Looking back at 2012 we have experienced a slow down in the decline of housing prices, if not leveling off.  I tend to be a realist and professing the 'popular' position is not my thing.  I have seen many people get divorced and nearly as many leave their life long home either to go to assisted living or to their grave.  There are some home transfers that are what we might call 'arms length' deals but not too many.  Most people who have put their homes on the market have done so out of duress rather than for optimistic reasons.

2013:  I continue to advance my professional understanding of real estate brokerage and I do that through professional development.  My wife is a lifelong educator and she tells me that I could be considered a life long learner.  While she is watching reruns of NCIS & CSI I sit and read Robert Shiller's latest book Finance and the Good Society which was released in March of this past year.  Fun reading before that?  Irrational Exuberance also written by Shiller.  Geek?  Maybe.  Nerd?  Definitely.  Secret:  technology and technology in cars make my face flush red!  Forget the wine, the Patri-who?  Socks Nation?

At this date in January I see what's ahead of me for this year;  I have accepted a leadership position in the Massachusetts Chapter of the Council of Residential Specialists ( http://www.massachusettscrs.com ) for 2013.  This is the organization of people dedicated to the profession of real estate brokerage PERIOD.  No marketing spin, no foot notes, this is THE group when it comes to a residential real estate transaction and I am honored to be part of the state leadership team.

I also see myself in an office of agents who hold the #1 position in market share in my home town of Marlborough MA.  I researched my region in early 2011 and this office had the best agents of any office in the area and that position has held through 2012.  I am thrilled to be surrounded by Realtors who understand the business of helping people move.

To be done:  paperless transactions.  The delays in faxing, scanning or mailing documents are unnecessary with today's technology.  Services like DropBox, DotLoop, mobile apps for home searches.. the industry is changing and I'm ready!  Next course to take CRS 206 Technology offered by CRS national to be held in early April!

Know someone wanting guidance with a real estate transaction?  Point them to this post, I'm READY!