Real Estate Trends Archive


7 Strategies to Create a Social Networking Secret Sauce and Attract Good Leads and Referrals

RISMEDIA, November 15, 2010—So you’ve opened an account on Facebook. You’ve got a bunch of friends, including some past customers and clients. Your posts have been about interest rates, why now is a good time to buy, and your latest listings. Everybody said you’d increase your business by doing this but…where in the heck are the good leads and referrals? If this sounds like you, you’re not alone! By interviewing a few agents who are making money with Facebook, I’ve concluded that they all have several key strategies in common—all of which combine to create a social networking “secret sauce.”


Monday Morning Mobile: Enter to Mobile at Exit

RISMEDIA, November 15, 2010—As attendees of the 12th Annual Exit International Convention and Gala poured into Marsalis Hall at the Hyatt Regency in Dallas recently for the cocktail party and exhibitor launch, it was clear that mobile technology would have a big


Third Quarter Metro Area Home Prices Hold during Post-Credit Sales Decline

RISMEDIA, November 15, 2010—Fully half of the metropolitan areas tracked in the third quarter of 2010 continued to show modest home price increases from a year ago, despite a sharp decline in home sales after the deadline for the home buyer tax credit, according to the latest survey by the National Association of Realtors. In the third quarter, 77 out of 155 metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) had higher median existing single-family home prices in comparison with the third quarter of 2009, including 11 with double-digit increases; two were unchanged and 76 metros showed price declines. In the third quarter of 2009, only 30 MSAs experienced annual price gains.


The REALTOR Benefits Program Gets Personal – with Dental Insurance and Identity Security

RISMEDIA, November 15, 2010—NAR’s REALTOR Benefits® Program is getting personal. Typically, NAR members have taken advantage of the program’s exclusive offers to boost their business: saving on marketing tools that will strengthen client relationships,


ERA Real Estate Launches ERA TopRecruiter System to Provide Brokers with Critical Business-Building Tool

RISMEDIA, November 15, 2010—ERA Franchise Systems LLC, a franchising leader in the residential real estate industry, has launched ERA TopRecruiter, a unique and innovative new recruiting system designed to help ERA franchisees attract and retain


8 Traits to Boost Your Social Quotient and Your Business

RISMEDIA, November 13, 2010—In a social business world, embracing collaborative leadership skills and competencies can make a big difference in how organizations stay ahead of the competition. Now, more than ever, effective communication—both online and offline—can make or break a company. Leaders are expected to turn their businesses into social organizations, which requires shifts in culture, mindset, and leadership models in order to be successful.


5 Steps to Making Google Part of Your Lead Gen Team

RISMEDIA, November 13, 2010—Having a Web presence is half the battle in any real estate market. However, if your website isn’t generating leads and reaching your clients, you may need to change a few things so that your website can work for you.


Out of Sight, Out of Mind: How Effective Use of a Contact Management System Can Keep You Top of Mind with Clients and Prospects

RISMEDIA, November 13, 2010—Today more than ever, it is important to stay in touch with current, past and future buyers and sellers and your personal sphere of influence—and have a system and personal marketing plan to accomplish that. If you’re not managing your real estate career


Homeowners Hope for Easier and More Streamlined Modification Rules as Result of Foreclosure Probe

RISMEDIA, November 12, 2010—(MCT)—Union County, N.C., homeowner Barry Lancett signed two agreements with a national lender this year to modify the terms of his mortgage but still received a disturbing piece of paperwork: a foreclosure notice. "A deputy comes to your door and delivers it in front of the community," said Lancett, who later avoided foreclosure but is still dealing with lingering issues. "It was humiliating, to say the least."


Born to Lead – Ron Phipps Steps in as 2011 NAR President

RISMEDIA, November 12, 2010—Part realist, part philosopher, but true believer through and through, Ron Phipps brings a strong mix of hands-on leadership and long-term vision to his role as 2011 president of the National Association of Realtors® (NAR). Principal broker at Phipps Realty in Warwick, Rhode Island, Phipps grew up ...


‘On the Shoulders of Giants’ Award Presented to Brian Buffini

RISMEDIA, November 12, 2010—RE/MAX LLC and RISMedia are proud to announce that Brian Buffini, Chairman & Founder of Buffini & Company, has been honored with the fourth annual “On the Shoulders of Giants” award, created to recognize those individuals whose efforts, works, deeds and character exemplify superior achievements in and ...


Industry Legend Dick Schlott Receives RISMedia’s 2010 National Homeownership Award

RISMEDIA, November 12, 2010—Industry icon Richard L. (Dick) Schlott, Chairman & CEO of Gloria Nilson REALTORS®, Real Living and RLS Real Living Realtors, was honored recently with the 2010 RISMedia National Homeownership Award, sponsored by Bank of America Home Loans, at RISMedia’s 15th Annual Power Broker Dinner, held last week ...


Foreclosure Activity Decreases 4 Percent in October 2010, According to RealtyTrac

RISMEDIA, November 11, 2010—RealtyTrac, a leading online marketplace for foreclosure properties released its U.S. Foreclosure Market Report for October 2010, which shows foreclosure filings—default notices, scheduled auctions and bank repossessions—were reported on 332,172


3 Tips to Effectively Manage Your Time

RISMEDIA, November 11, 2010—The person who coined the phrase "time is money" must have been a sales rep paid on commission. In the real estate profession, the old cliché rings true: if you’re not talking to a prospect or client, you're unemployed. As a real estate professional, how effectively do you manage your time? Do you spend your time as you would any other precious, nonrenewable asset, or are you the type of salesperson who is stressed-out, constantly jumping through hoops and consistently running late for meetings and client appointments?


Home Values Near Unprecedented Decline as Hints of Stabilization Wane in Third Quarter

RISMEDIA, November 11, 2010—The United States housing market continued its long decline in the third quarter with home values falling for the 17th consecutive quarter, according to Zillow Real Estate Market Reports. With home values 25% below their June 2006 peak, the current