posted June 25, 2008
Van Johnson, president of the Georgia Association of Realtors was the special guest at a recent meeting of the Northwest Georgia Council of Realtors. The regularly scheduled luncheon meetings represent a time for members of the Chattanooga Association of Realtors to hear from industry leaders, gain insight on business issues and network with other real estate professionals.
In opening his remarks, Mr. Johnson, a lifelong resident of DeKalb County, heaped praise on the region, calling the northwest counties home to one of the best kept secrets in the entire state. It is a secret that ups the livability of the community, something important to helping deflect the worst problems of a changing real estate market.
The softening market is what helped Mr. Johnson develop his theme for 2008: Exceeding Expectations: The WOW Factor. “All of us have had good and bad experiences with service providers,” he said. “Too often it’s the bad experiences remembered, but when someone exceeds expectations it leaves us saying, ‘WOW!’”
He relayed the importance of working to exceed the client’s expectations and share the value of a Realtor; something that will both build prosperity in business and life. “Every deal with a Realtor should be a WOW experience.”
Mr. Johnson also addressed consumer pessimism towards the real estate industry. Coupled to a hard hit economy with rising gas and food prices, Mr. Johnson described the average American succinctly: locked up from the neck up. “Today people are unwilling or afraid and won’t buy a fridge, much less a house,” explained Mr. Johnson.
Predicting that 2008 will go down as a year of opportunity for the smart buyer, Mr. Johnson pointed to the fundamentals of buyers market, which includes variety in housing stock, low interest rates and motivated sellers.
“Homes are not just ‘for sale,’ they’re ‘on sale.’ As Realtors, we need to tell the public why to buy now. Either be proactive or end up inactive. And the choice is up to you,” he said.
“Van is a valuable asset for Realtors,” said Denise Lindsey, president of the Northwest Georgia Council. “He is the WOW Factor and bringing us the kind of stuff we need to hear.”
“With great rates, affordable prices and abundant inventory this really is the right time, right market. And no one can deny that homeownership is the key to building personal wealth and preparing for the future,” said Ms. Lindsey. “People need to contact a Realtor and get the facts because we can’t predict how long this great opportunity will remain.”
The Northwest Georgia Council of the Chattanooga Association of Realtors unites those real estate professionals engaged in the dynamic Northwest Georgia market. Council members are a part of the Georgia Association of Realtors located in Atlanta and the National Association of Realtors in both Chicago and Washington, DC.
Consumers working with a Realtor can be confident in the level of professional service they are receiving, as only Realtors set themselves apart from others in the business as industry leaders who adhere to the strict Realtor Code of Ethics.
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