Ira & Carol Serkes, Berkeley (SF East Bay) CA USA

"What have I done to merit these comments? I've had the audacity to say that the real estate market might actually be better in 2009 than many people anticipate." Holy Mackerel.... no wonder so many people were upset..... they didn't read WHAT you said! You didn't say that 2009 would be a great year, you said that it might (not would) actually be better than many people anticipate! And though I hate to disagree with you.. I WON'T! I also think that 2009 will be better than many people anticipate. That's easy ... they anticipate a terrible year. Me? I think it will be good. We had a slow start to 2008 ourselves.. and then it turned out to be very good for us. But.. we have a secret weapon that few agents do. You see.. after extensive research and analysis (that's where my two engineering degrees come in handy).. and hours of number crunching.. I made an amazing discovery. 100% of the closings in the United States (and Canada too, I'll bet) involve a BUYER! So.. our secret? We have a thriving buyer practice in addition to a superb seller practice. And while most agents (and real estate companies) devote the majority of their efforts towards getting listing... we've allocated a large part of our business resources to identifying motivated & qualified buyers (you know.. the ones who just took a new job, or want to live in the same community as their partner, or those who are ready for a change) So... Carol & I have your back too... and our back is covered by Poudini and Baby T (short for Baby Terrorist) .. our 4 legged family members. Keep posting your great insights! Me... I'll just work on building our market share! Pollyana Serkes? Nah.. I'm from The Bronx where we learned "If you can't say something nice.. SAY IT!" Ira Serkes, Berkeley, CA USA PS I've been around long enough to learn that some people aren't happy unless they're not happy. Please continue raining on their parade.. it makes them feel better.

And when you click on the web site link.. this lovely message comes up "Welcome to MediaTise, coming soon." I just love competition like this! Ira Serkes Pacific Union Real Estate Berkeley CA http://www.berkeleyhomes.com http://www.berkeleyblogcast.com 510-526-6668

"The majority of all consumer buyer traffic will evolve from listings and the relevance of buyer's brokerage will dwindle away over time within the brokerage business."

Golly.. what 20th Century Thinking!

It's a pleasure to know that people still think like that ... and I encourage this message to be spread near and far.

I will make our extraordinary Buyer & Seller Brokerage business have bright future!

I just happened to run some numbers the other day:

Throughout the United States and Canada... in markets hot, cold and frigid.. one extraordinary correlation came out after extensive non-linear multivariable regression analysis.

100% of the closings involved a buyer!

And I recall that our income over the past 18 months was allocated as follows:

60% representing Buyers

30% representing Sellers

10% referrals of Sellers and Buyers to other agents.

And.. our average Buyer Commission was about 38% higher than our Listing Commission.

So.. We love buyers as well as sellers... and I encourage everyone to focus primarily getting listings.

Might mean that we'll have some more competition for listings.

Will mean that we'll have far less competition to buyers.

And being practitioners of the Zen Of Listings.. we've found the best way to get a listing is to.. represent the buyer when they purchased the home! Most times they simply call you (and only you) when it's time to sell.

Ira Serkes Berkeley CA USA North America Third Rock From The Sun

We specialize in helping nice folks sell and buy wonderful homes in Berkeley and nearby communities