Stocks vs. Real Estate - Can you Whip a Stockbroker? - 11/29/08 07:48 PM
From Louis Cammarosano's post about my presnetation next week
Via Louis Cammarosano:
Brian Brady believes you can! He argues that with the stock market in disarray, real estate prices attractive and low interest rates that you have a great opportunity to take some weath management clients from stock based financial planners.
Brian will be discussing strategies for capturing these dollars during the next HomeGain "Ask the Experts Call" on December 4.
On the Ask the Experts program you can interact with:
Mitch Ribak, Tropical Realty – “Web Lead Conversion Strategies” Alisha Wade, RE/MAX Achievers and Realty One Group – “Advice for Handling … (1 comments)

America's #! Mortgage Rates Report: November 19, 2008 - 11/19/08 06:11 PM
The economy is really sick:
Today's CPI report signals deflation, or a prolonged price slide, may become another hazard facing Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke and President-elect Barack Obama. Deflation could worsen the economic downturn by making debts harder to pay off and countering the impact of Fed interest-rate cuts.
``The economy's really just in horrific shape,'' said Joseph LaVorgna, chief U.S. economist at Deutsche Bank Securities in New York. Fed officials will ``take rates as low as they have to'' to avoid ``a deflation-type scenario, which now all of a sudden is very possible.''
LaVorgna predicts the … (1 comments)

Ever Wondered About WordPress? - 11/17/08 05:37 PM
Have you ever wondered hoew to set up "an outside blog" on a Wordpress platform?  Greg Swann makes it really easy with a free wordpress blog (hosted on a really strong platform):
Say hello to BloodhoundBlog.net, free WordPress Multi-user weblogs for real estate professionals.
We talked about doing this in Orlando, at The scenius on Swallow Hill Road. Where we started was with the idea of WordPress blogs for the CyberProfessionals to practice on.
We saw that the right system could serve the same function for any novice bloggers — including all of the folks on Active Rain looking to make … (21 comments)

Let's All Make Money On Facebook - 11/12/08 01:59 AM
What is your ultimate goal from your social media marketing?  Conversion. Jeff Turner gives us a nice starting point with this quote from his panel at the NAR Convention:
Your overall business goal of social networking should be to expand your sphere and move conversations offline, panelists said. “There’s always going to be need for face-to-face communication in real estate,” Turner said. “Find a way to marry the two worlds.”
I’ll take it one step farther…  I know the way to marry those two worlds.  Pick up the damned phone ! In this world of hi-tech toys, the single best … (1 comments)

Loan Limits Lowered in Southern California For 2009 - 11/11/08 07:40 PM
In my 2009 San Diego Real Estate Outlook, I suggested that lower loan limits could cause a convergence of home prices.  I expect the mid-priced homes ($500,000 to $1,000,000) to decline towards the loan limits while lower priced homes (under $500,000) already dove in 2008. Southern California Loan Limits For 2009:
Loan Type         San Diego          Orange          Los Angeles
VA                    $697,500           $729,750       $729,750        (no change from 2008)
FHA                  $546,250          $625,500        $625,500
… (2 comments)

NAR Orlando: All Work and No Play Makes Brian A... - 11/10/08 10:11 PM
...well, you know the rest of the story.
I missed the hijinks at the Active Rain Party in Orlando and that was a bummer.  I so wished to meet Broker Bryant and TLW among many other AR members.  If you've met me at any social function, you know that I"m more inclined to howl at the moon rather than to prepare to be bright-eyed and bushy tailed but this NAR Orlando weekend was a working trip for me.
We held the Bloodhound Blog Unchained Online Marketing Conference on Friday.  Our line up was astounding:
Greg Swann - The Unchained Epiphany Brian … (22 comments)

America's #1 Mortgage Rates Report: November 5, 2008 - 11/05/08 09:24 AM
We have a new President and his name is Barack Obama. Is that good for mortgage rates?
I think either man being elected would have been good for mortgage rates provided the victory was decisive.  The Obama victory was clearly decisive and markets should reward that.  In anticipation of this decision, mortgage-backed securities rallied today bringing mortgage rates to the 6% level  I thought we might reach this week.
On Wednesday, conforming mortgage rates should be offered at 6% or below; take any rate under 6% if you’re closing in the next 45 days.  While the euphoria of an Obama victory … (4 comments)

Slow Start For the Hope For Homeowners Program - 11/03/08 10:05 PM
Alan Zibel of the Associated Press reported that the results of the FHA Hope For Homeowners Program is underwhelming:
But the early results are discouraging: the government received only 42 applications in the program's first two weeks, according to the Federal Housing Administration. The low turnout was first reported by the industry newsletter Housing Wire. Since the applications take about 60 days to process, no loans have been approved yet.
There were quotes from a former Clinton official, current White House Press Secretary, and yours truly, the ever positive industry cheerleader:
Brian Brady, managing director of mortgage banking and brokerage firm … (9 comments)