RISMedia » Today’s Top Story

Breaking News: Banks, States Reach $26 Billion Foreclosure Settlement in Largest-ever Housing Deal

beth — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 19:10:23 +0000

Mortgage Bankers Association says deal can help consumer confidence and stabilize markets

(RISMedia/MCT)— After more than a year of negotiations, the nation’s biggest banks, states attorneys general and federal officials have announced the largest housing settlement ever—more than $26 billion—over …

Marketing Strategies: Hate to Make Cold Calls? 5 Tips to Make Them Easier

susanne — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 22:03:25 +0000

Have you often avoided making those dreaded cold calls? Do you dream of how much better your business could be but just can’t bring yourself to pick up the phone?

You’re not alone. In the 15+ years that I have …

What Every New Agent Needs Right Out of the Gate

susanne — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:54:41 +0000

If you’re a new agent just getting started in the real estate industry, the following elements are crucial as you set yourself up to hit the ground running.

1. Secure your own domain name. It’s important to have a domain …

Obama Moves Forward with Foreclosure Prevention

susanne — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 22:01:20 +0000

Last Wednesday, February 1, President Obama announced the details of a plan to help homeowners refinance their mortgages in hopes of bolstering the housing market.

According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, this proposal will allow buyers …

Top Brokers Holding Strong in Tough Market

susanne — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 18:07:41 +0000

The industry’s leading residential real estate firms are quickly responding to RISMedia’s 24th Annual Power Broker Survey, reporting strong numbers for 2011 despite a challenging economic landscape.

As the preeminent ranking of the industry’s top residential real estate brokerages, RISMedia’s …

Information Is Power…Again

susanne — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 05:03:15 +0000

Setting yourself apart from your competition is becoming increasingly difficult. The emergence of social media into the business world has created platforms where constant, ongoing contact is possible. As a result of this desire to be in constant contact, many …

QR Codes: The Here and Now of Mobile Marketing

susanne — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 21:55:32 +0000

While more and more consumers are turning to their smartphones for information, brokers and REALTORS® everywhere are adapting in order to properly serve their mobile, forward-thinking clientele. The latest trend in the world of mobile marketing is not only dominating …

Marketing Strategies: Powerful Tips for Maximizing Your Success

susanne — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 22:00:11 +0000

In my years of experience with coaching clients to maximize their success, I have created powerful tips to help accelerate progress. The first of these is to get clear on exactly what “success” means to you. I can’t tell you …

Consumer Sentiment Picks up in Fourth Quarter

susanne — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 21:52:41 +0000

(MCT)—The lower-than-expected annualized growth rate of 2.8 percent reported Friday for the final three months of 2011 raises doubts about the strength of the U.S. recovery, and concerns that 2012 may be another year of muddling along.

Most mainstream economists …

Survey Reveals Nation’s Leading Real Estate Firms: RISMedia Annual Power Broker Survey Launches Today

susanne — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 22:04:33 +0000

Despite a challenging real estate market, the industry’s leading residential brokerage firms continue to demonstrate resiliency and growth, and will prove this by participating in RISMedia’s 24th Annual Power Broker Report & Survey. As the industry’s preeminent report ranking the …

Leading Brokerage Increases Sales 49 Percent in 2011: What’s Their Secret?

susanne — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 18:07:19 +0000

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 …

Remodeling Market Index Rises to Five-Year High

susanne — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 05:02:58 +0000

Remodeling sentiment rose to the highest level in five years, according to the National Association of Home Builders’ (NAHB) Remodeling Market Index (RMI) for the fourth quarter of 2011. Released yesterday, the RMI increased to 46.6 in the fourth quarter …

Homeownership Matters to State of the Union

susanne — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 21:33:21 +0000

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 …

Marketing Strategies: Create Your 2012 Success Blueprint

susanne — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 22:04:11 +0000

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 …

Success Strategies: 4 Quick Ways to Be More Productive

susanne — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 21:45:01 +0000

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 …

Disclosure Lawsuits: Are You Unknowingly Putting Yourself at Risk?

beth — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 23:16:37 +0000

The growing number of lawsuits over non-disclosure of land pollution is creating increased liability for real estate brokers. Soil contamination, groundwater contamination and concern surrounding hazardous vapor intrusion into homes is putting real estate brokers on the firing line in …

Recruit Your Way to the Top

susanne — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 18:07:03 +0000

Essentially a sales manager’s primary responsibility is to recruit, train and motivate his or her sales force to achieve peak performance. Of these three vitally important tasks, recruiting is the least understood and by far the most challenging.

When you …

Fastest Pace of Single-Family Housing Starts Rising in Two Years Reported

susanne — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 05:03:23 +0000

Nationwide production of new single-family homes rose 4.4 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 470,000 units in December, according to newly released figures from the U.S. Commerce Department. This marked a third consecutive increase and the fastest pace …

Marketing Strategies: Stop Being So Hard on Yourself

susanne — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 21:29:32 +0000

When I coach real estate agents, I often hear the misconception that they need to be hard on themselves in order to succeed.

When I ask about the origin of this belief, I often receive stories of being conditioned by …

REALTORS® Recognize Credit Union as Valuable Member Benefit

susanne — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 21:26:04 +0000

Since it opened in May 2009, the REALTORS® Federal Credit Union has created quite a buzz, becoming a benefit among National Association of REALTOR® members. The union offers a portfolio of services and products, and was recently rated the fastest …