Here are my top 4 takeaway insights from the numerous events that took place all around the country:

1. Perspective is independently impossible—or at least it’s restricted. An individual’s ability to imagine a wide range of possibilities is limited to the distance he/she can see ahead—it’s contextual. REThink showed me there is immense power in collective thought, that aggregate perspectives can see much broader themes and possibilities to prepare for the possibilities.
2. Arbitrary change isn’t constructive. Assuming a single future and adapting accordingly is dangerous, foolish and altogether lazy. REThink revealed the benefit of considering a wide range of possibilities for future planning, strategically considering the choices one could (or should) make prior to taking action—“look before you leap,” so to speak.
3. Inaction is a form of action. If conditions are changing, then one must take corrective action to preserve the balance.
4. My biggest takeaway from REThink was simple yet profound. REThink referenced the book “Transitions” by William Bridges which proposes people don’t fear change—they fear loss. So the math is simple, if one’s fear of a respective item of change is greater than the sense of possibilities associated with said item of change, the person won’t change. This particular thought was influential in terms of how participants answered the strategically positioned questions throughout each event and really opened up a forum for honest communication and free sharing of ideas.

At the end of this REThink initiative, the Strategic Planning Committee at the National Association of REALTORS® analyzed the participants‘ responses in aggregate and released an illuminating document that shares the various themes found within the collected data (i.e. the participants’ responses). I encourage you to take a look at this document by clicking here (or just visit www.RethinkFuture.com)!

If you attended an event (or if you read the referenced document), I’d love to hear your insights, impressions, or any other ideas that struck you—feel free to leave a comment below!

Nashville 37216, north East Nashville, has long been considered a dependable location for home ownership due to reasonably steady consumer demand, renovated homes, new infill development, etc. Over the past three months, the average single-family home sale price was $132,862. The median sale price, that is, the true middle value, was $130,200–just slightly below the average. This disparity indicates that more homes were sold below the median sale price than above. The minimum sale price was $20,000 while the top sale price was $334,000.

The historical average sale price dropped from $147,655 in 2008 to $136,450 the following year. It then climbed up steadily to $143,363 in 2012 but has seen a noticeable dip as we’ve transitioned from 2012 to 2013. According to RealTracs.com, Sellers have contributed an average of $2,912 toward buyer concessions. These seller-paid concessions may account for various items, including, but not limited to buyer allowances, buyer closing costs, inspection repairs, et al.

The average buyer was able to negotiate a sale price of 5.1% less than the listing price. For instance, if a home were priced at $139,900, then one might be able to negotiate a sale price of $132,765. On top of that, the buyer might snag an additional $2,912 in seller-paid concessions, making the net purchase price $129,853.

NASHVILLE QUICKCOMPS 37212 (MARCH, 2013) – SELLER’S MARKET

Nashville 37212, in the Hillsboro Village, Vanderbilt, Belmont, and other amazing Midtown neighborhoods, continues to demonstrate its exceptional value in Nashville’s real estate community. Some of Nashville’s most historic properties, as well as numerous infill developments, are located in the area. Over the past three months, the average single-family home sale price was $502,118. The median sale price, that is, the true middle value, was $445,000–substantially less than the average. This disparity indicates that more homes were sold above the median sale price than below. The minimum sale price was $107,000, while the top sale price was $989,000.

The average sale price in 2009 increased (somewhat unsteadily) from $408,315 to $478,575 in 2012. The data also suggests a slight boost in the average sale price as we’ve transitioned from 2012 to 2013. According to RealTracs.com, sellers have contributed an average of $1,573 toward buyer concessions–a modest amount compared to the average sale price. These seller-paid concessions may account for various items, including but not limited to buyer allowances, buyer closing costs, inspection repairs, et al.

The average buyer was able to negotiate a sale price of 3.1% less than the list price. (For instance, if a home were priced at $499,900, then one might negotiate a sale price of $484,403. On top of that, the buyer might be able to snag an additional $1,573 in seller-paid concessions, making the net purchase price $482,830.

IN CLOSING

All in all, things seem fairly inviting if you’re looking to buy or sell a home. So, god speed to you!

Disclaimer: All information is obtained from RealTracs.com. This is a broad-spectrum analysis–meaning, it may not consider the exact circumstances affecting your property. All information is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed. If you’re thinking about buying or selling a home please let me know–I’d be happy to run a more exact analysis that fits your unique situation. I can be reached here and/or via phone at (615) 499-6594.

Also, click HERE to visit Apple’s instructions for using iCloud with a PC.

(1) Dropbox Video: http://youtu.be/tTZR0lYgGyw

(2) QR Codes Video: http://youtu.be/tBj1A8JM11U

(3) DocuSign: http://youtu.be/hHRwg9lgZAo

P.S. Leave me a comment if you have any thoughts or questions.

Go Green Nashville reports that more than 40% of America’s carbon emissions come from heating, cooling, lighting, and operating buildings. With that in mind, Village and other likeminded organizations have resolved to be the change for our area. Go Green Nashville is a powerful resource in terms of providing consumer education, structured leadership, and community awareness as Nashville seeks to retrofit its existing housing inventory to increase overall energy efficiency. Apart from retrofitting existing homes, Village also plays a leading role in developing new construction that conforms to the highest standards of energy efficiency.

My last post when into detail about our new development, Chesterfield. If you missed it, Chesterfield is an up-and-coming cottage community in the Hillsboro/West End neighborhood (37212). I believe it’s going to be a big ticket (learn more here). Let me take a moment to focus on some of Chesterfield’s inherent Green features.

• 20-30% in energy consumption
• EPA certified
• Third party testing throughout construction
  • Insulation
  • Air leakage
  • Duct sealing
• High-efficiency and properly balanced HVAC systems
• Tightly built
• Energy Star certified

As a REALTOR®, I take pride in working with an organization that strives to do the right thing in the long run–keeping energy efficiency and quality at the top. To me, Chesterfield is the embodiment of a forward thinking real estate company. If you have any questions about Chesterfield or would like to arrange a time to see the site work, I’d be happy to assist you however best suits your needs at this time. You can reach me at (615) 499-6594 or Jason@JasonPantana.com.

Here’s a quick list of Chesterfield’s top perks:

• Energy star certified
• Gas range/stove
• Attached 2-car garages
• Office/Rec. Room
• Craftsman quality finishes
• Floor plan diversity
• In the heart of Hillsboro/West End, 37212

PDFs of all the Floor Plans:

A Series

• A1 – 3 Bed, 3.5 Bath
• A2 – 3 Bed, 3 Bath
• A3 – 3 Bed,  3 Bath
• A4 – 3 Bed,  3.5 Bath
• A5 – 3 Bed, 3 Bath
• A6 – 3 Bed, 3 Bath

• B1 – 4 Bed, 2.5 Bath
• B2 – 4 Bed, 2.5 Bath
• B3 – 4 Bed, 2.5 Bath
• B4 – 4 Bed, 2.5 Bath
• B5 – 3 Bed, 3.5 Bath
• B6 –  3Bed, 3.5 Bath
• B7 – 3 Bed, 3.5 Bath
• B8 – 4 Bed, 4 Bath

• C1 –  3 Bed, 3.5 Bath
• C2 – 3 Bed, 3.5 Bath

• D1 – 3 Bed, 3.5 Bath
• D2 – 3 Bed, 3.5 Bath
• D3 – 2 Bed, 3.5 Bath

If you go to www.Maps.Google.com/Coordinate, there’s a handy dandy video that demonstrates the effectiveness of this workforce management tool for businesses that involve elements of dispatch or assignments to physical locations. The example used in the video tells the story of an alternative power company trying to coordinate its field teams to damaged wind turbines in lieu of recent storm damage. Using Google Maps Coordinate, the dispatch office is able to create assignments at physical locations on Google Maps. The field crew receives the assignment via the Coordinate app on an Android phone, follows GPS navigation to the new assignment, checks in notifying dispatch of arrival, and finally, logs the assignment as completed before departing. Dispatch is able to locate workers in the field and even jobs that are indoor-based on wifi information. The software digs deep to provide a useable interface for effectively managing these realtime workflows on the ground.

So how about a real estate team? Imagine how a REALTOR® overseeing a team of five showing agents could benefit from these powerful logistics. The managing REALTOR® is now able to assign showings to his/her agents in the field and keep track of progress in realtime. This brand of logistics can help manage an open house blitz, agent caravans, agents on floor duty, small offices, development/new construction sales, etc. Google Maps Coordinate empowers the managing agent/broker with oversight, quality control, accountability, metrics, and an arsenal of various other benefits.

TechCruch suggests an official launch date of September, 1, 2012, priced at $15 per user, per month. I’d love to hear your comments about other implementations of this service within the scope of a real estate office.

It probably comes as no surprise that the real estate market can be pretty intense from time to time. Competition amongst buyers and agents, difficulty navigating complex transactions, and all the other stuff that just complicates things. It’s refreshing to remember the ease of life back home time and again.

As Mother’s Day approaches, I’m reminded of how much my mom poured herself into making my memories of home so strong and wonderful. I’m thankful for every happy time and for the rich environment she created for me as I grew up. Each memory rejuvenates and further strengthens my purpose in helping others find a home as lovely as mine.

Whether buying or selling a home is imminent or down the road, take a moment to consider what’s most important about a home today. It’s easy to get lost in the investment potential, the negotiations, or the status certain properties may promote, but at the end of the day, a home is made up of the people who live in it. And today, I give the highest accolades to all the mothers who, like my mother, pour themselves into making home, home. Happy Mother’s Day!

1.   Quick lists/to-do’s

We’ve all had days where our offices are littered with crumbled-up yellow notebook paper. . . yesterday’s to-do’s, last month’s marketing initiatives, client admin notes, etc. Perhaps you should consider letting your day-minder go and make use of Evernote. Here are some of the ways I use Evernote Quick Lists:

• Short-term/long-term marketing and admin projects
• Buyer/Seller checklists in order of operations from the first meeting all the way to closing so I don’t miss any steps along the way
• Everyday to-do’s organized by deadlines and level of priority

2.    Collaboration and brainstorms

Nothing kills creativity or progress like trying to collaborate with others on an idea via email. Imagine you and two fellow teammates have allied together to write all the copy and content for your new team website. Attaching the latest revision of  a document to an email and sending it to each other is a less than reliable means of collaborating. Try using Evernote to collaborate on ideas, brainstorms, copy, or whatever floats your boat. Any changes go on the record and that’s all there is to it. No more email or making sure everyone’s got the same version. Take the stress out and just simply create.

3. Create logs for your equipment, belongings, and web links

How many lockboxes do I own? Do I need to purchase a new yard sign for this listing? We’ve all felt the frustrations of trying to keep track of things in the office. It’s easily solved with Evernote. Create an Evernote to log all your equipment. Assign numbers, codes, or whatever fills the bill, to keep track of it. You can also log trackable URL’s to make for easy access to copy/paste those URLs into your emails, fliers, blogs, tweets, or any other outlets where you may place those URLs.

4.   Take Notes

It may seem blatantly obvious, but I don’t make assumptions about what is or isn’t obvious. So to be clear, I believe Evernote is the best resource for taking notes. Free writes, brainstorms, jotting down takeaway points from a real estate event, or making your list of pros and cons while touring a listing for the first time. There are a countless number of ways we take notes, and Evernote has the capacity to handle pretty much any technique you can think of.

5.   Stock Copy or Boilerplate Letters

In real estate, you’ve gotta strike while the iron’s hot. Meaning, you do whatever you have to do to make room for new business and convert leads and close business. Leads from open houses, your website, etc. Lead conversion requires a delicate touch, which may take more time than you can afford on the fly. Use Evernote to keep stock letters for all sorts of occasions to give that delicate touch without all the hassle and time. Open house or web lead email followups, postcards, listing alerts for new buyers, disclaimers, typical special stipulations language, neighborhood activities, listing presentation prep questionnaire, vendor lists, utilities companies, listing and buyer checklists, community activities, etc. Evernote is the perfect platform to create and store this type of content because it syncs between all your devices.

Seasonal shifts also affect homebuyers. Perhaps there’s less inventory, which means more buyers are setting their sights on the same property. Think of fishing in a small pond as opposed to a lake. Everyone’s setting bait for the same fish, right? This scenario raises the stakes so to speak because the odds of running into a competing offer on a property increase; therefore, the price goes up. Another possibility is that there may be fewer sales in relation to total inventory, which means offers to purchase will likely be few and far between. This situation probably means the seller will be more cautious in how he or she handles the buyer’s offer, as it may be the only one they ever see. The odds of the buyer scoring a lower price, that is, a good deal, are significantly higher in this event. However, strategic planning on the seller’s part can balance the scales. So buyer or seller, just keep an ear to the ground and be aware of your environment. 

How many of you reading this blog post rely on national or other broad spectrum figures to get a feel for your local real estate marketplace? I’m guessing most. Well, property values are influenced by many variables. Each one plays a significant role in determining the actual value of a property. Condition, size, location, age, sidewalks, garage, construction materials, finishes, local economic sway, amenities etc. These variables change from market to market. Even a small portion of a single zip code may be different than the rest. The point being, have your REALTOR® take a look at what’s going on out there. If you don’t have one, give me a shout; I’d be happy to assist you. Studying past sales trends from your local market may be your best bet when forecasting what actions need to be taken to secure the best deal possible.

So what’s happening in the Nashville area then? Well, I’ve included a few charts below that break down several areas of Nashville, TN, and Franklin, TN, to give you a small dose of our city’s seasonal changes in action. The charts show units sold over the past 3 years; that is, 2009-2011 for Davidson County, Areas 1, 2, and 6 and Williamson County, Area 10 (Franklin only). Go to www.RealTracs.com if those “Areas” don’t make any sense to you. Even these charts are probably too broad to be accurate for a single listing; however, they show that markets do indeed vary, which is the point of my post. So dig in and see what comparisons or contrasts can be made. For instance, Nashville Area 1 showed top sales in the 4th quarter for certain years past… who’d of thought? I think you get the point. I’d love to hear your feedback/revelations on this one.

Click HERE to view a full-sized PDF of these charts

As we say goodbye to colder weather and welcome the warmth of Spring, the market kicks into high gear. It’s not that buyer’s hibernate during the winter, but there’s just something about the freshness of Spring that makes buyers want to search for a new home. Likewise, this compels more homeowners to list their properties for sale, and so the cycle continues–there’s a demand for a product and supply follows suit. That’s a no brainer.

It’s not just real estate that adapts to the season. Take the clothing business, for instance. They have to adjust their products and marketing strategies to meet the changing physical conditions. On the other hand, they have four times the product to sell, each with its own respective demography. So it works to their benefit.

Real estate isn’t a whole lot different. Smart marketing can help you calibrate the presentation of your home to better characterize the seasonal style buyers expect. A person’s mood shifts dramatically with the weather. For instance, I really enjoy a tasty bowl of soup now and again, but I especially crave it on a cold, drizzly day. In the same way, I advise sellers to leverage their marketing strategies along with the obvious influences that impact a target audience. It’s not the warmer weather necessarily, but the promise of it that drives people so mad. Folks are practically sitting on the edge of their seats in anticipation. Use it! Sell the promise!

Good timing, solid strategy, and the will to move forward can get it done. So open the blinds and let sunlight warm the room. Foreshadow the pristine atmosphere of the coming Spring by keeping things spotless and well organized. Emphasize energy-efficient features in your home. Draw attention to nearby restaurant patios, walking trails, or other outdoor activities. Make certain your decor compliments seasonal conditions.

There are countless modifications that can subtly or boldly put your home in harmony with the climate. Don’t be fooled, buyers want to be sold. Present your home as the clear and obvious choice. Use everything within reach to make it plain to see.

In my opinion, this year’s marketplace is off to a good start and there’s much to be gained. Of course, there’s always room for improvement, but conditions for selling a home seem to be a cut above where they were a year ago. I’d say it’s mostly due to a reduced supply of inventory. Foreclosures are moving out of the system and it seems many of the sellers who just couldn’t afford to compete are either off market and staying put, or they’ve looked to other modes of cash flowing their investment, such as leasing it out. From the buyer’s perspective, things are still fantastic. Rates are low and homes are well priced. However, many buyers have become acclimated to having more choices, that is, more inventory to pick from. In reality, this market has far more inventory than in years past when we weren’t in a national recession. Nonetheless, there’s less now than some are used to. This means sellers have less competition and may actually have the thrill of finding competing buyers as they are more concentrated these days, which can induce better results.

If you or someone you know is thinking about listing a home for sale or is in need of someone to act as a sounding board or resource, I’d love to schedule a time to talk whenever it is convenient. Everyone knows selling a home can be quite an ordeal. However, if handled appropriately and professionally, this may be the ideal time. And after all, time is money.