While economists appear to have breathed a sigh of relief at the Federal Reserve's possible pause in raising short term interest rates, inflation could reignite with an uptick in jobs.

That could be good for housing.

Following a long fallow period where job creation and salaries have been stagnant, made worse when Congress couldn't agree on a new minimum wage, the economy appears to be growing. (The minimum wage hasn't increased in ten years, yet double digit increases in the cost of housing and utilities have eroded the buying power of wages over the last few years. According to the Economic Policy Institute, the buying power of minimum wage workers has decreased 20 percent since 1997. If they were shopping 1955 prices, they'd be all right, but unfortunately, they aren't.)

Unlike the "jobless recovery" of 2001-2003, hiring managers are in the mood to add more staff, according to a poll by CareerBuilder.com, suggesting that many who stayed put in unproductive, unsatisfying or lower wage jobs may take advantage of the growing economy to find better positions.

Tracking hiring and job search activities for the third quarter of 2006, the survey, titled "Q3 2006 Job Forecast," was conducted from June 6 to June 16, 2006 of more than 2,200 workers, including over 1000 hiring managers primarily operating in services industries, and the results indicate a startling possibility -- lots of people will be changing jobs.

Of respondents, as many as one out of ten intend to change jobs in the next quarter, and one in five say they will change jobs in the next six months.

That's a whole lotta movin' goin' on.

Crafty Realtors might get there first by finding out who's hiring in their areas by reading the online and print ads. Talk to people -- as you drive neighborhoods, stop and chat with people you meet and ask them what's happening in their neighborhoods. You can find out firsthand whether people are moving in or moving out and why.

Also, visit the Chamber of Commerce to learn what developments are taking place. Take this information, and emphasize your skills in relocation in your advertising. If you don't work for a company with a relocation division, you can offer to help relocating buyers and sellers yourself by going to company HR relocation divisions or smaller personnel departments, introducing yourself, and leaving listing packets that emphasize your technology skills, communication skills, and list-to-sales price and days on market. Follow up with an electronic newsletter that includes your local market conditions.

People reward persistence and enthusiasm.

Published: July 7, 2006

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Blanche is a renowned author of five real estate books. Her newest, Bubbles, Booms and Busts: Make Money In Any Real Estate Market, McGraw-Hill, was rave-reviewed by The New York Times. She was also selected from hundreds of real estate experts to contribute to Donald Trump's book, Trump: The Best Real Estate Advice I Ever Received: 100 Top Experts Share Their Strategies, Rutledge Hill Press, and is featured on page 68. Order Now Review - Honors In 2006, Blanche was selected among scores of candidates to author two consumer real estate guidebooks for the National Association of Realtors: The NAR Guide to Home Buying, and The NAR Guide to Home Selling, Wiley & Sons. She is currently planning two new books for the NAR and its members.       Known for her keen insight into real estate industry issues and for her ability to make complex subjects easy to understand, Blanche is a sought-after keynote and continuing education speaker. Real estate organizations from MLSs, to brokerages, to franchisors, to associations hire her to provide up-to-the-minute analysis of real estate industry news and advice on how to improve revenues. Her passionate delivery, peppered with stinging wit, is a huge hit with audiences and fans. Don Klein, CEO Greater Nashville Association of Realtors, Blanche Evans, Richard Courtney, president 2007, GRAR "The GNAR membership meeting last week featured Blanche Evans as the keynote speaker. Her comments and insights resonated extremely well with those in attendance and we have had many requests for copies of her PowerPoint Presentation. She was a terrific part of the membership meeting and convention program!" - Don Klein, CEO Greater Nashville Association of Realtors Coverage from WSMV, Nashville - 8-14-2007 That Interview Guy - Get Inside The Head Of Today's Generation 2007 AE Institute Session - To purchase 2006 AE Institute Session - Parts 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 HouseValues Mastermind call - Parts 1 2 Blanche's fireside chat with Jeremy Conaway, HAR - Click here. For more articles by Blanche, click here.