S.E.C. Real Estate Observer

Welcome to the fall issue of the S.E.C. Observer. President Bill Stonaker poses many questions that he would like to ask you to ask yourself in an attempt to understand “where we are going from here”, and Michael Soon Lee’s excellent article debunks ten myths about multi-cultural clients.
Wes Dingler, our newest Counselor, shares the lessons [...]

Welcome to the summer issue of the S.E.C. Real Estate Observer. Bill Stonaker, S.E.C. President, wonders if there might be trouble brewing for the real estate industry. It is fascinating to read and compare Bill’s article to the History files article written in August 1973 by Cliff Weaver, “Is Real Estate in Turmoil?” President Stonaker [...]

Welcome to the spring issue of the S.E.C. Real Estate Observer. Bill Stonaker, S.E.C. President, invites you to consider the value of relationships and “touching” the properties and people in your work and life; and you can learn more about Bill by reading “Let’s Make a Deal”;” Phil Corso wants you to consider his formula [...]

As we look ahead to a brand new year, this issue reminds us how important it is to reflect on the past. The history of the Society, and the present day S.E.C. Education Foundation are briefly but beautifully recapped; formulas, questions, and techniques that are as relevant today as they were many years ago are [...]

We should call this issue “the more things change, the more they stay the same.” The S.E.C. President, Steve England, extols on the changes taking place within our marketing sessions as a reflection of the national market; we have an article that enlightens us as to the pitfalls of representing ourselves as owners; and Yvonne [...]

The one word that I would use to describe this issue is “Explore.” The dictionary defines explore as: to travel into or wander through; for the purpose of discovery. In this issue,w e wander into the mindset of investing in small markets, we travel to the future and explore what it takes to plan for [...]

This issue of the S.E.C. Observer is truly an “S.E.C.” issue. Creativity, Cooperation, Collaboration, and Counseling are the cornerstones of the S.E.C. organization and this issue brings together all of these important elements.
I believe this issue will help you understyand yourself, your client, the real market that we live and work within; and will enlighten [...]

The Las Vegas issue of the Observer will provide you with several challenges. For example, can you add value to value, should you consider short-term loans as part of your portfolio, and does the “Velvet Hammer” still work today in today’s real estate market? All this information is important to your real estate life.
Would you [...]

This issue balances the warm colors of fall with the cold realities of winter. As the seasons change, they bring changes to our lives: many expected and some unexpected. We refer to those expected or unexpected changes as challenges. With each challenge comes an opportunity.
As we conclude 2005, we should all be looking forward to [...]

An S.E.C. Biography
James A. (”Jim”) Smalley was born and raised on a 900-acre farm outside of Mount Auburn, Iowa, about 20 miles southeast of Waterloo, on April 26, 1930. He lived there with his parents and younger brother. The family raised hogs, cattle, and sheep until his father died unexpectedly when Jim was 15. At [...]