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marketing: BLOG! Did I just swear? - 07/10/08 09:01 AM

Hey, you can stick it in your BLOG!
Go ahead and BLOG yourself!
When I suggest to a Real Estate Professional to join Active Rain and start networking and blogging. You would think I said the nastiest word I have in my vocabulary. People almost start to hyperventilate at the word BLOG. What the BLOG did you just say?
It's a scary word, BLOG, but is it? Why do so many fear the word. OK, I agree, the word BLOG has not made the spell check dictionary as of yet (Hint, Hint Active Rain Team) as most swear words don't, but it's not … (46 comments)

marketing: Check out this unique closing idea-Customer service A-1 - 04/16/08 12:04 PM

I recently was reading MiBiz (Michigan Business Magazine) and came across a unique marketing and customer service that Mr. Anthony Lambers provides to his clients for closings.
I've personally have never met Anthony, but find his services a unique idea in customer service. Anthony, is with United Financial Mortgage Services in Muskegon, Michigan.
Anthony makes the closing experience one to remember. The normal cold traditional closing is no longer an option when a customer deals with Anthony. What makes Anthony's service unique is each mortgage closing is held at CF Prime Chophouse & Wine Bar. "He has arranged for the restaurant to stay closed … (11 comments)

marketing: Active Rain ranks high on search engines. - 04/11/08 12:22 PM
I'm amazed at the high ranking Active Rain posts receive when doing a search for web sites through a search engine.
Many times the Active Rain members post receive higher rankings then their personal web sites do. 
But what really amazes me is the fact that majority of the Real Estate "Professionals" I invite to join Active Rain, simply do not do so. I'm not sure if they don't understand the value that Active Rain can and will bring to their business or if they are just to lazy to check it out?
Not only is the camaraderie unbelievable, but the networking … (24 comments)

marketing: When the Home Seller exposes their fangs! - 01/16/08 12:09 PM
There's nothing worse then the fangs of a seller being exposed. Today's market has produced more tension between the Seller and the agent.
Seller's want lighting fast action when it comes to the home they are looking to sell. Today, it's most likely not going to happen. Longer listing periods where a property nearly becomes stagnant are getting pinned on the agent.
The fact is, no matter how much advertising dollars an agent throws at a listing, or the hours invested in open houses, just doesn't cut it today.
Seller's have to understand that the agent wants the home sold as bad … (14 comments)

marketing: Bad News for the Real-estate Industry, Good News Needed. - 01/12/08 02:20 PM
How do you escape the bad news of the Real-estate industry?
With all the negative news floating around about the industry it's going to be up to the Real-estate Professional to counter act the situation.
The only way to get some positive news produced is by preparing news releases. Good news doesn't get posted as quick as bad news, we all know this is true. But when an agent or company does some thing good for a client, community or the industry they have to gloat the news to the world.
Bragging, yes maybe, but the cold hard fact is the Real-estate Profession has … (3 comments)

marketing: I'm a lover not a fighter - 01/11/08 12:44 PM
I'm a lover not a fighter. I threw in the towel on Real-estate sales, and moved over to the service side of helping the Real-estate Professional and their clients streamline the buying process.
I loved working with the buyer's since 1978. I loved seeing the smiling faces of the customer when they found their dream home.
I loved when that same client referred their family members and friends back to me.
I loved when they returned to the office when they decided to move up the housing ladder.
Helping the buyer shop for their home was my solution for going to the mall. My expertise was … (2 comments)

marketing: Opposites Attract, so true with the "Home Buying Couple" - 01/05/08 03:49 PM
Are your buyer's scratching their heads, wondering what home to buy?
With the current buyer's market, taking the steps to be pro-active instead of re-active is the key to a happy client. A happy client is a referral base for sales down the road. And happy clients happen when outstanding services are provided.
Agents, it's time to remove the head scratching frustration from your buyer's house hunting life. By utilizing a home selection program to streamline the housing choice, a client won't have to second guess their decision. You, their agent will become the marriage counselor they will have avoided because of the service you can provide. There's … (8 comments)

marketing: Welcome to the Open House, argh. - 12/26/07 10:54 AM
Open House's, some love em, some hate em, but they are a necessity of the Real-estate world.
Seller's in most cases choose the Real-estate Professional that will represent them based on the pipe dream of numerous open houses the agent promises to hold at their home.
I've ran into quite a few agents that don't feel open houses are the ladder to success, but still most conduct them because they feel it's a customer service that needs to be done.
True, every once in awhile the agent is lucky enough to find that special buyer for the clients house. These are the bonuses for … (11 comments)

marketing: Real-estate agents worked to the bones - 12/19/07 01:52 PM
Working yourself to the bones is not uncommon for the Professional Real-estate Agent. It's time to work smarter-not harder! If you are an outside the box thinker and care about the clients well being, read on.
With the influx of homes on the market, the Real-estate Professional has more demands placed on them to locate the right place the buyer will call home.
Many buyers are touring 30+ homes in this buyer's market. Thereby wasting precious time and gas. So how does an agent streamline the touring process?
The simple solution is by utilizing a detailed walk through check list that allows the buyer to refresh … (8 comments)

marketing: Curve Ball of Life - 12/18/07 01:56 PM
Life is full of curve balls. The economy we are currently dealing with has and will continue to provide more curve balls to our lives.
Curve balls in baseball are thrown at the home plate, just when the batter thinks they will connect, the ball mysteriously takes a turn.
Many people are presently experiencing curve balls in their lives. These curves may come in these various forms:
Failed business ventures. Failed Marriages.Cash flow problems.ForeclosureJob lossMedical problemsDeath of a family member, friend or colleagueThis list could go on and on for each and every person. In real-estate, each professional will encounter a person that has … (8 comments)

marketing: The Ultimate Tool for the Ultimate Agent. - 12/07/07 02:11 PM
Allowing your buyer client to make the decision in the largest investment in life shouldn't be approached through emotions.
If you personally are diving into investments in your own 401k or retirement account with utilizing your Professional Investment Brokers "Due Diligence" reports, you may be in for the shock of your life. My guess is your not.
So why would you expect your clients as their Professional, to make that same mistake you wouldn't allow yourself to make with your investment?
Today's Buyer's market has the client touring more homes then ever. This not only adds a tremendous expense with the price of gas, but also … (0 comments)

marketing: King of Real-estate! RU? - 11/28/07 03:19 PM
Just when you thought you were the King of Real-Estate.
Along comes the buyers market making them the King! More so then ever, the seller has become the pawn. The large inventory of homes on the market has tuned the agent into the Knight.
In the not to long pass, agents were shakers and movers. A continuous forward moving group that could get the job done. Now, like the Knight it's two steps forward and one step to the side. Eventually, the agent makes their way across the game board, but not without added moves and some side stepping.
Without adding services for the … (4 comments)

marketing: Buyers and agents are seeing double! - 11/19/07 12:17 PM

No your eyes aren't playing tricks on you! You are seeing double.
More so then ever agents are seeing double these days. With the lack of an organized tool to streamline the buyers tours, agents are spending more energy and fuel cost to tour homes a second and third time.
The rise in homes toured with the amount of property that is on the market is contributing to the wasted return trips. After touring 15-25-50+ homes, you can't expect a buyer to recall what the 1st home toured featured.
The mind boggling expanded tours is adding to the cost of the bottom line that … (2 comments)

marketing: There's Light at the end of the Real-estate tunnel - 11/14/07 01:32 PM
         There's Light at the end of the tunnel! 
With this economy of lack luster sales and confused buyer's, we can only hope that the light will shine through soon. Real-estate Professionals are being forced to change the way they have done business over the past 100+ years.
The Internet savvy client is jetting around the World Wide Web gathering the information they require to locate the place they will call home.
The Professional who sits by the phone with the hopes that it will ring, bringing business and income is a thing of the past.
Today's Professional has to be equipped to stay ahead of the client. … (6 comments)

marketing: Home for the holidays - 11/13/07 03:08 PM
Were entering the holiday season, now's the time to do a little play on words in your marketing campaign.
A great tag line for advertising your listings could be: Home for the Holidays
It's one that will peak the buyers interest, and a well known saying. Tying the slogan into your advertising becomes a play on words.
 The slogan will add some fireworks to your ads.
Of course you could always say "contact me and we'll talk turkey", JK
Photos compliments of www.swobodaimages.com                      
    
                                                                                                           
… (2 comments)

marketing: Listing a home? Start with the details. - 11/12/07 07:29 AM
So you got a call from a potential seller to list a home.
Many agents walk into the listing appointment blind and unprepared. The best tool in your approach is organization and information for landing the listing. Weave your magic before the initial meeting with a free tool to streamline and organize your presentation. You only get one chance to make a great first impression.
By utilizing a Seller's questionnaire and rating system before your first meeting, you will inquire the information to be able to prepare a CMA and listing presentation that will move you ahead of the competition.
The bonus, this program … (18 comments)

marketing: Are you an Eagle? - 10/30/07 12:11 PM
The American Bald Eagle, once nearing extinction the eagle had to change its habits. The Real-estate industry as we knew it is facing the same demise as the mighty eagle.
For the eagle (thank goodness) the government stepped in to protect and save this national status. But as Professionals I don't feel we will be awarded the same benefits that the eagle enjoyed. So it's up to us to change the way we live, do business and strive for survival.
How will the Real-estate Professional avoid falling prey to the Eagles in the market? Today the Internet savvy buyer has the resources … (4 comments)

marketing: When Good Agents go Bad - 10/20/07 10:25 AM
Are you stuck in a rut? With the changing world of Real-estate the agent that doesn't change will be the dinosaur of tomorrow.
Sure, we can all surf the blogs and learn from there, which is an excellent source. But what we do with our new found education is what will make the difference of surviving or not.
Todays general public is so much more advanced and savvy than the buyers of yesteryear's. Reports show that 80%+ are now surfing the net before ever making contact with an agent. It has become the agents obligation to think outside the cookie cutter box that … (4 comments)

marketing: Create your own leads for free. Great for agents, builders, leasing agents and mortgage brokers - 10/17/07 11:11 AM
With over 80% of Real estate buyers and renters surfing the Internet before making verbal contact, you have to capture them at your home page.
Rate A Home provides a Free Lead Generating Wish List program where only the web site owner receives the leads. There's no fees to you or the buyer.
Wish Lists for existing homes, new construction, condominiums (high and low rise) and rentals
How the program works:
You add a link on your home page, for example: "Create your Dream Home Here" or "New Home Wish List"
The buyer or renter completes a personal wish list. Only the customer and yourself receive … (6 comments)