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HOUSTON ECONOMIC OUTLOOK UPBEAT, REPORTS CBRE
HOUSTON (CB Richard Ellis) - Economic indicators such as job growth and housing offer an upbeat outlook for Houston, reports CB Richard Ellis in its second quarter 2011 retail market report.
Houston's economy is now back to prerecession levels, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, and an "On Numbers" study of new data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics ranks Houston number one in retail job growth, with 4,100 retail jobs added since 2008.
Also, according to estimates released by the Texas Workforce Commission, Houston gained 45,000 jobs from May 2010 to May 2011.
The majority of Houston retail leasing activity is largely represented within the food and services industries, while grocery-anchored centers perform well because of their ability to attract significant amounts of consumer traffic.
Retailers continue to focus on the historically fast-growing, master-planned suburban areas and the high-income Inner Loop area. According to Metrostudy's quarterly statistics, the most recently reported top five master-planned communities were Cinco Ranch (770 home starts), The Woodlands (756), Telfair (379), Bridgeland (287) and Sienna Plantation (259).
Lowe's Loves Realtors!! Check out their Program for Realtors.
Lowe's has a fantastic program for Realtors. It is called the Lowe's Realtor Benefits Program. Some of the benefits include:
- up to 10% off coupons
- up to 5% off when you purchase Gift Cards for your clients
- newsletters and marketing materials for you. Which you can personalize
The National Association of Realtors also supports this program, so you know it is helpful. To find out more about this program please check out their website: Lowe's Realtor Benefits Program. This is a great program and it is free!! Sign up Today. Via www.DaveYourMortgageGuy.com, FHA, VA, USDA, HomePath, Jumbo:
Lowe's has a fantastic program for Realtors. It is called the Lowe's Realtor Benefits Program. Some of the benefits include:
- up to 10% off coupons
- up to 5% off when you purchase Gift Cards for your clients
- newsletters and marketing materials for you. Which you can personalize
The National Association of Realtors also supports this program, so you know it is helpful. To find out more about this program please check out their website: Lowe's Realtor Benefits Program. This is a great program and it is free!! Sign up Today.
David Krichmar
Mortgage Banker/Broker
Schmidt Mortgage Company
Approved MCE Instructor
Office:832-689-6012
David.Krichmar@gmail.com
www.DaveYourMortgageGuy.com
For More Mortgage Info and Social Media Tips For Realtors Follow me at Dave's Blog
DaveYourMortgageGuy.com is Voted the #1 Mortgage Company in Houston, Texas. 2010
If you are looking for a FHA, VA, USDA, Homepath, Conventional, Jumbo, Construction, FHA 203k mortgage in Fort Bend County, Sugar Land, Houston, Katy, Harris County, Brazoria County, Pearland, The Woodlands, Kingwood, Tomball, Spring, Conroe, Montgomery County or anywhere in Texas I am your GUY!
    
NMLS#:293883
Use or reproduction of the material published on this site is expressly prohibited without the express written permission of the author
Updating my LinkedIn profile and tweaking it for optimization and SEO purposes seems to be a never ending (albeit fun) battle for me. I see LinkedIn as a unique resource and one that is an absolute must for anyone needing to give their online presence a professional ‘shot in the arm.' Via Rebekah Radice Colorado Springs FHA Loan 203k, VA Mortgage, Loan Pre-Approval (Benchmark Mortgage, Colorado Springs FHA, VA, Pre-Approval):
Updating my LinkedIn profile and tweaking it for optimization and SEO purposes seems to be a never ending (albeit fun) battle for me. I see LinkedIn as a unique resource and one that is an absolute must for anyone needing to give their online presence a professional ‘shot in the arm.’
With so many other online resources to choose from, why should you add LinkedIn to your social medial toolbox? In my opinion, one of the best ways Realtors® can use LinkedIn is to promote their business and brand. With over 100 million active members, LinkedIn is no longer just an online resume. It’s a community that when used correctly can successfully boost your online visibility and your sales.
You Can’t Argue with the LinkedIn Statistics
According to a recent LinkedIn study, people with more than twenty connections are thirty-four times more likely to be approached with a job opportunity than people with less than five. I don’t know about you, but this is a strong motivating factor to get on LinkedIn and capitalize on this social network. It’s apparent that if I’m not, my competitors are. So where do you begin?
Optimize your profile
LinkedIn will show you your progress through a percentage bar so you can see where you’re at in the process. You want to achieve 100% completion.
- Add Keywords to Your Title
Your title is the first place to start when it comes to optimization. It’s not just a way to describe what you do, but how and where you do it. 
- Include Keywords in Your Summary
Your summary is the first place people will go to learn more about you. It’s your elevator pitch; a short summary of who you are and what your business has to offer. Keep it clean and professional, but make sure the top keywords you are interested in targeting are interspersed throughout.
- Include keywords and phrases in your Bio
Your keywords would look something like this: “Rebekah Radice Mortgage Loan Officer” or “Rebekah Radice Colorado Springs Mortgage.”
By default, LinkedIn assigns a generic URL to your profile. Make sure you edit this URL and customize it to your brand or name. You want search engines to identify you with your LinkedIn profile.
Example: http://www.linkedin.com/in/rebekahradice
Go to profile - public profile – and then edit your profile url, Choose your public url and then click save. Use this link to direct people to your LinkedIn profile within your marketing, on your website and on your business cards.
Make Your Profile Public
Make sure everyone can view your profile. What good is your LinkedIn profile if no one can access it? While you are able to hide certain information, don’t hide content relevant to search engines.
Remember: This isn’t Facebook and you don’t have a crazy aunt who says embarrassing things that you need to hide on LinkedIn. Keep your information open and available to anyone looking for you or your services.
Add Your Twitter Feed
Tie your Twitter account into LinkedIn and allow your LinkedIn contacts to keep on top of your Twitter content. You are able to control which tweets are posted to LinkedIn and can edit those settings.
Get Involved with LinkedIn Answers
LinkedIn Answers allows you to build your reputation by answering industry related questions. By responding to questions, you allow others to see your knowledge, education and willingness to give as a Real Estate professional.
Added bonus: It will also build internal links to your profile which helps with SEO.
Join Groups
Explore LinkedIn groups and join groups where other industry professionals are hanging out. LinkedIn groups allow you to connect with other like-minded professionals, re-connect with college alumni and even target a specific group of people.
While LinkedIn isn’t your final destination in the social media conundrum, I can attest to the multitude of opportunities that have come my way because of being active on LinkedIn.
And there it is - your final and most important key to LinkedIn success. Participation and Interaction.
It’s not enough to just sign up for your LinkedIn account and let it idly sit. As with any community, what you get out of it is based solely on your level of involvement or lack thereof.
Let’s Connect on LinkedIn!
How to Use LinkedIn to Generate Real Estate Business was written by Rebekah Radice
Facebook in 7 Easy Steps
Let's begin with a brief summary of what Facebook is all about. Facebook is designed to get you and your brand in front of as many eyeballs as possible. The problem with most businesses is that they jump in without a plan. As Realtors, it may be exciting to hop on the Facebook bandwagon but without clearly defined goals and a system to track your progress; your enthusiasm may quickly fizzle. Your goal should be to create an engaging page that gives your fans a reason to seek you out on a daily basis. Via Rebekah Radice Colorado Springs FHA Loan 203k, VA Mortgage, Loan Pre-Approval (Benchmark Mortgage, Colorado Springs FHA, VA, Pre-Approval):
With over 500 million users, Facebook is now used by 1 in every 13 people on earth and of those people; the majority are now spending more time on Facebook than watching TV. With statistics like that, is it any wonder that more than 3 million businesses have moved their marketing dollars to Facebook. If you haven’t created a Facebook Page for your business yet, chances are your competitors have. However, the thought of creating a Facebook page can leave you paralyzed with fear. Where do you start, what do you say and how do you promote your page and find friends or fans?
Things You Need to Know Before Getting Started
Your Facebook business page will be attached to your personal page. In other words, you cannot create a page until you have set up a personal Facebook account. Once you’ve done that you are able to create an unlimited number of Facebook pages. Your Facebook page is also public which means fans can easily find your business and so can Google. Your page and posts are indexed giving it the beloved “Google Juice” we’re all looking for.
Facebook in 7 Easy Steps
Let’s begin with a brief summary of what Facebook is all about. Facebook is designed to get you and your brand in front of as many eyeballs as possible. The problem with most businesses is that they jump in without a plan. As Realtors, it may be exciting to hop on the Facebook bandwagon but without clearly defined goals and a system to track your progress; your enthusiasm may quickly fizzle. Your goal should be to create an engaging page that gives your fans a reason to seek you out on a daily basis.
1. Create a Page
Your first step is to generate your new page. To begin the design of your new Facebook Page, you will need to add a business page to your current profile.
I’m not going to dive into the step by step instructions, but you can find them under Facebook Page guidelines.
2. Create a Custom Welcome Page
Facebook gives you the ability to create a custom page or mini website within your Facebook Page. You are then able to direct all new fans to this page where you can promote your business, give away a freebie, host a contest or request that they sign up for your free newsletter. This is one area you need to get your creative juices flowing and determine what “item of value” will draw fans in and get them to click the LIKE button. Video is always a BIG draw. Check out the great job my friends Frank and Brian at Think Big Work Small have done with their Facebook Welcome Tab. 
Important Side Note: Since Facebook discontinued their support of fbml (Facebook’s answer to html), building an iframe site can be a little tricky. But don’t worry; there are simple ways to get your page up and running in a jiffy.
Design a FREE Facebook Landing Page
3. Add Content Before You Promote Your Page
This idea is based on the theory that it is better to offer an enormous amount of value and build loyalty within your fans long before you ask for their business. Make sure you have several posts up before making your page public. Not sure where to find content?
Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Blogs/Articles You Have Written (you probably have hundreds to rotate through)
- News Resources (local and national newspapers with tips, tools and how-to’s for buyers and sellers)
- Announce a Sales Event or Promotion
- Give Away a FREE E-Book or other item of value
- Offer how-to advice that save buyers and sellers time and money
- Talk about local events
- Spotlight a local vendor and offer a coupon that they must opt in for on your website
- Create Top 10 Lists and break them out into daily posts
- Pick an obvious local location to film a video from and invite fans to find you. The first person to comment with your correct location wins a prize.
4. Add Consistent Content
Just like your blog, your Facebook fan page will quickly become obsolete if you’re not constantly offering fresh content. I suggest posting at least once per day and at the high traffic times when your information is most likely to come up on your fans wall. According to a recent study by Buddy Media, there are not only certain days that are optimal but times of the day as well. Interestingly enough, their findings concluded that 60% of businesses were posting during normal business hours but those that posted outside of those hours had a 20% higher engagement rate. 
5. Add the LIKE Button & Box to Your Blog
Allow blog followers and website visitors to find your page by adding the Like button or box to your site. Begin by creating your Like Box by adding your Facebook page URL to the plugin. Example: http://www.facebook.com/FreeHelpRealEstate 
6. Find Fans
A big misconception is that once you’ve set up your Facebook business page you should immediately start inviting all of your family and friends. This is a no-no and I’ll tell you why. First of all, why invite a large group of people that have no true interest in your page? Generating business is what your page is all about and involving a static group of people brings no intrinsic value. Secondly, how many invites do you have waiting for you right now that you have yet to read? We’ve all become accustomed to the invite “noise,” but spamming your friends is intrusive and just poor manners.
Here are a few creative ways to find new fans:
- Visit Facebook pages where home buyers hang out. Spend time engaging with that community and bring awareness to your page.
- Add your Facebook page to all of your direct marketing along with an incentive to LIKE your page.
- Add to your Email Signature
- Create Facebook Ads – Ads allow you to go hyper local giving you the most targeted bang for your marketing buck. For a very small budget, you can use ads to get your message in front of the exact person you want fanning your page. Start creating your Facebook ad and have it up and running in no time.
- Host an Event online or offline and drive fans back to your Facebook fan page. Once you’ve hosted the event, make sure there are pictures that can be uploaded and tagged. Encourage your fans to tag themselves in the photos.
- Invite fans to join through an SMS Text Message. Your fans will simply send a text message to 32665 (FBOOK) with the words “fan yourusername” in the message. Your page will need a unique username before you can use this feature. You must have 25 fans before you are able to choose a username.
7. Send a Thank You Message
A "Thank You" message might be the most unappreciated, but powerful business tool ever created. Just as we send a quick handwritten note to thank someone for their kindness, doing the same on Facebook extends that level of gratitude. Your message is short and sweet with two purposes. You are thanking them for becoming a fan of your page and pointing out a specific item of value or important information you want them to be aware of.
I’d love to hear your ideas and see what is working for you! Comment below with a link to your Facebook page so we can check it out and “LIKE” your page!
7 Simple Steps to Build and Promote Your Facebook Fan Page was written by Rebekah Radice.
How to Shop for Cheaper Electric in Houston, Sugar Land, Katy, Conroe, The Woodlands, Kingwood, Spring, Pearland, Texas. Know Your Options!!
In this Economy, we are all looking ways to SAVE Money. Your Electricity bill is one of the #1 things we can all lower. I recently came across a great website that allows you to shop around for cheaper electric rates. It is www.powertochoose.org. My understanding is it is a non profit website and not associated with any specific electric company. All you have to do is put in your Zip Code and a number of electric company options come up. I try to shop for my electric every year, when my contract is up. This way you can always keep your bill as cheap as possible. You can choose 6, 12, 24mths terms. It also shows you how much your cancellation fee is per option. That is great info, so you have no surprises when it comes time to change your electric provider in the future. And keep in mind no matter which company you choose, a central company handles all the problems. As an example, my electric problems are handled by Centerpoint, so if there is a storm or outage Centerpoint handles it. So no matter which company you choose for your electricity you are in good hands. I hope you find this information helpful. Via www.DaveYourMortgageGuy.com, FHA, VA, USDA, HomePath, Jumbo:
In this Economy, we are all looking ways to SAVE Money. Your Electricity bill is one of the #1 things we can all lower. I recently came across a great website that allows you to shop around for cheaper electric rates. It is www.powertochoose.org. My understanding is it is a non profit website and not associated with any specific electric company. All you have to do is put in your Zip Code and a number of electric company options come up. I try to shop for my electric every year, when my contract is up. This way you can always keep your bill as cheap as possible. You can choose 6, 12, 24mths terms. It also shows you how much your cancellation fee is per option. That is great info, so you have no surprises when it comes time to change your electric provider in the future. And keep in mind no matter which company you choose, a central company handles all the problems. As an example, my electric problems are handled by Centerpoint, so if there is a storm or outage Centerpoint handles it. So no matter which company you choose for your electricity you are in good hands. I hope you find this information helpful.
David Krichmar
Mortgage Banker/Broker
Schmidt Mortgage Company
Approved MCE Instructor
Office:832-689-6012
David.Krichmar@gmail.com
www.DaveYourMortgageGuy.com
For More Mortgage Info and Social Media Tips For Realtors Follow me at Dave's Blog
DaveYourMortgageGuy.com is Voted the #1 Mortgage Company in Houston, Texas. 2010
If you are looking for a FHA, VA, USDA, Homepath, Conventional, Jumbo, Construction, FHA 203k mortgage in Fort Bend County, Sugar Land, Houston, Katy, Harris County, Brazoria County, Pearland, The Woodlands, Kingwood, Tomball, Spring, Conroe, Montgomery County or anywhere in Texas I am your GUY!
NMLS#:293883
Use or reproduction of the material published on this site is expressly prohibited without the express written permission of the author
What are you really "negotiating" and why?
" teach me about negotiations!"
Why?
"Well, because my prospects always want to negotiate the deal."
No, they want to negotiate your price.
"Well, yes."
REALITY: People that want to negotiate your price are in reality negotiating your profit. Any time the word "negotiate" appears in a sales situation, it means both your price AND your profit are going down.
RETHINK NEGOTIATION: Where's "value negotiation?" Where's "customer profitability negotiation?" Where's "customer productivity negotiation?" Where's "customer improved morale negotiation?" Uh, they're nowhere. That's because negotiations in sales have "lower price and loss of profit to the seller" at their core.
Negotiation "tactics" are something every WEAK salesperson must learn.
"Negotiate" means you...
•§ Have failed to reach the real decision maker.
•§ Have failed to prove value.
•§ have failed to differentiate yourself from the competition.
•§ Don't have any relationship built.
•§ Don't have a past history of success or testimonials of other customers who paid the price and reaped the rewards of ownership and must negotiate (aka: lower) your price.
And you're usually negotiating with purchasing, or procurement, or some third-party buying group that DOES NOT CARE ABOUT QUALITY OR VALUE.
WHAT'S WORSE? There are negotiation courses offered. The airline magazines are full of them. They beckon weak salespeople like the Sirens did to Ulysses' men. Come, hear sweet sales music, and you too can lower your price in front of non decision makers. Come and spend a few grand, and take the overpriced three-day manipulative negotiation course so you can enter your next negotiation and REALLY lose some money.
The courses try to teach you to go for weakness and pain. I look for strengths and pleasure. I'm not interested in trying to "save my client money;" I want to make him or her or them a profit - and make a profit for myself. You?
I want a long-term relationship - that necessitates BOTH sides winning, so that the customer wants to win again another day. This creates loyalty, not an adversarial position.
And salespeople go to these negotiation courses by the thousands thinking they're going to learn some trick, shortcut, or mental manipulation to win the sale. HELLO! What about the profit?
Wow, and all this for just a few grand of tuition, plus travel, and three days out of the field. Brilliant! Sign me up!
Which would you rather do? Negotiate, find pain, find weakness, try to manipulate, save money, and lower your price OR would you rather look for pleasure, build a relationship, uncover profit, and build strengths?
Would you rather "hammer out a deal" where no one really wins, or provide value such that the customer will pay your price and both parties win?
What do you think the CEO of your prospect or customer wants? HINT: They want value, productivity, morale, and profit. And why aren't you calling on the CEO in the first place? Why are you calling on some price-driven jackleg in purchasing?
If you want to make the argument that there must be something to the course, look at how many salespeople have taken it. Easy answer - lemmings. Still want to take the "How to negotiate like a pro" course?
Here are the "means" of negotiation:
•§ Negotiation means you have failed as a salesperson to prove value beyond price.
•§ Negotiation means you are calling on a non-decision maker.
•§ Negotiation means you failed to get to the real decision maker.
•§ Negotiation means loss of profit.
•§ Negotiation means you failed to create a buying atmosphere.
•§ Negotiation means you failed to differentiate yourself from competition.
•§ Negotiation means you failed to establish a relationship that is not based on price or bidding.
Negotiation is about price, losing something, or giving up something of value so you can make the sale.
ANSWER: If you want to negotiate, do it BEFORE THE SELLING OR BIDDING PROCESS. Set criteria for the qualifications of bidders. Change the terms of the RFP so that you become a favored vendor. Or better, eliminate the competition. THAT'S NEGOTIATION.
BETTER ANSWER: Use testimonials to eliminate negotiation. Back up all claims and value offerings with customer video testimonials.
THINK ABOUT THIS: Every dime you take off of your price comes right off your bottom line.
Service Tips
•· To give real service in our industry you must add something which cannot be bought or measured with money, and that is sincerity and integrity.
•· Always give your customers more than what they expect.
•· If you love your customers to death, you can't go wrong!
•· If you don't care, your customer never will.
•· Although your customers won't love you if you give bad service YOUR COMPETITORS WILL!
•· Your customers don't expect you to be perfect. They do expect you to fix things on their files when they go wrong!
•· If you are not serving your customers, you need to be servicing someone who is!
Finally, as far as your customers are concerned, YOU are the company. This is not a burden, but the core of your job. Each of you hold in your hands the power to keep your customers coming back...or NOT!
Never project your buying prejudices into the sales process.
The objection that you will tend to have the most difficulty answering successfully is that objection that is the most consistent with your own value system.
If you are a price buyer and your prospect objects to price you will tend to accept their objection. If you are the type of buyer who tends to think decisions over before making a purchase and your prospect says to you, "We need to think this over." Again, you will tend to go along with their objection as rational or making perfect sense (because that is the way you buy.)
This simple act of accepting objections that resonate with you because you can relate to them is nothing more than projecting your personal attitudes, opinions, judgments or biases into the sales process. When you project your personal beliefs into the sales process you are assuming that everyone who buys, buys the way you like to buy and often for the same reasons. You are also tending to assume that when they don't buy for a reason that is similar to one of yours that it makes perfect sense to you.
The super star leaves their personal biases, prejudices and opinions at home.
Real Estate Sales - Closing the Deal
Several years ago my wife and I decided it was time to upsize our home. Our family had grown from newlyweds and no children to a family of four with more kids on the way. Our three bedroom home, though cute as can be, just wasn't going to cut it anymore. Via Max VanNatter (First American Title):
Several years ago my wife and I decided it was time to upsize our home. Our family had grown from newlyweds and no children to a family of four with more kids on the way. Our three bedroom home, though cute as can be, just wasn't going to cut it anymore.
We found a realtor who we exhausted with home searches. She spent countless, patient hours and days helping us to find what we thought would be the last home we ever bought. Our criteria was difficult at best; the best schools, parks and a library closeby were mandatory, 5 bedrooms, open floorplan, established community, etc.
And then it happened. We found a home on a Saturday evening that met all of our criteria. We were paralyzed though. We had looked at countless homes and quite frankly felt a little, or a lot, confused. Doubt set in; was this the house we really wanted? The investment was signficant, did we feel comfortable with the mortgage? What were the neighbors like? Could we see our kids spending the next 20 years in this home?
Fortunately our Realtor was a great salesperson. First, she listened to our concerns. She then asked more questions to make sure she knew what we were looking for. She pointed out the highlights of the property and spoke energetically about the community. She reminded us that summer was coming to an end. The time to buy was now. She also knew something about us. She knew that she had gained our trust. She took a leap of faith and said, "Max and Cindy, this is the house. Let's put an offer on it today".
We lived in that home for 7 years. It was absolutely perfect. Were it not for an opportunity to come home to Texas we could have very happily live out the remainder of our years in that home. My wife and I have talked at length about how grateful we were for a wonderful realtor that "sold" us that home.
In a slump? 2 ways to energize your daily routine.
The most seasoned sales professionals will occasionally deal with slumps. They happen for a number of reasons, but the most important part is finding a way out! Here are two ways to focus your efforts and get back on track:
- Become the early bird. Granted, you may have entered a slump because you are feeling burnt out, but there is a clear difference between working hard and working smart. One way to working smarter could be to get into the office an hour earlier to organize your day, establish your goals for the day (in writing) and strategize about how to accomplish your goals. This way you avoid getting distracted by interruptions such as phone calls, pressing emails and meetings.
- Change your office environment. Often, your workspace can be a reflection of your motivation. It might be beneficial to organize everything in your workspace, creating order out of chaos, adding a plant, or even by changing out the same old pictures on the wall with new inspiring ones.
If you are finding yourself in a sales slump, give these easy solutions a try!
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Kevin Heinrich
Clear Lake City,
TX
More about me…
Heinrich Group
Address: 5827 Beaver Falls Dr., Houston, Tx, 77346
Office Phone: (281) 488-0607
Cell Phone: (281) 723-1982
Email Me
Real Estate News with a Value added punch Clear Lake Texas Real Estate
I think this is a good rule to live by!
"We are not put on this earth for ourselves, but are placed here for each other. If you are always there for others, then in time of need, someone will be there for you."
~ Jeff Warner
One last thought for the day:
"Winners Make it Happen, Others Let it Happen!"
kheinrich@firstam.com www.fatcohouston.com
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