Every month like clock work we all get our local association membership invoice. I do not know how yours is broken down but mine includes local dues, MLS fees, IAR/NAR advocacy/image campaign contribution and RPAC contribution.

I pay mine each month and do not question where or how the money is being spent. That is until now. I just found a site that lists the largest contributors to the major parties. I am amazed at the number one contributor the Repubs and the Dems is me. Well actually you and me the RPAC has contributed to the major parties almost $4 million this year already. It is almost equal with 51% to the elephants and 49% to the donkeys.

It is no wonder we get the bad publicity on CBS and many other media providers. We consider ourselves indivdually to be part of the solution. I think if we take a step back we may find that we are part of the problem.

What do you think? Inquiring minds want to know.

How on earth does this kind of stuff happen? Justin and Colleen McKeen were walking through a house to see if they'd like to buy it, when they came across a feature that was a definite deal-breaker. The owner, dead in her bed. The reason we included this in TWIS is the coroner's report showed that 55-year-old Linda O'Leary had been dead for two to three weeks, which leads us to ask the obvious question: How in the hell did real estate agent (agents name removed) intend to show this house without walking through it first? Seriously. We know not every agent is Annette Bening in American Beauty, but this seems unbelievable. And didnt Galow ever talk with the owner? Did she think she was in Florida or something? Bizarre.

This was taken from Broker Agent News I think. I've had the flu and can not remember so I apologize if I am in err. As a listing agent do we not always give the homeowners a heads up so they can clear the counters, make the beds and tidy up. We are living in a just fax the contract society where we are all too busy to even present contracts for our clients. We wonder why we are stressed out, lonely, over weight. Let's get out from behind this computer screen and go and visit our clients. It will be healthy for us and possibly our clients too.

P.S. If we haven't had a showing in three weeks we should have been asking for a price reduction IMNSHO.

Once again I have to commend Point2 for forward thinking. The forums have been getting opinionated and  a soap box for many. This venue will give those who feel the need to bleed real estate a chance to sound off, blast one another, offer tips and broaden the online real estate community.

I look forward to many engaging and lively threads.

Randy Lyon Broker Associate, GRI, e-Pro, Kettley and Company

http://www.RandyLyon.com