---

From: Dodge, Ty

SINGING THE NEW MORTGAGE BLUES?

Last Friday, January 10, the Dodd-Frank QM/QRM rules went into effect for mortgage lenders, tightening the restrictions lenders impose on borrows and making the approval process more demanding than ever.  The good news is that those rules are old hat for HomeServices Lending.  While other lenders might find themselves struggling with the new requirements, HomeServices Lending has been operating under those requirements for some time.  We’re ahead of the pack, and intend to stay ahead!  Be sure to include HomeServices Lending in your plans to provide your customers and clients with an extraordinary real estate experience.

WOW!  KUDOS TO OUR ASSOCIATES!

In 2013, RealtySouth and First Realty agents sold a home every 3.5 hours of every business day!  Wow!  No other company in Alabama can come close to that!

WHERE BUYERS FIND THE HOME THEY BUY

A trend we’ve watched for years in NAR’s Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers is that of buyers moving to the Internet for real estate information.  Two lines of interest on the chart below are those that represent buyers’ use of agents and/or the Internet to find the home they ultimately buy.  You can see that the Internet has far surpassed agents as the place to find a home.

But, what does that really mean?  Yesterday I asked a group of our associates if that trend worried them.  Their answer was a confident, “No!!!”  So, I asked why.  Their answers came as no surprise:

·        How in the world could a buyer make sense of all the conflicting data on the Internet?  Have you done a Zestimate lately?  And was it even close?  How many homes have you seen “for sale” on the Internet that were already sold and closed?

·        Buyers need us now more than ever!

·        We’re no longer keepers of the information, we’re advisors who help consumers make intelligent and prudent buying and selling decisions.

·        Many buyers and sellers are making the most significant financial decisions of their lives, and they recognize the need for professional guidance.

Of course, I couldn’t have agreed with them more.  The job of real estate agent is in no way threatened by the Internet—it’s made more secure.

DECEMBER SHINING STARS 

As you know, our Shining Star Award recognizes and celebrates the achievements of RealtySouth, First Realty, and TitleSouth employees who exemplify our core values of Excellence in Customer Service, Teamwork and Partnership with Associates and Employees, Respect and Concern for Every Individual, and Integrity & Character.  Our December shining Stars were:

Betty Ammons —Receptionist-Corporate Office

Becky Bowman—Relocation

Terri Clarke—Administrator-Northern

Brenda Hamilton—Administrator-Orange Beach

Tammy Jennings—Administrator-I45

Sandy Johnson & Team—TitleSouth Closing-Shelby

Linda Melethil—Payroll

Diane Smith—Oneonta Administrator

Leslie Stewart—BDS Administrator - Shelby

Hunter Todd—Northern Administration

SAFETY

Remember, no job is so important that we cannot take time to perform our work safely. 

Ty Dodge

President & CEO

www.realtysouth.com

No job is so important

that we cannot take the time

to perform our work safely