FEBRUARY 2006

FEATURES

GET IN STEP WITH CONSUMERS
We invited “power listers” from three cities to pitch their services to a Chicago-area seller, and we videotaped the results. Even under stressful conditions—a 30-minute limit, a camera, and nearby competitors—these stars showed how to shine in a listing presentation. See what our seller and a panel of consumers had to say.

ADVISING THE WORLD
The Counselors of Real Estate’s Consulting Corps advises public and not-for-profit entities on projects that affect the well-being of communities.

IS REAL ESTATE ANTICOMPETITIVE?
Questions over the competitiveness of residential real estate brokerage loom large as the federal government steps up its scrutiny of the industry. Are new models being stunted by traditional brokerages, as some critics say? The strong rise of discount and other types of new brokerage models suggests otherwise, and indeed brokers of all types say competition has never been greater.

DEPARTMENTS

Front Lines

Rising Inventory Surviving in a “simply good” market

Washington Report Guidelines for specialty mortgages

Economy Why second is best

Fast Takes Rich expect to get richer, Hispanics lose ground

State Roundup Attorney presses for public MLS in California

Law

Legal Scan Survey shows some decline in cases coming to trial

Judgments Marking up third-party services may violate RESPA

Your NAR

REALTOR Benefits(sm) Service helps you find funds for college

Buyer’s Guide

Multimedia Marketing Go for bigger production values

Cool Tools Text messages tell listing’s story, balloon stand, corporate blog

For Brokers

Start-ups Survival tips from those who've been there

Columns

Tech@Work Alternative browsers can leave you less vulnerable

Ethics Simplify your life with a buyer’s agreement

A Few Minutes With MIT housing researcher Kent Larson

Online Exclusives

Current Links Browse all online exclusives for this print edition and previous issues

In Every Issue

Contact NAR
Stevens Report
Editor's Note
Letters