RELATED ARTICLES

• Send a Letter to the Editor
  
• Speaking of Real Estate
  
• The Weekly Book Scan
  
• Styled, Staged and Sold
  
• YPN Lounge

Answers Needed

Thanks for your well-done article on the Home Valuation Code of Conduct (The Trouble With the HVCC, September 2009, page 24). The hurried implementation and cramdown of the HVCC begs some questions: Why the rush? Shouldn’t this type of significant agreement have had more time for consideration? Shouldn’t this type of agreement that represents massive, significant changes to all of real estate have broad consensus? And was one of the "unintended consequences" of the HVCC, namely the proliferation of appraisal management companies and the vast enriching of their coffers, really unintended? In my most humble opinion, New York State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo has simply not been asked the right questions yet.

Jim Postma, Birch Appraisal Group, Raleigh, N.C.

Self-Defense Tools Can Be Dangerous

I commend REALTOR® magazine for publishing an online article about REALTOR® safety in September (Buyer’s Guide: Personal Safety Options). But as a third-degree black belt, a self-defense instructor, and a REALTOR®, I object to many of the tools and weapons that you included on the "suggested products" list. Even products like pepper spray can be very dangerous when adrenaline sets in; they’re often used against a victim. It’s safer to wear a whistle around your neck—attackers are looking for a victim, not someone who’s alert and prepared. I recommend taking a practical self-defense class that focuses on simple moves that are easy to recall in a dangerous situation.

Michelle Winder, Richard Realty Group Inc., Carlsbad, Calif.

Tweet to Show You’re Human

In the Technology column ("With Every Tweet, Provide a Takeaway," September, page 11), Twitter cofounder Jack Dorsey advises readers to tweet about real estate trends and other things that followers would find useful. However, I see a tremendous advantage to humanizing ourselves to our clients. So many people in our profession give off the impression that we eat, sleep, and breathe real estate. Tweeting about taking our children to soccer practice or trying a new recipe for dinner may just endear us to our clients and, ultimately, the public. Something to think about.

Lisa Duke, Coldwell Banker Triad, REALTORS®, High Point, N.C.

The Best Niches Start With Passion

What a great cover story ("Own Your Niche," July/August, page 16). There are specialties and then there are life passions, and a true niche has a personal passion as its base. I think the sign of a true niche is one that finds you, as in Ms. Mees’ example. I’ve personally found a blog to be an ideal platform for anyone with a true niche. Not only does it enhance your credibility, but also it forces you to be constantly aware of what is happening in your sphere.

Laura Reedy Stukel, L.W. Reedy Real Estate, Elmhurst, Ill. 

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

We want your feedback about this issue of REALTOR® magazine. Send letters to narpubs@realtors.org.

On Our Blogs

Styled, Staged & Sold

http://styledstagedsold.blogs.realtor.org

Should You Join Forces With a Stager?

San Antonio real estate practitioner Matt Stigliano has proposed a new business model: Real estate associates and stagers charge a joint commission rate and offer their combined services to a seller.

Posted by Erica Christoffer, Contributing Editor

What readers said:

Pairing up real estate agents and stagers is long overdue. It’s unfathomable to me that any agent would list a house without some staging. Buyers really expect to see ultraclean homes that look like models. Listing agents get a nice commission, and sellers should expect that they’ll get more than an MLS listing, a sign, and a couple of pictures.

Jen Grauer, Aug. 31

I’m all for the commission-based model, but what about listings that are priced too high and don’t sell? If a staging company stages a vacant home and the seller backs out, the stager has lots of expenses to cover.

Ashley Whittenberger, Aug. 29

Speaking of Real Estate

http://speakingofrealestate.blogs.realtor.org

Health Care Reform Ideas

In any government-administered health care system, there are many implications—arguably good and bad—for real estate professionals. We’ll be following the progress of HR 3200. In the meantime, let us know what you think.

Posted by Brian Summerfield, Online Editor

What readers said:

I’m in favor of a universal or public option. I don’t think it’s fair that the self-employed are penalized for not being part of a group. I’d even be in favor of higher taxes to support such a program—that would be far more affordable than bankruptcy from an illness or injury, which is what happens to millions of Americans each year.

AgentSteph77, Aug. 21

We do need reform in health care, but not a government-controlled system. In Switzerland, which has one of the most successful health care programs in the world, insurers offer a basic package of health care benefits to every citizen at the same cost. Premiums are deducted from paychecks and are tax deductible, and the unemployed and poor are subsidized.

Keith Dudley, Aug. 26

Note: Letters and blog posts are edited for space and clarity. Publication of a letter doesn’t constitute an endorsement of the writer’s views by the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® or REALTOR® magazine. Submission of a letter constitutes permission to publish it in any form or medium.