REBAC To Sponsor Exciting Sessions At NAR Convention

As I have written about over the course of the past year, meeting the challenges of today’s market requires mapping out a solid plan for success— spotting opportunities, avoiding setbacks, and laying a foundation that builds a business for life. I have challenged you to think about your business practices, review what you are doing, and try different approaches. I also have posed many questions to get your creative and business mind thinking. But, as one reader told me, I have not always offered solutions or answers to these questions. It is time that I try.

THE ANSWERS ARE HERE

Every year, the Real Estate Buyer’s Agent Council (REBAC) sponsors a full day of sessions at the Annual Conference and Expo of the National Association of Realtors®. This year is no exception, and on November 7, 2008 you will have the opportunity to learn from three phenomenal speakers who will fill your mind with information that should increase your business, broaden your horizons, and leave you energized and excited about working with buyer-clients.

Additionally, attending NAR’s Annual Conference and Expo gives you the opportunity to choose from nearly 200 more sessions devoted to providing you with solutions and ideas for success as a real estate professional. The annual conference also allows you to preview and test drive technology tools created specifically for our industry and for you to stay ahead of your competition. What excites me most about NAR’s Annual Conference and Expo is that over the course of four days, there are opportunities to interact and network with 25,000 other real estate professionals, all looking to increase their referral network.

REBAC-SPONSORED SESSIONS

The first session that REBAC is sponsoring focuses solely on International Buyers. This session, led by David Wyant, ABR®—an international executive and real estate practitioner based in the Daytona Beach area of Florida — will provide key insights on building your business with international buyers. With the changing value of the U.S. dollar, international buyers are actively purchasing U.S. real estate. And these opportunities may be closer than you think—in fact, international buyers may be right outside your back door.

The key is knowing how to connect with them and how to work with them. David will spend two hours helping you determine how best to gain and represent clients in what is probably one of the most important areas of opportunity for today’s buyer’s representatives.

FREDDIE MAC ON “FRAUD”

I am very excited about the second session which will take place on November 7 at 11am. REBAC is working with Freddie Mac to create a session focusing on mortgage fraud that you absolutely shouldn’t miss. According to the FBI, mortgage fraud is pervasive and growing. It typically involves the collusion of “industry insiders” and can run the gamut from one or two accomplices to dozens of participants.

Come hear Jenny Brawley, a fraud investigator for Freddie Mac, discuss current schemes and red flags that might help you identify questionable activity and prevent you from being an unwitting participant to one of these arrangements. Learn how to ask the right questions and contact appropriate authorities if you suspect some aspect of a transaction is not legitimate. This is the first time that REBAC and Freddie Mac have worked together to educate real estate professionals, and specifically those that work with buyer clients, and I could think of no better time for this session.

Our final session should leave you feeling energized and ready to take on the world as Zan Monroe, ABR®, leads a session entitled “Building a Business for Life.” Zan is an inspirational and entertaining speaker who will keep you laughing while sharing business-building tips from the most successful agents in the country. Zan will guide you on a journey to build a real estate business for the rest of your life by basing your decisions on the latest research and best practices available today.

He will examine and share current successful real estate business tips for getting and staying focused. At the end of this session, you’ll be ready to tackle your business challenges with fresh ideas and renewed enthusiasm!

AWARDS RECEPTION

The last event of this very full day is REBAC’s very own Networking & Awards Reception, which takes place from 6:15–8:15 in the evening. Over cocktails and appetizers, you have the opportunity to socialize and network in an informal environment with REBAC members and others interested in buyer representation. Additionally, we will induct the newest members of the Hall of Fame and celebrate their successes. I promise to be at this fabulous event and will make you a deal —if you introduce yourself to me and mention this Column, I will buy you a drink! I hope that you will choose to attend NAR’s Annual Conference and Expo and the REBAC Day events. After being a part of this conference you will leave Orlando with new tools and greater knowledge that will further your success as a real estate professional.

You will also leave with new friends and contacts to help your referral business and network. I look forward to seeing you in Orlando this November. To register for the National Association of Realtors® Annual Conference and Expo visit www.realtor.org/convention. If you are a REBAC member, be sure to indicate that on your registration form. See you in Orlando!