In looking at how 2010 will finish and how the new year will start, as you all know 2010 wasn’t a bad year (shaky, but not bad) a lot of factors affecting our market, mostly world economics/ USA have and will continue to come into play.

Calgary has definitely weathered the storm better than most. I have travelled a bit this year - with the board and personally - and other cities in Canada and the States have had much bigger problems.

We have a small percentage of homes/condos under water compared to most; our saviour is low interest rates and a decent job market.

Going forward, I see 2011 being a much more stable market with improved sales. Low interest rates will be here for a while and Calgary will rebound. Having said that, prices will go up moderately.

This is the time to get out and prepare your marketing for 2011 and spend the holidays communicating with past clients.

I have had inquires about the Competition Bureau and CREA and what this will mean for sales, listings and commission structures. As I have said for the past year - the Competition Bureau made their point: "commissions are negotiable".

As you are aware, our company policy is 7% on the first $100,000 and 3% on the balance. Can we negotiate? Yes. But don’t sell your services short! If you do all the things you should, you are worth every dollar!

The public needs you. They are lost in most cases. I have seen so many cases where for sale by owners are so naïve. They need help from the start to the finish.

Have a great finish to 2010 and all the best in 2011.

George