The Universal Problem!

Everyone knows maintaining a blog while doing all the "stuff" we do in our real estate business can be a serious challenge. Keeping fresh content on 2 blogging platforms is even more challenging. If you were to take a look at our Sheridan Blog, you would quickly notice we need to be more disciplined and diligent about posting more frequently. Here at our Active Rain blog, we often take the easy way out and use "Postlets" to feature our listings. Frankly, we really need to take the time to write more fresh, linked content. The Dakno team keeps telling me we are missing all the awesome SEO link power of Active Rain by not taking advantage of linking original content back to our Sheridan real estate website and our Sheridan Community blog. With that said, they asked this question, "How can we make it easier for you to have fresh content added to your Sheridan Blog and to your AR Blog as well?" Here is the genesis of a short term - high impact solution!

Implementation is Key!

The suggestion was made by Dakno team member Leslie Vegter to conduct a Creative Writing Contest at the local Sheridan High School on the topic "Why Living in Sheridan is Great!". We agreed to reward the winning 3 entries with cash prize awards. CENTURY 21 BHJ Realty is heavily involved in greater Sheridan County and we saw this as an opportunity to support our young people and showcase their creative writing skills on the community blog.

A Full-on Marketing Campaign is Unleashed!

Talk about making the most of an idea, take a look at this marketing campaign. Below is a graphic that offers a step by step progression of what was (and will be) implemented to make the most of this creative idea:

The Seed Blossoms!

As you can see, what started out as a simple "kernel" of an idea by Leslie has blossomed into a full blown marketing campaign that used multiple websites, blogs, social networks and a press release to create even more "industry buzz".

Blogging So Easy Even a 12th Grader Can Do It!

We invite you to click over to our Sheridan Area Blog and take a moment to read the winning entries. Feel free to make a comment while you're there. We think these students did an amazing job! BTW - You might even consider taking this idea and implementing it in your backyard.

Until my next post,

Bruce Garber
Your Sheridan, Wyoming Real Estate Resource

I have always noticed the late night infomercials on my sattelite menu that start to appear right about the time I'm getting ready for bed. And while travleling I have come across these ads in hotels too.  Despite the fact the house flipping sport is slowing down, they seem to still be spending thousands on TV ads. 

So.... is there more to the story?  Are any of you in the know about these infomercials with a title that usually reads "How To Make Millions in Real Estate" ?  Maybe I should not be so judgmental, as it is possible some of them may contain information based on sound business principles.

I welcome your feedback.  Are they good?  Maybe I'm the only one on the planet that has not purchased them.  Please give me the good and the bad news.  I wonder how many of our clients watch them?  Below is a photo of my investment property I call "Old Red"

Thanks,

Bruce Garber

Broker/Owner  

"Old Red"  A good old investment property that has treated me right with positive cash flow, appreciation, and renovation experience.  I also let renters stay in the property while they are shopping for real estate - through our company of course.

For all of you living in a cold climate in the lower 48, it could be worse.  Today was the first day they saw the sun again in Barrow, Alaska - since November!  Spring is right around the corner, which is good for real estate buyers, sellers, and everyone else working in the industry.

As for me - I'm going to take advantage of the last few months of winter.  Sledding in the Bighorn Mountains,

 skiing ...

 ... and trying to take a few lessons from my dogs, getting in more winter naps by the fireplace before the spring selling season is upon us.

Happy January everyone.

And heres to everyone that loves winter.

Bruce Garber

Broker Owner Century 21 BHJ Realty, Inc. 

Come Visit the Sheridan, WY Winter Wonderland

Here in Sheridan, Wyoming, our community knows how to have an awesome time during the winter months. Families from all over Sheridan County including the communities of Sheridan, Story, Dayton, Ranchester and Big Horn seek out their favorite “snow bowl” for a day of family fun. Here are the magical ingredients:

Bring sleds, toss in a four wheeler, mix a snowmobile for maximum fun and you'll have TOW much fun! Let mother nature take care of the snow (that's no problem here in Sheridan, Wyoming) and add the final all-important ingredient: KIDS with MOMS and DADS. Be sure to bring some hot cocoa and your family will have a great time.

Moving To Sheridan, WY?

If you live in the warmer climates of the US, sit back and enjoy how the locals here in our neck of the woods “play” in our very own “winter wonderland”. If you would like information about our Sheridan, WY real estate or if your family is considering a move to Sheridan, WY, we would love for your family to join our family for a great time of sledding and snowmobiling!

I invite you to leave a comment and even send us your favorite picture of your family playing in your very own winter bowl. Who knows, your picture could wind up on this website!

Until my next post,

Bruce Garber
Your Sheridan , Wyoming Real Estate Resource

Sheridan Property Buyer's are a Web-savvy Bunch. Are You a Web-savvy Sheridan Property Seller?

Let's face it, our Sheridan real estate market has settled into a buyer's market. Sheridan County properties including single-family homes, farms, land parcels and ranches for sale clearly out-number Sheridan buyers. In addition, most real estate experts would agree the same old marketing tactics just don't attract web-savvy home buyer's as in the past. For this reason, Sheridan home sellers must be equally web-savvy and implement smarter marketing strategies to ensure their Sheridan County home sells for the maximum fair market value. And the sooner the property sells the better.  In order to attract the maximum number of Sheridan home buyers, we recommend you implement the following 5 high-impact web-focused strategies to attract these Internet empowered Sheridan home buyers.

Take a Look At the Rest of the Sheridan Real Estate Story!

For the rest of story, go here>>>>

Until my next post, 

Bruce Garber
Your Sheridan , Wyoming Real Estate Resource

Helping Sheridan County Home Sellers Implement a Smart Pricing Strategy

While Sheridan, Wyoming has not encountered the wild swings of home values like many other areas of the country, we have seen a shift to a more normalized real estate market condition. Sheridan home sellers have preconceived notions of the value of their homes. Often When given the value of their Sheridan property based on a comparative market analysis (CMA), many sellers ignore the data these analytical findings reveal in favor of what they think their home is worth. Their idea of their home's value is often based on several assumptions.

Sentimental Value

Many Sheridan County home sellers also think their property is worth what they may have paid for their home. Some Sheridan, WY home sellers base the value of their home on emotional memories that are attached to their home. Lest we forget, selling a home is an emotion-charged event. Tactfully advising home sellers, for many Sheridan real estate agents, is a lost art. Some agents would rather yield to the homeowners idea of value and secure the listing even though chances are high the home will never sell until the price is reduced to a rational price point.

There's more to this story....

For the complete story how Sheridan home sellers should approach pricing their homes using the best practices to accurately establishing value, read more here>>>

Our Holiday Season's Wish To You!

On behalf of the entire team here at CENTURY 21 BHJ Realty, Inc, may you and yours experience great abundance during this holiday season and all through 2008!

Until my next post, 

Bruce Garber
Your Sheridan , Wyoming Real Estate Resource

Sit Back and Enjoy the Images of Sheridan County, Wyoming

Surrounded by a number of smaller, more rural communities, most notably Big Horn, Story, Ranchester, and Dayton; Sheridan, Wyoming is filled with stunning imagery. From the jaw-dropping vistas seen atop the Big Horn Mountains to the sweeping plains of Sheridan County, every turn reveals another "Kodak moment" to be enjoyed. Sit back and enjoy this video montage of our "wonderful" area of Sheridan, Wyoming. After viewing this short video, you'll more information about Sheridan, Story, Big Horn, Ranchester and Sheridan. Simply request your Rustic to Refined Home Buying Guide today. It's FREE for the asking!