Federal Reserve Study Flawed. 13% of All U.S. Homes Vacant

The Federal Reserve conducted a study where they essentially pretended to be a mortgage broker, and acted how they thought a mortgage broker would act in order to fabricate the results they were looking for. 13% of all U.S. homes lie vacant.

Federal Reserve Study Flawed. 13% of All U.S. Homes Vacant

Mortgage Market Guide Issue 13

Last Week in Review: Europe and the Treasury Department impacted Bonds. Find out what is all means to home loan rates.

Forecast for the Week: This week will be busy from start to finish...but the biggest news will hit on Friday. Read to learn why at the link below.

View: Mobile phone banking is convenient. But is it safe? Read these tips tp help lower your risk!

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Senators Rally to Delay LO Compensation Fed Rule

If you are under the impression that the LO Compensation Fed Rule will only effect mortgage brokers, you would be mistaken. Click the link to view a video with an example of how this will touch each and every mortgage out there. Basically making the "perfect" borrower pay for the "not so perfect" borrowers.

Senators Rally to Delay LO Compensation Fed Rule

Mortgage Market Guide Issue 11

Last Week in Review: Our hearts and minds - as well as the markets - were moved by the tsunami in Japan and unrest in Saudi Arabia. Read how both impacted Bonds and home loan rates!

Forecast for the Week: Double dose after double dose hits the news wires this week. Find out what to watch and why!

View: Discover the pros, cons, and interesting tidbits about Daylight Saving Time, which begins this week.

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Remember: Weak economic news normally causes money to flow out of Stocks and into Bonds, helping Bonds and home loan rates improve, while strong economic news normally has the opposite result.

So what should you do if you or someone you know is in the market for a new home?

The bottom line is that even if housing were to drop a little further in some areas, the affordability coming from today's rates serves as a backstop against any moderate price reduction. Remember, housing will likely be in a much better position in the second half of the year and at that time rates could be a bit higher. Now’s the time to take advantage of the combination of low rates and affordable housing. Call or email today to get started.

The FHA Energy Efficient Mortgage (EEM) Niche

FHA's Energy Efficient Mortgage (EEM) could be a great niche for your marketing and quite a cost saver for your clients. Click the link below to view a brief overview of the product.

The FHA Energy Efficient Mortgage (EEM) Niche

Mortgage Market Guide Issue 10

Last Week in Review: The Jobs Report numbers are in, but did they make us roar with happiness?

Forecast for the Week: It’s a quiet week when it comes to economic reports, but will that be true of events around the world?

View: Thinking of making your home more energy efficient and wondering if you still get a tax break? Rules are different this year - see the details below.

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203k Home Improvement Loans Part 2 of 2

Here is part two. Again, this is a great product for someone wanting to purchase a home that needs a little improvement.

203k Home Improvement Loans Part 2 of 2

203k Home Improvement Loan Part 1 of 2

If you have a client looking at a home that needs improvements to get it to their dream home status, this is the product for them. There are a lot of homes on the market and some need improvements. You need to watch this two part video that will give you a brief rundown of the product.

203k Home Improvement Loan Part 1 of 2

Market Your Service To More First-Time Home Buyers

First time real estate buyers are some of the most valuable clients out there, and the Internet is your best bet for attracting them. That's because new buyers are generally younger and spend more time doing research before entering the market, all of which adds up to more Internet use. Tech-savvy real estate professionals who can master a few new Internet marketing strategies will have a much easier time connecting with younger buyers, and building their market for the future.

Every real estate professional knows the value of first impressions, and that's why everyone wants to work with first-time buyers. Helping someone buy their first home is not just a huge responsibility, but also a marketing victory. With a successful first-time transaction, real estate professionals put themselves in a position to work with a client again in the future, and have their services referred to friends and family. But like a first home showing, that first transaction has to leave behind positive imagery and something to look forward to, otherwise the buyer will look somewhere else next time.

A strong Internet presence with a well designed, well written, and useful website is the most effective online marketing tool, and most tech-savvy Realtors will already have this. The advantage to already having a good website is that you can build on it, or use it as a central resource linking to your new marketing tools.

Many real estate professionals and developers are also realizing the benefits of online television in marketing property to younger buyers. Popular examples of this marketing tactic have included sitcom webisodes, real estate agent walk-thrus, and reality-TV style interviews with current homeowners. One online television series called Donovan Life told the story of a young professional woman who moved into a new downtown condo (the development being marketed) with her best friend. Like a television series featuring product placement, the Will and Grace-style Donovan Life managed to create a branded environment, and market a particular lifestyle. The series was a hit with younger buyers, and the development sold out quickly.

Tech savvy real estate professionals have also had a lot of success marketing to younger buyers with social networking. For example, instead of contacting leads via phone of sending mass emails, real estate professionals can simply set up a Facebook page and advertise their services. Clients tend to react well to this approach because it's more transparent, and doesn't require any personal information on their part - essentially it's the same thing as a website.

It's also important to keep in mind that these marketing tactics work well other groups besides young buyers. With more than 80 per cent of buyers and sellers using the Internet first in their real estate search, broadening your online presence is guaranteed to expand your market.

Determine The Listing Price

When it comes to buying a home, most potential buyers will use the listing price to as the number one factor to determine the homes that they look at. Even though you and a realtor may determine the asking price, the buyer will determine the selling price. If the price is too high, most buyers won’t give it a second thought - which is why you want to determine the listing price carefully.

If you set the correct price, you’ll notice a much faster sale. Setting the right listing price will also attract more potential buyers to your property as well. You’ll also notice an increase in response from realtors, and receive more calls about the property. The listing price is very important - and it can ultimately determine whether or not you sale your property.

A home can be overpriced due to several reasons. Overpricing is something you want to avoid, as buyers tend to steer clear of homes that have been overpriced. Normally, this happens when a buyer asks a lot more than the home is worth or valued at. Some buyers ask a lot more than the value of the home due to location. Although the location is very important, most potential buyers won’t give the home a second look if they think the price is too high - and more importantly out of their price range.

When you put your home up for sale, most activity will happen within the first couple of weeks. If you put the right price on your home, you’ll notice immediate interest. There are always buyers looking for homes in their price range, waiting for new homes to be listed or homes to be reduced in price. Buyers who are waiting to purchase may miss seeing your home completely if the price is too high.

To determine the listing price of your home, you should always have it appraised before you put it on the market. This way, you’ll know the full value of your home. You can sell it for market value or go a little under, although you should never attempt to go way over the value. In doing so, you’ll miss out on a lot of potential buyers. The home market is very competitive these days, which is why you want your home to draw as much interest as possible. Let me know if you need a referral for a certified appraiser in your area. This may be the best investment you can make prior to listing your home if you are unsure what price to list for your property.

Keep in mind that realtors really have no control at all over the real estate market, only the plan behind marketing. Realtors don’t determine the asking price - the seller does. You can ask a realtor for advice, although you are the decider of your listing price. If you do things right and take each thing step by step, you’ll set the listing price in the right area and have no problems selling your property.