John Hall & Associates - Phoenix Real Estate Brokerage

We made the list!  The Phoenix Business Journal recently published their 2008 Book of Lists.  They rank practically every category of business in Phoenix.  In their most recent Book, John Hall & Associates is ranked 4th for Local Residential Sales Volume.  We have been holding strong in that position, coming in 4th last year as well. 

The List reports that John Hall & Associates had 1.36 billion dollars of sales volume in 3,821 transactions done by 741 real estate agents working out of 4 branch offices where a total of 35 management and/or support staff work… just in case you missed it.  And, although we didn’t submit to the REALTOR® Magazine list, we’re happy to know we would have ranked 83rd in the country for sales volume.

Not bad for our locally owned brokerage.

It’s an ongoing joke between Jim and I, “Did you see the paper?” he’ll ask, knowing quite well I’m not a newspaper kind of guy.  I’m an internet reader - that has recently added watching the morning news to my routine.  So I usually respond with something like, “I’m not old enough to read the paper” or “not lately”.  Then he continues with extremely important news that I probably should have read about, but that’s what I rely on him for, like he relies on me to bring him technology news. 

However, this weekend I was looking for the paper, because the Arizona Republic regularly gives Jim the opportunity to write an article for their Broker’s Corner spot of the real estate section.  Sure enough, in Saturdays’ northeast valley run there was Jim’s smiling picture (no it wasn’t his high school photo!) next to the informational article on auctions here in Phoenix.

The Republic doesn’t publish the Broker’s Corner article on the internet, so for all you out there that missed it, or aren’t newspaper kind of people either, here you go.

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The Arizona Republic has the answer!  Did you see the ARMLS advertorials in the paper this weekend?

Saturday’s Business section had the first article with quotes from John Hall real estate agents; Abe Schwarz, Dru Bloomfield, and Russell Shaw.  Bob Bemis (CEO of ARMLS) was also quoted talking about the median and average price drops.  

The article on Sunday, with the same title, again had quotes from our own; Russell Shaw and Jim Sexton.  Bob Bemis was again quoted, but this time talking about the currently low interest rates.  Darrell Blomberg (Owner/Broker of AzTech Realty) and Gary Swallows (Designated Broker for Swallows & Associates Realty) were also quoted explaining why it might cost more if you wait to buy and how FHA loans are making a come back!  

Thanks to the Republic and ARMLS for the good press!

Two sighting of him in the Arizona Republic on Saturday.  The first one was planned, the second one not so much. 

He is often asked to write an article for the Republic’s “Broker Corner”.  He is given a date the article will appear and puts together a timely piece where he gets to spread the word of the current market.  This weekend his article, “Missed Opportunity” was featured in this weekly real estate feature.

Then an unplanned quote in an article by the Republic’s real estate reporter Catherine Reagor.  Mr. Sexton and Ms. Reagor spoke on the phone about a month ago and Jim was initially quoted in an article that soon followed.  Then Ms. Reagor unbeknownst to us stored some of Jim’s good stuff and surprised us with it this weekend.  (I can’t find the article online yet, but will update this post when it happens.)  Jim was quoted talking about the high amount of vacant or foreclosed properties that are selling.  Even though the conversation took place a month ago, the quote is still accurate today.

Thanks to the Republic for the support!

The Swanepoel Trends Report 2008 “Top 10 Real Estate Trends” is out now.  This is the real estate industry’s premier report on those keys factors currently shaping our business models.  Of particular interest are the last two chapters: Special Summary for The Agents and Special Summary for the Consumer. 

There is great information in this report especially when it comes to making sense of the current market and how to prepare for the future market.  Just looking at the summary for consumers, agents can get a clue about the types of business strategies they should be developing.  The report advises consumers to:

1.   Look for a knowledgeable and trusted real estate agent that works hard to keep themselves and the consumer informed.  (Advice to agent - newsletters and updates on a regular basis that address the knowledge that a consumer needs.)

2.   Ask the agent to explain to you their career development program.  (Advice to agent  -  have a business plan and mission statement.)

3.   Ask for names and contact information for clients the agent has worked with for the last six months.  (Advice to agent  -  build your client portfolio and offer recommendations up front.)

4.  Ask them about their real estate qualifications.  (Advice to agent  -  of course you are licensed - duh - what consumers want to know is what designations and certifications you have scored.  What training have you had and how it benefits the consumer?)

5.  Any real estate agent should be knowledgeable enough to explain their business model and what importance it has to a real estate transaction.  (Advice to agents  -  YOU need a “UVP” (Unique Value Proposition) so that the service you offer gains a value to the consumer.)

The report underscores what I’ve been saying all along, get those designations, develop a business plan and acquire the advanced skill necessary to meet the “new consumer’s” expectations.  While service is still the icing on the cake, the new words resonating with consumers are  -  Value and Skill.  How will you explain your value and introduce your skill?

Had I posted this a in March I could of said HOT off the press, but it has cooled off a little.  However, I am still getting requests from our associates for this coveted visual.  So here it is the AZ Republic Home Values by Zip Code chart from March 16.  

Be careful it’s warm…

Dru showed us her blog post that highlights this really cool graph on the NY times website… 

Is it better to rent or buy? 

Well, that depends on lots!  But a few of the variables this graph takes into consideration are…

          ◊  What’s the cost of the home?

          ◊  How much are you paying for rent?

          ◊  Are homes in the area appreciating or depreciating?  

          ◊  How long do you plan on staying put?

          ◊  Are rents going up or down?

          ◊  What’s the interest rate on your mortgage?

          ◊  How much is your down payment?  

          ◊  How much are the property taxes?

Pass this along to your buyers that are having trouble answering this question for themselves!  

It’s title is “Ignore the Headlines” - D. Patrick Lewis (Scottsdale associate) wrote a blog post on ActiveRain about it - check it out…

Thanks D. Patrick for bringing it to our attention!

Did you see the article?  It was on the frontpage Tuesday morning.  Catherine Reagor quoted Mr. Jim Sexton. 

“We are still bumping along the bottom, but the Valley’s housing market is starting to gain some traction,” said Jim Sexton, president of Phoenix-based real-estate firm John Hall & Associates. “Sellers are getting more motivated. Prices are coming down, and there’s a lot of activity from first-time home buyers again.”

Did you see this article in the Scottsdale Tribune on Sunday about the Scottsdale real estate market?  It’s the one that Dru Bloomfield is quoted talking about her local market statistics.  You can almost make out the web address on her sign rider!

Well done Dru, congratulations on the recent press!