Bill:

From what I have seen, in many areas there is a definite reduction in our numbers. Here in PA we had many get out at the end of the year when Realtor dues were "due" and we have seen a large exodus since our license renweal at the end of May.

In "average" markets the Realtors are bleeding. $60 or more to fill up a tank to show homes to fewer buyers, and not sure if they do write a deal that it will make it to the settlement table due to appraisal or underwrting issues.

It used to be that as the economy tightened and people were downsized they entered real estate. That is not the case now.  Many agents would jump at the opprtunity for a "real" job in the current environment.

It is my opinion that the government is missing a HUGE amount of "unemployed" numbers as many jobs have gone to be "contract" or 1099'd jobs. These individuals, to the best of my knowledge can't collect "unemployement". Loan officers have bailed out only to UE and retraining in many states.

There are many real estate agents not paying their bills, and looking with a wary eye towards winter and the probability of not being able to heat and eat.

As a group, I think that the Realtor Assoc.'s should be looking for ways to help OUR own, stay in the business and survive.  The consumer still wants lower fees, yet our overhead is skyrocketing.

If you really want to see the impact look at the grocery prices now in Hawaii---$5.00 for a loaf of bread, $6.50 for a gallon of milk, $8.00 for a box of cereal.  I am not saying not to be "bullish" on the business, and tell everyone it is "unbeleiveable", but I think it is time that as an industry, we recognize and admit that many of our colleagues are broke.  

We need "change" and we need to help our own. We need States to recognize the problem.  We need Washington to wake up and "fix" the problems.  I've weathered the markets since 1986 and realize this is a market like no other.

At least in the 80's we had high interest rates, and we knew that people would buy more as the rated dropped. I remember the "euphoria" when rates dropped below 10% to 9.99!  But now, how do we expect the market to pick up? Raise the rates? Tighten the credit requirements?

I still know we can make a living in the business, but the Gov't needs to help get the market to move---and soon.

As always, in my humble opinion.

Where are they now?  Broker Bill, (I still like that name) Some are wondering what happened, when will this recession come to an end and what can we do to prevent it from happening again, if anything?  Some are looking for other jobs outside and within the industry such as providing BPOs (Broker Price Opinion) or CMAs for lenders.  Some are waiting out this recession, some don't know what to do, get out or stay put.

As for me, I am going to wait it out, I'm not going anywhere.  

I do agree with John in his humble opinion.

Bill, I have an offer on the table and the real estate agent doesn't answer his phone or his service.  Fax doesn't work.  This is a short sale offer and I think this agent took on too many short sale listings, not realizing how much time they would take and the money to manage them as well.  

I'm reaching out to the Board tomorrow to have them check it and give me the go ahead to move forward with the Bank.  Of all the things!

Granted, real estate agents are dropping out like flies but even when they have listings?!!!

Bill,  I heard that in some parts of the country there are more Bald Eagles, Wolves and the like,  than there are Real Estate Agents.

Maybe soon we will see them listed on the Endangered Species List.

I am sure many of them feel they are on the Threatened List.

On the bright side maybe the press will take them off of the Open Season List.

NAR predicted a drop in Realtors., or was it the NRA?

One other thing about this scenario is maybe the Habitat will come back?  Happy Hunting!

Hey Bill, here's the update.  The agent is alive but swamped (too many listings).  He said he faxed me the info about code violations and I told him I never received it.  (Direct line fax) so I told him to send his receipted copy to me so I could review it!  You know what his answer was ..... got caught with his hand in the cookie jar!!!

Next thing, there are code violations but I can't get them.  I asked who he tried.  Well, the attorney tried but nobody is calling back from the City.  I told him that they wouldn't because (a) most of the City of Chicago workers are on vacation; (b) if the message is too long they skip right over it; (c) or the information was enough.  So I told him that I could place the call for him and get the list.  He was dumbfounded - but I told him, I get the deal.  I told him to call the bank, let them know and tell me what they decide.  

Guess who got her deal done?!!!!  I went to bed thinking about the shortest of professional Realtors to the struggling ones who haven't been guided to the ones who are dropping like flies and/or disappearing.  Not the thing to do yet it is easier to stand out in this crowd, don't you think?