Posts Tagged ‘marketing’
January 23, 2012
My heart goes out to the good folks in the mortgage business these days. Business is TOUGH!
A significant percentage of buyers come equipped with enough bad credit baggage to fill a truck, what with having done a recent short sale or having a recent foreclosure or deed in lieu of foreclosure (same as a regular foreclosure, but it sounds nicer) or strategic foreclosure (a purposeful decision to walk away from a debt they CAN pay but don’t WANT to pay – don’t get me started on these).
Combine that with the over-reaction of underwriters making it nearly impossible to qualify for a loan if the buyer has to put gas in the SUV on the way to the closing (“Oops, sorry, that gas charge 15 minutes ago just bumped your debt ratio out of whack”) or if part of the buyer’s down payment is the gift money received from Grandma for graduation and Grandma made the money having a garage sale or the buyer’s publicly traded employer has recently filed a negative outlook report with Wall Street or any number of other scenarios.
Add in the burden of complex Good Faith Estimates which have to be redone every time anyone sneezes and you have a frustrating mix. (more…)
Tags:ann bone, atlanta, atlanta real estate, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers, Consumer Protection Financial Bureau, Federal Trade Commission, Frank-Dodd Act, georgia, good faith estimate, loan officer, marketing, Metro Home Mortgage, mortgages, Real Estate, real estate agent, real estate career, success, Tips
Posted in Agents | 3 Comments »
October 17, 2011
The kitchen is used more than any other room in the house, which makes it the most important room to stage in your home. Potential home buyers are looking for a kitchen that is as beautiful as it is functional.
Buyers want to view it without any unnecessary countertop appliances and clutter. By showcasing your kitchen in the best possible light, you can potentially sell your home faster and; increase the closing price. Even in a slow real estate market, making your kitchen attractive to a buyer could make the difference. (more…)
Tags:atlanta real estate, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers, faucet, georgia, kitchen, listing, listing photos, marketing, Metro Brokers, Real Estate, real estate agent, Realtor, seller, sink, success, Tips, Tisha Gay
Posted in Agents, Sellers | 4 Comments »
September 26, 2011
I love real estate. It’s “matchmaking” between buyers and properties. A happy match can be very rewarding financially and emotionally. Looking through literally tens of thousands of listings, trying to “read between the lines” and “see between the pictures” to find the perfect match for a buyer can be daunting. Thank heavens so many real estate agents use humor in their listings!
Humor? Yes, whether they realize it or not, agents repeatedly use certain words or phrases to present their listings in the best possible light. We call that “puffing”. Puffing is legal and useful. Have you learned the true meaning of “puff” words? Below are some of my favorites, along with my interpretation of what those terms really mean. Add your favorites to the list! (more…)
Tags:ann bone, atlanta, atlanta real estate, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers, Buyers, georgia, listing, listing comments, marketing, Metro Brokers, Real Estate, real estate agent, Realtor, seller, success, Tips
Posted in Agents, Buyers, Sellers | 13 Comments »
August 29, 2011
It goes without saying that you and your real estate agent want to attract serious home buyers, but your marketing may instead be attracting Lookie-Loos.
Serious buyers want to find a home. They have criteria, a price, and a moving date. They’re usually represented by a REALTOR®. They’ve eliminated homes on the Internet and have your home on the short list. They’ve been pre-qualified by a lender, and are ready to make an offer on the right home.
A Lookie-Loo is a person who is not seriously in the market to buy a home. This could be a nosy neighbor, an open house junkie, or someone who thinks they’re serious when they’re incapable of making a realistic offer.
In determining your marketing strategy, your REALTOR knows what will work to get serious buyers coming to see your home, and what filters will discourage people who will waste your time. (more…)
Tags:atlanta real estate, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers, Buyers, georgia, listing, lookie loos, marketing, Metro Brokers, Real Estate, real estate agent, Realtor, seller, success, Tips, Tisha Gay
Posted in Agents, Buyers, Sellers | 4 Comments »
August 1, 2011
I’ve attended quite a few conferences and trade shows in my time, and I think it’s important for agents to regularly attend these local events. There are several benefits of attending – first and foremost being the opportunity to get a leg up on your competition by keeping up with the latest trends in the business. It’s also a great time to network with other agents to find out what’s working (and not working) for them.
Trade shows are a particularly effective way to meet vendors whose products/services may benefit you. And let’s not forget all of the freebies and prize drawings! At the very least you’ll probably walk out with a reusable bag full of desktop trinkets, and you may even be the lucky winner of a gift card or electronic device! (more…)
Tags:Agent Reboot, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers, georgia, Inman News, marketing, Metro Brokers, Real Estate, real estate agent, real estate career, Realtor, REtechsouth, showcase 2011, Social Networking, success, Tips, Tisha Gay, trade shows
Posted in Agents | 2 Comments »
July 18, 2011
Color plays a big part in selling a house. How you decide to dress your walls can convince a buyer that your home is move-in ready or leave them looking elsewhere. If the goal is to see the sparkle of “love at first sight,” consider picking the right paint palette to suit a range of buyer tastes.
Proper Preparation
When you paint your walls, make sure you prepare the walls properly. Before you start, use a pre-made crack filler or drywall compound to fill in minor cracks and old picture hook holes. Lightly sanding baseboards, window frames and doors is also a great way to ensure that your paint will adhere to the surfaces properly. Make sure you are using the same base paint that currently exists on the surface you are repainting. Latex on latex, and oil base on oil base. (more…)
Tags:atlanta, atlanta real estate, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers, georgia, house color, house paint, listing, listing photos, magic color, marketing, Metro Brokers, Real Estate, real estate agent, Realtor, success, Tips, Tisha Gay
Posted in Agents, Sellers | 5 Comments »
July 5, 2011
Realtors and smartphones go together like peas and carrots. It’s an absolutely crucial tool for agents, since it allows them to get their email, search the web, and keep in regular communication with their clients. Nowadays, the most popular smartphones are Android devices.
There are more than 50 Android phones currently on sale in the U.S. alone. In fact, Google’s Andy Rubin – Senior VP of Engineering who oversees Android – recently said that there are more than 500,000 Android device activations daily. (more…)
Tags:android, android for real estate, apps, atlanta real estate, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers, camcard, dropbox, evernote, georgia, marketing, Metro Brokers, qik, qr droid, Real Estate, real estate agent, real estate career, Realtor, smartphone, success, supra ekey, Tips, Tisha Gay, weather channel, zillow
Posted in Agents, Buyers, Sellers, Uncategorized | 5 Comments »
May 31, 2011
As a seller, you may be so used to living in your home that you may not realize that its condition is putting buyers off. For example, you may love dogs so much that you’re immune to how much their fur dander, food dishes, and bed cushions are perfuming your house.
Your home problems may also be something else – too much furniture, or a dark ambiance. All of these problems are easily correctable.
The silent market is talking to you
Three hints that your home needs some serious review is that you’re not getting showings, buyers are not making offers, and your real estate agent isn’t getting feedback from his/her peers.
If a home is priced fairly, but is dark, cluttered or smells, then many agents may assume that the home isn’t ready to show to their buyers. They’ll take their buyers to homes with more instant appeal. (more…)
Tags:atlanta, atlanta real estate, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers, deal killers, georgia, listing, listing photos, marketing, Metro Brokers, Real Estate, real estate agent, Realtor, seller, silent market, success, Tisha Gay
Posted in Agents, Sellers | 3 Comments »
May 9, 2011
“Don’t judge a book by its cover” does not apply when it comes to selling a house. In real estate, first impressions can make all the difference, and nothing makes a first impression like the entrance to your home. Luckily transforming a lackluster entrance can sometimes be as simple as applying a fresh coat of paint, so, if a home’s front door currently says “go away,” have no fear. The tips below will have your entrance saying “come on in and stay a while” in no time.
Choose a Theme
Your front door serves as an introduction to your home, so it should reflect what visitors can expect to find inside. It’s also important to take into consideration your neighborhood. With these things in mind, you might choose a modern theme with clean lines, silver or chrome accessories, and matte colors. Or you could go for something more traditional, with deeper hues and brass or antique-white fixtures, complete with features like shutters and flowerboxes. (more…)
Tags:atlanta, atlanta real estate, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers, entranceway, first impression, front door, georgia, home entrance, listing, listing photos, marketing, Metro Brokers, Real Estate, real estate agent, seller, success, Tisha Gay
Posted in Agents, Sellers | 2 Comments »
April 25, 2011
Friday was Earth Day. Do you have any earth friendly tips? If you need some inspiration, check out some of the tips below featured in the BHG.com article titled “Easy Ways to Go Green” from the Motherboards.
Tip – Be a Green Role Model
“We’re trying to teach our kids the value of recycling and conservation, because if they grow up with these values, it will become habit; they won’t even think twice. It will simply be a way of life.” —Kelli W.,West Virginia
Do It
Monkey see, monkey do! Mimicry begins at birth, and it’s never too soon to start practicing what you preach. Give earth-friendly habits a kid-friendly spin by turning recycling into a game, spending a day—or weekend—traveling only by bike, foot, or on public transportation, and incorporating recycled materials into afternoon craft projects. By teaching sustainable habits, you’re creating lifelong ways of living green. (more…)
Tags:atlanta, atlanta real estate, Better Homes and Gardens Magazine, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers, bhg, earth day, georgia, going green, green tips, marketing, Metro Brokers, Tips, Tisha Gay
Posted in Agents, Buyers, Sellers | 3 Comments »
January 10, 2011
What is staging? Simply put, it means preparing a home for sale by making it look as pleasant as possible.
Staging a home for sale is more important than ever these days. This is a tough buyers market. Homes have to look much better than their competition. Not only does the house need to be priced right, but repairs must be made and the house must be in prime showing condition at all times. To get a leg up on the competition, sellers may also want to consider inexpensive upgrades and maybe even renting furniture. (more…)
Tags:atlanta, atlanta real estate, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers, georgia, listing, listing photos, marketing, Metro Brokers, online home search, Real Estate, real estate agent, Realtor, seller, stage, staging, staging tips, Tips, Tisha Gay
Posted in Agents, Sellers | 6 Comments »
January 4, 2011
Have you ever driven by a property for sale and seen multiple “rider” attachments to the FOR SALE sign? Sometimes there are so many, they drag on the ground.
There may be a rider for the agent’s OTHER phone number, a rider for a special web site set up for the property, a rider that says, “Reduced”, one that says, “Must See Inside” and any number of other quick little messages to tempt potential buyers inside.
Over the years, I’ve compiled my own interpretations of what these various sign riders really mean when you decode the “agent-ese”. Here are some of mine, and feel free to add yours to the list: (more…)
Tags:ann bone, atlanta, atlanta real estate, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers, Buyers, georgia, listing, marketing, Metro Brokers, Real Estate, real estate agent, real estate sign, Realtor, seller, Sellers, sign rider
Posted in Agents, Buyers, Sellers | 7 Comments »
December 13, 2010
Have you ever walked into someone’s home during the holidays and you didn’t know where to look because there were so many decorations (and maybe they weren’t your taste)?
Well, holiday decorating, if done correctly, can help sell a home. But if it’s done poorly, it can detract from the home, turn off potential buyers or even offend some people. The question is always where to draw the line.
One thing agents need to remind their sellers during the holidays is that their home is a product they are trying to sell and it’s on display. They should take the emotion out of the equation and not think about whether it fits their personal decorating tastes.
Remember, this is only one year out of your life. You can still decorate, but maybe just tone it down this year.
Here are some simple tips for sellers: (more…)
Tags:atlanta, atlanta real estate, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers, candles, chanukah, Christmas, christmas tree, georgia, hannukah, holiday decorations, listing, marketing, Metro Brokers, Real Estate, real estate agent, Realtor, seller, Tisha Gay, wreath, Xmas, xmas tree
Posted in Agents, Sellers | 3 Comments »
November 15, 2010
Everyone knows that it costs more money to acquire new customers (5 to 7 percent more on average) than to stay in touch with existing customers. Yet so many sales associates don’t have follow up programs in place.
It’s shocking because it’s easier than ever to stay in touch with customers now because of technology as well as companies that do the work for you.
The problem is that sales associates think of marketing as a cost, something they have to spend money on and can cut during tough times. However, the reality is that you spend more money to get a new customer. Think of how much more business you could have if you spent a little time and money on follow up.
Customer follow up should really be seen as an investment. Use some of today’s money to generate a future income stream. Look at the lifetime value of a customer versus the cost to acquire a customer.
Here are a few ideas for sales for following up with customers after a closing and retaining them for life: (more…)
Tags:atlanta, atlanta real estate, Better Homes and Gardens Magazine, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers, customers, Facebook, follow up, georgia, Lowe's Realtor Program, marketing, Metro Brokers, Real Estate, real estate agent, real estate career, Realtor, Social Networking, success, Thank You, Tips, Tisha Gay
Posted in Agents, Uncategorized | 1 Comment »
July 2, 2009
How many companies do you know that have a mascot? Pillsbury has the Doughboy, Aflac has the Duck, Geico has the Lizard and Michelin has the Tire Man. How many of you remember Speedy Alka Seltzer? I can’t think of any real estate firms that have a mascot, except Metro Brokers.
We have Metro Mike and he really sets us apart from the rest. When he was first created, I had people ask, “Is he a marshmallow, a tablet or what?” If you’re not familiar with Metro Mike, here’s a little history on how he was developed and how he works for Metro Brokers…
(more…)
Tags:atlanta, branding, dana eskridge, Facebook fan page, history, marketing, mascot, Metro Brokers, metro mike, Real Estate, real estate atlanta, Twitter
Posted in Agents, Buyers, Sellers | 6 Comments »
My heart goes out to the good folks in the mortgage business these days. Business is TOUGH! 
What Are We REALLY Saying About Our Listings? (Puffery de-Puffed)
September 26, 2011Humor? Yes, whether they realize it or not, agents repeatedly use certain words or phrases to present their listings in the best possible light. We call that “puffing”. Puffing is legal and useful. Have you learned the true meaning of “puff” words? Below are some of my favorites, along with my interpretation of what those terms really mean. Add your favorites to the list! (more…)
Tags:ann bone, atlanta, atlanta real estate, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers, Buyers, georgia, listing, listing comments, marketing, Metro Brokers, Real Estate, real estate agent, Realtor, seller, success, Tips
Posted in Agents, Buyers, Sellers | 13 Comments »