This one's for those who are spending their Labor Day Holiday Weekend being evacuated from their homes due to Hurricane Gustav.

Here's hoping that when you return you find everything in one piece.

Stay safe - stay strong - help each other - Ride the Storm Out.

REO Speedwagon with an "unplugged" version of Riding the Storm Out.

Moving house for any reason is high on the top ten list for inducing stress.  Being able to CHOOSE the REALTOR® you work with can go a long way to reducing that stress.  Corporate Relocation companies know this, and although they typically don't proactively suggest it, they all have a mechanism in place to allow the transferee to CHOOSE the REALTOR® to assist them with their Corporate Relocation.

Here's how it works.

Relocation companies receive a referral fee from the Broker or Brokers assigned by the Relocation company to assist the "corporate relocatee" with the purchase of a home at their destination, or with the sale of their current home at their point of origin.

As long as the REALTOR® you want to work with agrees to the referral fee to the Relocation company, the Relocation company is perfectly happy to allow you to make that choice.  They will talk with the chosen REALTOR® to ensure the REALTOR® has sufficient experience and competence to successfully assist you, but beyond that, it's smooth sailing.

As it almost always is, it's about the money.  The referral fee paid by the Broker is part of the corporate relocation package financial equation.  So - if you are about to embark on a Corporate Relocation, and have a REALTOR® that you want to work with (for sale or purchase), advise your Relocation Counselor.  The Relocation Counselor wants to make your move as smooth and stress free as possible.

Are you being relocated to the Phoenix Metro area and want to work with The Marriott Group at Keller Williams Realty Professional Partners?  Advise your Relocation Counselor to contact us.  We're listed on the Worldwide ERC (Employee Relocation Council) website.  Here is a link to our contact information.

I've noticed a disturbing correlation between the use of stealth sites and "top producing agent" status. 

What impact are the stealth sites having on the total production of those that use them?

Isn't a totally "stealth" site in violation of NAR's REALTOR Code of Ethics at a minimum?

Standard of Practice 12-5

REALTORS^® shall not advertise nor permit any person employed by or affiliated with them to advertise listed property in any medium (e.g., electronically, print, radio, television, etc.) without disclosing the name of that REALTOR^®'s firm in a reasonable and readily apparent manner. (Adopted 11/86, Amended 1/07)

Standard of Practice 12-9

REALTOR^® firm websites shall disclose the firm's name and state(s) of licensure in a reasonable and readily apparent manner.

Websites of REALTORS^® and non-member licensees affiliated with a REALTOR^® firm shall disclose the firm's name and that REALTOR^®'s or non-member licensee's state(s) of licensure in a reasonable and readily apparent manner. (Adopted 1/07)

Isn't a totally "stealth" site flat out illegal in some states?

What does that say about those that use them? 

Can't they be successful on a level playing field with the law abiding, ethical REALTORS?

Do they think that the rules don't apply to them?

Without their "stealth" sites would they drop off the map as a "top producer"?

What does it say to their prospective clients about the integrity clients can expect if they work with them?

If the brokerage information is clearly and prominently displayed on each page of the website - without having to scroll down to see it - then it's in compliance.  But that kind of takes the "stealth" out of "stealth" - doesn't it?

 Someone - please enlighten me as to how Stealth Sites can be legal, ethical and effective.

From the Phoenix Association of REALTORS Board of Directors election:

2008 Board of Directors:

Nate Martinez, 2008 President

Adele Coffman  (2008-2009 Director)

Larry Derksen (2009 Director as immediate Past President)

Gary Fenton (2009 Director)

Fred LaBell (2009 Director)

Judy Marcum (2008-2009 Director)

Tony Marriott (2008-2009 Director)

Marion McGuire (2008-2009 Director)

Kerry Melcher (2008-2009 Director)

Susan Ramsey (2008-2009 Director)

Bridget Reynolds (2009 Director)

Kathy Sanford (2008-2009 Director)

Lory Smith (2009 Director)

Thanks to all who supported me!  I hope to see many of you at the NAR convention in Las Vegas in November!

If you are a member of the Phoenix Association of REALTORS^® you should have received an email this weekend from Diane Scherer with voting instructions for the current election.  As a candidate nominated to run in this election I encourage you to vote - and of course to vote for me!  My bio that appeared in the September issue of the "Phoenix REALTOR^® Forum" is included below for easy reference.  

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I welcome the nomination to be a Director of the Phoenix Association of REALTORS®.     As a successful candidate, my focus will be on contributing to the growth and enhancement of the following areas:

• Professionalism

• Ethics

• Integrity

• Technology Integration  

I currently serve as a member of the Arizona Association of REALTORS® Information Management Key Results Area Committee (IMKRA).   In addition to a successful career in "Corporate America" prior to turning my attention to Real Estate in 2002, I bring the following industry related credentials to the table:   Phoenix Association of REALTORS® President's Award 2003 and 2005 Member of the AAR Master of Real Estate Society Certified EcoBroker® ABR, ABRM, ASP, CLHMS, CNHS, CRB, CRP, CRS, e-PRO, GRI, RECS, RFS, SRES, TRC  

With a thirst for learning and a passion for improvement I am confident that my participation as a Director for the Phoenix Association of REALTORS® will be a benefit for all of our membership.     For more insight into my thoughts and perspectives please visit my blog at http://www.tonymarriott.com/   A Vote for Tony Marriott is a Vote for the Future of the Phoenix Real Estate industry!  Please remember to VOTE in this important upcoming election!  

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Thank you in advance for considering me as a candidate, and please take the time to cast your vote.

If you're like me you are probably getting about:

• 75-100 EFlyers per day
• 60-100 Spam Emails per day
• 50-100 Emails that you WANT to receive

What's the solution to wasting a significant chunk of time wading through unwanted emails?

One product I've found - and my father (the Nuclear Physicist / Computer Programmer) has tested and given the thumbs up (not an easy award to get from him for tech products!) is CA Anti-Spam - formerly known as Qurb. 

(To avoid any confusion, this has nothing to do with Prince formerly know as the Artist formerly known as Prince.)

It operates on the "white list" principle - accepting emails from your white list address book and storing ALL others in a SPAM folder for you to review at your leisure and either add to your address book - or NOT!

It offers a free 30 day trial and was extremely simple to download, install and integrate into Outlook Express.  Any other White List Anti-Spam Software Solutions out there for consideration.

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Now - if you think you want to be the first to know more helpful tips:

Click the button below to Subscribe to my Phoenix Arizona Real Estate blog!

Click here to make sure you see future entries on my blog

Scroll down to leave a comment. 

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If you are considering a move to Phoenix or Scottsdale, or buying Phoenix or Scottsdale Real Estate, you owe it to yourself to talk with The Marriott Group at Keller Williams Realty Professional Partners to determine whether Tony Marriott is the best real estate Broker in the Phoenix and Scottsdale area to help you buy or sell a home.

http://www.phoenixarizonahomesearch.com/

http://www.marriottrealty.com/

http://www.greaterphoenix-scottsdale-homesearch.com/

CES - Consumer Electronics Show - is an annual highlight of the Consumer Electronic Industry.  The time for new releases - forging business alliances (make that welding in case that thought sparks thoughts of "fraud") - in general terms - the dawning of the new age of technology for the home - for anything!!

It's an excellent event to attend - even if a once in a lifetime experience.

I won't claim to be the gatekeeper or the key-holder for this event - but as a fellow professional in the real estate industry I do have the information one needs to obtain a free pass to the entire event next January.

Subscribers to my blog have first claim on this information - however - all are welcome.

If this event is of interest to you - let me know - and you'll be there!!

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Now - if you think you want to be the first to know more helpful tips:

Click the button below to Subscribe to my Phoenix Arizona Real Estate blog!

Click here to make sure you see future entries on my blog

Scroll down to leave a comment. 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

If you are considering a move to Phoenix or Scottsdale, or buying Phoenix or Scottsdale Real Estate, you owe it to yourself to talk with The Marriott Group at Keller Williams Realty Professional Partners to determine whether Tony Marriott is the best real estate Broker in the Phoenix and Scottsdale area to help you buy or sell a home.

http://www.phoenixarizonahomesearch.com/

http://www.marriottrealty.com/

http://www.greaterphoenix-scottsdale-homesearch.com/

The 2007 Howard Brinton Star Power Annual Conference is just around the corner - literally!  It starts on Wednesday here in Phoenix Arizona attended by top real estate agents from around the country..  Due to some trigger happy "red x issuer" last time I posed this question the previous post isn't even searchable!  Suzanne and I will be there - for once we don't have to travel out of town for a major real estate event!

So - I ask again:

Any other Active Rainers planning to attend?  If so - please let us know - we'll see if we can organize an Active Rain get together during the conference.

Hope to see you there!

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Now - if you think you want to be the first to know more helpful tips:

Click the button below to Subscribe to my Phoenix Arizona Real Estate blog!

Click here to make sure you see future entries on my blog

Scroll down to leave a comment. 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

If you are considering a move to Phoenix or Scottsdale, or buying Phoenix or Scottsdale Real Estate, you owe it to yourself to talk with The Marriott Group at Keller Williams Realty Professional Partners to determine whether Tony Marriott is the best real estate Broker in the Phoenix and Scottsdale area to help you buy or sell a home.

http://www.phoenixarizonahomesearch.com/

http://www.marriottrealty.com/

http://www.greaterphoenix-scottsdale-homesearch.com/

There is a lot of buzz out there about "green" houses.  In fact, I personally am a Certified EcoBroker!  It is much easier to shift gears (pun intended) with cars than it is with houses.

If you're in the market for a new vehicle - why not consider a hybrid - saves gas - saves money - good for the environment.

I recently migrated to a Saturn Vue Hybrid.  Runs great - excellent mileage - a glimpse of the future!

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Now - if you think you want to be the first to know more helpful tips:

Click the button below to Subscribe to my Phoenix Arizona Real Estate blog!

Click here to make sure you see future entries on my blog

Scroll down to leave a comment. 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

If you are considering a move to Phoenix or Scottsdale, or buying Phoenix or Scottsdale Real Estate, you owe it to yourself to talk with The Marriott Group at Keller Williams Realty Professional Partners to determine whether Tony Marriott is the best real estate Broker in the Phoenix and Scottsdale area to help you buy or sell a home.

http://www.phoenixarizonahomesearch.com/

http://www.marriottrealty.com/

http://www.greaterphoenix-scottsdale-homesearch.com/

Vistancia, voted one of the Top Ten Master Planned Communities in the nation for the third consecutive year, is a thriving area of the northwest valley, in Peoria, Arizona.  Unlike the Verrado® Community, where the developer DMB built Main Street before building the homes, Vistancia took the opposite approach.

The early movers to Vistancia are poised for the payoff.  Along with a Safeway anchored shopping plaza and a Wells Fargo bank nearing completion, big box retail projects just a few miles away from the entrance to Vistancia are nearing completion, and have a significant customer base just waiting for the doors to open.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Now - if you think you want to be the first to know more helpful tips:

Click the button below to Subscribe to my Phoenix Arizona Real Estate blog!

Click here to make sure you see future entries on my blog

Scroll down to leave a comment. 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

If you are considering a move to Phoenix or Scottsdale, or buying Phoenix or Scottsdale Real Estate, you owe it to yourself to talk with The Marriott Group at Keller Williams Realty Professional Partners to determine whether Tony Marriott is the best real estate Broker in the Phoenix and Scottsdale area to help you buy or sell a home.

http://www.phoenixarizonahomesearch.com/

http://www.marriottrealty.com/

http://www.greaterphoenix-scottsdale-homesearch.com/