Seven Out of 10 Renters Say Owning a Home Is a Top Priority

RISMEDIA, July 8, 2011-Most Americans still believe that owning a home is a solid financial decision, and a majority of renters aspire to homeownership as a long-term goal. According to the 2011 National Housing Pulse Survey released recently by the National Association of REALTORS®, 72 percent of renters surveyed said owning a home is a top priority for their future, up from 63 percent in 2010.

Seven in 10 Americans also agreed that buying a home is a good financial decision while almost two-thirds said now is a good time to purchase a home. The annual survey, which measures how affordable housing issues affect consumers, also found that more than three quarters of renters (77 percent) said they would be less likely to buy a home if they were required to put down a 20 percent down payment on the home, and a strong majority (71 percent) believe a 20 percent down payment requirement could have a negative impact on the housing market.

"Despite the economic setbacks Americans have experienced in today's current climate, it is clear that a strong majority still believe in homeownership and aspire to own a home," says NAR President Ron Phipps. "However, achieving the dream of homeownership will become increasingly difficult for buyers if they are required to make a 20 percent down payment, which may be a reality for many of tomorrow's buyers if a proposed Qualified Residential Mortgage rule is adopted. That is why REALTORS® are strongly urging regulators to go back to the drawing board on the proposed rule."

Defining the QRM rule is important because it will determine the types of mortgages that will generally be available to borrowers in the future. As currently proposed, borrowers with less than 20 percent down will have to choose between higher fees and rates today-up to 3 percentage points more-or a 9-14 year delay while they save up the necessary down payment.

Over half-51 percent-of self-described "working class" homeowners as well as younger non-college graduates (51 percent), African Americans (57 percent) and Hispanics (50 percent) who currently own their homes reported that a 20 percent down payment would have prevented them from becoming homeowners.

Pulse surveys for the past eight years have consistently reported that having enough money for a down payment and closing costs are top obstacles that make housing unaffordable for Americans. Eighty-two percent of respondents cited these as the top obstacle, followed by having confidence in one's job security.

The survey also found respondents were adamantly against eliminating the mortgage interest deduction. Two-thirds of Americans oppose eliminating the tax benefit, while 73 percent believe eliminating the MID will have a negative impact on the housing market as well as the overall economy.

"The MID facilitates homeownership by reducing the carrying costs of owning a home, and it makes a real difference to hard-working American families," says Phipps. "Homeownership offers not only social benefits, but also long-term value for families, communities and the nation's economy. We need to make sure that any changes to current programs or incentives don't jeopardize our collective futures."

When asked why homeownership matters to them, respondents cited stability and safety as the top reason. Long-term economic reasons such as building equity followed closely behind. On a local level, respondents said neighbors falling behind on their mortgages and the drop in home values were top concerns. Foreclosures also continue to remain a large concern, with almost half of those surveyed citing the issue as a problem in their area.

The 2011 National Housing Pulse Survey is conducted by American Strategies and Myers Research & Strategic Services for NAR's Housing Opportunity Program. The telephone survey polled 1,250 adults nationwide, with an oversample of interviews of those living in the 25 most populous metropolitan statistical areas. The study has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points.

NAR's Housing Opportunity Program, www.realtor.org/housingopportunity, was created in 2002 to encourage local REALTOR® associations to create initiatives that help increase housing opportunities available to consumers and make affordable housing more readily available in their communities.

Information about NAR is available at www.realtor.org.

RISMedia welcomes your questions and comments. Send your e-mail to: realestatemagazinefeedback@rismedia.com.

Housing Affordability Rises to Record Levels

RISMedia, May 28 2011-Nationwide housing affordability during the first quarter of 2011 rose to its highest level in the more than 20 years it has been measured, according to National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Opportunity Index (HOI) data released recently.

The HOI indicated that 74.6 percent of all new and existing homes sold in the first quarter of 2011 were affordable to families earning the national median income of $64,400. This eclipsed the previous high of 73.9 percent set during the fourth quarter of 2010 and marked the ninth consecutive quarter that the index has been above 70 percent. Until 2009, the HOI rarely topped 65 percent and never reached 70 percent.

"With interest rates remaining at historically low levels, today's report indicates that homeownership is within reach of more households than it has been for more than two decades," says Bob Nielsen, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and a home builder from Reno, Nev. "While this is good news for consumers, home buyers and builders continue to confront extremely tight credit conditions, and this remains a significant obstacle to many potential home sales."

Syracuse, N.Y. was the most affordable major housing market in the country during the first quarter of the year. In Syracuse, 94.5 percent of all homes sold were affordable to households earning the area's median family income of $64,300.

Also ranking near the top of the most affordable major metro housing markets were Youngstown-Warren-Boardman, Ohio-Pa.; Indianapolis-Carmel, Ind.; Warren-Troy-Farmington Hills, Mich.; and Toledo, Ohio.

Among smaller housing markets, the most affordable was Kokomo, Ind., where 98.6 percent of homes sold during the first quarter of 2011 were affordable to families earning a median income of $61,400. Other smaller housing markets near the top of the index included Monroe, Mich.; Cumberland, Md.-W.Va.; Elkhart-Goshen, Ind.; and Springfield, Ohio.

New York-White Plains-Wayne, N.Y.-N.J., led the nation as the least affordable major housing market during the first quarter of 2011. In New York, 24.1 percent of all homes sold during the quarter were affordable to those earning the area's median income of $65,600. This marks the 12th consecutive quarter that the New York metropolitan division has held this position.

Other major metro areas near the bottom of the affordability index included San Francisco-San Mateo-Redwood City, Calif.; Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale, Calif.; Honolulu; and Santa Ana-Anaheim-Irvine, Calif., respectively.

San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, Calif., where 47.6 percent of the homes were affordable to families earning the median income of $72,500, was the least affordable of the smaller metro housing markets in the country during the first quarter. Other small metro areas ranking near the bottom included Santa Cruz-Watsonville, Calif.; Laredo, Texas; Ocean City, N.J; and Santa Barbara-Santa Maria-Goleta, Calif.

Please visit www.nahb.org/hoi for tables, historic data and details.

RISMedia welcomes your questions and comments. Send your e-mail to: realestatemagazinefeedback@rismedia.com.

8 Tactics to Get Noticed across Time Zones

By Cindy Fauth

RISMedia, May 19, 2011-If your goal is to generate leads and referrals from international home buyers or sellers, it's a sound strategy to stand out from the crowd.

To reach that goal, jump-start your marketing initiatives with no-cost, low-cost and highly cost-effective tactics that can contribute to building awareness on the global market. Here are eight tactics to consider. Most employ social media and other online or digital resources, while others should provide fresh perspectives on how to maximize proven marketing resources.

1. Become a Blogger
A blog gives you the ability to publish your thoughts and perspectives online, and sites like WordPress and Blogspot let you create blogs at no cost. Benefits include greater visibility within the industry, driving sales leads and establishing yourself as a real estate thought leader. But before you enter the blogosphere, spend time to create a blog that establishes an identity and delivers a compelling message about your international real estate specialty. Schedule posts in advance and plan content to make better use of your time. Images and videos add excitement. Your success can be measured by the number of followers who read and contribute to discussion topics.

2. Find Fans Through Facebook
Here's a statistic that will draw attention: Facebook has more than 350 million active users around the world. Along with its social networking capabilities, Facebook lets subscribers set up free "fan pages." The page lets you share services and business information with other users. Here's the payback: When fans or supporters comment, that message gets distributed to their Facebook friends. Populate the page with news and updates about your international expertise, as well as images and links to relevant property or market videos. Get creative and set up a contest to drive fan participation.

3. Maximize No-Cost Web Site Classifieds
The legendary Craigslist online network pioneered the free advertising concept back in 1995 as a distribution list for friends. Others have followed, including Kijiji. This relatively new network of online urban communities also offers free classified listings and maintains a Housing category with 10 options. Kijiji, translated to "village" in Swahili, serves 34 countries and is the market leader in Canada, Germany, Italy and Taiwan. Unlike the bare bones design of Craigslist, the new kid offers a clean look and colorful icons.

4. Lights, Camera, Action: Go With Video
How prevalent is video in business and culture today? YouTube, the free online video sharing site, reports it serves more than 1 billion videos from around the world daily. Today, it's relatively easy to record good quality video content and make simple edits using a new generation of inexpensive digital cameras from Flip Video, Kodak and others. Based on Flash technology, these pocket- sized cameras let you effortlessly upload, view, edit and distribute videos. Add a portable stereo recorder to enhance audio, and you're well-equipped to record client testimonials and footage of properties for sale or lease. Post the video on YouTube and add a link to your Web site, blog or Facebook page.

5. Take it One Step Further with Cable Television
Once you become more adept with video, consider exploring low-cost purchased television advertising. The folks at Google offer a service called TV Ads that lets you bid on airtime on national cable channels and satellite networks. The TV Ads site provides research on specific shows, channels and airtimes so you can plan a media schedule that can reach the many ethnic audiences in markets across the nation. Need help creating an ad? Google also provides an Ad Creation Marketplace geared toward small businesses.

6. Don't be Shy, Ask for an Online Pat-on-the-Back
Launched in 2003, LinkedIn is a business-oriented social network with more than 55 million members. One tremendous benefit is a recommendation feature that gets posted to your profile. According to Teri Isner, a LinkedIn recommendation sends a powerful message. "You can only get so real, other than video, in the world of the Internet," she says. "A LinkedIn recommendation gives your happy customers the ability to give you the kudos you deserve." Enlist clients and fellow agents to write a recommendation that reflect your knowledge, success and dedication to adding value in the international real estate arena.

7. Cultivate a Global Brand
This may sound perfunctory, but it's imperative to define how you fit within the global market- place. Strategize on how to cultivate an international brand around you, your work and your successes. Start with a Web site or page dedicated to the kind of international business you conduct and incorporate a theme line, logo and images. Doing so will help you target your buyer prospects and fine-tune your message.

8. Print Classifieds Done Strategically
Many agents have shifted marketing dollars away from print newspaper advertisements for a couple of reasons. One, it can be expensive, and two, print media has been eclipsed by online communications in terms of reaching a target audience. A service called American Classified Services offers a solution. The firm sells discounted classified line and display ads that run in community and free newspapers in the U.S., Canada, and internationally. Work with company representatives to identify domestic publications that serve communities that have established or growing immigrant markets. Develop a consistent campaign to announce properties you have for sale or lease.

Cindy Fauth is the Global Marketing Manager for the National Association of REALTORS®

For more information visit www.realtor.org.

RISMedia welcomes your questions and comments. Send your e-mail to: realestatemagazinefeedback@rismedia.com.

 In traveling around the country to real estate conventions and sales seminars over the past year I've discovered that the knowledge of QR Codes (Quick Response Barcodes) and the extent of their use in real estate is varied from region to region.  Many agents don't even know what they are, but those that do haven't figured out how best to use them or are hoping that they will go away and they won't have to figure it out.  Are they worthwhile and here to stay for a while or just another passing fad?

To answer the question you need only ask yourself another question.  Does the product or new technology improve the service for the customer?  And there's your answer, QR Codes do.  They give your customers who are employing mobile technology instant, accurate information and instant communication with you through text if they have unanswered questions.  But what is its best use and how do you get it out there?

Creating them is free on multiple sites online and you should put them on your signs, on any printed media, especially flyers, and yard signs on property.  Put them on "Just Listed" cards and just about anywhere that you are already spending your marketing dollars.  Did you know that nearly 75% of smartphone users recall whether an advertisement had a QR Code on it?  How can you afford not to get in the game and start putting QR Codes on everything that you do?  It's cheap and the consumer is expecting it.

Build an Action Plan - How to Attract Global Buyers

RISMEDIA, May 12, 2011- You don't have to travel the world to be a global agent. Nor do you have to find foreign investors shopping for properties here. Global business also includes ethnic immigrant communities, naturalized citizens who retain strong cultural roots, and foreign residents living in the U.S. on extended visas. Considered in this context, global business is bigger-and growing faster-than many agents realize.

Getting started
Connecting with multicultural buyers is not so much about speaking their language, but understanding where they are coming from-gaining a better understanding of and sensitivity to their traditions and core values. It does not require major shifts in how you do business.

There are two primary steps for learning more about ethnic groups in your community:
1. First, determine which groups already reside in your market.
2. Investigate avenues for learning more about their culture, traditions and value systems.

Once you have taken those initial steps, it's time to roll up your sleeves and take specific actions to make your real estate practice more accommodating to multicultural clients and earn their business. Here are several areas you'll want to examine and steps to consider taking:

Education
Homebuyer Seminars: this tried-and-true strategy is likely valued even more by multicultural buyers. Offer these programs under the auspices of a local ethnic association, and you'll be even more successful at connecting with members of the community.

How U.S Real Estate Works: Consider offering education on the basic mechanics of the U.S. real estate market. If your prospective clients include newly arrived immigrants or foreign/relocating buyers, your education efforts may need to cover these nuts-and-bolts details.

Marketing
Printed Materials: You don't need to translate all your brochures and handouts. But it is a good idea to make sure you aren't doing anything that might be offensive. For example, you'd want to avoid using a culture's color of death as the dominant color in your brochure. Such color associations vary, however, from one culture to another, so do a little research.

Advertising: Use a media buyer to help pinpoint the right foreign language channels for television and radio advertising and the best reach per dollar. Also investigate foreign language newspapers. Whenever advertising to multicultural groups, be certain that you remain in compliance with Fair Housing laws, which prohibit advertising solely on the basis of ethnic status, or other protected classes.

Free Publicity: Submit press releases and articles on home buying, selling, or local market conditions to your local media. Smaller press outlets-including foreign language newspapers-are typically hungry for news items, providing an opportunity for free advertising. If you are able to translate your story, your efforts will likely be even more productive.

Translations
Staffing: If you don't speak the dominant language used by your multicultural clients, try to learn at least a few common phrases. It's also a good idea to hire someone who can serve as a translator, either as part of your regular staff, or as an on-call assistant. If there's a nearby university, consider hiring a student to fill this role. Many local REALTOR® boards maintain a list of their members who speak other languages and may be willing to help.

Contracts: Numerous local REALTOR® associations have developed translated versions of standard real estate contracts and make these available to members. Even though your client must sign the official English version, translated copies can be very helpful in explaining legal terms.

Transaction Assistance
Financing: Make every effort to identify lenders who also understand your clients' cultural perspectives, and share these names as recommended resources with your buyers.

Related Professionals: Similar to lenders, you'll want to develop a network of other professionals such as home inspectors and real estate attorneys who you feel comfortable including on your list of recommended resources for multicultural clients.

Small Modifications Yield Big Results
This is not a comprehensive list of ideas-nor should you assume that you need to undertake every suggestion in order to be successful working with multicultural clients.

It may appear that serving these buyers and sellers requires a lot of work. In fact, agents who are already actively serving this audience say that in most cases, very little needs to be modified. Instead, what's most necessary is a sincere interest in expanding your horizons and becoming actively involved in new communities. Multicultural clients are excellent sources of future referrals. If you have gained their trust and served them well, they will tell family and friends about you.

RISMedia welcomes your questions and comments. Send your e-mail to: realestatemagazinefeedback@rismedia.com.

Simple Tips to Prevent House Fires

RISMEDIA, May 9, 2011-Every year home electrical problems cause more than 28,000 house fires and massive property damage. Electrical wiring is the root cause of many of these fires, of which countless could have been prevented. May is Electrical Safety Month. MXenergy, an independent energy provider, is encouraging everyone to review key electrical safety tips.

"Quite frankly, electrical safety is a key home safety component that is often overlooked," says Marjorie Kass, MXenergy Managing Director. "Yet the truth is, it is an essential element of any home safety plan. Proper education, awareness and action can go a long way in preventing tragedy."

Faulty or fixed wiring or improper use of electrical cords and other electrical items cause most home fires.

MXenergy Electrical Safety Tips

• Pay Attention: Flickering lights, buzzing noises, and faceplates that are warm to the touch are all signs that a circuit may be overloaded or wiring may be wearing thin. Each one of those signs is cause for immediate attention from a licensed professional electrician.

• Listen to Your Breaker: If you are continually tripping a switch and having to reset your breaker box, your house is trying to tell you something. There may be a fixture with faulty wiring or too high an electrical load on the breaker. Again, seek professional help.

• Review and Replace: Frayed electrical cords, wobbly ceiling fans, and loose faceplates are more than mere annoyances. You should routinely inspect your home and replace or repair items in need of attention.

• Safety First: Even the best preparation and newest equipment is not a guaranteed protection against fire. Working smoke detectors on all levels of your home is an absolute must. Make sure you have a working fire extinguisher and you know the proper way to use it.

"The good news is many of these fires are avoidable," continues Kass. "In the case of electrical safety just a little awareness and preparation can make an enormous difference."

The Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) sponsors Electrical Safety Month each May. More information and safety tips, including a home safety calendar, can be found at www.esfi.org.

For more information MXenergy please visit www.mxenergy.com.

RISMedia welcomes your questions and comments. Send your e-mail to: realestatemagazinefeedback@rismedia.com.

Build Your Business on Substance and Results

By Margaret Kelly

RISMEDIA, May 5, 2011-With the market we have today, consumers desperately need an experienced real estate agent for the largest financial transaction most of them will ever make. They want to know they're working with a skilled, trusted professional who's capable of closing sales.

So how do you display your experience and expertise? In the long run, your track record of results and your solid reputation are all that matter. Help consumers see the difference you make for buyers and sellers.

Productivity Matters
Agents who say sales statistics don't matter probably aren't among the top in production. The fact is, agents who close more transactions are more prepared and more likely to ensure a smooth ride for their clients. If you have strong numbers that demonstrate your proficiency, don't back away from promoting them with messages that are meaningful to potential buyers and sellers. And if you're struggling to boost your numbers, it's worth re-evaluating whether you have the best support, training and tools around you to thrive.

The Company You Keep
Consumers are looking for full-service experiences more and more, and their impression of where they'll find the real experts matters. It's important to be aware of the public perception of your company and the consistency of service consumers can expect, particularly in a social networking world where one bad experience can be broadcast to hundreds of friends in a flash. You shouldn't have to worry about under qualified, poor-performing agents tarnishing your reputation. If this is a real concern for you, think about your options and the best place to build your business without limitations-surrounded by other motivated professionals.

Service, Not Sales Pitches
Being an expert is not about having the biggest billboard, unless you can deliver on the promises it makes. Word of mouth can be far more valuable in the long run, and it doesn't cost a penny. In all of your marketing and promotions, set the expectations and then make sure you're prepared to meet them. Snappy ads may bring consumers to your door, but it's up to you to serve them in a way that creates clients for life.

Margaret Kelly, CRB, is chief executive officer of RE/MAX LLC. For more information, please visit www.remax.com.

RISMedia welcomes your questions and comments. Send your e-mail to: realestatemagazinefeedback@rismedia.com.

Home Buyers Shun ‘Fixer-Uppers'

By Kathleen Lynn

RISMEDIA, May 2, 2011-(MCT)-In the overheated housing market of five years ago, buyers often felt they had to accept homes in woeful condition. But these days, most look at "as-is" properties and say, "No thanks." "I try to stay away from things that need a lot of work," says Michael Lisa of Chestnut Ridge, N.Y., who is searching for a home in northern Bergen County, N.J.

"Buyers will tolerate nothing," says Maria Rini, a Re/Max agent in Oradell, N.J. A recent Coldwell banker survey found that 87 percent of first-time buyers said a move-in-ready home is important to them.

"This is absolutely the story of this market. It seems buyers will pay a premium, engage in a bidding war and even overpay just to avoid buying a ‘project' house," said Beth Freed of Terrie O'Connor Realtors in Ridgewood, N.J.

As a result, real estate agents strongly advise sellers to fix up their homes for quicker and more profitable sales.

For example, when Kate Conover recently listed a Franklin Lakes, N.J., colonial, she encouraged the seller to replace the roof and driveway, repair ceilings, rip up carpets and paint interiors.

Paying contractors to do the work cost almost $40,000, but Conover estimated it added well over $100,000 to the asking price.

"There is no question homes that have been spruced up for the market sell quicker," says Conover, a Re/Max agent in Saddle River, N.J.

But she recommended against major renovations-such as replacing the kitchen and baths-in the Franklin Lakes home. Most agents agree with that philosophy, saying sellers shouldn't risk spending more than they'll get back in the sale price. That's especially true with major kitchen and bath renovations because they're so much a matter of taste.

"No matter what you do, it may not be the buyer's choice anyway," says Antoinette Gangi, a Re/Max agent in Woodcliff Lake, N.J.

On the other hand, agents say that major maintenance and safety issues-such as underground oil tanks and leaky roofs-must be dealt with before the home goes on the market, because buyers are unwilling to take them on.

Beyond those kinds of headaches, sellers can make a big difference with simple and relatively inexpensive fixes: painting the walls, getting rid of clutter and pulling up carpets to show the hardwood floors that buyers crave.

And spruce up the front yard and entryway to make a good first impression, recommends Pat Sudal, a Weichert agent in Ramsey. "Freshen the flowerpots, trim the bushes and mulch," she suggests. In the same vein, Gangi recommends painting the front door if it's looking tired.

"Curb appeal is very important, and the front door is the first thing you see," Gangi says.

Getting rid of clutter (as part of an overall deep cleaning) is probably the most cost-effective step, agents say. When sellers resist this advice, Rini reminds them they'll have to pack up their stuff when they move anyway.

"You've got to clean it out sometime; if you do it now, it's going to benefit you financially," she says.

Marie Ferraro, an Oakland, N.J. decorator who works with sellers, calls this "pre-packing."

"You want to depersonalize the home so that prospective buyers can see their lifestyle happening there," says Ferraro. Buyers may not even consciously notice that a room is cluttered or crowded with awkwardly arranged furniture, she said, "but they experience it nonetheless."

"Get everything off the floor," advises Cynthia Harkins, an agent with Prominent Properties Sotheby's International Realty in Franklin Lakes.

Harkins, who self-published a book called "The Savvy Seller," says sellers can make rooms (and closets) seem more spacious by clearing the floor of boots, magazines, gym bags and backpacks.

Anne Landesman, who is moving to Austin, Texas, packed up books and artwork before putting her family's Park Ridge, N.J., home on the market recently. She and her husband, Roy, also put a lot of furniture -including three sofas -into storage.

"I think it made a huge difference," Landesman says. "People could get a good idea of the size of the rooms."

Dawn Cox, a Weichert agent in Wayne, N.J., often counsels sellers to go beyond decluttering, by replacing outdated kitchen appliances and bathroom fixtures and installing granite countertops.

Alan and Mary Chris Bassman did a bathroom upgrade rather than a complete renovation by replacing the vanity and toilet and repairing a cracked shower door.

In all, the family spent about $5,000 to spruce up the home, following the advice of Ferraro, the decorator, who works with the Bassmans' agent, Kathleen Falco of Re/Max of Franklin Lakes.

"We sold the house in a couple of days, which I was shocked at," Alan Bassman says.

Not all sellers have the energy to spruce up. In those cases, agents sometimes pitch in themselves to help declutter and stage the home and hire painters, cleaning crews and handymen. Homeowner Jennifer Glusman was pleasantly surprised when agents Lois Fein and John Schwartz of Prominent Properties Sotheby's International Realty helped her prepare her family's Edgewater condo for sale.

"John came in and helped stage items on our bookshelf and in the kids' room and our room," Glusman says. "He also lent us one of his own paintings."

If sellers can't or won't prepare their homes for market, agents say, they have to lower their expectations on price.

This, in turn, can offer an opportunity for buyers who are willing to give up the search for HGTV-ready homes and look at properties that need "some love," in the words of Tom Mikalouskas, a Re/Max agent in Montvale, N.J.

"I tell my buyers to look for the best bones or the best bang for your buck," he says. "Basically, if you are able to get the worst home in a great neighborhood, you can only improve on your investment. You simply have to focus on potential in a down market like this."

"Buyers who can look beyond the cosmetic issues usually can find treasures in this market," Falco agrees.

For more information visit www.northjersey.com.

RISMedia welcomes your questions and comments. Send your e-mail to: realestatemagazinefeedback@rismedia.com.

Top Tips to Avoid Online Scams

RISMEDIA, April 28, 2011-Like the TV commercials say, "Free is better." The only problem with the Internet is that it's not always free, and sometimes the price can be steeper than you'd ever want to pay. That's the warning offered from Todd Drowlette, Chairman of classified listing site Move That Block. Drowlette says that his research into the consumer-to-consumer advertising space on the Internet revealed a wide variety of practices that exist for the sole purpose of deceiving the consumer.

"We all tend to have faith in the ‘truth in advertising' laws protecting us from bait and switch scams," Drowlette comments. "The problem is that the Internet is so saturated with bait and switch sites, the government would never have enough resources to prosecute them all. So, it's really up to consumers to beware and be aware of the kinds of sites that are out to get their money, get their email addresses or just flat out rip them off."

Drowlette's tips include:

• Free or Premium: Before signing up with a listing site, surf it carefully to ensure that all their user listings are free. It's common for them to charge companies for display ads and banners, but that's only one of their revenue models. Many sites advertise free user listings, but in reality, only the first one is free and only after you sign up for a paid membership. Make sure you understand exactly what you will be getting for free before you sign up.

• Credit Card for ID Purposes: Some sites will ask for your credit card information to determine that you are of legal age to place an ad. Don't believe it. If someone wants your credit card information, it's because they want your money, not your ID. In some cases, you'll find an unauthorized charge on your card, but because you didn't read the fine print when you signed up, it's impossible to get the charge reversed.

• The Fine Print: When you register on a classifieds or pay-to-use site, don't just click through all the registration procedures. Each click constitutes an agreement with the site, so read the Terms of Service and Privacy Policies carefully. This is not just fine print. These documents spell out your legal rights, and the site you're visiting is counting on the fact you won't read them. In addition, the privacy policy spells out whether they will sell your email address to spammers once you sign up. Sure, the ads are free, but you're actually paying with your email address and personal information, which may be sold to spammers and other promotional companies who will inundate you with junk mail.

• Free to Post: Sure, it might be free to post, but that may be all you can do. Many sites use that as the come-on, and then advise you that only premium (paid) members can see your listing, or that you cannot get responses until you pay for a premium membership yourself. Make sure everything is free before you post. After all, what's the point of posting if you can't communicate with anyone who sees it?

For more information visit www.movethatblock.com.

RISMedia welcomes your questions and comments. Send your e-mail to: realestatemagazinefeedback@rismedia.com.