By Melissa Dittmann Tracey, REALTOR Magazine

It's time to get those listings styled, staged and sold!

REALTOR Magazine launched its fourth blog this week that sets out to help you do exactly that. Styled, Staged & Sold will offer the latest design trends and ideas for getting your listings in showing-selling shape.

This week the blog will feature coverage from the 2009 International Builders' Show in Las Vegas, including design forecasts, new home product innovations, and inside looks at the home of the future.

The blog will also regularly feature expert bloggers on "green" trends, remodeling, staging, and design psychology. If you have something to say about home & design in real estate, be sure to check out the blog and find out how you can become a guest blogger.

Visit Styled, Staged & Sold >

Also, don't forget to visit REALTOR Magazine's other blogs, too: The Weekly Book Scan (real estate book reviews and author chats), YPN Lounge (sales & marketing ideas, technology news, business challenges from Young Professionals Network bloggers), and, of course,
Speaking of Real Estate (behind the headlines with the editors of REALTOR Magazine).

Posted on January 20 at 11:40 PM | Permanent Link | Add a Comment (0)

By Stacey Moncrieff, Editor in Chief, REALTOR® magazine

Our float made national TV—and won an award to boot! I watched most of the Tournament of Roses Parade yesterday on NBC. That’s when I learned that the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® float, “Celebrating the Dream of Homeownership for 100 Years,” was an award winner. We won the Isabella Coleman Trophy for best presentation of color and color harmony through floral use. NBC commentators Nancy O’Dell and Al Roker also mentioned the 10,000 volunteers who helped put on all those flowers. What a job!

I have to say the float was even more beautiful than I expected. This Associated Press story includes one photo of the NAR float—but the photo doesn’t do it justice.

Here, from the L.A. Times, is a list of all the Rose Parade award winners.

Congratulations, REALTORS®!

Posted on January 2 at 10:20 AM | Permanent Link | Add a Comment (11)

By Stacey Moncrieff, Editor in Chief, REALTOR Magazine

The Tournament of Roses Parade is just getting underway. Turn on NBC, and watch for the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS float around the middle of the pack.

Given the state of the economy, it may seem a little frivolous to be put a float in a parade--even the Rose Bowl parade. But I have to say, it's inspiring to see the Association capping off its Centennial year with such a joyous reminder of the value of homeownership. (Aside: The float has a "Swiss Family Robinson" theme. If you haven't seen that movie in a long time -- or ever -- I highly recommend it. It's good for more than a few belly laughs with the kids. )

Check out this Associated Press story on the parade with the NAR float as its centerpiece.

So why is this NAR's second visit to Pasadena? In another tough economic year for our country, 1932, former NAR President William May Garland served as the parade's Grand Marshal. Garland, who was the association's only two-term president (during World War I), had distinguished himself by bringing a highly successful Olympics to Los Angeles in 1931.

Enjoy the parade! And I wish you a wonderful 2009!

Posted on January 1 at 10:11 AM | Permanent Link | Add a Comment (1)

by Hilary Marsh, Managing Director, REALTOR.org

Grrr...misinformation is so hard to erase! The RE.net has been in an uproar all day after a FSBO site issued a news release filled with false info about REALTOR.com.

Move.com, which operates REALTOR.com on behalf of the National Association of Realtors, has demanded a retraction of the release, and NAR is doing everything we can to counteract this with the facts. I'd love it if everyone reading this blog helps us spread the truth by re-blogging, tweeting, etc.

Contrary to what the ForSaleByOwner.com news release says....

1) They are NOT in a partnership with REALTOR.com
2) The settlement between NAR and the DOJ did NOT force REALTOR.com to accept FSBO property listings
3) Properties from sellers not represented by Realtors will NOT appear on REALTOR.com
4) MLSs still get to decide which listings to distribute to REALTOR.com

As Michael Wurzer explained on the Flex MLS blog, "So, this is just another version of a limited service listing, not some revolution in policy regarding FSBOs."

Also, as Laurie Janik, NAR's general counsel, told VAR Buzz,

"Please reassure your members that there are no unlisted properties on Realtor.com.

"We still cannot figure out the basis for the outrageous claims being made by ForSaleByOwner.com in this press release. No relationship exists between that entity and Realtor.com. Listings displayed on Realtor.com continue to be provided by the MLSs, and contrary to the headline, there is NO “agent free access to Realtor.com.”

Read NAR's official news brief on REALTOR.org.

Posted on November 13 at 08:15 PM | Permanent Link | Add a Comment (19)

Two members of our staff have been nominated by the Active Rain real estate blog community as being among the top 100 most influential women in real estate for 2008. I am proud to count Stacey Moncrieff, REALTOR Magazine's editor-in-chief, and Pamela Geurds Kabati, our vice president and editorial director, as my colleagues. I agree that they are two of the most influential women in real estate, and I encourage all of you to vote for them. I'm also psyched that other NAR staff stars are on the list: Janet Branton, Senior Vice President, AE/Leadership, International & Specialties, and Laurie Janik, General Counsel.

Voting closes Friday, September 26.

Vote for Stacey and Pamela here and choose three other picks too. Any other suggestions?

Posted on September 24 at 07:36 AM | Permanent Link | Add a Comment (0)