S.E.C. Real Estate Observer

It is my right to be uncommon—if I can. I seek opportunity—not security. I do not wish to be a kept citizen, humbled and dulled by having the state look after me. I want to take the calculated risk; to dream and to build, to fail and to succeed. I refuse to barter incentive for a dole. I prefer the challenges of life to the guaranteed existence, the thrill of fulfillment to the stale calm of utopia.

For many, many (perhaps too many) months, we watched the presidential campaign unfold into an election that will secure its place in the history books. In perspective, my appointment as President of the Society of Exchange Counselors seems totally unremarkable. However, this year we will be swimming in uncharted waters. The economic climate and multifaceted challenges that our industry will face during this year of unrest may elude even the savviest of financial forecast analysts. Any great explorer will tell us that the unmarked territory has the greatest potential to harvest tremendous yields.

I have just begun reading Tom Brokaw’s best-selling book The Greatest Generation. To quote from the inside jacket of the book, “Brokaw brings to life the inspiring stories of men and women who gave new meaning to the ideals of character and strong values. From military heroes to community leaders to ordinary citizens, he profiles people who served their country with valor, then came home and transformed it.” [...]

Normally, during the summer months of a presidential election year, the ongoing top news story is about the candidates and the upcoming party conventions. This year, however, there is one ongoing news story that is topping the charts above politics: the price of oil and its effect on all products made from oil. [...]

What an honor it is to serve the Society of Exchange Counselors as president for 2008. Founded almost fifty years ago, the organization is still thriving, growing, and creatively marketing real estate in all fifty states, Canada, and other places in the world. Our founders would be pleased that the vision they had did not die but flourished into the leading real estate marketing organization in the country. When I look back on all the individuals who have served and led this organization, I am humbled to be asked to serve [...]

Every good thing must come to an end, and my term as President of the Society of Exchange Counselors is no exception. So, I write my last President’s Message with both relief and, to some extent, a feeling of loss. [...]

“If you don’t know where you are going, you are certain to end up someplace else.”
- Phil Corso, a famous S.E.C. President
“If you don’t reinvent yourself every 3-4 years, someone else will.”
- anonymous business school professor
The S.E.C. is not a political group. Obviously, our members have political views and some of our members are very [...]

No matter which political party each of us favors, it is important that we know what changes might happen that could affect our and our clients’ financial positions. In my opinion, it is time to watch what our representatives in Washington may be about to do to our industry.
For instance, John Edwards has made no [...]

I have been to many self-help and time-management seminars over the years. Some are useful and some less so. One concept that sticks out in my mind was told to us by a former upper- middle manager who stated that he had so much paperwork hit his desk that he was completely overwhelmed. He advocated [...]

I believe that every President of the S.E.C. has been asked, “What is the Society of Exchange Counselors?” “What makes S.E.C. different from other marketing groups?” “Why is the S.E.C. still around after almost 50 years when so many of the other marketing groups have disappeared?”
In preparation to write this column, my first thought was [...]