Every month, the National Association of REALTORS(R) publishes the Pending Home Sales Index (PHSI) which is a compilation of the total number of signed real estate contracts awaiting closing, as well as the existing home sales report.

These reports are published and explained by Dr. Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist for NAR. Dr. Yun’s job is to extract data from the combined MLS systems across the country and explain to us simple folks what is going on in the housing market. Or is it?

Dr. Yun – Chief Spin-Master For National Association Of REALTORS(R)

The sad truth is that Dr. Yun does not report so much on what is happening in real estate, rather he reports on why what is happening in housing is just super! His positive outlook has never wavered, exclaiming “now is the time to buy!” during every market cycle. He certainly is the spin-master-in-chief for the National Association of Realtors.

In the August 2011 Pending Home Sales report, Dr. Yun wrote: “The market can easily move into a healthy expansion if mortgage underwriting standards return to normalcy,” he said. “We also need to be mindful that not all sales contracts are leading to closed existing-home sales. Other market frictions need to be addressed, such as assuring that proper comparables are used in appraisal valuations, and streamlining the short sales process.”

Of course, anybody who (has read a newspaper) or monitors the housing market will tell you that this is just a white wash over the real problem in the US housing markets. Sure, we can complain about tougher lending standards, contracts failing to close (like this has never happened before), appraisers being too tough on home valuations, and short sales taking forever to close. There is some truth in all of this.

Dr. Yun would best serve the public, and all of the members of NAR if he would report on the real issue that will plague the housing market for 10 more years. There will be no recovery in 2012 (or ‘13 or ‘14 for that matter) and the sooner he reports the truth, the sooner the US can work to get it fixed.

Joe Manausa MBA, CRS, CRS is a real estate broker in Tallahassee, Florida and writes a analytical real estate blog that reaches thousands of readers each day. You can read Joe’s critical article criticizing NAR and Lawrence Yun for avoiding the truth about the housing market.

It’s a big day You’ve made the decision It’s definitely not something you took lightly You’ve seen good news, read the newspapers, spoken with your friends They’ve all said the same thing- Don’t do it. Not necessarily now. Wait. However until when? Who’s that crystal ball? Who can tell you the particular ‘perfect time?’

You’ve heard each of the naysayers, but you realize this is right for you and your loved ones. Surprisingly, you’re a little bit thrilled, but still apprehensive. Yet that’s OK You’re prepared Take a deep breath Let’s say it together, slowly “I recycle for cash my home.” It thinks better doesn’t it? These days what?

It’s time to choose who you want to sell your house with. But, “They’re all the same right? An agent is an agent is an agent. I’ll call a friend of a buddy from church. They’ll market it.” NOT ANYMORE

Did you know that the average Realtor is almost Fifty five years old, but the average home buyer is only 34? Did you also realize that 750% of home buyers start their search for a new house on the internet. OK, it’s not quite that high, however it’s now into the middle 80% range and progressively climbing.

I know your following question. It matters because you need your Realtor to be able to advertise your home in the most effective way possible to reach this kind of new type of consumer. It was easy marketing real estate 5 years back. Buyers were rushing to real estate offices looking for homes. Becoming an agent was straightforward. But, gone are the days of the buyer calling a real estate agent and saying “Find me a house.” In this fresh market a consumer is doing most of their very own leg work, and then going to a Realtor and wondering to see 4 distinct homes. And from those homes the buyer makes a decision. Just about all they needed an agent for was to have them into the house and also negotiate a deal that works well for them. And if certainly not, they walked absent. No questions asked; something much better would come along

The real estate online game has changed dramatically before 10 years. In this brand-new real estate world the average buyer views Seven homes, down via 15 a few small years ago. It’s gone via being agent centric for you to now being buyer centric. That’s a good thing too. And because of that your agent has to do more than marketplace you home “on the particular MLS, with primary mail, and on the company website.” Have you been advised that before? Is that it? What else? Are they worth 6%?

When you choose an agent make sure they can get to this new type of buyer. Make sure they could market your home to those who are going to buy it Take this kind of away-Its 2012 and not 2004. My request for your requirements, don’t choose an agent because you know them. Customers are using technology; make certain your agent is aware of today’s technology.

Remember you would like to sell your home, not just list it.

Before you buy your vacation home, make sure you check out Wisconsin Waterfront homes for sale. If you want magnificent views look no further than Glacier Point on Castle Rock Lake. The views are amazing and the homes are high-end.

A number of my friends are real estate agents. They have been telling me that their sellers are very often in hurry to sell these days. They tell me homeowners frequently insist, “sell my home quickly” and they don’t have much patience with the marketing and sales process at all. The fact is that many homeowners are obligated to move, and that’s why they need to sell quickly.

I must say that a rushed attitude on the part of their sellers is challenging for listing agents all across the country in the present economy. And it’s true regardless of neighborhood or price range of the houses involved. It’s just as true all across the board. Obviously, since there are so many houses on the market now, a house has to be prepared to stand out in the crowded marketplace. To stand out from other homes on the market, I have an action plan when I need to sell my home quickly. My action plan keeps me on track to accomplish my goal.

For my plan of action I need an old-fashioned piece of paper to make a list of steps required to prepare a home for sale. My action plan usually includes a bit of cleaning and fixing up, which means it includes hiring help. In many cases that involves listing with a real estate agent. Also on the list are other items I need to accomplish once my home is ready to show. I schedule showings for my neighbors so they can see my house, and I conduct these showings on my own if my agent isn’t available. It’s my house and my schedule.

That’s how I work with my agent, no matter what he or she may also be doing to market my property. I also place classified ads in the newspaper and post online announcing the time and date of open houses. Regardless of whether my neighbors have any interest in buying my home they certainly have friends and relatives who might be interested. Don’t forget that everybody has a group of peers who might want to know about my home for sale. I always assume that other homeowners and tenants in my neighborhood know others who would be interested in moving into the area.

My decision to list with a real estate agent depends on how busy I am right now with my other properties. But one thing to know is that whenever I list with an agent I make sure that the form I sign leaves me the opportunity to sell my home myself. That option is not well-known, and I assure you that your agent will not mention it either. Because I am a real estate investor I often sell my house quickly myself and my agents know that.

Leo Kingston offers home owners a simple method which allows them to sell a home in Amarillo for cash. There are no agents or fees required for selling a house with Leo.