In support of Google’s Go Mo initiative, Mobile Real Estate launched a free online tool in January that allows REALTORS® to test their website to ensure it is optimized for mobile viewing. Along with the ability to test your site at www.testmysitenow.com,

The importance of targeting the right market is a key ingredient to a successful career in real estate. As our industry has changed and the challenges within the economy have forced us to constantly reassess our strengths and weaknesses, it’s important

Agents who are looking for new customers in 2012 have to redefine their base, restructure their marketing strategies, and reassess how to build new relationships.

In a year when breaking even on year-over-year home sales might be considered a lofty goal for some real estate companies, Blue Ridge, Georgia's Coldwell Banker High Country Realty, has reported a 49 percent increase in homes sold in 2011 over the previous year. What’s their secret? Broker/Owner June Slusser says it’s all about providing information, which she has done with the help of RISMedia’s Real Estate Information Network® (RREIN).

According to a recent study by New York-based research firm, L2, almost 50 percent of top fashion, beauty, hospitality, watches and jewelry and retail brands have “feeble” mobile initiatives. Their study focused on the most recognized brands with regards to their ability

Low interest rates, as we all know, are making history. Last week, according to an article found on CNNMoney, “rates on both the 30-year and 15-year fixed loans fell to new records, at 3.89 percent and 3.16 percent, respectively, according to Freddie Mac.”

In his recent State of the Union speech, President Obama announced he will push for legislation that will significantly expand the newly revised HARP program that allows underwater homeowners to refinance at today’s historically low rates.

National Association of REALTORS® President Moe Veissi made the following statement, regarding President Obama’s State of the Union address this week. "The National Association of REALTORS® commends President Obama for his remarks in support of homeowners and the struggling housing market during tonight's State of the Union address. As leading advocates for homeownership, REALTORS® know that restoring the health of the housing market is the only way to achieve a broader economic recovery. "REALTORS® stand ready to help Congress and the administration implement Obama's proposal to significantly reduce monthly mortgage payments by streamlining the refinancing process.

Many people who want to create success for the New Year don’t realize that in order to do that, they need to have a blueprint for success. What does that mean specifically? It takes two things to create a blueprint for success. The first thing you have to have is a clear vision of what it is you want to create. The more powerful your vision and the more you can feel your vision, the stronger it is. So for example, if you want to make $500,000 in real estate in the year 2012, and you’d like to work 30 hours a week or less, and you’d like to work with your ideal clients, then create a mission statement to that effect.

If being connected 24/7 was supposed to make our lives easier, the business world didn’t get the memo. Most American professionals just can’t shake the end-of-the-day feeling that they didn’t get enough done. So day after day, they find themselves responding to work e-mail on their smartphones right up until their head hits the pillow. Sound familiar? There is good news, says Jason Womack: By implementing a few small changes, you can get more done in less time—which not only staves off burnout, but leaves more time for doing what you love.

REALTOR.com® Business Beat--What’s your plan for 2012? This column from Realtor.com offers ideas and suggestions for building your business through various offers from one of the industry’s leading real estate listings sites.

In another sign that investors are more important to residential real estate markets than ever, nearly one out of three home sales in December went to buyers who paid all cash.

Technology makes life simpler, faster, and more efficient. In a day with 24 hours, and potentially 16 or more of those spent awake, we have more opportunities to be engaged and online with co-workers, partners, vendors and clients we do business with.

While 2011 was clearly a challenging year, there is a lot to be positive about looking ahead. Economically, while buffeted by natural disasters and fiscal policy indecisiveness at home and a European sovereign debt crisis abroad, the U.S. economy was able to stave off economic stagnation in 2011 and is likely to continue to do so in 2012. Housing statistics and the duration of the housing downturn to date indicate that 2012 may be the year we begin to turn the corner. In the summer of 2011, economic concerns peaked as the economy appeared to be on the brink of stagnation.

Freddie Mac (OTC: FMCC) recently released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey® (PMMS®), showing average mortgage rates changing little amid mixed economic data. Regardless, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage edged down slightly to 3.88 percent