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.
5 housing and mortgage trends to get ready for this spring
Homeowners who endured years of declining home values will discover that the game has changed in their favor.
With low mortgage rates and home prices gaining momentum, an increasing number of buyers are expected to shop for homes this spring. The good news for sellers: The inventory of homes for sale is shrinking, so they have less competition and more control of the situation.
Loan mods: As more distressed homeowners regain equity in coming months, many with high-interest loans will be able to refinance and perhaps cash out some equity. If you fell behind on your mortgage payments, you might get a second chance to modify your loan.
Homebuyers are losing bargaining power as the market shifts in favor of sellers. But home prices remain attractive for the most part, and low mortgage rates should stay on their side for a little longer. Read More.
CoreLogic scoops up Case-Shiller
CoreLogic announced the acquisition of Case-Shiller from Fiserv in conjunction with its first-quarter 2013 earnings report.
The acquisition, which closed on March 20, comes with the rights to publish one of the most well-known home price indices—the S&P/Case-Shiller.
Before the sale, Case-Shiller was owned by Fiserv and published the regarded S&P/Case-Shiller report while maintaining a licensing agreement with S&P, sources tell HousingWire. CoreLogic’s acquisition of Case-Shiller essentially transfers all Fiserv publishing rights and agreements to CoreLogic. Read More.
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