Minneapolis Saint Paul Real Estate

In the world of Social Media Marketing, which by the end of 2010 will simply be referred to as marketing, all professionals should have at least a few methods to connect to their database and future clientele in a responsible and ethical way. 

There are so many applications and sites.  The point isn't to use them all (or sign up and not use them). The point is to use a few WELL.

Here are some of the latest tools that have or I feel will really impact the way we use social media and market ourselves or simply stay connected with friends family and clients.

1. Facebook - with the addition of Fan Pages, we are now able to separate business from pleasure.  Set up a fan page for your business, post the fan badges that are available to you on your other profiles or on your website.  Connect the fan page updates to Twitter.

2. Twitter - 'Twitter is now the second-youngest of the top four social networking sites. Its median age is 31. MySpace's is 26, LinkedIn is 39, and, Facebook is 33" (according to www.readwriteweb.com (RWW)).  In general, we are seeing a better Twitter uptake over the past year. As per RWW, 37% of those 18-24 now use Twitter when only 19% did back in December 2008. The 25-34 year olds, a some of whom could still be considered Gen Y, 31% are now using the service compared to only 20% in December of last year. Combined, these two groups account for more than half of Twitter's network.  WOW!! 

When you consider the buying power of these two groups, you may want to consider becoming a "Twit"! Not to mention, the RT revolution is here.  RT (or retweeting) will make it so much easier to spread the word.  Caution!  What happens on Twitter stays on Twitter.  Make sure you are responsible with your comments.  Remember the Golden Rule.  Sadly there are agents out there that don't realize that clients are everywhere on the web, "My client is a pain in the butt" is NOT good PR, much less a professional way to work Twitter.  "Having a hard time finding a 3br/3ba house near Main Street. Can you help?" - much better way to interact and still vent a little. Not to mention you will most likely connect with someone else that wants to help!

3. Posterous - upload to Social Media Sites in an easy way. Converts video and makes photo uploads even easier to work with.  With video becoming so important, this is a great application to learn and take advantage of.  You simple email what you want to post and Posterous does it for you.  If you have an iPhone you can also download the Posterous app for free.

4. Google Chrome - Google Chrome has changed my life in the sense it saves me time.  It is much faster that IE and makes browsing easier by loading your designated pages at start up, you can also search faster within a site or page.  Plus, being a visual person, I get a kick out of the themes and experiments.

5. Jott.com - on the run all the time?  www.Jott.com allows for safety first when you are in the car getting your great ideas as your drive around.  You are able to convert voice to text and upload that information to your blogs or social media sites. Not only that, but you can convert your voicemails to text to discreetly keep up when in a meeting along with other great tools to make life easier and stay connected.

Neat stuff, isn't it?  Now there may be a few that are still skeptical, thinking social media is just a fad.  Watch this video and get ready to be blown away by how social media is changing our world.

Feel free to contact me with questions or for other ideas or find me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/karentobler

 

Karen Tobler

EXIT REALTY NEXUS

 Home Buyer Power Hour - Become a Fan on Facebook

Communicating and marketing with your customers or potential customers used to be simple. You had a few options such as TV, radio, print, etc. The advent of the Internet and the recent growth of Social Media have in some respect made this process easier, but at the same time considerably more complex as the number of technology, web and online tools has exploded.

Managing the diverse and expanding facets of Social Media can be compared to managing all the components of an orchestra. In the same way that an orchestra consists of different parts — percussion instruments, keyboard, strings, brass, etc. — so Social Media consists of different parts; Blogging, Microblogging, Networks, Wikis etc.

In both cases the musical instruments or the different components of Social Media can all work autonomously; and successfully so. However, the full sound, power and impact of an orchestra only occurs when the conductor enables all the members of the orchestra to play together in harmony. The same principle applies to Social Media.

Tying it All Together

To coordinate all the members to each play their instrument at the right time requires a conductor that uses a music score (a plan) to show him when each instrument should be played.

In that same way view yourself as the conductor of your own Social Media Orchestra. It’s not vital that you activate or participate in every section and there is no reason that you can’t start one section at a time. There is no right or wrong here, neither is there a deadline or time frame. This example of a Social Media Orchestra is to illustrate the fact that you are in control of your own participation and that it can be done piecemeal and on your own timeline.

However, similar to the music conductor you must use your Social Media sites (think instruments) harmoniously and with a specific plan (think song/tune) in mind. If you don’t, your result will create a less attractive result (think noise).

To help understand the Social Media Orchestra the new Swanepoel Social Media Report (2010) published last week week divides social media activities into three primary sections and nine secondary components. For more details on managing your own Social Media Orchestra review chapter six in the 2010 edition of the Swanepoel SOCIAL MEDIA Report.

There is definite change occurring in Real Estate brokerage including mergers, acquisitions, sellouts, roll-ins, conversions and plenty of closings of Real Estate offices. My job is to have my thumb on the pulse of these changes; any hint of someone making a move initiates a call from me to see if they have what it takes to be part of EXIT Realty. You see, I sell franchises, but I am not a franchise salesperson. I treat my career as a relationship building experience; selecting those franchise prospects that will take a leap of faith and invest in EXIT, so I can invest in supporting them in our system. And, I always ask myself this question, "Why would someone join EXIT Realty"? The answer is simple to me and after reading this, it will be simple to you. We have lasted through this turbulent time in our industry because of the strong foundation our CEO and Founder, Steve Morris, built back in 1996 when EXIT Realty was formed. I am convinced we will become the most productively successful Real Estate Company on Earth.

I am going to share ten (10) differences between EXIT Realty and the other choices. But, before you read them, consider this: you can travel the Dixie Highway from Michigan to Florida in a Ford, Chevy, Dodge, Lexus or Cadillac. Some are more comfortable, some more efficient, but all good choices for getting you down the road. Then, you have the choice of a Helicopter to achieve the same result. Which makes better sense to you? EXIT Realty is your helicopter. Carefully consider what I am about to share with you and see if they hold the same value to you as they do for us.

Top 10 differences between EXIT Realty and the others

1. Our Unique Operating System (The EXIT Formula). It is simple and it works. It provides additional income streams to agents and their families including retirement and death benefits. Over $175 Million has been paid out to date and it is not contingent on the profitability of the company. It welds agents into a brokerage and allows them to build a business within a business through the power of vesting the agent with the broker. True mentorship.

2. No Service Fees (%). EXIT Realty does charge a minimal Transaction Fee, but it is off the agents portion of the commission, not a 5-10% fee off the top like others. Simply put, you net more at EXIT Realty.

3. Protected Territories. We sell protected territories to allow you the elbow room to grow when you feel it is appropriate, and to have an asset, something of value with your Franchise Agreement.

4. International Single-Call Franchise Support System. Not only do we offer full-time direct Franchise Support staff available to our Franchisees, we also provide full-time agent support services lines as well. We are here for you, live, when you need it.

5. MEMO and EXITtrac. Proprietary software systems to not only operate your franchise, but to track and maintain the agents sponsored into the company so you can see past, current and pending activity. Our software systems are among the best in the industry and available to make it easier for you to run your office.

6. Trend Setters. EXIT Realty recognizes that a high percentage of leadership in corporations are shifting to women. Our U.S. and Canadian Presidents are both highly skilled and experienced women that have both been identified as outstanding women in leadership.

7. Green Initiative. EXIT Realty recently introduced our company-wide "Teal is the New Green" initiative in support of the green movement across the country. In November, we were the Cover Story in RisMedia's Real Estate Magazine announcing this trend setting move to stay ahead of the curve.

8. Available CEO/Founder and Leadership. When is the last time you spoke to your CEO or upper-level management? How available are they when you need them? EXIT Realty is committed to service and support, as well as being available to our people who have made the investment in our company. We are here for you.

9. Technology Tools. Everyone has technology and tools, but, do they have the right technology and tools? Do they have a technology specialist available to answer your questions at your fingertips? We do. We know how important technology is today to compete and we have some innovative and exclusive tools just for our people.

10. Mindset Training. EXIT Realty believes that good agents are born, great agents are trained. While other companies are cutting back, EXIT is forging ahead, keeping the focus on training agents to better service the clients and be more productive for our franchisees. It simply makes good sense. 

 

Based on the feedback I receive while interviewing franchise prospects, I would say we have 10 reasons why you should consider EXIT Realty. These are important, relevant, and imperative to staying competitive today in Real Estate. As a broker, you deserve the best system and support available and owe it to yourself to look further into EXIT Realty to see if it makes sense to you and your situation. 

Contact Craig Witt, EXIT Realty Michigan and Illinois for more information. Or, click here to see for yourself. 

 

Craig Witt
877-669-3948
cwitt@miexit.com
exitrealty.com

 This is a great article on some ideas on attracting Green Buyers as well as doing some easy eco-friendly improvements to a home.   

 

Making eco-friendly home features pay off

Buyers prefer eco-friendly upgrades that save them money

By Alyson McNutt English, Cyberhomes Contributor

Published: September 23, 2009

When it comes to dollars and cents, energy-efficient, low-E windows and high-performance insulation are a better bang for the home buyer's buck than shiny hardwood floors. Fortunately, the real estate market is beginning to recognize this: A survey of "green" home sales by Earth Advantage, a non-profit green building organization in the Pacific Northwest, found homes in the eco-conscious Portland area sold for 4.8 percent more and stayed on the market 24 percent fewer days than comparable homes without earth-friendly improvements.

If you've made green renovations to your home and are getting ready to sell - or if you're thinking of making eco-friendly home improvements and have an eye on return on investment - check out these tips for making sure your earth-sensitive changes get you all the "green" you deserve.

Focus on eyes ... and wallets

Buyers are more likely to pay a premium for green improvements they can see, touch or feel in their wallet, says Andrew Jay Gross, chairman of The Green Committee in the Beverly Hills/Greater Los Angeles Association of Realtors. "Buyers clearly look for visible green features, like lighting, floors, appliances and garden features that use indigenous plants to conserve water," he says.

Energy-saving lighting systems that use watt-sipping compact fluorescent or LED lights can really turn buyers on to a property, he explains, because they can see the system and know they'll feel the difference in their wallet. And if you think these lights are all big classroom-style tubes or huge twisted coils, think again. More and more energy-saving bulbs are coming on the market in a variety of shapes and sizes to fit into even the most sophisticated décor.

And while they appreciate the good karma of saving and sustaining the earth, most buyers are likely to flock to the improvements that will save them money in the long run. Energy savings are really one of the driving forces pushing green into the mainstream of home buyers' consciousness, says Jeff Ammons, president of LiveGreen Inc., a company that specializes in helping homeowners make marketable green improvements to their homes. "Most homeowners care about sustainability, but when it comes to money, energy savings is the big seller," he says. "Sustainability requires more effort and longer payback periods than energy savings."

Ammons says many buyers he's seen are looking up and down for improvements ... literally. They seem to care most about the insulation and sealing in the attic and crawl spaces, and love upgraded, energy-efficient HVAC systems, he says.

Choose a real estate agent who understands ‘green'

A lot of buyers who aren't searching specifically for an eco-friendly home can still be drawn to one if it's marketed properly. "Each marketing effort is an education to most buyers," says Jan Green, a Realtor and certified EcoBroker in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Green says she can't just say, "Low-VOC paint" and expect it to sell a home, because most buyers don't understand the term. "But even when I explain that it means there are no volatile organic compounds in the paint, I have to explain what that means." So if your real estate agent doesn't completely understand what the green features in your home do or why they add value, neither will potential buyers.

But as green homes become more common, professional certifications are emerging to meet the needs of sellers. The best-known green real estate agent certification is probably the EcoBroker designation, which is administered and awarded by the Association of Energy and Environmental Real Estate Professionals (AEEREP).

For the rest of the article , go to this site: http://www.cyberhomes.com/content/news/09-09-23/eco-friendly-home.aspx

 

Karen Tobler

EXIT REALTY NEXUS

 

 

   

Welcome to 3827 Washburn Avenue in Minneapolis. This two bedroom, two bathroom home features over one thousand finished square feet on the main level. This old world charm home displays hardwood floors, built ins, leaded windows, french doors all in pristine condition. The updated kitchen, newer appliances, mechanicals and roof make this home move in condition. As you settle into your home you will appreciate the opportunity to expand the upper and lower levels. We have provided a home warranty giving you peace of mind. The location is ideal (close to parks, lakes, schools)  the home is beautiful, all we are missing is you!

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