Our staff has put considerable time and energy into improving the front window display with the goal of adding more listings to the window and having slots to rotate new listing at no cost as an addition to our listing services. 

Kudos to the staff for taking the initiative to research and find new ways to get more property listings into the front window while making it less cluttered looking.  The new system will add 16 custom designed, non-backlit property slots while maintaining 6 of the highly visible at night photo glow panels.  This will increase the overall listing display number from 14 to 22 and allow us to rotate new listings and keep the window fresh.

The transformation is scheduled for September 7^th.  We will discuss the new design and window rotation policy at our upcoming Fall Kickoff on September 21^st.

We will be holding our second Masters Edge sales training program beginning this fall. This outstanding ten week sales skill building program starts on Tuesday September 28^th at 9:00 and meets weekly. This is a program that you will want to take more than once. We have a number graduates that have expressed and interest in taking the program again and they will be able to do so at no additional cost.

Masters Edge is done in a workshop format featuring international speaker and master sales trainer Richard Robbins.  Richard shares technique, tips and concepts and lays out the lesson plans through DVD clips.  The material is then discussed and explored by the class which makes the content relevant to our office and our market. This is a program that will help you revolutionize your business if you choose to fully engage.

The investment for this training is only $399 and its worth that and much more.  See more details below and contact Paul to sign up.

Benefits of becoming a Masters Edge Certified Agent:

• Participation in the industry’s most comprehensive sales training and certification program available today.
• Access to the Masters Edge Ten Module, in-depth training series only available through a Masters Edge Certified Leader or Mentor
• The ability to transform your sales practice to a predictable, sustainable and highly profitable business.
• Once training is complete, you will have exclusive rights to publish the esteemed Masters Edge Certified emblem and designation on business cards, email and other media marketing.

You Will Receive:

• A complete Masters Edge Package including 12+1 audio CDs, 147 page workbook, Hot Lead Management System featuring 43 custom tabs and listing/buyer lead sheet samples
• Access to the interactive Masters Edge DVD (10 DVDs) Training Sessions with your Certified Leader, and featuring Richard Robbins
• A signed Masters Edge Certified Certificate
• Six months complimentary online access to www.mastersedgeonline.com featuring the complete Masters Edge program online plus hundreds of downloadable scripts, key business forms, scorecards and sample collateral.
• Complimentary access to Richard Robbins’ Web Rallies featuring timely topics and special guest authors and speakers
• Ongoing support and customer service by email/phone or fax.

On January 1^st, 2010 The City of Cambridge will be one of two Cities (the other is Newton) to adopt stretch code that will have considerable impact on new construction and major building rehabs.  This is a major change and will require Hers Raters to determine if construction meets the new regulation standards.  You need to know about this.

It is essential that you learn about the new stretch codes and how they will be enforced.  On Thursday September 23^rd at 1:00 we will have a special training program to bring you up to speed.  We have partnered with Total Green Energy Solutions to teach us about the new code, how Hers Rating works and The Energy Star Program.  Mark your calendar and don’t miss this one.  We also plan to do public seminars where you can invite your clients and those interested in developing real estate in Cambridge and position yourself as a green expert.  Learn the details

Tuesday Sept. 7th                             Blog-U Boot Camp #2                    10:00 to 11:00                   In this session we will help you plan your blog and the basic categories you will use to get started.  In addition we will give you ideas on selecting your unique URL and discuss the importance of social media connections.

Wednesday Sept. 8th             New RE/MAX & You                       10:00 to 12:00                                                 To Team or Not to Team                1:00 to 3:00

RE/MAX of New England is hosting a full day program in two separate sessions.  The morning is all about RE/MAX and how to use the power of the brand to build credibility with clients and win listings using tools like National Advertising, Regional Alliances and personal promotion. You will also learn about the new RE/MAX University online, the Roku player and much more.  This is a great opportunity to get to connect with our outstanding Regional team.  Pre-register and they will provide lunch as well – go to Max Ave to sign up.

The afternoon session will provide an interactive team panel discussion featuring three Top RE/MAX team leaders from across the country. During this team panel, we will discuss: The pros of forming a team, Challenges faced when forming a team, and how to overcome them, Secrets on how to build and develop your team for success. Both events will be held at: Doubletree Hotel, 5400 Computer Drive, Westborough, MA 01581- (508) 366-5511

Tuesday Sept. 14^th                            Blog-U Boot Camp #3                   10:00 to 11:00                            In this session we get into the nuts and bolts going into the backend where you post to your blog.  We will break down the components and explain how they all work so that you will be able to get into your new blog and start building your online business center and persona.

Tuesday Sept. 21^st                   FALL KICKOFF  MEETING                       10:30 to 1:30                           We will Kick Off the last quarter of the year with a very special meeting.  Gentle Giant is sponsoring lunch at the Middle East Restaurant and we will have two guest speakers, Larry O’Tool the owner and inspiration behind Gentle Giant and Ken McLaclan who will be flying in from Toronto to join us.  Ken is the Broker Owner of RE/MAX Hallmark in Toronto and my business coach.  

Thursday Sept. 23^rd                 Cambridge Stretch Zoning          1:00 to 2:00                                 On January 1^st, 2010 The City of Cambridge will be one of two Cities to adopt stretch zoning that will have considerable impact on new construction and major building rehabs.  This is a major change that will require Hers Raters to determine if construction meets the strict new regulation standards.  You need to know all about this.

Saturday Sept 25^th                   Race For The Cure                           8:15 AM

Get up and go for it!  Join me and your colleagues in this 3 mile run/ walk race for the cure.  The race starts by the Seaport Hotel.  Join Team Destiny or make a donation here.

Monday Sept. 27^th                            Blog-U Boot Camp #4                 10:00 to 11:00                                In our final class we will post to the blog in class and review ways to use your blog in building your e-marketing strategy.

Tuesday Sept. 28^th                            Master Edge Wk 1                           9:00 to 11:00                             Masters Edge is back by popular demand.  The fall and winter are a great time to dig into your practice and make those changes that will bring you to your next level.

Wednesday Sept. 29^th            Destin-e Marketing                             10:00 to 11:00                           Our email marketing system keeps getting better and better.  Join Carlos to learn about the system and how to take full advantage of what it can do to keep you connected with your clients and contacts.  After the workshop you can schedule a time to get set up and your database exported.

 SAVE THE DATE & PATICIPATE:

• RE/MAX Fall Rally on October Wednesday October 6^th in Providence RI
• Home Sweet Home to benefit CHAF Saturday October 16^th 7 PM

Every year for close to ten years we have held our Annual Strategic Summit around the third week in January.  A full day event can be challenging.  When we looked back at past annual stratigic summit events it was clear that we could divide the day nicely into two shorter and more focused events. As part of our overall goal to review and improve everything that we do it was decided that a change of plans would be for the better. Read the full story

 Starting this fall we will divide the Summit into two separate events, the Fall Kickoff in September and the Here’s To Success Celebration to be held in February.  These two events will be no more than three hours long. 

The Fall Kickoff will launch us into the final quarter of the year.  We will look at new programs and tools, launch new programs and make plans for next year.  By doing this we get ahead of the curve instead of trying to catch up when already well into the start of the year. After the event we will start our one on one business planning sessions so that there is more time to prepare for the upcoming year. At the Success Celebration we will look back at our progress in past year and pat each other on the back through awards and acknowledgements while having some fun. 

 This falls event will be a luncheon sponsored by Gentle Giant.  We have yet to decide if we will do a luncheon, an afternoon or evening event perhaps followed by bowling to cap off the celebration. The Kickoff is scheduled for September 21^st from 10:30 to 1:30. It is a very important meeting so save the date!

July Sales Drop As The Year to Date Remains Positive Compared To A Year Ago.

Cambridge Condo Trends Summary:
Condo inventory is up slightly by 7 listings, about 2.5%. The median list price has dropped by $50,000 from a year ago. Properties are remaining on the market 26 days less than a year ago yet still over 90 days on average.  Condos are going under agreement at close to the same rate with only 2 less than last July.  

Condo sales have dropped off by 35% for the month, however, show a 9% gain year to date. The average sold days on market is just over a couple of months and the median sale price raised slightly by $15,000. Pricing was strong with the original pricing to sale price within 3% and the average square foot price increased by $50.00 per square foot.

Somerville Condo Trends Summary:
Somerville condo market remains flat with inventory slightly up by 4 listings. . The median list price declined by $24,000 over the same period with days on the market just about the same at 3 months. The rate of condos going under agreement dropped by11%.

Condo Sales in Somerville declined by 57% which neutralized the previous month’s gain of 56% in June.  Overall the market is up by 27% year to date.  Days on market remain around 2 months with the median sales price rose by $70,200 over last year and the list price to sale price dropped 2% to 94% in July.  The average square foot rose slightly to $330 per square foot for an unchanged average 1,175 square foot condo.

Somerville Condo Trends Summary:
Somerville condo market is pretty flat with inventory exactly the same as it was midyear in 2009. The median list price decreased $6,000 over the same period with days on the market just about the same. The rate of condos going under agreement dropped sharply by nearly 45% in the month to date comparison and shows only a 16 unit increase, 7.6% at the midyear mark.

Condo sales were up 56% MTD over last June and 85.7% year to date. Marketing time dropped to less than two months and the original price to list price tightened to 98% giving sellers a better advantage. The median price dropped slightly as did the square foot average.

Cambridge Condo Trends Summary:
Condo inventory is up by 30 listings, about 10%. The median list price is only slightly lower and basically flat. Properties are going under agreement a full month faster than June of last year. Condos going under agreement dropped by over 16% last month due to the end of the first time buyers’ incentive. This slow down resulted in a nearly identical number of properties going U/A by midyear.

Condo sales overall have increased by over 29% YTD slowing by 16.45% when comparing the Month to Date (MTD) numbers. The median sales price increased by over 17% to $461,000 with the average unit size increasing with a drop of $12 per square foot.

Go to Destiny HQ.com to register for events

 Note:  No Office Meetings or Property Tours Scheduled in July – Wednesday Workshops moved to Tuesday for the summer

 Monday July 12^th  Collection Meeting    11–12:00                         

Participate in creating policy to establish our own version of this distinctive luxury marketing program. We will review sign ideas, discuss materials, initial draft of policy and make plans for a launch date.

Tuesday July 13^th                          Destiny HQ                                     10:00 to 11:00                          

Learn more about how our extranet can be used as your personal online business center.  This session reviews the features and functions of our system.  Destiny HQ combines access to your personal financials with online file storage, business links, agent website access and much more. 

Tuesday July 20^th                       Blogging-U                                     10:00 to 11:00                         

Blogging has become a cornerstone in marketing and reporting.  Blog-U is an ongoing program to help you get started or re-started as a blogger.  You will learn how a blog can help keep more of your marketing energy in play and add to online relationship building.  We will show how the same material can be used in different ways to help establish you as the expert in your chosen niche’.  Learn out our program and how it can help you get started in integrating blogging as you build your business.

Monday July 26^th                 Marketing & Social Media       11:00 – 12:00                           

Learn how to leverage more of what you do and define yourself as an expert online.  Social media is here to stay.  Develop a strategy that is easy yet effective to help develop online relationships and gain referrals.  Attendees will receive Social Media for Realtors: 101 Dos & Don’ts

Tuesday June 27^th                Agent Website Manager          10:00 to 11:00                         

Learn how easy it is to make changes to your agent website.  We will also review how the leads and contacts work and touch on drip email campaigns through our system.

Masters Edge to start September 21^st.  Let Paul or Helen know if you are interested or if you would like additional information.