it allowed me to not have an assistant, because I had the necessary experience.  However in about five-years, I needed to hire an assistant to be able to keep up with all the output and input of information that the computer was generating.” 

Connie agreed, “…people now want and need more information, and are not interested in getting just a piece of the puzzle.  When we list a house for a client, they cannot wait to see the pictures of their home on our website!  Previously, we gave customers just a bit of information to get them interested and started in the home searching process, but now, they want and need an entire array of information, and the demand for information begins rather quickly.” 

Leon added, “…I was somewhat worried in 1995 about what our actual roles would become due to the advent of the Internet in our business, but in a sense, REALTORS^® have become even more important and integral in the entire purchasing and selling process.  We are now needed to analyze and evaluate the data to give an accurate and professional outlook of what the client can come to expect!  It continues to be an emotional decision, perhaps more than we want to give credit for, and the one common denominator still remains of showing someone around.  Only by viewing homes and listening to what the client says can we ascertain the kind of home they are actually looking for!” 

Connie concludes by stating, “…our opinions, our insight, and honestly, our relationship with people still drives business and returns clients, some as many as four or five times!  We put a lot of pictures on our site, as many as fifteen to twenty pictures for each listing, or in many cases the maximum amount that we are allowed – and that in itself is a very unique feature that our clients often comment to us about.  We never delete or throw away pictures, because they can always be a valuable source of information.” 

THEIR OFFICE’S MARKET – Central Georgia Including The Greater Byron Area 

Leon and Connie and their Collins Real Estate office, serves the communities and surrounding areas of the Central Georgia region, including the Greater Byron, Warner Robins, Perry, Fort Valley, Peach County, Houston County, Crawford County, Knoxville, Bonaire, Kathleen, Macon, and Bibb County.  Their office and staff take great pride in their motto…“Your Central Georgia Specialists!” 

LEON & CONNIE COLLINS TELL WHY Advanced Access? 

Leon and Connie were very direct when asked why they chose Advanced Access.  “…The single most productive product that we have enjoyed to date is the “Guestbook Feature,” which in a sense, requires visitors to our Website to provide a minimum of contact information that we can then follow-up with and start a positive dialogue with the potential client.  Without it, we would be trying to find contacts and new potential clients on our own.  The “Guestbook Feature” is the single most important feature that we utilize on our site!” 

Leon continued, “…Back in 2000, we already had a Website through a private company that dealt with custom websites, but we had to design everything we needed ourselves and had to explain to the designer what we needed and eventually wanted.  The Website was pretty basic and did not provide the extra information about our area that our customers were demanding.”

He continued, “…We went to the annual NAR convention and tradeshow, and while visiting the Advanced Access booth met Jerra Morris, who was the owner.  The whole idea of a templated Website was just coming into popular discussion.  After meeting them, I was attracted to their family-type business and recognized that they were a relatively new company that wanted to impress their initial customers – We knew that we were going to be treated special.  They told us to send in our contact info, and they would create a bio about us and our real estate business.  It took practically weeks to get the entire Website up and running, and we followed the instructions and the entire process was made much easier because of the way we were treated almost immediately!” 

Connie adds, “…We really like and appreciate the way Advanced Access periodically adds things to our site, such as school information, community links, and other interesting features.  It makes you realize that you are actually getting more value for your initial investment, and not getting “nickeled and dimed” like some other companies.  Our Website has been a very solid investment for our company, and we feel very strongly that we can trust Advanced Access as a proven part of our overall business.  Hardly a week goes by that someone doesn’t tell us what an informative, great looking, and easy-to-use Website that we have!” 

She continues, “…Thousands of people have registered to go on our site who don’t even buy a house, but like reading and looking at the information that Advanced Access has provided to us, and also that we have been able to add over a period of time.  The testimonial letters that we include on our Website are proof, and we feel confident that our site will continue to help us with our successful business in the future!” 

THE FINAL WORD 

Leon: “…We simply can’t keep up with the leads that I currently have with the on-line guest book registering feature.  We remember that the very first month that we started to really use it resulted in nearly three-hundred contacts that provided us their contact information to follow-up on!  It definitely added to our overall lead generating process, since at first we could not get potential clients to send in their information.  Now, I am provided with real, accurate information that both Connie and myself can actually follow-up with!” 

Connie: “…We have been with Advanced Access for about six-years, and have been exposed to nothing but total professionalism at every level.  They have experienced some growing pains, as any small business attempting to make their niche in the market would be expected to run into, and I think that Advanced Access has learned with us what our specific needs were, and how they were able to help us in our unique situation even more.  But I can honestly say that the way in which we were treated and made to feel special, is the reason that we will continue to utilize Advanced Access.  Their staff is wonderful, and both Leon and I always feel that they are just a phone call away!” 

Leon and Connie offered this final word about Advanced Access and their success in the real estate industry, “…My daughter has always said ‘accidents happen’, and we both know that when you use technology that mistakes are bound to happen.  But for the most part, we have always felt taken care of and made to feel that we would always be taken care of by Advanced Access.  We both have heard fellow Advanced Access clients bragging about their Websites, the company, and of course, the kinds of services that they get for free…which is pretty much the way we have felt since joining their extended family!  But most of all we want to point out how extremely blessed we have been by our Lord Jesus Christ, and we give Him all the praise and glory for where we are fortunate enough to be today.  He has gotten us through some lean times, and at times it has been a “walk on faith.”  However for the past 24-years we have honored God and He has honored our business.  Our faith has certainly pulled us through to be able to enjoy the success that we have today!”

Tina Self is originally from Cheyenne, Wyoming.  She moved to Kentucky when she was 8 years old where she lived on a farm that trained horses for the Kentucky Derby.  At age 11 she moved to Kit Carson, Colorado and at age 14 she moved to Oakhurst, California.  Tina moved around, all the while enjoying her new experiences across the USA.

Tina was primarily home-schooled and graduated high school at the early age of 16.  She attended California State University at Fullerton until she was 17, then relocated to Seattle, Washington. At the age of 22 she moved back to California and lived in Fresno until about 3 months ago, when she relocated to Anaheim, California and began working for Advanced Access.  Tina currently attends Cypress College where she is studying web design and programming.

Tina grew up an only child who values family and is very close to her parents who live in Oakhurst, California.  Her mother is a forensic psychologist and her father is a neurophysiologist.  Her other family is her wonderful boyfriend, David, and her 2 cats; Bear and Zoe.

Before joining the Advanced Access staff, Tina worked for Alliant International University where she was the administrative assistant for the Masters of Organizational Business program.  Tina enjoys her position as a Regional Sales Coordinator and the environment at Advanced Access.  "The thing I love most about Advanced Access is the people. I have never worked for a job where everyone is so nice and welcoming."

Juan Clark, Regional Sales Director for Advanced Access, says, "Tina has instantly become a pillar of excellence in the department. She has also proven to be a leader by exemplifying the commitment and discipline necessary to lead by example. She is a very intelligent and creative asset to the department, a pleasure to work with as well as a valued member of the Advanced Access family."

As a hobby, Tina loves to play the very popular online game World of Warcraft.  In fact, she met her boyfriend David playing World of Warcraft online.  Tina also enjoys reading in her spare time.