Terri Morrison Comes to Raleigh
On the 24th of September the TICOR (Triad International Council of REALTORS) held their international day at the Raleigh Regional association of REALTORS. I was fortunate enough to be a menu item for the afternoon. Terri Morrison was the entre for the morning.
Her presentation was totally packed with cultural tidbits. As much as I would like to itemize the things I learned, they seem like trivia without their context. All I can do is recommend very highly the new edition of her book, “Kiss, Bow or Shake Hands”. I know you have probably already read the old version. You probably keep it as a reference in your home or office. As great as it is you need to get the new version not just for the changes in the book; but for the changes that have taken place in the different cultures.
Cultures are so dynamic. Think about the world where you grew up. Think about how your families’ and friend’s attitudes and behaviors have changed. Other cultures are morphing as well. This is especially noticeable in some of the emerging economies. Changes in these places take place overnight.
David Segrest is a REALTOR in Charlotte NC. His website is http://www.segrestrealty.com His email is david@segrestrealty.com
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Friday, September 26, 2008
Argentina
Argentina
I spent the 17th and 18th of September in a conference in Buenos Aires sponsored by the Camara Inmobiliaria Argentina. While there was a lot of great information, I will share some insights gained on the Economy here. The appearance of things on the street is very good. People are out spending money. The building cranes are hard at work. The city looks better every year. The official numbers tell a different story.
The price of Soy has been dropping. Soy is critical to Argentina. The US dollar has been dropping. Argentines do their big deals in dollars. The Argentines have been converting their money to dollars and taking the dollars out of circulation. This combined with the current tight lending situation is causing a liquidity crisis.
The government has tried to balance the entire economy on the back of the farmers. The farmers blocked all the roads and threatened to quit bringing food to the city. The government caved; but this hurts the liquidity situation even more. Add to this the ridiculous retirement regime and the bloated public sector and we have a recipe for another real economic crisis. Argentina has not been able to de-couple from the world economy. It seems as if we will all suffer together. At least they will suffer with the best steak and some of the best wine in the world. It’s hard to feel sorry for them.
Sorry to be so late in posting this. I have had a difficult schedule. I am in Brazil now and will do a series of items to post 1 per day.
David Segrest is a REALTOR in Charlotte NC. His website is http://www.segrestrealty.com His email is david@segrestrealty.com
I spent the 17th and 18th of September in a conference in Buenos Aires sponsored by the Camara Inmobiliaria Argentina. While there was a lot of great information, I will share some insights gained on the Economy here. The appearance of things on the street is very good. People are out spending money. The building cranes are hard at work. The city looks better every year. The official numbers tell a different story.
The price of Soy has been dropping. Soy is critical to Argentina. The US dollar has been dropping. Argentines do their big deals in dollars. The Argentines have been converting their money to dollars and taking the dollars out of circulation. This combined with the current tight lending situation is causing a liquidity crisis.
The government has tried to balance the entire economy on the back of the farmers. The farmers blocked all the roads and threatened to quit bringing food to the city. The government caved; but this hurts the liquidity situation even more. Add to this the ridiculous retirement regime and the bloated public sector and we have a recipe for another real economic crisis. Argentina has not been able to de-couple from the world economy. It seems as if we will all suffer together. At least they will suffer with the best steak and some of the best wine in the world. It’s hard to feel sorry for them.
Sorry to be so late in posting this. I have had a difficult schedule. I am in Brazil now and will do a series of items to post 1 per day.
David Segrest is a REALTOR in Charlotte NC. His website is http://www.segrestrealty.com His email is david@segrestrealty.com
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Argentina Bound
Argentina Bound
Tuesday I will head for Buenos Aires, Argentina for the CIA conference. That is not an evil USA export that is the real estate organization of Argentina (Camara Inmobiliaria Argentina). They have 2 days of excellent educational presentations lined up. The conference is in the Hilton in Madero. . Information can be accessed at http://www.mundoinmobiliario.com.ar You should probably not go. I think I will be the only gringo there. That is like being the only girl at the dance. I will get all of the referrals.
I am kidding about you not going. I would like for you to go and make the conference and your business a success. If you are new to international real estate going to a conference with the professionals in your target market is an excellent way to jump start your business. This trip will cost around $3000. That is about the same as a half page ad in one of the luxury international real estate magazines. I promise this trip will be a lot more fun.
Everyone knows about the wonderful steaks in Argentina. A lesser known joy is the Malbek wine. They claim that Argentina is the only place where this grape grows. I think there may be some other countries that dispute this. I know that it is some of the best wine I have ever had. Join me in Argentina.
David Segrest is a REALTOR in Charlotte NC. His website is http://www.segrestrealty.com His email is david@segrestrealty.com
Tuesday I will head for Buenos Aires, Argentina for the CIA conference. That is not an evil USA export that is the real estate organization of Argentina (Camara Inmobiliaria Argentina). They have 2 days of excellent educational presentations lined up. The conference is in the Hilton in Madero. . Information can be accessed at http://www.mundoinmobiliario.com.ar You should probably not go. I think I will be the only gringo there. That is like being the only girl at the dance. I will get all of the referrals.
I am kidding about you not going. I would like for you to go and make the conference and your business a success. If you are new to international real estate going to a conference with the professionals in your target market is an excellent way to jump start your business. This trip will cost around $3000. That is about the same as a half page ad in one of the luxury international real estate magazines. I promise this trip will be a lot more fun.
Everyone knows about the wonderful steaks in Argentina. A lesser known joy is the Malbek wine. They claim that Argentina is the only place where this grape grows. I think there may be some other countries that dispute this. I know that it is some of the best wine I have ever had. Join me in Argentina.
David Segrest is a REALTOR in Charlotte NC. His website is http://www.segrestrealty.com His email is david@segrestrealty.com
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Ebb & Flow in Europe
Ebb & Flow in Europe
The western European Countries seem to be catching the cold from the USA. Germany may even be heading for recession. Eastern countries are still rocking and rolling for the most part. They are growing based on internal demand. This is caused by rising wages. The rising wages are causing inflation. The inflation may kill the goose that laid the golden egg.
There is still a lot of unsatisfied demand for real estate by users in Romania and Bulgaria. The slump in western markets is driving investors and developers east. Investment and development are normally good things for a real estate market. Too much development leads to oversupply and eventually causes a “market correction”. Over enthusiastic investment becomes speculation and eventually causes a “bubble”.
Signs to watch: For oversupply compare absorption rates with permitted projects. Look at vacancy rates. Industrial space is the steadiest market. This brings core jobs and growth. The office market is usually the first to falter and the last to recover. Retail follows closely behind. Looking at a country as a whole will give an imperfect picture, look first at the smallest submarkets. The small submarkets around them will give an indication of market direction. For oversupply and speculation awareness one always should ask. Who will use this property and how rather than who will buy this property.
David Segrest is a REALTOR in Charlotte NC. His website is http://www.segrestrealty.com His email is david@segrestrealty.com
The western European Countries seem to be catching the cold from the USA. Germany may even be heading for recession. Eastern countries are still rocking and rolling for the most part. They are growing based on internal demand. This is caused by rising wages. The rising wages are causing inflation. The inflation may kill the goose that laid the golden egg.
There is still a lot of unsatisfied demand for real estate by users in Romania and Bulgaria. The slump in western markets is driving investors and developers east. Investment and development are normally good things for a real estate market. Too much development leads to oversupply and eventually causes a “market correction”. Over enthusiastic investment becomes speculation and eventually causes a “bubble”.
Signs to watch: For oversupply compare absorption rates with permitted projects. Look at vacancy rates. Industrial space is the steadiest market. This brings core jobs and growth. The office market is usually the first to falter and the last to recover. Retail follows closely behind. Looking at a country as a whole will give an imperfect picture, look first at the smallest submarkets. The small submarkets around them will give an indication of market direction. For oversupply and speculation awareness one always should ask. Who will use this property and how rather than who will buy this property.
David Segrest is a REALTOR in Charlotte NC. His website is http://www.segrestrealty.com His email is david@segrestrealty.com
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Wishes for Good Health to the Dalai Lama
Wishes for Good Health to the Dalai Lama
The Dalai Lama is leaving the hospital on Labor Day. http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/08/31/india.dalai.lama.ap/index.html?iref=mpstoryview
I wish him good health and more. I must confess to mixed feelings about Tibet and Taiwan and some of the other situations in China. As a student of Buddhism, I resent the affronts to the truest seat of that religion. I support the Tibetan’s right to self determination. I hate to see the ancient culture destroyed and the damages to the environment the progress brings. There is of course another side to the story.
An event similar to this happened when the Romans invaded Britain and brought their Catholic priests. An ancient way of life was destroyed. The world lost a really great religion and a lot of wisdom. When progress comes there are winners and losers. Progress should learn to be more gentle. Is it right to deprive the various indiginous people around the world of the rights to the internet, good health care and telephones? How can we divide the situation?
David Segrest is a REALTOR in Charlotte NC. His website is http://www.segrestrealty.com His email is david@segrestrealty.com
The Dalai Lama is leaving the hospital on Labor Day. http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/08/31/india.dalai.lama.ap/index.html?iref=mpstoryview
I wish him good health and more. I must confess to mixed feelings about Tibet and Taiwan and some of the other situations in China. As a student of Buddhism, I resent the affronts to the truest seat of that religion. I support the Tibetan’s right to self determination. I hate to see the ancient culture destroyed and the damages to the environment the progress brings. There is of course another side to the story.
An event similar to this happened when the Romans invaded Britain and brought their Catholic priests. An ancient way of life was destroyed. The world lost a really great religion and a lot of wisdom. When progress comes there are winners and losers. Progress should learn to be more gentle. Is it right to deprive the various indiginous people around the world of the rights to the internet, good health care and telephones? How can we divide the situation?
David Segrest is a REALTOR in Charlotte NC. His website is http://www.segrestrealty.com His email is david@segrestrealty.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
