Contributor: Tony Thrift – McKissock 100% Education

As you may or may not know, the Association of Real Estate License Law Officials (ARELLO) recently voted to begin phasing out the approval of correspondence courses as a distance education option for real estate licensees nationwide. As of 9/30/09, no new correspondence course applications will be accepted; only approval renewals. The plan is to completely phase out this method of education as of 10/1/2012.

Correspondence courses are those courses where the provider sends printed or other multimedia material for the student to study, with an online final to be completed in order to receive a certificate. In a purely online environment, both the subject matter and examination(s) are online.

Despite this new rule change, real estate licensees need not be worried that they will be forced to travel to live seminars in order to complete the education requirements for future license renewals. McKissock LP offers 100% online, self-paced distance education options that will still be allowed even after this 10/1/12 deadline. McKissock has a wide variety of online course options available in 43 U.S. states and is constantly adding to its offerings in each state to provide a comprehensive online method of obtaining education credits. Our real estate curriculum includes both state mandatory topics and numerous elective options, all of which are approved by ARELLO. Click HERE or use the icon below to search for McKissock online course approvals in your state.

Keep in mind that, although not all states require ARELLO certification for approval, this additional review process does help attest to the higher standard of quality that ARELLO-certified courses undergo before they are even sent to Real Estate Commissions. To see if ARELLO certification is required in your state, visit https://www.arello.org/de/recognition.cfm or contact your state Real Estate Commission.

Search for McKissock-Approved Courses

Shipping October 2nd, Stefan Swanepoel’s new book “Swanepoel Social Media Report 2010” offers to help Realtors understand the power of social media. The book shows how to conduct your own ‘Social Media Orchestra’ and how to establish outposts and listening posts.

Stefan adds; “Now operating in full swing in what the Swanepoel TRENDS Report calls the transition years (2008 – 2012) Social Media takes a big step into the reinvention of the home buying and selling process.

Uncover secrets to creating and strengthening your online persona, how to engage others and how to measure your success. Utilize tips, tools and shortcuts to build a large following and establish a legitimate online marketing channel.”

Written by Stefan Swanepoel and Mel Aclaro this new step-by-step Social Media Field Guide is a must for all for Real Estate Professionals.

About the Author:

Thirteen time author Stefan Swanepoel has repeatedly proven his ability to provide a balanced and objective evaluation of the real estate industry. Stefan regularly blogs at RealBlogging or you can follow him on Twitter or Facebook.

I have to admit I’ve known Frank De Raffele Jr for several years but I have no qualms promoting his ‘Entrepreneurial Excellence Radio Show‘ because the content is of huge value to anyone in business and as I’ve said many times before Realtors are small business owners.

The shows Website describes the content as being ‘tailored to business professionals and the Entrepreneur’. It can be heard live and online each weekday between 4pm and 5pm on WTBQ’s FM station 99.1 and AM 1110.

Frank interviews “top Entrepreneurs from around the world as well as authors and consultants” with past guests including Stephen R. Covey, Zig Ziglar, Jay Conrad Levinson, Ken Blanchard and Harvey Mackay. Frank adds:

“The shows content is focused on giving great education, tips and insights on how to start and run a successful business.”

The Website also includes an archive section so you can listen to past shows, one broadcast from last week caught my attention; Tom Hopkins, a real estate Millionaire by the age of 27. Here is an excerpt:

Even if you only have time to listen to the show once a week you will still benefit from the varied content; I’m a fan! Enjoy

Davidson Realty invites the public to attend its 2009 Speaker Series. Held on the second Thursday of each month at the company’s World Golf Village headquarters, the events offer an opportunity to learn about current real estate issues and trends.

PRLog (Press Release) – Aug 26, 2009 – Davidson Realty invites the public to attend its 2009 Speaker Series. Held on the second Thursday of each month at the company’s World Golf Village headquarters, the events include a complimentary wine and cheese social and an opportunity to learn about current issues and trends affecting the real estate industry and homeowners.

This month’s August 13 event kicked off the series with attorney and counselor at law Stephanie Harriett, P.L., who discussed estate planning, probate and elder law. A native Floridian and graduate of Florida Coastal School of Law, Harriett opened her law firm in January 2008 and focuses her practice in these areas.

Harriett explained some of the common issues she encounters in probate law, the process of handling the property of a deceased individual and distributing property to its rightful heirs, including the different probate processes, home mortgages, homesteads and the significance of correct home titling, what to do if minors are involved in the process and the importance of a will.

“Estate planning, probate and elder law are very important, but not often enough talked about topics, because they can be so difficult for families,” says Sherry Davidson, president of Davidson Realty. “Much of Stephanie’s advice was on the actions that individuals should take now to avoid greater difficulties down the road. This is exactly the type of information we hope to bring to the public with our speaker series.”

The following is the schedule for the remainder of Davidson Realty’s 2009 Speaker Series:

Sept. 10 – Lansing J. Roy, P.A., Bankruptcy Law firm of Lansing J. Roy, P.A., “Where the Housing Crisis in Northeast Florida and the Bankruptcy Court Intersect.”

Oct. 8 – Keith Pearce, CPA, “Short-term Solutions to Long-term Wealth; Why Now is the Time to Invest in Real Estate.”

Nov. 12 – Tim Dooley, vice president and mortgage loan officer with Bank of America Home Loans, “Mortgage Programs and Products Now Available.”

Dec. 10 – Sherry Davidson, president of Davidson Realty, “Foreclosure: What it Really Means and How to Avoid it.”

Each speakers’ presentation will be followed by an open question and answer session. All events will be held at Davidson Realty’s headquarters at 100 E. Town Place, Suite 100 at the entrance of World Golf Village at 7 p.m. For more information, call 904-940-5000 or visit www.davidsonrealtyinc.com.

Davidson Realty, Inc. specializes in selling commercial and residential real estate in World Golf Village and the surrounding northeast Florida areas. Since 1989, Davidson has been a vital part of the north St. Johns county community, playing a key role in its development and growth. As the original master developers of World Golf Village, Davidson Development has overseen every step of creating a place where families can live, work and enjoy a one-of-a-kind lifestyle in harmony with its gorgeous natural setting. Davidson Realty is here to assist you with residential and commercial sales, as well as leasing, short sales, distressed properties and foreclosures.

For information on Davidson Realty or real estate opportunities in The Neighborhoods of World Golf Village and surrounding counties, call 904-940-5000 or visit www.DavidsonRealtyinc.com, Fan them on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/DavidsonRealty, follow them on Twitter at http://twitter.com/DavidsonRealty or visit their videos on YouTube at www.youtube.com/user/DavidsonRealtyInc.

Issued By : Flammer Relations, Inc.
Phone : (770) 383-3360×27
Address : 50 Shotgun Road, Atlanta GA 30121

Contributor: Tony Thrift – McKissock 100% Education

In today’s environment-conscious world, both residential and commercial builders, buyers, and sellers are much more mindful of the effect of construction on the environment as well as ways to save energy and reduce waste. As this phenomenon becomes more prevalent, it is more important than ever for professionals in numerous industries, including real estate to remain aware of the effect of construction on our environment. Especially in the United States, this new eco-friendly mindset has even led to new “green” real estate designations to help assure purchasers of real estate that the structure in question will use less energy and water, improve public and occupant health, and reduce environmental impacts.

The Federal Government has also gotten involved, creating the U.S. Green Building Council, a non-profit organization that is dedicated to the expansion of green building. LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) has emerged as the most important force in the accelerating market for green buildings by federal agencies.

McKissock 100% Education is equally aware of the importance of this fairly new way of thinking and has developed an online continuing education course that will give real estate agents an introduction to the concept of “green” or sustainable building. For anyone that is unfamiliar with this term, our Introduction to Green Building for REALTORS® course will give you a solid foundation that will help you deal with buyers and sellers who are more attracted to green friendly structures. If you are already accustomed to assisting in the sale or purchase of green buildings, it will serve as a valuable refresher, giving you practical information that you can put to work when you encounter these kinds of customers. It will also help you to understand some of the reasoning behind the growth of green building in our society and provide resources to obtain more detailed information on this trend.

Click HERE (or use the button below) to see if this course is approved in your state or search for other online Real Estate and Appraisal education courses that are fast, flexible, and simple to understand. Geared for business professionals like yourself, you can meet your educational requirements using a convenient online system that works around your busy schedule. They are also an invaluable tool to help you expand your knowledge base and augment skills that you will utilize in your career as a Real Estate or Appraisal professional. If you can’t find this or another course you need, don’t be discouraged. We are actively seeking acceptance for additional McKissock courses. Please check back often for new approvals.

Search for McKissock-Approved Courses

Social Media 6-Pack: A beginner’s guide to creating a social media presence that brings you business without wasting your time.

Simple and Easy!

This course will enable you to create a plan for your online presence using Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Trulia, Zillow and blogging. We’ll focus each month on getting set up on one platform and you’ll have a checklist of tasks to get it all done!

Did I say Simple and Easy?

And then, the other best part is AFFORDABLE!

The schedule:

6 months, with 2 sessions each month

or just jump in for the ones you want

Usually, the 1st Thursday of each month at 9 AM Pacific Time, Noon EDT for an hour

This call will give you the content and assignments for the month

The 3rd Thursday of each month at 9 AM Pacific Time, Noon EDT for a half hour

This call is an open call for support, questions and other resources and ideas

August 6th & 20th:

FACEBOOK:Friends, Fans and Foolish Falderal

September 3rd & 16th:

TRULIA & ZILLOW: Be Where the Consumers Are

October 1st & 15th:

BLOGGING Made Easy!

November 5th & 12:

LINKEDIN and OTHER SOCIAL NETWORKS: How to Choose Where Else to be

December 3rd & 17th

THE PERFECT PLAN: Have Time to Have a Business!

January 7th & 21st:

Begin With a Plan. Using TWITTER: How Tweeting can Bring you Business

February 4th & 18th:

FACEBOOK:Friends, Fans and Foolish Falderal

This program includes:

Investment:

$29 per month – Register Here

Or

$150 for the entire program – Register Here

The ever dancing, ever tweeting Queen of social media, MyTechOpinons Nicole “NikNik” Nicolay has updated her ebook “Twitter for Real Estate Twits”.

Version 2 includes “new tools, new tips, a new tweet plan, and even success stories from real agents using Twitter for business.”

Click here for your FREE copy!

Contributor: Stephen Fells

If you want to contact me you have lots of choices. There’s obviously email (multiple accounts), there’s Facebook (and LinkedIn and YouNoodle and countless other social networks), there’s twitter (@netearth), via this blog, that blog and the other blog. And there’s fax, one for the East cost, another for the West coast.

By telephone you have even more choice. There’s my mobile, my direct line, three toll free number’s and my home telephone number.

Then there’s the telephone number for our social application development company and the AgencyLogic private label support number. Need I go on? The problem with telephone numbers is a common one; we all have more than one number and it gets really complicated if we ever move home or job.

How about having one number that works anywhere, anytime and can be configured so that some people go to voicemail, others to your mobile phone and a select few to all of your telephone numbers. Oh and it will be your number forever. And it’s from Google so guess how much it won’t cost?

Welcome to your Google phone number.

Currently available by invite only the feature set is impressive:

One word. WOW!

This video is a great overview:

But what about mobile? That’s covered too. Google Voice has a mobile app for Blackberry and Android-powered phones:

What’s that one word again?

Phoenix, AZ, July 08, 2009 –(PR.com)– ‘SOLD! The Feng Shui Way’ Teaches Realtors and Homeowners ‘Western’ Feng Shui Techniques to Energize Their Homes and Attract Prospective Buyers

Real estate agents have a new sales tool to help them through this current depressed real estate market. A newly-released DVD “SOLD! The Feng Shui Way” gives realtors solid Western-styled Feng Shui tools and tips to increase, remedy, and enhance a home’s attraction to buyers. “SOLD! The Feng Shui Way” offers viewers a “real” presentation of the techniques involved in energizing the land the home sits on, as well as the home itself.

Home prices have fallen 32 percent in this real estate market (after peaking in 2Q 2006) and analysts expect another 10-15 percent drop over the next year (Standard & Poor’s/Case-Shiller National Home Price index). It’s more important than ever to build client loyalty through an agent’s service. “SOLD! The Feng Shui Way” will help facilitate that process.

In the 45 minute DVD, realtor and Feng Shui consultant Jane Andersen takes a listing agent through the remedies and enhancements made to a home that has recently been listed. She shows the agent how easy it is to change a color, move a piece of furniture, use a particular shape or texture to bring the room in balance and then enhance it for positive attraction. These changes can bring about a big difference in the emotional reaction to a home. See a short clip below:

Sold! The Feng Shui Way – Clip 1 – Funny videos are here

“Real estate agents need to be able to offer more ‘value’ to their clients and differentiate their services in a meaningful way,” said Jane Andersen. “This real estate cycle we’re in has been very trying for many agents, yet the survivors are the agents that have adapted, persevered and always kept their clients’ ‘best interests’ at heart.”

“SOLD! The Feng Shui Way” offers examples how to educate clients and create the positive momentum needed in today’s real estate market. “Staging alone won’t attract and compel buyers to buy; the home and land needs to be magnetized and the energy balanced. Otherwise, it’s just another pretty home that will sit on the market until price is the only factor that brings a buyer. And that’s not why clients “hire” a realtor,” says Andersen.

“SOLD! The Feng Shui Way” can be purchased at Amazon or through http://www.8elements.biz

###

About Jane Andersen and 8 elements

Jane Andersen, and her husband Al Andersen are previous corporate executives with 20+ years of experience in HR, Sales, and Business Development. Jane is a certified Feng Shui practitioner & Realtor, as well as the CEO of 8 elements, a Human Performance Learning and Development company. The couple also own Compass Consulting Team which focuses on Outplacement, Career Coaching and Consulting for individuals in transition and companies experiencing tremendous change. The couple shares their knowledge in a weekly Web radio show “Career Launch…with Jane and Al” that airs Mondays (8am–9am PST) on the Modavox.com, VoiceAmerica Variety Channel.

Contact: Jane Andersen, 8 Elements – www.8elements.biz,
Tel: 602-300-6394. info@8elements.biz
Contact Information
8 elements
Jane Andersen
602-684-9300
info@8elements.biz
www.8elements.biz

HomeGain Member and Realtor® Mitch Ribak of The eHomes Realty Network in Florida on track to sell 350 homes this year with the help of HomeGain marketing program, BuyerLink™

Emeryville, CA (PRWEB) July 20, 2009 — HomeGain®, a leading website that connects real estate professionals with home buyers and sellers, today announced, in anticipation of the HomeGain Live Nation Real Estate Forum on August 3rd in San Francisco numerous successes of its agent and broker members across the U.S. using HomeGain’s BuyerLink™ per-per-visit marketing program.

“HomeGain’s success is tied to our agents’ success,” stated Louis Cammarosano, General Manager at HomeGain. “As part of our semi-annual review of customer satisfaction, loyalty and performance, we are delighted to announce the achievements of our agents.”

Mitch Ribak of The eHomes Realty Network and Tropical Realty of Suntree in Florida exemplifies HomeGain member success with BuyerLink. Mr. Ribak is on track to sell 350 homes in 2009 with the help of the BuyerLink marketing program. The Mitch Ribak Real Estate Team sells over $40 million in real estate annually and is ranked as the #1 Buyer Brokerage in Brevard County.

“BuyerLink has helped me increase my business revenues year after year – it brings in over $110,000 per month,” said Mitch Ribak. “We get double the click-to-lead conversion rate using HomeGain versus Yahoo! and Google. We sold 280 homes last year and have already passed our home sales goal from last July. We expect to earn over one million dollars in commissions coming from BuyerLink this year. My ROI with BuyerLink is higher than any other marketing program I’ve tried and it has exceeded my expectations.”

Additional BuyerLink agent members also reported their success:

HomeGain also recently inducted 17 members into its Diamond Club for AgentEvaluator®, recognizing HomeGain members who have earned more than $500,000 in lifetime commissions from using that product.

BuyerLink is a pay-per-visit marketing program for real estate professionals who are looking to increase their business through the Internet by connecting with potential home buyers on their websites. To learn about the program, please visit www.homegain.com/buyerlink.

The HomeGain Live Nation Real Estate Forum is an exclusive HomeGain member event that provides real estate professionals strategies for how to increase their success with HomeGain products, BuyerLink, AgentView and AgentEvaluator®.

At HomeGain Live Nation, Mitch Ribak will host the BuyerLink session together with panelists Linda Davis of RE/MAX Realty Group and Dave Marron of First and Elm Realty. Brian Kinkade of Cherry Creek Professionals Realty will present the AgentView session. Wayne Long of Shepherd Brokers.com will present the AgentEvaluator session along with Carl Medford of Windermere Properties East Bay and Karen Breen Elia of RE/MAX Exclusive Properties. Additional HomeGain Live Nation sessions include an SEO session led by Eric Blackwell of RE/MAX Properties East, a home staging session led by Lise Desormeaux of RMR Home Staging, and a real estate marketing trends panel discussion that features Louis Cammarosano, Jay Thomspon, Patrick Kitano and Robert Hahn. Louis Cammarosano will give the keynote and be joined by Brad Inman, Founder of HomeGain. This real estate event will take place on Monday, August 3, 2009 at the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco, California.

About HomeGain

HomeGain® is a leading provider of online marketing solutions that connect real estate agents and brokers with home buyers and sellers. HomeGain offers free services to find and compare real estate agents, research home values, and view homes for sale. Since 1999 REALTORS® have used HomeGain’s real estate marketing programs, products and tools to connect to consumers, promote their services and grow their business. HomeGain.com receives an average of over five million web visits per month, ranking it in the top 10 real estate websites worldwide.

The wait is over — “Mini Max” has finally arrived here at the Emeryville headquarters!

A few months ago, Max, the HomeGain gorilla, found inspiration from the movie Austin Powers and decided to create a ‘Mini-me Max’ so he could attempt to conquer the real estate world.

Now that he has arrived, HomeGain is using its annual Office Olympics to welcome him to California. To kick the event off, we want to ask for your help …

Can you guess how many Mini Maxes are in the bowl?

Can you guess how many Mini Maxes are in the bowl?

The winner gets a Mini Max!

(Hint: Mini Max measures approximately 5 inches tall. The bowl measures 17.5 inches in diameter and 12 inches high.)

Contest ends this Friday, July 17th.

Also, as promised, Mini Max will be mailed to the 1,150 real estate agents who completed our home prices survey in May. Take a look at the Mini Maxes before they head out the door!

Go the the HomeGain blog to submit your answer!

HomeGain will mail 1,150 Mini Max's to agents who completed the May home prices survey.

SellMyHouse.com Now Offering Bulk REO Government Property and Go Zone Investment Properties to Their Investor Network

PRLog (Press Release) – Jul 14, 2009 – Springfield, IL: www.SellMyHouse.com, a national real estate company operating in 300 cities around the country, has announced 2 new platforms to help its investor network purchase investment grade properties around the country.

Through a non-profit partner which has been certified by the U.S. Department of Treasury, SellMyHouse.com is now authorized to liquidate direct HUD REO properties to the private real estate investors. These distressed Properties come from HUD, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, the FDIC, and several national banks. This program requires that almost 1% of the bulk REO purchase price be re-invested back toward the Katrina Project designed to help with housing and disaster relief.

The opportunity for investors to acquire these REO portfolios at unprecedented prices in U.S. history makes these distressed purchases especially attractive to the SellMyHouse.com’s bulk investor network which includes some of the nation’s top real estate individuals, hedge funds, and companies. These discounted properties are being liquated at 25-60 cents on the dollar based on current market value and are comprised of residential, multi-family, and commercial spaces.

Jason K Roberts, CEO of www.SellMyHouse.com says, “This is a very exciting time for some of our bulk investors who have been waiting patiently on the sidelines over the last few years. We are extremely excited to be able to offer our real estate investors the best wholesale deals on the market today. Everybody is frustrated with the red tape associated with the process of buying bulk REO wholesale packages. Solving that problem for them was very important to our company.”

www.SellMyHouse.com has also recently signed an agreement with the nation’s premiere Go Zone investment company. In 2005, U.S. lawmakers passed the Gulf Opportunity Zone Act with the intention of revitalizing areas affected by Hurricanes Katrina, Wilma, and Rita. This new government stimulus offers ‘buy and hold’ real estate investors huge tax incentives in prime resort locations.

Mr Roberts explains, “The GO Zone has become one of the hottest real estate opportunities in the country primarily due to the depreciation bonus of up to 50% on certain properties. We pride ourselves on staying ahead of the curve and wanted to ensure that our high income investors like our doctor and accountant groups have the best possible investment choices at all times. This group is always looking to maximize profit and minimize tax liability so we are excited to be involved in the Go Zone.”

Details of either program can be attained by calling Jason Roberts at 888-557-2772 x 104 or emailing BusinessDevelopment@SellMyHouse.com.
# # #

SellMyHouse is Americas’s leading portal for real estate information and service which include: House searching, FSBO and flat fee services, online auctions, full and discount MLS listings, short sale, and pre-foreclosure platforms.

Issued By : Jason K Roberts
Phone : (888) 557-2772
Fax : (309) 279-0982

RentShout, a rising company in online property rental advertising, just released unique ID emails to deliver detailed lead tracking reports to property managers and rental marketers.

PRLog (Press Release) – Jul 09, 2009 – On the heels of announcing new syndication partners for increasing visibility to their clients’ listings, RentShout, a rising company in online property rental advertising, released today unique listing emails. This additional benefit allows property managers and marketers to effectively track renter leads to each advertisement they have listed on the site.

Every property rental listing is assigned a unique email address, so whether a member has listed one rental or one thousand, they will be able to effectively identify and track the leads received on each listing. Using a prominent link on the rental listing, renters can contact the property advertiser by filling out a short form. That inquiry, along with the lead contact information and rental advertisement ID, is then sent directly to the property manager’s email inbox.

“Any savvy marketer knows that the key to successful advertising is to be able to effectively track and follow up with leads” says Misty Lackie, CEO of Go Smart Solutions, LLC, creators of RentShout. “This is exactly what the unique email tracking delivers.”

Instead of having all leads dumped into the same pile to be filtered, organized, and tracked, the RentShout email IDs do all of the filtering and organizing upfront, saving rental marketers time. The unique email address is assigned during the rental listing creation process, allowing property managers and marketers to easily publish it in other material, such as printed flyers, social networks, or their own website.

RentShout is part of the growing family of Go Smart Solutions, LLC, a company that has been providing premier self-serve advertising solutions for professionals since 2002. RentShout provides online rental advertising for property managers, owners, developers, and marketers. By syndicating rental property listings across the web to popular search directories and rental sites, RentShout delivers widespread online visibility and real renter leads.
# # #

Go Smart Solutions, LLC provides a variety of premier self-serve advertising solutions to help professionals develop an effective marketing plan for their business. From Lead Generation, to Ad Syndication, to Email Marketing, our easy-to-use tools pack a powerful punch.

Issued By : RentShout
Phone : (800) 754-4509
Address : 960 W. Grand Ave. Suite M, Grover Beach, CA 93433