5 federal programs homeowners should review in 2013
As homeowners receive their annual property assessments and taxable valuations in the mail, many will see the continued drop in the value of their home. Despite recent reports of declining “underwater” homeowners in the fourth quarter of 2012, there are still many homeowners looking for help.
“Property values are starting to creep up in some areas, but many homeowners are still underwater and owe more than their home is worth,” saiys Rick Bialobrzeski, GreenPath Debt Solutions director of communications. “Each week, we talk to hundreds of homeowners who are having trouble keeping up with their mortgage payments.”
The GreenPath housing department recently compiled a list of five government programs that homeowners should consider reviewing in 2013. Read More.
8 hidden but powerful Google tools for business
Just about everyone uses Google in some form for their business. I’m sure you know about Google Maps, AdWords, Google Analytics, and Gmail. You might also know about Google Drive, Google Calendar, and Chrome, Google’s Web browser. I even bet a few of you out there have delved into Google’s “Even More” section, where you’ll find several dozen Google products listed. But Google provides tools beyond those published in this section, and many of them can help you in your everyday marketing and business operations. Read More.
Maximizing your online reputation: part one
Business magnate Warren Buffett once said, “It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, you’ll do things differently.”
Think about this: In today’s business world, where so much takes place online, your reputation could be ruined in much less than five minutes. One erroneous click, and everything you’ve worked so hard to build could suddenly be at risk.
These days, it’s imperative that you have an online presence to effectively market your business. While we’ve long relied on word-of-mouth recommendations in the real estate business, it’s critical to realize that today, word-of-mouse (recommendations that circulate on the web) is gaining momentum. Did you know that two thirds of all consumers are using search engines to help them research and make purchase decisions? That means that before they turn to anyone else, they’re looking to the Internet to find out about you and what your business can offer them. With that comes an online reputation. Read More.
What do home buyers value most when looking for a home online?
Enough buyers begin their searches on a digital device these days that the information you present online about yourself and the properties you represent will be the first impression you make on potential clients.
Although desired home features vary somewhat according to region, type of home, and buyer demographic, there are certain features that are consistently attractive to today’s buyers. Interestingly, though, the importance of those features to searchers is very different depending on whether the home is new or previously owned.
According to the 2013 Profile of Buyer Home Feature Preferences, here are some of the differences in importance to the home searchers surveyed about interior design features. Read More.
10 ways to turn off a homebuyer
What a difference a couple of years makes.
Back in 2007, homebuyers would beg to purchase your house. They would even bid more than the asking price for the privilege to do so. Today … well, not so much. Once the real estate bubble burst and foreclosures poisoned the housing pool, buyers suddenly regained the upper hand. But instead of buying, they’re waiting, convinced that housing prices will continue to drop. Read More.
5 ways to build trust in the digital age
There was a time when the decision to do business with someone was based on the number of known options and the availability of information about that person or company. If you saturated your local market with advertising, or if you were the only game in town, there was a pretty good chance that you would be top of mind when the consumer was ready to buy or sell.
Things have changed dramatically. Consumers today are empowered with unlimited access to educational resources and information about every topic, product, or service they can possibly think of. The evolution of hyperconnected consumers in highly networked markets has forever transformed how we earn the trust of consumers and how we advertise or market our businesses. Read More.
LinkedIn: Don’t set it and forget it
Many times, LinkedIn becomes the “set it and forget it” network. But for real estate professionals, there can be a huge opportunity to connect with your current sphere as well as deepen professional relationships with people you recently have met.
If you haven’t been by LinkedIn lately, I highly recommend you check it out. There are two new features which can really enhance your LinkedIn experience. Read More.
America’s most surprising real estate boom: Downtowns are on the rise
One of the main factors that businesses consider when deciding on where to relocate or expand is the available pool of college-educated workers. And that has cities competing for college-educated young adults. “The American population, contrary to popular opinion, is not very mobile, but there is one very significant exception, what we call ‘the young and the restless,’” explains Lee Fisher, president of CEOs for Cities, a national not-for-profit organization that helps U.S. cities map out economic growth. Read More.
Refinance before June 3rd to avoid FHA rule changes
Thinking about refinancing your existing mortgage, or taking out a new one? Don’t delay, or it could cost you. Some Federal Housing Administration (FHA) changes involving tighter lending standards and higher mortgage insurance premiums already took effect on April 1st, while others are on the way – and these changes could make a dent in your wallet.
So what’s prompting these changes? They come in the wake of the FHA’s Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund – which is used to fund homeowner programs – announcing a deficit of over $16.3 billion for fiscal year 2013. Read More.
8 tips to sell an old home to young buyers
Selling any home can be challenging, depending on the market. But if you have an old home and want to appeal to young buyers in their 20s and early 30s, you may need to take some extra steps.
First, you’ll need to assuage the fears of those young buyers about maintaining a home that was around during the real “Mad Men” days. Second, you’ll need to showcase the features that have the most appeal to young couples and families. The following eight tips won’t cost a lot of money, and they could reap you an early offer. Read More.
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