leominster: The Power of Value-Driven Marketing
- 08/20/10 03:46 PM
Many companies are like acquaintances who always want something from you, but never give anything in return. They bombard you with offer-driven marketing, a strategy designed to generate new business through endless discounts and special promotions. While offer-driven marketing focuses on transactions, the goal of value-driven marketing is to create business through long-term relationships. Value-driven marketing is particularly important to salespeople and business owners whose customers don’t need their services very often. Examples include home loans, real estate purchases and home renovations. In these cases, marketing that centers on offers for more of the same product or service lacks relevance, and … (1 comments)
leominster: Economic Update August 2010 Last week in the news
- 08/19/10 03:48 PM
According to the ICSC-Goldman Sachs index, retail sales fell 0.2% for the week ending August 7. On a year-over-year basis, retailers saw sales increase 3.7%. The Labor Department reported that in the second quarter productivity fell at an annual rate of 0.9%, labor costs rose at an annual rate of 0.2% and hours worked climbed at a 3.6% rate. This is a likely signal that employers have reached efficiency limits out of leaner staffs. In 2009, productivity rose 3.5%, the highest rate in six years. Wholesalers increased their inventories 0.1% in June, following a 0.5% rise in May. Sales at the … (1 comments)
leominster: Best-Selling Author Patrick Lencioni
- 07/23/10 04:50 PM
Patrick Lencioni is the author of nine best-selling business books. His latest book, "Getting Naked," outlines the importance of vulnerability in client service and shows you how providing "naked service" can strengthen client relationships and improve your business. Naked service refers to being vulnerable with clients and demonstrating humility, selflessness and transparency for the good of a client. While many service providers try to demonstrate perfection and infallibility, naked service promotes providing service that is authentic - even at the risk of being wrong. The reward is that you'll win unprecedented levels of trust and loyalty from clients. Getting naked … (3 comments)
leominster: Last week in the News
- 06/07/10 03:57 AM
The Institute for Supply Management reported that the monthly composite index of manufacturing activity was 59.7 in May, after reaching 60.4 in April. A reading above 50 signals expansion.It was the 10th straight month of expansion. Total construction spending rose 2.7% to $869 billion in April, following an upwardly revised 0.4% rise in March. April's gain was the biggest since August 2000. The National Association of Realtors reported that its pending home sales index, a forward-looking indicator based on signed contracts, rose 6% in April, after a revised 7.1% increase in March. On a year-over-year basis, pending home sales are up … (0 comments)
leominster: Last Week in the News
- 05/24/10 01:38 AM
The National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo housing market index rose three points in May to 22. It was the highest reading since August 2007. An index reading below 50 indicates negative sentiment about the housing market. The combined construction of new single-family homes and apartments in April rose 5.8% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 672,000 units. Applications for new building permits, seen as an indicator of future activity, fell 11.5% to an annual rate of 606,000 units. The producer price index, which tracks wholesale price inflation, fell 0.1% in April, following a 0.7% increase in March. Economists had … (0 comments)
leominster: Last week in the News
- 05/10/10 01:04 AM
The Institute for Supply Management reported that the monthly index of manufacturing activity was 60.4 in April, after reaching 59.6 in March. It was the ninth straight month of expansion and the best reading since June 2004. A reading above 50 signals expansion. Total construction spending rose 0.2% to $847.3 billion in March, following a revised 2.1% drop in February. The increase was largely due to a 2.3% surge in public construction spending. Factory orders rose 1.3% in March, much better than the 0.1% decline economists had anticipated. It was the seventh straight gain and follows an upwardly revised 1.3% increase … (0 comments)
leominster: Last Week in the News
- 05/03/10 05:46 AM
The Commerce Department announced that gross domestic product — the total output of goods and services produced in the U.S. — increased at an annual rate of 3.2% in the first quarter of 2010. Economists had expected a slightly larger 3.4% increase. This follows a 5.6% pace of growth in the fourth quarter of 2009, marking the best back-to-back performance since the second half of 2003. According to the ICSC-Goldman Sachs index, retail sales rose 0.2% for the week ending April 24. It was the sixth consecutive gain. On a year-over-year basis, retailers saw sales increase 5.5%, the best … (0 comments)
leominster: Last Week in the News
- 04/27/10 07:02 AM
New home sales rose 26.9% in March to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 411,000 units from an upwardly revised rate of 324,000 units in February. Economists had expected a pace of 330,000 units. It was the biggest monthly increase in 47 years. The index of leading economic indicators — designed to forecast economic activity in the next three to six months — rose 1.4% in March after a revised 0.4% gain in February. It was the 12th straight monthly increase and the fastest pace of growth in 10 months. The Mortgage Bankers Association said its seasonally adjusted … (0 comments)
leominster: SHORT SALES: THE BASICS
- 04/22/10 11:38 AM
A short sale is when a home is sold for less than the amount owed on the mortgage for the home. This occurs when the bank agrees to take less than the full amount due on the mortgage. A seller does not have to be behind on a home loan to seek a short sale. If sellers wish to pursue a short sale, they must owe more than what the home is worth, demonstrate the house cannot be sold for the amount owed, and suffer from a legitimate financial hardship that makes the mortgage unaffordable. The next step … (3 comments)
leominster: The Homebuyer Tax Credits Expire Soon
- 04/07/10 12:33 AM
Let your clients know that the homebuyer tax credits will expire soon. If your homebuyers want to take advantage of these tax credits, they must act fast. The tax credits are available to buyers who sign purchase agreements on a new or existing primary residence between December 1, 2009, and April 30, 2010. Buyers have until June 30 to close on their new home. In addition to offering the $8,000 first-time homebuyer tax credit, the new law also allows a $6,500 credit for repeat or move-up homebuyers who have lived in their primary residence for five years or more. There is an $800,000 … (0 comments)
leominster: Last week in the News
- 03/29/10 12:38 PM
Existing home sales fell 0.6% in February to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.02 million units from 5.05 million units in January. The inventory of unsold homes on the market rose 9.5% to 3.59 million, an 8.6-month supply at the current sales pace, up from a 7.8-month supply in January. Orders for durable goods — items expected to last three or more years — rose 0.5% in February after a revised 3.9% increase in January. Excluding volatile transportation-related goods, orders posted a monthly increase of 0.9%.
New home sales fell 2.2% in February to a seasonally adjusted … (0 comments)
leominster: Last week in the News
- 03/07/10 03:18 PM
The Standard & Poor’s/Case-Shiller 20-city housing price index rose a seasonally adjusted 0.3% in December. It was the seventh consecutive monthly gain and follows a 0.2% increase in November. The consumer confidence index fell to 46 in February from an upwardly revised 56.5 in January. Economists had anticipated a reading of 55. The index was benchmarked at 100 in 1985, a year chosen because it was neither a peak nor a trough in consumer confidence.
The Commerce Department reported new home sales fell 11.2% in January to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 309,000 units from a rate of 342,000 … (2 comments)
leominster: Last week in the news
- 12/16/09 03:01 PM
Retail sales increased 1.3% in November, following a downwardly revised 1.1% increase in October. Excluding automobiles, retail sales rose 1.2%, the largest gain since January. Sales of building materials increased 1.5%, the biggest gain since April 2008. According to the Federal Reserve, consumer credit debt fell in October by $3.51 billion, an annual rate of 1.7%. Economists had forecast that consumer debt would drop $9.3 billion. That's a sign the financial crisis is easing as more households cautiously increase their purchasing activity. The Mortgage Bankers Association said its seasonally adjusted index of mortgage applications for the week ending December 4 rose … (0 comments)
leominster: BIG IDEA!
- 11/20/09 10:07 AM
Treat Your Current Customers Like Gold To retain your current customers, you need to keep in touch with them. Let these relationships lapse, and you risk losing the golden goose — that loyal and dependable source of business and referrals that has been the key to your longtime success. The good news? There are more ways than ever to stay close to your customers. Here are some ideas for staying in touch: Acknowledge your customers by sending thank you notes and special occasion cards (birthday, anniversary, holiday, etc.). Send informational flyers and include a discount coupon or gift certificate. … (0 comments)
leominster: Economic Update ~ Last week in the news.
- 11/09/09 09:56 AM
The Institute for Supply Management reported the monthly index of manufacturing activity rose to 55.7 in October from 52.6 in September. It was the highest reading since April 2006 and well above the economic forecast of 53. A reading above 50 signals expansion. The Commerce Department reported total construction spending rose 0.8% in September. Economists had expected a decrease of 0.2%. Private residential activity rose 3.9%, posting its best showing since July 2003. The National Association of Realtors reported that its pending home sales index, a forward-looking indicator based on signed contracts, rose 6.1% to 110.1 in September, following a 6.4% … (0 comments)
leominster: Homebuyer Tax Credit Extended! Signed Into Law November 6, 2009
- 11/06/09 12:30 PM
Homebuyer Tax Credit Extended! Signed Into Law November 6, 2009 President Obama has signed legislation to extend the Homebuyer Tax Credit. Passage of the bill was widely anticipated to further spur economic recovery in the housing sector, as more buyers are now eligible for tax breaks under the new law. The $8,000 first-time homebuyer tax credit was originally set to expire on November 30. In addition to offering the $8,000 first-time homebuyer tax credit, the new law also allows a $6,500 credit for repeat or move-up homebuyers who have lived in their primary residence for five years or more. The tax … (0 comments)
leominster: THE FED DELIVERS - we get another significant rate drop
- 03/19/09 06:28 AM
Hello Everyone, As of 2:15 yesterday, March 18th, rates are FANTASTIC. We've hit another refi boom and it will benefit buyers and sellers as well. This means 3 things: 1) Rates are low again so if you didn't refi in early January when they got low for a few days, now is the time. Don't get caught trying to time the bottom again. The bottom can disappear fast. 2) Rates are so low right now that it is an even better time to buy AND to sell. Talk to your sellers to about a price reduction, if necessary, to get … (0 comments)
leominster: Making Good Use of Renovation Loans
- 03/12/09 01:37 AM
When showing your clients a home that needs repair, give them some information on our Federal Housing Administration (FHA) 203(k) renovation loans. These loans are perfect for a bargain hunter who has spotted a fixer-upper or a foreclosure in need of immediate repair, or a client who has found a home that would be ideal if only there were a third bedroom and a second bathroom. Our renovation loans provide the money to both purchase the home and finance the home's renovation. With one loan, there is only one application, one set of fees, one closing and one monthly payment. At … (2 comments)
leominster: Do you Qualify for a home mortgage?
- 03/02/09 04:34 AM
Are you curious to see if you qualify for a home mortgage? Fill out a simple 2min online application @ http://www.DavidProspect.com Are you curious to see properties available in your area? Contact me @ http://www.BryceSabol.com ~~ Here for all of your Real Estate needs. … (0 comments)
Many companies are like acquaintances who always want something from you, but never give anything in return. They bombard you with offer-driven marketing, a strategy designed to generate new business through endless discounts and special promotions.
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