S.E.C. Real Estate Observer

Welcome to the spring 2012 issue of the S.E.C. Observer. In this issue, Leo Goseland, S.E.C., 2012 President of the Society, asks where “commercial real estate is today” and explains why investors need expert advice now more than ever. Stephen D. Barker, S.E.C., CCIM, compares the Society to examples Malcolm Gladwell featured in his book, […]

A very good question that, for the last few years, has been asked and answered in varying terms and from “knowledgeable” sources, most of which are deemed “reliable.”

Everyone thinks Bill Gates popped together a hair dryer and a couple of old telephones in his garage one afternoon to build a computer. Far from it. Bill was obsessed as a boy by the computer. He snuck into the University of Washington computer labs and stayed late while still in grade and high school.

An interesting article in the April 14 issue of The Economist was entitled “The Question of Extractive Elites.” The article referred to a new book, Why Nations Fail: The Origins of Power, Prosperity and Poverty by Darin Acemoglu and Hanes Robinson, two economists that write quite a bit about what is going on in the USA and the world right now.

When moderating new attendees at our national marketing sessions and teaching classes, I see client financial details listed as “unknown” by a huge amount of our attendees. I remember when I regularly failed to ask for this also.

During the era of plentiful money and easy credit, many brokers and brokerage companies walked away from creative real estate marketing because it was not thought to be needed. Cash to the loan became the rule of the day. With that philosophy, many local real estate marketing groups have either dissolved or fallen on very hard times. However, in “tough” times, I have found creativity in marketing real estate to be most beneficial, especially in the local markets.

I was honored to be asked to be the head moderator for the Wichita, KS CCIM Chapter marketing meeting on April 18. It is always a pleasure to go to Wichita anyway, but when Rod Stewart asks you to do something, it is just hard to say no. When President Leo Goseland called to make certain that I knew he was also a part of this request, it was over. There was just no way to turn those two down. So, several Texans put together a road trip and off we went.

The S.E.C. National Invitational Marketing Session will be held at the Westin Columbus, 310 S. High Street, Columbus, OH, 43215. The special room rate for S.E.C. meeting attendees is $129 for a single or double.

Columbus, Ohio. June 3, 2012, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Approved for 4 hours CE Credit in North Carolina. Thursday, May 10, 2012, 8:30AM to 4:00PM. Charlotte, NC.