Crye-Leike, REALTORS Web Site Stands Out In The ‘On Line' Crowd - As Crye-Leike.com Earns The Website Quality Certification (WQC) Designation Presented By Leading Real Estate Companies of the World (LeadingRE)

Real Estate Giant Crye-Leike Takes Notice Of Competition And Receives A Website Quality Certification As Demand And Growth Of Online Property Search And Services Increases

Most companies, big and small, have invested time, human resources and revenue in their online presence. In most cases it's been the development of a standard website to project a firm's brand, business, story and services. Depending on the budget - that online investment can run a few hundred dollars on up into the millions.

To further distinguish itself in the heavy web-based traffic of online real estate, home and Realtor searches and shopping... the mega real estate firm Crye-Leike has gone the extra mile - having its corporate web site ‘quality certified.'

The company's website crye-leike.com has been evaluated by a global real estate association - Leading Real Estate Companies of the World (LeadingRE) - which deemed the firm's crye-leike.com worthy of its quality certification designation.

"This provides an affirmation of the quality of Crye Leike's website," said Gurtej Sodhi, CIO & Corporate Executive Vice President for Crye-Leike, REALTORS. "Being compared and analyzed at a global level with all the other real estate websites around the world and achieving this certification provides us with a benchmark of our performance on a worldwide scale."

In bestowing the company with its ‘excellence in corporate website' certification, LeadingRE noted that Crye-Leike, REALTORS and its crye-leike.com demonstrate excellence in website design, functionality and execution.

Among the findings in Crye-Leike's website evaluation by LeadingRE;

• crye-leike.com had a page speed of under 15 seconds,
• a home page load time of less than three seconds,
• under six seconds for a property detail page to load
• no broken links
• found to have strong and consistent branding and good information for consumers on home buying and selling

The evaluators were also mindful of how timely the company would be with a reply to a customer comment made through crye-leike.com. An evaluator noted that after sending an email at 9:20am requesting information - a friendly and personalized reply came back approximately an hour later. The evaluator noted, ‘Great Job.'

"As a customer, it is important to feel confident that the website you are using to collect information on - for one of the most important and potentially biggest transactions of one's life - is comprehensive and feature rich," said Angie Vandenbergh Web Manager for Crye-Leike Information Technology. "We've enabled our visitors to have access to all the information they need as they go along this process of looking at homes and Realtors to match their needs. Having this global certification is a measure of the level of achievement of the website and a clear indicator to the customer that they are working with a quality company that cares."

The website quality certification was only recently introduced by the ‘global group' LeadingRE in 2009 as a means of recognizing and encouraging superior websites among it's 600 member companies. Crye-Leike is one of only 64 initial applicants to earn the designation. The certification process reviewed every aspect of the site - and crye-leike.com met the LeadingRE high standards in eight key areas ranging from design and content to human interactivity to search engine optimization.

"A real estate company's website plays an increasingly significant role with today's consumers, who often go there first when considering buying or selling a home," said Pam O'Connor, president/CEO of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World®. "It is thus critical to use this Internet medium to attract and engage consumers in a meaningful way."

As if the new quality certification isn't enough, Crye-Leike web managers and programmers are now undertaking the process of redesigning the current crye-leike.com. The company intends to maintain its quality certification by submitting an application to LeadingRE this fall and each year thereafter in order to maintain its designation status.

"It's our goal and our promise to everyone who visits crye-leike.com that we will offer them a cutting-edge user experience with use of audio and video broadcast, exceptional visual elements, sophisticated core design, effective use of video content and features that engage consumers such as interactive maps, blogs, etc," said Sodhi. "Crye-Leike consistently strives to enhance the features on the website and make available all those functions that will consistently improve the consumer experience on an on-going basis."

About Leading Real Estate Companies of the World® Leading Real Estate Companies of the World® (www.LeadingRE.com) is a global real estate network comprised of over 600 of the best-known local and regional real estate firms. With nearly 5,000 offices and 150,000 sales associates in the United States and 35 countries abroad, LeadingRE affiliates sell almost $300 billion in home sales, representing nearly one million transactions annually. The network has #1 marketshare in more of the top 88 U.S. markets than any national brand, representing a powerful force in American real estate.

About Crye-Leike, REALTORS Harold Crye and Dick Leike established Crye-Leike, REALTORS (www.crye-leike.com) in 1977. Today, Crye-Leike®, the Nations 6th Largest real estate company, has a network of 3,600 licensed sales associates based out of more than 130 corporate and franchise offices located through-out the nine-state southern region of Tennessee, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina and Oklahoma.

Crye-Leike is a full-service real estate company offering buyers and sellers services in: residential and commercial sales, mortgage, title, insurance, business brokerage and investments, property management, development and construction, builder resources, REO bank-owned properties, relocation, auctions, and home services. In 2009, Crye-Leike attained a sales volume in excess of $3.9 billion with 24,983 homes sold.

Crye-Leike, REALTORS In Jackson, Mississippi Invite The Public To A Back To School Open House Extravaganza With Special Pricing Only During The Two Day Event

Crye-Leike, REALTORS in Jackson, Mississippi invite the public to a Back To School Open House Extravaganza on August 15th and 16th. During the two day campaign several Jackson MS homes will be open for touring with reduced prices on those homes good only during the special event.

"The Back To School Campaign gives buyers a wonderful opportunity to take advantage of our special pricing and will provide our sellers with the opportunity for a quick sale," said Crye-Leike Ridgeland Manager Pam Barr. "Crye-Leike has a passionate commitment to unsurpassed service to its clients. In an effort to continue this service, the Jackson Metro Crye-Leike Branches have designed this Back To School Campaign for our clients and the community to take advantage of amazing special prices."

• Crye-Leike' Jackson Metro offices hope to meet and see many people touring homes at the open house extravaganza on Saturday, August 15th from 10am to 4pm and on Sunday, August 16th from 1pm-5pm.

Each open house will have a Crye-Leike Open House sign in the yard with a Crye-Leike balloon bouquet. All the open houses will have many directional signs as possible to attract attention and each home participating will have the full lists of homes with directions to hand out to the public on the day of the extravaganza.

"We are excited for buyers to see all the finest available homes we have on the market in the Hinds, Rankin, and Madison counties of Mississippi," said Barr. "With the $8,000 tax credit for first-time buyers, with interest rates still at a historical low and with a good selection of homes on the market to choose from, now is a great time for anyone to purchase a home."

A full list of properties included in the special Back To School Open House Extravaganza and other property listings the Jackson Metro Branches have can be viewed on the offices' website at Jackson Mississippi Open Houses .

"Anyone who's interested in finding out more about the event can just stop by one of our offices or give us a call," said Barr.

Agents in Crye-Leike's Jackson Metro Flowood Branch and Jackson Metro Ridgeland Branch assist buyers and sellers in and around Madison, Rankin, and Hinds counties specializing in all types of real estate sales.

For more information on the Back To School Open House Extravaganza and for your real estate needs or personal referrals, please contact any one of our Jackson Metro Crye-Leike offices by phone at: Flowood Brach (601) 939-5160 or Ridgeland Branch (601) 957-3998 or e-mail the offices at jacksonmetro@crye-leike.com. Find the offices and their listings on the web at http://www.crye-leike.com .

The Daily Post-Athenian 2009 Reader's Choice Poll Also Chose Crye-Leike's Athens Auction Team And Broker Sandy Phillips As The Best Real Estate Agents

Crye-Leike, REALTORS is proud to congratulate its Athens, Tennessee branch office on being chosen as The Best Real Estate Agency. The Daily Post-Athenian recently held its 2009 Reader's Choice Poll and the community voted Crye-Leike's Athens Branch as the number one real estate office for the second year in a row.

"I am so proud to be a part of this outstanding office," said Melonie Carideo, Crye-Leike's Athens Branch Managing Broker. "The professional, ethical and friendly staff and agents make my job an easier one. We are all so proud the community we serve feels we are doing a great job."

In addition to the entire office being recognized for its exceptional real estate service, the community also selected Broker Sandy Phillips as the top real estate professional in Athens again this year."

"I was very happy to hear the news that I was chosen by the people of McMinn and surrounding counties, to be the best real estate agent. I truly love what I do and enjoy helping my clients and customers find the home of their dreams," said Sandy. "It's an honor to serve the people of McMinn, Meigs, and Monroe Counties. I appreciate my customers and clients very much and I can't think everyone enough for voting for me."

Crye-Leike's Athens, offering Chattanooga real estate services, office picked up its third honor in the newspaper's poll for having the best auction team. The Daily Post-Athenian readers' chose Realtors Joe Stepp and Mike Graves as the top auctioneers in the community.

"It is great to work with an office full of some of the best Realtors in Athens," said Carideo. "I am so proud of Sandy, Joe and Mike who are great examples and role models for other agents. We aren't number one in this area for nothing - it's the people that make our office the BEST!"

Sales associates in Crye-Leike's Athens office assist buyers and sellers in and around McMinn, Meigs, Monroe, and Polk counties. They specialize in all types of Chattanooga homes for sale. The office has a Sunshine Committee dedicated to giving back to the community. Sales associates participate in and host various fundraisers to support local charities. Throughout the past year, the office raised thousand of dollars for charities including the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life, Susan Komen's Race For A Cure, United Way, and the McMinn County Rescue Squad's Annual Children's Gift Giving Campaign.

To learn more about career opportunities with Crye-Leike and for all your real estate needs and personal referrals, please contact Crye-Leike's Athens office at (423) 746-0227.

Harold Crye and Dick Leike established Crye-Leike, REALTORS in 1977. Today, Crye-Leike®, the nations 6th largest real estate company, has a network of more than 3,500 licensed sales associates based out of more than 130 corporate and franchise offices located in 65 counties through-out the eight-state southern region of Tennessee, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi and North Carolina.

Crye-Leike is a full-service real estate company offering buyers and sellers services in: residential sales, mortgage lending, title, insurance, business brokerage and investments, property management, development and construction, builder resources, REO bank-owned properties, relocation, auctions, and home services referrals. In 2008, the Crye-Leike organization attained a sales volume in excess of $4.2 billion with 25,871 homes sold.

Crye-Leike Crabapple/Roswell Branch Office Saturday, April 18, 2009 12:00pm -3:00pm 282 Rucker Road, Alpharetta, GA

Crye-Leike, REALTORS is proud to present its First Annual "Support The Troops With Crye-Leike" Spring Carnival at the company's Crabapple Roswell Atlanta real estate Office on Saturday, April 18, 2009 from 12:00pm to 3:00pm. The event is FREE, open to everyone and will be held at the branch office parking lot located at 282 Rucker Road in Alpharetta, Georgia.

"We're so excited about having a carnival - everyone loves a carnival," said Lauren Holmes, Managing Broker of Crye-Leike Crabapple/Roswell. "All we ask is for everyone who comes out to bring at least one item that we can donate to the troops serving overseas. So while we're having a good time... in return the troops will get some goodies from back home that will hopefully bring a big smile to their face."

The Realtors and staff organizing the event next month are asking for the community's support by coming out and bringing "Care Items" that can be easily packaged and shipped to the troops. The list of requested items includes: books, magazines, disposable camera, toiletries and any kind of hard candy or non-perishable snack.

"For each item someone donates they will receive a raffle ticket that will make them eligible to win a fabulous prize," said Jennifer Tierney, Assistant Manager at Crye-Leike Crabapple/Roswell. "So far our big prizes include a smoker and a custom dog house and we expect to add more as we get closer to the day of the carnival."

The FREE Carnival will feature a giant inflatable slide and moonwalk, face painting, a balloon artist and more entertainment opportunities for children and adults. The agents will also have plenty of FREE hotdogs, popcorn and cotton candy.

"We have been so inspired and moved by the sacrifices our men and women in the armed forces have been making overseas for the past seven-plus years that our plans for a spring carnival became all about supporting them and saying thanks," said Lauren. "Several of the agents in our office have close family and friends serving abroad so this event is very personal and we hope to see a huge crowd next month so we can make a big donation to the troops."

A special thanks to our sponsoring individuals and local businesses for the carnival that so far includes: Dickenson and Gilroy Attorney at Law, Ivy League Movers, Marsha Spear with Edward Jones, Dennis Hammond with Hammond Contracting, Alpha Home Services Inspectors, Q Care Simply Clean, Tweedie Griswald with Canton Street Mortgage, Terry Mechling with Allstate Insurance, Brinks Home/Commercial Security and Blade Landscaping

For more information about the Support The Troops Spring Carnival, to join as a sponsor, donate items and learn how you can get more involved please contact Crye-Leike, REALTORS Crabapple/Roswell by calling 678-240-2201.

If you have not owned a home in the last three years, you may be eligible for an $8000 tax credit on a home purchase. There is a free seminar to learn more. This event is on April 14th at Crye-Leike's Olive Branch real estate office. Please call 662-895-8300 for more information.

You may also be interested in previewing homes on the market. View Olive Branch MS Homes for Sale under $250,000 or learn more about living in Desoto County in North Mississippi.

If you live in the Memphis area, and have not owned a home in the last three years, you may be eligible for a tax credit on a home purchase this year.

Attend this free seminar to learn more. This event is on Saturday, April 4th at Crye-Leike's office in Memphis Hickory Ridge area.

Search Memphis homes for sale.

Morristown, TN Real Estate - The Morristown Area Chamber of Commerce officially welcomed Crye-Leike Ron Mann Real Estate to the community with a formal Ribbon Cutting Ceremony held Wednesday, March 11, 2009. The franchise is Crye-Leike's newest, located at 4010 W. Andrew Johnson Highway in Morristown, Tennessee.

The new sales center is under the leadership of Owner and Managing Broker Ron Mann. He says his mission for the new office is simply, "a passionate commitment to unsurpassed service." Ron says to achieve that goal his sales team will stay focused on doing business with integrity, hard-work, pride, response, being a good neighbor and staying involved in the community."

"Opening an office in Morristown enables me to bring my expertise of rural land sales to an existing and successful real estate company," said Ron. "We are going to provide clients with a diverse group of agents who will specialize in all fields of real estate sales."

Mr. Paul LaBel, representing the Morritown Chamber of Commerce gave an opening welcome address following by the Rev. Don Miller who gave the invocation. Ron Mann, Owner and Principle Broker gave a short speech and invited all to stay enjoy refreshments.

For all your real estate needs and personal referrals, please contact Crye-Leike Ron Mann Real Estate at 423-586-3100. Owner and Managing Broker Ron Mann can also be reached directly at email: ron.mann@crye-leike.com.

Crye Leike Franchises, Inc. is actively seeking real estate franchises. For information regarding a franchise opportunity with the nation's fourth largest real estate company, entrepreneurs and real estate professionals should contact Kevin R. Joiner, President, at (866) 603-2470 or at franchises@crye-leike.com.

Photo Courtsey: Citizen Tribune, Morristown, TN

First-time homebuyers seminar - Thursday April 2, 2009 from 6:30 to 7:30pm Foreclosures & Short Sales seminar - Thursday April 16, 2009 from 6:30 to 7:30pm

Crye-Leike, REALTORS Hendersonville TN real estate agents are offering buyers and sellers two FREE Informational Seminars at the company's Hendersonville, Tennessee real estate branch office. The seminars will provide FREE professional advice and information to prospective buyers and sellers who are considering a purchase or sale in today's tricky housing market. Crye-Leike helps buyers and sellers with Nashville homes for sale.

"I would like to extend an invitation to anyone who is even considering buying a home right now," said Crye-Leike's Hendersonville Managing Broker Jan Page. "These seminars will be filled with valuable knowledge on why now is such a great time for anyone to purchase a home and will give the public an opportunity to have their questions answered by many experienced Realtors."

• The first seminar will be held on Thursday April 2, 2009 from 6:30 to 7:30pm. 
   
  Focuses on helping first-time homebuyers and anyone who hasn't owned a home in 3 years learn how they can take advantage of the $8,000 stimulus tax credit available to them this year.
   
  "The new $8,000 stimulus tax credit is a wonderful opportunity for first-time homebuyers to make their move and become a homeowner. Anyone who hasn't owned a home in 3 years can also benefit from the $8,000 tax credit," said Page. "If you are currently renting, stop throwing your money away and start investing."
   
• The second seminar will take place on Thursday April 16, 2009 from 6:30 to 7:30pm. 
   
  Focuses on educating anyone interested in buying a foreclosed home or short sale property.
   
  "Foreclosed and short sale properties make up a large part of our current housing market," said Page. "The seminar will provide beneficial information on the variety of exceptional bargains prospective buyers can find right now through foreclosures and short sale properties. Our experienced Realtors can guide buyers through the process and show them all the great deals available now."

Location of Home Buying Seminars...

Both seminars will be held at Crye-Leike, REALTORS Hendersonville branch office located at 383 Johnny Cash Parkway in Hendersonville, Tennessee. All the agents in the office will be hosting the event and be in attendance to answer questions from prospective homebuyers and sellers.

In addition to Crye-Leike agents, the program will include expert representatives from Magna Bank who work with real estate clients in the lending and banking business. They will be available to discuss any financing questions and to help with getting pre-qualified to purchase a home.

 "We want to educate prospective homebuyers on all the amazing opportunities available to them in this current housing market," said Page. "With so many homes on the market to choose from and interest rates being at a historical low, now is the perfect time for anyone to start investing in their future. We encourage the community to attend the seminars and let us help you realize why now is the ideal time to make your dreams of homeownership a reality."

The public is invited to attend the seminars and discuss topics including...

• How and where to start looking for a home
• Knowing what a buyer can afford
• Why home inspections are important
• Improving your credit score
• Why now is a great time to buy.
• Prospective sellers can hear what's happening in their local housing market instead of the generalized gloom and doom they hear in national media reports. Sellers can also find out about what things they can do to help sell their homes quicker in this current buyer's market.

"It's important for the community to be educated about what's involved in the buying and selling process," said Page."The seminars will be a wonderful opportunity for people in our communities to discuss what's going on in the housing market. We encourage everyone to come ask questions, learn about buying and selling their home, and discover their best options in today's challenging market."

For more information on the seminars or to register call Broker Jan Page on her cell at 615-300-6900 or contact Crye-Leike's Hendersonville office at 615-824-8008.

Tomorrow Crye-Leike is hosting the 5th Annual Silent Auction & Raffle benefiting Youth Villages.

The event is in Memphis on Saturday, November 21, 2008 from 10 am until 2 pm.

There are fun things going on for all ages...

• Over 200 items to bid on at auction (gift baskets, gift cards, donated items from many sponsors)
• Face Painting
• Picture with Santa (children & pets)
• Raffle
• Refreshments
• Cake Walk

If you live around Memphis, please come check it out! Crye-Leike office at 6525 Quail Hollow, Memphis, TN 38120.

Many in Crye-Leike do a lot of work to pull this event off, especially our accounting department.

The goal of week 4 is to use your online marketing tools to make contact with people you don't know yet. (If you've missed a previous week here are links to Week 1, Week 2, and Week 3.)

Before I get into specific ideas for this week, take a look at the following list of questions. These are actual questions I found online (I'll share which sites in a bit). Are these people that you would like to meet? Are these people you would like to talk with?

• What is the Germantown  real estate market doing?
• I am looking for real estate to invest in Hot Springs, AR...
• Moving to Nashville, any advice?
• Anyone have input on Chattanooga? We are moving there.
• Where do you look for homes? I'm moving to Little Rock.
• We are trying to figure out a good time to sell our Destin condo...
• Moving to Fayetteville, school and home questions...?

ok... specific tasks for week 4

Share & Demonstrate Your Expertise. Visit online Question & Answer forums. Try the ones listed below and search for questions in your area. Answer where you can. Pose your own questions to stir discussion. Set a reminder on your calendar to periodically revisit.

Some Online Question & Answer Sites for Real Estate...

• trulia.com/voices
• zillow.com/forum/site
• answers.yahoo.com
• linkedin.com/answers

Post Your First Blog. Write a local interest article - about a neighborhood or local event. Include a link to your web site (use keyword rich anchor text). Post it to your blog. Schedule time on your calendar to post again next month or next week (more often if time permits).

Expand Your Reach. If you work at Crye-Leike, contact me to add your own article to the Crye-Leike web site local area guides. Or look at other posting to other sites like www.ezinearticles.com, www.localism.com

That's it for week 4, but that's not all I have to say about your plan...... Work on the things above and then come back next week to find out where to go from here and where to go if you still can't get enough. If you've had enough already... well congratulations! In 4 weeks you've just set up an online presence that expands past most people in your market.