I met up with Dean Guadagni and Patrick Kitano of TransparentRE at the TriValley Marketing Association meeting in Pleasanton, California on Friday. Afterwards we headed over to a Starbucks to talk about Pat’s recent trip to the NYC Connect, our upcoming blog classes in Marin and Danville, and how technology and blogging are changing the real estate industry.

Today, I read Pat’s post Elvis = Zillow and I just have to accept that challenge as Elvis figures prominently in the explosion blogging. There are many sightings of Elvis in the blogoshpere and real estate blogs in particular continue to be heavily influenced by him.

Here is a partial list of Elvis' involvement and influence in blogging:

• Many real estate agents are feeling All Shook Up by technology and blogging.
• Most postings by Realtors are Almost Always True
• Many bloggers feel that their blogging will pay off Any Day Now
• Are You Lonesome Tonight? – post some comments
• After a Blue Christmas many real estate agents are in better spirits due to blogging
• It’s often reported that bloggers develop a Burning Love for blogging
• When writing a post or leaving a comment – Don’t Be Cruel
• Fools Rush In to blogging
• Be careful who you link to. Don’t wind up In the Ghetto
• With the market transitioning, many agents feel It’s Now or Never
• Mortgage fraud is introducing some to Jailhouse Rock
• Don’t post pictures of your Little Sister on your blog
• Many a blogger’s partner is pleading – Please Don’t Stop Loving Me
• Bloggers keep hoping for a Return to Sender feature for comments
• Some traditional agents look on blogging with Suspicion
• And of course, some brokers have Suspicious Minds

In summary, many real estate pundits feel that there is A Whole lot of Shakin’ going on in the industry

Plesanton TriValley Realtors® Marketing Association

I attended the TriValley Marketing Association meeting yesterday (Jan 11) at Tommy T's in Pleasanton, CA. This was the first meeting of the year and was well attended. It was also the first time we've met at Tommy T's.

It was an energetic and enthusiastic crowd with many listing presented (see some of them below) and the "High Priestess of Poop" presenting the coveted Pink Flamingo to Pat Griffin for continued excellence in the field of "Home Mobility."

This month's room sponsor is the Pleasanton Weekly - many thanks to them.

New MLS Listings Presented at TriValley Marketing Association:

There were 22 properties listed on the tour sheet and we gathered flyers for the following properties. The Harper Team can help you with these or any other homes, condos or townhouses for sale in Alamo, Danville, San Ramon, Dublin, Pleasanton or Livermore, California.

In addition, we have an established network of professional Realtors we work with throughout the Bay Area and The U.S.

Here are some of the featured properties for sale:

• 5610 Belleza, Pleasanton, CA. Central location -1 bed condo w/garage. end unit w/lots of light.
• 3307 Touriga Drive, Pleasanton, CA.4 bed 2.5 baths Lots of updates
• 7409 Stonedale Drive, Pleasanton, CA 3 bed 2.5 bath Townhouse in the Gables
• 676 Concord Place, Pleasanton, CA  2 bed 1.5 bath Condo – end unit
• 439 Cabonia Court, Pleasanton, CA. 4 bed 3 bath home in Ruby Hill
• 4608 Inyo Court, Pleasanton, CA 3 bed 2 bath over $100K in upgrades
• 3537 Gulfstream Street, Pleasanton, CA 4 bed 3 baths
• 2756 Hartley Gate Court, Pleasanton 3 bed 2 bath single story home
• 7558 May Way, San Ramon, CA 5 bed 2.5 bath Updated kitchen
• 2377 Avalon Way, San Ramon, CA. 5 bed 5 bath in Windemere
• 6162 Bay Hill Court, Dublin, CA  5 bed 5.5 bath overlooks 9th hole of Dublin Ranch Golf Club
• 6410 Dijon Way, Dublin – Torrey Pines location 2 bed 2 bath condo
• 10708 Ian Lane, Dublin, CA  2 bed 2 baths Townhome w/garage
• 3934 Tamworth Court, Dublin, CA. 3 bed / 2.5 baths 2 car garage

Some of these are expired listings that are returning to the market. There is a fair amount of controversy in the real estate industry regarding the practice of re-listing which can give the consumer a false impression of how long a property has been on the market (DOM – days on market). Ask your real estate agent to check the listing history to verify DOM to strengthen your negotiating position.

Remember, as a buyer, it costs you nothing to employee the services of a professional Realtor®