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Century 21 Realtor Experiences Proven Success With Pro Step Marketing’s Website and SEO Strategy
RISMEDIA, June 23, 2011—
Pro Step Marketing’s all-in-one web strategy has brought exceptionally proven results to Linda Hall of South Carolina.
The Linda Hall Team, long time practicing REALTOR® in the Fort Mill, S.C. real estate market continues to bring buyers and sellers cutting edge marketing tools and advertising practices that help get homes sold. Linda Hall comments, “My website brings me leads!!! I have over 1500 buyer leads in drip campaigns and 40 sellers. When I go on a listing presentation I am able to share with sellers about how their home gets found on the web and gets instant exposure to my pool of buyers. So far this year we have closed 30 percent of our buyer side sales from the Internet.”
From her marketing efforts Linda has experienced exceptional results. Linda continues, “I hired Pro Step marketing in 2002 to handle all of my Internet needs to include my brand and website. Frankly, I have never looked back. They designed and built my custom site and over the years it has gone through many changes as things have evolved over the internet. They have advised me every step of the way and have always been right on target.”
Tricia Andreassen, CEO/Founder of Pro Step Marketing says Linda Hall’s results are exceptional because she understands that there are core elements to the overall web marketing plan. “Linda is a true example of understanding the value of web strategy and that you must have a strong foundation to grow your business. It’s a combination of planning, website design, IDX integration, and search engine optimization that power the exposure and lead generation. Her site has information on the towns, and on active market conditions and quick searches for listings. This is what people want.” says Andreassen.
Hall also feels that the Pro Step Marketing website strategy is a critical key to online success. “In my opinion,” comments Hall, “in order to remain viable, web sites should be updated on a frequent basis. With the Pro Step Marketing platform it is straight forward and easy. The edit capabilities are outstanding.”
“Recently Linda contributed as a panelist, sharing her best practices to inspire other real estate brokers and agents to take their business to the next level.” comments Andreassen. “Those who attended want to hear what active REALTORS® are doing in the market to close business.”
Andreassen says Hall’s results are exceptional because she sees the big picture. “It’s also about having a consistent presentation and brand strategy. Linda understands the importance of branding and we have helped them develop a brand that allows her to stand out from competitors in the market,” says Andreassen.
“My website is one of the Hallmark pieces of Brand and Marketing campaign,” says Hall. “If you ask my buyer specialists, they would tell you that their internet leads are the heart of their business now for new leads and past clients.”
Tricia Andreassen is a nationally-recognized leader in the real estate industry as a web strategy expert and marketing visionary, empowering thousands of REALTORS® to practice Interfusion Marketing™ and spread a targeted message through all areas of web marketing, search engine strategies, media, including social media tools and video integration. Additionally, Andreassen is recognized as a top national speaker for web marketing strategy and business strategy with the Broker Agent Speakers Bureau. She actively speaks at many national conventions and holds many invitation-only web strategy workshops for top producing REALTORS®. Andreassen is also a regular contributing columnist and writer for RISMedia magazine and a contributing educator for the NAR Learning Library, Online Ed and more.
For more information on Pro Step Marketing’s turn-key web system visit www.ProStepMarketing.com.
RISMedia welcomes your questions and comments. Send your e-mail to: realestatemagazinefeedback@rismedia.com
Determine Listing Price For Your Home
Determining the Listing Price
by Phyllis Harb
Pricing your home is an art — not a science.
Achieving the optimal price is the result of both objective research into similar properties and instinct in determining how much a buyer will be willing to pay for your home. The right price will attract showings, which will generate offers.
The unfortunate fact is that price is the number one factor that most homebuyers use to determine which homes they want to view. It’s also important to remember that although you and your Realtor set the asking price, the selling price is determined by the buyer.
The Correct Price Will:
•Result in a quicker sale, with less inconvenience to the seller
•Expose the property to more buyers
•Increase Realtor response
•Generate more ad calls
•Prevent your listing from getting “stale” or “shop worn”
Typically homes that sell more quickly, sell closer to or sometimes over asking price.
Some Common Reasons for Overpricing
•Over-improved property
•Original purchase price too high
•Desire for “negotiating room”
Overpricing Pitfalls
•Most of the activity on your home will occur in the first few weeks. Pricing a home properly creates immediate urgency in the minds of buyers and agents.
•There is a pool of buyers who have seen most available homes in their price range and are now only waiting for new listings or price reductions. A buyer that has been waiting, may fail to see your home if it is priced too high.
•Sometimes, a price reduction may be too late, as interest by both buyers and Realtors, may have waned.
•Buyers and their agents are very aware of the length of time on the market, the most common question continues to be: “How long has it been on the market?” Often buyers are reluctant to make an offer on a home that has been on the market for “awhile” thinking that there is something wrong with the home.
•Unfortunately, overpriced listings frequently help you to sell your neighbor’s reasonably priced home, making it appear that their home is priced very well.
The Role of a Real estate Agent in Pricing
•Provide you with a comparative market analysis, which is a comparison of recent homes with similar amenities that are available, in escrow and sold.
•There is no “exact price”; your home is worth what a buyer is willing to pay.
•The market determines value; together you and your agent determine asking price.
Realtors have no control over the market, only the marketing plan. The seller determines the asking price. Never select an agent based on price.
Seven Deadly Credit Sins
Your credit score, from about 350(poor) to 800(excellent) is a numerical rendition of your credit report. The higher your score, the more likely you will get approved for credit and the more likely you will get the best rate and terms. negative actions posted to your credit report, take a bite out of your credit score. Listed below are the seven worst things you can do to your credit score.
1. Deadbeat behavior: Frequent, significant and late payments 30 days, 60 days, 90 days late. Do not believe a 30 day late payment will not hurt. It may ruin your credit but it is not helpful and can remain on your report for years.
2. Collection activity: When the lender gets tired of deadbeat behavior it will call out the dogs.. a third party collection agency. The collection agency will report collection activity to the credit bureaus and again, seven years of bad luck.
3. Charge offs: If the lender gives up on your collection case, acknowledging you will never pay the bill, it charges off the debt and puts your credit report on notice for seven years.
4. Public recordings: Bankruptcy, tax liens, judgements and lthe like killers for your credit rating. Bankruptcies can dog your credit report for 10 years and unpaid tax liens never go away.
5. Settlements: If you pay a portion of the debt to your lender in a settlement, say a some of the mortgage in a short sale, you can get a settlement notice on your credit report card for seven years. Credit cards and other debts, like wise can be settled, with negative impact to your credit report.
6. Foreclosures: If you can not or will pay your mortgage lender will eventually foreclose and relieve you of your home. Another seven year negative notification willl drag drown your score. The same applies when you give the home to the lender in a deed-in-lieu of foreclosure.
7. Repossession: When you do not pay your vehical loans a bounty hunter will be coming your way. He or she is not coming after you, but your vehical, and that’s often with notice, after you have been dunned for awhile. It is all legal.
Home Buyer’s Checklist
Home Buying Worksheet
Prepare yourself by answering the questions before you head out house hunting.
1. Do you know your housing budget?
2. Have you been approved for a loan?
3. What type of home would you like? Resale or New?
4. Min. square footage and max. square footage
5. Number of bedrooms?
6. Number of baths?
7. Do you want a formal dining room/living room?
8. Do you desire an eat in kitchen?
9. Do you need a home office?
10. Do you need a bonus room?
11. What do you want in your master suite?
12. Do you want/need a garage? What size?
13. Do you desire a deck or patio?
14. Is a pool a requirement or just an added bonus?
15. How much of a lot do you want?
16. Is there a certain area of town where you want to live?
Low Cost Ways to Improve Your Home
There are many inexpensive ways to improve your home yourself to get it ready to for selling or just for you to enjoy.
1. The kitchen is a number one spot in a house. Some tips is paint the cabinets and add new handles or knobs. Adding a backsplash will an additional pop to your kitchen.
2. New carpet can make a home look brand new. If you have some worn out spots or tough stains on the main traffic areas of your house then replacing what needs to be done will make a huge difference.
3. Painting is a real simple fix. Fresh coat of paint will freshen up a room and it will not cost you much to do so. A good neutral color will give it a warm feeling.
4. Check your windows. If your windows are old, chances they are costing you more money by letting drafts in your home and causing your power and heating bills to be higher. Replacing the windows will benefit you by cutting the bills down.
5. Replace old light fixtures. Light fixtures stands out in a home. They can be replaced one room at a time. Next add the energy light bulbs to save you money on your power bill.
The exterior of your home is just as important as the interior.
1. Landscaping makes all the difference. A fresh green lawn shows you take pride in your yard. Flowers add that special touch of color. Plant some bulbs that will come back every year to give your home character.
2. The front door will be the first thing a potiental buyer will see. A fresh coat of paint will go a long way.
3. An inviting porch adds great value to a home. Just adding some simple furniture or just adding new cushions to existing chairs will make a difference. Give a splash of color by adding fresh potted plants. Make any repairs necessary.
4. Pressure washing your home will give a fresh look. It will make a lasting impression.
