Meet Ann!	Fairy Tales
2011 Year In Review	Fairy Funny Ads

Dear Clients, Customers and Friends,

The tragic events of September 11th have forever changed our lives. I was just beginning a 2-week vacation to France and Morocco with my mother when we heard the news. We were sightseeing in Paris and on the Eiffel Tower when an Israeli tourist hearing our English came over and told us of the attack on the World Trade Center. It was about 4 or 5 in the afternoon then and we didn't learn out about the other two planes until we got back to our hotel on the west bank where we ran into three other Americans who had a little more news to share. Like the rest of the world, we were all in shock and comforted each other as best we could. It was difficult being away from home and loved ones, but we completed our vacation as planned and returned to the States on September 25th. I bought some beautiful postcards in Paris, but couldn't send them. I'll use them as birthday cards instead.

Personally, as a pacifist, I am struggling with our military response to terrorism even though I understand the impulse for revenge and would like those responsible for these horrific acts against humankind to be brought to justice. I would rejoice if we could eradicate terrorism and cleanse the world of terrorists. But military action will not by itself accomplish that goal. We must also work to eliminate hate, intolerance, prejudice, racism and poverty at home and abroad. These are the roots of terrorism and oppression which threaten democracy and freedom everywhere. Peace, justice and equality are not byproducts of war and violence.

2001 Year In Review. Despite the slowdown in the economy and housing market since September 11th, I have enjoyed another remarkable year and even set new records, as witnessed in the following table. While I sold less homes in 2001 than in 2000, my total sales volume surpassed last year's total. The spring and summer real estate market of 2001 can only be described as "cut throat" and "frenzied." It was definitely a "sellers market" and buyers were forced to act quickly and received few, if any, concessions from sellers. Homes sold in days (not weeks) and multiple offers were the norm, not the exception. And more often that not, homes sold over list price. These market conditions account for the big jump in my average and median prices from 2000 to 2001.

Sales Performance Results

Year	Total Volume	Transactions	Average Price	Median Price
1994	$83,500	1	$83,500	$83,500
1995	$1,036,681	14	$74,049	$68,750
1996	$1,976,600	22	$88,845	$88,550
1997	$1,909,975	21	$90,951	$87,900
1998	$2,113,870	18	$117,437	$110,950
1999	$3,413,682	32	$106,678	$106,700
2000	$4,265,212	33	$129,249	$119,900
2001	$4,752,777	29	$163,889	$156,000
Cumulative Results	$19,552,297	170	$115,014	$110,000

Right now is a good time to buy a home. Rates are still low, prices have come down and homes aren't selling as quickly which means Buyers have time to comparison shop and seller concessions are possible. It's an equal playing field or maybe even a "buyers market" for the next couple of months at least. I don't have a crystal ball but I think 2002 is going to be another good year for me and my clients. So if you're ready to make a move, give me a jingle.

Continuing Education Update. Somehow, I found time this year to complete 28 hours of continuing education courses, including one on Minnesota Housing Styles and Designs and three legal series courses, the most interesting of which was a true case study in agent liability. We reviewed a recently concluded and widely publicized case in which two children in Stearns County died of carbon monoxide poisoning shortly after their parents purchased a house through a real estate broker. At issue was who was responsible for the deaths? Was it the seller, the listing agent, the selling agent, the appraiser, the furnace manufacturer or someone else? Now, I'm even more conscious of the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning, the importance of seller and agent disclosures and agent liability.

In November, I completed a Minnesota Housing Finance Agency (MHFA) course which reviewed the many products that MHFA has to offer and how they may be able to help my clients achieve homeownership faster than they thought, including its downpayment/closing cost assistance and first mortgage loans. As an MHFA Real Estate Partner, I will receive e-mail updates when programs change or money is released.

New MLS system - NorthstarMLS.com™ . About a year ago, the Regional MLS Board of Governors approved the deployment of NorthstarMLS.com™, a web-browser-accessible MLS, in 2001. Since July 1, Regional MLS has been operating it in "parallel" with the existing MLS system, Compass™. On December 15th, the new system fully replaced Compass™.

What is a "web-browser-accessible" MLS? "Web-browser-accessible" just means that I don't need specialized software on my computer to use the new MLS system. I connect to the Internet and then use Microsoft Internet Explorer (IE) which is free. Any kind of computer than runs IE, including a Macintosh, will be able to make full use of NorthstarMLS.com™.

So what's the advantage to me? NorthstarMLS.com offers several important advantages. First, it's a full-fledged MLS with all the features of the old Compass™ system; and on the Internet, I can access it anywhere in the world (even while on vacation). But NorthstarMLS.com™ adds a variety of capabilities built especially for the Internet and for consumers using it. For example: 1) I will be able to e-mail a listing by clicking on and telling the system where I want it to go to; 2) I will be able to set up automated prospect notification, and the system will e-mail me and/or my buyer every time a listing matching your criteria comes on the market; 3) I will be able to add multimedia content to my listings, including Word documents, Adobe Acrobat files, and virtual tours; 4) I will be able to add web addresses to my listings in MLS. When other agents or prospective buyers are looking at my listings on NorthstarMLS.com™, they will be able to click on these "links' to bring up my personal website that can include additional information about me and my listings.

What do my customers need to work with me in using NorthstarMLS.com™? My customers won't need any special software, only need any Internet-enabled computer and any standard Internet browser (for example, Netscape Navigator, America Online, Internet Explorer) at version 3.0 or later. The newer and faster your computer is, the better performance you will experience.

Your 2002 Calendar and Other Works of Art. Once again, your enclosed 2002 calendar features my original ads which will appear throughout the year in Lavender Magazine, the Minnesota Women's Press and elsewhere. Most of them are new, but I've thrown in a few old favorites, including the ad on the cover "Buying a Home Should Be Fun." I hope they will evoke a few smiles and chuckles and brighten your day.

I added a few new items to my marketing arsenal this year. A stylish Real Estate Fairy cap (black and navy), a Real Estate Fairy magnet ("Have a Fairy Nice Day") which doubles as a coaster and two bumper stickers promoting my two websites. The magnet and bumper stickers which were handed out at this year's Pride Festival and are still free for the asking. The cap is intended as referral gift or closing gift for repeat customers who already have my t-shirts.

This year, I've selected two original works of art from my archives which seem befitting. "Odd to Better Days," a song I wrote back in 1970 expresses my personal frustration with war and my constant optimism than someday we will find a better way. It is my holiday gift to you along with a poem I wrote 20 years ago, "Sun Moon Stars." In this time of uncertainty, it's nice to remember the constants in life and the blessings bestowed.

Wishing you and your family a Happy Healthy Holiday Season!

Ann Leviton, Broker/Owner - MAVRIK REALTY