If you have one take away, it is this:

don't depend on people you don't have a relationship with to follow up on their commitments. I am either stuck on a bad string of conincidental events or this is really how people act. I hope the former.

$200 for a realtor luncheon and nada. Well, not nada, but a very very limited showing. I thought I had picked a day when realtors set aside the whole day for reviewing showings (as per advice from a realtor). I thought my invites were clear, concise, and had impact. The responses were poorly communicated but atleast I had an idea of who and how many.

nada. Well, not nada, but very very limited. Actually, the only realtors that showed up were all from one office management: Re/Max here in Soulard. In this regard, I am thankful. Not just for their attendance but for the fact that they specialize in Soulard listings and the market in this special pocket refered to as 'the island'.

The feedback was a resounding success with regard to the work performed and the product produced: feature rich and attention to details highly tuned. There are some elements they recommended I attend to, for instance, closing off the upstairs bathroom and furring in a formal closet. This is not the only time I have heard that comment though I also get an opposite reaction. I trust the realtor response, though, for input more attuned to sale-ability. To this point, I plan to follow up on that action item.

I was...how do I put this?...berated by one person on pricing. Great feedback regarding bankers, lenders, and the jacked up process for value assessment. It is clear that many many deals fall through because of huge changes to the housing appraisal process. I will need to really sharpen my pencil and address this issue. When asked how to mitigate the risk or access the price point, I received a blank stare. Am I missing the obvious? Was that whole conversation simply a conversation, a primer, for negotiations? Am I being beaten up on price before there is a client available? I don't doubt it but I would like to think this was a frank conversation about the state of affairs for home sales and financing in particular.

Hold on...I'll write again soon. I really need to sharpen for a while. laters.