Volume 16
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Issue 15
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JUN 2017
A quarterly publication of the Real Estate Board/Commission of Strata Corporations
REAL ESTATE BOARD TARGETING ILLEGAL OPERATORS
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he Real Estate Board is sounding a warning to persons who operate without a real estate licence - contrary to the Real Estate (Dealers and Developers) Act, to desist from doing so as there is a strong likelihood that they will be identified and charged. Section 10 (1) of the Act states that “A person shall not engage in the practice of real estate business or in any branch of such practice – (a) In the capacity of a real estate dealer unless he is the holder of a valid licence issued under subsection (1) of section 20 authorizing him so to do; (b) In the capacity of a real estate salesman unless he is – (i) The holder of a valid licence issued under subsection (2) of section 20 authorising him so to do; and (ii) An employee or agent of a
duly authorised real estate dealer. There are currently several matters before the courts and a number of ongoing investigations regarding such operators. The most recent involving a 50-year old male from the western end of the island who was found to be involved in real estate business, despite not being registered and licenced with the Board since 2006. On Tuesday March 28, inspectors from the Real Estate Board carried out an operation which resulted in the suspect being arrest-
ed by an inspector, and subsequently charged with practicing without a Real Estate licence. He was taken to a Police Station in the parish and placed in custody. He was granted bail in the sum of $50,000. “The Board is mandated to ensure the professional and ethical conduct of real estate practitioners and one of the ways we do so is to monitor the industry in respect of persons who practice illegally,” noted Sonia Graham, Manager – Inspectorate of the Real Estate Board. “Let this serve as a deterrent to those who are practicing contrary to the law, that we remain vigilant and will do our part to make sure that perpetrators are so identified and brought before the courts,” Mrs Graham warned. “By targeting persons who practice illegally, we hope to maintain public confidence in the industry and protect the integrity of our licenced salesmen and dealers,” explained Board CEO Sandra Watson. “Unlike illegal operators, licenced professionals are exposed to the requisite training and as such there can be greater confidence in the quality of the service they provide.”
“The Board is mandated to ensure the professional and ethical conduct of real estate practitioners and one of the ways we do so is to monitor the industry in respect of persons who practice illegally” Sonia Graham, Manager - Inspectorate
T he Re a l E st ate J our na l
Local & International Real Estate News CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Real Estate Could be Be this Funny?
T he Re a l E st ate J our na l
Sandra Watson CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
CEO’s MESSAGE
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ince our last issue three months ago we have seen a number of developments in the entity. The final consultant’s report which we covered last issue is just about due and that report will inform how we proceed in amalgamating the entities including assuming a new name with an expanded mandate. We have advertised five optional courses thus far as a part of the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programme for Dealers and Salesmen. They include Timeshare and strata-related courses. I would encourage our practitioners to start thinking seriously about courses they would be interested in sitting as a part of the CPD requirement. I would also like to use this opportunity to remind our salesmen and dealers that 20 hours are required over two years, starting with licencing period 2018/19 – 12 hours of optional courses and 8 hours of compulsory courses. Courses that are provided by any entity, other than the Real Estate Board, must be approved in order for those
hours to be credited toward optional course hours. As we add new courses, they will be advertised in the print media as well as on our website and Facebook page. We are aware that change can be unsettling and so we thank our practitioners in advance for their cooperation as we seek to improve and expand the collective skillset of our clients and build customer confidence in the industry. I also wish to thank those who have signed up and will participate in the Annual Returns Workshop on June 30 as your participation is evidence that you are committed to attaining the competence to meet what is a basic requirement for strata maintenance and management. We cannot over-emphasize the importance of Annual Returns filings to the harmonious, communal functioning of a Strata property, for the benefit of all its proprietors. Our pre-licencing courses are ongoing. Persons interest in the pre-licencing course for Salesmen, are asked to indicate to the Board
as soon as possible so that arrangements can be made to hold a course once we have met the quorum to go forward. As a follow-up to our cover story, I hope those persons practicing or considering practicing without the requisite training and licencing take heed. The Board, through our inspectors, utilises a range of intelligence and surveillance techniques to increase the likelihood that such persons will be exposed. On an internal note, we would like to thank our Legal Officer, Christopher Henry, Senior Inspector – Pete Francis and Accountant, Claudine Ferron for their stay with us and the indelible impression that they have made on the organization during their varying times with us. As they pursue other personal and professional opportunities we wish them well in the next phase of their lives and trust that they will make valuable contributions in their new assignments.
T h e R e a l E s ta te J o u r n a l
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T he R e a l E s ta te J o u r n a l
▲ Staff members turn out in red for Wear Red Day in support of the fight against Heart Disease in Women—Friday May 12, 2017
▲ CSC Inspectorate Manager, Ainsworth Norton answers a
few questions after the Strata Public Forum on Thursday April 13, 2017 at the Girls Guides Association
▲ Inspectorate Manager, Sonia Graham adds her emotional well wishes to Pete Francis during a send off for the Senior Inspector— June 2, 2017
▲ Marketing Manager/PRO, Damian Wilson presents a zone prize during the Grand Finals of the Junior Debate International Competition at the Police Officers’ Club - June 23, 2017
#TeamREB after their participation in the Guardian Life 5K, May 27, 2017 ►
T h e R e a l E s ta te J o u r n a l
Public Forum confirms basic information lacking among Strata Proprietors
Ainsworth Norton (left), Manager-Inspector, Commission of Strata Corporations and Sandra Watson (right), CEO of the CSC address attendees at a Public Forum at the Girls Guides Association on April 13, 2017
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on-compliance by strata corporations to the legislation which governs their functioning, as well as to the by-laws governing individual corporations, seems to be linked to the failure of developers to provide the required basic information during the initial hand-over to proprietors. This was apparent during the question and answer section of a Public Forum put on by the Commis-
sion of Strata Corporations (CSC) on Thursday April 13, 2017 at the Girls Guides Association to address a range of problematic issues facing strata corporations. One attendee, who identified herself as being employed to a well-known local bank, expressed her ignorance as to whether or not she lived in a strata corporation. A number of others were not aware of what classified properties as being a strata corporation. “The problems faced within most strata corporations have their roots in a pervasive ignorance on the part of prospective purchasers of strata properties to their obligations within the context of communal living, explained Ainsworth Norton, Manager of the CSC Inspectorate. “The Commission has therefore committed itself to increasing public awareness in order to change the perceptions of both developers and investors in strata properties.” According to the Registration (Titles) Act, (the “Act”) the onus is on the developer of the property to establish its initial management structure to ensure effective and sustained management of the property. The developer should therefore see to it that the first annual general meeting for the strata corporation is held within ninety (90) days of registration of the strata plan at the Office of Titles. At this meeting, a budget should be presented outlining the proposed maintenance cost apportioned according to unit entitlement and insurance coverage quotations presented for the corporation to vote on coverage type and provider. Minutes should also be taken of this and all general meetings. As a matter of fact the developer is required by law to present each potential purchaser with a copy of the proposed budget and a copy of the by-laws at the point of purchase of the unit. According the Commission’s CEO, Sandra Watson, developers are expected to take the lead in assisting in educating unit purchasers on their rights and responsibilities when purchasing these types of properties. “Developers are creating not just shelters, but active and dynamic communities and should therefore take the lead in ensuring that the prevailing by-laws, whether crafted by the developer and registered or those contained in the First Schedule and Second Schedule of the Act, are communicated to prospective purchasers well in advance of the hand-over of the units,” Mrs. Watson reasoned. Continued on next page
T he R e a l E s ta te J o u r n a l
The issues of by-laws and maintenance fees generated substantial discussion where again many persons were unaware of the standard by-laws included in the Act, or if a modified set of by-laws were in place for their property. The First and Second schedules of the Act establish basic by-laws which apply to all corporations. However, individual corporations can make changes to the First Schedule by-laws with the agreement of three-quarter of the proprietors while changes to the Second Schedule bylaws require a majority vote. The payment of contributions in the form of maintenance fees is one of the main ongoing costs associated with owning a strata property and is informed by an agreed budget. It was clear based on the questions and comments of some attendees, that such a budget was never presented or agreed to in many cases. The non-submission of Annual Returns to the Commission has also been a vexing issue for some time, Mr. Norton explained in his presentation. “Less than 22% on average of all strata corporations file their annual returns over the years. Of those that do file approximately 40% are compliant. This means that the compliance rate within the industry is approximately 8% over a three year period,� he confirmed. The question of pets and the right to keep such in a strata unit was also a recurring question. This is addressed in the Section 1 (c) of the Second Schedule which states that a proprietor should not keep any animals in his strata unit or common areas, having been given notice to remove same.
Developers are creating not just shelters, but active and dynamic communities and should therefore take the lead in ensuring that the prevailing by-laws, whether crafted by the developer and registered or those contained in the First Schedule and Second Schedule of the Act, are communicated to prospective purchasers well in advance of the hand-over of the units
The R e al Es t at e Jo ur n al
Guardian Life to Pump $6B into Real Estate
President of the Guardian Life Limited, Eric Hosin
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Life Limited (GLL) will launch its first real estate development project in mid-June, a $6-billion initiative intended to speed up investment returns for the life insurance company, according to president Eric Hosin. The residential development will be done in two phases over three years on property owned by Guardian Life at Musgrave Avenue in Kingston. The company is building 238 residences targeted at the middle-income market. Hosin declined to share the projected return on investment, but said the housing project promised higher returns than those currently being garnered from insurance. Last year, New Kingston-based Guardian Life which ranks number two in the insurance market with $66 billion in assets, registered declining net profit. The company made $3.8 billion compared to $4.6 billion the year before. Its net results from insurance activities fall from $3.65 billion to $2.6 billion at year ending December 2016. uardian
Guardian closed out 2016 with a cash hoard of $3.4 billion, down from $5.4 billion the year before. As observed by Hosin in a letter describing the planned real estate project, "the Jamaican investment landscape has changed significantly over the last five years, making it more difficult for businesses like Guardian Life to make reasonable returns from traditional sources". That prompted the company to seek out more lucrative fields for investment. "We have identified the real estate market, specifically development of residential property, as an avenue for improving investment returns in the medium term," Hosin stated. Guardian's biggest competitor, Sagicor Group Jamaica, operates a real estate investment fund which has $44 billion in assets and a well-established property services arm that executes real estate projects for the group. Guardian will initially develop a six-storey structure comprising 66 housing units on a 1.32 acre lot at 9 Musgrave Avenue. Phase two will encompass another 172 residences spanning two buildings that will rise to seven and nine storeys on 3-acre property. That development at 2-4 Musgrave Avenue will include a jogging trail, among other amenities befitting what the company describes as the 'contemporary Caribbean lifestyle'. GLL itself will launch its real estate initiative company-owned property, which it proposes to develop in two phases over the next three years. Hosin declined to disclose the selling price of units saying that all the information will be given at the ground-breaking ceremony for the project on June 14 but noted the target demographic for both developments as “young professionals, small families, expatriate, upper-income investors along with pension and property funds”. The Guardian Life head said the three-year project is expected to create 230 jobs for skilled and semi-skilled workers over the construction period.
“We have identified the real estate market, specifically development of residential property, as an avenue for improving investment returns in the medium term,” - Eric Hosin Published: Wednesday June 7, 2017 | The Gleaner
Avia Collinder
T he R e a l E s ta te J o u r n a l
Mortgage applications jump 7.1% as lowest rates since election send homebuyers rushing to lock in
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omebuyers and homeowners saw a rip in the ever-rising interest rate continuum last week and jumped right in. Interest rates fell last week to the lowest level since November, and the seasonally adjusted mortgage volume jumped accordingly, up 7.1 percent, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. Still, volume was 16 percent lower than the same week a year ago, when rates were lower. . The average contract interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages with conforming loan balances of $424,100 or less decreased to 4.14 percent, from 4.17 percent, with points increasing to 0.34 from 0.32, including the origination fee, for 80 percent loan-tovalue ratio loans. As a reference point, mortgage rates jumped from 3.77 percent to 4.16 percent in the two weeks following the election of Donald Trump last November. . "Purchase application volume increased to its highest level since May 2010. Refinance activity bumped up as well in response to moderating rates, but remained generally subdued," said Joel Kan, an MBA economist. . Loan applications to purchase a home jumped 10 percent from the previous week, seasonally adjusted, and now stand 5.5 percent higher than one year
ago. Purchase volume has been decidedly weak this spring, as home prices overheat due to the tight supply of homes for sale. . Affordability, clearly an issue, shows up in the types of loans borrowers seek. Applications for fixedrate loans are down 18 percent from a year ago, while applications for adjustable-rate loans, which offer lower interest rates, are up 26 percent. . The refinance market got a little boost from low rates as well last week, increasing 3 percent. Refinances are extremely rate-sensitive, and rates were below 4 percent last year. Refinance volume remains 34 percent lower than one year ago. . Mortgage rates continued to slide this week, and Thursday's much-anticipated hearing on Capitol Hill, where former FBI Director James Comey is scheduled to testify, could either accelerate that slide or reverse it. . "The potential shock is the unknown outcome of Comey's congressional testimony. It might not hit markets during business hours, and it might not hit markets at all," said Matthew Graham, chief operating officer of Mortgage News Daily. "But there is a chance that it could cause a very big movement for better or worse." Diana Olick CNBC.COM | Posted: Wednesday June 7, 2017
The Organisation said goodbye to three members during the quarter including Pete Francis (page 5) Farewell to three great employees. Your hard work and dedication were an important part of our team. As you turn the page in your life's story, we join together in wishing you every success in all your future endeavours.
Claudine FERRON, Accountant Christopher HENRY, Legal Officer Pete FRANCIS, Senior Inspector
T h e R e a l E s ta te J o u r n a l
Continuing Professional Development
What are the additional/potential benefits of CPD?
Why is CDP necessary for practitioners, many of whom have been practicing for many years? Continuing Professional Development (CPD) has been introduced for three main reasons: Firstly, the proposed Amendments to the Real Estate Dealers and Developers Act which governs the practice of real estate in Jamaica will mandate CPD for real estate professionals. Secondly, CPD is an international best practice among real estate professionals, and is practiced in several other professions. A number of countries mandate CPD including Canada, New Zealand ‌ Several states in United States including Florida, California, New York, Georgia, Texas, Ohio etc. also mandate CPD for their practitioners. Finally, developments within the real estate industry move at such a pace that no professional should be content to rest on the knowledge and skills gained through their education, training and experience in the past. Dealers and salespersons must keep their knowledge up to date, be familiar with the relevant guidelines, government policies and procedures and the latest developments taking place in the industry. The public expects no less from the real estate professionals whom they engage; to be knowledgeable and to provide timely, accurate, comprehensive and reliable advice.
New areas will be offered such as Timeshare and (updated) Strata Management courses. In the case of the Timeshare, anyone who does all the courses on offer in this area, will be able to have it added to his or her licence. Will persons be allowed to renew their licences for 2018-19 if they have not started or completed the required 20 hours. Persons are encouraged to make every effort to identify courses they are interested in, and take the necessary steps to complete these courses. The onus is on the applicant to show evidence that he or she has started the necessary courses, when applying for renewal. If no effort has been made to sit the courses which were/are offered, a written explanation will have to be given and a decision will be made on a case-by-case basis. However for the 2019-20 licencing period and beyond, the Board will be less lenient towards non-compliance. When will new courses be added? The new courses that have recently been publicized are all elective courses. New courses will be added periodically, considering the time and space available at the Real Estate Training Institute, which also offers on-going courses for Salesmen, Dealers and Property Managers, AML Training and Local Land Law and The Proceeds of Crime Act Examinations.
T he R e a l E s ta te J o u r n a l
As new courses are added, practitioners will be notified via email, the website, social media and print media. You may also contact us periodically to ascertain if any new courses have been added. Where the courses are mandatory the industry will be advised accordingly. These will then contribute to the eight (8) hours of mandatory courses required. Will courses be offered online or via distance education? There are no immediate plans to offer these courses online or via a distance education medium. While we are cognizant of the challenges some of our practitioners may face in participating in these courses at the current location, we must consider other factors in order not to compromise the integrity of the delivery of the courses. This is a situation we will continue to assess, in the best interest of the Board and its clients. How is registration done? Persons may register for these courses in the same way they register for courses at the Real Estate Training Institute. That is – by completing the form which is available at the Real Estate Board, the Training Institute and on its website. Fees may be paid online via NCB or
Scotia online and providing proof of payment, or paying at the Real Estate Board or Training Institute via credit/ debit cards or managers’ cheques. Will any exemptions be considered? Exemptions are completely at the discretion of the Board. These will only be considered where proof can be provided of having participated in such courses that are approved by the Board and relevant information on the scope and nature of the courses. These courses must show some level of equivalency with the courses provided as well as relevance to the profession/ industry. The number of exempt hours will also be considered based on the number of in-house hours which will be accepted for CPD. Are there approved institutions whose courses will be approved by the Board for CPD hours? The Real Estate Training Institute is the sole provider of CPD Courses at this time. However enquiry may be made to the Board as to whether a particular course from another institution will be accepted. A body may also seek to have their course(s) approved by submitting the necessary course information to the Board.
Visit the ‘COURSES’ section of www.reb.gov.jm for course dates & times, course requirements, deadlines & registration date THE REAL ESTATE TRAINING INSITUTE Now offering: Local Land Law and POCA Exams, Pre-licencing Courses and Continuing Professional Development Courses
The R e al Es t at e Jo ur n al
Randell Bailey Corporate Planning Analyst
How would your friends describe you? What is your favorite game or sport to watch and play? Fun-loving, thought-driven, attentive to detail, and pos- Basketball; though I am much better at watching than I sessing an appreciable sense of humour am at playing it. What schools have you attended? What two radio stations do you listen to in the car the Hagley Park Preparatory, Kingsway High, Northern Carib- most? bean University, and the University of Sydney The ones with the least amount of talking. Music is life! Tell us about your past jobs. After spending a few years in the private sector working in Fraud and Revenue Assurance/Business Risk, I spent the next 10 years in the child protection sector focusing on the areas of statistics, research, policy analysis and development, and strategic planning. I have also engaged in facilitating adult learners at the tertiary undergraduate level. What is your proudest accomplishment? Completing my graduate degree by way of a full scholarship at a university ranked among the top 50 tertiary institutions across the world.
What kind of music do you listen to and is your favorite artist(s). My taste is quite diverse, so I enjoy the usual gospel, reggae, R&B. However, I also enjoy country, neo soul, jazz, and the ‘oldies but goodies’. I won’t even attempt the favourite artist part of the question…too many to sift through. Have you ever had a nickname? What is it? Not officially…but my wife [alone] calls me “Baba”. *smile* If money was no object, what would you do all day? Travel the world and experience different cultures.
T he R e a l E s ta te J o u r n a l
Let’s Meet…(Continued from previous page) What are your hobbies? Photography, travel (both domestic and foreign), and, of course, listening to music. Aside from food, water, and shelter, what one thing could you not go a day without? Okay, last time…Music! List two pet peeves. Spoilt children and, by extension, ill-mannered adults What's your favorite animal? Birds What's your favorite fast food chain or restaurant, and what would you normally order? Island Grill. My order will likely depend on the time of day or night that I’m there.
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What is your favorite childhood memory? This may be somewhat odd, but I remember the abundance of fried chicken and fruits that resulted from the passing of Hurricane Gilbert. Electricity was out for weeks following the storm so preserving meat and fresh produce was near impossible; and allowing them to go to waste would be such a crime! What was your favorite subject in school? Physics; though I could never pass it at the CXC/GCE level. Just shameful… Are you an introvert or an extrovert? Introvert by nature; extrovert by necessity. Who was your favorite teacher in school (at any level) and why? Mrs. Evadne Barrett had the most motherly approach to her functions as teacher and school administrator; but she also had the most mesmerising command of Spanish as a second language that I had ever encountered. What three things do you think of the most each day? My goals, what it will take to achieve those goals, and how I can be the best version of my present self. Who knows you the best? Jesus! Lol Then my older brother, Sheldon.
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T h e R e a l E s ta te J o u r n a l
Change is Inevitable; Success is Not! Corporate Planning Analyst, Randell Bailey explores the issue of Change and Change Management against the background of the pending amalgamation of the Real Estate Board and the Commission of Strata Corporation, into a single real estate regulatory authority
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t is safe to assume that most persons have at some point heard the phrase “change is inevitable”…or some derivative of it. It is one of those perennial life lessons that we are reminded of even when we prefer not to be because “any change, even a change for the better, is always accompanied by drawbacks and discomforts” (Arnold Bennett, 1973). Nonetheless, embedded in the certainty of changes and the discomforts that accompany them is the awesome opportunity for better. Please note that I said “opportunity” and not “guarantee” as the possibility for good outcomes following change is largely dependent on how the change is implemented, and how those affected by it respond. Much of the scholarly dialogue regarding change, particularly in organisations, is focused on what steps the implementers just cannot afford to miss. They are encouraged to communicate, solicit buy-in, never forget the ‘human element’, be mindful of culture, and the list goes on! Of course, these are all critical in the process of effecting change; however, they are focused on saving management from as many of the possible pitfalls as they can. So what’s there for those that will have to deal with the changes, including the implementers themselves? Interestingly, while change management and other such topics are addressed at great lengths by publications such as the Harvard Business Review, and Business Insider the matter of coping with changes is largely undertaken by Psychology Today and others akin to it. It is certainly true that the aforementioned strategies (i.e. communicate, solicit buy-in, etc.) are consistent with the idea that there is an undeniable link between business performance and
psychology. However, it seems as though dealing with change is thought by some to be a task that should be undertaken on a personal level, and is to be dealt with in a different space from organisational change. Do not ‘buy-in’ to that notion! Organisations are about people – clients and staff combined; and our response to changes largely determines the success of the businesses with which we are connected. So then, we should all ask the question, “Am I more interested in the success of my organisation or the extent to which things will be [at least initially] uncomfortable?” In the words of General Eric Shinseki, “if you don't like change, you will like irrelevance even
See our new full-page Timeshare Ad & Advertorial in the June 2017 issue of Jamaica Experiences. The Magazine is available at leading hotels and The Club VIP lounge of the local international airports
T he R e a l E s ta te J o u r n a l
Finding Purpose & Meaning in your Work
HUMAN RESOURCE
Why is Purpose Important When you understand your job’s wider purpose you are happier, more engaged and more creative. Purpose is important because it helps you see your role from an organizational perspective; you work harder, use your initiative more and make sensible decisions about your work. In turn, the company operates more efficiently, staff turnover reduces and productivity rises. The positive effects are felt from the CEO to the customers. Finding your Purpose It is essential to realize that your job provides a service to someone else and keeping this in mind will help motivate you to work harder, better and with more satisfaction. Having a positive attitude towards your work is one of the building blocks of resilience; that is: having the ability to cope with stress and being strong during the tough times.
Angela Williams Human Resource Officer (Acting)
meetings or outside of work to help build good working relationships. A work environment that is uplifting and supportive makes it easier to connect to the deeper purpose of your work. Having some autonomy over your work will also Connecting with the Goals of the Organization promote values such as integrity, honesty and humility. Reflect on how you can connect with the goals of the When you understand the deeper purpose behind your organization by using the organization’s mission state- work you are likely to be satisfied and more productive. ment to write your own vision statement. This will help you identify customers’ needs and ways in which the Use feedback to boost positivity organization will meet them, and how the successes will Positive feedback is a highly effective motivator. It be measured. reminds you that your work is being noticed and is Using the 5 Whys Technique can help you making a difference. Additionally, positive feedback from through the process. You can start by simply asking “why customers is a powerful way to inspire you and keep you am I a part of this team or department”, follow up with connected with the people you are helping. When you the whys until you uncover the deeper purpose behind know that your work has meaning it helps you to feel your work. more confident and secure about your life. Finally, it is important to realize that your work is Build a positive work environment meaningful and really does make a difference. This A positive working environment brings out the best in realization will help you feel a greater sense of personal everyone. It is therefore important to socialize before satisfaction.
T h e R e a l E s ta te J o u r n a l
The Devil & the Agent
“The Devil tells a Real Estate Agent, “Look, I can make you richer, more famous, and more successful than any Real Estate Agent alive. In fact, I can make you the greatest agent that ever lived.” . “Well,” says the Real Estate Agent, “what do I have to do in return?” . The Devil smiles, “Well, of course you have to give me your soul,” he says, “but you also have to give me the souls of your children, the souls of your children’s children and, as a matter of fact, you have to give me the souls of all your descendants throughout eternity.” . “Wait a minute,” the Real Estate Agent says cautiously, “What’s the catch?”
Wait Until the Signs are Right
Could be this funny!
“A small real estate broker was dismayed when a brand new real estate franchise much like his own opened up next door and erected a huge sign which read BEST AGENTS. He was horrified when another competitor opened up on his right, and announced its arrival with an even larger sign, reading LOWEST COMMISSIONS. The small real estate broker panicked, until he got an idea. He put the biggest sign of all over his own brokerage-it read… MAIN ENTRANCE.”
▲ How much are they asking for your rent now? Oh, about twice a day. ▲ My buyers went through debt consolidation. Now they have only one bill they won't pay.