If you’re a buyer or seller in the Tennessee real estate market, there’s three pieces of good news that came out of the March 22, 2011 Tennessee Real Estate Commission meeting.

Click to enlarge. Roughly 80% of real estate licensees is Tennessee are REALTORS.

• You will have to sort through fewer licensees to find a real estate professional.
• The vast majority of licensees are REALTORS, members of the National Association of REALTORS who subscribe to a high code of ethics.
• The licensees who have weathered the storm may be the fittest to sell your home or represent your buyer purchase.

Click to enlarge. Fewer new licenses were issues and fewer real estate tests were administered since 2008.

So, my favorite part of the National Association of REALTORS® annual meeting every year is watching the Good Neighbor Awards winner videos.  Seriously, it’s better than an Extreme Home Makeover episode and should be sponsored by Kleenex!  This year, however, it will be extra special as one of my favorite agents, Keri Kidd Cannon and her mom, Pam, will receive their due in New Orleans.  Keri, Pam…you make us all so proud in Nashville!

From the National Association of REALTORS® press release:

Realtor® Good Neighbor Awards Winners Devoted to Strengthening Communities

CHICAGO (October 27, 2010) – Whether they are helping a family achieve the dream of homeownership or volunteering time to those who need a helping hand, Realtors^® share a common goal of building and strengthening communities. The individuals named as this year’s REALTOR® Magazine Good Neighbor Award winners are leading examples of Realtors^®’ commitment to communities, whether in their own backyard or halfway around the world.

This year’s winners have had a global impact – from founding a rural orphanage and outreach programs for children in Zimbabwe, to helping women overcome alcohol and drug addictions, to fighting hunger in the U.S. and abroad, to funding a local hospital and supporting soldiers overseas.

The 2010 Good Neighbor Awards winners are Keri Kidd Cannon and Pam Kidd, Fridrich & Clark Realty, LLC, Nashville, Tenn., for Children of Zimbabwe Fund-Village Hope; Cathie McGregor Critchlow, The Franklin Group Morgan, LLC, Morgan, Utah, for The Women’s Retreat House; James T. Elcock, Elcock Properties, St. Charles, Mo., for Kids Against Hunger; Dave Philp, Coldwell Banker Burnet, Chaska, Minn; for Ridgeview Foundation/Ridgeview Medical Center; and Wendy & John Rocca, Century 21 Commonwealth, Watertown, Mass., for Operation American Soldier.

“This year’s Good Neighbor Award winners are extraordinary examples of how Realtors^® value service and a commitment to bettering communities,” said National Association of Realtors^® President Vicki L. Cox Golder, owner of Vicki L. Cox & Associates in Tucson, Ariz. “Despite a troubling economy and an uncertain market, these Realtors^® are volunteering their time and putting others before themselves. I am proud to honor these professionals.”

The Good Neighbor Awards have been awarded annually since 2000 and are presented by NAR’s REALTOR® Magazine. Winners receive a $10,000 grant for their charity and a $2,000 Lowe’s gift card, and are profiled in the November-December issue of REALTOR^Ò Magazine. The recipients will be presented with their crystal trophies on Saturday, November 6, at the 2010 REALTORS® Conference & Expo in New Orleans; 20,000 Realtors® and guests are expected to attend the conference.

As a mother and daughter team Pam Kidd and Keri Kidd Cannon have been helping people in Zimbabwe since 1999, traveling to Africa more than 20 times. They founded Village Hope, a rural orphanage that cares for homeless children and also founded outreach programs for children and adults in the capital city of Harare. Through their various programs Kidd and Cannon feed 900 rural school children per day as well as hundreds of people from surrounding villages. Their agricultural programs provide seed corn and farm animals as well as teach farming techniques to local families. Recently, Kidd and Cannon launched a dental clinic and are training locals to provide basic dental care.
Cathie McGregor Critchlow is president and co-founder of The Women’s Retreat House, a live-in spiritual 12-step retreat home that houses up to 20 women at a time for up to four months while they overcome addiction. Critchlow manages the all-volunteer staff and works hands-on with the residents to help them beat their addictions and assesses their needs for parenting classes, job training, medical attention, and domestic violence counseling. More than 300 women have been served since The Women’s Retreat House opened its doors in 2008.

James T. Elcock founded Kids Against Hunger, Metro St. Charles/St. Louis satellite to provide nutritionally rich food to fight hunger in the U.S. and abroad. This year Elcock has distributed 550,000 meals — locally through the St. Louis Food Bank, for disaster relief in the U.S. and Haiti and internationally to countries suffering from chronic hunger including Nicaragua and Uganda. Elcock has involved more than 3,000 volunteers in food packaging events, which are organized to assemble the unique rice-based recipe that costs 23 cents per serving.

For more than 25 years, Dave Philp supported the Ridgeview Foundation, the fundraising arm of the Ridgeview Medical Center, a nonprofit regional health care network in the western suburbs of Minneapolis. Philp has raised more than $3 million through annual golf tournaments and other events. The money raised has been critical to building a state-of-the-art birthing center, neonatal care unit, a hospice home, a heart center and a scholarship fund to address the shortage of health care workers.

After hearing that some of the soldiers weren’t receiving mail from home, Wendy & John Rocca founded Operation American Soldier in 2003 while their daughter was deployed in Iraq. OAS sends “cheer” packages and letters of support to soldiers who otherwise would receive nothing at mail call. More than 30,000 pounds have been sent overseas, filled with snacks, beverages, books, magazines and other items. Each box also contains a letter asking if the soldier knows of anyone else who is not receiving support from home who would appreciate a package. The Roccas have spent more than $15,000 of their own money on postage and goods.

In addition to the winners, five Realtors® have been recognized as Good Neighbor Award honorable mentions; they will each receive $2,500 grants and a $1,000 Lowe’s gift card. They are James Arnhold, Source Realty, LLC, Virginia Beach, Va., for EQUI-KIDS Therapeutic Riding Program; Janice Mueller, RE/MAX Creative Realty, Lexington, Ky., for Makenna Foundation; Joseph D. Perry, RE/MAX-Gold, Clovis, Calif., for Boys2Men Girls2 Women; Thomas Joseph Rempson, T.R. Lawing Realty Inc., Charlotte, N.C., for Realtors^Ò Care Day; and Kim Turley, Prudential California Realty, Yucaipa, Calif., for The Blessing Center.

“The Good Neighbor Awards is an opportunity for NAR to honor those Realtors^® who are leaders in their community, dedicating time and energy to helping those in need,” said REALTOR® Magazine’s publisher Frank Sibley. “These winners should know they have played a critical role in the lives of others and are a remarkable inspiration.”

REALTOR® Magazine’s Good Neighbor Awards is sponsored by Lowe’s and HouseLogic. Nominees were judged on their personal contribution of time, as well as financial and material contributions to their cause. To be eligible, nominees had to be NAR members in good standing. For more information about the Good Neighbor Awards winners is available at www.realtor.org/realtormag.

Lowe’s (www.lowes.com) has worked with customers to maintain and improve their homes since 1946. Lowe’s is proud to support the Good Neighbor Awards.  Lowe’s is a proud supporter of Habitat for Humanity International, American Red Cross, SkillsUSA/SkillsCanada, and The Nature Conservancy, in addition to numerous nonprofit organizations and programs that help communities in North America. In 2009, Lowe’s and the Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation together contributed more than $30 million to support community and education projects in North America. Lowe’s also encourages volunteerism through the Lowe’s Heroes program, a company-wide employee volunteer initiative. Lowe’s, a proud partner in NAR’s REALTOR Benefits^® Program, brings Realtors^® exclusive benefits to help build relationships with their customers, generate referrals and expand their client base.  The benefits program is featured on www.LowesRealtorBenefits.com.

HouseLogic, www.houselogic.com, is a free source of information and tools from the National Association of Realtors^® that can help homeowners make smart and timely decisions about their home. With content covering home improvement, maintenance, taxes, finance, insurance, and even ways to get involved in and enrich their community, HouseLogic can help homeowners increase and protect the value of their home by helping them make confident decisions.

The National Association of Realtors^Ò, “The Voice for Real Estate,” is America’s largest trade association, representing 1.2 million members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries.

# # #

Information about NAR is available at www.realtor.org. This and other news releases are posted in the Web site’s “News Media” section in the NAR Media Center.

The specific release from NAR:

Realtors® from Nashville, Tenn., Win National Volunteer Award for Improving Lives in Africa

CHICAGO (October 27, 2010) – Realtors® Pam Kidd and Keri Kidd Cannon, sales associates with Fridrich & Clark Realty in Nashville, Tenn., are one of five winners chosen by the National Association of Realtors® as REALTOR® Magazine’s 2010 Good Neighbor Award winners. The mother-daughter team was selected for founding the Children of Zimbabwe Fund, an organization that feeds and cares for orphaned children in Africa.
“This year’s Good Neighbor Award winners are extraordinary examples of how Realtors® value service and are committed to improving communities,” said NAR President Vicki L. Cox Golder, owner of Vicki L. Cox & Associates in Tucson, Ariz. “Despite a troubling economy and an uncertain market, these Realtors® are volunteering their time and putting others before themselves. I am proud to honor these professionals.”
Kidd and her daughter, Keri Kidd Cannon, learned of conditions in Zimbabwe in 1999 when then-journalist Kidd traveled there on assignment. Since then, Kidd and Cannon have visited Zimbabwe every year, and in 2005 they founded Village Hope, a rural Zimbabwe farm and orphanage. Village Hope cares for 20 children, many of them AIDS orphans. In addition to Village of Hope, Kidd and Cannon also run Home of Hope, in the capital city of Harare. Home of Hope provides food, clothing, school fees and medical care to homeless children in Harare.
In 2007, Kidd and Cannon were finalists for REALTOR® Magazine’s 2007 Good Neighbor Award because of their work with Village Hope. Since then, they have expanded their efforts, adding programs to support the families of rural villages in Zimbabwe and Harare.
“Starving neighbors used to stand outside the gate of Village Hope, hoping to be fed,” said Cannon. “After a large donation from a church in Nashville we were able to develop a community food program. Everyone is welcome to the farm which sits on five acres. We grow vegetables and grains and feed anywhere from 150 to 400 people.”

-more- #GN3

Realtors® from Nashville, Tenn., Win National Volunteer Award for Improving Lives in Africa – add 1
In 2008, Kidd and Cannon founded another community program, Seeds to Sadza. Along with local farmers, Kidd and Cannon train villagers how to plant seeds and harvest crops. While the seeds are growing the families are given sadza, a cornmeal staple, to eat until the crops are ready to harvest. Kidd predicts that hundreds of families have benefited from Seeds to Sadza
In addition to Seeds of Sadza, Kidd and Cannon also run Pass It On, a program that gives needy families livestock, such as goats or cows. “When a person in Zimbabwe receives an animal, it changes the history of the family forever,” said Kidd. “We try to give families a pregnant animal so they can pass the offspring along to other neighbors. Our goal is to give every family within 20 miles an animal.”
Kidd and Cannon are currently working to launch a dental clinic and program that trains local residents to provide basic dental care. The mother-daughter teams says they are motivated by the giving nature of others and the people they serve. “The people we’ve gotten to know in Zimbabwe are just happy to be alive, and that’s refreshing,” said Cannon. “You see community love that we don’t always see in the U.S. It doesn’t matter what kind of car you drive or house you have. It just matters that you’re together.”
Kidd and Cannon, as well as the other four Good Neighbor Award winners will each receive a $10,000 grant for their charity, a $2,000 Lowe’s gift card and will be profiled in the November-December issue of REALTOR® Magazine. The recipients will receive their awards on Saturday, November 6 at the 2010 REALTORS® Conference & Expo in New Orleans.
“The Good Neighbor Awards is an opportunity for NAR to honor those Realtors® who are leaders in their community, dedicating time and energy to helping those in need,” said REALTOR® Magazine’s publisher Frank Sibley. “These winners should know they have played a crucial role in the lives of others and are a remarkable inspiration.”
Celebrating its 11th year, the Good Neighbor Awards has been conferred annually since 2000 and is presented by NAR’s REALTOR® Magazine. The Good Neighbor Awards is sponsored by Lowe’s and HouseLogic.
Nominees were judged on their personal contribution of time, as well as financial and material contributions to their cause. To be eligible, nominees had to be NAR members in good standing. More information about the Good Neighbor Award winners is available at www.realtor.org/realtormag.
Lowe’s (www.lowes.com) has worked with customers to maintain and improve their homes since 1946. Lowe’s is proud to support the Good Neighbor Awards. Lowe’s is a proud supporter of Habitat for Humanity International, American Red Cross, SkillsUSA/SkillsCanada, and The Nature Conservancy, in addition to numerous nonprofit organizations and programs that help communities in North America. In 2009, Lowe’s and the Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation together contributed more than $30 million to support community and education projects in North America. Lowe’s also encourages volunteerism through the Lowe’s Heroes program, a company-wide employee volunteer initiative. Lowe’s, a proud partner in NAR’s REALTOR Benefits® Program, brings Realtors® exclusive benefits to help build relationships with their customers, generate referrals and expand their client base. The benefits program is featured on www.LowesRealtorBenefits.com.

-more-
Realtors® from Nashville, Tenn., Win National Volunteer Award for Improving Lives in Africa – add 1
HouseLogic, www.houselogic.com, is a free source of information and tools for homeowners from the National Association of Realtors® that helps homeowners make smart decisions about all aspects of their home. HouseLogic helps homeowners plan and organize their home projects and provides timely articles and news; home improvement advice and how-to’s; and information about taxes, home finances and insurance.
The National Association of Realtors®, “The Voice for Real Estate,” is America’s largest trade association, representing 1.1 million members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries.

# # #

Information about NAR is available at www.realtor.org. This and other news releases are posted in the Web site’s “News Media” section in the NAR Media Center.

I‘m a thank-you card writer.  I love every part of that process.  The writing without lines, the thought that goes into every word, even putting the stamp on is a guilty pleasure.  Something happened today, however, that really goes beyond a thank-you card; so, I thought a mass thank-you would be more in place.

Today, Village Real Estate launched “The Village Way” plan during our “The Village Fair.”  I can honestly say, it’s the most innovative new approach to the brokerage model I’ve ever seen.  While I can’t come close to listing everything, it includes a ton of things I need to say “thank you” for.

1.  Thank you for V-Space:  Everything from my accounting and production to all the names of handymen, plumbers and roofers in one on-line space.

2.  Thank you for a production doubling guarantee.

3.  Thank you for Mark Deutschmann sitting in the “Kissing Booth.”

Village Real Estate Founder and Owner, Mark Deutschmann was actually stingy with his kisses. Not a loss, however, thanks to the breath.

4.  Thank you for the unlimited Village Technology Check-out System, which includes iPads, MacBook Pros, PCs, Flip Video cameras and digital still cameras.

5.  Thank you for the cool new promo products.

Fancy new t-shirts, fleece tops, post cards, leather bags and a ton of other yummy thingeedoos.

6.  Thank you for the messenger bag (filled with stationary, folders, pens, highlighters, envelops) with the jump-drive fully loaded with all the digital templates, listing presentations and everything I might need in a pinch.

Erica, I know you made a big deal out of the pen also being a highlighter, so i want to make sure I do, too!

This will load perfectly into Dropbox, where I'd rather keep it.

7.  Thank you for walking the walk you talk when it comes to eco-friendly and green issues and leading the charge alongside Metro Council and TVA to green our neighborhoods.

8.  Thank you for obliging my obsessive-compulsive theme, color and font snobbery by creating a gorgeously-themed fair (except for the scary clown).9.  Thank you for a gorgeous building with the most amazing, caring broker Bobbie Noreen.  I love her, and she has made me the REALTOR® I am today.

10.  Thank you for caring enough about the changing market to understand that you must also change to stay in the lead you already have in this marketplace.  Of course, I want to keep the list at 10 (it’s good blog karma), so I’m going to go ADHD here at the end with some other thanks

• Supporting the education system with all the classes
• Using the genius of Jenn Garrett as the new COO
• Keeping the East office super nice and letting us have the amazing Tammy Carney
• Understanding and hearing my frustration when I disagreed with the dismissal of J.R.H.
• Being active in GNAR and giving to RPAC (making Village the top brokerage in the state for major donor giving)
• Loving all people…period, providing a safe space for all diversity
• For giving me another reason to stick with hand-written cards.  They take a lot less time and energy.  Whew!  I’m tard!

I recently came across this video and had a great chuckle.  Obviously, it’s out there in the web video world; so, why don’t we discuss its points.  You’re going to find it, watch it and take it as the truth anyway if I don’t talk about it! Let me make it expediently clear, there is a statement in this video that violates anti-trust/price-fixing.  This video is not my opinion nor does it belong to me; however, after you watch it, I’ll talk a little about what this “brilliant” video producer who lives in New York City has to say about the profession I love so much.

Step 1: Do your own research. Before you hire a broker, do your own research what comparable homes have sold for you in your area.

Absolutely. I couldn’t agree more. Be cautious, though, of sites that don’t have a direct IDX feed for closures through your local MLS. Often, data is incorrect or unreported. The bigger issue here is finding an agent who understands HOW to price.  The comparable approach is definitely NOT the way to truly price a home in today’s market. It’s a great broker’s job to be an economist, future-caster and market specialist. There’s more to pricing a home than looking around on the computer to see what the neighbors got.

Step 2: Don’t be pushed to accept a price lower than what you think it’s worth. The narrator says, “Brokers hold their own personal homes on the market longer yielding higher prices.” Let’s test that. According to the last 8,878 “owner agents who sold their personal homes” in the entire middle Tennessee MLS they received 98.26% of list price with an average days on market of 79. Of the homes owned and sold by non-agent owners (a sampling of tens of thousands) sellers received 97.69% of list price with an average days on market of 89. In Nashville proper, owner agents received 97.5% of list price at 62 days on market. Non-agent owners using agents received 97.9% of list price at 67 days on market. I obviously don’t have to explain this point!

I agree however with the phrase “don’t be pushed.” You’re smart enough to google and find this page, so you’re smart enough to know that the person you hired in the first place isn’t going to push you around anyway. If you’ve taken the time to ask the right questions and address the issues, you should feel confident in being advised and counseled, rather than pushed.

Step 3: Don’t be bullied into an open house. He says 2% of all homes are sold at an open house. Again, a wrong statistic. It’s actually less than 1%. I have to agree on the open house thing. Open houses accomplish these things:

1. Generates potential buyers for the agent holding the home.
2. Generates future listings for the agent, as most of the people who come through are neighbors the neighbors who may sell their home in the future and want to check out the competition.
3. Keeps the seller happy because they still continue to believe the myth that open houses sell homes.

Extra Tip in Step 3:  Negotiate a lower commission. There is NO standard commission rate…period. Just remember, you get what you pay for. Find that agent who you think is best for the job. Any agent who will negotiate with YOU on their commission will likely show the same negotiation skills when negotiating the price on your home with the buyer/buyer’s agent.

Step 4: Make them run all offers past you.  In the state of Tennessee, it is illegal for an agent to not present all offers, whether they be on a napkin or a formal contract. Unfortunately, there are agents who choose to break the law. I really can’t comment more on this because there’s few ways to find out if your agent is holding out an offer. I’m sure it happens. All I can say is, I show all offers. In fact, I got fired three years ago for taking a low offer to a seller brought to me by a buyer’s agent. When that same seller called me recently to list more property for the entity, I politely declined.

Step 5: Don’t use your broker’s inspector.  If you have an unethical real estate agent, you won’t know it unfortunately. A good agent should give you choices based off of other clients’ recommendations and experiences. I could care less what inspector someone uses. All inspectors in Tennessee are licensed. I’ve only seen one who didn’t know up from down, and I don’t think that inspector is in the business any more. Again, I’m sure “paying off an inspector” happens, but not in the circles I travel in.

Step 6: Be leery of their renovation suggestions.  I can’t even comment on this one, it’s SO out there. It might as well have said, “Watch for frozen potatoes in their freezer.” It makes no sense no matter how you measure it.  Obviously, someone told the writer he had to have seven points in his video and had to think of something.

Step 7: Consider selling your home yourself.   Absolutely, couldn’t agree more. Consider it. Then consider the fact that I’ve had over 300 credited hours of real estate education, over 900 hours of non-credit real estate education, written over 800 real estate contracts, spent over umpteen whatever hours networking with other agents, been through the doors of over 5000 homes in Middle Tennessee and spent tens of thousands of dollars on tools to connect homes with buyers. Now, consider doing yourself. Good idea?

In this point, the narrator says over 50% of house hunters look on the web for their home. Dude, it’s currently 89%. Yes, that IS over 50%, but come on! Get some updated facts, man!

Do you have  something you’ve read or seen on the internet or been told by someone that you want explained?  Send it on over, and I’ll happily address it!

Welcome to my city.  I love it here and love sharing it with visitors.  First, I’m not with ERA, but have several dear friends locally who are.  Looking over your agenda, HOLY MOLY!  It’s amazing.  Matthew Ferrara, Laurie Moore-Moore (my BFF), Pat Zaby and Rich Sands….wow!  You’re in for some special treats.  Also, having brilliant sponsors like Trulia with Rudy Bachraty in town is a special thing.

While you’re near Opryland, that’s not typically where the “locals” hang in these parts.  Here’s a list of things that aren’t too far away if you want to break away for a little while or grab a unique bite to eat.

1.  Ellendales:  Located near the airport, this bungalow turned restaurant is the best place to eat anywhere on that side of town.  They have an amazing lunch buffet and are group friendly.

2.  Two Rivers Mansion:  Located within a quick drive to the hotel, this gorgeous Antebellum mansion is a gorgeous stop.  It’s ground, gardens and interior reflect a tradition long passed.

3.  Chef’s Market:  You’ll have to jump on I-65 North for two exits but the cab ride or drive is so worth it.  Don’t miss their Strawberry Cake or Hummingbird Cake for dessert.  Best entrees include the Pot Roast and Jerusalem Chicken.  The mac and cheese rocks too!  Make sure you call!  They are NOT open on Sundays!

4.  Cock of the Walk:  A Nashville tradition for great beans, fried chicken and catfish. It’s just down the street on Music Valley Drive.  The waiters and waitresses flip your cornbread in the air for over 10 feet, too, which is pretty cool.

5.  The Greenway System:  (map at link) If you’re looking for a good stroll or bike ride, you’re virtually connected the the greenway.  You’ll want to join it at Two Rivers Park, take the bridge over the Cumberland into Shelby Bottoms.  The Shelby Bottoms area is a gorgeous nature trail.

6.  Opry Mills IMAX has Alice in Wonderland in 3-D while you are here.  It’s VERY good.  It plays daily at 11:10 a.m., 1:50 p.m. 4:25 p.m., 7:00 p.m., 9:40 p.m. and 12:10 a.m.

Overall, just have a great time.  We’re a great spot to visit.  If you have any questions, feel free to email me or tweet me @NashvilleBrian.  Or while you’re here on my site, you can see the chat panel in the top right corner, if I’m on, ask me!

I have a lovely couple from North Carolina (hat-tip Sarah), in their Nashville home search process right now.  It seems like every time they call or text, I am in class.  I was starting to feel a bit guilty, then changed my mindset quickly!

I’m on a three-prong model of business.  I spend part of my time actually selling and working with buyers.  I spend part of my time volunteering and networking.  The rest of the big bulk of the 40 hour week is spent in a classroom, either sharing or learning.

I have to ask the question, however, what do other agents do when they are not selling, representing buyers, networking and lead generating.  When I responded to North Carolina texting client, “LOL, I’m in class (again),” her response was “No wonder you are so smart.”

It’s an odd moment when it takes a text message to remind you, OH…there is a reason I can guide and protect my clients so well.  I invest in this brain constantly.  I’d encourage you to check your agent’s education history.  I know you see all those letters behind all of our names and think…geez…that really doesn’t matter to me.  Honestly, you don’t need to worry about the letters, but you do need be concerned about the classes the agent has taken the time to carve time out of their schedule to take.

Sure, I could spend my extra time playing around, going to the gym (yeah…I know…) or sitting on the couch watching soap operas and Divorce Court during the day.  I choose to be smarter, more efficient the the best mind I can be for my clients.  Check out my education history and your agent’s education history at the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance.  Remember, that list only gives you the courses I received CREDIT for.  Some of it isn’t for credit, but worth the learning experience!

(Note:  Thanks to Rob “Peanut” Jansen for snapping the photo during a session we were in together in Scottsdale, AZ.)

While I’m not with RE/MAX in Nashville or Franklin, Tennessee, I have a ton of friends nationally who are.  I have a great respect for their systems, the way they serve their clients and the way they treat other agents in the marketplace.  I’m also part of a small referral group called CyberStars with several people on this list.  A special shout out to those in that referral group.

The Nellis Team #10 from Burke, Virginia.  Nate Martinez #12 from Glendale, AZ.  Tupper Briggs #36 from Evergreen, CO.  Leslie McDonnell #48 from Libertyville, IL. Brad Korb #61 from Burbank, CA.  Debbie Yost #88 from Casa Grande, AZ.  Marilyn Kohn #83 from Peoria, IL .  Zac Pasmanick #97 from Atlanta, GA.

Additionally, it’s always a pleasure doing business with the Terry DeSelms team of RE/MAX elite in Nashville, Brentwood, Franklin, Tennessee.  Congrats on coming in on the Top 100 list at #26.

Top 100 RE/MAX Teams United States

Standings for January through November 2009, based on residential commissions paid. Rankings are compiled from figures submitted by regional offices.

1. John Ahlbrand, RE/MAX Central, Las Vegas, NV

2. Ryan R. O’Neill, RE/MAX Advantage Plus, Lakeville, MN

3. Ronnie Matthews, RE/MAX Legends, Spring, TX

4. Eric T. Pakulla, RE/MAX Advantage Realty, Columbia, MD

5. Bob J. Lucido, RE/MAX Advantage Realty, Fulton, MD

6. Marti A. Hampton, RE/MAX One Realty, Raleigh, NC

7. David O. Flory, RE/MAX Professional Group, Houston, TX

8. Pamela L. Marion, RE/MAX Professionals, Lawton, OK

9. Joseph B. Rothchild Sr., RE/MAX Fry Road, Katy, TX

10. Vicki Nellis, RE/MAX Allegiance, Burke, VA

11. Nathan C. Martinez, RE/MAX Professionals, Glendale, AZ

12. Scott E. Gibson, RE/MAX Renaissance Realty, Phoenix, AZ

13. Gary Kent, RE/MAX Associates, La Jolla, CA

14. James D. Franklin, RE/MAX Grand, Katy, TX

15. Casey Margenau, RE/MAX Distinctive, McLean, VA

16. Don McDonald, RE/MAX Gold, Fairfield, CA

17. Don Matheson, RE/MAX Fine Properties, Scottsdale, AZ

18. Jane Lee, RE/MAX Top Performers, Lake Bluff, IL

19. Kent R. Miller, RE/MAX Advantage, Jonesboro, GA

20. Michael R. Hulsey, RE/MAX Gold, Vacaville, CA

21. Neal Weichel, RE/MAX Valencia, Santa Clarita, CA

22. Joe A. Martin Sr., RE/MAX Diamond, Mesa, AZ

23. Kyle White, RE/MAX Advantage Plus, Savage, MN

24. Josephine M. Pierce, RE/MAX Realty Team, Cape Coral, FL

25. Lee Ann Canaday, RE/MAX Fine Homes, Laguna Beach, CA

26. Terry E. DeSelms, RE/MAX Elite, Franklin, TN

27. Bruce Tyburski, RE/MAX Choice, Fairfax, VA

28. Ronald Golansky, RE/MAX Pros, Germantown, MD

29. Elvira Ashmun, RE/MAX Gold, Vallejo, CA

30. Jane M. Kelly, RE/MAX Lake of the Ozarks, Osage Beach, MO

31. Carol S. Anderson, RE/MAX of Valencia, Valencia, CA

32. Andrew R. Bloom, RE/MAX Excalibur Realty, Scottsdale, AZ

33. Mark T. Parris, RE/MAX Renaissance Realty, Peoria, AZ

34. Ron Murray, RE/MAX Palos Verdes Realty, Palos Verdes Estates, CA

35. Lonnie S. Bush, RE/MAX First, Virginia Beach, VA

36. Tupper Briggs, RE/MAX Alliance Evergreen, Evergreen, CO

37. Marshall Mandell, RE/MAX Classic, Farmington, MI

38. Marsee L. Wilhems, RE/MAX Majestic, Tucson, AZ

39. Judy Markowitz, RE/MAX Millennium, Flushing, NY

40. Wade A. Klick, RE/MAX Results, Plymouth, MN

41. Karen D. Karapasha, RE/MAX Fry Road, Katy, TX

42. Cindy Hanson Welu, RE/MAX Action West, Chanhassen, MN

43. Brian D. Flynn, RE/MAX Results, Medford, MA

44. Sherry S. Wilson, RE/MAX Leaders, Purcellville, VA

45. Lee Wilbanks, RE/MAX Alliance, Livonia, MI

46. Delbert M. Rounds, RE/MAX Fine Properties, Scottsdale, AZ

47. Corey C. Geib, RE/MAX Benchmark Realty, Las Vegas, NV

48. Leslie B. McDonnell, RE/MAX Suburban, Libertyville, IL

49. Blake Mayes, RE/MAX Capital City, Boise, ID

50. Dennis X. DeSouza, RE/MAX Associates, La Jolla, CA

51. Sharon L. Evans, RE/MAX One Realty, Raleigh, NC

52. Steve Cross, RE/MAX Preferred, Las Vegas, NV

53. Tom Faison, RE/MAX Allegiance, Washington, DC

54. David M. Banks, RE/MAX By The Bay, Portland, ME

55. Patrick Stracuzzi, RE/MAX of Stuart, Stuart, FL

56. Frank L. Prindle, RE/MAX Allegiance, Alexandria, VA

57. Anthony R. Raffin, RE/MAX Associates, St Clair Shores, MI

58. Kyle D. MacDonnell, RE/MAX Cinco Ranch, Katy, TX

59. Frank Russo, RE/MAX Professionals, Glendale, AZ

60. Marge B. Pawlak, RE/MAX Enterprises, Downers Grove, IL

61. Bradley Korb, RE/MAX In Action, Burbank, CA

62. Logan L. Waller, RE/MAX About Dallas, Dallas, TX

63. Gordon R. Crawford, RE/MAX Properties Unlimited, Morristown, NJ

64. Mark Spain, RE/MAX Greater Atlanta, Atlanta, GA

65. Richard W. Taylor, RE/MAX Realty Associates, Mahomet, IL

66. Ronald N. Lee, RE/MAX Gold, Vallejo, CA

67. Chad Costa, RE/MAX Executive, Modesto, CA

68. Thomas W. Beauchemin, RE/MAX Synergy, Goffstown, NH

69. James Gilliland, RE/MAX Southern Realty, Fort Walton Beach, FL

70. Philip L. Herman, RE/MAX Real Estate Specialists, Dayton, OH

71. Matthew P. Ridgeway, RE/MAX Real Estate Group, Charles Town, WV

72. Jim Kennedy, RE/MAX Team 2000, Orland Park, IL

73. Aidan Surlis, RE/MAX Leading Edge, Gambrills, MD

74. Steven M. Lavoie, RE/MAX Realty Unlimited, Brandon, FL

75. Kevin E. Hildebrand, RE/MAX Unlimited, Cincinnati, OH

76. Rick Robey, RE/MAX Associates, Louisville, KY

77. Gil Campos, RE/MAX Real Estate Center, Foxboro, MA

78. Juan Martinez, RE/MAX Executives, Las Vegas, NV

79. Anthony G. Askowitz, RE/MAX Advance Realty II, Miami, FL

80. Fred Evans, RE/MAX Gold Coast, Ventura, CA

81. Louie Guerrero, RE/MAX Valencia, Santa Clarita, CA

82. Millie S. Green, RE/MAX Commonwealth, Richmond, VA

83. Marilyn R. Kohn, RE/MAX Unlimited, Peoria, IL

84. David W. Worrie, RE/MAX Commonwealth, Midlothian, VA

85. Thomas E. Skiffington, RE/MAX 440, Perkasie, PA

86. Martha M. Gentry, RE/MAX Prime Properties, Pinehurst, NC

87. Doug C. Perry, RE/MAX Excellence Realty, Silver Spring, MD

88. Debbie Yost, RE/MAX Casa Grande, Casa Grande, AZ

89. Sandy O. Ogburn-Sandlin, RE/MAX Excellent Properties, Prairieville, LA

90. Linda O’Donnell, RE/MAX Signature, Chicago, IL

91. Bill Gassett, RE/MAX Executive Realty, Hopkinton, MA

92. Paul S. Raymond, RE/MAX Select, Flint, MI

93. Neil J. Timmins, RE/MAX Select, West Des Moines, IA

94. Laurie Erb, RE/MAX Cherry Creek Inc, Denver, CO

95. Don Bowen, RE/MAX Real Estate Group, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA

96. A.Z. Araujo, RE/MAX Preferred Choice, Glendale, AZ

97. Zac Pasmanick, RE/MAX Greater Atlanta Intown, Atlanta, GA

98. Tom McKinnon, RE/MAX Realty 2000, Fargo, ND

99. David H. Messner, RE/MAX Fine Properties, Scottsdale, AZ

100. John Meyer, RE/MAX Allegiance, Alexandria, VA

Copyright © 2010 RE/MAX International Inc.

Frustration is the word of the day for the buyers, the sellers and the agents when it comes to Craigslist rental scams. The scam is quite simple and relatively believable.

A Craigslist scammer searches for listings in active, popular areas with good marketing on MLS sites like Trulia, RealTracs, Zillow or REALTOR.com. They snag the photos and write an ad something like this, “4 BR/2 BA home for rent for $800/month. Nice home in quiet area. I am a missionary with my family in Africa and we need someone who will take good care of our home and rent it. Since are out of the country, we will need to work with you via email….” you get the picture.

The price is just below rental market value and almost believable. The renters do the natural thing and email the scammer thinking, “hey you never know.” The scammer knows that most people are in the rental market for a short time and not often; so, it’s easy to hit a new crew of innocent, open-minded renters.

The renter drives by the home and sees a real estate sign in the yard and thinks the home is actually available and everything makes sense. Many renters call the agent to get inside, and the scam ends here when the agent tells them that it is actually not for rent. However, some renters go through the steps and potentially compromise their privacy.

Here’s a video from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) that explains how to report this scams, whether you’ve been taken or not.

The FTC has more information on their website, additionally.

The renter loses because many compromise their privacy and some turn over money. One father reported to me that his daughter went through a long credit check process that made the entire “scam” believable. He said the site generated the reports, asked all the legit questions and appeared on the up-and-up. When I kept explaining to him that it wasn’t for rent, even he had a hard time understand that. Remember, creating fake websites that capture information is super easy.

The home seller loses because many get knocks on their doors at all hours of the day and night asking to see the home. Some times, no one has been tipped off that there is a scam running, so the seller thinks they’re doing the agent a favor by showing the home, only to find out that the visitor thinks it’s for rent. It’s a great disappointment and inconvenience.

The real estate agent loses with time lost. One or two of my listings get scraped, at least, once every month. I will log well over 100 calls for one scam, completely killing my productivity for a few hours. If you’re an agent reading this, remember, it’s not the callers fault! Be kind. Since very few buyers actually call agents any more, opting for internet contact and email, sign calls are rare. When I get the call or message that says, “I’m interesting in your house on Elm Street,” my first question is “Are you looking to buy or rent?” The vast majority of the time they will say “rent.” My next question is, “Did you see it on Craigslist?” I then smile and explain that it is a Craigslist scam that has nothing to do with my seller or me, thank them for reporting it and apologize for the jerk who pulls this crap.

3/1/2010 Note: Special thanks to @WSMV and @WSMVCaraKumari for reading my blog and picking up this story within one day.  We need to get the word out more, and you certainly help that big-time tonight.  Here’s a link to Cara’s story on the Nashville NBC news affiliate.

Based on the 2009 RealTracs MLS data for Nashville Areas 1-8, the following is a list of the top one percent (1%) REALTORS (real estate agents) in the Nashville market.  The (*) denotes an agent who appears on both unit and dollar volume lists.2009 Top One Percent (1%) Nashville REALTORS Dollar & Unit Volume (Total Number of Homes Sold)

Note:  Agents NOT Representing Distressed Properties or New Construction Sales As Business Base

Carolyn Adcock (Re/Max Elite)

Andy Allen (Village Real Estate Services)

Aaron Armstrong (Keller Williams)

Brian Copeland (Village Real Estate Services)

Terry DeSelms (Re/Max Elite)

Mark Deutschmann (Village Real Estate)

Cindy Evans (Re/Max)

Mike Gallagher (Fridrich & Clark)

Jenkins Hardin (Harpeth Co. REALTORS)

Karen Hoff (Historic & Distinctive Homes)

Allen Perry (Keller Williams Realty)

2009 Top One Percent (1%) Nashville REALTORS Dollar & Unit Volume (Total Number of Homes Sold)

Distressed Properties, Foreclosures, REO and Bank-Owned Real Estate Agents

Moren Adenubi (Crown Realty)

Angela Bavetta (Coldwell Banker Barnes)

Sharon Bennett (Progressive Realty)

Cindy Fey (Crye Leike REALTORS, Inc.)

Nell Jones (Re/Max Elite)

Jim Owens (Prudential Woodmont Realty)

Barry Vincent (Re/Max Elite)

2009 Top One Percent (1%) Nashville REALTORS Dollar & Unit Volume (Total Number of Homes Sold)

New Construction Agents

Tina Andolina (Fox Ridge Homes)

Wanda Comer (Ole South)

Trey Lewis (Ole South)

Whitney Massingale (Centex Homes)

Derenda Sircy (Regent Homes)

2009 Top One Percent (1%) Nashville REALTORS Dollar Volume (Dollar Amount Sold)

Adcock, Carolyn (Re/Max)*

Adenubi, Moren (Crown Realty-foreclosures)*

Allen, Andy (Village)*

Anderson, Newell (Village)*

Andolina, Tina (Fox Ridge Homes-new construction)*

Armstrong, Aaron (Keller Williams)*

Bavetta, Angela (Coldwell Banker Barnes-foreclosures)*

Bennett, Sharon (Progressive, HUD foreclosures)*

Brittle, Jr., John (Village)

Bryan, Richard (Fridrich & Clark)

Comer, Wanda (Ole South-new construction)*

Brian Copeland (Village Real Estate Services)*

Degerberg, Virginia (Village)

Deselms, Terry  (Re/Max Elite)*

Deutschmann, Mark (Village)*

Edmondson, Molly (Fridrich & Clark)

Evans, Cindy (Re/Max)*

Fey, Cindy (Crye Leike-foreclosures)*

Finucane, Betty (Fridrich & Clark)

Fridrich, Steve (Fridrich & Clark)

Gallagher, Mike (Fridrich & Clark)*

Granbery, Jamie (Pilkerton)

Hardin, Jenkins (Harpeth)*

Hoff, Karen (Historic and Distinctive)*

Huggins, Allen (BrokerSouth)

Jones, Nell (Re/Max-foreclosures)*

Lewis, Trey (Ole South-new construction)*

Massingale, Whitney (Centex Homes-new construction)*

Mcmillin, Kent (Fridrich & Clark)

Merrill, Keith (Worth)

Molteni, Beth (Worth)

Moutenot, Barbara (Village)

Noonan, Susan (Drees Homes-new construction)

Oneal, Dwight (Realty Trust Auctioneers)

Owens, Jim (Prudential-foreclosures)*

Perry, Allen (Keller Williams)*

Sircy, Derenda (Regent-new construction)*

Vincent, Barry (Re/Max-foreclosures)*

Wilson, Beverly (Village)

Wilson, Christie (The Wilson Group)

Wood, Carolyn (Realty Executives)

Woods, Joe (Village)

2009 Top One Percent (1%) Nashville REALTORS Unit Volume (Total Number of Homes Sold)

Adcock, Carolyn (Re/Max)*

Adcock, Ii, David (Re/Max)

Adenubi, Moren (Crown Realty-foreclosures)*

Allen, Andy (Village)*

Anderson, Newell (Village)*

Andolina, Tina (Fox Ridge Homes-new construction)*

Armstrong, Aaron (Keller Williams)*

Bavetta, Angela (Coldwell Banker Barnes-foreclosures)

Bennett, Sharon (Progressive, HUD foreclosures)*

Comer, Wanda (Ole South-new construction)

Brian Copeland (Village Real Estate Services)*

Corradetti, Mark (A&E Real Estate-foreclosures)

Davis, Phyllis (Kingdom Realty-foreclosures)

Deselms, Terry (Re/Max Elite)*

Deutschmann, Mark (Village)*

Evans, Cindy (Re/Max)*

Fey, Cindy (Crye Leike-foreclosures)*

Gallagher, Mike (Fridrich & Clark)*

Gatlin, Julie (Gatlin Group-foreclosures)

Hardin, Jenkins (Harpeth)*

Hoff, Karen (Historic and Distinctive)*

Huffaker, David (Beazer Homes-new construction)

Jones, Nell (Re/Max-foreclosures)*

Lampley, Nina (Benchmark-new construction)

Lewis, Trey (Ole South-new construction)*

Massingale, Whitney (Centex Homes-new construction)*

Mongeon, Emil (Legacy-foreclosures)

Morgan, Tammy (Greenvale-new construction)

Owens, Jim (Prudential-foreclosures)*

Perry, Allen (Keller Williams)*

Powers, Sher (Village)

Sircy, Derenda (Regent-new construction)*

Sisco, Charles (Coldwell Banker Lakeside)

Smith, Michael (Agee & Johnson-foreclosures)

Sullivan, Jerry (Re/Max-foreclosures)

Thomas, John (Coldwell Banker-foreclosures)

Tinsley, Linda (Coldwell Banker-foreclosures)

Vincent, Barry (Re/Max-foreclosures)*

Watts, Ashley (First Nashville Realty)

Wilson-Lowery, Brenda (Re/Max Elite)

Young, Blayne (Centex Homes-new construction)

The area includes Green Hills, Belle Meade, Forest Hills, Oak Hill, Crieve Hall, Murray Hills, Antioch, East Nashville, Madison, Lockeland Springs, Eastwood Neighbors, Greenwood Neighbors, Maxwell Neighbors, Maxwell Heights, Neil S. Brown, East End, Historic Edgefield, Shelby Village, Boscobel Heights, Little Hollywood, Historic Chestnut Hill, Belmont, Caldwell Abbay Hall, Berry Hill, Melrose, West End Park, Montague, Rivergate, Inglewood, Rosebank, Iverson, Maplewood, Moss Rose, Opryland Area, Neelys Bend, Fortland Park, Cleveland Park, McFerrin Park, Trinity Heights, 12South, Hillsboro Village, West End, Cherokee Park, Historic Richland Park, Whitland Park, Sylvan Park, Historic West Town, Sylvan Heights, Brookside, Brooke Meade, West Meade, Charlotte Park, Bordeaux, Goodlettsville, Eatons Creek, Germantown, Hope Gardens, Salemtown, Buena Vista, Buena Vista Heights, Metro Center, Woodbine, Glenrose, Woodmont In Waverly, Waverly Place, Cane Ridge, Donelson, Hermitage, Old Hickory, Katie Hill, Priest Lake, Downtown, The Gulch, SoBro, The Market District, Music Row, Villa Place, Fairgrounds, Fisk/Meharry/TSU, Belle Meade Highlands, Bellevue, Brentwood, Nippers Corner, Holt Hills, Grassmere and all areas inside Davidson County Metropolitan. MLS data based on reports run for January 1, 2008 through December 31, 2009.

The joy as a consumer is there is no set commission rate anywhere in America. It’s a private negotiation between the seller and the agent. Your best bet is going to be to interview as many REALTORS as you’d like, then see whose service and price meet your expectations and budget.

If you’re looking in Hendersonville, I’d suggest Kathy Hannah (Century 21), Cheryl Bretz (Keller Williams) and Cindy Sample (Coldwell Banker Lakeside). They are all amazing agents who will be honest and knowledgeable. Let me know if you need me to connect you with them.