Since there have been a number of industry regulation changes in the mortgage industry in the past few years, it’s important to keep these tips in mind:
1. You don’t want to waste your time showing homes to someone who can’t buy them. Have your client check their credit score in advance to be sure they meet the minimum credit standards to qualify for a mortgage. A reputable mortgage company can run the necessary credit report and recommend a credit repair company should there be credit concerns. You can also suggest to your client they request a preapproval letter from your mortgage partner. This will save you time and money if you have the conversation before you start the process of showing them homes.
2. Advise your client to obtain a preapproval. The information needed includes, but is not limited to the following; W2s for the past two years, 30 days of consecutive pay stubs, all pages of the two most recent statements for checking, savings and all investment accounts, a copy of the signed P&S or Warranty Deed Agreement. Your mortgage partner will let your client know this, but it’s important you know in case it comes up in advance.
3. Prior to home buying, it’s important that your client set aside the proper amount of cash for closing. They should keep current on all loan payments, should not make any large purchases on credit, or sign or co-sign on any other loans. If there is any change in employment, borrowers should make all parties in the process aware. These things can affect your client’s credit as well as their ability to qualify for a mortgage.
4. Your client should be prepared to pay closing costs unless they qualify for a no-points, no-closing cost loan. This is important to mention to them because you don’t want them to fall short and not be able to secure financing at all or have delays when it is time to close.
While a good mortgage partner will be able to handle the specific mortgage related issues that come up, ensuring this process goes smoothly is paramount to getting the house closed, and being educated is your first line of defense.
Source: RISMedia
Monday, January 31, 2011
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Tips for Conducting Video Interviews
Whether you’re in real estate, tourism, marketing, or even fund raising, your video camera can become a powerful tool for recording interviews of all kinds. From testimonials and product reviews to endorsements and instructions, interviews can be highly effective for getting the job done. Here are a few tips to make conducting interviews easier.
Begin by putting the interviewee at ease. Let them know your questions well in advance, and allow them time to practice giving clear, concise answers. Remind them if mistakes are made, you can simply ask the question again.
Next, save time and tighten the focus by having them be the only one on camera. Ask your questions in a way that the listener will know what the question was by the way it was answered. For example, if you ask them what they liked most about the Grand Canyon, they would begin their answer by saying: “What we liked most about the Grand Canyon was…” That way, there’s no need for you, or your question, to be part of the presentation.
When you begin recording, have them look slightly off camera—as though they are looking at you as you are seated to the immediate right or left of the camera—much like you see on television news interviews.
Do not have them look into, or even glance at the camera, during recording. Also, remember the so-called Rule of Thirds. Mentally divide the viewfinder evenly into nine equal squares—using two horizontal and two vertical lines. Then, position the eyes of the interviewee at or near where the top horizontal line intersects the nearest vertical line in the upper right or left hand corners of the screen.
Avoid using the camera’s built-in mic whenever possible, opting instead for an external lapel mic. Wear headphones while recording to make sure you detect any popping or scratching from the mic. Record some so-called B-Roll as well, to use as a patch when editing between segments of the interview—things like the person talking on the phone, looking through a folder, shaking hands with someone, or walking through a doorway—anything that would reflect normal business activity for a few seconds while you transition to the next answer. Finally, remember to always use a tripod, and make certain the interviewee doesn’t have a window or bright light behind them.
Last but not least, keep your questions interesting, concise and well planned. While the mechanics of recording the interview are important, in the end, it’s all about content.
Source: Stephen Schweickart is the co-founder of VScreen
Begin by putting the interviewee at ease. Let them know your questions well in advance, and allow them time to practice giving clear, concise answers. Remind them if mistakes are made, you can simply ask the question again.
Next, save time and tighten the focus by having them be the only one on camera. Ask your questions in a way that the listener will know what the question was by the way it was answered. For example, if you ask them what they liked most about the Grand Canyon, they would begin their answer by saying: “What we liked most about the Grand Canyon was…” That way, there’s no need for you, or your question, to be part of the presentation.
When you begin recording, have them look slightly off camera—as though they are looking at you as you are seated to the immediate right or left of the camera—much like you see on television news interviews.
Do not have them look into, or even glance at the camera, during recording. Also, remember the so-called Rule of Thirds. Mentally divide the viewfinder evenly into nine equal squares—using two horizontal and two vertical lines. Then, position the eyes of the interviewee at or near where the top horizontal line intersects the nearest vertical line in the upper right or left hand corners of the screen.
Avoid using the camera’s built-in mic whenever possible, opting instead for an external lapel mic. Wear headphones while recording to make sure you detect any popping or scratching from the mic. Record some so-called B-Roll as well, to use as a patch when editing between segments of the interview—things like the person talking on the phone, looking through a folder, shaking hands with someone, or walking through a doorway—anything that would reflect normal business activity for a few seconds while you transition to the next answer. Finally, remember to always use a tripod, and make certain the interviewee doesn’t have a window or bright light behind them.
Last but not least, keep your questions interesting, concise and well planned. While the mechanics of recording the interview are important, in the end, it’s all about content.
Source: Stephen Schweickart is the co-founder of VScreen
Friday, January 28, 2011
7 Ways to Generate Leads and Make Money Using Facebook
A few years ago it was enough just to be on Facebook. That alone might have made you stand out. Nowadays, however, everyone—from your fiercest competition to your dear old Aunt Susie—is on the social networking giant, so it’s imperative that you maximize your presence. Here are seven ways to stand out among the sea of site users.
1. Most of us have a profile page on Facebook but it shouldn’t end there. You should have a page for your business as well. Having a business page will allow your existing clients to stay in touch with you and also refer you more easily to their friends and family. In addition, people who are interviewing you to choose you as their REALTOR® may also “check you out” on Facebook. It allows them to see you on a different level and connect with you more personally.
2. After you have created your business page, take the next step and create a page that is specific to a niche or specific target market or a specialty you service. For example, if you are experienced in working short sales, create a page like Knoxville Short Sales. On this page, post what is happening in the industry, the short sale process or learning about the HAFA program.
3. Invite your friends to “Like” your page. Once you have 25 friends, you can create a branded Facebook domain name. Just go to www.Facebook.com/Username to name your page. This will create an easy to remember name like www.Face-book.com/AvoidForeclosure.
4. Once you have your page created, convert it to work like an additional website. Create a welcome page that looks and feels like your brand and your website strategy. Include clickable sections and calls to action that get the visitor over to the lead generation elements in your website. Include buttons like “Search Properties Now,” “Hot Property Alerts” or “Foreclosure Deals.” New friends or leads that you send to your Facebook page will land on this page first, which is why it can be a powerful lead generator for your website.
5. Now that you have your page and an easy-to-remember domain name, focus on “waving the flag” and driving traffic to your Facebook page. Add your Facebook domain name to every single marketing element you use in your business. Whether it’s your business card, postcards, listing flyer, magazine ad or your website, don’t forget to include it with your contact information.
6. Ever notice the ads on the right-hand side of Facebook and also how those ads seem to relate to you? This is target marketing in action. Run Facebook ads that drive traffic to your main site or to specific landing pages that focus on lead capture. When running these ads, you can hyperfocus down so those ads will only appear to those who share certain interests or in a certain age bracket or a geographic area.
7. Track your lead generation and conversion stats on what works. When running ads on Facebook, you can see the percentages of “click throughs” and see which ads generate the most interest. Also look in the backend stats of your website and track how many hits are coming from Facebook. This will allow you to know where to focus and continue your marketing efforts.
Source: RISMedia
1. Most of us have a profile page on Facebook but it shouldn’t end there. You should have a page for your business as well. Having a business page will allow your existing clients to stay in touch with you and also refer you more easily to their friends and family. In addition, people who are interviewing you to choose you as their REALTOR® may also “check you out” on Facebook. It allows them to see you on a different level and connect with you more personally.
2. After you have created your business page, take the next step and create a page that is specific to a niche or specific target market or a specialty you service. For example, if you are experienced in working short sales, create a page like Knoxville Short Sales. On this page, post what is happening in the industry, the short sale process or learning about the HAFA program.
3. Invite your friends to “Like” your page. Once you have 25 friends, you can create a branded Facebook domain name. Just go to www.Facebook.com/Username to name your page. This will create an easy to remember name like www.Face-book.com/AvoidForeclosure.
4. Once you have your page created, convert it to work like an additional website. Create a welcome page that looks and feels like your brand and your website strategy. Include clickable sections and calls to action that get the visitor over to the lead generation elements in your website. Include buttons like “Search Properties Now,” “Hot Property Alerts” or “Foreclosure Deals.” New friends or leads that you send to your Facebook page will land on this page first, which is why it can be a powerful lead generator for your website.
5. Now that you have your page and an easy-to-remember domain name, focus on “waving the flag” and driving traffic to your Facebook page. Add your Facebook domain name to every single marketing element you use in your business. Whether it’s your business card, postcards, listing flyer, magazine ad or your website, don’t forget to include it with your contact information.
6. Ever notice the ads on the right-hand side of Facebook and also how those ads seem to relate to you? This is target marketing in action. Run Facebook ads that drive traffic to your main site or to specific landing pages that focus on lead capture. When running these ads, you can hyperfocus down so those ads will only appear to those who share certain interests or in a certain age bracket or a geographic area.
7. Track your lead generation and conversion stats on what works. When running ads on Facebook, you can see the percentages of “click throughs” and see which ads generate the most interest. Also look in the backend stats of your website and track how many hits are coming from Facebook. This will allow you to know where to focus and continue your marketing efforts.
Source: RISMedia
Get your facebook email account
See how to get your Facebook account Here!!!
or copy and paste into your Browser http://techsavvyagent.com/facebook/facebook-messages-review/
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Google to Drop Real Estate Listings
Google announced that it will drop real estate listings that real estate professionals upload to its classified site Google Base, as well as any for-sale, foreclosure, or rental properties through its search function on Google Maps.
The real estate listings at the site will discontinue by Feb. 10, 2011.
Google officials say they decided to stop featuring the real estate listings because of low usage and the popularity of other property-search tools on real estate Web sites. Google Base also is being replaced by Google Shopping APIs, which will not support real estate listings.
Google says visitors still will be able to be use Google to find real estate information and Web sites and explore neighborhoods through Google Street View.
"This does not come as a surprise to me,” Pete Flint, CEO of property search site Trulia, told Inman News. “Even with Google's huge audience, it shows having listing data is clearly not enough to deliver a good real estate search experience and build audience."
Source: “Google Drops Real Estate Listings,” Inman News (Jan. 26, 2011)
The real estate listings at the site will discontinue by Feb. 10, 2011.
Google officials say they decided to stop featuring the real estate listings because of low usage and the popularity of other property-search tools on real estate Web sites. Google Base also is being replaced by Google Shopping APIs, which will not support real estate listings.
Google says visitors still will be able to be use Google to find real estate information and Web sites and explore neighborhoods through Google Street View.
"This does not come as a surprise to me,” Pete Flint, CEO of property search site Trulia, told Inman News. “Even with Google's huge audience, it shows having listing data is clearly not enough to deliver a good real estate search experience and build audience."
Source: “Google Drops Real Estate Listings,” Inman News (Jan. 26, 2011)
Simple Tips to Make the Most of Social Networking
For the first time ever, U.S. Web surfers visited the Facebook social networking site more often than any other site in 2010, beating out Google, now in the number two spot, according to a report from Hitwise, an Internet analytics firm.
As a real estate virtual tour provider, we spend a lot of time on social networking activities both for the company and to promote our clients. But what is social networking and how can it help sell real estate, you ask?
Using Wikipedia, “the online encyclopedia,” “Social Networking” is described as: A social network service is an online service, platform, or site that focuses on building and reflecting of social networks or social relations among people, e.g., who share interests and/or activities. A social network service essentially consists of a representation of each user (often a profile), his/her social links, and a variety of additional services…”
It goes on to talk about the types of social networking, networking groups, communities, etc. For a more detailed definition, go to: www.Wikipedia.com.
So how can social networking help you sell more homes?
Real estate is a contact sport. You want to be networking with people, both those you already know (your sphere of influence), and those you have yet to meet. Social networks such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, ActiveRain and RealTown are the new online elbow-rubbing (virtual), story-telling, cocktail parties of the new social world.
Don’t be late to the partyYou can add your virtual tours and property listings to Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and others. But for every virtual tour or listing you post, you should be writing six or seven non-selling messages or “tweets” as they are called in Twitter. Write about what you are doing outside of business or what is happening in the neighborhood. Write about local sports, market conditions, local fairs, farmers markets or anything you might talk about with a group of friends. Think of social networking as a “virtual cocktail party” and remember your manners—let others talk and then respond; back and forth.
What social networking is notSocial networking (in most cases) will not replace your traditional methods of prospecting and networking such as “farming,” Open House, Just Listed and Just Sold postcards, phone calls, cold calls, letters (snail-mail), Chamber of Commerce or the local MLS Marketing Groups.
How to get social in 2011Let’s start with Facebook. Facebook has been thought by many people to be just for young people or something that our kids use to communicate with friends. Well, this “was” true several years ago.
However, Facebook has evolved into much, much more. Today, Facebook has more subscribers than the entire population of the United States. In 2010, Facebook passed the 500 million member mark. Yes, that is 500 million! And it is still growing at a rate that appears to be unstoppable.
Take action – it’s freeSo, sign up for a free Facebook membership and create a personal profile with basic information about yourself—nothing too personal, keep it simple. The important thing is to get started today. Create a profile with a minimum of your name, contact information, picture (yes, include your picture), business, and some personal information such as hobbies, pets, etc. But remember to only share information you would be comfortable having shared on the front page of the newspaper…since virtual content “could” be seen by more people than ever read your local paper, even the New York Times.
Next, start searching for your friends, associates and clients who are also on Facebook. You may be amazed at how fast your friends list grows. Congratulations, you are now social networking! Now that wasn’t so tough was it?
Source: Tim Denbo is President/CEO, VirtualTourCafe, LLC.
As a real estate virtual tour provider, we spend a lot of time on social networking activities both for the company and to promote our clients. But what is social networking and how can it help sell real estate, you ask?
Using Wikipedia, “the online encyclopedia,” “Social Networking” is described as: A social network service is an online service, platform, or site that focuses on building and reflecting of social networks or social relations among people, e.g., who share interests and/or activities. A social network service essentially consists of a representation of each user (often a profile), his/her social links, and a variety of additional services…”
It goes on to talk about the types of social networking, networking groups, communities, etc. For a more detailed definition, go to: www.Wikipedia.com.
So how can social networking help you sell more homes?
Real estate is a contact sport. You want to be networking with people, both those you already know (your sphere of influence), and those you have yet to meet. Social networks such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, ActiveRain and RealTown are the new online elbow-rubbing (virtual), story-telling, cocktail parties of the new social world.
Don’t be late to the partyYou can add your virtual tours and property listings to Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and others. But for every virtual tour or listing you post, you should be writing six or seven non-selling messages or “tweets” as they are called in Twitter. Write about what you are doing outside of business or what is happening in the neighborhood. Write about local sports, market conditions, local fairs, farmers markets or anything you might talk about with a group of friends. Think of social networking as a “virtual cocktail party” and remember your manners—let others talk and then respond; back and forth.
What social networking is notSocial networking (in most cases) will not replace your traditional methods of prospecting and networking such as “farming,” Open House, Just Listed and Just Sold postcards, phone calls, cold calls, letters (snail-mail), Chamber of Commerce or the local MLS Marketing Groups.
How to get social in 2011Let’s start with Facebook. Facebook has been thought by many people to be just for young people or something that our kids use to communicate with friends. Well, this “was” true several years ago.
However, Facebook has evolved into much, much more. Today, Facebook has more subscribers than the entire population of the United States. In 2010, Facebook passed the 500 million member mark. Yes, that is 500 million! And it is still growing at a rate that appears to be unstoppable.
Take action – it’s freeSo, sign up for a free Facebook membership and create a personal profile with basic information about yourself—nothing too personal, keep it simple. The important thing is to get started today. Create a profile with a minimum of your name, contact information, picture (yes, include your picture), business, and some personal information such as hobbies, pets, etc. But remember to only share information you would be comfortable having shared on the front page of the newspaper…since virtual content “could” be seen by more people than ever read your local paper, even the New York Times.
Next, start searching for your friends, associates and clients who are also on Facebook. You may be amazed at how fast your friends list grows. Congratulations, you are now social networking! Now that wasn’t so tough was it?
Source: Tim Denbo is President/CEO, VirtualTourCafe, LLC.
Make your real estate resolutions stick
Awareness: the first step in making your New Year's resolutions stick
In order to make your resolutions stick, you must recognize what behaviors are habitual for you as well as determining what habits do and do not support you.
To evaluate the habits in your life, keep a journal for the next week. What are the habits you engage in each day? For example, brushing and flossing your teeth is a healthy habit. Munching on chips while watching a ballgame on television isn't as healthy. Note each habit you engage in and then evaluate whether it supports you in terms of what you would like to achieve in your life.
One habit at a time
Next, identify no more than three behaviors that you would like to change. The goal is to successfully change at least one of these. Start with the behavior that will be easiest to change and tackle the difficult ones after mastering some of the easier ones. In general, the quickest way to let an old habit or behavior expire is to replace it with another activity that better supports your life.
To illustrate, instead of munching in front of the television, consider taking a class, calling an old friend, or doing something that gets you away from the fridge and the television. Habits are virtually impossible to break when you go cold turkey, but are often easily changed when you substitute something else.
Change your routine
You can change your behavior by changing your routine. For example, if you normally munch on snacks while watching television at night, brush your teeth and rinse with mouthwash as soon as you end your meal. Brushing signals your body that you have finished eating. You can use the strength of one habit (in this case, brushing your teeth) to help you break the munching habit.
What benefits are blocking you from changing?
Habits often stay in place just from doing them regularly. For instance, if you're playing two or three hours of computer games each day, this habit may be extremely costly to your business. The challenge here is that many habits are unconscious. You log in to the game expecting to play for five minutes and you're still playing an hour later.
To break this habit, you must first ask, "What benefit am I getting from continuing this habit?" The unconscious benefit could be to release tension, take your mind off a problem, or to interact with others when you're feeling lonely. Before you can break the habit, you must identify what it is that keeps you continuing to engage in the behavior. Once you identify the benefits, you're in a better place to find alternatives that are more effective.
Determine the costs and the benefits of keeping the habit
The second component is to identify whether the benefits of keeping the habit outweigh the costs. Again, the simplest way to break a habit is to substitute another behavior that provides greater benefits.
Question before acting
When you're about to engage in an old habit you want to eliminate, stop yourself and ask, "Is doing this behavior one more time really worth the cost or is engaging in a different behavior a better choice?" By asking this simple question before you choose to engage in the habitual behavior, you are making a conscious choice about your actions.
Remember, the best way to change your behavior is to begin with the easy ones first. Substituting alternative behaviors for the old behaviors that you would like to eliminate is a great way to keep your New Year's resolutions while allowing all those pesky old habits to expire for once and for all.
Source: Inman News™
In order to make your resolutions stick, you must recognize what behaviors are habitual for you as well as determining what habits do and do not support you.
To evaluate the habits in your life, keep a journal for the next week. What are the habits you engage in each day? For example, brushing and flossing your teeth is a healthy habit. Munching on chips while watching a ballgame on television isn't as healthy. Note each habit you engage in and then evaluate whether it supports you in terms of what you would like to achieve in your life.
One habit at a time
Next, identify no more than three behaviors that you would like to change. The goal is to successfully change at least one of these. Start with the behavior that will be easiest to change and tackle the difficult ones after mastering some of the easier ones. In general, the quickest way to let an old habit or behavior expire is to replace it with another activity that better supports your life.
To illustrate, instead of munching in front of the television, consider taking a class, calling an old friend, or doing something that gets you away from the fridge and the television. Habits are virtually impossible to break when you go cold turkey, but are often easily changed when you substitute something else.
Change your routine
You can change your behavior by changing your routine. For example, if you normally munch on snacks while watching television at night, brush your teeth and rinse with mouthwash as soon as you end your meal. Brushing signals your body that you have finished eating. You can use the strength of one habit (in this case, brushing your teeth) to help you break the munching habit.
What benefits are blocking you from changing?
Habits often stay in place just from doing them regularly. For instance, if you're playing two or three hours of computer games each day, this habit may be extremely costly to your business. The challenge here is that many habits are unconscious. You log in to the game expecting to play for five minutes and you're still playing an hour later.
To break this habit, you must first ask, "What benefit am I getting from continuing this habit?" The unconscious benefit could be to release tension, take your mind off a problem, or to interact with others when you're feeling lonely. Before you can break the habit, you must identify what it is that keeps you continuing to engage in the behavior. Once you identify the benefits, you're in a better place to find alternatives that are more effective.
Determine the costs and the benefits of keeping the habit
The second component is to identify whether the benefits of keeping the habit outweigh the costs. Again, the simplest way to break a habit is to substitute another behavior that provides greater benefits.
Question before acting
When you're about to engage in an old habit you want to eliminate, stop yourself and ask, "Is doing this behavior one more time really worth the cost or is engaging in a different behavior a better choice?" By asking this simple question before you choose to engage in the habitual behavior, you are making a conscious choice about your actions.
Remember, the best way to change your behavior is to begin with the easy ones first. Substituting alternative behaviors for the old behaviors that you would like to eliminate is a great way to keep your New Year's resolutions while allowing all those pesky old habits to expire for once and for all.
Source: Inman News™
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Form Simplicity announces three updates
Form Simplicity, an online real estate forms program and Florida Realtors® member benefit, has announced three new user features now available in the system.
• Users may now add the same form multiple times within the same transaction.
• Users are now able to see a forms preview in the system by clicking the magnifying glass icon to the left of the form title, eliminating the need to open a new window.
• Users now have the ability to receive an e-mail notification when they receive an incoming fax within Form Simplicity.
Form Simplicity is a member benefit to all Florida Realtors members. Realtors may log in to the program by using the same ID used for floridarealtors.org. New users are encouraged to register for a free training webinar and watch an overview video of the product on Form Simplicity’s homepage.
For questions, e-mail Info@FormSimplicity.com. For technical support, call the Florida Realtors Technology Helpline, a free member benefit, at (407) 587-1450.
Source: Florida Realtors®
• Users may now add the same form multiple times within the same transaction.
• Users are now able to see a forms preview in the system by clicking the magnifying glass icon to the left of the form title, eliminating the need to open a new window.
• Users now have the ability to receive an e-mail notification when they receive an incoming fax within Form Simplicity.
Form Simplicity is a member benefit to all Florida Realtors members. Realtors may log in to the program by using the same ID used for floridarealtors.org. New users are encouraged to register for a free training webinar and watch an overview video of the product on Form Simplicity’s homepage.
For questions, e-mail Info@FormSimplicity.com. For technical support, call the Florida Realtors Technology Helpline, a free member benefit, at (407) 587-1450.
Source: Florida Realtors®
Remote Access for your Desktop
Access you desktop computer remotely with these three gadgets
GoToMyPC (http://www.gotomypc.com/remote_access/remote_access)
LogMeIn (https://secure.logmein.com/)
iTeleport (http://www.iteleportmobile.com/home)
 |
Humasan Real Estate is fully integrated with Google Apps Enterprises
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRESS RELEASE
01/26/2011
Integrating Google Apps Enterprises to Humasan Real Estate operations is part of the culture and vision that will put us as a leading Real Estate Brokerage firm in the State of Florida, allowing us to be competitive, cost control, and offer more to our associates for their day to day business.Some of the benefits for the brokerage and the associates are:
-Remote access from anywhere in the World!
-25G of Email Storage per each Associate
-Brokerage Intranet-Site ("ALL IN ONE STOP" that contain Industry Useful Links, Collaboration, Pre-Writing Marketing Letters for Sales, Buyers, FSBO, Expires and much more!!!)
-Access to Google Apps and Affiliates
-Access to the Android Market and use of the same for the business integrated with Humasan Real Estate-Google Apps Enterprises system
Our VisionPreserving our Fundamentals, while enhancing your Real Estate Experience.
PRESS RELEASE
01/26/2011
Mami‚ FL − 01/26/2011 − We at Humasan Real Estate are pleased to announce that the brokerage firm is fully integrated with Google Apps Enterprises; this is a significant step toward converting the brokerage firm into the Cloud. This technology addition will enable us to ingrate all our system under one umbrella, providing more tools to our Associates "ALL IN ONE STOP" which will streamline their business and be more efficient, in addition having all the tools "ON THE GO".
Integrating Google Apps Enterprises to Humasan Real Estate operations is part of the culture and vision that will put us as a leading Real Estate Brokerage firm in the State of Florida, allowing us to be competitive, cost control, and offer more to our associates for their day to day business.
-Remote access from anywhere in the World!
-25G of Email Storage per each Associate
-Brokerage Intranet-Site ("ALL IN ONE STOP" that contain Industry Useful Links, Collaboration, Pre-Writing Marketing Letters for Sales, Buyers, FSBO, Expires and much more!!!)
-Access to Google Apps and Affiliates
-Access to the Android Market and use of the same for the business integrated with Humasan Real Estate-Google Apps Enterprises system
Our VisionPreserving our Fundamentals, while enhancing your Real Estate Experience.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Monday, January 24, 2011
New ABR App for iPhone
REALTORS® who work with buyers have a new resource available through the ABR® app for the iPhone. Available now through the iTunes store, this new benefit will help Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR®) designees grow their business while also connecting with home buyers.
ABR® app users have access to resources for home buyers, finance calculators, marketing tips and articles from Today’s Buyer’s Rep, REBAC’s monthly membership newsletter. REALTORS® can also use the app to share useful articles with potential buyers via e-mail.
“The ABR® iPhone app is one more resource that helps REALTORS® add value to the real estate transaction,” said NAR President Ron Phipps, broker-president of Phipps Realty in Warwick, R.I. “REALTORS® apply technology to enhance business processes and client relations, and the resources available through the ABR® iPhone app are extremely practical both as a professional resource and when out in the field with buyers.”
The ABR® iPhone app is the latest resource from the National Association of REALTORS®’ Real Estate Buyer’s Agent Council. This powerful and practical app was developed by Jacobs & Clevenger, a multichannel marketing communications firm, working in close partnership with NAR.
“Today’s agents are increasingly using smart phones in their day-to-day business,” said Marc Gould, executive director of REBAC. “This application not only allows NAR members access to the many tools and resources available through REBAC membership, but also it provides them with the ability to share these resources with today’s buyers.”
Agents interested in learning more about the ABR® app for iPhone or the ABR® Designation can contact REBAC at 800-648-6224 or visit www.rebac.net.
Jacobs & Clevenger is an independent, multichannel marketing communications agency that provides direct, digital, database and brand marketing solutions. The agency helps clients grow their brands and their businesses through apps, webinars, viral games, search engine marketing, e-mail campaigns and the mobile optimization of websites. To learn more, visit www.jacobsclevenger.com.
A wholly owned subsidiary of the National Association of REALTORS®, the Real Estate Buyer’s Agent Council is the world’s largest association of real estate professionals focusing specifically on representing the real estate buyer. With more than 40,000 active members, REBAC awards the Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR®) designation to REALTORS® who work directly with buyer-clients. To learn more visit REBAC.net.
Source: NAR
ABR® app users have access to resources for home buyers, finance calculators, marketing tips and articles from Today’s Buyer’s Rep, REBAC’s monthly membership newsletter. REALTORS® can also use the app to share useful articles with potential buyers via e-mail.
“The ABR® iPhone app is one more resource that helps REALTORS® add value to the real estate transaction,” said NAR President Ron Phipps, broker-president of Phipps Realty in Warwick, R.I. “REALTORS® apply technology to enhance business processes and client relations, and the resources available through the ABR® iPhone app are extremely practical both as a professional resource and when out in the field with buyers.”
The ABR® iPhone app is the latest resource from the National Association of REALTORS®’ Real Estate Buyer’s Agent Council. This powerful and practical app was developed by Jacobs & Clevenger, a multichannel marketing communications firm, working in close partnership with NAR.
“Today’s agents are increasingly using smart phones in their day-to-day business,” said Marc Gould, executive director of REBAC. “This application not only allows NAR members access to the many tools and resources available through REBAC membership, but also it provides them with the ability to share these resources with today’s buyers.”
Agents interested in learning more about the ABR® app for iPhone or the ABR® Designation can contact REBAC at 800-648-6224 or visit www.rebac.net.
Jacobs & Clevenger is an independent, multichannel marketing communications agency that provides direct, digital, database and brand marketing solutions. The agency helps clients grow their brands and their businesses through apps, webinars, viral games, search engine marketing, e-mail campaigns and the mobile optimization of websites. To learn more, visit www.jacobsclevenger.com.
A wholly owned subsidiary of the National Association of REALTORS®, the Real Estate Buyer’s Agent Council is the world’s largest association of real estate professionals focusing specifically on representing the real estate buyer. With more than 40,000 active members, REBAC awards the Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR®) designation to REALTORS® who work directly with buyer-clients. To learn more visit REBAC.net.
Source: NAR
Time for agents to consider QR Codes?
A QR Code – those four-sided barcodes showing up in newspapers and advertisements – continue to grow in popularity as more consumers adapt to smart phone technology. While QR Code use is still relatively rare in the real estate profession, a QR Code allows potential clients to jump directly – and quickly – to a home listing or a Realtor’s bio.
QR Codes could be an effective sales tool at a listing presentation. As the latest tech move, it gives a Realtor a way to stand out from the crowd, at least until QR Codes go mainstream. If a home listing ad includes a QR Code, readers can click it with their phone and immediately jump to multiple colored photos, extensive descriptions and more. During a presentation, it gives the Realtor a dynamic answer to the seller’s question: “What can you do for me?”
Another advantage to QR Codes: They’re free. A number of websites such as www.mobilerealestateid.com will create them. From there, a QR Code can be placed on business cards, inside ads and onto websites. However, the ideal location for a QR Code is in print, since it allows a consumer to look at a static ad or home listing sign and instantly get more information with dialing or keying in information.
Since QR Code technology is just now making its way into the public consciousness, some smart phone users still need to download the appropriate app. However, QR reader apps are free and usually work like a camera.
Source: Florida Realtors®
My Picks:
QReateBuzz.com (http://www.qreatebuzz.com/)
GOO.gl (http://goo.gl/)
Zxing.appspot.com (http://zxing.appspot.com/generator/)
Vyoo.it (http://vyoo.it/)
QRcode.kaywa.com (http://qrcode.kaywa.com/)
QRStuff.com (http://www.qrstuff.com/index.html)
QR Codes could be an effective sales tool at a listing presentation. As the latest tech move, it gives a Realtor a way to stand out from the crowd, at least until QR Codes go mainstream. If a home listing ad includes a QR Code, readers can click it with their phone and immediately jump to multiple colored photos, extensive descriptions and more. During a presentation, it gives the Realtor a dynamic answer to the seller’s question: “What can you do for me?”
Another advantage to QR Codes: They’re free. A number of websites such as www.mobilerealestateid.com will create them. From there, a QR Code can be placed on business cards, inside ads and onto websites. However, the ideal location for a QR Code is in print, since it allows a consumer to look at a static ad or home listing sign and instantly get more information with dialing or keying in information.
Since QR Code technology is just now making its way into the public consciousness, some smart phone users still need to download the appropriate app. However, QR reader apps are free and usually work like a camera.
Source: Florida Realtors®
My Picks:
QReateBuzz.com (http://www.qreatebuzz.com/)
GOO.gl (http://goo.gl/)
Zxing.appspot.com (http://zxing.appspot.com/generator/)
Vyoo.it (http://vyoo.it/)
QRcode.kaywa.com (http://qrcode.kaywa.com/)
QRStuff.com (http://www.qrstuff.com/index.html)
6 Web Strategies for Working Neighborhoods
Adding neighborhoods to your site can be a powerful way to show that you are an expert in this market to buyers and sellers. From a listing strategy perspective, featuring neighborhoods can help you gain credibility with your sellers and help you gain market share. Imagine going on a listing presentation and showing sellers that you have featured their neighborhood specifically on your website.
To maximize your results, follow these specific strategies:
1. Make sure each neighborhood on your website has its own page of information like http://bradkorb.com/magnolia_park.
2. Share with your sellers that featuring their neighborhood draws buyers instantly to their community and that in “one click,” buyers will find their home quickly without having to do a tedious search. When coding the MLS search, it will only show properties in the specific neighborhood, regardless of who has the listing. This gives the seller the assurance that you would position their home well in a featured list of properties.
3. Buy a domain name for each of your core farming areas that can show that you are the hub for information about that area. For example, get a specific neighborhood domain name, such as www.NameOfNeighborhoodListings.com, and then point that domain to pages on your website or stealth pages.
4. Buy a domain name specifically for market updates or “Hot Properties” new to the market in that specific neighborhood. For example, www.Your-AreaMarketUpdates.com or www.NeighborhoodNameListingAlerts.com could provide information on what is active on the market as well as offer the ability to sign up for free listing alerts.
5. Buy a domain that leads a visitor to information about home values in your farming area. For example, buying the domain www.YourAreaHomeValues.com will give the site visitor access to a CMA request form to find out what’s selling in his/her neighborhood.
6. On any farming piece to the neighborhood, don’t forget to include the “call to action.” For example, on your just-listed postcard, include verbiage like “Thinking of Selling? Check out the competition at www.NameOfNeighborhoodListings.com.” Then, on that page, they can see what’s for sale in the MLS.
Remember to think about the homeowner who lives in the area and give them information that shows you are the expert. Give them what they want. At the same time, prove to buyers that they have come to the right place to find their special home in their favorite community.
Source: RISMEdia
To maximize your results, follow these specific strategies:
1. Make sure each neighborhood on your website has its own page of information like http://bradkorb.com/magnolia_park.
2. Share with your sellers that featuring their neighborhood draws buyers instantly to their community and that in “one click,” buyers will find their home quickly without having to do a tedious search. When coding the MLS search, it will only show properties in the specific neighborhood, regardless of who has the listing. This gives the seller the assurance that you would position their home well in a featured list of properties.
3. Buy a domain name for each of your core farming areas that can show that you are the hub for information about that area. For example, get a specific neighborhood domain name, such as www.NameOfNeighborhoodListings.com, and then point that domain to pages on your website or stealth pages.
4. Buy a domain name specifically for market updates or “Hot Properties” new to the market in that specific neighborhood. For example, www.Your-AreaMarketUpdates.com or www.NeighborhoodNameListingAlerts.com could provide information on what is active on the market as well as offer the ability to sign up for free listing alerts.
5. Buy a domain that leads a visitor to information about home values in your farming area. For example, buying the domain www.YourAreaHomeValues.com will give the site visitor access to a CMA request form to find out what’s selling in his/her neighborhood.
6. On any farming piece to the neighborhood, don’t forget to include the “call to action.” For example, on your just-listed postcard, include verbiage like “Thinking of Selling? Check out the competition at www.NameOfNeighborhoodListings.com.” Then, on that page, they can see what’s for sale in the MLS.
Remember to think about the homeowner who lives in the area and give them information that shows you are the expert. Give them what they want. At the same time, prove to buyers that they have come to the right place to find their special home in their favorite community.
Source: RISMEdia
Saturday, January 22, 2011
3 Tips to Meeting Clients' Needs with Confidence
Although the real estate market tends to slow down in the winter, real estate professionals must constantly be on their toes when it comes to sharing information with clients—past and present—as well as prospective buyers and sellers.
Here are three tips from SmallBizBee.com to help you gain confidence when it comes to speaking with prospective clients—whether it be through phone calls, first meetings or listing appointments.
1. Don’t focus on yourself. If you are getting ready to meet with a client, be sure to focus on them. Whether that means reviewing where you are in the real estate process with a specific client or taking the time to familiarize yourself with a home you are getting ready to show, take the time to focus before your meeting is set to start. By planning ahead, you will be ready to answer any questions they may have and share any new information or trends that will help them make a good decision.
2. A clear purpose. Every conversation you have with a client should have its own unique purpose. For instance, when meeting with a prospective client for the first time, the purpose of your conversation may be to understand their selling goals as well as showing them why you are the right real estate agent to work with. The purpose of your conversation is going to differ whether you are talking to first-time buyers, families or seniors, so be sure to remember what you are trying to get out of each conversation. By going into each conversation or meeting with the purpose in mind, you will be able to clearly share the appropriate information.
3. Stay organized and calm. Staying calm and being well organized are two of the most important things to focus on as you get ready to meet with clients or even prospective clients. If you have spent time preparing a few talking points as well as pertinent information for the clients you are meeting with, you are well on your way to a successful meeting. Be sure to take a few minutes before any appointment to calm yourself down and tell yourself that you are well prepared.
Source: RISMedia
Here are three tips from SmallBizBee.com to help you gain confidence when it comes to speaking with prospective clients—whether it be through phone calls, first meetings or listing appointments.
1. Don’t focus on yourself. If you are getting ready to meet with a client, be sure to focus on them. Whether that means reviewing where you are in the real estate process with a specific client or taking the time to familiarize yourself with a home you are getting ready to show, take the time to focus before your meeting is set to start. By planning ahead, you will be ready to answer any questions they may have and share any new information or trends that will help them make a good decision.
2. A clear purpose. Every conversation you have with a client should have its own unique purpose. For instance, when meeting with a prospective client for the first time, the purpose of your conversation may be to understand their selling goals as well as showing them why you are the right real estate agent to work with. The purpose of your conversation is going to differ whether you are talking to first-time buyers, families or seniors, so be sure to remember what you are trying to get out of each conversation. By going into each conversation or meeting with the purpose in mind, you will be able to clearly share the appropriate information.
3. Stay organized and calm. Staying calm and being well organized are two of the most important things to focus on as you get ready to meet with clients or even prospective clients. If you have spent time preparing a few talking points as well as pertinent information for the clients you are meeting with, you are well on your way to a successful meeting. Be sure to take a few minutes before any appointment to calm yourself down and tell yourself that you are well prepared.
Source: RISMedia
Friday, January 21, 2011
Simple Tips to Effectively Connect With Your Clients
As any real estate professional can tell you, connecting with clients is a crucial first step toward helping them achieve their buying or selling goals. If you’re ready to make 2011 the year that you effectively connect with your clients—past and present—the following tips from Mindspring Design will help you get started.
1. Get creative. If you are constantly reaching out to clients through the same means on a monthly and yearly basis, take a step back and think about how you can more effectively bridge the communication gap. Be willing to change simple things such as the size and color of the postcards you send, or take this a step further by incorporating something that directly relates to real estate into your marketing material. By creating marketing pieces that stand out, your clients will take notice and they will have an easier time identifying you and your company with your marketing materials.
2. Incorporate social networks. Social networks such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn are growing rapidly, and there’s no end in sight, so be sure to take advantage of any social networking platform you can to connect with your clients. While older clients may want to deal strictly on the phone or in person, the new wave of buyers (Gen X and Gen Y) are looking to communicate in a fast-paced environment. Connecting effectively with your clients means communicating with them through the means in which they feel most comfortable. While your typical day is undoubtedly filled with selling real estate, it is crucial to take the time to engage with your clients on the various social networking sites they belong to.
3. Keep it clean. Marketing yourself effectively can seem like a full-time job, but once you have the basics in place, don’t go overboard. Be sure to keep your message short and to the point, or you risk losing your clients before they even have a chance to comprehend your message. Pay close attention to certain aspects such as the font, colors and photos you are using in your marketing materials as well.
Source: RISMedia
1. Get creative. If you are constantly reaching out to clients through the same means on a monthly and yearly basis, take a step back and think about how you can more effectively bridge the communication gap. Be willing to change simple things such as the size and color of the postcards you send, or take this a step further by incorporating something that directly relates to real estate into your marketing material. By creating marketing pieces that stand out, your clients will take notice and they will have an easier time identifying you and your company with your marketing materials.
2. Incorporate social networks. Social networks such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn are growing rapidly, and there’s no end in sight, so be sure to take advantage of any social networking platform you can to connect with your clients. While older clients may want to deal strictly on the phone or in person, the new wave of buyers (Gen X and Gen Y) are looking to communicate in a fast-paced environment. Connecting effectively with your clients means communicating with them through the means in which they feel most comfortable. While your typical day is undoubtedly filled with selling real estate, it is crucial to take the time to engage with your clients on the various social networking sites they belong to.
3. Keep it clean. Marketing yourself effectively can seem like a full-time job, but once you have the basics in place, don’t go overboard. Be sure to keep your message short and to the point, or you risk losing your clients before they even have a chance to comprehend your message. Pay close attention to certain aspects such as the font, colors and photos you are using in your marketing materials as well.
Source: RISMedia
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
New SEO Tool is Here to Help You Increase Search Engine Rankings
So what does Free SEO Report actually do?
This tool takes your website or blog and compares your primary keywords to the top
10 results in over 6 search engines. It then makes recommendations on what
you should do based on your competitor's website success.
This is 90% of Search Engine Optimization. The rest is about getting links,
and Free SEO Report makes some good recommendations for that, too.
Again, it's all based on what your competition is doing.
Want to do some quick, competitive analysis that can help you optimize your
site? Do it right now, for FREE, at Free SEO Report by clicking the link
below!
http://www.freeseoreport.com/invite/8890.htm
This tool takes your website or blog and compares your primary keywords to the top
10 results in over 6 search engines. It then makes recommendations on what
you should do based on your competitor's website success.
This is 90% of Search Engine Optimization. The rest is about getting links,
and Free SEO Report makes some good recommendations for that, too.
Again, it's all based on what your competition is doing.
Want to do some quick, competitive analysis that can help you optimize your
site? Do it right now, for FREE, at Free SEO Report by clicking the link
below!
http://www.freeseoreport.com/invite/8890.htm
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
8 Tips for Designing a Great Website
Looking to build your own website but stuck in a maze of buttons, headings, bullets, subheadings and color schemes?
Before things get messy, take a deep breath and read some practical tips for professional looking websites.
1. Select a color scheme and stick to it.
If your company has a logo or preferred colors on its stationery that’s a good start. For those of you starting from scratch, choose two or three complementary colors and stick with them – don’t change colors on every page.
The most common color schemes include:
- Red, yellow and white
- Blue and white
- Red, grey and white
- Blue, orange and white
- Yellow, grey and white.
If you’re not sure what color scheme to choose, surf the Internet and find a website that you like. You can then model your color scheme on what already exists.
2. Use templates.
Can’t find a website you really like? Another option is to choose a template. There are many templates or pre-set designs. These come as part of your Web design software or you can check out some websites that specialize in designing templates.
3. Provide an easy-to-use navigation system.
This is one of the most important issues to consider when designing a website. You need to ensure your visitors can find what they are looking for easily. Most websites either display their navigation bar on the left or at the top. And since most people are used to this type of navigation, it’s best to stick with it.
It also helps to include your navigation bar at the bottom of each page to save your visitors from having to scroll back to the top.
4. Don’t go overboard on special effects
While it is ok to have one or two special effects to jazz up your website, spinning graphics and logos often distract your visitors from the content, not to mention they can take too long to download. Your visitors may click away even before your spinning logo finishes loading.
5. Backgrounds
Ensure your visitors can read the text on the background, i.e., no black writing on dark blue background or yellow on white. Also be careful that your links are visible before and after being visited. The default for links in most programs is blue (before being visited) and burgundy (after being visited), so if you have a dark background, ensure your links are light.
6. External Links
It is a good idea to open links to other websites in a new window. That way your visitors can easily return to your site when they are finished browsing the external link
7. Site Map and Search Feature
If you website is more than 15 pages, it is useful to have a site map or a “Search” feature to ensure your visitors can easily find what they’re looking for.
8. Content is King
While it is important that your website looks clean and professional, it is far more important that you concentrate your efforts on the content and promotion.
If you want a professional website, things to stay away from include:
1. Flash intros, revolving globes, beveled line separators, animated mail boxes
2. Loads of pop-up or pop-under boxes
3. Autoplay music. Allow your customer to play music only if they choose.
4. Free hit counters that say “you are the 27th visitor”
5. Date and time stamps, unless your website is updated daily or weekly
6. Busy backgrounds.
Don’t sweat the small stuff and get yourself focused on what to include on the website and the best way to promote it.
Ivana Katz is the owner of Websites 4 Small Business, a company specializing in the design and promotion of small and home-based business websites.
Source: cyberindian.com
I like to use WordPress.com it is a good platform and use Thesis Themes DIYThemes.com to design the website
Before things get messy, take a deep breath and read some practical tips for professional looking websites.
1. Select a color scheme and stick to it.
If your company has a logo or preferred colors on its stationery that’s a good start. For those of you starting from scratch, choose two or three complementary colors and stick with them – don’t change colors on every page.
The most common color schemes include:
- Red, yellow and white
- Blue and white
- Red, grey and white
- Blue, orange and white
- Yellow, grey and white.
If you’re not sure what color scheme to choose, surf the Internet and find a website that you like. You can then model your color scheme on what already exists.
2. Use templates.
Can’t find a website you really like? Another option is to choose a template. There are many templates or pre-set designs. These come as part of your Web design software or you can check out some websites that specialize in designing templates.
3. Provide an easy-to-use navigation system.
This is one of the most important issues to consider when designing a website. You need to ensure your visitors can find what they are looking for easily. Most websites either display their navigation bar on the left or at the top. And since most people are used to this type of navigation, it’s best to stick with it.
It also helps to include your navigation bar at the bottom of each page to save your visitors from having to scroll back to the top.
4. Don’t go overboard on special effects
While it is ok to have one or two special effects to jazz up your website, spinning graphics and logos often distract your visitors from the content, not to mention they can take too long to download. Your visitors may click away even before your spinning logo finishes loading.
5. Backgrounds
Ensure your visitors can read the text on the background, i.e., no black writing on dark blue background or yellow on white. Also be careful that your links are visible before and after being visited. The default for links in most programs is blue (before being visited) and burgundy (after being visited), so if you have a dark background, ensure your links are light.
6. External Links
It is a good idea to open links to other websites in a new window. That way your visitors can easily return to your site when they are finished browsing the external link
7. Site Map and Search Feature
If you website is more than 15 pages, it is useful to have a site map or a “Search” feature to ensure your visitors can easily find what they’re looking for.
8. Content is King
While it is important that your website looks clean and professional, it is far more important that you concentrate your efforts on the content and promotion.
If you want a professional website, things to stay away from include:
1. Flash intros, revolving globes, beveled line separators, animated mail boxes
2. Loads of pop-up or pop-under boxes
3. Autoplay music. Allow your customer to play music only if they choose.
4. Free hit counters that say “you are the 27th visitor”
5. Date and time stamps, unless your website is updated daily or weekly
6. Busy backgrounds.
Don’t sweat the small stuff and get yourself focused on what to include on the website and the best way to promote it.
Ivana Katz is the owner of Websites 4 Small Business, a company specializing in the design and promotion of small and home-based business websites.
Source: cyberindian.com
I like to use WordPress.com it is a good platform and use Thesis Themes DIYThemes.com to design the website
Monday, January 17, 2011
8 tools to enliven real estate biz
1. Play the Headline Analyzer game
Coming up with great headlines for your ads, marketing materials, blog and social media posts can be a pretty challenging business. The problem is that most agents have no way to evaluate the strength of their headline. Now there is a fun way to beat the problem with an online Headline Analyzer. This powerful tool will help you write more effective headlines for your print and Web marketing.
Begin by entering your headline to see how it scores. Play with it until the score is 40 percent or more to help you design a better headline. (Some tips to score higher are to use the words "you," "your," "secrets" and "strategies," and to use numbers.) This fun tool is free. Be forewarned, however, it's also addictive.
2. Work less, post more
For anyone who produces his or her own newsletter or blog posts, coming up with fresh content is a major challenge. The National Association of Realtors has just started a new Realtor partner program through HouseLogic.com that provides a whole host of consumer-related articles for Realtors to legally republish on their website or blog, or use in print advertising. There is no charge for this exclusive service for NAR members.
3. Never e-mail a file again
Are you tired of having picture or video files bounce because the file is too big? If so, there's a simple solution: Dropbox.com. To share a file with a client (or anyone else for that matter), set up a private Dropbox file for each person. Then, merely drag and drop it into the appropriate Dropbox file. You can also use Dropbox to share files with multiple users.
Dropbox is super simple and much faster than uploading and downloading files via e-mail. Moreover, Dropbox is an easy way to import and export data from your iPad. If you store less than two gigs of information, Dropbox is free.
4. Remember everything!
At least that's what the home page for Evernote.com claims. Evernote has hundreds of uses. For example, if you're tired of cutting and pasting articles, or forgetting the grocery list, Evernote will make all those little sticky notes go away. Evernote also allows you to grab articles from the Web that you would like to read later.
To save an article on Evernote, simply open your Evernote file, click on the article, and the article is saved for future reference. Furthermore, even if the articles are locked down in a PDF format, when you add them to Evernote they immediately become searchable.
Like Dropbox, Evernote is a cloud solution that allows you to sync all of your data automatically to your smart phone, iPad and/or computer. This means that you can easily obtain your data when and where you need it.
5. Manage your money in one place
You know you should be on a budget, but it's a pain to use an Excel spreadsheet. Now there's a terrific solution from Mint.com that enables you to manage your money from a single platform.
Mint.com also generates charts based upon your current spending so you can quickly assess where you are in terms of your budget. Instead of waiting for your bookkeeper or accountant to run your numbers each month, Mint.com updates daily. Best of all, this tool is free.
6. Get rid of those pesky receipts
Let's face it, tracking all the receipts in our business is a nuisance. If you're like most agents you probably have your receipts stuffed in a drawer or a shoebox. What's the solution? Check out Shoeboxed.com. All you do is send them your receipts, they scan them, organize them, and they're ready to go to your account. They can also scan business cards. The basic service is about $10 per month.
7. Avoid having to talk to irritating clients
Do you miss calls from clients or friends and wish you could just call them back and have your call go immediately to their voicemail? If so, check out Slydial.com. Slydial can be a real time-saver, especially when you need to leave a message for a client and a text won't do.
It's also a great way to avoid talking to a windbag when you have other things to do. Simply dial your Slydial number, enter the number you want to call, and leave your message. The free service is supported by ads. The pay service is either 10 cents a call or $2.95 per month.
8. Fun online greeting cards
While there are plenty of great sources for online greeting cards, if you would like to have some fun while providing a customized card for your clients, check out JibJab.com. These are the folks who let you "elf yourself."
To take full advantage of their services, you will have to be able to cut and paste the heads of your recipients into the program. (If you don't already have a "snipping" program installed on your machine, check out Snagit.com. If you're using a Mac, the snipping function is holding down the Command, Shift and "4" keys together.)
Once you have snipped your "heads" and saved them to your photo file, you can then upload them into the JibJab system. After you upload, Jibjab creates a customized, animated movie that you can e-mail to your clients. The basic annual membership is $12 per year. You can also save your movie or have it placed on a DVD for less than $10.
If you're ready for a little less work and a lot more time, any of these tools can help you have fun while being even more efficient.
Source: Inman News™
Coming up with great headlines for your ads, marketing materials, blog and social media posts can be a pretty challenging business. The problem is that most agents have no way to evaluate the strength of their headline. Now there is a fun way to beat the problem with an online Headline Analyzer. This powerful tool will help you write more effective headlines for your print and Web marketing.
Begin by entering your headline to see how it scores. Play with it until the score is 40 percent or more to help you design a better headline. (Some tips to score higher are to use the words "you," "your," "secrets" and "strategies," and to use numbers.) This fun tool is free. Be forewarned, however, it's also addictive.
2. Work less, post more
For anyone who produces his or her own newsletter or blog posts, coming up with fresh content is a major challenge. The National Association of Realtors has just started a new Realtor partner program through HouseLogic.com that provides a whole host of consumer-related articles for Realtors to legally republish on their website or blog, or use in print advertising. There is no charge for this exclusive service for NAR members.
3. Never e-mail a file again
Are you tired of having picture or video files bounce because the file is too big? If so, there's a simple solution: Dropbox.com. To share a file with a client (or anyone else for that matter), set up a private Dropbox file for each person. Then, merely drag and drop it into the appropriate Dropbox file. You can also use Dropbox to share files with multiple users.
Dropbox is super simple and much faster than uploading and downloading files via e-mail. Moreover, Dropbox is an easy way to import and export data from your iPad. If you store less than two gigs of information, Dropbox is free.
4. Remember everything!
At least that's what the home page for Evernote.com claims. Evernote has hundreds of uses. For example, if you're tired of cutting and pasting articles, or forgetting the grocery list, Evernote will make all those little sticky notes go away. Evernote also allows you to grab articles from the Web that you would like to read later.
To save an article on Evernote, simply open your Evernote file, click on the article, and the article is saved for future reference. Furthermore, even if the articles are locked down in a PDF format, when you add them to Evernote they immediately become searchable.
Like Dropbox, Evernote is a cloud solution that allows you to sync all of your data automatically to your smart phone, iPad and/or computer. This means that you can easily obtain your data when and where you need it.
5. Manage your money in one place
You know you should be on a budget, but it's a pain to use an Excel spreadsheet. Now there's a terrific solution from Mint.com that enables you to manage your money from a single platform.
Mint.com also generates charts based upon your current spending so you can quickly assess where you are in terms of your budget. Instead of waiting for your bookkeeper or accountant to run your numbers each month, Mint.com updates daily. Best of all, this tool is free.
6. Get rid of those pesky receipts
Let's face it, tracking all the receipts in our business is a nuisance. If you're like most agents you probably have your receipts stuffed in a drawer or a shoebox. What's the solution? Check out Shoeboxed.com. All you do is send them your receipts, they scan them, organize them, and they're ready to go to your account. They can also scan business cards. The basic service is about $10 per month.
7. Avoid having to talk to irritating clients
Do you miss calls from clients or friends and wish you could just call them back and have your call go immediately to their voicemail? If so, check out Slydial.com. Slydial can be a real time-saver, especially when you need to leave a message for a client and a text won't do.
It's also a great way to avoid talking to a windbag when you have other things to do. Simply dial your Slydial number, enter the number you want to call, and leave your message. The free service is supported by ads. The pay service is either 10 cents a call or $2.95 per month.
8. Fun online greeting cards
While there are plenty of great sources for online greeting cards, if you would like to have some fun while providing a customized card for your clients, check out JibJab.com. These are the folks who let you "elf yourself."
To take full advantage of their services, you will have to be able to cut and paste the heads of your recipients into the program. (If you don't already have a "snipping" program installed on your machine, check out Snagit.com. If you're using a Mac, the snipping function is holding down the Command, Shift and "4" keys together.)
Once you have snipped your "heads" and saved them to your photo file, you can then upload them into the JibJab system. After you upload, Jibjab creates a customized, animated movie that you can e-mail to your clients. The basic annual membership is $12 per year. You can also save your movie or have it placed on a DVD for less than $10.
If you're ready for a little less work and a lot more time, any of these tools can help you have fun while being even more efficient.
Source: Inman News™
Friday, January 14, 2011
How to Guide Your Clients on Appraisals
It’s easy to get confused and frustrated during the appraisal process when buying or selling a home. Because of this, the Appraisal Institute recently released tips for consumers, providing guidance for homeowners and buyers seeking to ensure their sales are completed in a timely manner.
The Appraisal Institute's tips encourage homeowners and buyers to:
• Understand the role of appraisals.
• Make sure their lender hires a qualified appraiser (such as a designated SRA, SRPA or MAI member of the Appraisal Institute).
• Accompany the appraiser during the inspection of the property, if possible.
• Request a copy of the appraisal report from the lender.
• Examine the appraisal report and ask questions.
• Appeal the appraisal if appropriate.
• Ask the lender to order a second appraisal by a qualified and designated appraiser.
• File legitimate complaints with appropriate state board or professional appraisal organizations.
"Credible opinions of value can help to stabilize the real estate market," said Appraisal Institute President Joseph C. Magdziarz, MAI, SRA. "Appraisals are especially important because they are an objective and unbiased source of information. Unlike others involved in real estate transactions, the appraiser is an independent professional who performs a service for a fee rather than for a commission."
Magdziarz noted that normal declines in the real estate market have led to increased caution by lenders. That caution has led to delays in completing some real estate transactions.
"Appraisers today are doing the same thorough, fact-based research and analysis they have always done," Magdziarz said. "Nothing has changed in that regard."
Magdziarz added that appraisers have been wrongly accused of prolonging the nation's real estate downturn by developing value opinions that are below proposed sale prices. Specifically, he said, they've been unfairly criticized for including comparable sales in the valuation process that provide opinions that are below the cost to build.
It serves neither the lender nor the consumer to enter into an upside-down mortgage, he noted. Some real estate agents, mortgage brokers and home builders have used the Home Valuation Code of Conduct and Interagency Appraisal and Evaluation Guidelines as a scapegoat for current declines in the real estate market caused by the weak economy and the general oversupply of homes in the market, Magdziarz said.
Source: RISMedia
The Appraisal Institute's tips encourage homeowners and buyers to:
• Understand the role of appraisals.
• Make sure their lender hires a qualified appraiser (such as a designated SRA, SRPA or MAI member of the Appraisal Institute).
• Accompany the appraiser during the inspection of the property, if possible.
• Request a copy of the appraisal report from the lender.
• Examine the appraisal report and ask questions.
• Appeal the appraisal if appropriate.
• Ask the lender to order a second appraisal by a qualified and designated appraiser.
• File legitimate complaints with appropriate state board or professional appraisal organizations.
"Credible opinions of value can help to stabilize the real estate market," said Appraisal Institute President Joseph C. Magdziarz, MAI, SRA. "Appraisals are especially important because they are an objective and unbiased source of information. Unlike others involved in real estate transactions, the appraiser is an independent professional who performs a service for a fee rather than for a commission."
Magdziarz noted that normal declines in the real estate market have led to increased caution by lenders. That caution has led to delays in completing some real estate transactions.
"Appraisers today are doing the same thorough, fact-based research and analysis they have always done," Magdziarz said. "Nothing has changed in that regard."
Magdziarz added that appraisers have been wrongly accused of prolonging the nation's real estate downturn by developing value opinions that are below proposed sale prices. Specifically, he said, they've been unfairly criticized for including comparable sales in the valuation process that provide opinions that are below the cost to build.
It serves neither the lender nor the consumer to enter into an upside-down mortgage, he noted. Some real estate agents, mortgage brokers and home builders have used the Home Valuation Code of Conduct and Interagency Appraisal and Evaluation Guidelines as a scapegoat for current declines in the real estate market caused by the weak economy and the general oversupply of homes in the market, Magdziarz said.
Source: RISMedia
Thursday, January 13, 2011
10 Successful Rules of New Homes Sales
On a football team every player understands their role. If there is confusion, there is loss of opportunity. The same goes for sales, says Manny Schatz, principal of Professional Builders Services.
Schatz and sales manager Cyd Vacio co-presented at the International Builders’ Show in Orlando Wednesday, describing the role real estate practitioners play in serving buyers while divulging essential tips on how to succeed in new homes sales.
Here are their 10 rules to follow:
1. Be Prepared: This goes for your attitude, your offering, and your understanding of the local market. Know who your buyers are and what they need. You also want to know what your competition is doing – read data, secret shop, and open shop. Quick Tip: create a competition spreadsheet and keep it current.
2. Greeting: Everyone’s heard the same typical sales greeting …a handshake, an exchange of names, and the same five-minute spiel. But those potential clients may have already seen eight to 12 homes and as many as 20 floor plans. Then how do you stand out? Each client should be greeted uniquely and appropriately to establish a great first impression. “If you begin like every other sales team, you’re your own worst enemy,” Schatz says. “Consider what it takes to begin to establish a relationship, because essentially that’s what you’re doing.” He suggests welcoming someone into your business as you would welcome someone into your own home. Quick Tip: Make eye contact, smile, repeat their name, and give a compliment, such as about their children, car, or sweater.
3. Qualifying Through Questioning/Listening: Be an active listener. Your successes reflect how well you listened to and interpreted your clients’ points. A good start to becoming an active listener is visualizing and accepting yourself as a caring person, Schatz says. “If you’re truly listening, you’ll detect clues to help guide them to the right decision,” Schatz says. Quick Tip: Practice your listening skills every day, take careful notes, allow your clients enough time to understand the process, and never interrupt.
4. Home Presentation: Homes generally evoke feelings of comfort and warmth – and in new home sales you want to convey that the home was built just for your clients. “People do not buy on specifications; they buy on emotion,” Schatz says. “They have to move in emotionally before they purchase.” Set the stage before they see the home – talk about the community, the yard, evenings on the front porch. By the time you get to the interior demo, you should already know the buying motives of your clients – point out those features that they shared as being important to them. Do they like to entertain? Point out where they can put the buffet table or the space in the backyard for summer get-togethers. Quick Tip: Vacio uses her smartphone to snap a photo of her clients in their favorite room of a house, which she then e-mails it to them. Memorable and special for the clients, and a great way to get their contact information, too!
5. Homesite Presentation: The attributes of that particular piece of land – views, surroundings, trees, birds, neighboring community – these features help create the unique value of that property. Don’t just walk your clients around outside; instead, explain to them those features of the property. Quick Tip: Give your clients a checklist of those special homesite elements along with a highlighter to get them involved.
6. Objections: Objections are part of the home buying process – often they are valid concerns that have to be addressed; otherwise the client won’t purchase. Objections can also be raised out of fear of the unknown. Hear your clients out. This is where active listening helps. Also consider bringing up objections first to neutralize the potential concern. “You can either address it now or later,” Vacio says. Quick Tip: Practice, practice, practice. Make a list of potential objections and methods to overcome them. Carry it with you at all times and add to it.
7. Continuous Closing: Think of the closing as beginning at your initial meeting. What you’re looking for is agreement from your clients, and each time you get an agreement, you can continue on in the process. Quick Tip: Work toward gaining trust and increasing involvement, then the closing will come naturally.
8. Serve Well: “A sale is not something you pursue, it’s something that happens while you’re serving a client,” says Vacio. Communicate, be informed and informative, and treat clients as you’d want to be treated. Be accountable from start to finish. “It’s not magic, just good common sense,” Schatz says. Quick Tip: A follow-up within the first 48 hours demonstrates professionalism, attention to detail, and concern for clients’ needs, Vacio says. Send a hand written note thanking them for their visit/appointment by the next morning.
9. Competition: Evaluate your rivals. Who are they? Sometimes your biggest competitor may be a buyer’s current home. Ask questions about their current home and why they’re shopping for a new home. Is it size, energy efficiency, or other specific deficiencies with their current home? Quick Tip: Track your competitors’ PR stories and Web pages in addition to their prices.
10. Follow Through to Follow Up: When a prospect leaves your office, go over all the points that were made. Did you miss something? Write it down; keeps notes. Quick Tip: Try reaching out to commercial developments. It worked for Vacio. She was representing a new residential development and regularly dropped off literature and attended events of a nearby commercial project. Her follow-up helped her sell one of the homes to the commercial development’s vice president.
Source: Erica Christoffer, REALTOR® Magazine
Schatz and sales manager Cyd Vacio co-presented at the International Builders’ Show in Orlando Wednesday, describing the role real estate practitioners play in serving buyers while divulging essential tips on how to succeed in new homes sales.
Here are their 10 rules to follow:
1. Be Prepared: This goes for your attitude, your offering, and your understanding of the local market. Know who your buyers are and what they need. You also want to know what your competition is doing – read data, secret shop, and open shop. Quick Tip: create a competition spreadsheet and keep it current.
2. Greeting: Everyone’s heard the same typical sales greeting …a handshake, an exchange of names, and the same five-minute spiel. But those potential clients may have already seen eight to 12 homes and as many as 20 floor plans. Then how do you stand out? Each client should be greeted uniquely and appropriately to establish a great first impression. “If you begin like every other sales team, you’re your own worst enemy,” Schatz says. “Consider what it takes to begin to establish a relationship, because essentially that’s what you’re doing.” He suggests welcoming someone into your business as you would welcome someone into your own home. Quick Tip: Make eye contact, smile, repeat their name, and give a compliment, such as about their children, car, or sweater.
3. Qualifying Through Questioning/Listening: Be an active listener. Your successes reflect how well you listened to and interpreted your clients’ points. A good start to becoming an active listener is visualizing and accepting yourself as a caring person, Schatz says. “If you’re truly listening, you’ll detect clues to help guide them to the right decision,” Schatz says. Quick Tip: Practice your listening skills every day, take careful notes, allow your clients enough time to understand the process, and never interrupt.
4. Home Presentation: Homes generally evoke feelings of comfort and warmth – and in new home sales you want to convey that the home was built just for your clients. “People do not buy on specifications; they buy on emotion,” Schatz says. “They have to move in emotionally before they purchase.” Set the stage before they see the home – talk about the community, the yard, evenings on the front porch. By the time you get to the interior demo, you should already know the buying motives of your clients – point out those features that they shared as being important to them. Do they like to entertain? Point out where they can put the buffet table or the space in the backyard for summer get-togethers. Quick Tip: Vacio uses her smartphone to snap a photo of her clients in their favorite room of a house, which she then e-mails it to them. Memorable and special for the clients, and a great way to get their contact information, too!
5. Homesite Presentation: The attributes of that particular piece of land – views, surroundings, trees, birds, neighboring community – these features help create the unique value of that property. Don’t just walk your clients around outside; instead, explain to them those features of the property. Quick Tip: Give your clients a checklist of those special homesite elements along with a highlighter to get them involved.
6. Objections: Objections are part of the home buying process – often they are valid concerns that have to be addressed; otherwise the client won’t purchase. Objections can also be raised out of fear of the unknown. Hear your clients out. This is where active listening helps. Also consider bringing up objections first to neutralize the potential concern. “You can either address it now or later,” Vacio says. Quick Tip: Practice, practice, practice. Make a list of potential objections and methods to overcome them. Carry it with you at all times and add to it.
7. Continuous Closing: Think of the closing as beginning at your initial meeting. What you’re looking for is agreement from your clients, and each time you get an agreement, you can continue on in the process. Quick Tip: Work toward gaining trust and increasing involvement, then the closing will come naturally.
8. Serve Well: “A sale is not something you pursue, it’s something that happens while you’re serving a client,” says Vacio. Communicate, be informed and informative, and treat clients as you’d want to be treated. Be accountable from start to finish. “It’s not magic, just good common sense,” Schatz says. Quick Tip: A follow-up within the first 48 hours demonstrates professionalism, attention to detail, and concern for clients’ needs, Vacio says. Send a hand written note thanking them for their visit/appointment by the next morning.
9. Competition: Evaluate your rivals. Who are they? Sometimes your biggest competitor may be a buyer’s current home. Ask questions about their current home and why they’re shopping for a new home. Is it size, energy efficiency, or other specific deficiencies with their current home? Quick Tip: Track your competitors’ PR stories and Web pages in addition to their prices.
10. Follow Through to Follow Up: When a prospect leaves your office, go over all the points that were made. Did you miss something? Write it down; keeps notes. Quick Tip: Try reaching out to commercial developments. It worked for Vacio. She was representing a new residential development and regularly dropped off literature and attended events of a nearby commercial project. Her follow-up helped her sell one of the homes to the commercial development’s vice president.
Source: Erica Christoffer, REALTOR® Magazine
10 Successful Rules of New Homes Sales
On a football team every player understands their role. If there is confusion, there is loss of opportunity. The same goes for sales, says Manny Schatz, principal of Professional Builders Services.
Schatz and sales manager Cyd Vacio co-presented at the International Builders’ Show in Orlando Wednesday, describing the role real estate practitioners play in serving buyers while divulging essential tips on how to succeed in new homes sales.
Here are their 10 rules to follow:
1. Be Prepared: This goes for your attitude, your offering, and your understanding of the local market. Know who your buyers are and what they need. You also want to know what your competition is doing – read data, secret shop, and open shop. Quick Tip: create a competition spreadsheet and keep it current.
2. Greeting: Everyone’s heard the same typical sales greeting …a handshake, an exchange of names, and the same five-minute spiel. But those potential clients may have already seen eight to 12 homes and as many as 20 floor plans. Then how do you stand out? Each client should be greeted uniquely and appropriately to establish a great first impression. “If you begin like every other sales team, you’re your own worst enemy,” Schatz says. “Consider what it takes to begin to establish a relationship, because essentially that’s what you’re doing.” He suggests welcoming someone into your business as you would welcome someone into your own home. Quick Tip: Make eye contact, smile, repeat their name, and give a compliment, such as about their children, car, or sweater.
3. Qualifying Through Questioning/Listening: Be an active listener. Your successes reflect how well you listened to and interpreted your clients’ points. A good start to becoming an active listener is visualizing and accepting yourself as a caring person, Schatz says. “If you’re truly listening, you’ll detect clues to help guide them to the right decision,” Schatz says. Quick Tip: Practice your listening skills every day, take careful notes, allow your clients enough time to understand the process, and never interrupt.
4. Home Presentation: Homes generally evoke feelings of comfort and warmth – and in new home sales you want to convey that the home was built just for your clients. “People do not buy on specifications; they buy on emotion,” Schatz says. “They have to move in emotionally before they purchase.” Set the stage before they see the home – talk about the community, the yard, evenings on the front porch. By the time you get to the interior demo, you should already know the buying motives of your clients – point out those features that they shared as being important to them. Do they like to entertain? Point out where they can put the buffet table or the space in the backyard for summer get-togethers. Quick Tip: Vacio uses her smartphone to snap a photo of her clients in their favorite room of a house, which she then e-mails it to them. Memorable and special for the clients, and a great way to get their contact information, too!
5. Homesite Presentation: The attributes of that particular piece of land – views, surroundings, trees, birds, neighboring community – these features help create the unique value of that property. Don’t just walk your clients around outside; instead, explain to them those features of the property. Quick Tip: Give your clients a checklist of those special homesite elements along with a highlighter to get them involved.
6. Objections: Objections are part of the home buying process – often they are valid concerns that have to be addressed; otherwise the client won’t purchase. Objections can also be raised out of fear of the unknown. Hear your clients out. This is where active listening helps. Also consider bringing up objections first to neutralize the potential concern. “You can either address it now or later,” Vacio says. Quick Tip: Practice, practice, practice. Make a list of potential objections and methods to overcome them. Carry it with you at all times and add to it.
7. Continuous Closing: Think of the closing as beginning at your initial meeting. What you’re looking for is agreement from your clients, and each time you get an agreement, you can continue on in the process. Quick Tip: Work toward gaining trust and increasing involvement, then the closing will come naturally.
8. Serve Well: “A sale is not something you pursue, it’s something that happens while you’re serving a client,” says Vacio. Communicate, be informed and informative, and treat clients as you’d want to be treated. Be accountable from start to finish. “It’s not magic, just good common sense,” Schatz says. Quick Tip: A follow-up within the first 48 hours demonstrates professionalism, attention to detail, and concern for clients’ needs, Vacio says. Send a hand written note thanking them for their visit/appointment by the next morning.
9. Competition: Evaluate your rivals. Who are they? Sometimes your biggest competitor may be a buyer’s current home. Ask questions about their current home and why they’re shopping for a new home. Is it size, energy efficiency, or other specific deficiencies with their current home? Quick Tip: Track your competitors’ PR stories and Web pages in addition to their prices.
10. Follow Through to Follow Up: When a prospect leaves your office, go over all the points that were made. Did you miss something? Write it down; keeps notes. Quick Tip: Try reaching out to commercial developments. It worked for Vacio. She was representing a new residential development and regularly dropped off literature and attended events of a nearby commercial project. Her follow-up helped her sell one of the homes to the commercial development’s vice president.
Source: Erica Christoffer, REALTOR® Magazine
Schatz and sales manager Cyd Vacio co-presented at the International Builders’ Show in Orlando Wednesday, describing the role real estate practitioners play in serving buyers while divulging essential tips on how to succeed in new homes sales.
Here are their 10 rules to follow:
1. Be Prepared: This goes for your attitude, your offering, and your understanding of the local market. Know who your buyers are and what they need. You also want to know what your competition is doing – read data, secret shop, and open shop. Quick Tip: create a competition spreadsheet and keep it current.
2. Greeting: Everyone’s heard the same typical sales greeting …a handshake, an exchange of names, and the same five-minute spiel. But those potential clients may have already seen eight to 12 homes and as many as 20 floor plans. Then how do you stand out? Each client should be greeted uniquely and appropriately to establish a great first impression. “If you begin like every other sales team, you’re your own worst enemy,” Schatz says. “Consider what it takes to begin to establish a relationship, because essentially that’s what you’re doing.” He suggests welcoming someone into your business as you would welcome someone into your own home. Quick Tip: Make eye contact, smile, repeat their name, and give a compliment, such as about their children, car, or sweater.
3. Qualifying Through Questioning/Listening: Be an active listener. Your successes reflect how well you listened to and interpreted your clients’ points. A good start to becoming an active listener is visualizing and accepting yourself as a caring person, Schatz says. “If you’re truly listening, you’ll detect clues to help guide them to the right decision,” Schatz says. Quick Tip: Practice your listening skills every day, take careful notes, allow your clients enough time to understand the process, and never interrupt.
4. Home Presentation: Homes generally evoke feelings of comfort and warmth – and in new home sales you want to convey that the home was built just for your clients. “People do not buy on specifications; they buy on emotion,” Schatz says. “They have to move in emotionally before they purchase.” Set the stage before they see the home – talk about the community, the yard, evenings on the front porch. By the time you get to the interior demo, you should already know the buying motives of your clients – point out those features that they shared as being important to them. Do they like to entertain? Point out where they can put the buffet table or the space in the backyard for summer get-togethers. Quick Tip: Vacio uses her smartphone to snap a photo of her clients in their favorite room of a house, which she then e-mails it to them. Memorable and special for the clients, and a great way to get their contact information, too!
5. Homesite Presentation: The attributes of that particular piece of land – views, surroundings, trees, birds, neighboring community – these features help create the unique value of that property. Don’t just walk your clients around outside; instead, explain to them those features of the property. Quick Tip: Give your clients a checklist of those special homesite elements along with a highlighter to get them involved.
6. Objections: Objections are part of the home buying process – often they are valid concerns that have to be addressed; otherwise the client won’t purchase. Objections can also be raised out of fear of the unknown. Hear your clients out. This is where active listening helps. Also consider bringing up objections first to neutralize the potential concern. “You can either address it now or later,” Vacio says. Quick Tip: Practice, practice, practice. Make a list of potential objections and methods to overcome them. Carry it with you at all times and add to it.
7. Continuous Closing: Think of the closing as beginning at your initial meeting. What you’re looking for is agreement from your clients, and each time you get an agreement, you can continue on in the process. Quick Tip: Work toward gaining trust and increasing involvement, then the closing will come naturally.
8. Serve Well: “A sale is not something you pursue, it’s something that happens while you’re serving a client,” says Vacio. Communicate, be informed and informative, and treat clients as you’d want to be treated. Be accountable from start to finish. “It’s not magic, just good common sense,” Schatz says. Quick Tip: A follow-up within the first 48 hours demonstrates professionalism, attention to detail, and concern for clients’ needs, Vacio says. Send a hand written note thanking them for their visit/appointment by the next morning.
9. Competition: Evaluate your rivals. Who are they? Sometimes your biggest competitor may be a buyer’s current home. Ask questions about their current home and why they’re shopping for a new home. Is it size, energy efficiency, or other specific deficiencies with their current home? Quick Tip: Track your competitors’ PR stories and Web pages in addition to their prices.
10. Follow Through to Follow Up: When a prospect leaves your office, go over all the points that were made. Did you miss something? Write it down; keeps notes. Quick Tip: Try reaching out to commercial developments. It worked for Vacio. She was representing a new residential development and regularly dropped off literature and attended events of a nearby commercial project. Her follow-up helped her sell one of the homes to the commercial development’s vice president.
Source: Erica Christoffer, REALTOR® Magazine
The Four Tiers to Social Media Success
It’s easy to get started on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, etc. But what do you do once you’re done signing up and inviting friends and followers?
It’s at this point that you realize you need a social media plan. According to recently released research from marketing tools company Alinean, your social media return on investment success is often driven by level-of-engagement, and that engagement success is driven by a set of best practices termed the "Social Media Hierarchy of Needs."
The findings revealed that social media level-of-engagement—the ability to attract and dialogue with followers, advocates, influencers and readers—drove the capture of new prospects, improved existing customer loyalty and provided a platform for collaborative innovation. These engagements eventually led to incremental revenue opportunities and cost savings, the key benefits in the realization of ROI.
The Social Media Hierarchy of Needs includes:
Tier 1: Content – Achieving social media ROI requires a foundation of content, particularly focused on delivering value, presenting new ideas, improving credibility, driving personal connections and providing entertainment.
Tier 2: Campaigns – Users won't know that the content exists without campaigns, a promotional "push" of messages via the social media channels. Campaigns can include basic messaging like tweeting, updating status, posting discussions and links, and more advanced campaigns such as contests and sweepstakes.
Tier 3: Monitoring – Above the campaigns, monitoring is required to actively listen to the user community. Through monitoring you can track campaign and content effectiveness, advocacy and customer intelligence, trends, competitive intelligence, incidents and issues, as well as responding to direct questions.
Tier 4: Collaboration – Interacting with the user base is a key differentiating element to the most successful social media campaigns. This includes promoting and participating in collaborative discussions and engaging users.
Source: RISMedia
It’s at this point that you realize you need a social media plan. According to recently released research from marketing tools company Alinean, your social media return on investment success is often driven by level-of-engagement, and that engagement success is driven by a set of best practices termed the "Social Media Hierarchy of Needs."
The findings revealed that social media level-of-engagement—the ability to attract and dialogue with followers, advocates, influencers and readers—drove the capture of new prospects, improved existing customer loyalty and provided a platform for collaborative innovation. These engagements eventually led to incremental revenue opportunities and cost savings, the key benefits in the realization of ROI.
The Social Media Hierarchy of Needs includes:
Tier 1: Content – Achieving social media ROI requires a foundation of content, particularly focused on delivering value, presenting new ideas, improving credibility, driving personal connections and providing entertainment.
Tier 2: Campaigns – Users won't know that the content exists without campaigns, a promotional "push" of messages via the social media channels. Campaigns can include basic messaging like tweeting, updating status, posting discussions and links, and more advanced campaigns such as contests and sweepstakes.
Tier 3: Monitoring – Above the campaigns, monitoring is required to actively listen to the user community. Through monitoring you can track campaign and content effectiveness, advocacy and customer intelligence, trends, competitive intelligence, incidents and issues, as well as responding to direct questions.
Tier 4: Collaboration – Interacting with the user base is a key differentiating element to the most successful social media campaigns. This includes promoting and participating in collaborative discussions and engaging users.
Source: RISMedia
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
10 Ways to Spruce Up Your Blog
Social networking is all the rage in marketing these days but as we all know, you could have thousands of friends on Facebook and tons of followers on Twitter, but if you don’t have something relevant to say or any good information to offer, it won’t matter much.
Enter the blog. Blogs are a great way to discuss a point more thoroughly than you could on a Facebook post or a Tweet. While blogging—like all social media—is a constantly evolving platform, there are some basic points that you should always be cognizant of.
Here are 10 tips from typepad.com on how to improve your blog:
1. DO write about topics that you are passionate about.
When you write about topics that excite you, your writing will communicate a sense of energy that will attract like-minded readers. You'll also be more likely to keep on blogging, and won't abandon your blog after a few days or weeks.
2. DON'T take a too-formal tone.
Blogging is a more informal medium than print, and your writing style should reflect that. Blogging allows you to write in a casual, face-to-face tone, as if you were sitting down for a cup of coffee with your readers. One way to begin to develop your blog "voice" is to read blogs that resonate with you and study the ways in which those bloggers choose words that maintain a professional tone while still being warm and accessible.
3. DO edit yourself.
Hey, it's your blog, right? You can write a 2,000-word essay on what you had for breakfast, or wax eloquent about everything that is wrong with retail customer service. Don't do it. Once you draft your post, read through it for redundancies, irrelevant anecdotes or anything that isn't vital. You might find that you have enough material for two or three unique posts. Your blog isn't a book; make it lean.
4. DON'T use tired clichés.
A cliché is a phrase that has been coined for so long that it has become boring. An easy way to turn off readers and make them move on to another site is to pepper your posts with clichés like "right as rain" and "easy as pie." Take a minute to prune those phrases out and replace them with something fresh and original.
5. DO spell check your posts before you click "Publish Now."
Watch out for common misspellings that won't show up on the spellchecker, such as "your" versus "you're," "their" versus "there," and "principle" and "principal." For extra spelling help, use www.dictionary.com.
6. DON'T forget basic principles of good text layout.
Readability is one of the most important aspects of good blog copy. Use line breaks between paragraphs. Use subheads, preferably in bold type. Use italics for emphasis. Your goal is to draw the eye and create a smooth sense of flow throughout your post. Make it easy to read!
7. DO use lists.
Most blog readers skim copy rather than read it all the way through.
One way to maximize your copy impact is to use lists. Bullet lists or numbered lists call attention to important points, and ensure that readers who are skimming will catch the most vital part of your post.
8. DON'T use the same format in every post.
Mix it up a little! Some might incorporate lists, while others might be more narrative. Some posts might include a lot of images, while others will be more copy-heavy. Don't do the same thing every time.
9. DO create descriptive headlines that let readers know what to expect from your posts.
One of the best things about blogging is that it allows you to be creative. Problem is, what is clever to you might be confusing to someone else. The best way to encourage more people to read your post is to write a compelling post title, and use subheads throughout your post.
10. DON'T sweat it.
Don't let these guidelines keep you from blogging. The most important thing is to keep writing. If you write with passion and conviction, you’ll be able to connect with other people, and your writing will improve every time you post.
Source: Typepad.com and RISMedia
Enter the blog. Blogs are a great way to discuss a point more thoroughly than you could on a Facebook post or a Tweet. While blogging—like all social media—is a constantly evolving platform, there are some basic points that you should always be cognizant of.
Here are 10 tips from typepad.com on how to improve your blog:
1. DO write about topics that you are passionate about.
When you write about topics that excite you, your writing will communicate a sense of energy that will attract like-minded readers. You'll also be more likely to keep on blogging, and won't abandon your blog after a few days or weeks.
2. DON'T take a too-formal tone.
Blogging is a more informal medium than print, and your writing style should reflect that. Blogging allows you to write in a casual, face-to-face tone, as if you were sitting down for a cup of coffee with your readers. One way to begin to develop your blog "voice" is to read blogs that resonate with you and study the ways in which those bloggers choose words that maintain a professional tone while still being warm and accessible.
3. DO edit yourself.
Hey, it's your blog, right? You can write a 2,000-word essay on what you had for breakfast, or wax eloquent about everything that is wrong with retail customer service. Don't do it. Once you draft your post, read through it for redundancies, irrelevant anecdotes or anything that isn't vital. You might find that you have enough material for two or three unique posts. Your blog isn't a book; make it lean.
4. DON'T use tired clichés.
A cliché is a phrase that has been coined for so long that it has become boring. An easy way to turn off readers and make them move on to another site is to pepper your posts with clichés like "right as rain" and "easy as pie." Take a minute to prune those phrases out and replace them with something fresh and original.
5. DO spell check your posts before you click "Publish Now."
Watch out for common misspellings that won't show up on the spellchecker, such as "your" versus "you're," "their" versus "there," and "principle" and "principal." For extra spelling help, use www.dictionary.com.
6. DON'T forget basic principles of good text layout.
Readability is one of the most important aspects of good blog copy. Use line breaks between paragraphs. Use subheads, preferably in bold type. Use italics for emphasis. Your goal is to draw the eye and create a smooth sense of flow throughout your post. Make it easy to read!
7. DO use lists.
Most blog readers skim copy rather than read it all the way through.
One way to maximize your copy impact is to use lists. Bullet lists or numbered lists call attention to important points, and ensure that readers who are skimming will catch the most vital part of your post.
8. DON'T use the same format in every post.
Mix it up a little! Some might incorporate lists, while others might be more narrative. Some posts might include a lot of images, while others will be more copy-heavy. Don't do the same thing every time.
9. DO create descriptive headlines that let readers know what to expect from your posts.
One of the best things about blogging is that it allows you to be creative. Problem is, what is clever to you might be confusing to someone else. The best way to encourage more people to read your post is to write a compelling post title, and use subheads throughout your post.
10. DON'T sweat it.
Don't let these guidelines keep you from blogging. The most important thing is to keep writing. If you write with passion and conviction, you’ll be able to connect with other people, and your writing will improve every time you post.
Source: Typepad.com and RISMedia
10 Ways to Spruce Up Your Blog
Social networking is all the rage in marketing these days but as we all know, you could have thousands of friends on Facebook and tons of followers on Twitter, but if you don’t have something relevant to say or any good information to offer, it won’t matter much.
Enter the blog. Blogs are a great way to discuss a point more thoroughly than you could on a Facebook post or a Tweet. While blogging—like all social media—is a constantly evolving platform, there are some basic points that you should always be cognizant of.
Here are 10 tips from typepad.com on how to improve your blog:
1. DO write about topics that you are passionate about.
When you write about topics that excite you, your writing will communicate a sense of energy that will attract like-minded readers. You'll also be more likely to keep on blogging, and won't abandon your blog after a few days or weeks.
2. DON'T take a too-formal tone.
Blogging is a more informal medium than print, and your writing style should reflect that. Blogging allows you to write in a casual, face-to-face tone, as if you were sitting down for a cup of coffee with your readers. One way to begin to develop your blog "voice" is to read blogs that resonate with you and study the ways in which those bloggers choose words that maintain a professional tone while still being warm and accessible.
3. DO edit yourself.
Hey, it's your blog, right? You can write a 2,000-word essay on what you had for breakfast, or wax eloquent about everything that is wrong with retail customer service. Don't do it. Once you draft your post, read through it for redundancies, irrelevant anecdotes or anything that isn't vital. You might find that you have enough material for two or three unique posts. Your blog isn't a book; make it lean.
4. DON'T use tired clichés.
A cliché is a phrase that has been coined for so long that it has become boring. An easy way to turn off readers and make them move on to another site is to pepper your posts with clichés like "right as rain" and "easy as pie." Take a minute to prune those phrases out and replace them with something fresh and original.
5. DO spell check your posts before you click "Publish Now."
Watch out for common misspellings that won't show up on the spellchecker, such as "your" versus "you're," "their" versus "there," and "principle" and "principal." For extra spelling help, use www.dictionary.com.
6. DON'T forget basic principles of good text layout.
Readability is one of the most important aspects of good blog copy. Use line breaks between paragraphs. Use subheads, preferably in bold type. Use italics for emphasis. Your goal is to draw the eye and create a smooth sense of flow throughout your post. Make it easy to read!
7. DO use lists.
Most blog readers skim copy rather than read it all the way through.
One way to maximize your copy impact is to use lists. Bullet lists or numbered lists call attention to important points, and ensure that readers who are skimming will catch the most vital part of your post.
8. DON'T use the same format in every post.
Mix it up a little! Some might incorporate lists, while others might be more narrative. Some posts might include a lot of images, while others will be more copy-heavy. Don't do the same thing every time.
9. DO create descriptive headlines that let readers know what to expect from your posts.
One of the best things about blogging is that it allows you to be creative. Problem is, what is clever to you might be confusing to someone else. The best way to encourage more people to read your post is to write a compelling post title, and use subheads throughout your post.
10. DON'T sweat it.
Don't let these guidelines keep you from blogging. The most important thing is to keep writing. If you write with passion and conviction, you’ll be able to connect with other people, and your writing will improve every time you post.
Source: Typepad.com and RISMedia
Enter the blog. Blogs are a great way to discuss a point more thoroughly than you could on a Facebook post or a Tweet. While blogging—like all social media—is a constantly evolving platform, there are some basic points that you should always be cognizant of.
Here are 10 tips from typepad.com on how to improve your blog:
1. DO write about topics that you are passionate about.
When you write about topics that excite you, your writing will communicate a sense of energy that will attract like-minded readers. You'll also be more likely to keep on blogging, and won't abandon your blog after a few days or weeks.
2. DON'T take a too-formal tone.
Blogging is a more informal medium than print, and your writing style should reflect that. Blogging allows you to write in a casual, face-to-face tone, as if you were sitting down for a cup of coffee with your readers. One way to begin to develop your blog "voice" is to read blogs that resonate with you and study the ways in which those bloggers choose words that maintain a professional tone while still being warm and accessible.
3. DO edit yourself.
Hey, it's your blog, right? You can write a 2,000-word essay on what you had for breakfast, or wax eloquent about everything that is wrong with retail customer service. Don't do it. Once you draft your post, read through it for redundancies, irrelevant anecdotes or anything that isn't vital. You might find that you have enough material for two or three unique posts. Your blog isn't a book; make it lean.
4. DON'T use tired clichés.
A cliché is a phrase that has been coined for so long that it has become boring. An easy way to turn off readers and make them move on to another site is to pepper your posts with clichés like "right as rain" and "easy as pie." Take a minute to prune those phrases out and replace them with something fresh and original.
5. DO spell check your posts before you click "Publish Now."
Watch out for common misspellings that won't show up on the spellchecker, such as "your" versus "you're," "their" versus "there," and "principle" and "principal." For extra spelling help, use www.dictionary.com.
6. DON'T forget basic principles of good text layout.
Readability is one of the most important aspects of good blog copy. Use line breaks between paragraphs. Use subheads, preferably in bold type. Use italics for emphasis. Your goal is to draw the eye and create a smooth sense of flow throughout your post. Make it easy to read!
7. DO use lists.
Most blog readers skim copy rather than read it all the way through.
One way to maximize your copy impact is to use lists. Bullet lists or numbered lists call attention to important points, and ensure that readers who are skimming will catch the most vital part of your post.
8. DON'T use the same format in every post.
Mix it up a little! Some might incorporate lists, while others might be more narrative. Some posts might include a lot of images, while others will be more copy-heavy. Don't do the same thing every time.
9. DO create descriptive headlines that let readers know what to expect from your posts.
One of the best things about blogging is that it allows you to be creative. Problem is, what is clever to you might be confusing to someone else. The best way to encourage more people to read your post is to write a compelling post title, and use subheads throughout your post.
10. DON'T sweat it.
Don't let these guidelines keep you from blogging. The most important thing is to keep writing. If you write with passion and conviction, you’ll be able to connect with other people, and your writing will improve every time you post.
Source: Typepad.com and RISMedia
Stand out with 20 real estate mobile tools
1. Google Maps: This mobile application allows users to drop a pin onto a map that takes them to Google's Street View. Agents and clients can use it to "walk" around a neighborhood before driving there. The app can also be used to e-mail map views.
2. HootSuite: This app allows users to manage their Facebook pages and profiles as well as their Twitter accounts. The app includes the ability to set up columns in order to better target prospective clients. For example, users can create columns of posts that only include a certain keyword or phrase, i.e. "moving to New York."
3. Evernote: Smith called this app the "new Post-It note." The app allows users to save typed, image, video or audio notes, and syncs across users' mobile and desktop devices. Those who like to hand-write can take an image of a handwritten note; the app then makes the text searchable. The app also geocodes every note so that users know where they were when they saved it.
4. DropBox: This app keeps every document, spreadsheet, listing agreement or PDF at users' fingertips. It also allows them to link to any of those documents to share them with other people. Smith suggested that agents create a PDF that answers the ubiquitous "How's the market?" question, and store it in DropBox for easy access.
5. DocuSign: Agents can sign documents electronically from anywhere using this mobile app.
6. Realtor.com: Information on for-sale homes nationwide is available on this app. Users can search for properties in list view, satellite view or map view. For clients with neighborhood preferences, an area highlighter function allows users to trace a particular area with their finger to include or exclude search results in that area.
7. Open Home Pro: Open house attendees may be less likely to provide phony e-mail addresses if agents are using this iPad app rather than a paper sign-in sheet, Smith said. After attendees sign themselves in, the app sends them an e-mail thanking them, and also searches for them on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook. Inman News' columnist Teresa Boardman reviewed the app in the fall (see "Is real estate app ready for the real world?").
8. Slydial: This is an app for agents with overly talkative clients. "Have you ever called someone and wished they wouldn't answer?" Smith asked. This app allows callers to go right to voice mail.
9. QR codes: There are many QR ("Quick Response") code providers out there. Agents can use these bar code-like images on their printed materials to connect clients to online resources of their choosing.
10. Mobile ads: Eyes are shifting online and advertising dollars should follow, Smith said.
11. UStream/Qik: These apps allow users to broadcast live -- a video of a house showing, for example. UStream's Social Stream also includes the ability to interact with viewers through a live feed of Facebook and Twitter messages. Qik is for BlackBerry devices and UStream is for iPhone- or Android-powered devices.
12. YouTube/Reel Director/iMovie: These apps allow users to shoot, edit and upload video. "Stop just consuming content; start creating content," Smith said.
13. Blogging: "What if blogging was called marketing?" Smith said. Who would say, "I don’t have time for marketing?" He recommended the Posterous or WordPress publishing platforms.
14. Google Analytics: This app will tell users what's working for them on their websites, including where people are looking and how long they're staying on specific pages. Agents shouldn't let the 99-cent price tag deter them from this app, Smith said.
15. Scvngr: This app has a gaming element that invites users to interact with the places they're visiting. The company is also offering agents the opportunity to create a "trek" for prospective buyers that takes them to places the agent designates to show off their market. These places can include for-sale listings, schools, coffee shops and landmarks, among many others.
16. Top Producer: This app puts a leading customer relationship management system in the palm of a user's hand. "I don't think you can afford not to have your book of business with you when you're out and about," Smith said.
17. 360 Panorama: This app takes panoramic images and allows users to post them on Twitter and Facebook.
18. Dragon Dictation: This app converts voice memos to text and is especially useful while driving or walking through a house.
19. ITeleport/LogMeIn: These mobile apps allow users to control their desktop computer remotely. This means users can view and edit files, as well as access their desktop software programs.
20. Mobile Card Cast: This service provides mobile-optimized sites and text-message advertising. Most real estate websites appear "broken" on mobile devices, Smith said. "12-17 percent of all traffic right now is mobile -- are you ready?"
Source: Inman News™
2. HootSuite: This app allows users to manage their Facebook pages and profiles as well as their Twitter accounts. The app includes the ability to set up columns in order to better target prospective clients. For example, users can create columns of posts that only include a certain keyword or phrase, i.e. "moving to New York."
3. Evernote: Smith called this app the "new Post-It note." The app allows users to save typed, image, video or audio notes, and syncs across users' mobile and desktop devices. Those who like to hand-write can take an image of a handwritten note; the app then makes the text searchable. The app also geocodes every note so that users know where they were when they saved it.
4. DropBox: This app keeps every document, spreadsheet, listing agreement or PDF at users' fingertips. It also allows them to link to any of those documents to share them with other people. Smith suggested that agents create a PDF that answers the ubiquitous "How's the market?" question, and store it in DropBox for easy access.
5. DocuSign: Agents can sign documents electronically from anywhere using this mobile app.
6. Realtor.com: Information on for-sale homes nationwide is available on this app. Users can search for properties in list view, satellite view or map view. For clients with neighborhood preferences, an area highlighter function allows users to trace a particular area with their finger to include or exclude search results in that area.
7. Open Home Pro: Open house attendees may be less likely to provide phony e-mail addresses if agents are using this iPad app rather than a paper sign-in sheet, Smith said. After attendees sign themselves in, the app sends them an e-mail thanking them, and also searches for them on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook. Inman News' columnist Teresa Boardman reviewed the app in the fall (see "Is real estate app ready for the real world?").
8. Slydial: This is an app for agents with overly talkative clients. "Have you ever called someone and wished they wouldn't answer?" Smith asked. This app allows callers to go right to voice mail.
9. QR codes: There are many QR ("Quick Response") code providers out there. Agents can use these bar code-like images on their printed materials to connect clients to online resources of their choosing.
10. Mobile ads: Eyes are shifting online and advertising dollars should follow, Smith said.
11. UStream/Qik: These apps allow users to broadcast live -- a video of a house showing, for example. UStream's Social Stream also includes the ability to interact with viewers through a live feed of Facebook and Twitter messages. Qik is for BlackBerry devices and UStream is for iPhone- or Android-powered devices.
12. YouTube/Reel Director/iMovie: These apps allow users to shoot, edit and upload video. "Stop just consuming content; start creating content," Smith said.
13. Blogging: "What if blogging was called marketing?" Smith said. Who would say, "I don’t have time for marketing?" He recommended the Posterous or WordPress publishing platforms.
14. Google Analytics: This app will tell users what's working for them on their websites, including where people are looking and how long they're staying on specific pages. Agents shouldn't let the 99-cent price tag deter them from this app, Smith said.
15. Scvngr: This app has a gaming element that invites users to interact with the places they're visiting. The company is also offering agents the opportunity to create a "trek" for prospective buyers that takes them to places the agent designates to show off their market. These places can include for-sale listings, schools, coffee shops and landmarks, among many others.
16. Top Producer: This app puts a leading customer relationship management system in the palm of a user's hand. "I don't think you can afford not to have your book of business with you when you're out and about," Smith said.
17. 360 Panorama: This app takes panoramic images and allows users to post them on Twitter and Facebook.
18. Dragon Dictation: This app converts voice memos to text and is especially useful while driving or walking through a house.
19. ITeleport/LogMeIn: These mobile apps allow users to control their desktop computer remotely. This means users can view and edit files, as well as access their desktop software programs.
20. Mobile Card Cast: This service provides mobile-optimized sites and text-message advertising. Most real estate websites appear "broken" on mobile devices, Smith said. "12-17 percent of all traffic right now is mobile -- are you ready?"
Source: Inman News™
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
3 Simple Tips to Take the Fear Out of Cold Calling
Now that 2011 has arrived, real estate professionals across the country are working diligently to keep their resolutions on track. While everyone’s resolutions vary somewhat, many real estate professionals are vowing to make this the year they no longer feel anxious when making phone calls.
According to the Network Marketing Rookie blog, here are three simple ways to get over your fear of cold calling.
Practice makes perfect. One of the most common reasons why real estate professionals are afraid to pick up the phone and make a phone call is because they don’t know what to say. This fear can easily be eliminated by preparing a short script that can be used when you make a phone call. By listing a few important points that you want to be sure to cover, you will no longer feel that you have nothing to say once you pick up the phone. Once you have your script written out, be sure to practice it before you begin making calls. Rehearse your script in front of the mirror, read it to a friend or family member, or whatever it takes to make you feel comfortable.
Follow the leader. When making phone calls to your sphere of influence, it is crucial to remember that you are a leader. As a real estate professional, you have valuable information to share with your sphere, and it is important that when making phone calls, you show your value as a leader.
Get personal. Even though the main focus of your phone calls should be to speak with prospective clients and provide valuable information, it is important to speak in a friendly manner and get to know the person you are speaking with. Connecting personally with the individual on the other end of the line will show that you value them first and foremost as an individual. Even if someone isn’t ready to buy at the moment, by asking questions to get to know them, they will come to you once they are ready to make a move.
Source: networkmarketingrookie.com
According to the Network Marketing Rookie blog, here are three simple ways to get over your fear of cold calling.
Practice makes perfect. One of the most common reasons why real estate professionals are afraid to pick up the phone and make a phone call is because they don’t know what to say. This fear can easily be eliminated by preparing a short script that can be used when you make a phone call. By listing a few important points that you want to be sure to cover, you will no longer feel that you have nothing to say once you pick up the phone. Once you have your script written out, be sure to practice it before you begin making calls. Rehearse your script in front of the mirror, read it to a friend or family member, or whatever it takes to make you feel comfortable.
Follow the leader. When making phone calls to your sphere of influence, it is crucial to remember that you are a leader. As a real estate professional, you have valuable information to share with your sphere, and it is important that when making phone calls, you show your value as a leader.
Get personal. Even though the main focus of your phone calls should be to speak with prospective clients and provide valuable information, it is important to speak in a friendly manner and get to know the person you are speaking with. Connecting personally with the individual on the other end of the line will show that you value them first and foremost as an individual. Even if someone isn’t ready to buy at the moment, by asking questions to get to know them, they will come to you once they are ready to make a move.
Source: networkmarketingrookie.com
Saturday, January 8, 2011
5 Ways to Build a Successful Business Plan
When times are tough, the successful keep moving…and that’s exactly how you should be thinking now that we've reached a new year. Whether large or small, just you or a staff, you should be thinking about how you are going to run your business—and yes, as a real estate professional, your job is a business—and create a plan for success.
Here are five tips from score.org on how to start writing a successful business plan:
1. Write a business plan with a complete financial and marketing plan.
2. Your marketing strategy should be built around your strengths, your competitor's weaknesses and your customers' desires.
3. Test the reality of your business—know why it will work and how you will make it work. Think your business through step by step.
4. Allow at least two hours every week for thinking and planning. Do not allow anything to interfere with this time. You run the business. Don't let it run you.
5. Establish an annual operating plan. Review it and update it monthly with appropriate employees (if applicable).
Source: RISMedia
Here are five tips from score.org on how to start writing a successful business plan:
1. Write a business plan with a complete financial and marketing plan.
2. Your marketing strategy should be built around your strengths, your competitor's weaknesses and your customers' desires.
3. Test the reality of your business—know why it will work and how you will make it work. Think your business through step by step.
4. Allow at least two hours every week for thinking and planning. Do not allow anything to interfere with this time. You run the business. Don't let it run you.
5. Establish an annual operating plan. Review it and update it monthly with appropriate employees (if applicable).
Source: RISMedia
Friday, January 7, 2011
Top Tips for Making the Most of Twitter
With millions upon millions of people on Twitter, there has to be a way to maximize your use for business purposes, right? You want followers and you want reaction from what you tweet. But with so much information available and such a vast Twitterverse, how do you get people to engage?
For one thing, patience is key, Zach Braiker, CEO of Refine and Focus, a digital media agency with deep expertise in online advertising, digital strategy and social media, tells smarterplanet.com.
Here are some top tips Braiker shares for enhancing your business with Twitter:
• Accounts with photos attract more followers than those without
• Photos of people usually attract more followers than logos
• One of the most important aspects of your twitter account is your name. If your name contains a term you want to associate with, like “luxury” or “advertising,” it’s a lot easier to build followers who share that interest.
• Clever names take more work. If I called my Twitter account “SocialMediaTrends,” rather than “QuiverandQuill” I think it would have taken off much faster. If you don’t believe this, open as second account and try it out.
• Don’t just share links to articles. It makes you look like a robot. Add your opinion, your distinct, human voice.
• Twitter takes time. I think this point is somewhat deceiving. On the one hand Twitter is all about what you are doing “right now.” It is the consistency of what you write over time and how deeply it resonates with followers that form the meaningful connections that make twitter worthwhile.
• Understand what you want from Twitter. I personally enjoy speaking to people I meet on Twitter on the phone or in person. So, I follow people I want to meet. And, very often, I meet them.
• Anyone can start an account, sustaining it can be challenging. This is especially true for a business so you'll need to work hard at it.
Source: smarterplanet.com
For one thing, patience is key, Zach Braiker, CEO of Refine and Focus, a digital media agency with deep expertise in online advertising, digital strategy and social media, tells smarterplanet.com.
Here are some top tips Braiker shares for enhancing your business with Twitter:
• Accounts with photos attract more followers than those without
• Photos of people usually attract more followers than logos
• One of the most important aspects of your twitter account is your name. If your name contains a term you want to associate with, like “luxury” or “advertising,” it’s a lot easier to build followers who share that interest.
• Clever names take more work. If I called my Twitter account “SocialMediaTrends,” rather than “QuiverandQuill” I think it would have taken off much faster. If you don’t believe this, open as second account and try it out.
• Don’t just share links to articles. It makes you look like a robot. Add your opinion, your distinct, human voice.
• Twitter takes time. I think this point is somewhat deceiving. On the one hand Twitter is all about what you are doing “right now.” It is the consistency of what you write over time and how deeply it resonates with followers that form the meaningful connections that make twitter worthwhile.
• Understand what you want from Twitter. I personally enjoy speaking to people I meet on Twitter on the phone or in person. So, I follow people I want to meet. And, very often, I meet them.
• Anyone can start an account, sustaining it can be challenging. This is especially true for a business so you'll need to work hard at it.
Source: smarterplanet.com
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Is 2011 the year of the tablet?
If last year’s International Consumer Electronics Show was overshadowed by Apple’s about-to-be-announced tablet computer, the iPad, no-show Apple will have an even bigger presence this week in Las Vegas.
Richard Doherty, an independent analyst at the Envisioneering Group, says that more than 100 companies will attempt to ride on Apple’s iPad coattails with their own versions of a tablet computer. This comes at a time when Apple is expected to soon announce a second version of the iPad, tech analysts say.
Toshiba, Motorola, Research In Motion, Asus, Acer and Vizio are among the companies expected to unveil tablets at the multiday tech orgy that is CES. “There’s no question Apple blindsided everyone in the industry with the iPad” last year, says Tim Bajarin, an analyst at technology research firm Creative Strategies. “Everyone’s playing catch-up.”
CES could attract as many as 140,000 attendees this year, up from 126,000 in 2010, says Gary Shapiro, CEO of the Consumer Electronics Association, which stages CES. CEA expects total electronics sales, including everything from TVs and computers to video games and Blu-ray players, to top $182 billion in the United States.
“The show is off the charts,” he says. “Consumers are having a love affair with technology. Even in a recession, they didn’t cut back.”
The iPad was the best-reviewed tech product of the year, and created a new category in tablet computing, with a portable entertainment device that ditched the keyboard for a touch-screen and made it more fun to watch movies and TV shows, play games and read books.
Gartner expects sales of tablets – the iPad and Samsung’s Galaxy Tab – to top 20 million units in 2010, growing to more than 60 million in 2011.
Helping the companies with their tablets is Apple competitor Google, whose Android operating system has overtaken the iPhone as the fastest-growing platform for smartphones. A version of Android created for phones is being used for many of the new tablets. But Bajarin and other tech analysts say it isn’t yet powerful enough to run larger tablets.
“Many of them will barely run,” says Doherty. “Consumers will be very upset.”
If 2011 is the “year of the tablet,” as many are expecting, “It won’t begin to happen until the third quarter,” when Google is expected to release its new, more powerful Android, called Honeycomb, Bajarin says.
Tablets from Toshiba and Motorola, for instance, won’t be introduced until the second half of the year. “We’re waiting for Google,” says Toshiba Vice President Jeff Barney. He won’t release his new 10-inch Toshiba tablet (expected price: about $499) until Honeycomb is ready for release, because the extra power is needed to run the unit, he says.
Omar Khan, chief strategy officer for Samsung’s mobile division, which released the Galaxy Tab in November, says Android 2.3 has worked fine for his tablet, which has a 7-inch screen. “We proved we could provide a very compelling tablet experience,” he says. The Honeycomb release “will only further enhance the experience” on bigger tablets, he says.
Flash comes up again
Many iPad clones are expected to follow in the Galaxy Tab’s footsteps, offering what consumers saw as important omissions in the current iPad.
The Tab and Toshiba’s Tablet, for instance, have two cameras for video and photos, a USB port and a slot for SD memory cards for photos. They work with Adobe Flash software, which is used to play more than 75 percent of online video.
Apple doesn’t support Flash for the iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch for various reasons. (Apple CEO Steve Jobs says Flash is “buggy.”) So consumers using Apple mobile products aren’t able to view video-heavy sites such as Nickelodeon’s Nick.com and most websites from car manufacturers, which use Flash extensively.
“One of the reasons the iPad was so popular is because so many iPhone users already knew how to operate it, since it has the same operating system,” Barney says. “They didn’t have to relearn the navigation system. The same is true with Android: They already know it.”
Google declined to comment for this story. But at a recent industry conference in San Francisco, Andy Rubin, a Google vice president who runs the Android division, showed a prototype of the upcoming Motorola tablet that, unlike the iPad, had no buttons on the device. All directions are done via touch-screen. Even though the iPad has just one button – the home button – “You still get a little lost,” Rubin said.
Rubin said Google has worked closely with tablet manufacturers to come up with software that can work more efficiently with tablets. “We’re not in the business to build just one tablet.”
Is smaller better?
In competing with Apple, Samsung’s Khan says the biggest selling points have been offering a smaller tablet computer “that fits in the pocket” and being part of the Android family. “There’s a significant community that’s using Android on the phone.”
But not all device manufacturers are working with Google. Research In Motion’s PlayBook will use its own BlackBerry operating system.
Hewlett-Packard, which bought longtime device manufacturer Palm for $1.2 billion in 2010, is expected to show off a new tablet at CES using Palm’s WebOS system.
And Microsoft, which has been shut out of the tablet market even though the original concept was touted by co-founder Bill Gates in the 1990s, is expected to show – but not offer for sale – a new line of tablets powered by Windows.
But the 1,000-pound gorilla at CES will be the product that isn’t there: Apple’s sequel to the original iPad, which could be announced within days or weeks of the event.
A new iPad isn’t a stretch. The company historically refreshes its lines with new features every year.
Several tech blogs have spent the holidays speculating on what the new iPad will look like.
The sequel is expected to have most of the new features that will be touted by rivals, except for Flash. They include a camera for photos and video; a slightly smaller, thinner design; and a sharper Retina display, like 2010’s iPhone 4.
Is Apple CEO Jobs worried about the competition?
Apparently not.
On a recent conference call with analysts, Jobs predicted that the new tabs would be “dead on arrival.” The chief problem, he said, is that many competing devices will look too similar to the iPad and be too small – most with a 7-inch screen. “Seven-inch tablets are tweeners – too big to be a phone and too small to compete with the iPad,” he said.
Time will tell if Jobs is right.
Source: USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Co. Inc., Jefferson Graham.
Richard Doherty, an independent analyst at the Envisioneering Group, says that more than 100 companies will attempt to ride on Apple’s iPad coattails with their own versions of a tablet computer. This comes at a time when Apple is expected to soon announce a second version of the iPad, tech analysts say.
Toshiba, Motorola, Research In Motion, Asus, Acer and Vizio are among the companies expected to unveil tablets at the multiday tech orgy that is CES. “There’s no question Apple blindsided everyone in the industry with the iPad” last year, says Tim Bajarin, an analyst at technology research firm Creative Strategies. “Everyone’s playing catch-up.”
CES could attract as many as 140,000 attendees this year, up from 126,000 in 2010, says Gary Shapiro, CEO of the Consumer Electronics Association, which stages CES. CEA expects total electronics sales, including everything from TVs and computers to video games and Blu-ray players, to top $182 billion in the United States.
“The show is off the charts,” he says. “Consumers are having a love affair with technology. Even in a recession, they didn’t cut back.”
The iPad was the best-reviewed tech product of the year, and created a new category in tablet computing, with a portable entertainment device that ditched the keyboard for a touch-screen and made it more fun to watch movies and TV shows, play games and read books.
Gartner expects sales of tablets – the iPad and Samsung’s Galaxy Tab – to top 20 million units in 2010, growing to more than 60 million in 2011.
Helping the companies with their tablets is Apple competitor Google, whose Android operating system has overtaken the iPhone as the fastest-growing platform for smartphones. A version of Android created for phones is being used for many of the new tablets. But Bajarin and other tech analysts say it isn’t yet powerful enough to run larger tablets.
“Many of them will barely run,” says Doherty. “Consumers will be very upset.”
If 2011 is the “year of the tablet,” as many are expecting, “It won’t begin to happen until the third quarter,” when Google is expected to release its new, more powerful Android, called Honeycomb, Bajarin says.
Tablets from Toshiba and Motorola, for instance, won’t be introduced until the second half of the year. “We’re waiting for Google,” says Toshiba Vice President Jeff Barney. He won’t release his new 10-inch Toshiba tablet (expected price: about $499) until Honeycomb is ready for release, because the extra power is needed to run the unit, he says.
Omar Khan, chief strategy officer for Samsung’s mobile division, which released the Galaxy Tab in November, says Android 2.3 has worked fine for his tablet, which has a 7-inch screen. “We proved we could provide a very compelling tablet experience,” he says. The Honeycomb release “will only further enhance the experience” on bigger tablets, he says.
Flash comes up again
Many iPad clones are expected to follow in the Galaxy Tab’s footsteps, offering what consumers saw as important omissions in the current iPad.
The Tab and Toshiba’s Tablet, for instance, have two cameras for video and photos, a USB port and a slot for SD memory cards for photos. They work with Adobe Flash software, which is used to play more than 75 percent of online video.
Apple doesn’t support Flash for the iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch for various reasons. (Apple CEO Steve Jobs says Flash is “buggy.”) So consumers using Apple mobile products aren’t able to view video-heavy sites such as Nickelodeon’s Nick.com and most websites from car manufacturers, which use Flash extensively.
“One of the reasons the iPad was so popular is because so many iPhone users already knew how to operate it, since it has the same operating system,” Barney says. “They didn’t have to relearn the navigation system. The same is true with Android: They already know it.”
Google declined to comment for this story. But at a recent industry conference in San Francisco, Andy Rubin, a Google vice president who runs the Android division, showed a prototype of the upcoming Motorola tablet that, unlike the iPad, had no buttons on the device. All directions are done via touch-screen. Even though the iPad has just one button – the home button – “You still get a little lost,” Rubin said.
Rubin said Google has worked closely with tablet manufacturers to come up with software that can work more efficiently with tablets. “We’re not in the business to build just one tablet.”
Is smaller better?
In competing with Apple, Samsung’s Khan says the biggest selling points have been offering a smaller tablet computer “that fits in the pocket” and being part of the Android family. “There’s a significant community that’s using Android on the phone.”
But not all device manufacturers are working with Google. Research In Motion’s PlayBook will use its own BlackBerry operating system.
Hewlett-Packard, which bought longtime device manufacturer Palm for $1.2 billion in 2010, is expected to show off a new tablet at CES using Palm’s WebOS system.
And Microsoft, which has been shut out of the tablet market even though the original concept was touted by co-founder Bill Gates in the 1990s, is expected to show – but not offer for sale – a new line of tablets powered by Windows.
But the 1,000-pound gorilla at CES will be the product that isn’t there: Apple’s sequel to the original iPad, which could be announced within days or weeks of the event.
A new iPad isn’t a stretch. The company historically refreshes its lines with new features every year.
Several tech blogs have spent the holidays speculating on what the new iPad will look like.
The sequel is expected to have most of the new features that will be touted by rivals, except for Flash. They include a camera for photos and video; a slightly smaller, thinner design; and a sharper Retina display, like 2010’s iPhone 4.
Is Apple CEO Jobs worried about the competition?
Apparently not.
On a recent conference call with analysts, Jobs predicted that the new tabs would be “dead on arrival.” The chief problem, he said, is that many competing devices will look too similar to the iPad and be too small – most with a 7-inch screen. “Seven-inch tablets are tweeners – too big to be a phone and too small to compete with the iPad,” he said.
Time will tell if Jobs is right.
Source: USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Co. Inc., Jefferson Graham.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Florida Realtors Report: 2010 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers
The 2010 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers in Florida looks at the traits of the state’s current real estate clients, and it identifies the characteristics of today’s homebuyers. It describes the motivations of recent homebuyers and sellers in Florida so real estate professionals can track the changing demands of consumers.
Characteristics of homebuyers
• Forty-four percent of recent homebuyers were first-time owners compared to 50 percent nationwide.
• The typical first-time buyer was 31 years old, while the typical repeat buyer was 54 years old; nationwide, first-time buyers were typically 30 and repeat buyers were 50 years old.
• The 2009 median household income of Florida buyers was $63,300 – slightly lower than the median income of buyers nationwide, $72,200.
• The median income was $53,500 among first-time buyers and $84,300 among repeat buyers.
• Nineteen percent of recent homebuyers were single females, and 11 percent were single males. Nationwide, twenty percent of recent buyers were single females, and 12 percent were single males.
• For 30 percent of recent homebuyers, the primary reason for the home purchase was a desire to own a home.
Characteristics of homes purchased
• New home purchases were at the lowest level in nine years nationwide – 15 percent of all recent home purchases. But in Florida, 18 percent of homes were new.
• The typical home purchased was 1,800 square feet, built in 1998, and it had three bedrooms and two full bathrooms.
• Seventy-eight percent of homebuyers purchased a detached single-family home.
• The median price of a home was $161,000 compared to $179,000 nationwide.
• When considering the purchase of a home, 73 percent of buyers considered commuting costs very or somewhat important.
The home search process
• For four in ten homebuyers, the first step in the home-buying process was looking online for properties.
• Eighty-nine percent of buyers used the Internet to search for homes.
• Real estate agents were viewed as a useful information source by 98 percent of the buyers who used an agent while searching for a home.
• The typical buyer searched for 12 weeks and viewed 15 homes. This compares to 12 weeks and 12 homes viewed by the typical buyer nationwide.
Home buying and real estate professionals
• Seventy-nine percent of buyers purchased their home through a real estate agent or broker.
• Seven percent of buyers purchased a home in foreclosure – slightly higher than the share of buyers nationally.
• Forty-four percent of buyers found their agent through a referral from a friend or family member.
• Seventy-two percent of buyers would definitely use their real estate again or recommend the same agent to others.
Financing the home purchase
• Eighty percent of homebuyers financed their home purchase compared to a much higher percentage, 91 percent, of buyers nationwide.
• The typical buyer financed 93 percent of their home purchase.
• Forty-six percent of buyers said they made some sacrifices, such as reducing spending on luxury items, entertainment or clothing.
• Twenty-eight percent of buyers reported their mortgage application and approval process was somewhat more difficult than expected, and 16 percent reported it was much more difficult than expected.
Home sellers and their selling experience
• A real estate agent assisted 86 percent of home sellers. Nationwide, 88 percent of sellers used a real estate agent when selling their home.
• Recent sellers typically sold their homes for 94 percent of the listing price, and 63 percent reported they reduced the asking price at least once. Among all sellers nationally, sellers typically sold their homes for 96 percent of the listing price, and 57 percent reduced the asking price at least once.
• Thirty-nine percent of sellers offered incentives to attract buyers, most often assistance with home warranty policies and closing costs.
Home selling and real estate professionals
• Thirty-nine percent of sellers who used a real estate agent found their agents through a referral by friends or family, and 23 percent used the agent they worked with previously to buy or sell a home.
• Eighty-eight percent of sellers reported that their home was listed or advertised on the Internet.
• Among recent sellers who used an agent, 81 percent reported they would definitely (61 percent) or probably (20 percent) use that real estate agent again or recommend the agent to others.
For-sale-by-owner (FSBO) sellers
• The share of home sellers who sold their home without the assistance of a real estate agent was 10 percent, or slightly higher than the national share of 9 percent.
• The primary reason that sellers chose to sell their home using a real estate agent was to avoid paying a commission or fee.
Download the complete 2010 Report of Home Buyers and Sellers in Florida here. The report is also available on the Florida Realtors’ website Research page at floridarealtors.org.
Source: Florida Realtors®
Characteristics of homebuyers
• Forty-four percent of recent homebuyers were first-time owners compared to 50 percent nationwide.
• The typical first-time buyer was 31 years old, while the typical repeat buyer was 54 years old; nationwide, first-time buyers were typically 30 and repeat buyers were 50 years old.
• The 2009 median household income of Florida buyers was $63,300 – slightly lower than the median income of buyers nationwide, $72,200.
• The median income was $53,500 among first-time buyers and $84,300 among repeat buyers.
• Nineteen percent of recent homebuyers were single females, and 11 percent were single males. Nationwide, twenty percent of recent buyers were single females, and 12 percent were single males.
• For 30 percent of recent homebuyers, the primary reason for the home purchase was a desire to own a home.
Characteristics of homes purchased
• New home purchases were at the lowest level in nine years nationwide – 15 percent of all recent home purchases. But in Florida, 18 percent of homes were new.
• The typical home purchased was 1,800 square feet, built in 1998, and it had three bedrooms and two full bathrooms.
• Seventy-eight percent of homebuyers purchased a detached single-family home.
• The median price of a home was $161,000 compared to $179,000 nationwide.
• When considering the purchase of a home, 73 percent of buyers considered commuting costs very or somewhat important.
The home search process
• For four in ten homebuyers, the first step in the home-buying process was looking online for properties.
• Eighty-nine percent of buyers used the Internet to search for homes.
• Real estate agents were viewed as a useful information source by 98 percent of the buyers who used an agent while searching for a home.
• The typical buyer searched for 12 weeks and viewed 15 homes. This compares to 12 weeks and 12 homes viewed by the typical buyer nationwide.
Home buying and real estate professionals
• Seventy-nine percent of buyers purchased their home through a real estate agent or broker.
• Seven percent of buyers purchased a home in foreclosure – slightly higher than the share of buyers nationally.
• Forty-four percent of buyers found their agent through a referral from a friend or family member.
• Seventy-two percent of buyers would definitely use their real estate again or recommend the same agent to others.
Financing the home purchase
• Eighty percent of homebuyers financed their home purchase compared to a much higher percentage, 91 percent, of buyers nationwide.
• The typical buyer financed 93 percent of their home purchase.
• Forty-six percent of buyers said they made some sacrifices, such as reducing spending on luxury items, entertainment or clothing.
• Twenty-eight percent of buyers reported their mortgage application and approval process was somewhat more difficult than expected, and 16 percent reported it was much more difficult than expected.
Home sellers and their selling experience
• A real estate agent assisted 86 percent of home sellers. Nationwide, 88 percent of sellers used a real estate agent when selling their home.
• Recent sellers typically sold their homes for 94 percent of the listing price, and 63 percent reported they reduced the asking price at least once. Among all sellers nationally, sellers typically sold their homes for 96 percent of the listing price, and 57 percent reduced the asking price at least once.
• Thirty-nine percent of sellers offered incentives to attract buyers, most often assistance with home warranty policies and closing costs.
Home selling and real estate professionals
• Thirty-nine percent of sellers who used a real estate agent found their agents through a referral by friends or family, and 23 percent used the agent they worked with previously to buy or sell a home.
• Eighty-eight percent of sellers reported that their home was listed or advertised on the Internet.
• Among recent sellers who used an agent, 81 percent reported they would definitely (61 percent) or probably (20 percent) use that real estate agent again or recommend the agent to others.
For-sale-by-owner (FSBO) sellers
• The share of home sellers who sold their home without the assistance of a real estate agent was 10 percent, or slightly higher than the national share of 9 percent.
• The primary reason that sellers chose to sell their home using a real estate agent was to avoid paying a commission or fee.
Download the complete 2010 Report of Home Buyers and Sellers in Florida here. The report is also available on the Florida Realtors’ website Research page at floridarealtors.org.
Source: Florida Realtors®
Hosting a Consumer Seminar? 11 Tips for Getting Your Presentation Right the First Time
If you’re like a lot of people, giving presentations doesn’t seem like the most natural thing to do. Whether it’s for 10 people or 1,000, the butterflies and the sweaty palms remain the same.
However, you know that in this housing market, consumer education is key toward helping buyers become owners. You also know that a great way to bring those potential buyers to you is through seminars and education.
To that end, here are 11 tips from aresearchguide.com for working through the nerves and delivering a stellar presentation:
1. Know the needs of your audience and match your contents to their needs. Know your material thoroughly. Put what you have to say in a logical sequence. Ensure your speech will be captivating to your audience as well as worth their time and attention. Practice and rehearse your speech at home or where you can be at ease and comfortable, in front of a mirror, your family, friends or colleagues. Use a tape recorder and listen to yourself. Videotape your presentation and analyze it. Know what your strong and weak points are. Emphasize your strong points during your presentation.
2. Body language is important. Standing, walking or moving about with appropriate hand gestures or facial expressions is preferred to sitting down or standing still with head down and reading from a prepared speech. Use audio-visual aids or props for enhancement if appropriate and necessary. Master the use of presentation software such as PowerPoint well before your presentation. Do not over-dazzle your audience with excessive use of animation, sound clips, or gaudy colors which are inappropriate for your topic. Do not torture your audience by putting a lengthy document in tiny print on an overhead and reading it out to them.
3. Speak with conviction as if you really believe in what you are saying. Persuade your audience effectively. The material you present orally should have the same ingredients as that which are required for a written research paper—i.e. a logical progression from introduction to body (strong supporting arguments, accurate and up-to-date information) to conclusion.
4. Do not read from notes for any extended length of time although it is quite acceptable to glance at your notes infrequently. Speak loudly and clearly. Sound confident. Do not mumble. If you made an error, correct it, and continue. No need to make excuses or apologize profusely.
5. Maintain sincere eye contact with your audience. Use the 3-second method, e.g. look straight into the eyes of a person in the audience for 3 seconds at a time. Have direct eye contact with a number of people in the audience, and every now and then glance at the whole audience while speaking. Use your eye contact to make everyone in your audience feel involved.
6. Speak to your audience, listen to their questions, respond to their reactions, adjust and adapt. If what you have prepared is obviously not getting across to your audience, change your strategy mid-stream if you are well prepared to do so. Remember that communication is the key to a successful presentation. If you are short on time, know what can be safely left out. If you have extra time, know what could be effectively added. Always be prepared for the unexpected.
7. Pause. Allow yourself and your audience a little time to reflect and think. Don't race through your presentation and leave your audience, as well as yourself, feeling out of breath.
8. Add humor whenever appropriate and possible. Keep the audience interested throughout your entire presentation. Remember that an interesting speech makes time fly, but a boring speech is always too long to endure even if the presentation time is the same.
9. When using audiovisual aids to enhance your presentation, be sure all necessary equipment is set up and in good working order prior to the presentation. If possible, have an emergency backup system readily available. Check out the location ahead of time to ensure seating arrangements for the audience, whiteboard, blackboard, lighting, location of projection screen, sound system, etc. are suitable for your presentation.
10. Have handouts ready and give them out at the appropriate time. Tell the audience ahead of time that you will be giving out an outline of your presentation so that they will not waste time taking unnecessary notes during your presentation.
11. Know when to stop talking. Use a timer or the microwave oven clock to time your presentation when preparing it at home. Just as you don't use unnecessary words in your written paper, don't bore your audience with repetitious or unnecessary words in your oral presentation. To end your presentation, summarize your main points.
Source: RISMedia
However, you know that in this housing market, consumer education is key toward helping buyers become owners. You also know that a great way to bring those potential buyers to you is through seminars and education.
To that end, here are 11 tips from aresearchguide.com for working through the nerves and delivering a stellar presentation:
1. Know the needs of your audience and match your contents to their needs. Know your material thoroughly. Put what you have to say in a logical sequence. Ensure your speech will be captivating to your audience as well as worth their time and attention. Practice and rehearse your speech at home or where you can be at ease and comfortable, in front of a mirror, your family, friends or colleagues. Use a tape recorder and listen to yourself. Videotape your presentation and analyze it. Know what your strong and weak points are. Emphasize your strong points during your presentation.
2. Body language is important. Standing, walking or moving about with appropriate hand gestures or facial expressions is preferred to sitting down or standing still with head down and reading from a prepared speech. Use audio-visual aids or props for enhancement if appropriate and necessary. Master the use of presentation software such as PowerPoint well before your presentation. Do not over-dazzle your audience with excessive use of animation, sound clips, or gaudy colors which are inappropriate for your topic. Do not torture your audience by putting a lengthy document in tiny print on an overhead and reading it out to them.
3. Speak with conviction as if you really believe in what you are saying. Persuade your audience effectively. The material you present orally should have the same ingredients as that which are required for a written research paper—i.e. a logical progression from introduction to body (strong supporting arguments, accurate and up-to-date information) to conclusion.
4. Do not read from notes for any extended length of time although it is quite acceptable to glance at your notes infrequently. Speak loudly and clearly. Sound confident. Do not mumble. If you made an error, correct it, and continue. No need to make excuses or apologize profusely.
5. Maintain sincere eye contact with your audience. Use the 3-second method, e.g. look straight into the eyes of a person in the audience for 3 seconds at a time. Have direct eye contact with a number of people in the audience, and every now and then glance at the whole audience while speaking. Use your eye contact to make everyone in your audience feel involved.
6. Speak to your audience, listen to their questions, respond to their reactions, adjust and adapt. If what you have prepared is obviously not getting across to your audience, change your strategy mid-stream if you are well prepared to do so. Remember that communication is the key to a successful presentation. If you are short on time, know what can be safely left out. If you have extra time, know what could be effectively added. Always be prepared for the unexpected.
7. Pause. Allow yourself and your audience a little time to reflect and think. Don't race through your presentation and leave your audience, as well as yourself, feeling out of breath.
8. Add humor whenever appropriate and possible. Keep the audience interested throughout your entire presentation. Remember that an interesting speech makes time fly, but a boring speech is always too long to endure even if the presentation time is the same.
9. When using audiovisual aids to enhance your presentation, be sure all necessary equipment is set up and in good working order prior to the presentation. If possible, have an emergency backup system readily available. Check out the location ahead of time to ensure seating arrangements for the audience, whiteboard, blackboard, lighting, location of projection screen, sound system, etc. are suitable for your presentation.
10. Have handouts ready and give them out at the appropriate time. Tell the audience ahead of time that you will be giving out an outline of your presentation so that they will not waste time taking unnecessary notes during your presentation.
11. Know when to stop talking. Use a timer or the microwave oven clock to time your presentation when preparing it at home. Just as you don't use unnecessary words in your written paper, don't bore your audience with repetitious or unnecessary words in your oral presentation. To end your presentation, summarize your main points.
Source: RISMedia
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
5 Web Strategies for Working Short Sales
A key element for working short sales is making sure you can get the word out in your market to let sellers know there are options other than the foreclosure route. Many times, the homeowner is hiding. They are trying to find out what they should do and are feeling overwhelmed. They are sitting in bed on a weeknight watching TV and searching for answers because they aren’t sure if they can make their mortgage payments. According to the Nielsen Company, 59% of TV viewers are also using their computer and that includes surfing the Web (that’s up from 2% in 2009).
Now you might say, “What does this have to do with working short sales?” This means that if you want to reach distressed homeowners, you have to meet them where they are and focus on their emotional mindset. Sellers facing foreclosure are not necessarily going to go to a general real estate website to get information. To make sure that you are well positioned, you have to have more than just a simple response form on your site.
Use these five steps to create a Web strategy to reach homeowners in need:
Step 1: Buy a domain name that is focused on their needs. For example: www.VirginiasHomeRescue.com. This is a domain name that tells the sellers exactly what this will do for them. They say to themselves, “Yes, I live in Virginia and, yes, I need help so I don’t go into foreclosure.”
Step 2: Now that you have a targeted URL, create a standalone niche site that is purely focused on the needs of the seller. This allows them to feel anonymous while getting information. Think of a family member who has gone through a serious illness. You want to research and get the information so you can speak with the doctor on an educated level. This is how a homeowner feels.
Step 3: Throughout the site, integrate call-to-action sections like “free reports,” “qualifying forms,” “worksheets” and more. By having information and lead capture sections, you should be positioned to get the lead and help them.
Step 4: Once they fill out forms, you want to make sure you have a way to stay connected to them during their process. This is where an e-mail follow-up campaign is critical. Sellers seeking information and looking for answers may be in denial about what is happening. A drip campaign will allow you to stay in touch with them and also be positioned to help them when they ask for it.
Step 5: If you are certified to handle short sales, have the certification information on your website so that sellers know you are experienced and trained to handle their situation.
Source: RISMedia
Now you might say, “What does this have to do with working short sales?” This means that if you want to reach distressed homeowners, you have to meet them where they are and focus on their emotional mindset. Sellers facing foreclosure are not necessarily going to go to a general real estate website to get information. To make sure that you are well positioned, you have to have more than just a simple response form on your site.
Use these five steps to create a Web strategy to reach homeowners in need:
Step 1: Buy a domain name that is focused on their needs. For example: www.VirginiasHomeRescue.com. This is a domain name that tells the sellers exactly what this will do for them. They say to themselves, “Yes, I live in Virginia and, yes, I need help so I don’t go into foreclosure.”
Step 2: Now that you have a targeted URL, create a standalone niche site that is purely focused on the needs of the seller. This allows them to feel anonymous while getting information. Think of a family member who has gone through a serious illness. You want to research and get the information so you can speak with the doctor on an educated level. This is how a homeowner feels.
Step 3: Throughout the site, integrate call-to-action sections like “free reports,” “qualifying forms,” “worksheets” and more. By having information and lead capture sections, you should be positioned to get the lead and help them.
Step 4: Once they fill out forms, you want to make sure you have a way to stay connected to them during their process. This is where an e-mail follow-up campaign is critical. Sellers seeking information and looking for answers may be in denial about what is happening. A drip campaign will allow you to stay in touch with them and also be positioned to help them when they ask for it.
Step 5: If you are certified to handle short sales, have the certification information on your website so that sellers know you are experienced and trained to handle their situation.
Source: RISMedia
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