Abraham's Blog

Trying not to Buy a Short Sale or Foreclosure? Best of Luck

Abraham Martinez (Home Business Realty) — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 15:49:17 -0500

Just about every house hunter knows that short sales and foreclosures are a big part of the real estate market in Palm Beach and Broward counties.

But Judy Friedmar, a stat queen for Xima Real Data in Pembroke Pines, crunched the numbers and found that nine out of 10 for-sale listings in our part of the world are distressed properties.

Ninety percent!

"Very telling," Friedmar said.

From March 1, 2008 to March 1, 2009, she found 22,072 homes and condominiums listed for sale in Broward. Of those, 19,869 had owners with less than 10 percent equity, a strong indication that they owed more than the properties were worth. As a result, the owners likely were in foreclosure or seeking a short sale, Friedmar said.

In Palm Beach County, there were 16,692 homes and condos for sale during the same period, with 15,247 having owners with less than 10 percent equity.

"There's a lot of opportunity out there for buyers to jump into the market," Friedmar said.

Abraham Martinez

martinezglobal@gmail.com

Deep Relationships

Abraham Martinez (Home Business Realty) — Fri, 16 May 2008 09:34:32 -0500

As a real estate Associate, your success depends on the quality and durability of the Relationships you build with your clients, and the one and only way to build solid, enduring relationships is to deliver excellent, unrivaled service. To be an outstanding Associate you need to lavish your clients with service that exceeds their expectations - from the get-go and throughout a long business relationship. The challenge is that not all clients expect or want the same kind of service. What constitutes excellent service to one client might seem inadequate or even like overkill to another. It seems hard to imagine, but an Associate could sell a client's home in less than a week, at full price, and still have a dissatisfied customer. This could be due to some action or oversight during the negotiation, inspection, or closing process that simply didn't match with the client's service expectations.The single greatest reason why someone will do business with you is because they either know you personally, know of you in a very positive light, or learn about you from a reliable and trusting source.

Abraham Martinez

martinezglobal@gmail.com

Going Back To Basics

Abraham Martinez (Home Business Realty) — Thu, 15 May 2008 08:05:34 -0500

There is simply no way to be thriving in real estate a year or more from now without going back to basics. Stop resisting that terminology by bringing up technology and all the other bells and whistles about the way we do business. The most basic of all basics is prospecting and connecting with anyone and everyone. It has everything to do with vigilance, stickability, strong, unwavering desire to be successful, and the self-discipline to not give into fear. Instead of fearing, get the skills and knowledge you need to do what you don't do and be willing to move forward even if fear is present. There is a real need for a willingness to work in ambiguity.

We know that we have challenges in the mortgage arena. We have oversupplies in many markets; we have sellers who are upside down and unable to pay their debts; buyers who are afraid to move forward; agents who are performing poorly and hurting the rest of their colleagues and uncertainty in many ways. We have as much to be concerned about as did those of us who listed and sold real estate in 1980...and we made money and we thrived to surge another day. However, we had to make adjustments, redouble our efforts, not allow complaining and whining to take over and fight everyday to be the very best that we could.

Abraham Martinez

martinezglobal@gmail.com

TO MY WAY OF THINKING

Abraham Martinez (Home Business Realty) — Wed, 14 May 2008 08:09:43 -0500

When all is said and done, there is a bit of truth in everything. There are negatives: qualifying for a loan is more difficult (thank goodness) than in the 4 years past; there are markets that have suffered 30+% declines in sales, inventories are way up; and the sub-prime tsunami is still rocking the industry and will continue to do so for many months to come.

On the positive side there is one irrefutable fact: we are in a bullet-proof business. There will always be people who have to sell and buy. When interest rates hit 19% back in ‘80-81, sales occurred. Were there fewer buyers who could qualify? Of course there were. Did sellers have to confront the reality of the market to secure a sale? Indeed! However, when you put a motivated seller and buyer together... ca-ching!

There is nothing like real urgency and motivation to spur people into accepting the realities of the environment in which business is conducted. Real estate is, after all, just that... a business that depends upon the consumer's willingness to absorb the product.

Abraham Martinez

martinezglobal@gmail.com

Real Estate Investing Is Not a Get Rich Quick Market

Abraham Martinez (Home Business Realty) — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 20:46:35 -0500

Many amateur real estate investors are lured into real estate investing by the promise of quick, easy money with no money down, but it's NOT a get rich quick field. In fact it takes much research and countless hours of experience to hit the goals many investors want to hit.
The good news is that the majority of "amateur investors" who sign up for the thousands of real estate investment seminars give up the idea within three months of taking the training. So don't be scared of a saturated market, your competition is much less than you might have thought.

Abraham Martinez

www.MartinezGlobal.Typepad.com

Tax Advantages For Real Estate Investing

Abraham Martinez (Home Business Realty) — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 17:01:21 -0500

Taxes are an integral part of successful real estate investing, and they often make the difference between positive cash flow and negative cash flow. Be sure to familiarize yourself with all the different tax situations, and see how they can be manipulated to your advantage. Until you have some experience under your belt it may be a good idea to consult a tax advisor to find out hat advantages are best for you.

Abraham Martinez

www.MartinezGlobal.Typepad.com

The Market Commands

Abraham Martinez (Home Business Realty) — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 16:45:19 -0500

The swings of the economy influence in the real estate market. Factors like access on the credit, monetary stability, growth of the economy, generate conditions propitious to conduct real estate operations. A buying market characterized by more buyers than sellers, distinguishes by prices in rise and sales in short term. On the contrary, a selling market, in where there are more sellers than buyers, is characterized by prices in loss and longer terms to conduct the operations. Also it is necessary to consider seasonal factors, that influence in certain type of operations, as in the case of the houses of "weekend", which they find the greater amount of interested in the stations of spring and summer. To buy Real Estate, means an investment of great importance, is for that reason that we not only suggested to think to him about the comforts that the property offers, but to have in special consideration the valuation of the property in the course of the time.

Abraham Martinez

http://www.martinezglobalonline.com/

Understanding Points, Rates and Fees

Abraham Martinez (Home Business Realty) — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 20:43:32 -0500

Not only do you have to understand what type of mortgage you should choose, you have to understand the costs associated with your mortgage. All of these costs will be paid upon closing your mortgage.

Purchase Points

Purchase points, also known as a "buy-down" or "discount points," are an up-front fee paid to the lender at closing to buy-down or lower your interest rate over the life of the loan. Each point is equal to one percent of your total loan amount. If you have a $100,000 loan, one point would equal $1,000. The more points you buy, the lower your interest rate, but the more money you'll need at closing.

How do you decide whether you should buy points and if so, how many? Well, the decision should be based on how long you plan on living in your home and what you can afford to pay each month toward your mortgage. If you plan on living in your home for more than five years, it's probably a good idea to purchase points. The longer you live in your home, the more you can save on interest over the life of the loan.

Interest Rate

When you get a mortgage, you are charged an interest rate.this is the rate which the lender charges you for using their money to buy a home. It determines how much your monthly payments will be. Generally speaking, the higher the interest rate, the higher your monthly payment.

Mortgage interest rates change constantly.daily, even hourly. If you speak to a lender and are quoted a specific interest rate, that's not to say you'll necessarily get that rate when you close on your loan. Not unless you formally lock-in that rate with the lender.locking in an interest rate will guarantee you get your loan with a particular interest rate. Lenders will allow you to lock in for 15, 45 or 60 days. But the longer you lock in, the more expensive it will be, since it's more of a risk to lenders.

Fees

There are always fees associated with getting a mortgage, these fees cover the cost of processing and underwriting the loan. These fees can include charges for ensuring the title to the home is free and clear; paying for a land survey; or paying for a home appraisal which gives you the estimated value of the property (lenders require an appraisal to close on your mortgage).

Deciding which mortgage to get may depend on what each lender does because different lenders may charge different amounts. Some may charge lesser closing fees to lure you in, but may charge you a higher interest rate, which means you may pay more in the long run. But everyone has different needs.you may or may not be able to afford to pay more at closing and are willing to pay more over the long term.

Before it comes time to close, do your homework, make sure there are no hidden fees, and ask your lender lots of questions so that you understand all the costs involved with your mortgage.

*Please consult your tax advisor.

Abraham Martinez

http://www.martinezglobalonline.com/

HOMEMADE MEN

Abraham Martinez (Home Business Realty) — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 16:48:58 -0500

A SURVEY OF 100 powerful men in all career sectors, conducted for the luxury-lifestyle monthly Class, found that 7 in 10 attributed their success to their mothers. Among the men highly loyal to their moms are George W. Bush and Prince Charles.

FHA Special Programs

Abraham Martinez (Home Business Realty) — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 15:55:49 -0500

AMERIDREAM
The AmeriDream program offers gift funds up to 10% of the home's purchase price which do not have to be paid back. Buyers must agree however, to return any funds that are not used toward down payments or closing costs and to return the funds if the sale of the home does not close on the scheduled closing date.

NEHEMIAH
The Nehemiah program is a Private California Non-Profit Organization that offers down payment assistance programs to qualified first time and repeat homebuyers. This programs offers free gift funds to be used toward down payments and closing costs for homes purchased through eligible FHA loan programs.

HOUSING ACTION RESOURCE TRUST
The Housing Action Resource Trust (HART) Program is a 501c(3) non-profit Housing and Community Development corporation that helps potential homebuyers purchase homes by offering down payment assistance programs to those with low and moderate incomes.

CONSUMER DEBT SOLUTIONS, INC.
Depending on the seller's contribution toward a home purchase, Consumer Debt Solutions, Inc. (CDS) can gift up to $10,000 of the final sales price of a home. Since all the money awarded is in the form of gift funds, it does not have to be paid back.

PARTNERS IN CHARITY
The Partners in Charity (PIC) is a non-profit corporation that offers financial assistance through programs for qualified low and moderate income homebuyers. Down payment and closing cost assistance is provided as gift funds from 2% to 10% of the home price.

Abraham Martinez

The Real Estate 's Web

Abraham Martinez (Home Business Realty) — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 16:23:03 -0600

The Internet is a global market but where communication always takes place between people. It is therefore imperative to draw the first profile of demand, and then adapt our service to it. In an environment where the demand comes from multiple countries, people located at different places, with different motivations for buying property in USA and who speak different languages, real estate web must be able to adapt to each of these profiles demand. How? Speaking their language, adapting their information according to which will require each user to customize its offer in terms of aspects that we know beforehand: geographical location, language, history of previous visits, etc.Y not forgetting that our users go to the Internet at searching for information. Keeping information by yourself can cost you in the long run, very expensive.

Users will access the information they seek anyway, perhaps on the site of its main competitor.

Abraham Martinez

Ocean View Int'l Realty, Inc.

info@martinezglobalonline.com

Internet Business

Abraham Martinez (Home Business Realty) — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 14:11:57 -0600

It is important that in establishing a website, it is intended under which the business models will be operating in such a way that the expectations of income, participation and maintenance strategies are appropriate to that required by the model selected.

Generating a new business model means creating a new added value to customers, always with the perception of added value from the point of view of the customer, not the company. It is perceived value when a new product or service will save time, money, effort, it offers a personalized service, it brings new solutions, experiences, feelings, emotions. Ultimately opens new perspectives regarding what exists in the real market or in the new virtual marketplace.

Abraham Martinez

Ocean View Int'l Realty,Inc.

info@martinezglobalonline.com

Basic Rules For To Negotiate

Abraham Martinez (Home Business Realty) — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 12:13:27 -0600

There are times when that seems not to exist a way out of the negotiations. There is a need to change his position and see the problem from another angle to find an alternative solution.

The strategy of penetration can be this alternative. With it, you can climb the balcony and watch his difficult negotiation in a new light. You penetration when neutralizes the resistance of his opponent, approaching indirectly and acting contrary to the expectations of him. We must emphasize respect for the other person, should not be pressed to get the negotiation, it must persuade. Instead of changing the thinking of the other person through pressure, you change the environment in which it makes decisions. Let the opponent draw their own conclusions and choose. Its goal is not to win only you but win-win.

To accomplish this goal, you must resist the temptations of human and natural, and do the opposite of what is desires to do. You must suspend your reaction cundo want to sit back, should listen when would like to respond, when asked feel the urge to give reply to his opponent, reconcile differences feel when you win to assert their point of view, educating want to feel when attack.

The negotiation of penetration is difficult. Negotiators who triumph are patient and persistent. Progress usually arrive gradually. Each small penetration can lead to greater. In the end, until the negotiations that seemed impossible may also lead to an agreement satisfactory to both sides.

It takes two to fight, but only one person is needed to unravel a tangled situation. In you is the power to solve even the most difficult relationships. The more power you have is going to change the game from a meeting face to face to a cooperation together to solve problems. The biggest barriers to obstruct the path are natural reactions you, the emotions of hostile opponent radicals their positions, their strong dissatisfaction and their power games. You can overcome these barriers by implementing the negotiating strategies of penetration. You do not have to accept no for an answer.

This is precisely the aim of the strategy of penetration: breaking the opponent to make it a partner in the negotiations.

Abraham Martinez

Ocean View Int'l Realty, Inc.

info@martinezglobalonline.com

Understanding How Your Company Is Perceived Online

Abraham Martinez (Home Business Realty) — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 15:45:41 -0600

By Barry Hurd

RISMEDIA, Nov. 27, 2007-The buzz in the past 12 months has been about blogging, podcasting, online video...hundreds of ways for people to share commentary and talk about things. Regardless of how active you want to be with social media, the general population simply doesn't care if you are in the conversation or not. They are going to blog about you, discuss the colors in your logo, comment on how customer service issues were resolved, and possibly even try to tell you how to run your business. The community at large may be your best friend or your worst enemy...

The question on most business owners' minds is simple: Is there a conversation going on about you?

Every day there are a thousand blogs and community portals striking up conversations about every topic imaginable. This online conversation is being leveraged for both "Good and Evil" by business and personal users, ranging from things like search engine marketing to promoting a new product on a local community site.

Here are some important tools you can utilize to understand how your business is perceived online:

1. Google Alerts (http://www.google.com/alerts)
Google Alerts is a free service that e-mails you an update of relevant Google results based on the keywords you select. It is simple yet highly effective way to setup a weekly e-mail that notifies you of keywords with your personal name, company name, and even the name of your competitors. By staying up to date in the conversation, you can react to things as they happen and maximize your response.

2. Technorati.com
Unlike Google, which views everything as an entry of data that is sorted and indexed, Technorati tracks blogs as if they are conversations between people. It tracks how many people commented on other blogs, how many readers are subscribed to each blog, and the overall ripple a conversation has online.

3. Google RSS Reader (http://www.google.com/reader)

Google provides a free Web enabled RSS reader. This may not include your name or search strings, but when you find a blog or site that has information about your brand or your industry, subscribe to it's RSS feed by using Google's RSS Reader. If they talked about you once, they may be inspired to talk about you again.

To help cover the basics of what you need to monitor, here are four items you should keep an eye on:

1. Company name and slogan. If you have a name with more than one word, you can use quotation marks around it to reduce the number of false reports on your name.

2. Company Web site. Keep an eye out for both your company URL with and without the www extension. Many bloggers and commentators will only include a link to your site and may not use the proper name of your company.

3. Names of executives and team members. Make sure to add the name of everyone on your executive team or who drives significant value for your business. You can use quotation marks around full names to reduce false reports. You will also want to consider variations on basic names such as "Bob / Robert"

4. Names or properties, developments, products, or services. Any significant asset in your company that has a proper name should be on the monitoring list for your marketing and public relations efforts. There is nothing worse than trying to list a property that has a negative headline article in the local newspaper that you do not know about.

There are three main reasons to monitor your online presence as part of your weekly duties.

1. Protecting your online reputation and brand
You spent a lot of time and effort creating your brand, and your online presence may be the first interaction a potential client or business partner is exposed to it. By knowing what is being said about you online, you can protect yourself against opinionated statements and leverage good information for marketing and public relations campaigns.

2. Competitive intelligence
If you really want to know what "Web 2.0″ is, it means that the competition is moving faster than ever. Monitoring your own online presence along with competitive sites is a key way of keeping up-to-date with the marketplace.

3. Reacting to the industry
When you accept that over eighty percent of the current prospect base is turning online for information, being able to react to trends on a daily basis allow you to set yourself apart from the competition that is oblivious to changes in the industry. Having a strategy for maneuvering those obstacles as they happen is an easy way to establish your business as a leader in the industry.

It is not a requirement to participate in the conversation, but being ignorant of a conversation regarding your business is a quick way to being blind-sided by situation that could have been dealt with in the early stages. Many topics in the online marketplace tend to have a short lifespan. Knowing how to identify and monitor the ones that have an impact or growing trend allows you to make the decision to interact and allocate your effort accordingly.

About the author:
Barry Hurd is president of Social Media Systems, an online marketing and advertising consultant group working with search engine marketing and leveraging social media communities. He has over 15 years of entrepreneurial Internet and online marketing experience. As an author and prolific blogger, he has reached online audiences around the world. Since the mid-1990s, Barry has been involved in numerous efforts to bring forth technical innovation through online business models. Past projects have included NIKE, REI, TMP Worldwide, Monster.com, Verizon Superpages, Intuit, and RISMedia.

For more information, visit the Social Media Systems Social Media Marketing Agency: http://socialmediasystems.com

Maximize Your Marketing Reach ... for Free

Abraham Martinez (Home Business Realty) — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 12:13:59 -0600

Use the Web to expose your listings to a wider audience without spending a dime.

BY MIKE ANTONIAK

If you've got a Web site, you've likely spent time and money trying to drive more traffic to your site. Maybe you've tried different strategies for search engine optimization, which typically focus on clever use of keywords to increase the chances your site will place high in search results.

But there's an even easier approach. Just give your buyers and sellers what they really want: listings, and lots of them. Make sure you're marketing your listings on a wide array of Web sites that are popular with consumers, and in turn you'll get a wide array of visitors linking back to you.

Some sites will charge you a fee to promote your listings, but many of the most popular sites are completely free. So what's keeping you from adding your listings? Here are four popular and free sites to help you increase your listings' exposure.

1. GoogleBase

Google is the world's most popular search engine, and also the place from where many people start their search for real estate. GoogleBase, still in Beta testing, provides the tools and technology for uploading information on any product or service, including property for sale, which then becomes part of Google's searchable database.

For example, when a user enters "homes Atlanta" in Google, the search results include links to real estate companies in that market. At the top of the page, though, there's another search bar for focusing on listing information. Refine the search there and listings that have been uploaded to GoogleBase appear in the results.

In populated areas, or where there are enough listings, the results include a Google map mash-up with landmarks linked to listing information, and tools to narrow the featured properties even further. (View an example.)

The company provides specific instructions on using GoogleBase for sales associates, brokers MLSs and IDX providers.

2. Craigslist

If newspapers in your area are experiencing a decline in classified ad sales, Craigslist could be the culprit. Its minimalist approach - straightforward information, no graphics, and easy site navigation - have made it a popular alternative to advertising in print.

Content is organized first by state and city or region, then by topic of interest, product, or service, including real estate. The Web site is free to use, except for brokered apartment rentals in New York City, which cost $10.

Users can upload listing information and photos into an ad database that constantly builds in chronological order, with the most recently uploaded ads appearing first (For more information on how it works, see the Craigslist help menu). Real estate search results can be restricted somewhat based on criteria like price range, number of bedrooms, and property photos available.

3. Trulia

One in the new breed of real estate portals, Trulia aims to be consumers' best friend in their search for property. Visitors can anonymously search its database for listings in their area, using a variety of search criteria.

That database is only as comprehensive as listings that have been added by sales associates and brokers. When those listings appear in search results, consumers can click through directly to the site of the company or associate who uploaded the property information.

There are other benefits for the real estate professional and consumer. Trulia also features updated information on local sales and demographic trends, right down to the cost per square foot of houses sold in an area. Visitors can search the site for comparable property and what recently sold to get a better idea of the current market.

There are also tools you can incorporate into your Web site , such as listing search results, and some fee-based marketing programs for agents and brokers to better position their listings.

4. Zillow

Zillow is as much a promotional tool for yourself and services as well as your listings. Once enrolled for a free account, real estate professionals can use the site to market their own listings, as well as any property for sale in their area. If you upload the information, your profile is linked to that property in search results.

The site also includes several forums where members can demonstrate their expertise about their market area and any aspect of real estate transactions. Members can contribute to Zillow's wiki-style Real Estate Guide, a growing user-driven encyclopedia of information. They also can choose to respond to questions posed by prospective buyers or sellers about their market area through the site's Home Q&A forum.

Get Started!

Those are just four options for maximizing your listings' exposure in real estate searches and capture consumers' interest and introduce them to your services. All that's required is a little initiative, and the time it takes to upload the listing information.

Eight Steps to Writing an Outstanding Podcast

Abraham Martinez (Home Business Realty) — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 13:36:08 -0600

by: Courtland Bovee

Podcasts are on the cutting edge of business communication, allowing you to speak with your own voice directly to your audience. They add variety to your blog or website and prove that you know how to stay ahead of the pack.

But hitting "record" without putting some thought into what you're going to say and how you're going to say it is a fatal mistake. Here are eight steps to follow for creating a podcast that makes your listener want to come back for more.

1. Choose a theme. Pick an issue about which you feel confident speaking. Try to narrow it down to a particular angle or perspective-think news clip, not university lecture. The best podcasts touch on a specific subject and cover it in depth, rather than attempting to discuss the history of Western Europe in three minutes or less.

2. Consider your audience. How much does your audience know about your subject? What style of reporting will connect with them? The more you put yourself in your listeners' shoes, the better you will be able to speak directly to them. Be sure to include a response to any previous questions or suggestions-your audience doesn't want to feel ignored.

3. Prepare an outline. Expand on your theme by coming up with four or five main elements or topics to discuss. Put the most important and engaging information first; this will hook your listener and entice them to hear out the rest of it. Even if you don't write your script word for word, an outline will help you organize your thoughts into a tidy framework.

4. Think ahead for interviews. If you want to include an interview in your podcast, it's a good idea to plan ahead. Make a list of questions you want to ask for sure, but remember that sometimes the best sound bites happen off-the-cuff. Feel comfortable enough with your interviewee to ask follow-up questions and allow the conversation to travel somewhere more interesting if the opportunity arises.

5. Use simple sentences and language. Keep the tone natural and conversational, as if you are speaking with a listener face-to-face-just as you would for any business writing. Toss any words that would send someone reaching for the dictionary; likewise, avoid long sub-clauses and complex syntax (these things only bury the point). Just because your sentences are short and clear does not mean your language has to be dry. Do not be afraid to use sensory descriptions to put your listener right in the heart of the action.

6. Keep it succinct. The length of your podcast depends on your subject and audience-but no matter how much information you feel is absolutely crucial to your point, listeners will lose interest if it drags. No footnotes or unnecessary diversions here; just the facts, ma'am.

7. Do a practice run. This is especially important if you're working from a basic outline. Read the script for a friend or family member for their (honest!) feedback, or record yourself once and listen to it. Be on the lookout for awkward pauses, confusing sections, and stumbling points. Make notes and do another few run-throughs with the changes incorporated.

8. Print it out. It's much easier to read from a piece of paper than from a computer screen, so print out your script before you record. Enlarging the font helps too. If you're worried about losing your place during recording, highlight a few key words or mark the beginning of different sections to keep you on track.

The more thoroughly you prepare your script, the more confident you will be when it comes down to recording it-and the more effective your podcast will be because of it.

OCTOBER HOUSING STARTS 1,229,000 UNITS, UP 3%, BUT SINGLE-FAMILY STARTS AND PERMITS STILL FALLING

Abraham Martinez (Home Business Realty) — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 19:09:35 -0600

Housing starts in October rose 3% from revised September levels to an annual rate of 1.229 million units. That was stronger than analysts had expected and was the first increase since June. However, single family starts were still declining, down 7.3% to 0.884 million units, the lowest level since Oct. ‘91. The September number was revised up slightly from 1.191 million to 1.193 million. Permits continued to decline, down 6.6% from September to 1.178 million. Permits for single unit houses declined 8% to 0.807 million units. Geographically, starts varied widely with single-unit starts increasing at double-digit rates in the Northeast and the Midwest and falling sharply in the West. That pattern may be influenced by the relatively mild weather in October in the Northeast and Midwest which allowed more construction activity than normal. Single-unit permits were down in all geographic areas.

Kathryn Kobe NTKN, Washington DC

How To Find Hot Niche Markets

Abraham Martinez (Home Business Realty) — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 18:23:32 -0600

by: Dan Farrell

Working out what your niche market will be to start your home business is something that can elicit much excitement. This is when you can put all those great ideas you have had for your business into a plan of action. Give yourself a number of options to work over. Some will be great and some won't fit. Get more than one so you always have a back up when you start a home business.

Look to 3 sources for ideas:

* A hobby you love: You won't find many hobbies from which you can't build a business. And since you enjoy doing it, it won't be tedious to "go to work" every day. When you pick something for your business that you sincerely like, you will have fun at doing it.

* Your experiences: In life we go though many experiences and you can use these to build a business. For example if you have raised children you can then put all your parenting experience together and start a business related to parenting.

* Your talents: Everyone has one or more talents within them. Dig down and see what yours are. You can start a freelance business using your talents.

Defining your niche market:

1. List out some ideas then put them in the order of what you like the best.

2. Go to the site listed here and put a key word into the overture suggestion tool box: This will bring up the amount of searches that have been done for your keyword and will represent demand.

3. If you search out that same key word on Google search engine http://google.com/ then you will see websites supplying that item and you will know how many competitors are out there that will be competing with you when you start a home business.

4. If you find a topic that is demanded in quantity but low in the suppliers, you will then make money. This should be your special market for which you do your niche marketing. You will make more money with a niche market as you will reduce and sometimes even eliminate competition. Go through your list of ideas until you narrow it down to about

5. Then go through them again and see which one will fit into a niche market.

Establishing your USP:

Once you have found the concept that fits into a specialized or niche market it is time to establish your USP, Unique, Selling, Point. This is when you will take your idea, and see how you will make your business uniquely different from your competitors. Often neglected, finding the USP is something that new business owners need to do to set their item above the competition. Online businesses are very competitive and you have to stay ahead of the game.

There are two reasons you need to set yourself up as different from others:

1. Get ahead of your competitors

2. To clearly define to your potential customers why your product and service is better than your competitors.

Deciding on your business model:

Part of your business concept will not only be consolidating your ideas but also choosing your business model. There are a few that you can choose from:

* Affiliate marketing-Getting involved with affiliate programs will target your efforts

* Network marketing (MLM)- again this will target your market and idea.

* Marketing-taking the product and selling it

* Service- you should use your talents, which includes freelancing.

You can see there are a number of things you will have to do to get your business concept into operation. But it's worth it to plan and take care in developing it. It will be your foundation, after all.

USE SEO TECHNIQUES TO IMPROVE YOUR WEBSITES RANKINGS

Abraham Martinez (Home Business Realty) — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 18:05:14 -0600

In order to achieve the benefits of search engine optimization, an effective SEO strategy is necessary. One of the biggest SEO strategies is link popularity, keyword research and website marketing.

Doing the proper research and finding the correct keyword combination will bring you're the proper rankings in the search engines and a traffic that is targeted to your site, and the added benefit is that it is free traffic. As you heard many time before content is king, your content should be structured to include the keywords that are relevant to your site, and your website needs to be SEO optimized so the search engines can spider it with ease. All the other pages on your site should revolve around a central theme and all be related in some way.

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REALTIP

Abraham Martinez (Home Business Realty) — Mon, 14 May 2007 18:17:48 -0500

WHAT YOU SEE INFLUENCES YOUR ATTITUDE!
YOUR ATTITUDE INFLUENCES WHAT YOU DO! and
WHAT YOU DO DETERMINES EXACTLY WHAT YOU GET!

So Hope To Reach Our Goals Always.......................

Submitted by Sevgi Orhun, REALTOR^® (Thanks Sevgi!)

REAL ESTATE STRATEGIES 2007

Abraham Martinez (Home Business Realty) — Wed, 11 Apr 2007 12:51:08 -0500

It takes some "steel" to buy when everyone else is selling but often that is when the bargains appear in both the real estate market and the share market. Being counter cyclical takes courage but can yield giant rewards for those investors brave enough to ride out the storm. Trying to pick the top and bottom of any market is tricky for the best investor, right now many property bargains are presenting themselves so if you have the means and the fortitude then it's a good time to be talking to agents. The great thing about buying in this market is that you have all of the control - sellers need to sell and you have the luxury of being able to shop and cherry pick the very best listings. Now is the time to be crunching the numbers on rental returns and picking the best places in terms of ROI and looking at view and waterfront property for the long term capital gain. Many investors have over extended and will be very keen to make deals, don't be afraid to make lowball offers to test a sellers motivation. Contact agents and get on their email lists and keep yourself educated as to the pricing trends in your chosen areas - properties will soon start to jump out as outstanding buys. For an investor with the means this is a great market so shop in, think in terms of looking at in excess of 100 properties in order to educate yourself. In a flat market there is still good money to be made and good seeds are sewn. On the other side of the equation is that you have a lot of lenders in the market who are keen for business so there are opportunities to pickup better finance arrangements, shopping lenders can often save you loads of money in the short and longer term so if your already in the market and feeling the squeeze then pickup the phone and start shopping the lenders to see if you can find a better deal or debt consolidation option.

THE DANGERS OF SUBPRIME LOANS

Abraham Martinez (Home Business Realty) — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 19:47:31 -0500

By: Makebra Anderson

For many, the first step in achieving the "American Dream" is buying a home. It usually takes years of saving money and BIG sacrifices before you get the keys to your first piece of property. Unfortunately, because so many people are defaulting on their mortgages (which means they haven't paid their mortgage payment), more than 1 million people are at risk for foreclosing (or losing) their home within the next few years.

Why are so many people unable to pay their mortgage?
The real estate market has been very active for the past three years and during that time a lot of people wanted to buy a home. Because of this demand, mortgage lenders (banks) created subprime mortgages for people who didn't qualify for prime loans . These are people with low credit scores, not enough savings, or negative employment history.

Subprime mortgages have higher interest rates, but you don't need the same kind of income and employment verification as traditional (prime) mortgages. Subprime loans make homeownership possible for people that would have never been able to buy a home. This may seem like a good thing at first, but subprime loans come with high interest rates and usually a lot of hidden charges.

Now that the cost of homes has begun to drop, many people with subprime mortgages are unable to sell their homes because they won't get enough money to pay off their extremely expensive, high interest loans.

Eight Tips to Avoiding Predatory Lenders and Dangerous Subprime Loans

Attend a homeownership class.
Work with a real estate agent you feel comfortable with. Interview several before you make your choice.
Research the neighborhood you want to buy a home in before you buy it. Spend time there at night and during the day.
Get a home inspection before you buy the house. Your real estate agent will arrange for the home inspection.
Interview at least five lenders and compare their services.
Don't ever agree to a loan that is more than you can afford to pay.
Never sign a blank loan document. Make sure that the interest rate, payment, and fees are clear.
Don't sign anything you don't understand.

SCARY MATH: MORE HOMES, FEWER BUYERS

Abraham Martinez (Home Business Realty) — Wed, 14 Mar 2007 21:11:03 -0500

The problem with subprime lenders means there will be more homes in an over-supplied market and not as many people who can step in to make purchases.

By Les Christie, CNNMoney.com staff writer March 13 2007: 5:01 PM EDT

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Subprime lenders are already getting crushed, but the impact rising mortgage delinquencies will have on home prices overall is still an open question.

At a minimum, it means financing is drying up for those with less-than-perfect credit and that spells fewer home buyers.

And foreclosed properties will add supply to a housing market that already has too much.

"It's going to be a really big deal," says Dean Baker, co-director of the Center for Economic and Policy Research.

"[National] inventory is 20 percent higher than last year, vacancy rates have soared and prices are down about 3 percent," he says. "Now, with the tightening of credit, I don't see how prices don't fall another 5, 6 or 7 percent."

The tightening of credit could take as many as one million buyers out of the market, says Baker, citing Bear Stearns research. "Even if you cut that in half, say to 400,000 or 500,000, that's huge."

Mark Zandi, chief economist for Moody's Economy.com, is also concerned. "I think the subprime problems will take housing activity to a whole other level," he says.

Zandi is projecting a doubling of subprime defaults this year to 800,000. "Those homes will go on the market at a discount and will weigh on the market," he says. He also believes that 500,000 fewer Americans will be able to obtain financing because of the tighter standards.

All that has led Zandi to alter his projection of a 3 percent decline in housing prices this year to a mid-single digit decline. The hardest hit areas, which he thinks will be Arizona, Nevada, parts of California and Florida, will absorb high single digit or even double-digit punches.

Not everyone paints as bleak a picture. "We don't know how many subprime mortgage holders will actually default," says Christopher Mayer, an economist at Columbia University. "Banks are working with borrowers [so they can keep their homes]. Plus, there's plenty of liquidity around for people looking for mortgage loans."

That's not to say he sees everything as hunkey-dorey. Mayer thinks values in speculative markets had gotten way ahead of fundamentals and that weak local economies in the Midwest will depress values there.

The extent of the subprime delinquency problem is disputed. According to a report from the Center for Responsible Lending (CRL), about 1 in 5 of the subprime loans written in the past two years will go into default, costing 1.1 million their homes and unleashing a flood of foreclosed homes on the market.

But Doug Duncan, chief economist of the Mortgage Bankers Association, thinks CRL is overly pessimistic, noting that defaults for subprime mortgages have never exceeded 10 percent in any given year.

And he argues that most of the loans written before mid-2005 are unlikely to fail because they are already out of the danger zone - they've either reset with their borrowers continuing to pay them off or the increased housing values that accompanied the boom have boosted home equity enough so that owners have comfortable cushions.

More significant than defaults may be the impact of credit tightening.

"Banks have become much more cautious. Lenders are tightening, not just subprimes, but Alt-As (not quite prime) loans and primes as well," says Ellen Bitton, founder of the Park Avenue Mortgage Group.

Lawrence Yun, an economist with the National Association of Realtors, which tends to have an optimistic view of home markets, is projecting the number of potential homebuyers unable to obtain financing because of the subprime crisis will average about 20,000 a quarter.

Defaults, he believes, will come to perhaps one-half of one percent of mortgage holders, perhaps 200,000 homeowners. NAR's position is that the impact on prices will be only slight.

"Unlike the last housing crisis in the early 1990s, the economy is very sound; people are getting jobs, not losing jobs," says Yun.

Baker, perhaps the most pessimistic of the prognosticators (he is someone who sold his Washington, D.C. home a couple of years ago in anticipation of it falling in value), saves most of his concern for the markets that had the most speculation - Las Vegas, Arizona and parts of Florida. Meanwhile New York, Boston, and coastal California, and even D.C. should hold up OK, he says. Latest home prices

Is this the subprime apocalypse? (Or is it just a scary story?)

FIVE TIPS ON HOW SHORT SALES COULD PRESERVE HOMEOWNERSHIP

Abraham Martinez (Home Business Realty) — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 19:20:18 -0600

By JENNIFER HARMON

The real estate marketplace has undergone dramatic change in recent months. The exuberant seller's market of the past year has transitioned into a more moderate buyer's market, leaving in its wake an expected SI trillion of adjustable rate mortgage loans that will need to be refinanced in 2007.

"In the last few years we have seen a wave of 100% financing, refinancing and cashing out beyond the real affordability level of the buyer," said Eli Tene, CEO of I Short Sale. "Mortgages used to be up to 25% of your total income.

We see now in many cases that the mortgage is 60,70 and 80% of the buyer's total income. There is no way to survive it. Any slight change inyour life or income immediately affects your ability to pay," says Mr. Tene.

Most property owners who find themselves unable to pay their mortgage are unaware of options such as short sales and don't understand the best strategies to take to preserve their home and protect their credit. Mr. Tene offers five tips that could save the borrower's home.

· Borrowers should talk to their lenders as soon as possible. Don't wait to go further into delinquency. Time works against you. says Mr. Tene. Once the payment is overdue, the opportunity to get the lender's cooperation declines.

· Don't be afraid of lenders. The lender is in the lending business, not the real estate business. They do not want the property. They want to work with the borrower to ensure the loan is paid.

· Beware of seam artists. Predatory lenders and distress opportunity scammers often target people in financial distress. They try to force property owners, in a time of panic, into high cost mortgages, which increase financial problems and the risk of losing the home. Predatory lenders usually offer loans with hidden fees and rate increases. Be aware of "magicians" who pitch dream solutions that sound too good to be true. If it sounds too good to be true, the dream will likely become a nightmare. There are no magicians in this industry. Don't agree to promises that are unrealistic. Look for a real solution.

· If the loan is insured by the department of Housing and Urban Development or the FHA, the borrower maybe eligible for a one-time payment to bring your mortgage payment current.

· Don't try to negotiate a "short sale" on the property by yourself .When you are sick, you go to the doctor. When you go to court, you take a lawyer. For a successful short sale, seek professional advice. In most cases, you will have only one chance at a successful negotiation with your lender.

A short sale is said to be an acceptable and reasonable solution when property owners owe the lender more than the property is worth.

Contrary to popular belief, the lender is likely to be in favor of a short sale rather than a foreclosure on a property because in a foreclosure the lender ends up with the property. "Lenders are not in the real estate business. Lenders are in the lending business and when they take back a property they need to sell it. By taking back a property through foreclosure the loss to the lender is much greater than on a short sale."

WHAT DOES "SHORT SALE" IN REAL ESTATE MEAN ?

Abraham Martinez (Home Business Realty) — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 12:36:09 -0600

A "Short Sale" is when the property for sale is listed at a price that is less than what the current owners owe for the property. So if the house was purchased for $100,000, and now the original buyer is late on their mortgage, with the recession in housing, the house may now only be worth $90,000 - and that is what the seller is now listing it for. Once the seller receives an offer, they will submit to the bank that the house is only worth as much as the offer. The bank then has the option to accept the offer and let the original seller "off the hook" or not. Often times banks will accept the lesser amount because the alternative is that the house goes into foreclosure, the bank then will have to sell the property, pay the attorneys and the real estate people and taxes. They might be able to walk away with more through the short sale than any other way. Some banks won't accept the short sale, because they know the property is still worth at least $100,000. Regardless, if a person makes an offer on a short sale home, it means that even if the seller accepts the offer, it still has to be approved by the bank.