What will I find if I Google your business name? In today's world, if you are a business, then you must be able to be found online. Unfortunately, for the moving company, they were online but have poor reviews. I searched for an auto repair shop close to my home yesterday that was recommended to me and I found nothing. I immediately disregarded the recommendation. If you are not on Google, then you are not a real business. You may have a store or service or operation, but you are not responsible enough or smart enough to build your business and online. Add your company to Google Business is very easy and adding quality reviews by your clients is a must. When most people take the time to write a business review, it is usually negative. Most people prefer to complain about a service long before they will praise them.
As many of you know, we have recently listed our house for sale. Shortly after listing, we started receiving solicitations from moving companies....post cards in the mail and phone calls from movers who are looking for our business.
I received a call from a very friendly woman asking if I would like a free estimate. She assured me that I would be very impressed with their representative, Dan...."everyone loves Dan!" I agreed to have Dan call me to set up an appointment.
I decided to google the moving company before Dan called to see what I could find out about them.
Page 1 on Google: The first link has 10 reviews, 7 arevery negative. The second link has 4 reviews, 3 arevery negative. Everyone may "love Dan" but not too many people love the moving company he represents.
Two days later when Dan called I told him that based on the reviews I saw online, I would pass on the estimate. He appeared to be surprised and said he would inform his manager that there are negative reviews out there.
I would hope that Dan's manager, and the owner of this company, already know about the reviews...if not, they should.
I would hope that someone in this company has a plan to overcome the negative reviews and change their reputation for the better.
When a company rates as poorly as this one does online, it's pretty hard to overcome it.
I google every service, company, and/or product I am considering.
I take reviews very seriously. Do you?
Do you think a business can survive bad reviews on Google? Would you have given them a chance?
Five Rules for Communication is an excellent blog post. There are several working and moving parts that make up the real estate transaction. We are all involved in a service industry and mastering communication only improves the quality of a transication with all involved parties. Happy customers and happy service providers equal a happy closing which always leads to new referrals and improved business relationships.
Ever wait by the phone or computer hoping someone would tell you what is going on with a transaction*. Maybe you have urgently needed a lender, agent, title officer, appraiser, or inspector to call back or send you an email about a deadline or a needed decision. Maybe you just needed to find out if a transaction had recorded so you could hand over keys to anxious new owners.
I have some points for all of us who have been on the "didn't call" side of the phone or email, and I occasionally include myself in this population.
It's not fair and it's not right to be the person everyone else is waiting on.
Every one of us has had hard phone calls to make with bad news.
None of us are blameless in forgetting a call or an email.
It doesn't matter if you don't have any news or progress to report.
You owe it to your fellow humans to tell them everything you can to help them understand what's going on, even if you don't have a clear picture of the situation yourself. Tell them what you know and what you don't.
Five Rules for Communication
1. Communicate in every direction as often as the pace requires.
2. Saying "I don't know" whenever it's true is both mandatory and praiseworthy.
3. For clarity and commitment, saying "I don't know" requires a "but here's what I'm doing" clause.
4. The pace of communication should always rise to match the need.
5. In peak pressure times, don't allow any assumptions. Communicate frequently.
If you're in real estate, you know how confusing a multi-party transaction gets. There are a minimum of half a dozen people critical to the workflow and that's not even counting the two key parties, the buyers and sellers. When communications break down, confusion, frustration, and frayed nerves are common. It's all so simple to avoid just by making sure everyone knows what is going on.
For those who think five rules is too many, I have a version of my communication philosophy reduced to nine words:
Nine Words to Guide You
Communicate Often
In Every Direction
Even With No News
I guarantee you nobody will complain about your communication skills if you commit to do business by these rules. They're not bad for your personal life either.
*Disclaimer. This post was triggered by a bank employee who didn't seem to think deadlines mattered...or communications. Everyone else in the transaction was great at communicating.
Newlyweds receive gift funds through the FHA Bridal Registry. We have all purchased gifts for our friends and family through bridal registries. However, did you know that you can deposit gift funds into an interest baring saving account that the newlywed couple can use to purchase a home through the FHA?
Are you planning to get married and buy a home in Colorado, but wonder where your down payment funds will come from?
FHA has a Bridal Registry program where the money you receive as a wedding present can be used towards your down payment. Just like registering at a specialty or department store, the FHA Bridal Registry program allows you to register with a lender. Then your friends and family are able to make gift payments into an interest bearing account on your behalf.
It's a win win! Not only can your gifts earn interest, but they can be used as a down payment towards an FHA Loan.
Bridal Registry Guidelines
Bridal Registry Accounts were originally introduced in 1996, but still remain a little known fact when it comes to down payment assistance. The misunderstanding of how this program works might be the fact that it was originally only allowed by banks. Soon after, FHA modified the program and offered new flexible options and the opportunity for the newlywed to set up the account at any bank. Plus, newlyweds are now able to make deposits on their own from the gifts they receive.
Here's how it works in 3 simple steps:
You will open a savings account at your bank prior to the wedding
Friends and family will be given the banking information where the gifts will be deposited
All of the gift funds can go towards the FHA required 3.5% down payment
Anyone with an interest in the purchase cannot be party to the gift funds (i.e. realtor)
There is no requirement that you be married prior to closing on your new home
Another huge advantage is that there are no gift letters or other documentation required other than proof of your savings account named "bridal registry account." It's that simple!
AGENTS:Marketing Ideas to Spread the Word in Your State
Explain it on your website
Blog about it
Let your “to-be-married couples” know about it
Send an email to past clients
Attend wedding fairs & distribute brochures
Mention it at your homebuyer seminars
The great news about this program is it is available Nationwide!
To learn more: Check out our FREE Top 20 Homebuyer Secrets that can save you thousands of dollars! Plus browse our Home Buying Resources section and fill-out a free no-obligation secure online application or call us in Colorado Springs, Colorado at 719.387.1368 with any questions.
Bad credit or No credit? Check out our Credit Repair Program and get started on the path to homeownership today!
Newlyweds say "I DO" to FHA Bridal Registry Gift Funds was written by Rebekah Radice.
Rebekah's Mortgage Grapevine (unashamed plug) provides insight, education and musings on anything from mortgage lending and real estate, to social media, marketing and all things relevant to your everday success! If you want to learn lots of cool things, have your thoughts provoked, AND be entertained, be sure to hit the SUBSCRIBE button to the right!
How to improve credit scores is a trick that everyone in today's real estate industry must understand. Sometimes a borrower or home buyer might not have the necessary credit scores to get approved for a home loan. Today, most banks and lenders require a borrower to have a middle credit score of 640 in order to continue with the loan approval process. For some borrowers, you may need 5 points. For others, you may need 100 points. Every credit profile is unique. However, building quality credit tradelines is extremely simple.
Here is a quick tip!
If you do not currently have any credit cards, then go open 2 or 3 immediately. If your credit scores are too low to qualify for a new credit line, then you can open secured credit cards through your local bank or through national banks. Once you open the cards, allocate one monthly recurring bill to each card.
For example, add your water bill to one card. Add your XM Radio to another. Then add your gym membership to the third card. Now, have your checking account automatically pay these cards off each month. You can have your credit card bills go paperless so that you are not bombarded with mail every month. Last, put the cards in a safe place. Do not keep them in your wallet! As Americans, we like to spend! Typically, if funds/credit is available, we well undoubtibly say "what the heck".
To the credit bureaus, you are using, paying off, and keeping your cards at a zero balance each and every month. This is great for building strong positive credit each month.
Justin Messer | Active Rain Confirmed Loan Officer | SEO Trainer
Southern Crescent Solutions provides unique marketing strategies, web design, and branding to large corporations, small businesses, and non-profit organizations. They are truly an all inclusive marketing company that will increase your web traffic, lead generation, and ability to maintain a strong relationship with past and current customers.
Southern Crescent Solutions services include:
* Website Development / Management * Search Engine Optimization (SEO) * Search Engine Marketing (SEM) * Social Media Optimization (SMO) * Social Network Marketing (Web 2.0) * Affiliate Marketing Development & Management * Lead Generation * Online Branding * Competitor / Marketing Research * Marketing Strategy & Plan Development * Direct Response Marketing * Marketing Collateral * Graphic Design * Email Marketing * Event Marketing
At Southern Crescent Solutions, they strive to make certain that your new or existing company's website is up to date with the latest technology and marketing trends. Every company, whether large or small, must have a website in order to remain competitive in today's digital world. Southern Crescent Solutions can build you a eye catching site that will engage your web viewers and make your business really stand out to your potential and current customers.
Coweta County BizGro will be meeting every Thursday at 11:15 at Mama Lucia's in the Ashley Park shopping complex in Newnan, Georgia. BizGro is a business networking and referral group that has exploded in membership all across the country. Finally, BizGro has created a networking group in Coweta county.
Most business networking groups require members to dedicate many hours a week and meet at early morning hours. BizGro Coweta, on the other hand, meet every other week for lunch at 11:15am. Guests and members get the opportunity to meet everyone in a far more comfortable and casual setting unlike many other business networking groups. On off weeks, we learn new marketing strategies along with ways to grow our businesses throughout the community and the virtual community.
With our online web presence, members can continue to pass referrals, share ideas, or comment on others posts with our interactive member website.
Guest are also welcome to join every week even if a current profession is taken. So far, our new Coweta County BizGro has generated many referrals and many closed deals and profitability for its members.
So, if you are interested in joining, visiting, or just learning more about the Coweta County BizGro group, then please contact me via phone or email. We look forward to meeting you and growing your business soon!
Justin Messer | Active Rain Confirmed Loan Officer | SEO Trainer
Investment properties are every these days. You just have to make sure it is the right time to buy in...the right market. There is still plenty of room for prices to fall in certain areas and we have definitely stall in others. Great Post!
People ask me to let them know if I see any good deals or opportunities to make money from an investment in real estate.
When the market is going up, it's hard to buy a property that you can get a positive cash flow from. I've been watching these townhouses and I think they could be an opportunity for an investor. They are appealing because they are in good condition and appeal to a broad segment of the market.
Between 1999 and 2005, a couple of builders built a hybrid condo/zero lot line in many areas across Anchorage. I have several of these listed in Briarcliff Townhomes. Basically the townhouses are attached like duplexes and each one has three bedrooms, two full bathrooms, a double car heated garage and run about 1,350 square feet.
There is an association that does exterior maintenance like snow removal and grass mowing. Owners pay their own utilities and property insurance so the dues are minimum, like $100 per month.
Because the homes are less than 10 years old, you can find them in good shape, so there isn't a lot of maintenance to do.
Here's what gets interesting. You can buy a Briarcliff townhouse for $196,500 as an non-owner occupied investor. You'd have to put a minimum of 20% cash down-payment (yeah, that's a lot of money, but remember, you're an investor). If that same money is sitting in your bank account, you MIGHT get $600 a year interest on the same money.
Yesterday, I got a cost sheet from my lender-friend. The total payment, principal & interest, taxes, dues and insurance was $1,086. I called the property management company that has been managing rentals in the area. They said the most common rent for these properties is $1,650 per month. The property manager said he can rent them up all day long, no problem.
That means a positive cash flow of $564 each month. The rental market is good and there are few vacancies. Professional managers charge between 8 and 10 percent of the rent. A small investor might save that money and do it themselves, or decide to let a pro manage the investment for you.
The idea of an investor is to buy in a market like this, rent them and let the tenant make your payment; all the while you are keeping an eye on the market. When things turn around, and they always do, then you sell the property.
This is how much of the "old money" people got their start. Simple as this example. I know people who have done this to fund their children's college accounts and other people who have their retirements set up in real estate that they will sell as they need money in their golden years. Interesting thought, isn't it?
Justin Messer | Active Rain Confirmed Loan Officer | SEO Trainer
How to write an effective blog. Blogging is an amazing tool to promote your business. Unfortunately, many bloggers spend countless hours blogging in order to gain business, increase web traffic, or to simply turn a profit. Blogging is one of the easiest and cheapest forms of online marketing, if you do it right. Simply writing a blog does not always get you where you would like to be in the virtual world. Read the following tips and trick to writing an EFFECTIVE BLOG so that your hours or days or weeks of dedication are not wasted!
How Deep Does Your Blog Content Go? 73 Resources to Help You Write Better and Create Blog Content that Blossoms Online
I have chosen these resources to help you dig into your blog deeper and create content that will expand your current skill set. Writers are constantly honing their skills and perfecting their efforts, digging deep into the bowels of their works and often their mind and souls in the process. Given that blogging is a form of writing, and both writers and journalists have been exercising the skills of their trades before blogging came to be I have taken care to comprise this list mainly of writing and journalism resources that are relevant to blogging.
Here are 36 Resources to Help You Write Better and Create Blog Content that Blossoms Online
Rebecca D. Levinson is a real estate marketing consultant with 17 years of experience serving real estate industry professionals.
If you need assistance with online marketing, offline marketing, social networking, or blogging contact Rebecca D. Levinson at #262-203-5231 or email rebecca@bloggingintherain.com.
Justin Messer | Active Rain Confirmed Loan Officer | SEO Trainer
Coweta County BizGro will be meeting every Thursday at 11:15 at Mama Lucia's in the Ashley Park shopping complex in Newnan, Georgia. BizGro is a business networking and referral group that has exploded in membership all across the country. Finally, BizGro has created a networking group in Coweta county.
Most business networking groups require members to dedicate many hours a week and meet at early morning hours. BizGro Coweta, on the other hand, meet every other week for lunch at 11:15am. Guests and members get the opportunity to meet everyone in a far more comfortable and casual setting unlike many other business networking groups. On off weeks, we learn new marketing strategies along with ways to grow our businesses throughout the community and the virtual community.
With our online web presence, members can continue to pass referrals, share ideas, or comment on others posts with our interactive member website.
Guest are also welcome to join every week even if a current profession is taken. So far, our new Coweta County BizGro has generated many referrals and many closed deals and profitability for its members.
So, if you are interested in joining, visiting, or just learning more about the Coweta County BizGro group, then please contact me via phone or email. We look forward to meeting you and growing your business soon!
Justin Messer | Active Rain Confirmed Loan Officer | SEO Trainer
101 Blogging and Marketing Ideas. All of these ideas are great. If you get stuck or get bored blogging, then check out Kerry Lucasse's great 101blogging and marketing ideas.
Sometimes it can be extremely difficult to break through our "Block" and come up with new things to write about. I thought it might be fun to come up with a list of 101 ideas that we could refer back to in the future and keep our blogs fresh, interesting and helpful...
101 Ideas for Your Blog
Metro Area Quarterly Market reports
Neighborhood Market Reports / Sales Data
How's the Market in XYZ Neighborhood?
Home buyer incentives
Interest rate changes (or forecasted changes)
Changes in current legislation (that would be important to home buyers or home owners)
10 Things to Consider When Buying a Condo
10 Things to Consider When Buying Your First Home
10 Things to Consider When Buying a Short Sale
10 Things to Consider When Buying a Foreclosure Home
For Buyers - 10 Reasons Why to Buy a Home this Year
For Buyers - What Expenses to Expect When Purchasing your Home or Condo
For Buyers - Tips for Interviewing a REALTOR
For Buyers - The importance of hiring a home inspector
For Buyers - Improving your credit score / preparing for homeownership
Disclaimer: ActiveRain Corp. does not necessarily endorse the real estate agents, loan officers and brokers listed on this site. These real estate profiles, blogs and blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. ActiveRain Corp. takes no responsibility for the content in these profiles, that are written by the members of this community.
As many of you know, we have recently 
Ever wait by the phone or computer hoping someone would tell you what is going on with a transaction*. Maybe you have urgently needed a lender, agent, title officer, appraiser, or inspector to call back or send you an email about a deadline or a needed decision. Maybe you just needed to find out if a transaction had recorded so you could hand over keys to anxious new owners.
Are you planning to get married and buy a home in Colorado, but wonder where your down payment funds will come from?
There is an association that does exterior maintenance like snow removal and grass mowing. Owners pay their own utilities and property insurance so the dues are minimum, like $100 per month.
That means a positive cash flow of $564 each month. The rental market is good and there are few vacancies. Professional managers charge between 8 and 10 percent of the rent. A small investor might save that money and do it themselves, or decide to let a pro manage the investment for you.
;)
;)
;)
