From the Inside Out - Ways to Discover Your Own Brand, Uncover New Business, an article from RISMedia, examines branding as the backbone of success in real estate.  Creating a personal brand should start with a journey of self discovery.  By creating a personal brand from within, agents are able to more effectively target market.  Consider making a "brand board" - include things that you are passionate about, your hopes, dreams, etc.  This should help you determine which customers to target.  Also, consider your past customers.  How would you describe your best customers?  Forget about trying to be all things to all people.  Find your niche.

http://rismedia.com/wp/2008-07-02/from-the-inside-out-ways-to-discover-your-own-brand-uncover-new-business/

Mortgage Applications Rise, an article from Realtor Magazine Online, reports that mortgage applications were up 3.6% last week on a seasonally adjusted basis.  While the index increased 3.2% on an unadjusted basis, it was down 22.8% from the same week last year.  Last week, 30-year fixed-rate mortgages slipped from 6.39% to 6.33%. 
http://www.realtor.org/rmodaily.nsf/pages/News2008070203

Additional articles that you may find of interest:

Bidding is down to 5 to build agency’s new headquarters
http://www.gazette.com/articles/new_37884___article.html/colorado_headquarters.html 

Hard-Won Lessons from a Home Owner
http://www.realtor.org/rmodaily.nsf/pages/News2008070201

Real Estate Outlook: Resales Up, Rate Dip
http://realtytimes.com/rtpages/20080703_realestateoutlook.htm