Online and automated real estate lead generation services are provided by companies that do the bulk of your lead generation work for you. In return for payment, they provide you with targeted leads of prospective clients who are investigating the sale of their home, thinking about buying a home or actively searching for a real estate agent.
But who are these companies, how do they work, what information can you expect to derive from their services, and what do they charge? For a breakdown of some of the industry's most popular real estate lead generation companies, keep reading.
Realty Generator
Realty Generator syncs your local MLS listings with your website, manages search engine advertising spending, offers cell phone alerts, and includes CRM (Customer Relationship Management) software.
House Values
House Values is a website that lets homeowners type in their zip code and real estate property info in exchange for a home evaluation, provided by you. In turn, they collect the visitor's contact info and pass it on to you for a nominal fee.
House By Mouse
Through a variety of websites and MLS listings, House by Mouse collects visitor information and passes it on to you. You get email updates, including those local prospects' contact info and, in turn, pay per lead generated. They charge about $12.95 per lead.
Realtor Exposure (http://www.realtorexposure.com)
Realtor Exposure works by providing you with a personal website that is designed to capture leads from buyers and sellers who are searching for home information in your area. Those leads are delivered to your cell phone or email. They also guarantee that your site will appear on the first page of search engine results, but this isn't confirmed.
1to1Red (http://1to1red.com)
1to1Red allows you to set your monthly budget and then creates a personalized lead generation program based on that budget. They can manage advertising, online campaigns and pass on potential leads right to your inbox. Their focus is on quality leads and providing you with all the tracking information you need to stay on top of your marketing.
For an average of 5-15 quality leads per month with 1to1Red.com, you can expect to pay approximately $500.
HomeGain (http://homegain.com)
HomeGain's biggest selling feature is that you only pay a referral fee if you close a deal. They offer customized coverage areas for a low monthly subscription rate and, in turn, provide you with the contact information of web searchers looking for a home evaluation or realtor.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Why take the services of property dealer in India? by Rock Jones
Finding best property dealer in India is not a child's play and requires thorough knowledge and expertise on the subject. Everyone dreams of having his own house some day but when it comes to buying one they do not know whom to approach. Here, property dealer in India comes for rescue and assist people find the house of their dream under their budget. Undoubtedly, property dealer in India are considered and looked upon as a reliable and trustworthy medium that has the answer to all your property needs. Before showing you the property a good dealer always study the pros & cons associated with it. And after conducting thorough research he finds the best property options for you to choose from. Property dealer in India provides assistance in finding the best location for your house and office space.
The two important factors a person needs to consider while buying a property from a Property dealer in India are the rates and locality. Everyday hundreds of houses and offices are purchased and sold, but a normal resident hardly get any info or details about it. That's why they need the highly specialized services of real estate agents and property dealer in India. They usually maintain the list of all the available plots, houses and offices with them and after consulting the seller they prepare the best deal which, quite often, is beneficial for the buyer as well as the seller. As a token of their valuable service, property dealers get commission which is generally a fixed percentage calculated on the value of property. Today, the real estate market is flooded with property dealers who promise to render one of the best services and find the most advantageous deal for you. However, very few of them are genuinely good and rest makes fake promises. So, it is highly advisable that you seek quality help from your friends, colleagues and relatives before you approach a Property dealer in India. To know more about real estate agents, property buyers and property dealer in India visit http://www.trspro.com now.
The two important factors a person needs to consider while buying a property from a Property dealer in India are the rates and locality. Everyday hundreds of houses and offices are purchased and sold, but a normal resident hardly get any info or details about it. That's why they need the highly specialized services of real estate agents and property dealer in India. They usually maintain the list of all the available plots, houses and offices with them and after consulting the seller they prepare the best deal which, quite often, is beneficial for the buyer as well as the seller. As a token of their valuable service, property dealers get commission which is generally a fixed percentage calculated on the value of property. Today, the real estate market is flooded with property dealers who promise to render one of the best services and find the most advantageous deal for you. However, very few of them are genuinely good and rest makes fake promises. So, it is highly advisable that you seek quality help from your friends, colleagues and relatives before you approach a Property dealer in India. To know more about real estate agents, property buyers and property dealer in India visit http://www.trspro.com now.
Understanding Home Equity Loans by Shirley Veron, CPA
With the recent real estate market growth, many homeowners have started to explore home loan refinance options, such as home equity loans and home equity lines of credit (HELOC), in order to leverage the gains in their homes. Home equity loans are home mortgages that enable homeowners to free up cash from their original home mortgage in order to make additional investments such as home renovation, college education, or debt consolidation.
As opposed to new home mortgages, home loan refinance allows you to apply for a loan amount greater than the previous loan amount, yet they are similar in the sense that both home loans are secured by collateral. PersonalHomeLoanMortgages.com provides a useful resource for homeowners to learn more about home mortgages and home loan refinance options.
HELOC differs from traditional home loans because it gives homeowners access to an open line of credit, where only the outstanding balance accrues interest. Additionally, HELOCs provide flexibility by allowing you to borrow money as needed. In contrast, home equity loans are more suitable if you need to pay a large amount all at once, such as consolidating your debt. Home equity loans and lines of credit are attractive home loans due to the fact that they are tax deductible and generally offer lower interest rates than credit cards.
In order to gain access to these type of home equity loans, borrowers must meet specific criteria established by lenders but some typical determining factors include things such as your income, credit history, and the loan-to-value ratio of your property. The loan-to-value ( LTV ) ratio of your home is calculated by dividing the fair market value of your home by the amount of your home loan. For example, a house valued at $100, 000 with a $75,000 home loan and down payment of $25,000 is said to have a 75 percent LTV ratio, because the loan is worth 75 percent of the property's value.
Finally, a borrower should also be prepared to pay a certain percentage of the overall home loan as a lender fee. These fees usually range anywhere from 2 to 5 percent and may include, but are not limited to, things such as appraisal costs, document preparation, and application costs.
To learn more go to Understanding Home Equity Loans.
As opposed to new home mortgages, home loan refinance allows you to apply for a loan amount greater than the previous loan amount, yet they are similar in the sense that both home loans are secured by collateral. PersonalHomeLoanMortgages.com provides a useful resource for homeowners to learn more about home mortgages and home loan refinance options.
HELOC differs from traditional home loans because it gives homeowners access to an open line of credit, where only the outstanding balance accrues interest. Additionally, HELOCs provide flexibility by allowing you to borrow money as needed. In contrast, home equity loans are more suitable if you need to pay a large amount all at once, such as consolidating your debt. Home equity loans and lines of credit are attractive home loans due to the fact that they are tax deductible and generally offer lower interest rates than credit cards.
In order to gain access to these type of home equity loans, borrowers must meet specific criteria established by lenders but some typical determining factors include things such as your income, credit history, and the loan-to-value ratio of your property. The loan-to-value ( LTV ) ratio of your home is calculated by dividing the fair market value of your home by the amount of your home loan. For example, a house valued at $100, 000 with a $75,000 home loan and down payment of $25,000 is said to have a 75 percent LTV ratio, because the loan is worth 75 percent of the property's value.
Finally, a borrower should also be prepared to pay a certain percentage of the overall home loan as a lender fee. These fees usually range anywhere from 2 to 5 percent and may include, but are not limited to, things such as appraisal costs, document preparation, and application costs.
To learn more go to Understanding Home Equity Loans.
Network Marketing Top Key Secrets Revealed by Teresa Mercier, Professional Network Marketing Leader
What Top Key Secrets? - Anybody can say that! Sure they can...it depends what value is behind the scenes of saying that. And how a Writer is 100000% convinced that she communicates a value to the Reader.
Starting with Prospect-to-Distributor Conversion. And further - to Distributor Retention.
To my feeling it's a very intense issue in Network Marketing. And it is overlooked by a many at a very first stage====>Prospecting Stage. Let's face it together - you and I.
Top Key Secrets Revealed
If you really think about it, Distributor retention starts rooting as early as at Prospecting Stage. That is when a Prospect converts into a Rep (Distributor).
Why? Because the story is WHO is the prospect converted into Distributor. - WHO is the essence HOW to fix a dropping Distributor Retention in your business - and the entire Network Marketing.
Here comes an ingredient of Top Key Secrets Revealed: It's impossible to relax about a current Distributor Retention. It's in a disastrous state. We all need to nourish it, so we consequently nourish our dream to Become More.
Not just "have more" in a sense of material possessions. Become More. Too many folks in everyone's organization have wasted too much time and too much money on prospecting - with minor results in Distributor Retention.
Why to continue investing into anti-formulas?
- Anti-formulas meaning formulas that result in business go-down. Enough is enough! Time to stop feeding bitterness. Time to reverse a vicious circle of Reps quitting after a month or so. They quit because they were an un-qualified Prospect to begin with.
*** Want to know how to tell a qualified from unqualified prospect? See my post: Network Marketing Where Qualified Prospect is Welcome ***
Online Sponsoring formula was born from frustration.
See, it's not enough that leverage is promised by your MLM Company's comp plan. You need a result producing strategy, the formula that will build that leverage.
The 3 guys that are absolutely geniuses mind-wise couldn't make it in Network Marketing. They lacked a leverage producing strategy.
And one of them even lived in unfurnished apartment as a consequence of not-making it in Network Marketing.
But the Internet-genius-mind and human-skill genius in Mike, Tim and Tom produced the strategy that is now sweeping all continents.
What does it mean for YOU? - Simply means you are no longer in a guessing game for your recruiting - You can now recruit like a Pro.
From that bitterness, from that disappointment, disenchantment and unhappiness has stemmed THE formula. - The formula for professional traffic that knows what they are looking for, traffic that does not have to be "convinced" about anything. - Traffic of Prospects that thinks intelligently enough, for you to WANT to welcome them to your Home-Based Business enterprise.
Another essential
That traffic thinks intelligently enough to see the formula you are using. It's the formula through which they came Online to you.
You don't have to twist their arm to have them understand they will be utilizing the same formula you do - They visualize their own future traffic coming in, by using the same formula that you use to find them.
- And BINGO! They finally can add-in what has been missing in their vision: "Ok, I want to build home-based biz...but how do I get people to join me?"
They have found the answer to it through you who uses the same formula - strategy to prospect and recruit Online - By attraction. - Natural Human Attraction.
I am here to discourage you: am here to discourage you from opening my link to download the golden info that quadrupled my prospect-to-Distributor conversion.
Why am I to discourage you to open this link? - Because I don't know you. I don't know if you appreciate the precious time these guys put-in to give you access to these FREE videos designed to crash frustration of Home-Based Business Owners. Speakers ON
http://MLMBizOnlineDynamicRecruitingSolidRetention.com
To uplift your business, go here and take your recruiting by a storm: http://MLMBizOnlineDynamicRecruitingSolidRetention.com
P.S. Recruiting by this strategy became dynamic and FINALLY Distributor Retention is becoming solid.
* Claudine Palambino, Nurse's Aide after plugging into my system, consistently sponsored 5-8 people a month.
* Natalie Fromson was a sales rep for numerous companies before MLM. Sponsored 4 people in her first week and then went on to sponsor 17 people a month.
* Lubinal Coromel, a truck driver is bringing in no less than 8-9 people every month.
* Theresa Mathise, who worked in a Day-Care before MLM, has sponsored 7-10 people or more every single month.
* Brandy Reed, who was a construction lady and and a speech patology coach, sponsored 6-10 people a month. closing ratio).
* Rich Dalemma, a real Estate Broker sponsored 6 people in his first month and continued to sponsor anywhere from 11 to 14 people every month after that.
* Sylvester Wachan, a former teacher, got immediate results sponsored 8 people in the first 11 days.
* Rocky Nicholson, brought in over 20 people a month. In his best month he sponsored 21 people
* Gracian Dolmer, a full-time medical student sponsored 19 people in 29 days. On average he brings-in 4 people every single week
Starting with Prospect-to-Distributor Conversion. And further - to Distributor Retention.
To my feeling it's a very intense issue in Network Marketing. And it is overlooked by a many at a very first stage====>Prospecting Stage. Let's face it together - you and I.
Top Key Secrets Revealed
If you really think about it, Distributor retention starts rooting as early as at Prospecting Stage. That is when a Prospect converts into a Rep (Distributor).
Why? Because the story is WHO is the prospect converted into Distributor. - WHO is the essence HOW to fix a dropping Distributor Retention in your business - and the entire Network Marketing.
Here comes an ingredient of Top Key Secrets Revealed: It's impossible to relax about a current Distributor Retention. It's in a disastrous state. We all need to nourish it, so we consequently nourish our dream to Become More.
Not just "have more" in a sense of material possessions. Become More. Too many folks in everyone's organization have wasted too much time and too much money on prospecting - with minor results in Distributor Retention.
Why to continue investing into anti-formulas?
- Anti-formulas meaning formulas that result in business go-down. Enough is enough! Time to stop feeding bitterness. Time to reverse a vicious circle of Reps quitting after a month or so. They quit because they were an un-qualified Prospect to begin with.
*** Want to know how to tell a qualified from unqualified prospect? See my post: Network Marketing Where Qualified Prospect is Welcome ***
Online Sponsoring formula was born from frustration.
See, it's not enough that leverage is promised by your MLM Company's comp plan. You need a result producing strategy, the formula that will build that leverage.
The 3 guys that are absolutely geniuses mind-wise couldn't make it in Network Marketing. They lacked a leverage producing strategy.
And one of them even lived in unfurnished apartment as a consequence of not-making it in Network Marketing.
But the Internet-genius-mind and human-skill genius in Mike, Tim and Tom produced the strategy that is now sweeping all continents.
What does it mean for YOU? - Simply means you are no longer in a guessing game for your recruiting - You can now recruit like a Pro.
From that bitterness, from that disappointment, disenchantment and unhappiness has stemmed THE formula. - The formula for professional traffic that knows what they are looking for, traffic that does not have to be "convinced" about anything. - Traffic of Prospects that thinks intelligently enough, for you to WANT to welcome them to your Home-Based Business enterprise.
Another essential
That traffic thinks intelligently enough to see the formula you are using. It's the formula through which they came Online to you.
You don't have to twist their arm to have them understand they will be utilizing the same formula you do - They visualize their own future traffic coming in, by using the same formula that you use to find them.
- And BINGO! They finally can add-in what has been missing in their vision: "Ok, I want to build home-based biz...but how do I get people to join me?"
They have found the answer to it through you who uses the same formula - strategy to prospect and recruit Online - By attraction. - Natural Human Attraction.
I am here to discourage you: am here to discourage you from opening my link to download the golden info that quadrupled my prospect-to-Distributor conversion.
Why am I to discourage you to open this link? - Because I don't know you. I don't know if you appreciate the precious time these guys put-in to give you access to these FREE videos designed to crash frustration of Home-Based Business Owners. Speakers ON
http://MLMBizOnlineDynamicRecruitingSolidRetention.com
To uplift your business, go here and take your recruiting by a storm: http://MLMBizOnlineDynamicRecruitingSolidRetention.com
P.S. Recruiting by this strategy became dynamic and FINALLY Distributor Retention is becoming solid.
* Claudine Palambino, Nurse's Aide after plugging into my system, consistently sponsored 5-8 people a month.
* Natalie Fromson was a sales rep for numerous companies before MLM. Sponsored 4 people in her first week and then went on to sponsor 17 people a month.
* Lubinal Coromel, a truck driver is bringing in no less than 8-9 people every month.
* Theresa Mathise, who worked in a Day-Care before MLM, has sponsored 7-10 people or more every single month.
* Brandy Reed, who was a construction lady and and a speech patology coach, sponsored 6-10 people a month. closing ratio).
* Rich Dalemma, a real Estate Broker sponsored 6 people in his first month and continued to sponsor anywhere from 11 to 14 people every month after that.
* Sylvester Wachan, a former teacher, got immediate results sponsored 8 people in the first 11 days.
* Rocky Nicholson, brought in over 20 people a month. In his best month he sponsored 21 people
* Gracian Dolmer, a full-time medical student sponsored 19 people in 29 days. On average he brings-in 4 people every single week
How Pre-Paid Legal Services Saved Me a Bunch of Money on Taxes by Carl Coffin
I purchased a Pre-paid legal membership two years ago. As a member I pay $26.00 a month for a wide range of legal services.
One of the benefits that came with the membership was the ability to pick up a phone anytime during normal business hours and speak with an attorney. If I wanted to chat for 30 min. or an hour it didn't matter, my monthly membership fee stays the same.
During 2005 I opened up a LLC (Limited Liability Company) for my real estate business. It seemed like a good idea at the time and I liked the asset protection that the LLC provided. In 2006 I decided to put my real estate business on hold and try something different. However, I did not close my LLC. I left it open on the pretence that I would work my real estate business in the future.
During May 2006 I decided to build a network marketing business. I left the LLC alone for an entire year. When I went to file my taxes at the beginning of 2007 I went to a local accountant. I explained my situation to her and this is what I gave her.
1. My personal income W-2
2. My business income 1099
3. LLC info.
Now, as far as my personal and 1099 were concerned they didn't present a problem, however when it came to my LLC, she told me that I would need to contact a CPA and fill out a business return.
I was confused, especially sense the LLC didn't produce any money for the year. I also knew that she wanted to charge me $500.00 to complete my return as is and a CPA would be even more.
I know this sounds cliche, but what did I do? That's right, I called my TAX ATTORNEY. I ran my situation by her and she informed me that all I had to do was file my 1040 and schedule C for my network marketing business and file an additional schedule C for my LLC just showing that the LLC made no profit for the year. That's it! No CPA!
I took my attorney's advise and filled out all the returns and submitted them electronically for a little over $100.00. I saved $400.00.
It was great to have an experienced attorney to call when I needed help. The best part is the advise I got was right on, I've had no problems with the IRS for that tax year.
Learn more about me at http://www.CarlCoffin.com
One of the benefits that came with the membership was the ability to pick up a phone anytime during normal business hours and speak with an attorney. If I wanted to chat for 30 min. or an hour it didn't matter, my monthly membership fee stays the same.
During 2005 I opened up a LLC (Limited Liability Company) for my real estate business. It seemed like a good idea at the time and I liked the asset protection that the LLC provided. In 2006 I decided to put my real estate business on hold and try something different. However, I did not close my LLC. I left it open on the pretence that I would work my real estate business in the future.
During May 2006 I decided to build a network marketing business. I left the LLC alone for an entire year. When I went to file my taxes at the beginning of 2007 I went to a local accountant. I explained my situation to her and this is what I gave her.
1. My personal income W-2
2. My business income 1099
3. LLC info.
Now, as far as my personal and 1099 were concerned they didn't present a problem, however when it came to my LLC, she told me that I would need to contact a CPA and fill out a business return.
I was confused, especially sense the LLC didn't produce any money for the year. I also knew that she wanted to charge me $500.00 to complete my return as is and a CPA would be even more.
I know this sounds cliche, but what did I do? That's right, I called my TAX ATTORNEY. I ran my situation by her and she informed me that all I had to do was file my 1040 and schedule C for my network marketing business and file an additional schedule C for my LLC just showing that the LLC made no profit for the year. That's it! No CPA!
I took my attorney's advise and filled out all the returns and submitted them electronically for a little over $100.00. I saved $400.00.
It was great to have an experienced attorney to call when I needed help. The best part is the advise I got was right on, I've had no problems with the IRS for that tax year.
Learn more about me at http://www.CarlCoffin.com
Advantage Of Wholesale Dropship by Adwerd Clark
With dropshipping there is a major advantage- you don’t have to make any upfront purchases. This is a great solution for people that don’t know what to should sell. All you have to do is offer your product. When it sells, you send an email to the drop shipping company and they will ship it for you. Will use your name as shipper. People don't realize that if you call the manufacturer they will provide you with a list of their distributors; so if you are looking for a particular product ask the manufacturer. Finding Buy Real Estate Wholesale Hard Money Lender In Wv is easy. Let's use then our example of a $10 book that costs you $2 to produce in lots of 1000. You see they DO provide access to one two or maybe a few REAL drop shippers.
I'd also just love to pay a fortune for warehouse employees a sales force a sales office and basically spend a great deal of time re-inventing everything that you've already had set up and running for years in your wholesale distribution business!" "Hey Mike that sounds great! You already have the warehouses the delivery mechanisms the sales force and contacts with thousands of retail stores. In some cases you might get an order for a product that is out of stock. You know, when I first started selling on Ebay, I did what everyone of you has done. I went to google or msn and typed in wholesale or wholesale distributor, and I expected that it would be easy to find the perfect wholesale distributor for whatever item that I wanted. Well let me tell you something: there is a lot of garbage out there. See Buy Wholesale Ask! It sounds daft but quite often if you ask the girl at the counter or get friendly with someone in the shop they may just tell you most of the time the owner of the shop doesn't work there all the time if at all so if you ask the Saturday girl she's not bothered if you know if you asked "do you know the name of the company on the invoices that you get for these clothes?" You will be surprised how many people will tell you if they have the info to hand if they are the only one in the shop and they have to go out the back to look it up the chances are slim but it's definitely worth asking they can only say no! Keep an eye open for when they get their stock arrivals usually a truck will pull up out the front first thing in the morning to bring in the stock. And what is the fact of wholesale xbox 360? Since xbox launch its 360 model numerous wholesale sources have saturated the market appearing as middleman companies.
Though not all gloves have buttons and these lengths are also traditional for opera gloves (measured in buttons) which are generally worn for semi or formal occasions and made of stretchy satin. Everyone will be working against each other, with cheap Wholesale Kids School Clothes. More at buy wholesale The ingredients on the back of the bottle will stay the same unless you have chosen to change the ingredients in any way. We still make a few but they are few and far between and when we do we make it right immediately.
Yet for those that are looking to sell it can be a way to make a solid income. You see they DO provide access to one two or maybe a few REAL drop shippers. com b2b liquidated items are sold at fixed prices. Cash and Carry-- Cash and Carry businesses are stores that buy at wholesale prices and sell mostly to very small wholesale distributors or wagon jobbers and to small retail stores like liquor stores or gas stations. They have a warehouse or store front where customers drive up and buy their products. They usually don't deliver any products. This was a shock to me. Get more at http://www.buywholesale-wholesalers.org
I'd also just love to pay a fortune for warehouse employees a sales force a sales office and basically spend a great deal of time re-inventing everything that you've already had set up and running for years in your wholesale distribution business!" "Hey Mike that sounds great! You already have the warehouses the delivery mechanisms the sales force and contacts with thousands of retail stores. In some cases you might get an order for a product that is out of stock. You know, when I first started selling on Ebay, I did what everyone of you has done. I went to google or msn and typed in wholesale or wholesale distributor, and I expected that it would be easy to find the perfect wholesale distributor for whatever item that I wanted. Well let me tell you something: there is a lot of garbage out there. See Buy Wholesale Ask! It sounds daft but quite often if you ask the girl at the counter or get friendly with someone in the shop they may just tell you most of the time the owner of the shop doesn't work there all the time if at all so if you ask the Saturday girl she's not bothered if you know if you asked "do you know the name of the company on the invoices that you get for these clothes?" You will be surprised how many people will tell you if they have the info to hand if they are the only one in the shop and they have to go out the back to look it up the chances are slim but it's definitely worth asking they can only say no! Keep an eye open for when they get their stock arrivals usually a truck will pull up out the front first thing in the morning to bring in the stock. And what is the fact of wholesale xbox 360? Since xbox launch its 360 model numerous wholesale sources have saturated the market appearing as middleman companies.
Though not all gloves have buttons and these lengths are also traditional for opera gloves (measured in buttons) which are generally worn for semi or formal occasions and made of stretchy satin. Everyone will be working against each other, with cheap Wholesale Kids School Clothes. More at buy wholesale The ingredients on the back of the bottle will stay the same unless you have chosen to change the ingredients in any way. We still make a few but they are few and far between and when we do we make it right immediately.
Yet for those that are looking to sell it can be a way to make a solid income. You see they DO provide access to one two or maybe a few REAL drop shippers. com b2b liquidated items are sold at fixed prices. Cash and Carry-- Cash and Carry businesses are stores that buy at wholesale prices and sell mostly to very small wholesale distributors or wagon jobbers and to small retail stores like liquor stores or gas stations. They have a warehouse or store front where customers drive up and buy their products. They usually don't deliver any products. This was a shock to me. Get more at http://www.buywholesale-wholesalers.org
The Great Head Shot Debate in Real Estate by Lynda Jeffers
So, it's no question that branding is of particular importance in the business of real estate. And, with all the marketing tools out there from websites, to blogs, business cards to brochures, you'd better be sure you're doing an effective job of it. Now, it seems like realtors just don't question the use of a head shot on their promotional material. And, as potential client, I'd like to seriously ask, why not?
Who knows who was the first realtor to decide to mass produce photos of his face as an effective means of branding. But the notion took off and ever since we know realtors by their faces- whether we like those faces, or not. I would like to argue it's not the best way to market yourself. I cannot tell you how many agents I've brushed passed because I didn't like their photo, in some way or another. Maybe it was her very large pink hat, alongside the slogan, " the lady with the hat" ( what does this ladies hat have to do with real estate and her abilities as a realtor?), or maybe it was the two large rottweilers in the photo (a dog I'm terrified of), or maybe it was just that the agent looked mean and hard in their photo, or that they reminded me of my first boyfriend, who, by the way, was a real.... and so on. You catch my drift?
Photos are subjective. You may love your professional head shot, but potential clients may not. This is not the sort of risk you want to run, especially considering that your business is not one based on you. Let's be honest here, a real estate agent should be advertising real estate, the homes they are selling, or talking about the other clients who loved working with them. The whole glossy head-shot thing is reminiscent of a down and out actor desperate to achieve some semblance of notoriety or fame. There's just no real need for it and it can really undermine an agent's professionalism.
Consider the benefits of down playing the head-shot as a marketing device. Instead, use your specific marketing devices for what they were intended for i.e.: business cards are for contact info, property brochures should provide detailed info about the home being sold, a website or blog should contain valuable information about your market.
You can then reserve your head-shot image for where it belongs, on the bio page of your website, or on any piece of information that has an, "about me" section. This way, your photo is displayed in the appropriate place, where a client might expect a photo of you. This is a well thought out and professional approach to marketing and branding that takes to heart the fact that clients want to get to business, and not stare at your pretty, or not-so pretty mug shot all day. Don't plaster your face everywhere- it might make your mom proud, put it does little for your professional presence. Focus on the meat of your work: pertinent, current and unique information about the real estate market you represent and the services you offer.
Consumers are more and savvy to marketing techniques and the, "plastered all over the kingdom glossy agent head shot" seems to be a thing of the advertising/branding past. Wherever that head shot is, it's obvious to everyone that it's there as a marketing piece. These days consumers are looking for good, solid information about real estate. So, give them what they are looking for, and don't distract them with a personal image that they may or may not like.
Who knows who was the first realtor to decide to mass produce photos of his face as an effective means of branding. But the notion took off and ever since we know realtors by their faces- whether we like those faces, or not. I would like to argue it's not the best way to market yourself. I cannot tell you how many agents I've brushed passed because I didn't like their photo, in some way or another. Maybe it was her very large pink hat, alongside the slogan, " the lady with the hat" ( what does this ladies hat have to do with real estate and her abilities as a realtor?), or maybe it was the two large rottweilers in the photo (a dog I'm terrified of), or maybe it was just that the agent looked mean and hard in their photo, or that they reminded me of my first boyfriend, who, by the way, was a real.... and so on. You catch my drift?
Photos are subjective. You may love your professional head shot, but potential clients may not. This is not the sort of risk you want to run, especially considering that your business is not one based on you. Let's be honest here, a real estate agent should be advertising real estate, the homes they are selling, or talking about the other clients who loved working with them. The whole glossy head-shot thing is reminiscent of a down and out actor desperate to achieve some semblance of notoriety or fame. There's just no real need for it and it can really undermine an agent's professionalism.
Consider the benefits of down playing the head-shot as a marketing device. Instead, use your specific marketing devices for what they were intended for i.e.: business cards are for contact info, property brochures should provide detailed info about the home being sold, a website or blog should contain valuable information about your market.
You can then reserve your head-shot image for where it belongs, on the bio page of your website, or on any piece of information that has an, "about me" section. This way, your photo is displayed in the appropriate place, where a client might expect a photo of you. This is a well thought out and professional approach to marketing and branding that takes to heart the fact that clients want to get to business, and not stare at your pretty, or not-so pretty mug shot all day. Don't plaster your face everywhere- it might make your mom proud, put it does little for your professional presence. Focus on the meat of your work: pertinent, current and unique information about the real estate market you represent and the services you offer.
Consumers are more and savvy to marketing techniques and the, "plastered all over the kingdom glossy agent head shot" seems to be a thing of the advertising/branding past. Wherever that head shot is, it's obvious to everyone that it's there as a marketing piece. These days consumers are looking for good, solid information about real estate. So, give them what they are looking for, and don't distract them with a personal image that they may or may not like.
Monday, June 16, 2008
All in the small print: all that glitters isn't necessarily gold in the world of mortgages by Isla Campell
When looking to secure a mortgage for that new home, there are many issues that must be considered.
Of course, it can be tempting to look purely at the rate of interest on offer from the mortgage lender, how much they are willing to lend, and then decide purely on this information alone; but to get the best deal, it's essential to look at the small print too, as there are other fees and charges to consider that can vary greatly between lenders.
Perhaps one of biggest charges to look out for is the arrangement fee. Essentially, this is an administration fee charged by the lender and can range from a couple of hundred pounds all the way up to a percentage of the value of the property. It can also be paid in a number of ways, including as an up-front charge when submitting the home loan application or it can simply be added to the mortgage, hence increasing the debt in the process.
Indeed, many mortgage providers actually reduce the amount of interest on their loans to attract customers, but then will balance this out by charging an exorbitant arrangement fee. However, this can actually work out quite well for those who are arranging a larger mortgage as they will be repaying it over a longer period and hence will reap a greater benefit from the lower interest rate. But for others, it's perhaps best looking for a mortgage with a slightly higher rate of interest but substantially less arrangement fee.
Then, there are mortgage indemnity premiums. Should a lender have to repossess a house and subsequently lose any money upon selling it, then the indemnity insurance will cover any losses made by the mortgage provider. Traditionally, this charge has been passed on to the borrower and could amount to thousands of pounds, but more and more lenders are now choosing to pay these premiums themselves or simply don't charge them at all.
One fee that tends not to vary too much between lenders is the survey/evaluation fee. An evaluation of the property must be carried out to establish the true value of a property before anyone will offer a mortgage. Again, the cost of the evaluation is usually paid up front by the borrower, but it is becoming reasonably common for mortgage providers to either refund the fee once the mortgage has been finalised, or to pay the cost of the evaluation themselves if they think it will seal the deal.
Whilst it's clear that the fees can add quite a substantial amount to the overall cost of the mortgage, it is still helpful to use a lender's advertised interest rate and other provisional home loan calculations as a starting point. Carrying out an initial mortgage comparison can form the basis of more in-depth research at a later point, ensuring there are no nasty surprises further down the application process.
Of course, it can be tempting to look purely at the rate of interest on offer from the mortgage lender, how much they are willing to lend, and then decide purely on this information alone; but to get the best deal, it's essential to look at the small print too, as there are other fees and charges to consider that can vary greatly between lenders.
Perhaps one of biggest charges to look out for is the arrangement fee. Essentially, this is an administration fee charged by the lender and can range from a couple of hundred pounds all the way up to a percentage of the value of the property. It can also be paid in a number of ways, including as an up-front charge when submitting the home loan application or it can simply be added to the mortgage, hence increasing the debt in the process.
Indeed, many mortgage providers actually reduce the amount of interest on their loans to attract customers, but then will balance this out by charging an exorbitant arrangement fee. However, this can actually work out quite well for those who are arranging a larger mortgage as they will be repaying it over a longer period and hence will reap a greater benefit from the lower interest rate. But for others, it's perhaps best looking for a mortgage with a slightly higher rate of interest but substantially less arrangement fee.
Then, there are mortgage indemnity premiums. Should a lender have to repossess a house and subsequently lose any money upon selling it, then the indemnity insurance will cover any losses made by the mortgage provider. Traditionally, this charge has been passed on to the borrower and could amount to thousands of pounds, but more and more lenders are now choosing to pay these premiums themselves or simply don't charge them at all.
One fee that tends not to vary too much between lenders is the survey/evaluation fee. An evaluation of the property must be carried out to establish the true value of a property before anyone will offer a mortgage. Again, the cost of the evaluation is usually paid up front by the borrower, but it is becoming reasonably common for mortgage providers to either refund the fee once the mortgage has been finalised, or to pay the cost of the evaluation themselves if they think it will seal the deal.
Whilst it's clear that the fees can add quite a substantial amount to the overall cost of the mortgage, it is still helpful to use a lender's advertised interest rate and other provisional home loan calculations as a starting point. Carrying out an initial mortgage comparison can form the basis of more in-depth research at a later point, ensuring there are no nasty surprises further down the application process.
How to Create Your Own Real Estate Investing Institute - Part 1
Just imagine you had your very own real estate investing “institute†that cranked out deal after deal and deposited money into your bank account almost automatically? Writer Bernice Ross of Inman News recently ran an interesting article about the importance of social media in promoting property deals, and the same words of advice apply to promoting your real estate investing business.
Ross specifically considered LinkedIn, a popular social media site, and found that it was a great was to generate referrals for helping build your real estate investing institution. If you are investing now, you need referrals in order to find buyers, power team members, financiers, real estate investing attorneys, joint venture partners, and solid Realtors. Ross points out that asking people you know for referrals can backfire because those you know understand how long (or how little) you have been in the business and because some people may want to keep some facts personal.
(That is, if your uncle recommends his business partner to you, the partner may worry that you and your uncle will discuss his home buying and even his finances). When it comes to investing in real estate, you may not want to focus just on who you know in order to secure referrals. Obviously, strangers are a better way to go. However, many real estate investing professionals tend to outsource their marketing and referral seeking to an ad agency. While there is nothing wrong with this per se, it can create a problem if you are not targeting the right market or if your potential clients are getting many similar mailings from other professionals as well. Why should they respond to you? LinkedIn and other social media sites allow you to be more personable and allow you to reach a larger audience for less. Simply join a network such as LinkedIn and you will be able to interact with the entire community. For example, LinkedIn has a community of over 19 million professionals and when you join you create an online profile that details your education and profession. Once you do this, you are linked to former colleagues, classmates, and people in the same profession as you. If someone is looking for someone in the same field, he or she can find you with the click of a mouse, as well. Others can recommend you and your services on social media sites such as LinkedIn and this allows you to get referrals quite easily. When someone recommends you, the testimonial appears on your site and the recommender’s site. Therefore, anyone visiting your former client’s page can easily find you. Just do not be afraid to ask past customers and others you know for a recommendation and you could be featured on hundreds of pages other than your own LinkedIn page.
Ross specifically considered LinkedIn, a popular social media site, and found that it was a great was to generate referrals for helping build your real estate investing institution. If you are investing now, you need referrals in order to find buyers, power team members, financiers, real estate investing attorneys, joint venture partners, and solid Realtors. Ross points out that asking people you know for referrals can backfire because those you know understand how long (or how little) you have been in the business and because some people may want to keep some facts personal.
(That is, if your uncle recommends his business partner to you, the partner may worry that you and your uncle will discuss his home buying and even his finances). When it comes to investing in real estate, you may not want to focus just on who you know in order to secure referrals. Obviously, strangers are a better way to go. However, many real estate investing professionals tend to outsource their marketing and referral seeking to an ad agency. While there is nothing wrong with this per se, it can create a problem if you are not targeting the right market or if your potential clients are getting many similar mailings from other professionals as well. Why should they respond to you? LinkedIn and other social media sites allow you to be more personable and allow you to reach a larger audience for less. Simply join a network such as LinkedIn and you will be able to interact with the entire community. For example, LinkedIn has a community of over 19 million professionals and when you join you create an online profile that details your education and profession. Once you do this, you are linked to former colleagues, classmates, and people in the same profession as you. If someone is looking for someone in the same field, he or she can find you with the click of a mouse, as well. Others can recommend you and your services on social media sites such as LinkedIn and this allows you to get referrals quite easily. When someone recommends you, the testimonial appears on your site and the recommender’s site. Therefore, anyone visiting your former client’s page can easily find you. Just do not be afraid to ask past customers and others you know for a recommendation and you could be featured on hundreds of pages other than your own LinkedIn page.
Town Home Leasing- An Affordable Living Plan by sam thompson
When the idea of buying a town home comes into question, it certainly accentuates deep frowns in the faces of many first time buyers. It is a popular notion that a town home is never a first class living choice and is an option for buyers of low financial means. Contrary to this opinion, buying a town home is now a preference of many affluent families and according to many townhomes offer one of the most comfortable living style within a reasonable price. The most advantageous part of living in a town home is that the owners are relieved of the responsibility of maintaining the household. Buying a town home offers additional benefits apart from the apartment. The town home owners are entitled to use the extended properties like the parking lounge, swimming pool, and gymnasium and the like. In a way, town home offers an ideal living style with features of both a single family home and that of a condominium.
The entire maintenance of these extensions is carried out by the Home Owners Association. In consideration of these services you are required to provide a monthly rental. So if you are a retired person, and are tired of daily household chores, town homes many provide you a peaceful abode. However the properties adjacent to town homes are shared with other inmates. The home owners association requires you to follow certain norms and regulations as far as maintenance of the town home is concerned. You would better go through the CCR (convent, Conventions and Restrictions) document before you make up your mind of buying a town home.
Town homes offer one of the most comfortable living styles in a moderate budget. Moreover several financing options make it easier for you to acquire your dream home and that too in easily payable installments. Among the most affordable home loans, home equity loans are quite popular. It gives you the option of mortgaging the home itself as a collateral and extend you credit at low interest rate. It is interesting to note that the amount you pay as interest on loans can be claimed as deductible benefit while filing your income tax retune. So, in a nutshell, buying a town home actually costs you very little. You are entitled to ownership of an entire impartment with minimum risk and price.
Town home living is ideally suited for people who wish to be surrounded in groups. It is a place that fosters community Lifestyle and harnesses fellow feelings among members of Community. A good number of people simple enjoy the company of neighbors and indulge themselves together in social activities that simply spice up their spirit. However, it should be borne in mind that sometimes a boring neighbor or someone too much interfering in your privacy may make your life a living hell. So, while you make up your mind about buying or leasing a townhome; do have a talk with the other inmates. This would certainly help you develop an idea about the culture and lifestyle of your prospective future home.
The entire maintenance of these extensions is carried out by the Home Owners Association. In consideration of these services you are required to provide a monthly rental. So if you are a retired person, and are tired of daily household chores, town homes many provide you a peaceful abode. However the properties adjacent to town homes are shared with other inmates. The home owners association requires you to follow certain norms and regulations as far as maintenance of the town home is concerned. You would better go through the CCR (convent, Conventions and Restrictions) document before you make up your mind of buying a town home.
Town homes offer one of the most comfortable living styles in a moderate budget. Moreover several financing options make it easier for you to acquire your dream home and that too in easily payable installments. Among the most affordable home loans, home equity loans are quite popular. It gives you the option of mortgaging the home itself as a collateral and extend you credit at low interest rate. It is interesting to note that the amount you pay as interest on loans can be claimed as deductible benefit while filing your income tax retune. So, in a nutshell, buying a town home actually costs you very little. You are entitled to ownership of an entire impartment with minimum risk and price.
Town home living is ideally suited for people who wish to be surrounded in groups. It is a place that fosters community Lifestyle and harnesses fellow feelings among members of Community. A good number of people simple enjoy the company of neighbors and indulge themselves together in social activities that simply spice up their spirit. However, it should be borne in mind that sometimes a boring neighbor or someone too much interfering in your privacy may make your life a living hell. So, while you make up your mind about buying or leasing a townhome; do have a talk with the other inmates. This would certainly help you develop an idea about the culture and lifestyle of your prospective future home.
Are Foreclosures Indicative of a Bottoming Real Estate Market?
The real estate market is bouncing back from a legendary hot period by going ice cold. Money has dried up, home values are bombing out and foreclosures are at unheard of levels.
Is there any silver lining to the current real estate market? Is there any light at the end of the tunnel? Ironically, the foreclosure market might be providing it. Admittedly, you have to stare at it like one of those pictures of dots that reveals an image just before you pass out, but it is there. So, what is it?
The foreclosure market may be beginning to evidence the bottom of the real estate market. For those of you who are long suffering homeowners who have watched your equity shrink and shrink, I'll repeat that. We might be seeing the beginning of the turn around.
At its core, the real estate market is like any other market. It is all about supply and demand. As we know, the supply is huge and demand is minimal in the traditional real estate market at the moment. The foreclosure market, however, has begun to show a different profile.
Banks are stuck with foreclosures. They want them off their books. To get rid of them, they cut the prices pretty dramatically. For the last year or two, this hasn't really seemed to matter. Buyers were still sitting on the sidelines. Well, now their getting into the game. Reports are coming in hot and heavy that there is fierce competition for foreclosures. Banks are getting as many as 20 or more offers on their individual foreclosures.
Okay, so what's the big deal if there is competition for foreclosure purchases? Well, it represents the first signs of demand we've seen in the market. Foreclosures represent the best possible deal in most markets. If foreclosures start moving quickly, the next level of homes should heat up soon thereafter. Those homes aren't foreclosures! There regular old homes in the traditional market. As they are moved, the sellers will be looking to move up to new homes and so on.
Is this the sign we've been waiting for regarding the real estate market turning around? It could be. Does it mean the market will turn around tomorrow? Probably not, but we have to start somewhere.
Is there any silver lining to the current real estate market? Is there any light at the end of the tunnel? Ironically, the foreclosure market might be providing it. Admittedly, you have to stare at it like one of those pictures of dots that reveals an image just before you pass out, but it is there. So, what is it?
The foreclosure market may be beginning to evidence the bottom of the real estate market. For those of you who are long suffering homeowners who have watched your equity shrink and shrink, I'll repeat that. We might be seeing the beginning of the turn around.
At its core, the real estate market is like any other market. It is all about supply and demand. As we know, the supply is huge and demand is minimal in the traditional real estate market at the moment. The foreclosure market, however, has begun to show a different profile.
Banks are stuck with foreclosures. They want them off their books. To get rid of them, they cut the prices pretty dramatically. For the last year or two, this hasn't really seemed to matter. Buyers were still sitting on the sidelines. Well, now their getting into the game. Reports are coming in hot and heavy that there is fierce competition for foreclosures. Banks are getting as many as 20 or more offers on their individual foreclosures.
Okay, so what's the big deal if there is competition for foreclosure purchases? Well, it represents the first signs of demand we've seen in the market. Foreclosures represent the best possible deal in most markets. If foreclosures start moving quickly, the next level of homes should heat up soon thereafter. Those homes aren't foreclosures! There regular old homes in the traditional market. As they are moved, the sellers will be looking to move up to new homes and so on.
Is this the sign we've been waiting for regarding the real estate market turning around? It could be. Does it mean the market will turn around tomorrow? Probably not, but we have to start somewhere.
Energy Efficiency - A Creative Tweak When Selling Your Home
The real estate market is slightly cold these days across much of the country. If you hope to sell your home for a decent price, you need some factor that makes it stand out from similar homes around you.
While the real estate market is down, energy prices are up, up, up! The real estate market is going to turn around at some point, but energy prices are probably not going to come down an appreciable amount. This is not good news, but represents a potential marketing tool for you.
Getting your utility bills at the end of the month is enough to make a person faint. More importantly, the growing size of the bills is enough to make us all start really thinking about how to save money at home on energy. This is where you create leverage with your home listing.
A relatively inexpensive advantage you can create is to change out your appliances. Homebuyers love new appliances. If you purchase and install "Energy Star" appliances, they'll really love seeing new appliances that use less money. As an added bonus, you can claim tax credits for installing the appliances in many instances.
If you really want to sell the "efficient energy" aspects of your home, focus on your water usage. Specifically, how are you heating it up? Traditional systems use a water heating tank. They are inefficient because the heater has to turn on every so often to keep the tank hot. Switch out your old heater for a new tankless water heater. They are much more efficient and you can also claim a tax credit for installing one.
If you really want to stand out, there is only one solution - go solar. Solar energy is a god send in many states because of something called net metering. This is a legal regulation that allows people with solar panels to sell energy back to utilities at the same price utilities sell it to us. Now, think that through.
During the day, how much energy do you use at home? Very little because most of us are at work. The sun, however, is out and your solar panels will be producing energy. Under net metering laws, this means the energy being produced is sold back to the utility. Your meter literally spins backwards. This balances out the energy you use at night and the end result is a monthly utility bill that is near zero. How's that for a selling point?
Energy savings are just one area you can use to make your home standout in the current sellers market. If energy isn't of interest to you, try to think of something else unique about your home.
While the real estate market is down, energy prices are up, up, up! The real estate market is going to turn around at some point, but energy prices are probably not going to come down an appreciable amount. This is not good news, but represents a potential marketing tool for you.
Getting your utility bills at the end of the month is enough to make a person faint. More importantly, the growing size of the bills is enough to make us all start really thinking about how to save money at home on energy. This is where you create leverage with your home listing.
A relatively inexpensive advantage you can create is to change out your appliances. Homebuyers love new appliances. If you purchase and install "Energy Star" appliances, they'll really love seeing new appliances that use less money. As an added bonus, you can claim tax credits for installing the appliances in many instances.
If you really want to sell the "efficient energy" aspects of your home, focus on your water usage. Specifically, how are you heating it up? Traditional systems use a water heating tank. They are inefficient because the heater has to turn on every so often to keep the tank hot. Switch out your old heater for a new tankless water heater. They are much more efficient and you can also claim a tax credit for installing one.
If you really want to stand out, there is only one solution - go solar. Solar energy is a god send in many states because of something called net metering. This is a legal regulation that allows people with solar panels to sell energy back to utilities at the same price utilities sell it to us. Now, think that through.
During the day, how much energy do you use at home? Very little because most of us are at work. The sun, however, is out and your solar panels will be producing energy. Under net metering laws, this means the energy being produced is sold back to the utility. Your meter literally spins backwards. This balances out the energy you use at night and the end result is a monthly utility bill that is near zero. How's that for a selling point?
Energy savings are just one area you can use to make your home standout in the current sellers market. If energy isn't of interest to you, try to think of something else unique about your home.
Are You A Dinosaur? Establish Your Web Presence Now
If you are a wholesaler, a landlord, or a rehabber you need to have a web presence. More and more people are turning to the web to find all of their goods. I recently read that between 66 and 75% of homebuyers found their home by searching on the internet. Almost ¾ of all the buyers out there found their home by looking on the internet. They still may have gone to a realtor afterwards, but they found their house first looking on the internet and then went to a realtor to help secure the deal. If you are not on the internet, if you don't have an internet presence what are you throwing away? You are throwing away ¾ of the buyers that are out there. See the internet is fast becoming the medium of choice to locate housing. Why? It is fast, easy and available right in people's home.
As an investor, if you don't have a web presence and not advertising on the internet then you are missing out on a major opportunity. The web is a great way to build up your identity and add to your brand recognition. It also gives you credibility with a seller. You are able to build up more of your brand and your identity once they get to your website. There are a lot of people that like to go to your website first. I'm one of those. If I'm looking for a product of service the first thing I look for is do they have a website. The internet becomes that non threatening place to get more information. And it is an easy place that you can provide a whole lot of information. On the internet you can let all these people come and visit and easily get as much information as they want. Plus you can give them inside and outside color pictures of the house and all of the information about the house.
The internet allows you to reach a wider target audience. You can pull from a further distance than you can from offline marketing. If you are doing offline marketing like signs, you're going to keep pretty local for the most part. With the internet you can attract buyers and sellers from across the country, a much wider target audience. Say that you have a rehab that you are trying to sell or even a rental that you are trying to rent. There are people from across the country that are moving into the area. These people can go to your website and see the house. You even have local people who decide on area to live in and then go to the web to search and see what houses are available. Whether they were buying the house or going to rent the house they're going to the web first. You want to be there.
The internet is a much less costly way to advertise. First of all, the quality of the information, the pictures that you can put up there is so much better than anything you can do in print. And you can do so much more of it. I can have literally pages and pages of information for somebody to look at on the internet, but imagine trying to put that into a brochure and then get it mailed out to somebody. The internet is so much faster. They can literally go on and see it right away.
For example, let's look at the travel industry. It used to be when I was a traveler I wanted to see the different resorts. I would hear about a resort and I would see their advertising and then I would have to call them up and talk to them a little bit and ask for them to send me a brochure. Then about a week later they would send me a brochure that had some basic pictures on it and that's it. Now I go to the internet. I pull up their website and I have instantaneous access to that information. I see a whole lot more pictures than I ever could before. I get all the information I want. If you're not on the web you are missing out on ¾ of your buyers.
The other thing you want to do on the web is capture their information using something called an autoresponder. If you are able to capture an e-mail address, then you have the ability to talk to them over and over again at really no cost. Imagine trying to mail a regular letter to a prospect every week and how costly that would get. Yet you could do that with e-mail at no cost whatsoever. You have got to establish your web presence. If you are not on the internet right now you need to make every effort to get there.
Lou Castillo is a national real estate investing expert and mentor to thousands of successful investors. Lou specializes in creating powerful systems that allow investors to work less and earn more using the power of the internet in the real estate investing business. To get more information or get Investing tips straight from Lou, visit: http://www.freerealestatestrategies.com/
As an investor, if you don't have a web presence and not advertising on the internet then you are missing out on a major opportunity. The web is a great way to build up your identity and add to your brand recognition. It also gives you credibility with a seller. You are able to build up more of your brand and your identity once they get to your website. There are a lot of people that like to go to your website first. I'm one of those. If I'm looking for a product of service the first thing I look for is do they have a website. The internet becomes that non threatening place to get more information. And it is an easy place that you can provide a whole lot of information. On the internet you can let all these people come and visit and easily get as much information as they want. Plus you can give them inside and outside color pictures of the house and all of the information about the house.
The internet allows you to reach a wider target audience. You can pull from a further distance than you can from offline marketing. If you are doing offline marketing like signs, you're going to keep pretty local for the most part. With the internet you can attract buyers and sellers from across the country, a much wider target audience. Say that you have a rehab that you are trying to sell or even a rental that you are trying to rent. There are people from across the country that are moving into the area. These people can go to your website and see the house. You even have local people who decide on area to live in and then go to the web to search and see what houses are available. Whether they were buying the house or going to rent the house they're going to the web first. You want to be there.
The internet is a much less costly way to advertise. First of all, the quality of the information, the pictures that you can put up there is so much better than anything you can do in print. And you can do so much more of it. I can have literally pages and pages of information for somebody to look at on the internet, but imagine trying to put that into a brochure and then get it mailed out to somebody. The internet is so much faster. They can literally go on and see it right away.
For example, let's look at the travel industry. It used to be when I was a traveler I wanted to see the different resorts. I would hear about a resort and I would see their advertising and then I would have to call them up and talk to them a little bit and ask for them to send me a brochure. Then about a week later they would send me a brochure that had some basic pictures on it and that's it. Now I go to the internet. I pull up their website and I have instantaneous access to that information. I see a whole lot more pictures than I ever could before. I get all the information I want. If you're not on the web you are missing out on ¾ of your buyers.
The other thing you want to do on the web is capture their information using something called an autoresponder. If you are able to capture an e-mail address, then you have the ability to talk to them over and over again at really no cost. Imagine trying to mail a regular letter to a prospect every week and how costly that would get. Yet you could do that with e-mail at no cost whatsoever. You have got to establish your web presence. If you are not on the internet right now you need to make every effort to get there.
Lou Castillo is a national real estate investing expert and mentor to thousands of successful investors. Lou specializes in creating powerful systems that allow investors to work less and earn more using the power of the internet in the real estate investing business. To get more information or get Investing tips straight from Lou, visit: http://www.freerealestatestrategies.com/
Buy Tax Liens Over the Counter
Maybe the intense competition and split-second decisions inherent to an auction make you nervous. Maybe you don't have the time or the extra gas money to travel to an out-of-state sale. Or maybe all the auctions you've attended lately haven't been offering the type of properties you typically invest in. Whatever your reasons, if you'd rather forego the auction, over-the-counter tax liens are an option worth exploring. At any tax lien auction, there is a finite amount of time in which to sell the properties. When the time limit expires, any unsold properties become "leftovers." And the county government does not want to remain burdened with these leftovers. This is where the sale of over-the-counter tax liens comes in.
If you'd like to participate in these over-the-counter sales, you'll need to get in contact with the county you're interested in. The county will then provide you with a complete registry of available tax liens for you to peruse and purchase from as you please, at your own pace. There's no bidding, no competition. Once you purchase a lien, the maximum statuary rate is applied. No one willing to accept a lower interest rate can snatch the property from you. This means more money for you. If you know how to complete a transaction, you can participate in over-the-counter tax lien sales.
The Pros
Over-the-counter tax liens completely eliminate travel-and all the expenses it entails-- from the picture. You save money on gas, plane tickets, restaurant stops, et al. This increases your profits overall. You can make great money from the comfort of your home by purchasing tax liens via the mail or the internet.
The Cons
The obvious disadvantage to over-the-counter tax liens: these are the properties that were overlooked or unwanted. If you're a knowledgeable investor who knows the difference between a bargain and a train wreck, you may just stumble upon a diamond in the rough. But don't count on finding the deal of a lifetime among this type of inventory. Consider over-the-counter tax liens as a strategy for diversifying your portfolio and giving you access to properties you may not have considered investing in at an auction.
If you'd like to participate in these over-the-counter sales, you'll need to get in contact with the county you're interested in. The county will then provide you with a complete registry of available tax liens for you to peruse and purchase from as you please, at your own pace. There's no bidding, no competition. Once you purchase a lien, the maximum statuary rate is applied. No one willing to accept a lower interest rate can snatch the property from you. This means more money for you. If you know how to complete a transaction, you can participate in over-the-counter tax lien sales.
The Pros
Over-the-counter tax liens completely eliminate travel-and all the expenses it entails-- from the picture. You save money on gas, plane tickets, restaurant stops, et al. This increases your profits overall. You can make great money from the comfort of your home by purchasing tax liens via the mail or the internet.
The Cons
The obvious disadvantage to over-the-counter tax liens: these are the properties that were overlooked or unwanted. If you're a knowledgeable investor who knows the difference between a bargain and a train wreck, you may just stumble upon a diamond in the rough. But don't count on finding the deal of a lifetime among this type of inventory. Consider over-the-counter tax liens as a strategy for diversifying your portfolio and giving you access to properties you may not have considered investing in at an auction.
Give your Yard A Snowball's Chance this Summer
When the good weather arrives, the typical New York homeowner wanders outside to check out the backyard. After being cooped up for months on end, warm thoughts are finally allowed to bubble to the surface: maybe it's time to invite the neighbors over; to get some patio furniture, an umbrella, a barbeque; it might be time to plant flower beds and vegetable patches, but WAIT!
While it might be the farthest thing from your mind while you're sitting out on the deck in your shorts and sunhat, now's the time to make plans for the next snowfall. A little planning or a little planting in the summertime can be all it takes to turn the yard around your home into a four season outdoor living area that will extend the living space in your home, become an asset in the wintertime, distinguish it from the myriad of neglected patches of dirt that abound in four season climates, and ultimately add to your home's resale value.
So before you blow your summer gardening budget on peonies, marigolds, and equipment that you'll have to pack up and store for half the year, give some thought to investing in at least one of these all-weather backyard stars:
Getting into Hot Water
Cozy outdoor living in a New York state winter? Sure! Backyard party in February? You bet! The Finns and Swedes have been hanging outside in subzero weather for centuries and so can you. If you really want to make the most of your yard, this is a great time to start thinking about turning the heat up high enough to last you all winter. Installing a sauna or a hot tub on your deck will add a wealth of entertainment and recreational value to your backyard.
Turn up the Heat
What better way to heat up the backyard than by installing an outdoor fireplace? An outdoor fireplace can be used all year round but will really make your yard a spectacular place to be in the colder months. Invite the neighbors over for a barbeque in January; have your halloween party outside and in comfort; sip wine in the hot tub beside the fire while the snow falls. Depending on what you're looking for, you can try anything from an old fashioned outdoor cooking area to a built-in gas fireplace that ignites at the touch of a button.
Dig in
In the middle of winter most gardens in this area are notable only for their bland nondescript looks. But creating a winter garden that's a pleasure to look at isn't difficult, it just requires a bit of planning and sensitivity to our climate. You basically have three things to work with when you're planning a garden that's going to be nice to look at when everything's covered in snow.
- The first of these is hardiness. Anything you plant has got to be able to take the cold period. If you're not sure about tough plants for our climate, ask your local gardening center for some suggestions. - Often covered in white snow, the second thing to consider when planning your winter garden will be shapes. Trees that offer height or interesting shapes when the landscape is bare are a good choice. - And finally, you'll want to think about color. Though the palette you have to work with is limited, consider trees and bushes that produce berries and will attract birds in the spring. Juniper, hawthorne and winterberry are good choices. Evergreens are also going to add color to the colder months so planting a few of them before the first frost is a great idea.
Of course if this is your first summer in a new home, you may want to enlist the services of a good landscape gardener or contractor to help you plan and execute any long term plans for the yard around your home. It might take a few years to get everything right, but on some cold and starry night, when you're in the hot tub next to the flickering fire, watching the snow fall on the winterberry trees, you'll know it was worth it.
While it might be the farthest thing from your mind while you're sitting out on the deck in your shorts and sunhat, now's the time to make plans for the next snowfall. A little planning or a little planting in the summertime can be all it takes to turn the yard around your home into a four season outdoor living area that will extend the living space in your home, become an asset in the wintertime, distinguish it from the myriad of neglected patches of dirt that abound in four season climates, and ultimately add to your home's resale value.
So before you blow your summer gardening budget on peonies, marigolds, and equipment that you'll have to pack up and store for half the year, give some thought to investing in at least one of these all-weather backyard stars:
Getting into Hot Water
Cozy outdoor living in a New York state winter? Sure! Backyard party in February? You bet! The Finns and Swedes have been hanging outside in subzero weather for centuries and so can you. If you really want to make the most of your yard, this is a great time to start thinking about turning the heat up high enough to last you all winter. Installing a sauna or a hot tub on your deck will add a wealth of entertainment and recreational value to your backyard.
Turn up the Heat
What better way to heat up the backyard than by installing an outdoor fireplace? An outdoor fireplace can be used all year round but will really make your yard a spectacular place to be in the colder months. Invite the neighbors over for a barbeque in January; have your halloween party outside and in comfort; sip wine in the hot tub beside the fire while the snow falls. Depending on what you're looking for, you can try anything from an old fashioned outdoor cooking area to a built-in gas fireplace that ignites at the touch of a button.
Dig in
In the middle of winter most gardens in this area are notable only for their bland nondescript looks. But creating a winter garden that's a pleasure to look at isn't difficult, it just requires a bit of planning and sensitivity to our climate. You basically have three things to work with when you're planning a garden that's going to be nice to look at when everything's covered in snow.
- The first of these is hardiness. Anything you plant has got to be able to take the cold period. If you're not sure about tough plants for our climate, ask your local gardening center for some suggestions. - Often covered in white snow, the second thing to consider when planning your winter garden will be shapes. Trees that offer height or interesting shapes when the landscape is bare are a good choice. - And finally, you'll want to think about color. Though the palette you have to work with is limited, consider trees and bushes that produce berries and will attract birds in the spring. Juniper, hawthorne and winterberry are good choices. Evergreens are also going to add color to the colder months so planting a few of them before the first frost is a great idea.
Of course if this is your first summer in a new home, you may want to enlist the services of a good landscape gardener or contractor to help you plan and execute any long term plans for the yard around your home. It might take a few years to get everything right, but on some cold and starry night, when you're in the hot tub next to the flickering fire, watching the snow fall on the winterberry trees, you'll know it was worth it.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
How to Easily Boost Rental Property Value
Whether you own a duplex or large apartment complex, as a real estate investor, one of the most important aspects of your real estate investment is resale value. In addition to periodic cash flows generated by rents, the cash flow you collect when you sell the property is paramount to a good rate of return. It goes without saying, therefore, that real estate investors rely on their properties increasing in value.
In this case, demonstrating pride of ownership can be one of the easiest ways a real estate investor can boost property value. Curb appeal does mean something in the world of real estate investing, or as the proverbial saying goes, "a picture is worth a thousand words."
Taking pride in the appearance of rental income property shows respect for the property you own. Buyers surmise that if you care for those things that show from the curb, you might also care about those things not visible from the curb. The result is that people who drive by the property (potential renters or buyers) will want to see more; and whenever you are able to get someone to do more than merely drive by your property, it can translate into additional dollars for you.
Here are some rather basic suggestions how you can quickly and easily demonstrate a pride of ownership that might reel in potential customers and ultimately add value to your property overnight.
1. Landscaping: A well-maintained lawn and shrubs, or perhaps spreading some bark dust can make a world of difference to the curb appeal.
2. Cleanliness: Regularly pick up trash--discarded debris or cigarette butts in flowerbeds or parking areas scream messy. Pressure washing the exterior walls, windows, walkways, decks, and parking areas can turn a drab property into a fresh vibrant one that seems to beckon new renters and buyers.
3. Fix what's broken: Nothing shouts neglect louder then things that are broken. Repair broken gates and fences, guardrails, and gutters; and when fixing, be sure to do it right and to use quality material.
4. Painting: Freshly painted front doors and touch up paint for nicks and stains on the exterior walls give an overall impression of quality throughout.
Common sense should tell you that it does little good to use great curb appeal to attract customers only to lose them with drab units. Of course, the inside of your real estate investment property should also display pride of ownership.
With buyers especially, when it appears that your property has too many needed repairs it typically gets reconciled with either a low-ball offer or no offer at all and you lose, either way.
Closing Fees Can Surprise New Home Buyers
Closing Fees Can Surprise New Home Buyers
No one wants to be surprised with fees they weren’t expecting at closing. A reputable realtor will explain that a buyer usually pays two and a half percent the price of the home for closing costs. This figure can be as high as three percent or more in certain circumstances.
When submitting a loan application, ask the lender for a Good Faith Estimate (GFE). Trustworthy lenders normally give you a copy at the time of application. Regulations require lenders to disclose approximate closing costs and the Annual Percentage Rate within three days of the application. Loan applications vary and small changes can occur after the initial application.
Financing Options Determine Closing Costs
Lenders offer several options for fees. One option is a “No Cost†loan. These loans come at a higher interest rate than traditional loans. Another option is to buy your interest rate down. Buying a point is one percent of the cost of the loan and typically equals a .125 lower interest rate. Determine which is your priority, lowering the long-term cost is the priority many buyers. First-time buyers are usually concerned about beginning costs.
Checklist of Average Closing Costs
Typically, a lender will charge an origination fee that can be one percent and a processing fee. Processing fees start at $350 and go up from there. If you are working with a mortgage broker, there may be bank fees as well, including an underwriting fee and a doc preparation fee. These fees will generally total between $600 and $900. There are also title fees, inspection fees and an appraisal fee. Title fees will vary depending on loan amount. Appraisal fees run approximately $350 or more. Since all of these fees can vary so much, the GFE is vital.
Escrow Covers Payments for Taxes, Prepaid Interest and Insurance
To secure financing for your new home, you must purchase homeowners insurance. The first year’s premium will be collected at closing. The lender may require one or two months’ interest at closing as well. The later in the month you close on your home, the less interest you pay at closing, as you will likely be skipping a month before the first mortgage payment is due. Depending upon the time of year you purchase what property taxes have already been paid for the year, you will pay four to nine months of property tax at closing.
Again, refer to your Good Faith Estimate in preparing for the costs involved in closing on you new home.
Why Phoenix Real Estate is a Good Choice
For those who are relocating to Phoenix, Arizona or current residents who may be looking for a new home, the best choice is to use a reputable Phoenix real estate agency to help you find one of the Phoenix homes for sale. Attempting to locate Phoenix homes for sale without using a Phoenix real estate agency can be a frustrating and lengthy process because of all the Phoenix homes that are available on the market at any given time. One of the best reasons to contract with a Phoenix real estate agency is to make it easy for buyers to find Phoenix AZ real estate and for sellers to connect with buyers who are looking for real estate in Phoenix, Arizona.
Although it is possible to find some properties that are available directly from the sellers, most Phoenix real estate is listed with an agency in order to make the process flow smoother and to allow buyers to have access to a larger network of Phoenix homes for sale. Working with a Phoenix, Arizona real estate agent can help a seller with presenting his home to the largest community of buyers. Although newspaper advertising may work for some things a person sells, it is much more practical to sell your home through a realtor.
For the seller utilizing the services of a Phoenix, Arizona real estate agency means he does not have to do any advertising, be responsible for showing the home, or negotiating the price of the home. In fact, most real estate agencies prefer the seller to leave the home when they are selling in order to prevent the seller from providing any negative feedback to the potential buyer. Leaving everything up to a Phoenix real estate agency takes the responsibility of presenting the property from the seller to the real estate agent who is more experienced in how to secure the sale of Phoenix homes.
One of the most important things is for a buyer to work with his own Phoenix real estate instead of using the services of the listing agent. This protects the buyer because the listing agent is working in the best interest of the seller rather than the buyer. It is essential for the buyer to have someone who does not have a vested interest in the seller and therefore will work with a buyer to help him or her find the property they want. Realtors work from both the seller's and the buyer's angle which is why it is essential for a buyer to secure his own real estate agent and settlement attorney. Buying a home is the biggest investment you will make, and you want to be sure the transaction proceeds smoothly and there are no problems that may develop after the sale is closed.
Pets or No Pets and Other Tenant Issues by James R Kobzeff
Real estate investors quickly discover that real estate investing is as much a people business as it is financial. The reality of owning rental income property is tenants, and as such, issues surrounding tenants must commonly be addressed by real estate investors.
Here are three.
Is it a Good Idea to Rent to Tenants with Pets or Not?
Whether you own one rental income property, a large apartment building, or simply rent out a bedroom in your motor home. If you own a dwelling you rent out to tenants, chances are that you already adopted some policy about whether or not you will rent to tenants with pets. There is no landlord alive that hasn't posted a "Now Renting" sign that invariable gets asked, "Do you allow pets?"Okay, so should you allow tenants with pets into your property or not? There are certainly justifiable reasons why some landlords adamantly won't, but it might help to consider some reasons, especially if you're a beginner at real estate investing, why it might not be a bad idea.
1. You will get a pool of grateful tenants to pick from 2. Pet owners generally stay put longer than non-pet owners do because it is difficult for them to find a landlord willing to accept pets 3. It increases the pool of tenants you can rent to, so it helps during periods of high vacancy 4. Most pet owners are willing to put down a large security deposit that will subsequently offset pet damages 5. You might be able to command a slightly higher rent when you allow pets.
Naturally, you want to have some controls in place, but you might discover that pets are not as bad as you think, and might even be better than you think. You should at least consider it.
How Should You Resolve Disputes Between Tenants in Your Income Producing Property?
Tenants sometimes have disputes with other tenants in the building that led to complaints the income property owner must deal with quickly to prevent things from becoming ugly.But how much can a rental property owner do to resolve disputes between the people who occupy a rental income property like an apartment complex? The truth is that most state laws restrict the amount of control and power a property owner actually has at an income-producing property. Even if you wanted to do something about the complaint, there is little you can do.
If a tenant in the apartment building is annoying other tenants with loud music, for example, you are limited to speaking with the tenant or perhaps sending a letter, but that is about the extent of what you can do. You certainly cannot walk into the unit and turn the volume down or take the radio�"that might get you arrested.
Eviction of the tenant is always a possibility, but if the tenant pays the rent on time, you would have to evict for reason of nuisance. On the other hand, though you may not want other tenants to be annoyed by the rudeness of one tenant, you also do not want to lose an otherwise good tenant or create a bad situation with an eviction.
The best advice for the real estate investor is to explain to the complaining tenant that you will speak with the tenant in question, but if the matter does not clear up, the complaining tenant should contact the police and report the behavior of the problem tenant to authorities.
Remove Unregistered and Junk Cars From Your Rental Property Parking Lot
In addition to fire and safety codes, many states and localities have laws and ordinances that require income property owners to remove junk cars. In fact, many state and local laws forbid the existence of junk and unregistered cars at rental income properties. In this case, owners will be held accountable for this and can be punished by fines and imprisonment if the situation is not remedied.Nevertheless, smart real estate investors should not permit junk and unregistered cars to remain at a property for any reason because it looks bad and sends the wrong message to prospective tenants. Moreover, it’s contagious. When one shows up it usually isn't long before more will.
There are towing services available to help remove these automobiles when they either are not moved by the owner or are abandoned. Just be sure to contact your state and local authorities regarding the removal of such automobiles and be sure it is done properly so that you are not held liable for tampering with someone's personal property.
Remember, the investment property represents your future wealth, and your future wealth means college tuitions, travel, and retirement. Don’t let the shortcomings of a few tenants who deify junk ruin it for you.
About Sandusky Ohio Housing by Abigail Adams
Sandusky Ohio is one of the most affordable medium sized cities in Ohio with a median house price of $75,000 and unlimited affordable rental opportunities. Located on the shores of Lake Erie, Sandusky presents many recreational and employment opportunities.
Sandusky offers small town living with major metropolitan areas an hours drive away. Sandusky's location on the shores of Lake Erie offers a unique ambiance enjoyed by residents and visitors.
Sandusky's Economy and Neighborhoods
Recent retail growth provides residents with world class shopping at below national average prices. Sandusky has a cost of living well below the national average and a wage scale equal to the national average. Sandusky is a family friendly city and rents are commensurate with wages in the area. With a low crime rate neighborhoods are clean and safe and the schools have a reputation for academic and athletic excellence.
Sandusky's Culture
Sandusky has a school system with a reputation for academic and athletic excellence. Sandusky has three high schools, Sandusky High School, Perkins High School and St Mary Central Catholic High School. Both schools participate in varsity sports and games are well attended.
Because of its location Sandusky offers a wide variety of recreational opportunities. Cedar Point is the world's largest amusement park (based on ride count) and has more roller coasters than any other amusement park. It is one of the oldest in the nation having been founded in 1870 and some of the rides from this era are still functioning. Cedar Point is also one of the most affordable amusement parks in the country.
Renting in Sandusky and Erie County
Renter occupied homes make up 43.5% of the housing market with median rents of $435 to $1,000. With a median income of $32,200 this makes Sandusky one of the most affordable places to live in the United States. Rental housing is not confined to one area of the city and rentals are to be found in every section of the city. The rental market is very competitive and this works to the advantage of the renter. Standard rules apply and potential renters should be prepared to give credit references, employment verification, general references, and security deposits which vary from one landlord to another.
The housing and rental market in Sandusky has remained stable for many years and the wide variety of rentals available to consumers is considered better than the national average. In Sandusky renters have a real advantage compared with similar cities in Ohio. With low crime rates, affordable housing, and the wide variety of employment and recreational opportunities Sandusky is the ideal city to relocate to.
Real Estate in Jackson Hole
ackson Hole, Wyoming is a mountain town that is nestled in the valley near the base of Grand Teton National Park. This dramatic setting offers extraordinary outdoor activities such as golf, hiking, skiing, camping, climbing, fishing, biking and more. There is something for everyone in this laid back town called Jackson. Whether you're seeking slopeside real estate at the world-class ski destination, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, looking for the perfect fishing property on the Snake River, investing in your hole-in-one mountain retreat, or a first-time home buyer searching for a quaint mountain town residence, you can find exactly what you a looking for in one of the many areas of Jackson Hole.
For golf, look no further than Jackson Hole Golf & Tennis, Teton Pines Country Club & Resort or the upcoming Shooting Star Golf Community, located at the base of Teton Village. For fishing, the possibilities are endless at The Snake River Sporting Club, 3-Creek Ranch, or just anywhere along the Snake or Hoback rivers. If you are looking for quiet solitude, try Spring Creek Ranch, Indian Paintbrush or the small towns of Wilson or Kelly. Also, many family-friendly neighborhoods abound, such as Rafter J, Melody Ranch, Skyline Ranch or Indian Springs. Finally, if it is ski-in/ski-out that you are looking for then all of the many homeowner options await you at Teton Village.
The greater Jackson Hole area enjoys the close proximity to Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Park, which offer more abundant wildlife and National Park access than any other mountain town community in the Lower 48. With nature and all of the many outside activities truly out your back door, you have the recipe for a fulfilled and peaceful lifestyle. Beautiful Teton sunsets, enchanting mountain landscapes, and friendly people are what make Jackson Hole the perfect home for anyone. www.searchjacksonholerealestate.com
Why Landlords Must Periodically Inspect Rental Units by James R Kobzeff
Okay, you closed escrow on a multifamily apartment building.
During escrow, in accordance with prudent real estate investing practice, of course, you did your due diligence. You walked through each apartment unit, had the building inspected for everything from pest and dry rot to electrical, and generally surmised that the rental property would be a good income producer and real estate investment opportunity.
Over the next several years, however, you essentially sat back and collected the rent. You made no provision to inspect the units. As long as the units were occupied with good-paying tenants, you were satisfied not to periodically inspect the units.
Okay, then you made the decision to exchange your real estate investment for a newer, larger apartment complex, and listed it for sale with a popular real estate agent who understands income-producing property. And to your delight, within just two weeks you get an offer, accept it, and set up a time for the buyer to walk through and inspect the interiors of each unit.
To your dismay, however, you discover that your tenants, though careful to make their rent payments on a consistent basis, had little regard to carefully maintain your property. During the inspection, you are surprised with the buyer to see a stack of tires in one unit, multiple bleach marks on the carpet of another, one unit painted totally in the color pink, and so on. When it's over the buyer, of course, terminates the offer and goes away.
This does happen. I've seen it happen. Some real estate investors simply get lulled to sleep by tenants who are not disruptive and pay their rent on time. With no red flags waving, some landlords simply feel no need periodically inspect the units and suffer the consequences.
Prudent real estate investing requires you to know what's going on behind the closed doors of your rental income property. Landlords must schedule a walk through of their income properties maybe twice, but no less than once a year. It might not prevent everything tenants have been known to do, but it helps.
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