It is not too early to begin to look at the 2008 market and make business plans based on your assessment of future market conditions. It may take a “crystal ball” and some good common sense and not a group of economists. I recently came across an article on WSJ.com that I had filed away; they surveyed a group of economists on the downturn in the housing market. Those polled felt strongly and by a large margin that the housing market would be in recovery mode by December and that we had bottomed out in October. Unfortunately this article was from November 2006. How much more wrong could they have been.

The decline in NAR membership may be the only positive to the current housing slow down. NAR is correct to classify the lost Realtors as victims of the downturn. What they do not say is fewer Realtors will greatly benefit the consumer and the remaining agents.

Is this possible in today's market? NAR recently reported (8/21) that their Commercial Leading Indicator for Brokerage Activity rose to an all time high. This is a long report name for an index that is predicting improved business opportunities for commercial professionals.

"The hospitality industry is dominated by brands providing yesterday's answers for yesterday's travelers"""""' "?Horst Schulze

"?Could we substitute the word real estate for hospitality?

"?

In the recently completed 2007"?National Association of Realtors Member Profile more than 10,000 Realtors responded. Commercial real estate both as a primary specialty and as a secondary specialty appears to be gaining momentum and has grown quite significant."?

The justice department filed a lawsuit Thursday against two of the industry's biggest and other California companies alleging they took illegal kickbacks for steering home sellers to a provider

of information on hazards such as earth quake and flood risks that are needed for disclosure statements.

The announced Grubb & Ellis merger with NNN Realty advisors has raised more than a few eyebrows this week. A traditional and well respected commercial services firm(G&E) approved a merger with fast growing and relatively young ( Founded in 1998) TIC specialists NNN Realty Advisors.

It has long been an industry practice in many markets to take a "stale" listing off the market for a period of time. What should you do with a listing that has not sold for over six months or even a year? Home buyers are being warned against a "deceptive" real estate practice that . . .

In Berkshire Hathaway's recently released annual report, Billionaire Chairman Warren Buffet, 76, says he plans to hire one or two people to understudy him in managing Berkshire's investments."? The new person will have to prepare to manage over $125 Billion dollars of cash and assets. "?Novices need not apply.

Violating RESPA has been the primary concern of brokerage companies that owned affiliated services, such as Mortgage or Title Companies."? Much time and effort is spent to stay clear of incentives or inducements that may be construed to be illegal under the RESPA requirements."? A unique lawsuit has been filed by some powerful parties against a powerful party. Fireworks are sure to ensue.