Carlos's Blog

HUD will host three regional summits this month to discuss foreclosure prevention

Carlos Martes (Keller Williams Real Estate) — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 08:00:54 -0700

Inman News reported that HUD will detail the 4 billion grant program this month. The link to the article is below.

HUD details $4 billion grant program

The program is called Neighborhood Stabilization and contains specific grants for cities.

The program link in spanish is Programa de estabilización de vecindarios (NSP).

For the community of Allentown Pennsylvania the allocation for the NSP is $2,113,456.

Keep the blue sky up!

Use web analytics reports (like Woopra) about your site to make listings presentations or individual listing to help build a case for a price reduction

Carlos Martes (Keller Williams Real Estate) — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 19:08:22 -0700

I just installed Woopra a web analytic program for our websites and it is impressive.

In past listing presentations I have been asked to show our web site traffic to demonstrate the viewings of our listings. The web host we use has a analytic tool but it is very basic. I find Woopra more feature rich and the best part it is free.

Below are links to two articles that you can judge for yourself.

Woopra Helps Real Estate Industry with Real Time Web Analytics

Woopra is in demand

Keep the blue sky up!

CONVERT RENTERS INTO HOME OWNERS PART 2. WHERE EAGLES DARE!

Carlos Martes (Keller Williams Real Estate) — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 18:42:35 -0700

Wow! This post has been the biggest following yet. Good for all of us.

For specific information about public housing programs such as Housing Choice Vouchers, contact your local Public Housing Agency.

To view contact information for Public Housing Agencies in your city and state follow this link, PHA Contact Information.

If you research you can find ways to help people that are in need and there is no better way than to follow the THE SECRET (laws of attraction)

Keep the blue sky up!

CONVERT RENTERS INTO HOME OWNERS

Carlos Martes (Keller Williams Real Estate) — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 23:29:41 -0700

HUD offers a program to help section 8 renters pay for a mortgage. It is called Homeownership Vouchers.

I will be studying deeper into this subject and will reveal my findings.

For more information the URL is:

http://www.hud.gov/offices/pih/programs/hcv/homeownership/index.cfm

For anyone working with moving renters to home owners may be worth looking into.

Keep the blue sky up!

HOME BUYER TAX CREDIT ONLINE INFORMATION RESOURCES

Carlos Martes (Keller Williams Real Estate) — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 21:13:50 -0700

The current buzz on the home tax credit has prompted me to find online resources so here we go:

http://www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com/index.html

http://www.realtor.org/GAPublic.nsf/files/chart_homebuyer_tax_credit_.pdf/$FILE/chart_homebuyer_tax_credit_.pdf

http://taxes.about.com/od/deductionscredits/qt/homebuyercredit.htm

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-harney3-2008aug03,0,6352284.story?track=rss

http://www.wra.org/pdf/resources/first_time_homeowner_tax_credit.pdf

http://www.miamiherald.com/business/personal-finance/story/645302.html

Read the info and collect what you can but I tell buyers that it is a interest free loan and since we all have tax obligations why not reduce your tax withholdings and save the money for a down payment or closing costs. Use future tax obligations interest free now and buy a home.

Keep the blue sky up!

HELP YOUR OPEN HOUSE GUEST WITH TECHNOLGY

Carlos Martes (Keller Williams Real Estate) — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 20:26:43 -0700

I have my notebook with a broadband connection at my open house for the purpose of providing online information when requested.

Today at my open house a couple arrived and they were seeking directions to another open house in which they became lost. I asked for information about that home which would help me locate it. I gave them the MLS info for this house and asked them to tour the house while I searched for the open house they were looking for. By the time they returned I had map and directions for them. They were very appreciative and began to open up about what they were looking for. I took the opportunity to invite them to sit and expand upon their wants. I searched the MLS and found 4 homes, 3 of which they had not known about. I offered to email the results and they accepted.

I recommend this as an example of having the right tools at the right moment can turn an experience into a mutually benefiting occurrence.

Keep the blue sky up!

FIND OUT THE WORTH OF YOUR WEBSITE OR KEEP TRACK OF YOUR COMPETITION’S TRAFFIC

Carlos Martes (Keller Williams Real Estate) — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 07:21:41 -0700

There is a useful web tool called website outlook that will provide you with an estimate of the value of your website. This is interesting for anyone who is curious to know that information and has plans of driving traffic with the purpose of adding value.

The more interesting feature for me is that I can view the actual traffic data of the top sites in my market. After identifying the top sites I analyze there keyword content which helps me optimizes my site for the higher ranking.

Try it in your market and see who is consistently at the top. You might be able to outrank your competition.

Keep the blue sky up!

PRESENDENTIAL ELECTION AND THE FUTURE OF THE NATION

Carlos Martes (Keller Williams Real Estate) — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 22:42:48 -0700

After watching McCain's speech I was impressed with his view on citizen's assuming the roles of being helper's within our communities which I am in total support. Assisting illiterates and the fewer unfortunates build our nations strength.

I just missed something I want to ask the community of AR. Where does defending Georgia from Russian intervention help us in becoming more prosperous and economically stable? Just asking? I really want to know.

SEO YOUR SECONDARY PAGES FOR HIGHER RANKING

Carlos Martes (Keller Williams Real Estate) — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 22:27:52 -0700

Whatever the topic or theme of your secondary pages SEO the title and content with the same keywords to rank your site higher.

I optimize a Spanish site with key words on the agent page to emphasize bilingual skills for the consumers so I recommend doing the same.

E.G. Agentes bilingüe de casa e bienes raíces en PA Lehigh Valley, Allentown, Bethlehem y Easton. Hablan español.

Keep the blue sky up!

Down Payment Assistance shuts down on September 30th

Carlos Martes (Keller Williams Real Estate) — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 21:54:29 -0700

The Down Payment Assistance is closing in a few weeks. For consumers that are in need take advantage now and don't miss this opportunity. Below I have listed the sites to obtain information:

http://www.getdownpayment.com/

http://www.bankrate.com/brm/news/mortgages/20071011_down_payment_assistance_a1.asp

http://www.ameridream.org/

http://www.nehemiahcorp.org/

Now is the time to take advantage of this help. Get informed and use the system to acheive your dream.

Buyer's sitting on the fence wait no more!!

KEY WORDS FOR SEO OPTIMIZATION IN THE HISPANIC/LATINO COMMUNITY

Carlos Martes (Keller Williams Real Estate) — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 21:10:12 -0700

For those that are actively marketing to the Hispanic/Latino market I share the key words for SEO.

Real estate = Bienes Y Raíces

Homes/Houses = Casas/Viviendas

Your state/region/county/city = the same in English

Incorporate these keywords in your content and watch your ranking climb!!

Try it for PA and see the result.

Keep the blue sky up!!

Public notification of water emergency.

Carlos Martes (Keller Williams Real Estate) — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 12:29:43 -0700

This post is for our AR community and the consumers of our services to become aware that procedures are in place to alert the public whenever an emergency occurs with public drinking water. These procedures are available with local municipalities department of water so that by registering in the event of such an emergency (e.g. terrorism, compromised public health) a network of communications can be initiated for safety sake.

I recommend to all to take advantage of this system as a preemptive precaution.

Below is a copy of our local form in Bethlehem, PA so I suggest that all concerned check with their local department.

Keep the blue side up!

EXTEND YOUR WEB PRESENCE IN THE BIG WWW WITH SKYPEFIND

Carlos Martes (Keller Williams Real Estate) — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 20:23:36 -0700

Being a pilot I use skype often to keep my communication cost down while overseas. SkypeFind is a feature which allows you to list and rate a business in their community of users.

SkypeFind will list your business including URL and allow you to use keywords in their search engine which can give your business additional exposure in the big WWW (and today you can’t get enough publicity LOL) with perhaps higher rank in the top of whatever market you are targeting.

I suggest giving it a try and feedback is always welcome.

Keep the blue sky up!

Engage open house guest with visual presentations

Carlos Martes (Keller Williams Real Estate) — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 22:30:06 -0700

A picture is worth a thousand words so use them to connect to your visitors.

I present displays which capture their attention and discussions which lead to breaking the ice and building rapport.

I display current and relevant topics that capture buyer needs and interest and which leads to opportunities of discovering buyer motives, wants and in general to open a flow of communication.

Below are pictures of my display boards.

I recommend using them and I would like your feedback on using this technique.

KEEP THE BLUE SKY UP!!

Give benefits to power your audience with information

Carlos Martes (Keller Williams Real Estate) — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 23:21:57 -0700

I look for better ways to help benefit people that have obstacles. These obstacles can involve foreign language which is a major part of our business. So I decided to be in touch with a part of our culture.

I created a web site in Spanish in order to be a resource center for those that may have obstacles towards achieving their goals. The website is www.weichertenespanol.com the aim of the site is to bring fundamental information in the process of buying or selling of homes.

Information is power therefore when you can give clout to someone the only result can be a return of success for all.

As the site develops I will keep all posted on the results.

Keep the blue sky up!

GET YOUR SELLER'S PRICE BACKED BY A HOME INSPECTION

Carlos Martes (Keller Williams Real Estate) — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 20:53:22 -0700

Sellers want max dollars for there homes and for good reason. To support there desire always urge them to get a home inspection.

We have had a sad experience in the past with a listing client whom we recommended a home inspection but did not follow through and as a consequence lost $40,000. Truly a heart breaker but all we can do is give advice and guidance and hope that they follow.

Currently we are working with clients that are following our advice and it is such a joy to see them completing our recommendations in the post house inspection counseling.

I am faithfull that the benefits of the home inspection in conjuction with there active resolve will give them what they want and deserverely so.

Will keep you all posted.

Keep the blue sky up!

Carlos Martes

Guiding first time home buyers at your open houses

Carlos Martes (Keller Williams Real Estate) — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 20:41:28 -0700

Recently I am meeting many first time home buyers at my open houses and have been presenting them with information on government grants and down payment assistance to help them make there way in the "fog".

So I am sharing this with the community and the consumers of these resources of this very helpful information.

DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE:

http://www.nehemiahcorp.org/

http://www.getdownpayment.com/

http://www.fha.com/program_nehemiah.cfm

http://www.downpaymentsolutions.com/

GOVERNMENT GRANTS:

http://ezinearticles.com/?Government-Grants-For-First-Time-Home-Buyers&id=353122

http://first-time-home-buyer-s.com/first_time_home_buyer_grants.htm

That is all for now. Keep the sunny side up!

Helping your senior sellers

Carlos Martes (Keller Williams Real Estate) — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 09:17:39 -0700

In preparation for a listing agreement with a new client who is a senior I gave a lot of thought to what I might be able to do to help them improve the value of there home sale. So I began to do some research and discovered the existence of Senior Move Management companies.

These companies specialize both emotionally and logistically in helping the needs of senior sellers. Although I am not a SRES I thought I would share this with the community to help all those that have not had the opportunity to gain this valuable knowledge.

I am providing a link to NASMM so that you may be able recommend there services to your clients.

http://www.nasmm.org/index.html

Good luck to all and keep the blue sky up!

Demonstrate your market knowledge by being prepared for the listing presentation.

Carlos Martes (Keller Williams Real Estate) — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 21:25:07 -0700

Recently on a listing presentation I took a comp that was down the block from the customer that in my opinion was not valid. It was of couse significantly higher than my suggested price range. I kept this separate from the package that I presented to the prospective client in anticipation that it would come up. Sure enough it did. I had my laptop fired up and ready to rock and roll and I quickly demonstrated the major differences educationg him on how to increase the value of his home. For both of us it was an opportunity that benefited us mutually! What a WIN-WIN.

The customer was impressed by my knowledge of his neighborhood and how rapidly I was able to show him what he could do to improve the value of his home.

The point of this story is to always anticipate the what ifs. Your potential clients know more about there neighborhood than you do. We may claim to be the neighborhood experts but the truth is that there perception of price in there neighborhood is the greatest opportunity to bridge the gap.

BOY SCOUT'S MOTTO "BE PREPARED"