24 May

Welcome to the 2012 NorCal Expo

Written by Daniel Allen

On behalf of the Sacramento Association of REALTORS® and the 35 Co-Hosting Associations, we invite you to attend the largest real estate expo in Northern California. We’ve made even more changes to the event this year and are excited to present this educational and networking opportunity to help increase your business.

We have a great line up of speakers to provide practical and comprehensive coverage of tools and technologies you can use immediately. The EXPO has been updated and enhanced to include 15 breakout sessions in 5 subject areas: Distressed Properties | Financial | Legal | Marketing and Lead Generation| Technology.

ClientTickler Booth 104: The Software that won’t let your clients slip through the cracks!!

Written by Daniel Allen

ClientTickler is a proactive task-tracking software similar to a Customer Relationship Management software (CRM) but without all the bells and whistles and at a fraction of the cost. Most people only utilize 15%-20% of the features in your typical CRM. ClientTickler gives you that 15%-20% for a much more affordable price. Real Estate agents nationwide are utilizing ClientTickler to stay in touch with past clients, manage listings, and track the sales/escrow process. With ClientTickler your clients or tasks will not fall through the cracks!

ClientTicklers’ clever one click view will:

• Tickle your tasks and deadlines
• Notify you when tasks are not completed
• Provide daily reminders of incomplete tasks
• Provide history of tasks completed
• Create handy reports for meetings and review
• Track birthdays and special occasion

ClientTickler is proud to be releasing their newest version – ClientTickler 2012!! The new release will be available the first part of June and will include “Timeline Templates”, sync to Outlook, mass emailing and more. To ramp up for the new release we’re offering our 2011 version – ABSOLUTELY FREE. No upfront cost, no monthly fees, and no credit card!! DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE COPY TODAY!

www.clienttickler.com

Stop by Booth 104 to enter to win tickets to a Giants Game!!

14 May

3 Easy Steps To Maximizing (and Preserving) Your Online Profile

Written by Daniel Allen

By Joe Sesso

This year Homes.com will be at the 2012 NorCal Real Estate EXPO on May 24th 2012, at the Sacramento Convention Center! This year, Homes.com will be sharing with attendees the importance of preserving their online reputation as a real estate professional. How much do you value your reputation online? Most agents would say they greatly value their reputation, but what can Real Estate Pros do when a bad review is posted of your service?

It’s a common trend, that people are more likely to post bad reviews when they are unhappy with the service/product they were provided. The same goes for Real Estate Professionals. If you do a great job, people will refer you, but will they go out of their way to Yelp about you? Probably not. On the flip side, what if they were upset with your service. Do you think they might post bad reviews on every site they can find? Maybe.

Online reputation management is a serious business that can make or break an agent or firm. Now the question is, what can you do to maximize your profile online and minimize bad reviews? A new product by Homes.com just may be able to help. It’s called Search Impact, and it has a proven, three-step process to maximizing your visibility online while minimizing the effects of negative reviews. Here is an overview of what Search Impact can do for you:

Step 1: Reputation Management: Your reputation is everything in the real estate business. If you’re labeled as a bad or unethical agent, it will cause serious damage to your business, growth and reputation. Here are some statistics from the National Association of Realtors:

70% of consumers trust online recommendations and business reviews
87% of buyers would probably recommend their agent to friends
Reputation was the 2nd most important factor when choosing an agent

How do you build your online reputation? First, be found! You need to have a business profile on Yahoo, Google and Bing, so consumers can find you in a search. You then need to be on the popular review sites with reviews from clients. Examples like Yelp, Google Places, and Openlist are places where consumers search for reviews. Remember, 70% of consumers trust online business reviews. Remember, most of your happy clients will not go out of there way to post reviews. Search Impact has a great system for encouraging clients participate in reviews quickly and easily.

RealCare Insurance Marketing, Inc. – Booth #111

Written by Daniel Allen

By: RealCare Insurance Marketing, Inc. – Booth #111

RealCare Insurance is the only endorsed insurance broker of C.A.R., providing a wide range of customized insurance products for REALTORS® including business, personal, health and life insurance.

We have a NEW E&O product that has been designed exclusively for members of C.A.R. With E&O Insurance, it is particularly important that you be covered by the right company because there is so much at stake when you are involved in a legal action that arises from conducting your business. We have partnered with ProSight Specialty Insurance to offer a program with many special features, like a Choice of Counsel endorsement which provides direct access to C.A.R.’s Strategic Defense Attorney Panel, 50% deductible reduction benefit for using a home warranty company (American Home Shield, Fidelity National Home Warranty), Agent Owned Property Coverage, and many more features!

Stop by our booth #111, call us at 800-939-8088 or visit us at www.realcareCAR.com. While you are at the EXPO- enter our drawing to win a pair of San Francisco Giant’s baseball tickets!

09 May

Be Yourself and A Few Other Social Media Tips for REALTORS®

Written by Daniel Allen

By: Chris Tellez

I’m thrilled to see so many REALTORS® adopting social media to promote themselves and their services. With over 800 million users sharing on Facebook, 450 million tweeting away on Twitter, and 340 million people reading over 2.5 billion blog pages, it would be ridiculous not to be.

Like with anything there is a right way and a wrong way to do things. Through my various REALTOR® interactions I’ve seen the good, the bad and the downright ugly on social media. Here’s a few key things to consider to help keep you from being the bad or even worse, the ugly.

1. Keep business, business and personal, personal

Your social media presence may be the first impression your potential clients get of you. Make sure that what they see reflects professionalism and a dedication to helping people effectively and quickly buy and sell homes. Posting pictures of crazy parties or sharing links to questionable material is a sure fire way to get people to NOT CALL you or have them begin questioning your service to them.

2. Facebook Profile = Social
Facebook Page = Business
Your Facebook profile should be used to socialize and share in life with others.

Your Facebook page is what you use to advertise your new listings and open houses.
It’s fine to occasionally share that you helped someone find the home of their dreams, or saved a client’s credit score from a foreclosure, but your Facebook friends don’t want to be bombarded by ads.

Under Used iOS Features

Written by Daniel Allen

By: Chris Tellez

Got an iPad or iPhone? Think you’ve mastered it and have found everything it does? Not so fast there! Here’s a list of what I believe are the TOP 3 most under-used features/functions on iOS Version 5, running on the iPhone or iPad.

3. Swipe and Search
Looking for an e-mail? Need to do a quick web search? Trying to find some client contact information fast?

On the home screen, swipe your screen to the right until you get the search box. Type in the name, title, or any portion of text for the item you’re looking for. Your iPad will then search for any matching items that are on your device.

For a web search, after you’ve entered in your text, tap on SEARCH WEB or SEARCH WIKIPEDIA. Your browser will then open and search for what you’re looking for using the default search engine set on your device.

2. iCloud-
Did you know that you can back up everything on your iPhone/iPad (except music. Movies and T.V. shows) to Apple’s servers for FREE (Up to 5GB)? Better yet, did you know that when you use iCloud to restore your device every little setting, app and configuration comes back with it? iCloud is simple to use and can be set up by going to:

SETTINGS => iCLOUD

You’ll be prompted to log in at which point you can use your pre-existing AppleID/MobileMe account or create a new one. Once you’ve logged in you’ll be able to turn on back-ups for everything from your e-mail to your photos to the documents and data that go with your apps.

You’ll even be able to turn on what I think is the most underused feature….

1. Find My iPad/iPhone
iPhone Stolen? Not sure where your kids left your iPad? Don’t worry there’s an app for that! After turning on Find My iPad/iPhone in iCloud you’ll be able to not only track down your device, but also send a sound to it or wipe it remotely through the app on another iDevice or through the website www.icloud.com.

NOTE – Before you go using it to track down those that might have stolen your device, instead turn over the location information to law enforcement officials who have the resources and authority to do so.

Want to learn more about what you can do with your iPhone or iPad? Curious as to what essential apps you should have loaded? Come join me at the Norcal Real Estate Expo on May 24th for REALTOR® Profitability and Productivity with the iPad & iPhone and learn more about how to use these incredible devices in your daily real estate business.

03 May

DO REALTORS REALLY NEED A SOCIAL MEDIA PRESENCE?

Written by Daniel Allen

Here are some facts about Social Media:

Facebook will have 1 billion users by August 2012 (second only to China in population)
Half of all Americans log in to Facebook every day
average Facebook and Twitter users are 25-54 (your buyers and sellers)
more time was spent on Youtube in 2011 than watching television
consumers check reviews on Yelp and GoodAgent.com before making decisions

No Social Media presence = working much harder for a lot less money.

Finding the time to post consistently and knowing what to post about are the biggest stumbling blocks Realtors face when entering the Social Media arena.

MyMangoMania.com has created two solutions to help you overcome these problems:

Training channel on Youtube with short, 2-3 minute videos on topics for beginner and advanced Social Media users http://www.youtube.com/user/MyMangoManiac
24/7 Content Site that provides the most current, local and national articles separated by categories for easy posting http://mymangomaniacontent.wordpress.com/ (free for all users thru June 30, 2012)

Please stop by our Exhibit Table 220 and enter to win a FREE Social Media Start-Up Package that includes a Facebook Business Page and Training ($531 value). We’re also the Break-Out Speaker in Room 312 at 9am and 3pm. See you then!

24 Apr

Vineyard Services- A General Contracting Company Proves Success through New Technology

Written by Daniel Allen

Guest Blogger: Home Run Exhibitor #128 – Vineyard Services

Vineyard Services is a licensed, bonded, and insured general contractor. Vineyard is a full service contracting company aiding in a wide range of repair services including countertop and granite installation to property management and custom home building. Vineyard Services provides its clients with dependable contracting services and low cost solutions for their repair and remodeling needs.

Vineyard Services understands the importance of technology and has created a way to utilize the iPad while estimating out in the field. Vineyard has generated an iPad program that allows our estimation department to be more efficient by mapping out job locations and storing information on a portable device. Estimators can upload bids, photos, and job notes instantly, decreasing the bid turnaround time by 50 percent.

Vineyard has also implemented an online customer portal, allowing clients to log into their own profile to view each property and their progress. Realtors can review company information, receive project updates and photos, as well as e-mail specific departments instantly with any questions. What does this mean for you? As the Realtor, you save time with the opportunity to revise bids sooner, and monitor the progress of your jobs more accurately.

Vineyard Services currently services Arizona, California, Colorado, and Nevada. Plans for expansion include Indiana, Florida, Texas, and Georgia. If you would like further information on our service offerings, technology, or would like to submit a bid, please visit www.VineyardServices.com.

23 Apr

FHA Still Delivers Base Hits Every Inning!

Written by Daniel Allen

Guest Blogger: Base Hit Exhibitor #114 – Big Valley Mortgage

FHA recently increased its up-front and annual mortgage insurance premiums, causing many in the industry to believe that conventional lending programs, and resultant private mortgage insurance, may become more attractive than that offered by the FHA insured program.

FHA increased its premiums last month as follows:

The Upfront mortgage insurance premium (UFMIP) rose from 1.00% to 1.750%
The Annual premium – paid monthly – (MMI) rose from 1.15% to 1.25%

For many buyers, this change will result in a minimal increase in their final mortgage payment. The monthly mortgage payment for a typical $200,000 home will increase about $25 per month as a result of these changes, as shown in the chart below:

Comparison of Monthly Mortgage payment

(Pre and Post FHA Insurance changes)

Big Valley Mortgage Blog Chart

FHA is still delivers base hits every inning by offering borrowers the following benefits:

Gift Funds for Down Payment and/or closing costs
Non-Occupant co-borrower with blended ratios
Seller can pay all closing costs
Liberal underwriting guidelines
Except for VA and specialty products, the lowest required Down Payment of 3.5%
The ability to finance home improvements and energy efficient upgrades at the point of loan origination into one loan

19 Apr

Five Powerful Websites for Real Estate Professionals

Written by Daniel Allen

Guest Blogger: Jill Duncan-Kahl

Two decades ago, it was entirely possible to succeed in the real estate business without delving too deeply into technology. So long as you could send an e-mail and search the MLS, technical know-how took a back seat to business acumen and a solid work ethic. Of course, these qualities remain essential to success, but rising to the top in today’s wired world comes easier to those who take advantage of new technology.

The following websites will help you market your sellers’ properties more effectively and help your buyers find the perfect home. The result? Faster sales, happier clients, and more referrals.

VisualShows.com – Promote your listings by creating your own custom internet commercials. Photos simply cannot engage an audience the way video can. VisualShows will help you attract more discerning buyers and higher quality offers, giving your listings exposure through a wide range of websites, blogs, and social media platforms.

Nabewise.com – Help buyers find the right neighborhood based on the criteria that matters to them. Get insider tips, ratings, and reviews from locals who know the area best.

ShortSaleHomeWarranty.com – Short sales are a reality in today’s market, and this website created by Old Republic Home Protection cuts through the confusion for buyers, sellers, and agents alike. It provides access to the latest legal developments and explains the fundamentals of short sales in simple, straightforward language that your clients will understand.

Walkscore.com – Get an address’s “WalkScore,” a figure that indicates how easy it is to get by with minimal car use in a given neighborhood. The algorithm takes into consideration multiple factors, such as access to public transportation and the prevalence of shops, restaurants, and recreational activities.

AirBNB.com – This burgeoning website allows regular folks around the world to a rent their home (or even just a room in their house or apartment) at very reasonable daily rate. Your clients can enjoy the comfort of a real home and avoid the exorbitant cost of a hotel room the next time they’re renovating, in-between homes, or on vacation. AirBNB is much more than a travel site—it’s a community where hosts and guests review one another to help ensure safety and quality control.

16 Apr

Base Hit Exhibitor #205: CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

Written by Daniel Allen

The CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® is a statewide trade association dedicated to the advancement of professionalism in real estate. The Association develops and promotes programs and services that will enhance the members’ freedom and ability to conduct their individual businesses successfully with integrity and competency and, through collective action, promotes the preservation of real property rights.

Members of the organization have access to 150 member benefits, including events such as California REALTOR® Showcase and Legislative Day, which take place May 2 – 3, 2012 at the Sacramento Convention Center; and C.A.R.’s annual real estate trade show, PRE and CALIFORNIA REALTOR® EXPO, which take place Oct. 2-4, 2012 at the Anaheim Convention Center. California REALTOR® Showcase offers attendees an opportunity to visit with real estate vendors, and for an additional fee, participate in a special luncheon presentation hosted by C.A.R. CEO Joel Singer on the topic of the new real estate consumer. Legislative Day brings REALTORS® from across the state together with legislators to discuss the issues that affect the real estate industry. More information about Showcase is available here: http://www.car.org/meetings/showcase/ ; information on Legislative Day is available here: http://www.car.org/governmentaffairs/getinvolved/legislativeday/.

In addition to free educational events such as CALIFORINA REALTOR® EXPO, C.A.R. also works to promote the value of REALTORS® to consumers. Beginning April 16, 2012, C.A.R.’s new 2012 consumer advertising campaign may be seen or heard across California on TV, radio, and online channels. The theme, “California REALTORS®. Champions of Home,” helps to raise awareness of the REALTOR® brand and reinforce the professionalism of California REALTORS®.

The campaign features two TV spots, 10- and 15-second radio traffic read sponsorships, Web banners placed on popular sites like REALTOR.com® and Trulia.com; and search engine marketing. New components of this year’s campaign include usable video content that REALTORS® may include in their marketing materials. Last year, the campaign used testimonials from consumers to promote the value of California REALTORS®. This year, testimonials from REALTOR® members will be integrated into the campaign to show consumers that California REALTORS® love what they do, and how they can help achieve the dream of homeownership. The ads will air through July 22, 2012.

For complete information on the 2012 consumer advertising campaign, go to www.car.org/aboutus/adcampaign/. To view the consumer site, go to www.championsofhome.com. For general information about C.A.R., visit www.car.org.

Thank you,
Adriana Guerrero