https://activerain.com/blogs/binninger en-us https://activerain.com/blogsview/1830809/use-it-or-loose-it- This is an interesting article about why we in business need to transition for other marketing tools to electronic media. Of course, it is double necessary for those in real estate. Move it, or Lose it! Author, Tom Valles tvalles@ebmdigs.com ---------------------------------------------------- As a boy, I spent many a morning delivering the Rocky Mountain News. It was an icon of newspapers for Colorado that had been in business since 1859. Sadly, on February 7, 2009 the distinctive “plop” of paper on porches fell silent. The tremendous costs to print and the migration of consumers away from paper to electronic venues dealt my beloved “Rocky” too many blows. Other industries have been hard hit as well. Have you visited a travel agency lately? The little town I work in had three locations not long ago. There are none today. How about record stores, or even trips to the local Post Office to buy stamps? These old standbys didn’t move very quickly, but consumers did. Now Expedia, Orbitz or Priceline are available 24/7 to meet virtually every travel need from the comfort of your own home (your home computer that is). Buying music has changed dramatically with sites like Pandora, the i-Tunes Store and other online sites that invite consumers to download any genre of music desirable. While I have yet to pay all of my bills online, my trips to the post office are growing fewer and fewer every year. If you are in business, and think you are doing alright with traditional advertising, I have a warning: “Move it, or lose it.” It is a good start to have a web site for your business, but does it give compelling reasons for consumers to buy from you? A consultant may be needed to provide an in-depth evaluation of your site. It is a good next step to move toward search engine optimization (SEO) to push your web page up in search rankings. Next, use the tools that are out there like having a search link on your site and using Google Analytics to track how many people are visiting your web page. And remember above all….keep moving! Look at your industry journals, newsletters, periodicals and government reports to keep apprised of market trends. Go where your customers are and take a good look at the cost differential between printed and electronic ads. For many businesses, it could mean the difference between throwing in the towel, or staging a comeback even Sly would be proud of. Tom Valles is a writer who specializes in real estate on behalf of Electronic Based Marketing, Inc. http://www.ebmiddigs.com/DisplayWebPage.aspx?DynContentID=479 Helen LeBoeuf-Binninger (EBM, Inc.) Tue, 31 Aug 2010 12:55:17 -0700 https://activerain.com/blogsview/1830809/use-it-or-loose-it- https://activerain.com/blogsview/1781473/home-with-acreage-for-rent-outside-orofino--idaho Orofino, Idaho house and acreage for rent.  Home is located 7 miles from Orofino, Idaho.  Modern, 3 bedroom, 2 bath home on 20 acres with barn, 2 car garage with automatic garage door openers, fenced pasture, hot tub, refrigerator, ceiling fans.  Built in 2000 with hardwood floors, tile, and many energy saving features.  To see pictures, view mls#116524.  Rent is $1200 per month - contact hbinninger@ebmdigs.com for more information.  This is a beautiful home for rent in a peaceful location with many pine trees, and wonderful berries and fruit trees not to mention end of the road privacy. Helen LeBoeuf-Binninger (EBM, Inc.) Wed, 04 Aug 2010 10:15:30 -0700 https://activerain.com/blogsview/1781473/home-with-acreage-for-rent-outside-orofino--idaho https://activerain.com/blogsview/1770198/alaska-real-estate-search According to the latest study by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), every year more home buyers are finding their home on the internet. In 2001, 8 percent of those who purchased a home, found it on the internet. By 2009, the rate jumped more than four-fold to 36 percent! In all, 90 percent of those looking for a home used the internet. And it is not just the younger generation going online. Of those 45 to 64 years of age, an impressive 86 percent were surfing the internet. While search engines like Google, Yahoo and Bing provide a great deal of information to start your Alaska real estate search, you can easily be overwhelmed with too much information! You are left asking: "how do I wade through 10,000 matches to get what I need?" We know the internet is a great tool, but how can you maximize your search and get to the nitty-gritty of finding the home of your dreams?Here are some helpful tips:* First, write down exactly what you are looking for in a home and be specific. * Note sites that use the latest technology like Google maps to show a home's location. * Look for sites that offer a video showcase of homes for sale. * Use sites with a Multiple Listing Service (MLS) link to see all available homes in your area.* Stick with the companies that often appear on the first page of your search results. These have usually been around longer and tend to have better developed web pages.The website you use should provide a single portal that allows you to look at residential listings, for sale by owner ads, financing, rentals, and everything else that is real estate related. Good search terms to use should key in on the city you are interested in. You can also get better results by looking for videos and additional services such as mortgage companies. Some good search terms would be:* Alaska homes* Anchorage real estate* Wasilla homes virtual tour* Alaska home Inspectors* Alaska For Sale By Owner* Fairbanks home buildersFinding your next home on the internet is not only possible; it can be easier than it's ever been before. Helen LeBoeuf-Binninger (EBM, Inc.) Thu, 29 Jul 2010 04:51:06 -0700 https://activerain.com/blogsview/1770198/alaska-real-estate-search https://activerain.com/blogsview/920245/lewiston-idaho-real-estate-prices-market The national economic news, particularly in relation to deteriorating home values and the increase in foreclosures, is frightening.  Is Idaho really any different? Idaho is different - The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation recently released state profiles that indicate Idaho's home price index for the second quarter of 2008 increased by 1.2%.  In addition, the median price of single family homes in Nez Perce county from June 2007 to June 2008 increased by 4.41%, according to Lewis-Clark MLS.  Idaho in general and North Central Idaho in particular are fairing better than the national average.  Because home values have remained stable, the refinancing option is practical for homeowners who want to reduce their monthly payments with the current lower interest rates. That said, Idaho has experienced an increase in foreclosures.  However, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association, Idaho is ranked 42nd out of all the states in rate of foreclosures.   Overall, purchasing a home now may allow you to take advantage of the increased inventory available and great interest rates. Helen LeBoeuf-Binninger (EBM, Inc.) Fri, 06 Feb 2009 04:48:43 -0800 https://activerain.com/blogsview/920245/lewiston-idaho-real-estate-prices-market