S.E.C. Real Estate Observer

Do you search the nation and the world for your next “opportunity?” Do you surf the net for investment properties, attend marketing meetings, or visit new markets looking for investment or development challenges to take on?
Sure, we all do those things occasionally…some of us more than others. But, methinks we sometimes lose sight of the [...]

Welcome to the Autumn 2003 issue of the S.E.C. Real Estate Observer.
Autumn is a time of transition…where summer gives way to fall in preparation for winter. It’s the natural cycle of life and reflects the ever-changing reality of the world we live in.
The Observer also transitions this year. Virgil Opfer, the 2003 editor of the [...]

It’s been said “Life is not a rehearsal, we only get to do this once.” Ain’t that the truth!!!
So, what are you doing each and everyday to “live life’s challenges”?
How are you spending your time? Are you dedicating a portion of each and every day to creative thinking? Are you approaching each challenge you face [...]

How many of us throughout our real estate careers spend enormous amounts of time searching for new clients? Our hunt for transaction income (aka commissions) takes us to all four corners of the planet earth. We spend time cold calling owners, seeking referrals from satisfied clients, networking in our communities, and generally working every angle [...]

“The wisdom of the ages tells us that learning is a lifelong adventure; that we learn best when we learn from each other; that effective learning only takes place when the mind is open to creative thought; that intellectual curiosity is the best motivation for learning and that Powerful Ideas are the net result of [...]

So, you have this great parcel of land you just listed. It is the best site in the marketplace. The seller told you that zoning and all entitlements are in place; all right-of-way has been fully dedicated; a clean title report, current survey, soils report and environmental report are all available, the parcel is free [...]

The journey begins with a 1974 article entitled “Teach to Learn,” by Bob Steele, S.E.C., one of the founders of the S.E.C. Observer and perhaps one of the Society’s most respected teachers and authors, who wrote these words:
“It seems that the modern commercial and investment broker is on an endless educational cycle… In addition to [...]

The real estate development game has not really changed much over the years. It is still about creating an economically viable project that the marketplace needs, that tenants and consumers will want and that a community will accept. However, there are constantly changing rules to play by if we want our projects to be built [...]

Herb Drinkwater, an old friend and the former mayor of my hometown Scottsdale, taught me something about the power of words. Herb never saw a problem to solve…he only saw challenges to overcome.
We in the Society of Exchange Counselors like to see ourselves as problem solvers…we adhere to a philosophy that says that “Real Estate [...]

Welcome to the autumn issue of the S.E.C. Real Estate Observer…the e-publication of the Society of Exchange Counselors.
The Society is the nation’s premier creative real estate organization. Our illustrious history spans 42 years of leadership in the real estate industry. We subscribe to a fundamental philosophy that “Real Estate is a People Business”, that through [...]