I have to be honest, I am not traditionally a huge basketball fan. I prefer football, and Stanley Cup hockey to it. I do like to watch in the playoffs, though. When you get to this time of year, I don't know how you aren't a fan. The buzz around the city is amazing. You get everyone from 4 year old kids to their 90 year old grandmas getting excited and sporting jerseys. I don't care what the event is, that's good for a city! I can feel the energy and the buzz that is created when games are going on. I see the local businesses thriving as people eat, drink, and be merry before and during each game. In a rough economy, this is the exact kind of jump start and respite we need from everyday life.
It's also nice having a team of guys you actually like to root for. While I don't know any of the guys personally, I get the sense that they are generally good guys. They aren't out causing trouble, getting DUI's, smoking weed, or any of the other things past teams did. They just go out, play ball, and are good citizens. How can you not root for guys like that? On top of that, they are young and only going in the right direction. Whether or not they win this series, they have shown a lot of heart. Houston was quite possible the worst matchup possible for them. I’m hoping they pull out a victory in game 6 and will be watching all the way through. Good luck boys, and we’ll see you in Portland for Game 7!
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Warm Weather
I am amazed every time the sun comes out for the first time in Oregon. This weekend we finally had our first 80 degree days, and the energy around town was tremendous. Everywhere I walked I seemed to see people with smiles on their faces. There were people out in droves. I am not sure where people go during the winters, but they crawl from under every rock and out of every cave on a nice day. It's great to see the buzz around town and feel the positive energy.
I've seen it with Real Estate too. People are coming out and looking at houses again. I'm not sure whether it's the news or the weather, but there seems to be a more positive attitude lately too. Chicken little doesn't seem to be screaming about the sky falling near as much anymore. People seem to realize that the fall has stopped or at least slowed down significantly. I'm just hoping the trend continues.
Until the summer officially hits, I'll cherish the nice days we do get, and hope the positive energy continues!
I've seen it with Real Estate too. People are coming out and looking at houses again. I'm not sure whether it's the news or the weather, but there seems to be a more positive attitude lately too. Chicken little doesn't seem to be screaming about the sky falling near as much anymore. People seem to realize that the fall has stopped or at least slowed down significantly. I'm just hoping the trend continues.
Until the summer officially hits, I'll cherish the nice days we do get, and hope the positive energy continues!
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
CERTIFIED DISTRESSED PROPERTY EXPERT (CDPE)
I recently aquired my CDPE designation, and here is the press release from RE/MAX:
RE/MAX International continues its commitment to the marketplace and to agent education by announcing the goal of having 7,500 RE/MAX Agents earn the Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE) designation this year. RE/MAX Chairman and Co-founder Dave Liniger announced the corporation’s plans at the RE/MAX International convention in Las Vegas on March 3.
“The CDPE designation is one of the most important and timely educational products I have seen in over 40 years in the real estate business,” said Liniger. “I will do whatever it takes to get as many agents as possible through this course so they can help homeowners, the economy and our country.”
Liniger and his wife Gail recently went as far as to personally subsidize a portion of the cost of the course for RE/MAX agents willing to make the commitment to attend. The Distressed Property Institute, based in Boca Raton, Fl. and launched in January 2008, offers the Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE) designation after comprehensive on-site or online training on how to handle short sales. The institute was founded by dynamic real estate veteran Alex Charfen.
“The fact that a global real estate powerhouse like RE/MAX has committed to training its agents on short sales demonstrates that this is a market all Realtors® must understand,” Charfen said. “Realtors® are in a position to help people avoid foreclosure. They can be a great catalyst for the recovery of this housing crisis.”
Nationally, only 12 percent of short sales are approved. Among CDPE designated Realtors®, more than 80 percent of short sales are approved. According to the National Association of Realtors®, more than 45 percent of existing home sales in the fourth quarter of 2008 were foreclosures and short sales.
In a short sale transaction, homeowners sell their property for less than the mortgage amount, but avoid the foreclosure process. The CDPE designation has been endorsed by many major U.S. brokerages. Numerous industry icons have also endorsed the CDPE, including Howard Brinton, founder of STAR POWER System; Bob Corcoran, founder of Corcoran Coaching and Consulting, Brian Buffini of Buffini and Company and David Knox, founder of Knox Productions.
RE/MAX International continues its commitment to the marketplace and to agent education by announcing the goal of having 7,500 RE/MAX Agents earn the Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE) designation this year. RE/MAX Chairman and Co-founder Dave Liniger announced the corporation’s plans at the RE/MAX International convention in Las Vegas on March 3.
“The CDPE designation is one of the most important and timely educational products I have seen in over 40 years in the real estate business,” said Liniger. “I will do whatever it takes to get as many agents as possible through this course so they can help homeowners, the economy and our country.”
Liniger and his wife Gail recently went as far as to personally subsidize a portion of the cost of the course for RE/MAX agents willing to make the commitment to attend. The Distressed Property Institute, based in Boca Raton, Fl. and launched in January 2008, offers the Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE) designation after comprehensive on-site or online training on how to handle short sales. The institute was founded by dynamic real estate veteran Alex Charfen.
“The fact that a global real estate powerhouse like RE/MAX has committed to training its agents on short sales demonstrates that this is a market all Realtors® must understand,” Charfen said. “Realtors® are in a position to help people avoid foreclosure. They can be a great catalyst for the recovery of this housing crisis.”
Nationally, only 12 percent of short sales are approved. Among CDPE designated Realtors®, more than 80 percent of short sales are approved. According to the National Association of Realtors®, more than 45 percent of existing home sales in the fourth quarter of 2008 were foreclosures and short sales.
In a short sale transaction, homeowners sell their property for less than the mortgage amount, but avoid the foreclosure process. The CDPE designation has been endorsed by many major U.S. brokerages. Numerous industry icons have also endorsed the CDPE, including Howard Brinton, founder of STAR POWER System; Bob Corcoran, founder of Corcoran Coaching and Consulting, Brian Buffini of Buffini and Company and David Knox, founder of Knox Productions.
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