realtor: You May Be Pressworthy. Don't Overlook Your Own Value To Your Local Press. - 11/06/11 01:18 PM
A good opportunity for visibility, local coverage and links is press releases.
Now, before the eye rolls start, I need to address the fact that even press releases have been turned into spam by some entities online.  The key to a successful press release is a good, strong and legitimate angle that will make you pressworthy to your local paper(s).
Newspapers and print media are not worthless, despite what some will have you believe.  It's simply that their significance and their "place of value" in your marketing has changed in this Internet age.  Print media serves one main purpose:  To create … (0 comments)

realtor: Are You Really USING Your iPhone, Droid or Other Nifty Technology? - 09/12/11 07:18 AM
I remember my father telling me about the concept of planned obsolesence as a young man when I could barely comprehend the idea.  Back then  it was more tangible items, like today’s digital cameras which are built not so much to last as to be somewhat “disposable.”  You know the line:  “It would be more expensive to fix it than to just buy a new one.”
The latest and greatest technology may not be all it’s cracked up to be, depending on how much you really NEED and USE the capabilities of your phone.  Yes, the graphics are cool and access … (6 comments)

realtor: Is Your Listing Posted As A Rental/Lease On Craigslist Without Your Permission? - 06/22/11 08:17 AM
 
(Note: This is a duplicate post so I could include the groups that didn't fit on the first post)
This just happened to my sister and brother-in-law in Baton Rouge, LA and I thought it would be timely to share with you.
Their house has been on the market for about a year and the price happens to fall in that "in between" price range where houses just aren't selling very fast at all.  You know the range...not inexpensive enough to appeal to the bargain hunters and not expensive enough to appeal to the high-end house hunters.
Anyway, their real … (3 comments)

realtor: Craig's List: Has Someone Posted Your Listing For Rent Without Your Permission? - 06/22/11 08:14 AM
This just happened to my sister and brother-in-law in Baton Rouge, LA and I thought it would be timely to share with you.
Their house has been on the market for about a year and the price happens to fall in that "in between" price range where houses just aren't selling very fast at all.  You know the range...not inexpensive enough to appeal to the bargain hunters and not expensive enough to appeal to the high-end house hunters.
Anyway, their real estate agent notified them yesterday that she had seen their house listed for lease, complete with pictures showing the house … (7 comments)

realtor: Opportunity Is All Around...? - 05/02/11 01:01 AM
 

(note: this is a repost for the groups I couldn't include in the first post)
Residential real estate is perhaps the most unique of all sales arenas.  Sales trainers have said for decades that "opportunity is all around you."  That has varying degrees of truth, depending on what it is that you're selling.
 
With real estate, though, it's especially true becauseeveryone needs a place to live.  This can sometimes be forgotten as we miss opportunities to make new contacts while we're going about our own business.  Especially in this economy, it's important to be mentally prepared for those opportunities … (5 comments)

realtor: Are You Missing Opportunities? - 05/02/11 12:56 AM
Residential real estate is perhaps the most unique of all sales arenas.  Sales trainers have said for decades that "opportunity is all around you."  That has varying degrees of truth, depending on what it is that you're selling.
With real estate, though, it's especially true because everyone needs a place to live.  This can sometimes be forgotten as we miss opportunities to make new contacts while we're going about our own business.  Especially in this economy, it's important to be mentally prepared for those opportunities that arise when you least expect it.
I'm reminded of a conversation a couple of years … (3 comments)

realtor: For iPhone Users: You're Being Tracked - 04/21/11 01:18 AM
 
(Note: this is a repost for the groups I couldn't include on the first post.)
I just read an article this morning about how it has been revealed that iPhones track the owner's location and stores data about their whereabouts without their knowledge.
Surprise, surprise.
Color me jaded, but ever since the advent of the GPS and the various related apps available, I've been waiting for this.  There are so many devices and applications where we're compromising personal information that I'm actually surprised it's taken this long to be revealed. It's easy information just begging to be archived...which, apparently, is … (1 comments)

realtor: iPhone Users Be Aware Of This - 04/21/11 01:15 AM
I just read an article this morning about how it has been revealed that iPhones track the owner's location and stores data about their whereabouts without their knowledge.
Surprise, surprise.
Color me jaded, but ever since the advent of the GPS and the various related apps available, I've been waiting for this.  There are so many devices and applications where we're compromising personal information that I'm actually surprised it's taken this long to be revealed. It's easy information just begging to be archived...which, apparently, is happening...
"The unauthorized surveillance started in June 2010, when the latest version of Apple's mobile operating … (1 comments)

realtor: Average Home Values At An ALL-TIME HIGH - 04/19/11 01:49 AM
(this is a re-post for the groups I couldn't include in the first post)
I'm sure some of you are waiting for the punchline, right?  Actually, there is no punchline.  I felt kinda punch-drunk when I saw the Case-Shiller Home Value Index update from July of last year.
Then, strange thought occurred to me.
Except for the Housing Boom spike, average home values are at an all-time high.  Hard to believe, but see what you think:  CLICK HERE TO SEE A HUGE VERSION OF THE CHART
 
Home values are at an all-time high except for the housing boom.  Doesn't feel like it, … (0 comments)

realtor: Average Home Values At An ALL-TIME HIGH - 04/19/11 01:44 AM
I'm sure some of you are waiting for the punchline, right?  Actually, there is no punchline.  I felt kinda punch-drunk when I saw the Case-Shiller Home Value Index update from July of last year.
Then, strange thought occurred to me.
Except for the Housing Boom spike, average home values are at an all-time high.  Hard to believe, but see what you think:  CLICK HERE TO SEE A HUGE VERSION OF THE CHART
 
Home values are at an all-time high except for the housing boom.  Doesn't feel like it, does it?  For even greater contrast, compare the Boom peak to the … (1 comments)

realtor: Protect Your Domain Name: Throw This Letter Away - 04/18/11 03:47 AM


(note: this is a re-post for the groups I couldn't include on the first post)
If this letter is looking familiar, it wouldn’t surprise me. These things go out every day and if your domain name is coming up for renewal, be ready to receive one of these.  It’s vitally important in your social media and Internet marketing mix to protect your domain name.
(click here to enlarge the domain letter and take a closer look)
This letter is a scheme, pure and simple, and there’s an easy way to avoid it. Be aware of who you actually bought your domain name from and make sure … (2 comments)

realtor: Really...Are You Kidding Me? Agents, You Deserve Better - 04/06/11 08:37 AM
This is the same as my previous post, just posted again to the groups I couldn't include on the first posting... I'm a sports nut.  In the mornings after I get back from working out, I usually have ESPN radio on while I eat breakfast and start my day.  Mike and Mike in the morning and, if I work from home that day, the incredibly opinionated (and usually right on the money) Colin Cowherd.
There's a NAR radio ad I keep hearing that just chaps me.  I wish I had the script for it so you could see. It's a brilliant … (2 comments)

realtor: Really...Are You Kidding Me? Agents, You Deserve Better - 04/06/11 08:30 AM
I'm a sports nut.  In the mornings after I get back from working out, I usually have ESPN radio on while I eat breakfast and start my day.  Mike and Mike in the morning and, if I work from home that day, the incredibly opinionated (and usually right on the money) Colin Cowherd.
There's a NAR radio ad I keep hearing that just chaps me.  I wish I had the script for it so you could see. It's a brilliant example of the kind of self-important advertising approach most of corporate America has used for the past 20 years, and now … (3 comments)

realtor: Calling All Non-NAR Agents...Are You There? - 04/04/11 10:50 PM
Are you a practicing real estate professional who is NOT a member of NAR?  If you are, please leave a comment about why you chose not to be a member, the pros of not being a member and the cons.
I'm really interested in hearing your point of view and what the experience is like as a "real estate professional" rather than a "Realtor."  I'm a very inquiring mind at 5:45 in the morning. lol
Thank you for your time and your thoughts.  I hope you have a wonderful day:)
Cheers
… (3 comments)

realtor: Calling All Non-NAR Agents...Are You There? - 04/04/11 10:49 PM
Are you a practicing real estate professional who is NOT a member of NAR?  If you are, please leave a comment about why you chose not to be a member, the pros of not being a member and the cons.
I'm really interested in hearing your point of view and what the experience is like as a "real estate professional" rather than a "Realtor."  I'm a very inquiring mind at 5:45 in the morning. lol
Thank you for your time and your thoughts.  I hope you have a wonderful day:)
Cheers
… (0 comments)

realtor: Why Don't We Knock On Doors Anymore? Because Even THAT Has Become Systematized. - 01/25/11 05:38 AM
Once upon a time, a knock on the door didn't illicit the response it does now.  Once upon a time the exchanges were relatively pleasant in these instances.
So how did we get to this point where even salespeople themselves bristle at someone knocking on their door and most are even on the do-not-call list?
The answer is simple.
Systemization.
Systems have their place for the rudimentary aspects of performing a task, but you can't systematize heart or personality.
Once upon a time, the act of selling became littered with scripts filled with words that would ultimately be uttered by people … (3 comments)

realtor: Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt...And How We're All Paying For It - 01/05/11 07:33 AM

If we step to the edge of the chasm that has developed between consumer and real estate professional (really, in all sales realms) over the last few years, we would undoubtedly see a big "F-U-D" at the bottom of said chasm.
Yes, in addition to the sub-prime fiasco and its aftermath, real estate pros have to deal with the aftermath of decades of "training" in all fields of sales that have led to the distrust so rampant now from consumers.
I'm talking specifically of the aforementioned principal of FUD - Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt.  Creating a need where there really … (3 comments)

realtor: Video Testimonials - Let Your Clients Do The Talking - 12/18/10 10:09 AM

Some years back - mid 80's, I think - Aerosmith had a song called "Let the Music Do the Talking." Originally recorded by The Joe Perry Project, in case you're a music trivia loon like me. Anyway, the point of the song is to ignore hype and let the music speak for itself.
The same sentiment can be applied to your real estate marketing. With video easier than ever to incorporate into your marketing, it's important to remember that a few words from a happy client says more than a thousand words from you. Now, I'm not saying to avoid … (1 comments)