RISMedia

<p> I am curious to know what other agents are doing in this economy that is working to get the word out about your listings. Are you using virtual tours, eflyers, mailings etc. </p>

<p> With the approval of the economic stimulus bill by the Senate, the package totals are an overwhelming amount over and above $750 billion. This package is a mixture including not only federal spending but also various tax cuts designed to bring some life back to the economy of the United States. </p> <p> There are many different provisions included in this bill. Many of those provisions would likely still be viable no matter what legislation follows. It&#39;s the responsibility of your realtor or real estate broker to be as informed as possible in regard to any and all effects this stimulus package could have on the real estate market, and therefore your ability to purchase a new home. </p> <p> This tax credit is expected to encourage more buyers to enter the real estate market, resulting in additional demand for real estate properties. While assuming interest rates remain steady at this present low level, and the usual spring market sales increase, this credit could potentially provide a seller&#39;s market for a short period of time. </p> <p> <a target="_blank" href="http://nicolemickle.com/?p=35">Continue Reading</a> </p> <div class="clearer"> </div>

<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Arial"> There are lots of studies by independents, websites that cater to real estate and by real estate related organizations that show results proving that having more and better quality photographs help greatly in the sale of homes online. And when I say online, I&#39;d like to point out that a survey that was done in late 2007 showed that almost 80% of the home sold in 2006, people started their search for those home online. It is now 2009 and I am sure that number has increased. With the number of households with a computer and internet access, eventually everyone will be searching for their new home on the internet. </p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Arial"> The results show that having more and better photography can increase the interest and number of offers on a home, increase the value (and final sales price) of a home and decrease the time on the market. With all this evidence, why would any professional Realtor not want to use a professional photographer to assist him/her in the selling of a home. </p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Arial"> One example in a recent survey stated that a home that was valued at $410,00 sold for $460,000 with professional photography. That is a $50,000 increase. Now if we say that you only get a 2% commission, that is $500 more commission. You paid $250 for photography and you made $250 more by using a pro. Not really an incentive, right? Wrong! Yes, you may have only made $250 more, but look at all the other benefits. </p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 12.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Arial"> 1 - You did not have to spend the time and expense of putting yourself in the &quot;photography business&quot; to save yourself money. </p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 12.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Arial"> 2 - You listing sold faster, now you have more time to concentrate on other listings and sales. </p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 12.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Arial"> 3 - You client made more money and are much happier with you and your service. </p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 12.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Arial"> 4 - When you are selling yourself to the next client (listing or sale) you can boast about your success and how by using a professional it added value to the home and to the sale. </p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 12.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Arial"> 5 - You look smarter and therefore like a much better candidate then the next realtor because you have some added value to selling their home because you recognize the importance of using quality (and quantity) professional photography. You have a team of professionals that serve you. </p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 12.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Arial; min-height: 14.0px"> </p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 12.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Arial"> So my question is &quot;Why don&#39;t Realtors use professional photographers?&quot; More specifically, why don&#39;t you use a professional photographer when you have that much to gain? </p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 12.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Arial"> What will it take for Realtor to get the importance and magnitude of how professional photography can work for them. It is a tool not an expense. It is kinda like advertising, advertising does not cost, it PAYS. Professional Photography does not cost, it adds a lot to the overall sale of the home, the price of the sale, the amount of time the home is on the market, the satisfaction of the client and the reputation of the Realtor. Where else can you spend $250 and get this kind of improvement in your sale. Nowhere! </p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 12.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Arial"> For those that take their own picture, its like me saying, I am going to sell my home FSBO. How hard can it be? </p>

<p> Has anyone been involved in the listing and sale of a commercial property consisting of boat slips and retail sales, restaraunt and bar business? I have a client that wants to sell and I&#39;m not sure where to direct them. </p> <p> </p> <p> Thanks. </p>

<p> Last month, the White House announced a refinancing effort for owner-occupied principal residences whose loans were backed by Fannie or Freddie. <a href="http://realtytimes.com/rtpages/20090313_investorreport.htm">Last week</a> Fannie and Freddie said they&#39;d also potentially refinance thousands of investor loans and mortgages on second homes and rental properties. The idea is to reduce foreclosures and renter evictions by putting owners in a better position. </p> <p> This is great news! Many real estate investors have been stuck with high interest rate mortgages, and due to the decline in home values, it has been impossible for them to refinance and take advantage of lower rates that are available now. </p> <p> This is certainly valuable information that agents should share with investor clients and prospects. In addition, Fannie increased the limit on the number of financed properties an investor can have on March 1st, and this also opens up the gates for investors to purchase more properties. </p> <p> Current markets have turned real estate into an investors&#39; playground, and if you are not marketing to investors, you are missing out on some great opportunities. </p> <p> <strong>You can learn more at the webinar for RealTown members on <a href="https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/972376170">3/18 @ 11AM PST</a>. The webinar is free for RealTown members, but space is limited and preregistration is required.</strong> </p> <p> <a href="https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/972376170"><strong>Click here to Register</strong></a> </p>

<p> This has always been the plan, since over a year ago. But in order to reap a benefit from the trouble you went to int he first place, you must participate. </p> <p> If you are often disappointed about the quality of information and posts here, you are not alone. Why don&#39;t you do something about it? Let me tell you specifically why you should participate: </p> <ul> <li>As the quality and participation in this, the biggest group on Realtown, increases, it will become more and more read, and be a better and better audience </li> <li>If you post quality content, Kayla can more aggressively edit bad content, increasing the value here </li> <li>The discussions will rank on Google! This is a wonder full way to manage your online reputation when someone Googles your proper name, establishing you as an expert. </li> <li>In a field of such lackluster quality, your gems of wisdom will stand out </li> <li>Such established and mildly managed profiles can completely control online reputation: example: Google Israel Rothman </li> </ul> <p> </p>

<p> Welcome Everyone! </p> <p> It&#39;s official...RISMedia has launched our new multi-media website AND teamed up with RealTown to provide a user-friendly forum. So what does this mean for you? If you&#39;re a devoted RISMedia subscriber (whether online, Daily Advisor, the magazine, or all three!) AND you loved chatting in our previous forums, welcome to your new home! </p> <p> As always, <font size="2">we welcome your discussions to continue. Not sure how to spark the conversation? Say hello to your fellow RISMedia Group members, for starters...</font> </p> <p> Stay tuned for more updates from RISMedia... </p>

<p> Sandy Simmonds knows the importance of building trust with her clients and providing them the most comprehensive system of real estate services in her market, the &quot;City Beautiful&quot; of Orlando, Florida. Her experience and results have elevated her success in the industry, but even with that, she says, in these trying economic times, she knew she needed to find something new, something that both helped her define and differentiate herself further, while at the same time offered her clients and prospects valuable information they could only gain through her. </p> <p> Enter the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.top5inrealestate.com/"><strong><font color="#003459">Top 5 in Real Estate Network</font></strong></a>. Simmonds, an agent with Prudential Florida Realty in Orlando, attended RISMedia&#39;s Top 5 in Real Estate Network&#39;s free seminar, &quot;The New Deal in Real Estate&quot; yesterday and immediately saw the value, she says. </p> <p> &quot;In a nut shell, Top 5 in Real Estate is a network membership of top real estate professionals committed to the future development of their professional skills and services to the consumers,&quot; she stated just after the seminar. &quot;The content will promote the real estate profession as a skill sector versus a service sector. The purpose is to create a greater respect from consumers and raise consumer expectations when choosing a real estate professional.&quot; </p> <p> She continued, &quot;Through RISMedia, members receive a constant flow of information and educational materials, for consumers and agents, through hard copy materials, daily online news, online articles, and videos. I believe they will also provide the ability to conduct webinars from my website. All of these materials are linked directly to my website(s) and updated on a daily and weekly basis. There are also systems available for marketing to expired listings, FSBOs and short sales, buyers and sellers.&quot; </p> <p> Florida agents interested in attending a free Top 5 seminar still have two opportunities in Naples tomorrow and Fort Lauderdale on Friday. Event details are as follows: </p> <p> March 5 - Naples, Naples Grande Beach Resort, 475 Seagate Drive, Naples, FL<br /> March 6 - Fort Lauderdale, Renaissance Ft. Lauderdale-Plantation Hotel, 1230 South Pine Island Road, Plantation, FL </p> <p> Both events run from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. </p> <p> The event is free, however it is requested that interested attendees register online. Visit <a target="_blank" href="http://events.rismedia.com/"><strong><font color="#003459">events.rismedia.com</font></strong></a>. For more information, e-mail <a href="mailto:%20events@top5inrealestate.com">events@top5inrealestate.com</a> or call Diane at 203.853-2167 x151. </p> <p> &quot;For less than $5.50 a day, I will effortlessly create valuable content on my website through RISMedia&#39;s leading real estate information systems,&quot; Simmons added. &quot;It&#39;s a no-brainer in terms of adding cutting-edge consumer resources to my toolbox. This is what buyers and sellers are looking for now and going forward.&quot; </p> <p> The Top 5 in Real Estate is a network of select real estate professionals from throughout the United States and Canada who have met the Top 5 in Real Estate&#39;s stringent series of various career qualifications and who are committed to the future development of their professional skills and services to the consumers and the community they serve. To learn about the program, <a target="_blank" href="http://rismedia.com/pdfs/RIS_Top5_CoverStory.pdf">read this month&#39;s cover story in RISMedia&#39;s Real Estate magazine</a>, where in an exclusive interview, the president of the Network, Allan Dalton, former president of Realtor.com, discusses in depth the details of the program and how agents will benefit. </p>

<p> Today, the National Association of Realtors announced: pending home sales declined on the heels of a weakening economy and with some buyers waiting for clarity on housing stimulus provisions. The release indicated that the <a href="http://www.realtor.org/research/research/phsdata">Pending Home Sales Index</a>, a forward-looking indicator based on contracts signed in January, was at the lowest level since tracking began in 2001. What&#39;s more, it also stated that NAR&#39;s <a href="http://www.realtor.org/research/research/housinginx">Housing Affordability Index</a> rose 13.6 percentage points in January to 166.8, a new record high--showing that the relationship between home prices, mortgage interest rates and family income is the most favorable since tracking began in 1970. So what does all of this mean to your marketplace? </p> <p> In the release, NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun also stated, &quot;Conditions have been aligning very favorably for home buyers with the exception of consumer confidence. But I am hopeful that sales will turn around by late spring and early summer because history suggests that home sales can rise even in times of job losses when housing affordability rises.&quot; </p> <p> So, how are you working toward creating /promoting consumer confidence in your marketplace to help consumers in your area realize the opportunity this economy brings? </p>

<p> I would like to know why there&#39;s so much talk about the housing market and what we need to do to stimulate it, but nothing is said about the professionals who support it! IE: Realtors, Mortgage Loan officeres, Appraisers, Home Inspectors, etc.. The stimulas plan does not help these professional. They are independant contractors (1099&#39;s) so they do not receive a pay check to take advantage of the reduced taxes, they cannot file claims unemployment benefits and cannot afford health coverage for themselves and their families. </p> <p> Last year before the melt down there were 1.3 million Realtors in the country and 58,000 mortgage lenders. All of which have families and bills to pay just like w-2 recipients. Then why isn&#39;t there a means for these industry&#39;s to benefit as well as everyone else? </p>

<p> How to keep track of it all </p> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> RISMEDIA, February 27, 2009-(MCT)-President Barack Obama&#39;s fiscal 2010 budget request is only the latest in a series of recent massive federal spending programs that have arrived so fast and furiously that many Americans might have trouble keeping track of them all. Here are the main ones: </div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in"> <span>-<span style="font: 7pt &#39;Times New Roman&#39;"> </span></span> The emergency stimulus package, enacted two weeks ago: $787 billion over two years. </div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in"> <span>-<span style="font: 7pt &#39;Times New Roman&#39;"> </span></span> The bank bailout package, enacted in October: $700 billion. </div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in"> <span>-<span style="font: 7pt &#39;Times New Roman&#39;"> </span></span> The federal loans to GM and Chrysler: $17.4 billion so far; $21.6 billion more requested. </div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in"> <span>-<span style="font: 7pt &#39;Times New Roman&#39;"> </span></span> Obama&#39;s request last week for a new mortgage-foreclosure relief program: $275 billion. </div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in"> <span>-<span style="font: 7pt &#39;Times New Roman&#39;"> </span></span> Treasury provided $200 billion in September to shore up Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac as it placed the mortgage-finance giants in federal &quot;conservatorship&quot; indefinitely. </div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in"> <span>-<span style="font: 7pt &#39;Times New Roman&#39;"> </span></span> Federal Reserve&#39;s two-year, $85 billion loan to American International Group in September, in exchange for a roughly 80 percent stake in the global insurer. </div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in"> <span>-<span style="font: 7pt &#39;Times New Roman&#39;"> </span></span> Funds for the rest of fiscal 2009, through Sept. 30: $410 billion. </div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in"> <span>-<span style="font: 7pt &#39;Times New Roman&#39;"> </span></span> Total fiscal 2009 budget: $3.94 trillion. </div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in"> <span>-<span style="font: 7pt &#39;Times New Roman&#39;"> </span></span> Total Obama budget request for fiscal 2010: $3.55 trillion. </div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> © 2009, McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. </div>

<p> Our top story for today details President Obama&#39;s plan to halt the soaring rate of mortgage foreclosures nationwide. With its aggressive timetable to begin action on March 4, the plan has three major components: </p> <p> - provide low-cost refinancing for as many as 5 million Americans who aren&#39;t behind on mortgage payments, at least not yet. </p> <p> - make another $200 billion available for mortgage finance. </p> <p> - help as many as 4 million distressed borrowers who are behind on their payments or facing foreclosure using $75 billion in Wall Street rescue funds </p> <p> Considering these elements and the additional components announced in the Stimulus Package - how or will these efforts help homeowners in your local markets? </p> <p> For more information, <a href="http://rismedia.com/2009-02-18/obama-unveils-plan-to-stem-foreclosures/">click here</a>. </p>

<p class="krtText"> A Pew Internet &amp; American Life Project survey released last week revealed that about 11 percent of online adults have used Twitter or a similar &quot;micro-blogging&quot; service, which allow users to post quick, brief messages to each other via a computer or mobile phone. Young adults are the largest percentage of Twitter users, with the median age of a Twitter user being 31. </p> <p class="krtText"> Here&#39;s the breakdown by age group: </p> <ul> <li>19 percent of online adults ages 18 to 24 </li> <li>20 percent of 25 to 34 </li> <li>10 percent of 35 to 44 </li> <li>5 percent of 45 to 54 </li> <li>4 percent of 55 to 64 </li> <li>2 percent of 65 and older </li> </ul> <p class="krtText"> How are you using Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and other social networking avenues to reach out in your marketplace? </p>

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<p> RISMedia&#39;s 21st Annual Power Broker Report &amp; Survey-the industry&#39;s leading report ranking the nation&#39;s top brokerages-is now available online. Inclusion in this listing of the real estate industry&#39;s &quot;who&#39;s who&quot; serves as an important competitive tool in today&#39;s challenging market. To go directly to the survey, click <a target="_blank" href="http://pbsurvey.rismedia.com/surveys/newuser"><strong><font color="#003459">here</font></strong></a>. The deadline for completion of the survey is February 23. </p> <p> <strong>Why participate?</strong> </p> <p> <strong>ELITE STATUS -</strong> You will join the industry&#39;s leading real estate companies when you are published in the largest circulated annual report of its kind in the real estate industry.<br /> <strong>PROMOTION -</strong> Your firm will be promoted to more than 600 local and national media outlets as one of America&#39;s largest real estate companies.<br /> <strong>READERSHIP -</strong> The Annual RISMedia POWER BROKER Report is read by more than 300,000 real estate professionals, thousands of leading corporate relocation decision makers and is accessible online to millions of interested consumers.<br /> <strong>RECRUITMENT -</strong> Appearing in the RISMedia Power Broker ranking is a great agent recruitment and retention tool.<br /> <strong>INVITATION -</strong> You will be invited to the 14th Annual RISMedia Power Broker Reception &amp; Dinner at the NAR Conference &amp; Expo in San Diego, California this November-an exclusive networking event with the industry&#39;s most successful brokers. </p> <p> Take the survey <a href="http://pbsurvey.rismedia.com/surveys/newuser">today</a>! </p> <p> And hey, while you&#39;re at it...check out RISMedia&#39;s new look: <a href="http://www.rismedia.com">www.rismedia.com</a>. :) </p>