RISMEDIA, November 6, 2010—Consumers have been searching for homes based on lifestyle for many years. But with the growing trend of prospective buyers looking to the Internet to begin their home search, it is crucial that we get back to the basics when considering lifestyle search

RISMEDIA, November 6, 2010—It's almost time to start thinking about building fires in the fireplace, bundling up in your warmest sweater, sipping hot cocoa while you watch the snow, and start fretting over that unrented vacation home. While T.S. Eliot may think that April is the

RISMEDIA, November 5, 2010—(MCT)—For almost two years, home foreclosures have swept the nation, spreading misery among once-buoyant families, spattering lenders with red ink and undermining efforts to restart the economy. But a bigger problem may turn out to be the millions of Americans who are still faithfully paying their mortgages, but on houses worth far less than before the bubble burst. It's not that these homeowners will stop making their payments. It's just the opposite—that they will keep doing it.

RISMEDIA, November 5, 2010—Google recently introduced Gmail Priority Inbox, which is great in theory, but is based on algorithms having to do with replies as opposed to abstract decision making. Essentially, it splits a user’s inbox into three sections: important and unread; starred;

RISMEDIA, November 5, 2010—As co-president of Dallas-based HomeVestors of America, Inc., one of the leading buyers of houses in the U.S., David Hicks is often asked for advice based on the company’s 15-year track record helping investors buy and sell “ugly houses.” With just under

RISMEDIA, November 5, 2010—(MCT)—In the wake of congressional elections that weakened President Barack Obama and slammed the door on any new economic stimulus, the Federal Reserve unveiled a controversial new plan to spur the faltering U.S. economy by pumping $600 billion

RISMEDIA, November 4, 2010—Have you ever felt that with every new communication technology you employ you get more work? You’re not alone. Here are a few quick tips from HWA’s online guru to help you take back some of that time and still stay connected. This is the first in a series of easy techie time savers to help you manage your reputation, brand and social media more efficiently. Tracy Crane is HWA’s resident search and social media guru. Here are some tips we’d like to share to make your tech more trouble-free.

RISMEDIA, November 4, 2010—Many brokers have spent time teaching their agents how to go after FSBO’s. The first thing that the agent needs to understand is that prospecting FSBO’s is a lot of work and, therefore, requires a strong commitment. The second thing is that they must work

RISMEDIA, November 4, 2010—While I spend a lot of time in this column talking about technology and how it can be used to benefit real estate agents and agencies, rarely have we looked at how to take the concept and turn it into practice. This month, let’s look at some quick ways you can

RISMEDIA, November 4, 2010—A flood of 600 foreclosed homes will head to the auction block in Phoenix, Tucson and Kingman from November 9-14. Hudson & Marshall, a leading real estate auction firm, will auction the properties. In a market like Arizona, where housing values have

RISMEDIA, November 4, 2010—(MCT)—Ralph and Gloria Dickerson began a $150,000 expansion of their Englewood, N.J., house in 2004. But the work dwindled to a halt several years ago, and foreclosure proceedings were started on the house last year. The property now sits empty, with exposed insulation wrap outside, peeling paint inside and signs on the lawn announcing: "For sale by owner." When home renovations stall, properties like this turn into white elephants. If they go on the market, their unkempt state scares off many potential buyers. And in the meantime, neighbors fume at the eyesore in their midst.

RISMEDIA, November 3, 2010—Real estate professionals are well aware of the fact that today’s consumers are increasingly turning to the Internet to find information. With the ease at which information can be found, real estate professionals must continue to think outside the box and find ways to become the industry resource once again. At RISMedia’s 15th Annual Power Broker Forum—Information Share = Market Share—to be held during the NAR Conference and Expo, top brokers will discuss this very topic.

RISMEDIA, November 3, 2010—This week’s headlines from the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® include: Social Media for REALTORS®: Blogging product now available at-cost from NAR’s Right Tools, Right Now initiative; educational opportunities available from

RISMEDIA, November 3, 2010—What are the critical factors that contribute to the retention of top producing real estate agents? Why are some managers able to consistently recruit and retain quality agents, while others have a revolving door? Excessive personnel turnover is not only

RISMEDIA, November 3, 2010—(MCT)—The Federal Reserve began a two-day meeting that's expected to conclude with the announcement of an unorthodox plan to spark life into the U.S. economy. The Fed has signaled since August that it'll begin purchasing government bonds in an attempt to drive down the bonds' yield, or their return to investors. It hopes that by flattening the return that investors can get from the safest investments, they'll take more risks and lift the economy out of its doldrums.