Posts Tagged ‘Real estate’
How Do You Keep Your Readers from Jumping Ship?
Posted by Sibet B Freides in Marketing, Social Media on September 13th, 2011
Most social media and email marketers are obsessed with how large their followers, fans, and email lists 
are. It’s a numbers game to them, but are they truly speaking to the right people?
Growing your list is imperative to your business, but so is nurturing the loyal subscribers you already have. How are you rewarding them for following you? Do you engage them or simply focus on the percentage of increase each month?
For real estate, you’ve heard that location is everything; for new media marketing it’s targeting. I’d reference sounding like a broken record, but iPods don’t get stuck : )
By targeting your audience, you have a chance to really connect with them, to find out who they are and what really matters to them.
When you do write to this targeted group, be sure and let your personality show. Marketing is no longer talking “at” your subscribers, rather conversing “with” them.
Is your content relevant?
Even if you spend time refining and targeting your readers and tweeters, if your content is not relevant to them they will delete you or unsubscribe faster than you can say, “Sign up for my free report”.
Always remember to put yourself in the reader’s shoes when you create updates and newsletters. Its not about what matters to YOU, its about what’s important to THEM.
Why Should Realtors Use LinkedIn?
Posted by Sibet B Freides in Marketing, Real Estate Trends, Social Media on August 23rd, 2011
Although much more conversational that its original intent, LinkedIn is still best used to gain 
professional connections. By linking up with mortgage professionals, appraisers and even other agents (for referrals or joint venture opportunities) Realtors can build a great network around the Social Web.
Remember that the right keywords are as imperative to LinkedIn as they are to Google, as LinkedIn itself is used as a refined search engine. This means don’t write lengthy, fluffy descriptions for your profile summary and specialties – use words that your prospects would logically be searching for.
One of the best things to happen to LinkedIn for branding yourself as the leader in your industry is the Groups feature. In addition to having a stellar profile, groups are another great way to cultivate relationships and generate leads. When you participate in conversations and offer useful, free information, you become the “go-to” person for all things Real Estate. Make sure you answer questions without selling your services and ultimately you will see how LinkedIn “word of mouth” marketing turns into leads!
Single Women and Real Estate
Posted by Sibet B Freides in Demographics, Real Estate Trends on July 27th, 2011
In 2010, unmarried women made up 20 percent of all homebuyers, according to the National Association of Realtors, compared to 12 percent of single men.
What’s responsible for such a variance? Some experts believe it is a sense of belonging, or “nesting” that drives single women to purchase a home.
The new trend of female buyers is actually causing builders to add some extra features geared toward attracting them, such as gourmet kitchens, more security features, and yards that require little or no maintenance.
So, what is the single woman looking for in a home? Like any other consumer, they desire a great location, good price, and a property that’s in good condition. It is important to single women, however, that the previous owner had given the home some TLC.
Interestingly enough, these buyers are from all different age groups and phases of life. Some are just out of college, others are divorced, widowed, and still others are empty nesters.
As single women focus on real estate, more builders and sellers will respond by catering to the needs of this buying group. We all know it is important to women that they get exactly what they want 
How Real Estate Agents Are Using Social Media
Posted by Sibet B Freides in Real Estate Trends, Social Media on July 13th, 2011
More and more agents are turning to Social Media to help sell homes.
In fact, more than half of the National Association of Realtors‘ member agents reported using social networking sites last year, compared with a little more than a third in 2009. Nearly two-thirds have a website and 1 in 10 has a Blog.
Even though online listings have been around for quite some time, many agents still prefer the in-person approach, as business has traditionally been done using agent-to-agent referrals. They are now starting to go where their clients already are: on Social Media.
Last year, 89% of buyers surfed the Web to find a house, while only 45% attended open houses and 36% looked at print ads, according to the National Association of Realtors’ Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers.
In order to make his online efforts pay off, agents must write about things that draw readers and not just regurgitate listings. Blog posts should focus on the town agents are selling in – interesting things that people will talk about and share.
When prospective buyers or sellers are looking for an agent, your blog makes it clear that you know the market, making you trustworthy and credible. It’s content, not self-promotion that attracts clients. Agents should not be afraid to have a personal take on area information.
In addition to Blogging, agents should not neglect Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Craigslist. Google AdWords campaigns are great for targeting buyers in the area, and MLS listings can be complemented using Realtor.com, Trulia, and Zillow.
Also new to the Real Estate market are the use of quick-response codes on for-sale signs so people can pull up to a house, aim a smartphone at the sign and download details right away.
Agents, are you using Social Media to its fullest to expand your business? Which mediums or channels work best for you? We’d love to hear about your struggles and successes, so feel free to comment below or post on our Facebook page to share your stories!
How to Market During the 3 Stages of Buying
Posted by Sibet B Freides in Marketing, Real Estate Trends on June 2nd, 2011
In an industry that once used print media as its primary form of delivering the marketing message, there is now an urgent need to employ the Internet to reach today’s homebuyer. A recent study by the National Association of REALTORS found that 94% of homebuyers are using the Internet when they buy a home.
Many real estate companies are “advertising” on the Internet, but they are failing to understand how to really reach their potential customers.
We already know that homebuyers go through 3 distinct stages during the prolonged process of buying a home. In fact, the average person shops a minimum of 12 weeks before purchasing. They start out seeking information about the types of homes that are available. It’s important to remember that they are not yet buyers, so as you lure them to your site you must also be able to answer their questions and provide real value, or they won’t return when they are more serious about buying.
Several weeks into the process, they begin comparison shopping and looking for information about neighborhoods, local market analysis, map-based property search engines, and using many tools and resources. The more resources and tools you have on your site, the more comparison shoppers have a reason to return to you for information.
Finally, these visitors are ready to buy. After months of researching they merely need the emotional trigger that will push them to make a move. It is imperative that your site is updated regularly, and that you have just the right devices ready to assist, but only when this buyer is ready.
Cheat Sheet on Second Home Tax Rules
Posted by Sibet B Freides in Real Estate Economics on May 31st, 2011
Are you in the market for a second home but are not sure about the tax benefits or what needs to be 
reported? Here’s a quick summary of the tax rules for second homes:
Second home use
If you use the place as a second home and not a rental, interest on the mortgage is deductible just as interest on the mortgage on your first home is. You can write off 100% of the interest you pay on up to $1.1 million of debt. You can also deduct property taxes paid on any number of homes you own.
Rental use
Many second-home buyers rent their property part of the year. If you rent the place out for 14 or fewer days during the year, that income is tax-free regardless of what you are charging for rent.
If you rent for more than 14 days you must report all rental income. You also get to deduct rental expenses, which can get complicated because you need to divide costs between the time the property is used for personal purposes and the time it is rented.
If you and your family use a beach house for 30 days during the year and it’s rented for 120 days, 80% (120 divided by 150) of your mortgage interest and property taxes, insurance premiums, utilities and other costs would be rental expenses. The entire amount you pay a property manager would be deductible, too.
If you limit personal use to 14 days the vacation home is considered a business and up to $25,000 in losses might be deductible each year. Fix-up days don’t count as personal use.
Tax-free
Although the rule that allows home owners to take up to $500,000 of profit tax-free applies only to your principal residence, there is a way to extend the break to your second home: make it your principal residence before you sell.
**Please note: This article is for informational purposes ONLY, you should consult a tax attorney or accountant to determine actual tax ramifications.
Will Boomers Reshape the Housing Market Once Again?
Posted by Sibet B Freides in Demographics, Real Estate Trends on May 26th, 2011
Baby Boomers used to be one of the largest targeted demographic groups in the housing industry. As their retirement funds diminished over the past few years, many were forced to work longer before considering a retirement home or community, which put them in a limbo of sorts with the future of the market.
There is a predicted Boomer comeback among builders, only this time the market and their needs will reflect a simpler product line. Land planners now have an opportunity to rethink community and home designs that were originally intended for that age group.
Retiring Boomers are still privy to developments restricted to older buyers, but they are seeking a greater variety of home styles than were offered during the housing boom.
The recession has resulted in less money to spend and brought about requests for less space than previously desired. Successful developments are actually scaling back home sizes by 200 to 400 feet.
With the possibility of younger Boomers continuing to work at least part time post-retirement developers should consider creating space for home offices in their floorplans.
Among the most popular amenities desired, walking trails and fitness centers are still number one on the list. Gated access and the feeling of security also play into the overall picture.
What other features do you think today’s Boomers are looking for? Do you think the 77+ million Boomers are a strong voice in market demands?
Will the Rental Market Prevail?
Posted by Sibet B Freides in Real Estate Trends on April 21st, 2011
A wise client of mine has said many times: the government had one good finance program. Congressional wisdom said, if we have one program working well, why not three? Right! So was born Fannie and Freddie.
Although the expansion has made home ownership easier and a profit for investment institutions, insurance companies, and developers/builders, it wasn’t 100% positive for America – thus the foreclosure rate and an economy that almost imploded a year ago. But we rode the tide; and it was great for a lot of people, including Idea Associates.
Regardless of the current state, I think that renting will be popular for many years due to these and other circumstances:
- It will be harder to get financing if you have any kind of credit issues.
- Reduced options available for lending.
- Social change – Generation Y doesn’t want to own as “early” as other generations and will delay home buying.
- Baby boomers now tend to rent in the south and keep their home in the north to experience seasonal comfort.
- Society as a whole has changed – people are mobile and want to be able to move for jobs and other reasons.
- The real estate market is snapping up apartment buildings everywhere, giving investors the impression that this is a hot market. Does that mean we’ll soon see all those condo conversions convert back?
Try Before You Buy – the New Way for Potential Homeowners?
Posted by Sibet B Freides in Real Estate Economics on April 18th, 2011
With banks being so stringent about homeowner loans, consumers are finding more and more that they need a back up plan. Enter the growing popularity of the lease to own option.
Lease to own requests are most common in hard-hit markets where foreclosures have driven down home prices and sellers can’t or don’t want to come down anymore on the asking price. If the house isn’t occupied it’s an opportunity to create some revenue for the seller.
But while sellers seem more likely to consider lease-to-buy arrangements, most won’t advertise it. Agents are reluctant as well, as it delays their commission.
What are the risks?
The renter-buyer could back out of the deal. For that reason, it’s important for home sellers to understand the difference between a lease option–where the renter simply has the option to buy down the road–and a lease purchase agreement, which requires that the renter put down anywhere from .5% to 2% of the sale price in earnest money or pay a monthly rent premium with a share of the rent going toward the purchase price. The sale price and timeline are also spelled out in the contract.
If the renter backs out, the homeowner does get to keep the earnest money, however they may not be able to get the renter to move out in order to put the house back on the market.
If renter-buyers don’t buy the home they’re usually out earnest money, unless they convince a homeowner to do a lease option with no strings attached. An agreement like that usually signifies a seller’s desperation, which would warrant further questioning regardless.
Conversely, what if the homeowner stops paying the mortgage? If the homeowner is foreclosed on, buyers of course have a claim against them, but will be competing with other creditors.
Potential lease-to-own tenants should at minimum ask for proof that the owners are current on their mortgage.
Strict loan requirements and rising rents – do you think least-to-own is the new growing trend? Is it a positive or negative trend in your opinion? Tell us by commenting below or post your thoughts on our Facebook page!
The Right Decision for Homebuyers in This Economy?
Posted by Sibet B Freides in Real Estate Economics on April 5th, 2011
According to the NAHB, Congress and the Administration continue to debate potential reforms of the housing finance companies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. But will these new policies further destabilize the struggling housing market?
The NAHB believes the proposed rules contain a harshly narrow definition of Qualified Residential Mortgage (QRM), requiring a minimum down payment of 20 percent, which would seriously disrupt the housing market by making mortgages unavailable or unnecessarily expensive for many creditworthy borrowers.
By stipulating such a large down payment for a loan to be considered a QRM, the Administration and federal agencies are appropriating congressional efforts to reform the housing finance system by imposing a narrow and rigid gateway to the secondary mortgage market. But attempts to recover this market with a myriad of dramatic changes across the board may not be the right answer in this economic climate.
While it is understandable that efforts are being made to modernize and stabilize the nation’s housing finance system, this extreme proposal could and would most likely cause renewed stress and uncertainty for borrowers who are trying to obtain an affordable, sustainable home.
A stable housing sector is essential for economic recovery and long-term prosperity.
Private capital must be the dominant source of mortgage credit, and it must also bear the primary risk in any future housing finance system.
Changes to the mortgage finance system should be done carefully and over a reasonable transition period to ensure that a reliable mortgage finance system lasts in the years ahead.
What are your thoughts? How will these proposed changes affect your business? Should Congress be this stringent with first-time homebuyers?
Share your opinions on our blog below or on our Facebook page – we’d love to hear your voice!
