I have witnessed many changes in the real estate industry over the past 31 years and have always embraced them as good for our industry. What we are experiencing right now with Web2, social networking for business, and micro blogging is not a fad. These are exciting times, and I see opportunity for those who buy into it and get re-educated to relate to the e-consumer.

I threw this question out on LinkedIn last week and had so many excellent answers that I had to select “No Best Answer” I selected 8 as good of the 13. I would like to share a few points from each answer for you to ponder.

Alex Romanovich a Sr. International Marketing and Technology Executive focused on Demand Generation, Online and Social Media Marketing said in reference to social media: The need to listen, communicate, engage, and educate is there and RE Professionals can deliver if they start using the same tools that a consumer is using already.

Simon Ackland who is an Entrepreneur, Business Developer, Marketing and Digital Marketing, Wine Industry said: There is no doubt about it, the advent of web based marketplaces saves a lot of time, fuel and rubber. And a social network can allow an agent to communicate more quickly and effectively, giving more people the opportunity to take advantage of an offering than the old “hours on the phone” approach.

Mark Spiveya Provider of cost-effective streaming media and email marketing tools indicated: The Real Estate agent of the future will need to become far more Internet aware then ever before and will use all the tools mentioned above in order to gain a foothold in a highly competitive market.

Jose I. Perez, Jr. an Innovative Leader and Real Estate Industry Expert said: Those that “get it” will move forward and succeed. Those who don’t will eventually struggle.

MAJ Jamie Huggins, Space Operations Officer / Real Estate Broker said: I believe that real estate online is going to become “Googlefied”. I can see open source real estate listings online where clients post their own stuff and prospects comment and blog about specific properties. Customers will tell real state professionals what they need. It’s happening on the social networks right now.

Pat Soltysan owner at Soltys Inc. is a business and technology consulting company said: In real estate it is not only the agents who must change but also the leadership of all companies. At the brokerage level, this will be a defining point in the growth, dynamics, operations and philosophy that drive the bottom line.

Marcus Cage Business Management Consultant said: There will be a diminishing of real estate companies, due to a lack of effective marketing, service and structure.

Rose Hart, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Burnet said: The market has numerous variables for clients to consider other than just the style and price of the home. I think the web is extremely important now and in the future of real estate, because clients need and want as much information as possible to make informed decisions on pricing their properties for sale and also those looking to buy.

As you can see, all the above professionals have one thing in common which is the consumer. This is still a people business, however we are experiencing a paradigm shift with the tools and services that we provide. You can read the answers of all respondents in there entirety on LinkedIn.

What are your thoughts? More important than that, what are you doing to be better prepared? By the way, are you LinkedIn?

“Expect the Best” Mike

As a real estate trainer and consultant, I am available to assist you in all your marketing plans, technology, in addition to helping you take your real estate career to the next level. Contact me if you’re interested in hiring a personal coach and consultant to help develop your business.

There's new energy and enthusiasm in the Greater Lansing Regional area with businesses, events, and opportunity.  Most homeowners like the Lansing area because it's a great place to live, work and play.  With many projects in the works for future growth, I am optimistic that Central Michigan will begin to see light at the end of the tunnel for the challenging times we have experienced.

The housing market is beginning to bottom out with inventory continuing to shrink, pricing stabilizing, and pending sales beginning to exceed last years numbers. The residential market surplus was 9.2 months of inventory compared to 15.7 months last year at this time as of May 31, 2009. The average sale price is still down 19.2% over last year as of May 31, 2009 to offset the economic conditions and inflated market values of 2001 - 2006. Most real estate economists are beginning to think we have bottomed out. If that's the case, I believe we will see an increase in sales, gradually over the next 24 months. (That's promising)

Greater Lansing has many events, festivals and celebrations going on throughout the tri-county area this summer. Below, I listed three that you may want to mark on your calander to attend. The Greater Lansing Michigan Visitors Bureau has a complete list of all event and will allow you to get additional information.

June 21-27 Red Cedar Jubilee - Williamston
The Red Cedar Jubilee features parades as well as craft shows, a demolition derby, lawn mower races, a duck drop and a food and beverage tent with live music. While in town visit the antiques district.

June 27th 12-6 P.M. Delta Rocks! Family Festival - Delta Township
A free family festival featuring clowns, pony rides, inflatable attractions, games, kids' make-it and take-it crafts, music, live animals, super slingshot, face painting, turtle races, trackless train, concessions and more.

July 6-12  Common Ground Festival - Lansing
The Common Ground Music Festival is an annual celebration featuring an impressive array of headlining musical entertainment for seven nights! Be sure to bring a chair and enjoy the concerts under the stars!

If you're interested in learning more about the greater Lansing area real estate market, would like a more detailed report on market values, neighborhood sales or demographics, feel free to visit my site. Buying or selling a home in the greater Lansing, Michigan real estate market can be complicated without having the proper expertise and guidance throughout the process. Visit http://mikebowler.com  for tips that will assist you.

"Expect the Best" Mike

Mike Bowler Sr. ePRO, CRB, GRI, SRES
Coldwell Banker Hubbell Briarwood
1020 S. Creyts Road, Lansing, MI 48917
Phone: 517-492-3400 Fax: 888-832-6203
email: Mike@MikeBowler.com 
Website for Clients: MikeBowler.com
Search Listings

I’ve been using Postlets for sometime now, and have found them to be excellent for distributing my listings out to additional sites, Blogs and search engines. Every postlet comes with a dedicated, search-optimized landing page and a unique URL. Postlets come in ten stylish themes complete with integrated maps and other nifty tools. That's why, my sellers in the greater Lansing real estate market get additional market exposure, plus the homes are syndicated to various sites, including Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and many others.

Mike Bowler Sr. ePRO, CRB, GRI, SRES
Coldwell Banker Hubbell Briarwood
1020 S. Creyts Road, Lansing, MI 48917
Phone: 517-492-3400 Fax: 888-832-6203
email: Mike@MikeBowler.com 
Website for Clients: MikeBowler.com
Search Listings