Real Estate News

How NOT To Do Real Estate

November 22, 2006 By Megan E. Barber 1 Comment

In my business I my efforts are mainly focused how I can help my Realtor clients build their business, sell more homes, serve more clients, increase their marketing presence… I don’t even bother with the investor side of real estate, thats not my business, so this post may seem off topic a bit for me. But I happened to stumble upon this blog today, http://iamfacingforeclosure.com/ . I absolutely cannot find the words to describe it… maybe it is somewhere between blind optimisim and absolute stupidity

This is how to NOT Successfully Invest In Real Estate. And boy he messed up bad. And through it all, he still doesn’t seem to be in touch with reality whatsoever.

An interesting read to say the least.

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Filed Under: Misc., Real Estate - General, Real Estate Investing, Real Estate Mistakes, Real Estate News

Stay Connected

August 23, 2006 By Megan E. Barber Leave a Comment

Are you staying in touch with all your past and present clients or customers? It has become increasingly important to make sure you keep in touch with people on a regular basis that can in turn help boost sales and increase referrals. Doing so keeps you and your busniness fresh in your prospect’s minds and you become their “go-to” person when their friends are looking for a real estate professional, or they are ready for that next home.

Kevin Stirtz wrote this great article about the importance of follow up in The Fortune is in the Follow Up.

Need help keeping in touch with your clients? This article found on Realtor.org illustrates some simple steps to stay connected. The following is a selection of some of those steps. 1. Call within 24 hours of the closing to congratulate the client on the sale or purchase.

2. Send a thank-you note within one week after the closing thanking them for thier business and emphasizing what a pleasure it was to work with them.

3. Create a binder for the client containing copies of the paperwork, such as contracts, appraisals, inspection reports, warranties, and settlement statements generated during the transaction. They’ll remember you when they have to check this information at tax time.

4. Offer to provide referrals for household services such as plumbers, electricians, contractors, carpet installers, landscapers, or appliance dealers.

5. Send a customer satisfaction survey form two to three weeks after the closing to get feedback on customer reactions. With this you can ask for an endorsement or testimonial letter you can use in your presentation materials and on your Website.

6. Find out if the client has any friends, family, or business associates who might be interested in buying or selling their homes.

7. Set up a client file that includes personal information such as names, birthdays, ages, pets, and hobbies for the client’s family.

8. If you haven’t done so already, add your client to your montly mailing list or newsletter subscription.

9. Enter the anniversary date of the closing into your calendar so in the following years you can send them a greeting card commemorating the anniversary date of their purchase.

(Info provided with the help of Realtor.org http://www.realtor.org/rmotoolkits.nsf/pages/follow03 )

Coming Soon… Barber Virtual Assisting Solutions “Stay Connected” program. Keep in touch with all past clients and friends with our new Stay Connected marketing program. Send closing anniversary cards, and monthly direct mail campaigns to keep yourself in front of your clients. Call us for more details!

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Filed Under: Direct Marketing, Online Marketing, Real Estate Marketing, Real Estate News

Market cooling down?

August 23, 2006 By Megan E. Barber Leave a Comment

The main headline on the Drudge Report for much of today has been “The Big Cool Down”, regarding the recent trends in the real estate market. According to this article supplied by Reuters, Existing home sales lowest since January 2004“, the sales of existing homes fell 4.1 percent in the month of July, and the supply of unsold homes was the highest it has been in over 13 years. Some say this is a sign that the bubble is bursting. Others remark that this is merely the market transitioning. In the higher-priced markets, some buyers just simply had tired of the overheated prices and decided to wait it out on the sidelines. Once prices adjust accordingly, many speculate, that the buyers will come back.

What steps are you taking to stay ahead of this “cooling” trend? Over the next few weeks, the BVAS Connection will go over ways to help improve your marketing power and keep you from getting caught up in that slow market rut.