Urban Life

Out of Box Thinking... Is it the Right Thinking

There is a good blog on Wall Street Journal Online today about "Brainstorming"  It asks the question... Is out of the box thinking productive and how can we be better idea makers?

The fundamental issue when brainstorming new ideas is asking productive and targeted questions. For example, one might ask a question like... "What can I do to make money during this down market?" This question, in my opinion is a poor one. It solicits too broad a range of answers, many of which will not provide a directed outcome.  A better question could be..."How can I add value to the services I provide that will result in more business and dedicated clients?"  If you reread the questions and think about answers you will see how the right question will give you results that take you where you want to go.

As the Urban Team works through this interesting real estate market, we are reminded to keep our brainstorming session targeting on results that positively impact our clients resulting in a broadening of our business based on affirmative results.

Gene Urban
The Urban Team
Realty Executives

Urban Garden Deco

Urban Garden Deco is a must visit blog for the urban dweller. Very cool posts on a variety of items for the Urban Gardener. I especially like some of the Viteo outdoor speakers. Take a look yourself and let me know what you think... especially those who are members of Ignite Phoenix as there are a number of design ideas. Have fun...

Gene Urban
www.urbanteamaz.com

REAL ESTATE MYTH'S EXAMINED

We love charts and graphs at the Urban Team.  We find graphical information based on hard facts more palpable than media hype and often more hopeful.

The chart you are looking at shows home sales in Maricopa county since 2001. The grouping of bars is for each month of the year and the different colored bars shows the specific year with 2001 being on the far left of each cluster and 2007 on the far right. Click on the image to see a larger view.

This graph provides much useful information that may not match what you hear in the general media.  Note the very unusual activity in 2004 & 2005. Off the chart high sales. Is there any wonder why sales and prices have dropped since then? This should have been the expectation of economic analysts and reporters, yet they reported the decline as if it were something surprising and unexpected. 

MYTH: The Decline in Real Estate Values is Surprising. FACT: Any reasonable person would have expected a decline in both activity and home values after the 2004-2005 frenzy.

MYTH: 2007 will prove to be a horrible year in real estate in the Phoenix, AZ market. Fact: Look at the data. You will see that sales totals for the first 6 months of the year were rather normal relative to typical sales years excluding 2004 & 2005. According to Marleen Olsen, a designated broker with Realty Executives International, 2007 home sales in Maricopa Country will prove to be the 4th best in the history of real estate in Arizona.

We will expound on MYTH verse FACT reporting in other posts. In the mean time, hold your head up high and be proud to be a homeowner in a strong market like ours.

Gene Urban
The Urban Team at Realty Executives

Thanksgiving Thanks

Each year we like to acknowledge, sing praises and generally give a ripping “Thanks a Million” to our great friends and clients. Since we work by referral, where would we be if our enthusiastic clients didn’t step up and tell their friends our story and urge those people to talk with us? Thankfully, we do not have to ponder that frightening scenario as we have you. Below is our tribute to those who have passed on the Urban Team legend this past year.
                                                                     ♣ ♦ ♥ ♠
Thanks Bill F. for introducing us to brother Rob, Cousin Vince and Mom… not to mention your great restaurant, Tapino Wine Bar. Our magical friend Shawn got married this year. He and Denise had an extra house they asked us to help sell. It was our honor! Bob & Melinda... WOW… the new PV home came out great and we will find a buyer for the home in N. Central. Real Estate Broker Scott referred us to his friends Noel and Kat who wanted to sell their beautiful home in Moon Valley. It is such a compliment to have another agent turn over a client to us because of our reputation for getting the job done. Mike and Nancy, we were sorry to hear you had such a bad experience with your fi rst agent and we’re delighted you choose us to move forward in the sale of your home… glad to hear you’re having fun with the new place in chilly Maine. Judy Giel, the lender we trust/love/respect, had a baby this year. YEAH! She also referred us to Lisa L and boy did we have fun finding her condo. What a sweet place. Kevin & Dannette keep telling their pals about us including their friend Allison. It took a while to find just the right place and a nice place it is. We’ve known the Gilmore family for so long they feel like family. They have trusted us to handle many transactions and we are grateful for another one this year. Agent, author and friend Hilda V. introduced us to Nan L. and asked us to help her buy a second home in the area. After beating up (figuratively speaking) a few agents, Ron got her a fine place at a great price… Ron’s favorite thing to do. Cindy B., thanks for trusting us to sell your place in Tramonto… hope your Executive Placement business is going great… with you at the helm we have no doubts. Juan & Coral… you make being in the business fun… we look forward to finding you a great new home. Miguel and Kara, well miss those cold beers on the back patio when we find a buyer for your home. We spent time with Kelly W.’s parents this past year looking for a second home… now we know why Kelly is so entertaining. We are excited, Amy’s buddy Bernie from Toronto wants a second home in Scottsdale and has asked us to find it for him… Toronto is beautiful but Scottsdale is warm. Doug & Heather, thanks for reminding Josh & Maggie that we’d take good care of them… we will. Rex & Kay… our gratitude for introducing us to Bob & Nan… they are wonderful except now we know how REALLY out-of-shape we are. You’ve seen the names Joe & Kim in past notes of praise… once again we get to say thank you. Christopher, Pam & Max, we will miss you more than simple words can say. We wish you much fortune and love in Bend, OR. We want to say grazi, merci, danke, and gracias to so many friends and clients who turned to us with other real estate needs this past year. Brett, Joe A., Cris C., Arrin & Todd, Eric & Patty, Dave & Amanda O., Mike, Jim, Herb & Pauline, Lynne, Aaron, Michael H., Pat & Kathy, Julia, Carl, Carol. Boy we hope we didn’t miss anyone… that’s the scariest part of writing this Thanksgiving note each year. Lastly we want to thank, praise and commend our wives Amy & Ruth plus our family members, Mom, Steve, & Gayle… we are made better each day for you being in our lives.

Best wishes to you and yours during this time of Thanks,

Ron Urban  & Gene Urban

The Urban Team at Realty Executives

Speaking for Old Republic Home Protection

Many of you know I do some motivational speaking where magic is incorporated with my talk.  This is the other side of my life somewhat away from real estate.

Today I spoke/performed at a regional management meeting for Old Republic Home Protection. The topic was communication and miracles. A strange combination you think? The fundamental conversation suggests we can be more sensitive communicators and in the process be the initiators of miracles.

As I was wrapping up my talk and giving words of encouragement for the upcoming year I was interrupted by a young woman who happens to be among the top producers for the company. She said something grand... her success and the company's strength lay in the fact that they simply work harder with more passion than anyone else in the industry. The miracles she and others create happen because they know hard work, consistent attention to detail and a real love for the work and clients results in success.  If you had been there you would have heard the depth of vigor in her voice... this wasn't just a statement, it was a way of life deeply felt and fully acted upon. No real magic to understanding why she is a company standout.

Just wanted to share these thoughts with you tonight as we head into the weekend.

Gene Urban
The Urban Team
Realty Executives.

P.S. We have a great new listing for those looking for investment properties. Call or email me for details.

A 40 MPG HUMMER?

I was just reading the November edition of Fast Company Magazine.  There is an article by Clive Thompson that excited and ticked me off at the same time... Motorhead Messiah .

In a nutshell there is a car enthusiast out there who has engineered a Hummer H3 to get 40 MPG and can convert most midsize cars to get over 100 MPG.  Now that's exciting.

The genius behind the technology is Johnathan Goodwin, age 37. Word has it he doesn't have an engineering degree from Cornell or MIT, in fact he didn't complete high school. Add to that, he performs his conversions using almost all stock parts from the manufacturer.

How can some gear head do what the car makers say can't be done? That ticks me off.  For years the Big 3 auto makers have fought higher mileage requirements saying it would devastate the auto industry.  Here is a little except from a recent UAW member warning...

I also strongly urge you to oppose the more extreme measure introduced by Rep. Markey (H.R. 1506). This proposal is not economically feasible for the auto companies, and would threaten the jobs and benefits of active and retired workers in the auto industry. By mandating a 35-mpg standard for the combined passenger car and light truck fleets by 2018, the Markey bill would force GM, Ford and Chrysler to curtail production of pickup trucks, SUVs and minivans, resulting in more plant closings and jobs loss. click here to read the entire article.

When are American automakers going to get off the dime, wake up to the 21st Century and embrace the delight and pride of engineering revolutionary vehicles instead of fighting for mediocrity.

Gene Urban
The Urban Team

By the way... I hope you subscribe to Fast Company Magazine. It is by far the best publication out there with inspiring articles.

The New Urban Team Web Site is Up and Fun

You probably have wondered why there have been no new posts for a couple of days... a crisis of sorts for our hard core readers. It's been for a good cause.

We've been hard at work putting the finishing touches on our updated web site and as our niece would say... it's sick. That's actually means it very cool or good. We have lots of new content and music on several of the pages by our good friend Mark Mulligan.

We are excited and want your feedback. You can post comments at the end of this post to let us know what you think or email us. We would truly appreciate your feedback.

Gene Urban & Ron Urban
www.UrbanTeamAZ.com