The Dirty Little Secret About Real Estate 800 Call Capture Systems
June 30, 2007 on 12:00 am | In Real Estate | No Comments>
Real estate 800 call capture systems are a great tool for real estate agents. The dirty little secret…it probably won’t work for you. The majority of real estate agents that get an 800 call capture system don’t use it correctly and then when the phone doesn’t ring, they blame the technology. The technology isn’t the problem, the application of it is. Most service providers don’t educate their users enough about how to get the most out of their systems. Here are just 2 of the ways you can make real estate 800 call capture technology work for you.
Lead Generation
Use your real estate 800 call capture number in all of your advertising- business cards- flyers- faxes- direct mail pieces- advertising. Anywhere you provide your contact information, you should provide your 800 number. Why? Each time someone calls your 800 number you’ve captured a lead. Your call capture system captures the phone number- even if the number is blocked or the caller doesn’t leave a message. You can also capture the name and address in most cases. Real estate 800 call capture systems provide you with unique extensions that can be loaded with a recording of your choice as well as a document that your callers can request to have faxed to them. Load a recording and fax-back document about each of your listings. Then advertise on your sign rider, “Call for free, 24/7, recorded information 800-888-8888 ext. 100.” This gives your buyers the ability to call your toll-free number 24/7, at their convenience, for information on your listings. Remember, each time a prospect calls your 800 number for information, you’ve captured their phone number and possibly their name and address. You can also position yourself in the market as an information provider. Place a small ad in your local paper or perhaps send a post card out that offers free (no cost)- 24/7 (convenience)- recorded information (no sales person to talk to). Each time someone calls in to request the free information, you’ve captured a lead.
Listing Tool
Demonstrate the technology right in front of your seller’s eyes. Before going to the listing presentation, record the information about their home in one of your extensions and load a listing flyer or floor plan of their home. During the presentation tell Mr. and Mrs. Seller that you are able to offer them something that most other agents can’t offer their sellers. Let them know that you are going to offer free-24/7-recorded information on their home. Have Mr. and Mrs. Seller call your 800 call capture system along with the extension for their home. They will be impressed with the recorded information and the ability to have a fax with even more information automatically sent to them. Give them confidence that each and every prospect will be contacted and in a timely matter after your system captures their name, address, and phone number.
These are just two of the ways you can make real estate 800 call capture technology work for you. This is just the tip of the iceberg. 800 call capture systems are a must for real estate agents looking to generate more leads and get more listings. But, it probably won’t work for you…unless you know how to use it.
About the Author
Brandi Cummings is a leading telecommunications consultant specializing in 800 number call capture technology for real estate professionals. Learn more secrets and tips on how to make a call capture system work for you at www.realtyone800.com
Real Estate Exchange Tips
June 29, 2007 on 3:00 am | In Real Estate | No CommentsExchange is a program that allows the owner of a certain property that is used for investment to be exchanged with another property and defer paying the taxes. If the like-kind property is purchased, the rules and regulations of the Internal Revenue Code should be followed and observed. This will allow the investors to gain more assets, have a large control over real estates and expand into other properties. The like-kind property is only recognized if the exchange is for the purpose of productive use like in the business or trade industry and investment. The like-kind property can consider these for investment:
- Duplex
- Commercial Property
- Single Family Rental
- Apartment
- Raw Land
1. Understanding Exchange
There are some points to understand regarding exchange. Here are some tips to guide you with the exchange process. It is important to know the basics of the process. A lot of people are confused about the exchange procedures. If you are new to it, perhaps you won?t understand it that well too. You can ask a professional about the terms and conditions that are unclear. Exchange process is not taken for granted because it has proper guidelines to follow.
If you are not aware with the exchange process, you can read books or if you are that interested, you can attend seminars that focus on exchange. They should be able to show how to deal with an exchange. If you want to be an expert in exchange, you should know a lot of important information and instructions. Exchange procedures may get complicated but it is important to be familiarized with it. It is not that easy that even the well-experienced investors and professionals avoid the exchange process because of its complexity. Exchange is considered profitable because you if you are an investor, you can still recover the earnings you have lost.
2. Who performs the exchange process?
- Real estate agents
- Accountants
- Attorneys
- Escrow companies
In the earlier years, real estate agents were the ones who specialize in the exchange process. They were the ones who handled exchange matters because they were able to master the important instructions and information of the process.
3. Faciliation Companies
If you want to perform exchange, it?s not really necessary to know all the dos and don?ts. All you need to do is to call an exchange facilitator to advise you throughout the process. Most exchanges are handled by facilitation companies. They are in charge of resolving problems that may soon take place. Complete with the contacts of competent facilitation companies, you are sure to triumph the pursuit to financial independence. This will no longer be a problem. The exchange process is considered an exchange between two parties. Most of the exchanges are the considered to be delayed exchanges. In less than 45 days, they must then be able to identify the possible replacement property after the closure of the property.
4. Who Can Exchange?
In order to qualify for an exchange, you are required to provide some important papers. The Exchanger should sign a written document that is mailed or sent to the person who is obliged and concerned in the exchange. This is very essential in order to successfully qualify for an exchange. All information of the replacement property should be ambiguously stated including the type of property in the personal property exchange.
You must be prepared for your first exchange. You should be able to locate a good exchange facilitation firm with a nice background. You should choose agents who can do the process accordingly and not act as if they know the whole process perfectly. When it comes to pricing, the fees will vary on the services. The rate is from $500 to $1,200. Once you notice that your facilitator can handle the exchange process well, you can take his advice. You can ask for copies of your documents that will be useful as reference by your attorney. It is important to find a good facilitator because time is important and investigation will take a long process but can be cut short if it is handled properly. Take note of these reminders in order to successfully apply or understand the fundamentals and applications of exchange.
About the Author:
For more great real estate related articles and resources check out http://www.1031exchangehq.com
The Hidden Gem Of The Real Estate Market ? Military Families
June 28, 2007 on 4:01 pm | In Real Estate | No CommentsAs a business professional, you realize the importance of thinking beyond the traditional and finding target markets that will enable you to enhance your business. As a real estate agent, you realize the importance of serving the community while enhancing your advertising in ways that attract the specific niche market within your local area. Finding the perfect balance between these two goals often seems like a daunting process. We can help you ensure that you are meeting the needs of home seekers while enhancing your own business practices and advertising in a very successful manner.
Next, we move onto targeting a specific demographic. Many agents will form relationships with large employers in their area who are frequently relocating employees. Forming a successful relationship with a hospital, large corporation or even a university can prove an effective means of gaining successful leads. However, if you work in an area where military personnel purchase homes you are fortunate to have access to one of the largest and often most under-addressed demographic in the real estate business!
Earnings & Housing Budgets
Military families earn approximately 18% higher than the average American family! With an average income of around $80,000 per year, this demographic group consisting of around 1.4 million people in the United States provides an opportunity to increase your customer base while increasing your sales volume.
Familiarize yourself also with lending programs that specifically target military personnel. Often, there are housing assistance programs (other than VA) offered by lenders that allow lower up-front costs and fees for these families due to a continual lending relationship. Because of their BAH (basic allowance for housing) many can afford home ownership, but can?t necessarily afford all the closing costs.
Frequent Relocations ? Continuous Opportunities!
Military personnel generally move between locations every three years, and many of these personnel come with families who purchase a home at each new installation. Also, with nearly one-third of the entire military relocating each year the market for new home sales constantly replenishes.
Because of the close relationship among military families, forming a good relationship with a few families in their home buying process could offer you countless good referrals to other relocating families. They have no choice; they need to find housing options on a regular basis. Thus, you can see how the opportunity to develop and constantly expand a large renewable customer base is right at your fingertips!
Advertising
Let?s focus for a moment on advertising opportunities. Advertising can be an expensive luxury that new agents specifically cannot afford to take lightly. However, the successful agent will look for opportunities to advertise services (and his or her name!) for FREE! Yes, FREE! Often there are neighborhood newsletters, websites or even bulletin boards where service providers within the community can advertise at no cost. Also, a good way to get your name out into the community as a reputable agent is to offer free seminars on home buying, mortgage options, etc. as mentioned above.
There are several opportunities for serving the military community while generating advertising. One way in which to generate advertising within the military community is to offer free seminars about the option to sell a home ?For Sale by Owner.? Because the homeowners are frequently moving, they would often prefer to save the agent commissions and to broker their sales alone. This may not seem like a profitable situation, however providing assistance in FSBO sales could net you 1-2% of the sale for simply providing advice and guidance on the process.
A second and often overlooked method of FREE advertising is to contact the on-base housing office in your area in order to provide then with your contact information. Many times, the office publishes a packet of housing information for those relocating to the installation in which they might include your information as a source for locating off-base housing.
A third option is to provide a discount to military families who are relocating to your area, in the form of an appreciation program. There are restrictions on the amount of a discount on agent?s fees in some areas. It is important to investigate this prior to committing to such a program. These discounts might include, in addition to agent fee reductions, home inspection discounts, coordination with utility companies, etc. in order to ease the transition for the new family.
It is especially important to realize the process that a military family will engage in prior to their relocation. Because there is often a limited timeframe for the relocation, they will generally begin searching in advance for homes near their new installation. With almost all military families having access to the internet, (92.8% according to Department of Defense statistics ? 2003) it is crucial to have a great online presence!
We recommend that your form relationships with local businesses in order to establish as many reciprocal links from area businesses as possible. This allows you to have more links to your site, as well as to show your connection with and knowledge about the military community. On your website, it is helpful to provide information about the area schools as well as transportation and entertainment venues.
There are other possible advertising opportunities not mentioned here. Just take some time to look around your community and find out what other business owners are doing that is working for them. Some carefully spent time and consideration will afford you the ability to extend your advertising at a lower cost.
Because the military housing market is a constantly renewable resource for real estate agents fortunate to be working in a community with installations nearby, and because this demographic is often overlooked by most in the real estate profession, it truly is the hidden gem of real estate. By simply taking some time to familiarize yourself with the needs and resources of the typical military family, you could expand your customer base and income potential exponentially. It is important, if you decide to target this demographic group, to form excellent relationships with your clients because you never know when they will be coming back to your area! Take advantage of the free and low cost advertising methods listed above in order to reach these families, and enjoy the camaraderie that evolves from becoming a part of the military community.
About the Author: Michelle McClory is a contributing writer for http://off-basehousing.com, a site owned and operated by a military family with 16 years of active duty service 8 assignments who knows the frustration of moving across the country. Read more articles of interest at: http://www.Off-basehousing.com.
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