One of my favorite things about Google Reader is that it constantly checks my favorite news sites and blogs for new content. The other thing is with the stroke of a few keys I can share the Blog or article with my clients, customers and peers in the real estate business. Google Reader is Free and works without any software to install. It works nice for when I type in certain keywords to track; I am getting constant updates on the latest news. An example is, I have keyed in Lansing, real estate, as one subject and get the most current Blogs or articles that Google Alerts picks up on its search engine right to my cellphone. Throughout the day, I am being made aware of the latest news and content of the Lansing real estate market. . Many times a day we spend our time waiting in a doctor’s office, title office waiting room, or for a meeting to start. This is a great time to surf your Google Reader on your cell phone to get caught up on the latest news.

The other feature I like about Google Reader is that it shows you all of your favorite sites in one convenient place. It’s like a personalized in-box for the entire web. This saves me time in surfing the web for articles, because I have one place to go for most everything I am interested in reading about. It is constantly checking for new content on any subject I key in.  Another feature of Google Reader is the settings which allow you to setup folders for your latest reader articles or posts to go to. I have setup folders for Blogs, News, Training, and Personal, that way, I can jump right to the area I am interested in reading for my convenience.   

Several times a week, I forward an article of interest that I know a peer in my business or a client would be interested in reading, with a personal note to that person. Your clients and customers don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care. “Expect the Best” Mike

One of my listings in LochWoode Subdivision sold within 3 weeks of being put on the market for $4,250.00 over asking price, after 4 showings within a 5 day period. When I listed this house I put it on the regular websites, our company offers clients, which consist of about 6-7 sites. However, in addition to Point2Agent Website which syndicates out to Trulia, Yahoo Real Estate, Google Base, Craig's List, Zillow, Cyberhomes and many, many others, I also use Active Rain blogging for Localism. This marketing is part of my plan to get the listing into the hands of consumers with nearly 90% of all buyers search the Internet prior to contacting an agent.

I am not telling you all this to boast about the quick sale as much as I am trying to stress that just taking the listing and hoping it will sell won't do it any longer. In addition to the above I also put this home out to Squidoo.com and made a lens promoting the house and the community of Holt, Delhi Township. I Blogged it on 2-3 other Blog sites in addition to the Active Rain Localism and sent copies of this website Featured property to all 200+ agents in our company and several agents from other companies. Within that three weeks there were 47 viewings on the Point2Agent website alone. Not bad for a little computer time.

My point of sharing all this with you is to share with you that we as Realtors have choices to make these days for our customers and clients that involve making sure that Syndication of real estate listings, blogging, proper keywords, and networking are all part of the marketing plan offered by us.

 Blogging, if done properly, will generate much activity and drive traffic to your listings and website through the search engines, web crawlers and RSS feeds. This is not the vocabulary they taught us in real estate school and sadly, it is still is not being taught by many brokers today on a local level. Social Networking on Active Rain, LinkedIn, and Facebook are also key marketing components of real estate today. There is so much involved in these social networking sites that benefit Realtors, that I will save for a future post.

Just a side note: Several of the words above are so new to our vocabulary that they are not even in the spell check yet. You are also probably wondering how I got above list price on this listing. Regardless of the sub-prime problems, negative news etc there are still some great financing programs out there like the Genesis Foundation to help sell homes in today’s market. (Financing Education)

This is an exciting and adventurious time to be in the real estate business. Don't you think?

"Expect the Best" Mike

St. Valentine's Day, as we know it today, contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition. Just think if people gave up all the chocolate, mushy cards, wine & dining, flowers and jewelry and put that money away to reduce debt, pay off that student loan or buy a house. I know  I'm dreaming. However, I say the same for Valentines Day as I do for Christmas. It's too commercialized and besides everyday is Christmas to me. Everyday can be Valentines Day too you and your sweetheart also, if you let it. Oh! by the way, I just remember to plug into by blackberry to buy that card tomorrow, so I don't get shot! What's your thoughts?

"Expect the Best" Mike                                    

At the beginning of 2008 a group of us from our office sat down and answered 150 questions about our career in a very fast paced meeting and then took the results home to utilize toward our goal planning for the year. Here's a sample: I would be interested in your answers, if your willing to share?

1. Do you have a Vision or Mission Statement? 
2. What's ONE BIG Career Question that's gnawing away at you, that you don't know the answer?
3. Are you really good at asking for business?  
4. What advice do you give a friend that's in a Slump? 
5. What's the secret to sales success?

"Expect the Best" Mike

Today Coldwell Banker Hubbell Real Estate Co and Briarwood Realty announced the merger of their companies that will knock the sox's off the real estate industry in the greater Lansing area. With great pride and excitement, Bob Hubbell (My Boss), announced the affiliation publicly today. Both companies share high values for integrity and quality service.  The public will benefit tremendously with this newly formed company called Coldwell Banker Hubbell Briarwood, enjoying 38% of the market share in volume, with the potential to grow substantially over the next few years. The talent of the management team, agents and support staff combined, will be an opportunity to multiply the exposure and strengths in a synergistic way for years to come. With the combined forces in real estate, the new company will have nearly 260 agents blanketing the entire greater Lansing real estate market. Mergers and acquisitions have solved many challenges for our changing industry, by combining expenses, knowledge and expertise, to make excellent real estate companies. My hat goes off to Bob Hubbell CEO, and Bill MacLeod, President, for their vision and foresight to make this statement of courage in today's real estate market.  You can visit my website and blog for additional real estate market updates and tools to help you learn more about buying and selling real estate in the Lansing area

One nice thing about the slower market has been the extended opportunity to really bring my blogs and website up to date with search engines and connections like Technorati Profile, Goggle, and many others. Things are really picking up and I can see that as they increase, I will have less time to maintain the status quo. Any great ideas out there besides hiring someone?

Have you ever stopped to think of all the people a real estate agent in Lansing, Michigan or anywhere else in the USA, puts to work when we sell a house. I have this handy list that I handed out to my agents once a year to share with their customers and clients. Realtors that sell homes are great contributors to the overall economic conditions. I am proud to be a Realtor, you shoud be also. My point is to buyers: Buy a house today and help the overall economy!
To Agents: Go sell a house today, nothing happens until you do! :-)

How many people could be involved in a real estate transaction?

ASSESSORS & STAFF, DRAIN COMMISSIONERS
APPRAISERS & STAFF, DRYWALLERS
ARCHITECTS & STAFF, FLOORING CONTRACTORS
ATTORNEYS & STAFF, FARM HOME ADMINISTRATION
ACCOUNTANTS & STAFF, FRIENDS OF BUYERS & SELLERS
ASPHALT CONTRACTORS, FAMILY OF BUYERS & SELLERS
ASBESTOS REMOVERS, FOUNDATION INSP & CONTRACTORS
AUCTIONEERS, FRIEND OF THE COURT
APPLIANCE SERVICERS, FEDERAL EXPRESS
ASTROLOGERS, FUEL OIL SUPPLIERS
BUYERS, FEDERAL HOUSING ADMINISTRATION
BUILDERS, FLOOD INSURANCE AGENTS
BUILDING DEPARTMENTS, HEATING & AIR CONTRACTORS
BUILDING INSPECTORS, INSPECTORS
BILLING DEPARTMENTS, HOME INSPECTIONS
BOARD OF REALTORS, HOTEL PERSONNEL
BOARD OF WATER & LIGHT, HOMES & LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE
BROKERS, HOME WARRANTY COMPANIES
BASEMENT WATERPROOFERS, HEATLH DEPARTMENT
CLOSING DEPARTMENTS, HOUSING COMMISSION
CLOSING BROKERS, INSURANCE AGENTS & COMPANIES
CLOSING AGENTS, INVESTORS
CEMENT CONTRACTORS, INVESTMENT COUNSELORS
CARPET INSTALLERS, INGHAM COUNTY
CARPET CLEANERS, INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE
CREDITORS, KITCHEN CONTRACTORS
CHILD CARE PROVIDERS, LEASING COMPANIES
CREDIT BUREAUS, LAB TECHNICIANS
CABLE COMPANIES, LUMBER COMPANIES
CONSUMER POWER CO., LAND CONTRACT HOLDERS
CHIMNEY INSP & CLEANERS, LAWN CARE & LANDSCAPING
CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATIONS, LANSING STATE JOURNAL
DEPT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, LANDLORDS
DEVELOPERS, LOAN ORIGINATORS
DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTH, LOAN PROCESSORS
DESIGNERS, LOAN UNDERWRITERS
M.S.H.D.A, SIGN COMPANIES
MEDIATORS, SALES MANAGERS
MOBILE HOME BROKERS, SHOPPING GUIDES
MANUFACTURED HOME AGENTS, SECONDARY LENDERS
MASONRY, Almost Forgot Mike Bowler, SUPERVISOR'S OFFICE
MULTIPLE LISTING SERVICE, SURVEYORS
MOVING COMPANIES, SEPTIC INSPECTORS
NOTARY PUBLICS, SEPTIC PUMPERS
OIL & GAS LEASE HOLDERS, SECURITY SYSTEM COMPANIES
OIL TANK INSPECTORS & REMOVERS SUPPLIERS
PERSONNEL DEPARMENTS, SOIL TESTERS
PROPANE FUEL SUPPLIERS, SECRETARY OF STATE
PHONE COMPNANIES, SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION
PAINTERS, SIDING CONTRACTORS
PLUMBERS, SNOW REMOVERS
P.M.I. COMPANIES, SELLERS
PLANNING DIVISIONS, STORAGE FACILITIES
PRINTERS, SEWER CLEANERS
PHOTGRAPHERS, SWIMMING POOL CONTRACTORS
POTENTIAL BUYERS, SUBDIVISION ASSOCIATIONS
PERSONAL MARKETING CO., TENANTS
PAYOFF DEPARTMENTS, TOPOGRAPHICAL STUDIERS
PROBATE COURTS, TRIMMING CONTRACTORS
PEST INSPECTORS, TAX CONSULTANTS
POST OFFICE, TAX EXAMINERS
PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., TITLE INS. EXAMINERS
PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES, TITLE SEARCHERS
REALTORS TITLE INS. UNDERWRITERS
REALTORS ASSISTANTS, TITLE COMPANIES INSURERS
RADON TESTERS, TREASURERS OFFICE
REAL ESTATE WEEKLY PUBLICATION, UNTIED PARCEL SERVICE
REGISTER OF DEEDS ,UTILITY BILLING DEPTS.
ROAD COMMISSIONER, WELL INSPECTORS
ROOFERS & ROOF INSPECTORS, WATER TESTERS
RELOCATION COMPANIES, WATER SOFTENER & PURIFIER
RUBBISH REMOVAL COMPANIES, CONTRACTORS
REAL ESTATE CONSULTANTS, WINDOW CONTRACTORS
RETIREMENT HOMES, WELCOME WAGON REPESENTATIVES
RECYCLING COMPANIES, ZONING COMMISSIONS

Oh! One last thing: Let's not forget, St. Joseph Statue Salespeople and Authors. "Expect the Best" Mike

Here are some interesting articles on the top 10 list of states with the highest percentage of outstanding loans that are adjustable rates. Compliments of The Real Estate Bloggers be sure to click the USA Today link in this article to get caught up on your state if it is not in the top 10. Notice Michigan is #6.

Let me recommend one other great site for your search engine marketing. Back in the beginning of my career selling real estate in Lansing, Michigan (1978), we learned about FHA, city inspections, Tom Hopkins sales techniques and life was simple yet different then the previous 30 years when MLS was a card file on the hood of your car. I recently purchased Aaron Wall's SEOBook online and feel the first 30 pages have been a tremendous payback. I highly recommend you visit his site, even if it's just for the glossary of new words in our real estate world for 2008.

I've been LinkedIn now since July and it seems to be an excellent place to meet other forward thinking individuals who make great contacts. Check it out. "Expect the Best" Mike

My New Year Resolutions in Real Estate

Hope all of you have had a happy new year. I have been zeroing in on some of my websites, blogs, and networking sites the past few days and made myself a little laundry list of 2008 projects to stay focused on. Point2 and Active Rain has been extremely beneficial to my business as a result of the blogging and using the right key words. I also use Real Town Blogs and my Point2 Agent Website Blog. Normally at least one of them is on page one of Goggle. Goal #1. Keep Blogging to help my colleagues with ideas and to the public to build business and relationships.

I started SEO's in late October (Search Engine Optimization) The results have developed into my unique visitors increasing 10 fold. Continuing to use analytic tools and optimizing my ads, I hope to continue to increase that more in 2008. However my goal is to spend less on pay per click and increase the Free search engine opportunities out there. Goal #2 - Be more efficient on web marketing through Goggle, Yahoo, Ask, Dogpile by placing the right ads, keywords and bids.

In 2007 I connected with Linkedin.com which has been great for building relationships with my CIO's (Centers of Influences) This social business media has been ranked above Facebook and others.  Facebook is great for a profile and running listing ads. For you younger agents, I would recommend getting into the social groups of facebook. Xing is another great business Social building site especially for international connections. I suggest you pick 2 or 3 of these and do a good job participating once or twice a week. Goal #3 - Continue to be involved in the business, social networking on the web and in person to help my colleague's and build business through referrals.

2008 will definitely be another challenging year for our industry, however, I "Expect the Best" and really believe we will continue to see improvements by working harder and smarter.Those of us on ReLiberation are fortunate to have a wealth of knowledge at our fingertips for motivation, ideas and support.

Have a blessed 2008. Mike

Hello my P2 friends, I have just spent the last hour getting caught up on the latest corporate news at P2 and find it very enlightening. Carey, you’re doing a great job keeping things in perspective and I want to thank you. Congratulations to all of you for your loyalty toward this great company. It's been good for me coming from Advanced Access which is no comparison. No then, let's get back to my title on how to make my site more sticky. (All of you will sleep better tonight if you just ignore Mr. Sticky) :-)

I recently started using PPC and Search Engines to increase my traffic and have gotten 10 fold results in two months. Now, my challenge is to keep them coming back and staying longer on my site. (That's sticky) I am looking for your comments, ideas, suggestions, and expertise to help me out a little here and there.

Oh! By the way! I want to be the first to wish each and every one of you the most prosperous New Year in 2008.

 Expect the Best! Mike

 

 

Everyday I have at least 5 or 6 articles on my Goggle Reader about the current Fiasco we are going through here in Michigan and across the country. Being the eternal optimist that I am, I force myself to read them to keep a realistic perspective of the market and work on solutions that will help overcome some of these areas. The most realistic thing I have discovered so far, is that most of the major problems out there, I can nothing about. Now, I also read about 12 to 24 positive articles per day about what we can do to off set these negatives, prepare for the spring market, improve our presentations, increase our search engine hits, sharpen up our current listings, improve our skills in general and countless other positive attributes that have always been good to focus on this time of year. Why should this year be any different?

So, Merry Christmas, here is my gift of the "Attributes of a Successful Real Estate Agent" for your use the balance of this year and your improved 2008. I Keep this list close by year round. Hope you enjoy!

The Attributes of a Successful Real Estate Agent in a Changing Market  

•1.                  Fear, F.E.A.R. False Evidence appearing real.

•2.                  The best way to predict the future is to create it.

•3.                  This is a time to sort out what works and what doesn't work.

•4.                  You have to do what is hard and necessary instead of what is fun and easy.

•5.                  Commitment, discipline, and persistence are the keys to successful prospecting.

•6.                  Develop a do it now attitude.

•7.                  What I am going to do this week is your promise report.

•8.                  What I did last week is your reality report.

•9.                  Goals and plans are the magic keys to happiness and success.

•10.              Think positive, live for today, not in the past.

•11.              Never be too proud to say I need help. Everybody needs help to succeed.

•12.              Responsibility is to: respond to the ability God gave us.

•13.              If you want customers for life, you have to find ways to offer continual value.

•14.              Everyday, we stand at the crossroads of life. Your mission today is to ask yourself, am I going to repeat yesterday.

•15.              Remember: There is a sign around every customer's neck that says: Make me feel important.

•16.              I must do the most productive thing possible at every given moment.

•17.              The 10 most powerful 2 letter words are: if it is to be it is up to me.     

Expect the Best" Mike                                                                          

It wasn't that long ago that the real estate industry did not have terms like, RSS News or Feeds, Blogging, IDX/VOW, Search Engine Optimization, and linking. The times are a changing faster then a speeding bullet. Now mitigation, sub prime mortgages and loan modification programs are becoming the talk of the day.

The real estate broker and agent of the near future needs to re-invent themselves, re-educate themselves, and re-evaluate their business plans or get lost in the shuffle.  In addition to the above and more, the old fashioned basic marketing skills, personal customer service and fire in your heart for this business will be a top priority. Isn't this just the most exciting time in history to be in the real estate business? I think so!

Yes, it's ugly out there right now. People losing homes, record high inventories, low-ball offers, and numerous other challenges we have not had to face in the past. Nobody is smarter than all of us. That's why I like the ability to get feedback and give feedback on the various Blogs. I am grateful that I have smart people like you to share the solutions to our challenges for today's real estate market. How about you?

"Expect the Best" Mike

I had an opportunity to go see the Trans-Siberian Orchestra last Saturday night at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, what a dynamite performance. It had a story to tell, amazing music, and a laser light show that was fabulous. So you might ask, what's this got to do with real estate? Probably nothing, however, I see a group of young people who are not afraid of change, that are super creative and know their script. They seem to me to be a group of great rockers who have learned to adapt their music to all audiences vs. just one segment of the market. Do we as Realtors have a story to tell that will attract various generations, or is the same sales presentation we've had for years.

I sat there wondering how many hours of concentrated practice each of these wonderful performers put in prior to going on stage, just to get it perfect. How many hours a week do we spend sharpening the saw for our new challenging market, that needs to be brought to life?

These are questions that only each of us can answer, especially with the sub-prime dilemma, foreclosures, record high inventories, ugly newspaper headlines and numerous other potholes in our road to success, we need to focus on our best practices, strategies and presentations as Realtors.  

We have so much more to offer the consumer now then ever before, with our expertise made available through our National Associations, State Associations and Local Associations. There has always been an array of classes, tools and new technology at our finger tips to take advantage of, however many found this to be unattractive during the order taking business of selling real estate from 2001 through 2005.

I wonder if we started looking at our career with the idea of getting a standing ovation at the end of each performance, if we would latch on to more classes, better technology skills and really focus on the basics of prospecting, presenting and closing the sale. We are not Trans - Siberian but we can be transforming. What you think?

"Expect the Best" Mike

We have experienced and are presently going through a complete overhaul with various challenges as Realtors, consumers and those vendors in the Ancillary business of supporting the real estate transaction. With inventories at record highs, home foreclosures, mortgage fraud, and dismal headlines saturating our news media, you would think we are heading for the end of times in the real estate world. "In some ways, the extended real estate boom from 2001 to 2005 created unrealistic expectations that housing is a short-term high-yield investment," said NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun in a Realtor.org, recent article. I think he hit it right on the head.

There's an old saying in the real estate business that indicates that there is no such thing as a bad market, no such thing as a good market, It's just a market. We have had to learn to adjust to changing markets since the beginning of times. Supply and demand adjust pricing and time frame. When we were in a sellers market as indicated above from 2001 to 2005 consumers continued to pay high prices for homes, just like the stocks were bought at high inflated prices during the dot.com boom. (Ouch!)

Smart investors buy low and sell high. Smarter investors, invest for the long term, steady yield. Timing is everything. (Who has that crystal ball?) One thing for sure, people will always be moving due to career changes, divorce, becoming empty nesters and numerous other reasons. The key now is to get creative in a way we had to back in the early eighties. (By the way we did survive) :-)

Let's look at three market segments:

1. Foreclosed Homes (Since that seems to be the headlines these days) Yes, these consumers need consulting in an attempt to save their homes. If they do sell, the banks need to participate in a short sale negotiation to allow the buyer and seller to come to terms. The sooner these houses are liquidated to new purchasers it will allow the normal sellers pricing and sales to even out. We need investors to obtain these houses at attractive enough prices to that would allow time for improvements, finding a tenant, and getting a good return on their investment. This takes good negotiation and attractive financing for non-owner occupied money.

2. Consumer moving up: Still a great time to move provided your moving into a more expensive home. Let's say you take a 10% hit on your 100,000.00 house. or $10,000.00 when you sell it. If you are buying a 200,000.00 home, in the same market, you should be getting a $20,000.00 reduction at 10% or a $10,000.00 gain. (These are hypothetical numbers however, putting egos aside, it gets everyone moved.

3. Seller's who don't need to sell. Then don't sell. Take your house off the market until you become motivated and realistic with the supply and demand system of home selling. This would eliminate some inventory to allow the market to even out sooner.

As Realtors we work with all different types of buyers and sellers who are buying and selling for all different reasons. Good listening skills, realistic expectations, and a positive attitude rank at the top of the list when it becomes time to make good choices for both the Realtor and the consumer.

John says it best right here: "Realtors® must learn to integrate new channels of communication into their businesses. As with other industries, real estate professionals must efficiently meet the needs of their clients while providing the world-class customer service to succeed." John Tuccillo, former NAR chief economist

Visit my Website for additional tools and articles on buying and selling real estate in today's market.

"Expect the Best" Mike

 

NAR recently released a counter campaign against the negative news that the media seems to focus on these days. (See Ad Here) I wonder if we will read that 2007 will end up being the fifth highest volume in history for real estate sales from the press. We are in an adjusted market, after coming off record breaking sales from 2002 to 2005 at record breaking prices. The nice thing about supply and demand is that there is a great opportunity at this point for buyers to obtain the American dream of home ownership at lower prices, the lowest interest rates in years and plenty inventory to pick from. Lansing is fortunate that prices have not plummeted like other areas that had extremely inflated prices over the past five years. (East, West, South coasts) Currently there are over 5000 residential homes on the market in the greater Lansing area; however there have also been over 2300 residential homes sell YTD. How do we fix the so called troubled market? Realtors work harder and smarter, sellers price there homes at today's prices and not 2002 -2005 price ranges, buyers get real and stop low-balling houses that are already priced competitively. A Buyer agent can provide buyers with recent sales to help make an offer that is not going to offend the seller of these well priced homes. Grand Ledge, Holt, Okemos, Dewitt, Haslett, and other suburbs in the Lansing area are not like Florida, Connecticut or California. Real estate is local. A real estate market is a market. It's not a good market, it's not a bad market, it's just a market that everyone has to become adapted to and move forward with the positive attitude. If a seller wants to sell and a buyer wants to buy then things can happen. We survived the early 80's, we made it through the banking troubles of the early 90's and we will ride this storm as well. The Lansing area is more of a perception problem. Some people think we are like the rest of the world. Some of us choose to be different. What do you think? There is plenty of FREE information available on my website for consumers to learn more about buying and selling, in addition to the Third Quarter report recently released by Coldwell Banker Hubbell Real Estate. "Expect the Best" Mike