President's Letter
By Jim Lambrecht, MiCAR President
Lambrecht Properties, Inc., Bingham Farms, MI

It has been a pleasure serving as your 2006 MiCAR President. The real estate industry has experienced some turbulence this year, yet we seem to be making our way through. If you can make it past the tough times, you have a chance of long-term survival in this industry that some days can be cutthroat.

I wish all the 1,200 plus MiCAR members the best as they make their way into 2007. Remember that with MiCAR and MAR, you always have champions fighting on your behalf in Lansing and D.C. to protect our profession. This industry will thrive into the future. I would also like to welcome the incoming 2007 MiCAR President, Ray Kisor.

Thank you, and best wishes for the Holiday Season and the New Year!

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Commercial Real Estate Index Rises Again in
Third Quarter

The Commercial Leading Indicator for Brokerage Activity,* a leading indicator for the commercial real estate market, has increased for six consecutive quarters showing that continued growth can be expected in commercial real estate sectors, according to the National Association of REALTORS®.

In the third quarter, the Commercial Leading Indicator for Brokerage Activity rose 0.4 percent to a reading of 120.1 from an index of 119.6 in the second quarter, and is 2.9 percent higher than the third quarter of 2005 when it stood at 116.7.

David Lereah, NAR’s chief economist, said the index is at the highest level in the series of the indicator, which goes back to 1990. “Although we have a strong up trend in the commercial sectors, the rise in the index over the last two quarters shows a lower rate of expansion in comparison with late 2005 and early 2006,” Lereah said. “This means that commercial sectors will continue to grow, but at a more modest pace.”

Phew! It's Over! State Election Results

Congratulations on surviving this year’s election cycle! What a long strange trip it has been, filled with a wide range of victories and disappointments. The large amount of open seats on the state and federal levels, paired with five proposals on November’s ballot, served up one of the most memorable (and expensive) election cycles in Michigan’s history. Given the attention on the national level regarding scandal within the Republican party, turn out was at an all time high, resulting in a change of power in the United States House and Senate. Elections, like any contest, create definite winners and losers. Below is a breakdown of who came out victorious, and what it means for the 2007 legislative year.

story continued...

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Business Etiquette for the Holidays

By Dinah Eng, REALTOR® Online Magazine

Holiday cheer comes once a year, but good impressions can last a lifetime.

This festive time of year offers no shortage of opportunities to network, celebrate with colleagues, and show your appreciation to clients with holiday cards and gifts. Yet with all of these cheery occasions comes the potential for etiquette mishaps. Here, manners experts and real estate pros answer some common questions and provide tips that will help you make a great impression this holiday season.

Sending Cards: Is E-mail Acceptable?

It seems everyone in the real estate business is connected to their computers. So it would certainly be convenient — and affordable — to send electronic holiday cards to clients and colleagues. But is that acceptable?

“E-mail cards are being done a lot,” says Beverly Langford, author of “The Etiquette Edge: The Unspoken Rules for Business Success” and a principal of LMA Communication in Atlanta. “But there are people who would think that’s the easy way out, so it depends on your audience. I wouldn’t send e-cards to everybody. But something is better than nothing, and sooner is better than later.”

Charles Price, a broker with Coldwell Banker Mountain West Real Estate in Salem, Ore., says it’s always better to do cards the old-fashioned way. People love getting mail during the holidays, and it will make your message more cherished. “Handwritten notes are like gold,” he says. “It’s one of the best things you can do. You need to stay in contact with people at every opportunity, and the holidays are a season where you can market yourself with cards and gifts.”

View the rest of the story here.

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MiCAR Monthly
December 2006

• President's Letter

• Commercial Real Estate Index Rises

• State Election Results

• Business Etiquette for the Holidays