Birmingham Real Estate

Walnut Grove

Robert Kenmore (RE/MAX Southern Homes) — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 15:11:09 -0800

This is your opportunity to own a brand new Home in a great, new subdivision. Plans range from 3 BR / 2 BA w/ Unfinished Basements, 4 BR / 3 BA w/ Finished/Unfinished Basements, and 5 BR / 3 BA w/ Finished Basements. All Homes feature great amenity packages including Range/Oven, Built-in Microwave and Dishwasher. Call Today for Additional Information on Walnut Grove and be one of the Founding Families of Leeds Newest Planned Community. (Plans & Prices available are subject to change without notice; Please call for more up-to-date information.)

Cedar Branch

Robert Kenmore (RE/MAX Southern Homes) — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 15:08:55 -0800

This is your opportunity to own a brand new Home in a great, new subdivision. Plans range from 3 BR / 2 BA w/ Unfinished Basements, 4 BR / 3 BA w/ Finished/Unfinished Basements, and 5 BR / 3 BA w/ Finished Basements. All Homes feature great amenity packages including Range/Oven, Built-in Microwave and Dishwasher. Call Today for Additional Information on Cedar Branch and be one of the Founding Families of Odenville's Newest Planned Community. Community Amenities include underground utilities, curbs & gutters, paved streets, decorative street lamps & mailboxes and so much more. (Plans & Prices available are subject to change without notice; Please call for more up-to-date information.)

Clairmont Park

Robert Kenmore (RE/MAX Southern Homes) — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 15:07:26 -0800

DON'T MISS AMERICAN TRADITION AT ITS FINEST! Clairmont Park features Traditional Home Plans with 3/4 Bedrooms, 2 to 3.5 Baths and Lots of Amenities. Several floorplans are available to choose from with such options as Finished Basements, Formal Dining Rooms, Unfinished Bonus Rooms and more. Clairmont Park is convenient located just minutes from I-2o Exit 144 and within a short drive to Downtown Birmingham, Trussville, Inverness/280 Area. Call Today for additional information on Clairmont Park and the many plans available. (Plans & Prices available are subject to change without notice; Please call for more up-to-date information.)

714 Sage Brush - Henry Neely Waterfront

Robert Kenmore (RE/MAX Southern Homes) — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 16:30:33 -0800

714 Sage Brush

ASHVILLE, AL

Great Waterfront Location

4BR/2+1BA Single Family House

$239,824

Year Built	1987
Sq Footage	Unspecified
Bedrooms	4
Bathrooms	2 full, 1 partial
Floors	3
Parking	2 Covered spaces
Lot Size	1.2 acres
HOA/Maint	$0 per month

Description

View this Home & others at http://www.laurieburgess.com/714sagebrush

Property Features

Central A/C	Central heat	Fireplace
Walk-in closet	Hardwood floor	Living room
Dining room	Stove/Oven	Basement
Laundry area - inside	Balcony, Deck, or Patio	Yard

Additional Photos

Photo 1

Contact Info

Robert Kenmore

Webb & Company Realty

(205) 699-7001

For sale by agent/broker

Equal Opportunity Housing

110 Tucker Drive - Logan Martin Waterfront

Robert Kenmore (RE/MAX Southern Homes) — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 16:22:40 -0800

110 Tucker Drive

CROPWELL, AL

5BR/3BA Single Family House

$319,824

Year Built	2000
Sq Footage	2,900
Bedrooms	5
Bathrooms	3 full, 0 partial
Floors	2
Parking	2 Car garage
Lot Size	Unspecified
HOA/Maint	$0 per month

Description

View this Home & others at http://www.laurieburgess.com/110tuckerdrive

Property Features

Central A/C	Central heat	Fireplace
High/Vaulted ceiling	Walk-in closet	Tile floor
Family room	Dining room	Breakfast nook
Dishwasher	Stove/Oven	Laundry area - inside
Balcony, Deck, or Patio	Yard

Additional Photos

Photo 1

Contact Info

Robert Kenmore

Webb & Company Realty

205-699-7001

For sale by agent/broker

Equal Opportunity Housing

8771 Parkway Drive - Industrial Acreage

Robert Kenmore (RE/MAX Southern Homes) — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 16:17:27 -0800

8771 Parkway Drive

LEEDS, AL

Great Industrial/Commercial Opportunity

Industrial

$324,824

Year Built	Unspecified
Sq Footage	Unspecified
Floors	0
Parking	Uncovered spaces
Lot Size	9.15 acres
Maint	$0 per month

Description

View this Home & others at http://www.laurieburgess.com/8771parkwaydrive

Contact Info

Robert Kenmore

Webb & Company Realty

(205) 699-7001

For sale by agent/broker

Equal Opportunity Housing

75023 Highway 77 - Great Commercial/Industrial Property

Robert Kenmore (RE/MAX Southern Homes) — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 16:12:23 -0800

75023 Highway 77

LINCOLN, AL

Great Industrial/Commercial Opportunity

Industrial

$374,824

Year Built	1999
Sq Footage	5,000
Floors	1
Parking	Uncovered spaces
Lot Size	1.34 acres
Maint	$0 per month

Description

View this Home & others at http://www.laurieburgess.com/75023highway77

Additional Photos

Photo 1

Contact Info

Robert Kenmore

Webb & Company Realty

(205) 699-7001

For sale by agent/broker

Equal Opportunity Housing

42 Deer Path - Custom Built Executive Home

Robert Kenmore (RE/MAX Southern Homes) — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 15:11:31 -0800

42 Deer Path

ODENVILLE, AL

New Construction Masterpiece

6BR/5+1BA Single Family House

$624,824

Year Built	2010
Sq Footage	Unspecified
Bedrooms	6
Bathrooms	5 full, 1 partial
Floors	1
Parking	4+ Car garage
Lot Size	1.67 acres
HOA/Maint	$0 per month

Description

View this Home & others at http://www.laurieburgess.com/42deerpath

Property Features

Central A/C	Central heat	Fireplace
High/Vaulted ceiling	Walk-in closet	Hardwood floor
Tile floor	Family room	Living room
Dining room	Breakfast nook	Dishwasher
Stove/Oven	Microwave	Granite countertop
Stainless steel appliances	Attic	Basement
Laundry area - inside	Balcony, Deck, or Patio	Yard

Additional Photos

Photo 1

Contact Info

Robert Kenmore

Webb & Company Realty

(205) 699-7001

For sale by agent/broker

Equal Opportunity Housing

8136 Becker Lane - Oliver Crossing Home

Robert Kenmore (RE/MAX Southern Homes) — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 16:48:58 -0800

8136 Becker Lane

LEEDS, AL

Immaculately Kept Home!

3BR/2BA Single Family House

$164,824

Year Built	2004
Sq Footage	1,600
Bedrooms	3
Bathrooms	2 full, 0 partial
Floors	1
Parking	2 Car garage
Lot Size	Unspecified
HOA/Maint	$5 per month

Description

View this Home & others at http://www.laurieburgess.com/8136beckerlane

Property Features

Central A/C	Central heat	Fireplace
Walk-in closet	Tile floor	Family room
Breakfast nook	Dishwasher	Stove/Oven
Microwave	Laundry area - inside	Balcony, Deck, or Patio
Yard

Additional Photos

Photo 1

Contact Info

Robert Kenmore

Webb & Company Realty

205-699-7001

For sale by agent/broker

Equal Opportunity Housing

705 Valley Drive - Great Space for the Price

Robert Kenmore (RE/MAX Southern Homes) — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 16:46:49 -0800

705 Valley Drive

BIRMINGHAM, AL

8139 Parkway Drive - Great Retail/Commercial Space

Robert Kenmore (RE/MAX Southern Homes) — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 14:50:32 -0800

8139 Parkway Drive

LEEDS, AL

Ideal Retail Location w/ Potential for Apartment Lofts Upstairs

Retail/Commercial

$189,824

Year Built	1925
Sq Footage	4,700
Floors	2
Parking	Uncovered spaces
Lot Size	0.31 acres
Maint	$0 per month

Description

View this Home & others at http://www.laurieburgess.com/8139parkwaydrive

Additional Photos

Photo 1

Contact Info

Robert Kenmore

Webb & Company Realty

(205) 699-7001

For sale by agent/broker

Equal Opportunity Housing

9218 Clairmont Circle - Brand New Construction w/ View

Robert Kenmore (RE/MAX Southern Homes) — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 14:47:23 -0800

9218 Clairmont Circle

LEEDS, AL

New Construction

5BR/3BA Single Family House

$209,824

Year Built	2010
Sq Footage	Unspecified
Bedrooms	5
Bathrooms	3 full, 0 partial
Floors	2
Parking	2 Car garage
Lot Size	Unspecified
HOA/Maint	$0 per month

Description

View this Home & others at http://www.laurieburgess.com/9218clairmontcircle

Property Features

Central A/C	Central heat	Fireplace
High/Vaulted ceiling	Walk-in closet	Living room
Dining room	Dishwasher	Stove/Oven
Microwave	Attic	Basement
Laundry area - inside	Balcony, Deck, or Patio	Yard

Additional Photos

Photo 1

Contact Info

Robert Kenmore

Webb & Company Realty

(205) 699-7001

For sale by agent/broker

Equal Opportunity Housing

612 Paradise Isle - Logan Martin Waterfront Condo

Robert Kenmore (RE/MAX Southern Homes) — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 12:08:14 -0800

612 Paradise Isle

RIVERSIDE, AL

3BR/2BA Condo

$214,824

Year Built	1991
Sq Footage	Unspecified
Bedrooms	3
Bathrooms	2 full, 0 partial
Floors	1
Parking	None
Lot Size	Unspecified
HOA/Maint	$0 per month

Description

View this Home & others at http://www.laurieburgess.com/612paradiseisle

Additional Photos

Photo 1

Contact Info

Robert Kenmore

Webb & Company Realty

205-699-7001

For sale by agent/broker

Equal Opportunity Housing

714 Sage Brush - Henry Neely Waterfront Home

Robert Kenmore (RE/MAX Southern Homes) — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 11:58:20 -0800

714 Sage Brush

ASHVILLE, AL

Great Waterfront Location

4BR/2+1BA Single Family House

$239,824

Year Built	1987
Sq Footage	Unspecified
Bedrooms	4
Bathrooms	2 full, 1 partial
Floors	3
Parking	2 Covered spaces
Lot Size	1.2 acres
HOA/Maint	$0 per month

Description

View this Home & others at http://www.laurieburgess.com/714sagebrush

Property Features

Central A/C	Central heat	Fireplace
Walk-in closet	Hardwood floor	Living room
Dining room	Stove/Oven	Basement
Laundry area - inside	Balcony, Deck, or Patio	Yard

Additional Photos

Photo 1

Contact Info

Robert Kenmore

Webb & Company Realty

(205) 699-7001

For sale by agent/broker

Equal Opportunity Housing

110 Tucker Drive - Logan Martin Waterfront Home

Robert Kenmore (RE/MAX Southern Homes) — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 11:52:22 -0800

110 Tucker Drive

CROPWELL, AL

5BR/3BA Single Family House

$319,824

Year Built	2000
Sq Footage	2,900
Bedrooms	5
Bathrooms	3 full, 0 partial
Floors	2
Parking	2 Car garage
Lot Size	Unspecified
HOA/Maint	$0 per month

Description

View this Home & others at http://www.laurieburgess.com/110tuckerdrive

Property Features

Central A/C	Central heat	Fireplace
High/Vaulted ceiling	Walk-in closet	Tile floor
Family room	Dining room	Breakfast nook
Dishwasher	Stove/Oven	Laundry area - inside
Balcony, Deck, or Patio	Yard

Additional Photos

Photo 1

Contact Info

Robert Kenmore

Webb & Company Realty

205-699-7001

For sale by agent/broker

Equal Opportunity Housing

8771 Parkway Drive - Industrial Acreage

Robert Kenmore (RE/MAX Southern Homes) — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 11:49:26 -0800

8771 Parkway Drive

LEEDS, AL

Great Industrial/Commercial Opportunity

Industrial

$324,824

Year Built	Unspecified
Sq Footage	Unspecified
Floors	0
Parking	Uncovered spaces
Lot Size	9.15 acres
Maint	$0 per month

Description

View this Home & others at http://www.laurieburgess.com/8771parkwaydrive

Contact Info

Robert Kenmore

Webb & Company Realty

(205) 699-7001

For sale by agent/broker

Equal Opportunity Housing

75023 Highway 77 - GREAT LOCATION

Robert Kenmore (RE/MAX Southern Homes) — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 11:44:46 -0800

75023 Highway 77

LINCOLN, AL

Great Industrial/Commercial Opportunity

Industrial

$374,824

Year Built	1999
Sq Footage	5,000
Floors	1
Parking	Uncovered spaces
Lot Size	1.34 acres
Maint	$0 per month

Description

View this Home & others at http://www.laurieburgess.com/75023highway77

Additional Photos

Photo 1

Contact Info

Robert Kenmore

Webb & Company Realty

(205) 699-7001

For sale by agent/broker

Equal Opportunity Housing

42 Deer Path - Exquisite Custom Built Home

Robert Kenmore (RE/MAX Southern Homes) — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 11:39:34 -0800

42 Deer Path

ODENVILLE, AL

New Construction Masterpiece

6BR/5+1BA Single Family House

$624,824

Year Built	2010
Sq Footage	Unspecified
Bedrooms	6
Bathrooms	5 full, 1 partial
Floors	1
Parking	4+ Car garage
Lot Size	1.67 acres
HOA/Maint	$0 per month

Description

View this Home & others at http://www.laurieburgess.com/42deerpath

Property Features

Central A/C	Central heat	Fireplace
High/Vaulted ceiling	Walk-in closet	Hardwood floor
Tile floor	Family room	Living room
Dining room	Breakfast nook	Dishwasher
Stove/Oven	Microwave	Granite countertop
Stainless steel appliances	Attic	Basement
Laundry area - inside	Balcony, Deck, or Patio	Yard

Additional Photos

Photo 1

Contact Info

Robert Kenmore

Webb & Company Realty

(205) 699-7001

For sale by agent/broker

Equal Opportunity Housing

OMG…Horrified By a Short Sale Squatter

Robert Kenmore (RE/MAX Southern Homes) — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 20:20:37 -0800

We've had some short sale horror stories but nothing that reaches the outrageousness of this story. I can't imagine walking into a vacant house and finding people living there.

Via Amy Ransdell ~ Atlanta Short Sale~Short Sale Daily News (The Southeastern Group):

Team member thought she was going to be the homicide headline of the 5 o’clock news today.

Backstory first….

We had a short sale bust up two days prior to close due a seller’s refusal to cooperate with the short sale approval terms. Despite a binding contract and likely suit for non-performance, the seller filed bankruptcy and bailed on closing. [Even teams as great as ours, have our share of war stories]

The buyers of the property were from Vietnam. This was their first home in the United States. They had spent money to turn on the utilities for inspections, a home inspection, and an appraisal.   They were counting on the sale of the home and had waited several weeks for the short sale approval.

Back to today….

Denise, our lead listing agent here at Southeaster Home Team in Atlanta, showed up at the property to remove the sign and lock-box. She removed the lock-box and entered the ‘vacant’ property to pick up our information flyers. Once inside, she noticed that the house was full of furniture.

Much to her surprise, Denise rounded the corner to the kitchen and was surprised by a small Vietnamese woman. The woman screamed and proceeded to douse Denise with a large container of dirty water.

As Denise tried to back towards the front door a man came rushing past her towards the fireplace. All Denise could imagine at that point was being bludgeoned to death by a fire-poker.   To her relief the gentleman instead handed her a note that read, “I don’t speak any English. We were supposed to close on this home a month ago and had nowhere else to go”.

Oie Vie!

Their agent pled the 5th when asked if he knew they had moved into the home. He did relay that they are in contract to purchase another home, another short sale, in the same neighborhood that closes next week.

This is part and parcel of the crazy short sale world we all live in. Approval had been received for the short sale and the buyers knew their lender was full-steam ahead to fund their purchase. The buyers had assumed all would go well and made a commitment.

Now…don’t twist this as a reason not to show buyers short sale properties. That is not the lesson here.

The lesson, instead, is to listing agents to make certain your seller has the right expectations and understands their contractual obligations. Once approval had been received, the stipulations in this contract did not give the seller an ‘out’. The seller should have followed through. We had advised the seller correctly and documented it.

The lesson further is to buyers agents. You should demand in stipulations the seller’s agreement to perform no matter the terms of the lender outside of a defined “unreasonable.” This way you at the least protect your buyer’s interest.

Denise had to go home and change clothes after being doused by the short sale squatters.

Stories like this just have to be told….keepin’ it real. So as we say at Short Sale Daily News, To Everyone’s Short Sale Success!



"Keeping our readers IN THE KNOW and LEAPS AHEAD of industry changes."

We invite Contributors - Visit the site and share with us your expert opinion or short sale case studies. Contributors will be featured and live-links to your blog will remain for the life of your contribution.

Sorry. But Unless You "Chip In" I Ain't Closing!!

Robert Kenmore (RE/MAX Southern Homes) — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 20:17:50 -0800

Great story Bryant. I once had a deal with similar consequences that almost fell apart at the closing table. The buyers agent didn't write the contract the exact way she discussed it with her buyer and the amount of the closing costs they were expecting to pay was much lower than what they were paying. Ultimately, the other agent and I split the difference because the seller refused to pay the additional amount as well. i think the whole argument was over less than $100 bucks and it drug closing out for 3 hours.

Via Bryant Tutas-Tutas Towne Realty, Inc:

Hi folks. Have you ever had to "chip in" to make a deal work? I have. If necessary I will help to get a transaction closed.

Here's a perfect example of my willingness to help. I had a closing a few years back. It was a pretty good deal for me. A vacant lot, selling for $240,000 cash, with me being on both sides of the transaction. For me, that's a pretty good pay check. And of course being that it was vacant land, and a cash deal, there was very little work involved.

Anyway, when I wrote the deal, the buyer had placed a $10,000 deposit and said he would bring $230,000 to closing and not a dime more. No problem, I wrote the deal stating that the Buyer would incur no closing costs, so the only difference in his $230,000 would be tax pro-rations which would be in his favor anyway.

The closing was scheduled for late in the afternoon and my Seller, who is a long time customer of mine, decided to go in in the morning to sign his side of the deal and we would let the Buyer go in at 4:00 to take care of his side. I decided not to go since it was a pretty straight forward cash deal and I couldn't see driving for an 1 ½ hours for a 10 minute closing. Both parties knew this and had no issue with it. They were both seasoned Buyers and Sellers.

I never did see a HUD1. As usual in Florida it is very, very difficult to get a HUD statement prior to closing. But no big deal, I spoke to my Seller after he had signed and he confirmed everything was OK on the HUD. I asked him to fax it to me when he got back to his office later that day and he did.

While reviewing the HUD, I noticed that the Title Company was charging the Buyer some costs and his figure was now higher than the $230,000 he was counting on. So, I called the closer and after several E-mails she agreed to just deduct the charges from my commission and bring the Buyer back down to an even $230,000.

I called the Buyer and informed him of this and he was pleased and all set to close. Unfortunately, he got stuck in traffic and didn't arrive until just about 5:00. The closer I had been dealing with had already left and had not made the changes on the HUD as we had discussed. Well, when the fill in closer whipped out the HUD for the Buyer to sign, he refused!!

In fact, he refused to close and picked up his check and headed for the front door. The closer in a panic tried to reach me but couldn't so ran out into the parking lot and called the Buyer back in and then got authorization from the owner to remove the charges. Folks, this deal almost fell apart at the table because the closer did not initiate the HUD change we had agreed upon and because I was not there to solve the problem.

However, the good part was, they ate the charges and the Buyer signed and the deal closed. It was a close call but it closed.

The amount in dispute..................$4.36!!!!!!! Yep, that's right, four dollars and thirty six cents!! Go figure.

***I am NOT an Attorney nor do I play one on TV. Click the button below for my Bio.

Copyright © 2010 http://www.brokerbryant.com/ | All Rights Reserved

How To Use Video And Image Marketing To Generate Business - Part III, Featuring Shannon King, the Real Estate Road Warrior!

Robert Kenmore (RE/MAX Southern Homes) — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 20:14:02 -0800

This is a great, informational post. I love all the ideas you mention to generate new business. I think we'll definitely look into using video more in our business as well.

Via Kodak Real Estate Solutions ~ Mark Walser (Eastman Kodak Company):

How To Use Video And Image Marketing To Generate Business - Part III, Featuring Shannon King, the Real Estate Road Warrior!

Hi Everyone!

Today I'm so honored to have my friend Shannon W. King co-write and participate in this blog with me. Shannon shared with me one of the most innovative video branding ideas I've ever seen, and this idea will help you generate leads and create raving fans out of your clients. An idea so revolutionary and interesting that I've shared it everywhere I go, and I've asked her to describe it in the video below for us and while she's at it - share some of the ways she uses video in her business.

Shannon is the Real Estate Road Warrior, co-owner of Schoolhouse Realty in San Diego and Tribella Realty in Austin. She serves on national boards with NAR and the Young Professional's Network. Shannon has successfully used video marketing in various aspects of her business to become one of the top agents in the country, and today she shares some of her video tips with you here on my Post. I've had a blast working with her on various projects with the Young Professionals Network, and I hope you find this last segment informative, creative and fun! I want to thank Shannon King for her time and ideas, as well as being one of the warmest and nicest individuals I've ever met! She's going to help me conclude Part III of my series on using video marketing to generate business, and share some video tips and tricks with us!

So here we go!

How to get your clients to market for you - HINT: You have to give them something they LOVE- Video

Shannon pioneered the idea of involving your client in the process of searching for their home using a branded video camera. When she feels the opportunity is right, she will buy a client a camera like the Kodak Zi8, and skin the camera with her brand or picture. This makes the camera personalized and also makes it a branded tool she can give the client to be involved in the process of buying or selling the home. We talked about it a little bit, and here's how Shannon described the process.



Q: Shannon, could you describe how you thought of this concept and how it has helped grow your business?

Shannon: We wanted to come up with a creative way to allow our clients to remember the homes we showed them, and we quickly realized that arming them with a video camera not only helped them do that but also turned into a source of video for our sites and business. We asked the clients to take video of the homes, but also to chronicle the experience of working with our team and giving us video testimonials that we could use for our website! It was also a great way for the client to show the video of the home to their spouse if they couldn't make it.

Q: So the idea was to use video to assist the client, generate video content, testimonials, and sort of marry the client to you because nobody else was really doing this right?

Shannon: Yes! Then what happened is we came across sites like Skinit.com or Zagg.com, where you can personalize devices like your cell phone, and the idea of uploading our logo and creating a custom "skin" for these cameras was born! We started "branding" the camera with our custom logo skin, which only costs about $20 bucks, and gave it to clients that we felt would take advantage of it.

Q: I bet that made them pretty loyal huh?

Shannon: Yes! They were thrilled to have a camera of their own as a gift and a tool for them to chronicle their home buying experience with us, and also let us use some of the videos for our client testimonial section. But something really unexpected and wonderful started happening from giving the video camera to them!

Q: What was that?

Shannon: Referrals! They were so excited to get a camera, they would run out and tell their friends about it, and how they get to go out with us and shoot video. As you can imagine, anybody who talks about and shows the camera to their friends and co-workers will also talk about us, and this extends our brand and potential referrals.   So a simple $150 camera generates tremendous goodwill for us from the client, becomes a source of new testimonial video, and it also branded us to that client's sphere of influence, which can generate leads!

Q: Now there's a ton of Zi8 fans out there, but can you do this with any camera?

Shannon: Yes you can. Any commonly sold, popular consumer video camera will have Skinit options for you to do this on. We started doing this with another brand of camera early on, but switched to the Kodak Zi8 for a couple of reasons. One, it is a higher quality camera and less expensive, and two, it has the external mic jack. A huge component of why we do this is to get their testimonials, and to really be able to hear what they say when they're doing a video overview of their homes for us. So having that external mic really makes the audio rock!

Q: Shannon, this is an amazing idea and it's so EASY. Now, some agents I've told this idea to have said, "Great idea, but I can't see giving a $150 camera to everybody I work with..isn't that just too expensive?" How would you respond to that?

Shannon: You know, I don't give it just any client, only the ones that I think will use it. But if you think about it, agents can easily spend $200 trying to get a listing, sending a run of post cards out to the zip code for that much or more and get absolutely nothing! Or instead, when you show up to a listing or buyer appointment, you can incorporate this into your presentation. Sometimes, I bring one along, and if they decide to work with me, I'll conclude the appointment by telling them, "Here's a video camera for you to walk through your home because you know it intimately and you'll be able to tell me the best parts so that I can properly market your home." What this does is enable them to be a part of the process and gives me something I can take back to use for my marketing. And most importantly, they love it!

Q: Wow! I think that would make you stand out just a little bit huh, and maybe win the listing?

Shannon: Everything you can do to set yourself apart helps! This is one of the best ways to do this, and one of the many tools in our arsenal. The ROI on this from a client satisfaction and word-of-mouth marketing perspective is really great.

So that's an amazing way of using a simple gift of a video camera to generate business for yourself, enable the power of "Sphere of Influence" marketing, combined with a steady stream of content for your video blog and client testimonials. I asked Shannon to share with us some additional techniques for how to use video to increase your business:

1) Facebook - Tag your clients in the video or photos you take, and post it on Facebook. Then link it to your site so they can comment on it and drive traffic to your site.

2) Tweet about your videos - send people to your site to watch your latest video.

3) Interview local restaurants, Interview the school principal etc. Interviewing the people and places in the niche markets you serve creates items of interest that would appeal to your clientele, post it and tag it on Youtube and Facebook, and send it to your clients and prospects as they search on your MLS page. Help them get to know the area they are looking in.

4) Use local talent to shoot and edit the videos. Sometimes we don't have the time to do all the video we want, so we use high school kids as unpaid interns to go shoot the videos of the areas for us. It's cheap and saves a lot of time.

5) Create "bio" videos of the areas you serve, and let people know about who you are and why you are the expert! Post them and tag them on Facebook, Youtube, your blog, and your website.

6) Interview your past clients about the neighborhood, and what they love about it. Post that on your blog. It's a simultaneous client testimonial and neighborhood expert video, and shows your current clients and prospects how much expertise you have in the area, and really helps promote you too!

7) Give a camera to your listing clients too! Let them walk around their home and video what they love, what is important to them, and this gives you a way to describe the home in the best light when you're coming up with your marketing text for the MLS.

8) Send a congratulatory video clip to your client when the transaction is done, congratulating them on buying or selling their home. They send it to their friends, they love the memory it creates, and it becomes yet another way of driving traffic to you!

I want to thank Shannon for providing the ideas and content on this post. Many of you in my previous blogs have shared your video, tips, and techniques and I think the best way we can contribute to agent learning is by having other people who are in the trenches with you selling real estate sharing their ideas and successes. So we're proud and thankful to feature Shannon's content in our Sponsored Post today!

As always, please consider a Kodak video product like our Zi8 Camera if you're looking to implement these ideas, and you can visit Skinit.com or Zagg.com to make a quick skin for your Zi8 to try this great idea out! The Zi8 is only $129.99 with free shipping in the continental USA through our store. It makes a great gift and you get a very special 20% off discount on our other products as well with free shipping through our real estate store at www.kodak.com/go/redeal.

I wanted to leave you with a video of Shannon King shot by an audience member at NAR Conference Live 2010. Shannon is speaking at our Kodak booth in this video to a group of agents who stopped by to hear her mini-seminar. Watch as she and Terri Murphy discuss these techniques and more on the NAR Expo floor, and Enjoy!

In addition to selling real estate, Shannon is also one of the most sought after speakers and voices for real estate with video and social media. Please visit her site at www.shannonwking.com or her real estate site www.schoolhouserealty.com or follow her on ActiveRain at www.activerain.com/sdseminars. In this special time of year, I wanted to also highlight her company's practice of giving 10% of their earnings to their local schools, and investing back into the community they serve. I know so many of you do similar things in your neighborhoods, and it's really great! Thanks to all of you who do so!

659 20th Street NE - Great Space for the Money

Robert Kenmore (RE/MAX Southern Homes) — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 15:49:30 -0800

659 20th Court NE

BIRMINGHAM, AL

Lots of Room for the Money!

3BR/3BA Single Family House

$114,824

Year Built	1976
Sq Footage	1,300
Bedrooms	3
Bathrooms	3 full, 0 partial
Floors	2
Parking	2 Car garage
Lot Size	0.25 acres
HOA/Maint	$0 per month

Description

View this Home & others at http://www.laurieburgess.com/65920thcourtne

Property Features

Central A/C	Central heat	Fireplace
Hardwood floor	Tile floor	Family room
Dishwasher	Stove/Oven	Attic
Basement	Laundry area - inside	Balcony, Deck, or Patio
Yard

Additional Photos

Photo 1

Contact Info

Robert Kenmore

Webb & Company Realty

205-699-7001

For sale by agent/broker

1704 Whitmire Street - Great Location, Great First Home

Robert Kenmore (RE/MAX Southern Homes) — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 15:28:00 -0800

1704 Whitmire Street

LEEDS, AL

Great First Home!

3BR/2BA Single Family House

$114,824

Year Built	1997
Sq Footage	1,120
Bedrooms	3
Bathrooms	2 full, 0 partial
Floors	1
Parking	None
Lot Size	0.30 acres
HOA/Maint	$0 per month

Description

View this Home & others at http://www.laurieburgess.com/1704whitmirestreet

Property Features

Central A/C	Central heat	Fireplace
High/Vaulted ceiling	Living room	Breakfast nook
Dishwasher	Stove/Oven	Microwave
Laundry area - inside	Balcony, Deck, or Patio	Yard

Additional Photos

Photo 1

Contact Info

Robert Kenmore

Webb & Company Realty

(205) 699-7001

For sale by agent/broker

8585 Dover Drive - Oliver Crossing Home

Robert Kenmore (RE/MAX Southern Homes) — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 15:26:38 -0800

8585 Dover Drive

LEEDS, AL

Great Community

3BR/2BA Single Family House

$119,749

Year Built	1999
Sq Footage	1,300
Bedrooms	3
Bathrooms	2 full, 0 partial
Floors	2
Parking	2 Car garage
Lot Size	0.13 acres
HOA/Maint	$0 per month

Description

View this Home & others at http://www.laurieburgess.com/8585doverdrive

Property Features

Central A/C	Central heat	Fireplace
High/Vaulted ceiling	Walk-in closet	Hardwood floor
Family room	Breakfast nook	Dishwasher
Stove/Oven	Microwave	Laundry area - inside
Balcony, Deck, or Patio	Yard

Additional Photos

Photo 1

Contact Info

Robert Kenmore

Webb & Company Realty

(205) 699-7001

For sale by agent/broker

101 Ash Street - New Construction - 4 Bedrooms / 3 Baths

Robert Kenmore (RE/MAX Southern Homes) — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 17:01:37 -0800

101 Ash Street

LEEDS, AL

4BR/3BA Single Family House

$129,824

Year Built	2010
Sq Footage	Unspecified
Bedrooms	4
Bathrooms	3 full, 0 partial
Floors	2
Parking	2 Car garage
Lot Size	0.64 acres
HOA/Maint	$0 per month

Description

View this Home & others at http://www.laurieburgess.com/101ashstreet

Property Features

Central A/C	Central heat	High/Vaulted ceiling
Walk-in closet	Family room	Breakfast nook
Dishwasher	Stove/Oven	Microwave
Attic	Basement	Laundry area - inside
Balcony, Deck, or Patio	Yard

Additional Photos

Photo 1

Contact Info

Robert Kenmore

Webb & Company Realty

205-699-7001

For sale by agent/broker