So I have recently read an article about the term "Master Bedroom" disappearing from the real estate landscape. While I don't believe this trend has reached Ann Arbor or Metro Detroit, and I will be honest that I haven't really looked, I am curious as to how this will effect real estate agents.

There are some agents that are having trouble with the speed that is required in today's market. Will this just be another area that perspective clients see their agent as disconnected from the world. I understand why some speculate the shift away is due to gender and other negative connotations of the word "Master" but is it really necessary to change this?

I think I will leave that up to others more politically astute then myself. I however would like to start talking to my clients about something that is slightly more appealing to the ear and the imagination then Master anything. For instance Deluxe Suite, Owner's Suite or Tranquility Center, not sure on that last one, but we use turns of phrase all of the time in marketing. Why not be ahead of the curve in a fast paced real estate market?

So at Keller Williams we believe in what is called a seventh level open house. The long and short of a seventh level is we get a complete interaction of our sphere of influence by using social media outlets, signage, canvassing neighborhoods and word of mouth from those within our influence.

My last open house fell a bit short on that goal to have a well marketed and received showing of a property. I could use excuses about how it was not my listing or my time frame but really I could have accomplished this goal in any time frame had I been prepared to do an open house. I did not have any systems in place to easily handle the short notice and I could have gone into the property prior to the open house. I didn't so I did not have the results I desired like having people waiting to open the house on Sunday.

I have learned much from this and now I have systems in place to capitalize when I have the opportunity to open a house for a client or another agent. I have my marketing materials ready to go, which include door hangers as to not intrude into the neighbors day but still inform them about what is going on. I also have a template for the information to give perspective buyers and those folks that may not be in the market but just like to view homes in the area.

I hope that soon I will be able to take what I have learned and use it with far better success.

Just to catch up.

Wow I have neglected to post for far to long. Admittedly I have been focusing my energy on trying to let my neighbors in Scio Township know that the market has changed. I want them to know because the housing market is an indicator of the overall economy when people and business are comfortable creating jobs and increasing pay people are more comfortable to invest in real estate.

This means that house prices are on the rise so whether or not someone wants to sell they should know that they could and the could sell quickly. If they do not wish to sell then they should know that they may start having equity in their home again, and by doing simple maintenance projects they could see more from their investment in the future.

Speaking of investing in the future, I am still planning on riding in the Tour De Cure with the proceeds from housing sales that I help negotiate. I think that this healthy activity is investing in my future and that of my neighbors and fellow Michiganders, diabetes is far to common in our community. I will be using my mission first real estate tactics to help the American Diabetes Association to eradicate this disease in my lifetime.