Stefanie Hahn
By Stefanie Hahn
The two major players in the location-based check-in game are currently Foursquare and, simply because of the size of the network, Facebook. You are probably already a member of Facebook, which is really how Facebook will beat Foursquare in the end. Maybe.
Let’s start with the basics … If you haven’t heard about Foursquare yet, don’t worry. There are still plenty of people not sure what it is or how it works. In a nutshell, Foursquare is one of a few mobile networking sites that allow you to broadcast you location in the world and interact with others who are nearby. It was designed as a game, but has become more about social media than it is about play. Here is a cute video from the Foursquare folks describing the service in their own words.
I resisted Foursquare for quite a while – mainly because I didn’t really feel the world needed to know where I was at every moment and also because I didn’t really see the value in playing along. Then in February there was a whole debate about the “please rob me” sites popping up that told people when you were somewhere else – that was a bit creepy too. In the end, however, I signed up because I recognize when something cool is coming along. Continue reading »
Toby Boyce
By Toby Boyce
In my prior life I spent eight years working in higher education public relations where I heard over and over again that “any publicity is good publicity.” But I’ve never understood it.
A football team has the longest losing streak in the nation can get publicity, but is it good?
However, I whole-heartedly agree that any publicity is an opportunity to provide a positive side to a story — if it is managed properly.
For example, let’s take a situation I witnessed just this summer. A Columbus, Ohio, man was murdered on the front-steps of his rental home. Of course, the local television stations covered the story with the same gusto as TMZ heading after Paris Hilton’s alleged cocaine habit. The home is currently for sale, and the REALTOR® sign and the listing agent’s name were all prominently featured throughout the shots — on all three networks. If that wasn’t enough, the home’s owner was on one station saying something to the effect of “this is a common situation in this area, you hear gun shots all the time – day or night.” Continue reading »
By G. M. Filisko, contributing writer, HouseLogic
In today’s market, cleaning a house about to be listed isn’t enough to cop a higher sales price. To boost your listing’s appeal, share the free “Pricing and Prep that Sells Your Home” article package from the REALTOR® Content Resource.
Just two of the tips you’ll find there:
1. Have a home inspection. For $250 to $400, an inspector will warn you about troubles that could make potential buyers balk. Advise clients to make repairs before putting the home on the market. In some states, you may have to disclose what the inspection turns up.
2. Get replacement estimates. If your home inspection uncovers necessary repairs your client can’t fund, get estimates for the work. The figures will help buyers determine if they can afford the home and the repairs. Also hunt down warranties, guarantees, and user manuals for appliances you expect to remain with the house. Continue reading »
Brooke Wolford
By Brooke Wolford
I often wonder about how a lot of people handle the relationships they make using social media. Yes, it’s great to tweet, comment, or share, but what are you doing to build an actual relationship?
I often see others posting superficial things that they don’t have a passion for and they really have no knowledge to discuss. Isn’t it true that social media is about the conversation and not just merely posting something?
I am always concerned about my privacy, and yes, there are things I chose not to share. At the same time, it’s important to let people see who you really are. I cannot be fake, no matter how hard I could possibly try. “I am who I am.”
I look back at some of the longest relationships I have had on social networking sites. I know so much about them and when I meet them IRL, I know that there will be a comfortable conversation. We will have things to laugh about. Continue reading »
Rob Reuter
By Rob Reuter, YPN manager
Okay, so you’ve registered as a YPN member through REALTOR® Magazine’s Web site, joined your local and state YPN Chapter, and “Friended”/”Liked” YPN REALTORS on Facebook (if not, make sure you do all of the above). Well, now we have one more item to add to that list: You can now designate yourself as a YPN member in NRDS. For detailed instructions on how, please check out the how-to video prepared by YPN’s 2011 Chair Brian Copeland here: http://bit.ly/at7Zzb.
What’s the what-have-you-done-for-me-lately point? Well, it is the National REALTOR® Database and having the YPN designation in there makes you that much more officially YPN. We’re hoping to draw future e-mail lists from this database and it will take you less than one minute to do. Who knows, maybe we will require this designation to attend YPN events at the Midyear and Annual meetings and you wouldn’t want to miss what we have planned for New Orleans!
So if you are passionate about YPN and want to make sure you are up to speed with everything YPN, please follow Brian’s instructions and designate yourself in NRDS. And if you haven’t registered for NARdiGras, make sure you do so: http://www.realtor.org/convention.nsf/. See you in The Big Easy!
Bobbi Howe
By Bobbi Howe
In case you’ve been hiding under a rock and hadn’t heard, NARdiGras 2010, the REALTORS® Conference & Expo is being held in New Orleans November 5-8. Personally, I cannot wait for NARdiGras to get here as a) I’ve never been to New Orleans; and b) I love getting together with my fellow REALTORS® to network and learn.
As excited as I am for NARdiGras, I am even more excited about an event that will be taking place the 2 days before NARdiGras officially kicks off. I’m talking about the REALTORS® Volunteer Build Days November 3-4. Working in conjunction with the New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity and Rebuilding Together New Orleans, we will be working to rebuild and restore homes for deserving families in the New Orleans area.
I would like to personally invite every single member of the YPN family to come out and join us. Let’s come together and do something for the greater good. Experience what’s it like to work side-by-side with your YPN friends and fellow REALTORS® and give back to a community that has had so much taken from them. Our communities are the heart of our business. Let’s show this community what they mean to us. To register, just follow the simple instructions in the link above.
I look forward to seeing you all there! You’ll recognize me with the big smile on my face!
Bobbi Howe is a second-generation practitioner with Coldwell Banker General Properties in St. Joseph, Mo. She currently serves as outreach chair on the YPN Advisory Board and is a co-founder of the Missouri YPN chapter. @bobbihowe
Jeremy Williams
By Jeremy Williams
It’s raining around here, but not raindrops. The sounds of complaining and worry are always in earshot when working in a real estate market that has softened and seen some additional challenges as a direct result of government policy and tightening financial markets. Sometimes it is a drizzles and other times it is a down pour. The raindrops always seem to gather in the same places forming nimbus clouds of doubt and complacency. Getting caught in one of these storms can just flat out ruin your day and potentially your career.
My recommendation is to carry with you an umbrella, in case you end up around conversations that lead to a chance of rain. Keep your head up and focus on the key component of your business; lead generation. Don’t get sucked into the updraft created by an impending storm.
How do you avoid the rain? Know your market statistics and factors influencing your business. Be able to convey this information to your home buyer and home seller clients. Be willing to have the tough conversations with your clients if needed and always be upfront and honest. Get ready to adapt your business to meet the current market. Just as a ship will typically sail around a looming storm, learn how to stay clear of those who have chosen to focus on what might be a challenging situation as opposed to the solution to the situation.
Avoidance of the rain is best and typically your gut will provide an accurate forecast, but just in case, make sure you pack your umbrella before heading out today. Also know that the rain to shall also pass. Have a great week in the business.
Jeremy Williams of Keller Williams Realty NE in Kingwood, Texas specializes in the residential real estate market of Kingwood, Atascocita, and Humble, Texas. Visit his Web site at www.williams4yourhome.com.
Jeremy Williams
By Jeremy Williams
In a series I am teaching on social media to a group of agents at the Keller Williams Realty NE office in Kingwood, Texas, I have emphasized that social media should just be one of many components in an agents tool kit for lead generation. With all the new social media sites online, it can be overwhelming and it is easy to slip into the mindset of “I must be on all social media sites.” Are you experiencing these feelings? Are you spending more time on social media sites than with people? Have you become an addict?
Here is a 12 step program for REALTORS® to remedy your situation:
1. We admit we are powerless over Facebook, Twitter, Linked, WordPress and YouTube – that our lives have become unmanageable after staying up until 2 in the morning to monitor status updates.
2. Came to believe a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity, including lead generating using more archaic methods such as dialing a phone number or shaking a real, “not virtual,” hand.
3. Made a decision to turn off our computers thus stop sharing our personal photos of us in bathing suits at the lake and return to sharing our experiences in person. Continue reading »
Kelly Reark
By Kelly Reark
Recently, I had the opportunity to speak with some other real estate agents within our local association’s Board of REALTORS®. I noted something while I was talking to each of them that I want to pass along to all of you.
There’s no question that this real estate market is challenging and unique. There are agents out there who have learned to make the most of our current conditions. Like myself, these agents have a sunny outlook on the market in general. We have been proactive in identifying where the conditions are ripe for both buyers and sellers. We acknowledge the negative side of our market conditions, and find the benefit to it instead of dwelling on the downside. We are realistic and optimistic, and share that with our customers and friends.
On the other hand, some agents have a dismal outlook and approach to their business. They broadcast negativity and therefore attract negativity. Their sales are suffering and they are unhappy. Their customers have a similar, unhappy outlook for our real estate market. They have not realized that to every situation there is a possibility for good.
In real estate and in life, when you hear someone dwelling in negativity, take a step back. Be the one to take the time to find some good in the situation instead of getting sucked in to the whirlwind of bad. When you practice positive thinking and positive action, you will experience far greater success.
Kelly Reark is a native Floridian and e-PRO® with Gasparilla Properties, Inc. in Boca Grande, Southwest Florida. Visit her blog: www.BocaGrandeRealEstateNews.com.
By G. M. Filisko, contributing writer, HouseLogic
Fixed- or adjustable-rate mortgage? How do you answer that perennial buyer question?
Get the 411 on finding the right home loan—including eight questions buyers should ask themselves before choosing an adjustable-rate mortgage—from the free August “Financing Your Home Purchase” article package now at the REALTOR® Content Resource. Here’s just some of the information on adjustable-rate mortgages you’ll find there:
- An ARM does just what its name implies: Its interest rate adjusts at a future date. It moves up and down according to a particular financial market index, such as Treasury bills. Typically, ARMs include a cap on how much the interest rate can increase, such as 3 percent at each adjustment, or 5 percent over the life of the loan.
- ARMs can be a good choice if you expect your income to grow significantly in the coming years. ARMs also often offer a lower interest rate than fixed-rate mortgages during the first few years of the mortgage, which means big savings for you—even if there’s only a half-point difference. But if rates go up, your ARM payment will jump dramatically. Continue reading »
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