From Realtor.com

According to a NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® survey of 3,793 adults conducted by Harris Interactive and released in January 2011, home owners and renters agree that home ownership benefits individuals and families, strengthens our communities, and is integral to our nation’s economy.

Here you’ll find highlights from the research report plus easy ways to share the information.

Among the findings of NAR’s “American Attitudes About Homeownership” survey:

* The vast majority of both home owners and renters say that owning a home is a smart decision over the long term. Even in today’s challenging economy, 95% of owners and 72% of renters believe that over a period of several years, it makes more sense to own a home.

* Home owners are much more likely to be satisfied with the quality of their family and community life than renters. While more than half of owners (56%) are “very” or “extremely” satisfied with the overall quality of their family life, only about one-third (36%) of renters report the same levels of satisfaction. Also, 43% of home owners are “very” or “extremely” satisfied with their community life, compared with 30% of renters.

* An overwhelming majority of home owners are happy with their decision to own a home. A full 93% of owners surveyed would buy again.

* Most renters aspire to home ownership. The majority of renters (63%) say they are at least somewhat likely to purchase a home at some point in the future. Among them, young adults (18- to 24-years-old) have the strongest aspirations for home ownership.

The survey also confirmed that home owners and renters continue to have concerns about the economy:

* In today’s market, many aspiring home owners face worries about job security and credit worthiness. Among renters who are “very” or “extremely” likely to buy a home in the future, three out of five consider confidence in job security or creditworthiness to be an obstacle.

* Home owners and renters both believe that the mortgage interest deduction should not be targeted for change. 74% of owners and 62% of renters say it’s “extremely” or “very” important that the MID remain in place.

Given the strong public support of and aspirations for owning a home, we need to keep in place policies that support and encourage responsible, sustainable home ownership.

How much would you pay to reach potential clients searching for homes in YOUR area? It’s all what we’re pouring advertising dollars into, right? Just how much are you paying right now to accomplish that?

For one online presence, it doesn’t have to cost a THING!

Realtor.com has a “Find a Realtor” search (which I just noticed the link is now at the top of the page – YEAH and about time!) I am AMAZED how many agents are not taking advantage of this FREE advertising – it’s web based and free for the taking. And with 90+% of potential clients searching on the web – you need to be taking advantage of it. Check yourself out – Is your information even there or are you a gray silhouette?

How about your local MLS and State Realtor Association websites? Is your information up to date? Is it there?

What if your information is on these sites – is YOUR website listed? or your company’s? Do the links work? Are you User Friendly or do the viewers have to really work to get your information? Is the contact information up to date? Do the sites have your current photo? Does the information brag up your services, or is it the generic crap of “I really work hard for my clients! Service is my top priority! Blah blah blah”.

It doesn’t take much to post or update your information and get it done today. What do you have to loose? It’s free!

What one agent or company is your nemesis? Arch-rival? Opponent? Who is that one agent you would either like to emulate or do better than?

I know you aren’t motivated by that little green monster, but who’s getting the business in your area? Okay …. break them down.

What do they have that you don’t?

What are they using that you aren’t?

If they are indeed getting more business than you are, why?

• Do they pop out from the crowd of real estate agents in the area? Are they more recognizable? Branded?
• Do they have a better system of staying in front of they client base creating more loyalty?
• Are they accessible to their clients? Do they answer the phone, return phone calls promptly, answer emails immediately or are proactive in getting updates before the clients ask? Are they easy to do business with?
• Do they have the marketing programs to get the listings out to the public?
• Do they have their own website and Social Media program instead of just using a web page from their company for their website.
• Do they give more value to their clients? Are they a resource?
• Are they more visible than you are?
• What do you think it is?

You know you have the right stuff to be the Top Agent in your Market, but you may not know how to implement. Don’t reinvent the wheel – get some help – there is a lot of free information on Realtor.com / Realtor.org – your broker – and multiple blogs. However, there is a much faster way and I can help you with that.

Get going today – be that Agent everyone is envying – turn the tables so others want to emulate you.

If you ARE the agent others are envious of, GOOD JOB! Keep up the SUPER WORK! But if you need assistance because you are so busy, let me know. I can help.

It amazes me how much is out there for our (real estate agents, I mean) use – AND IT’S FREE!! Looking for material to send to clients is time consuming and darn right difficult sometimes, that’s why I look for  you and post it on my blog when I find content you can use or at least point you in the right direction. Well, I found another source…. HouseLogic from our Realtor(r) Association. Just enter your NRDS number and it opens doors to information you can send out to your clients – seasonal information and again – IT’S FREE!! I just love being a Realtor(r) and have everything handed to us to make us great agents – for free. Okay, we pay annual dues – but we’re getting more than we ever would be paying for.

So, here’s another source to get articles to send out to your clients, which should be once a week. Or cut and paste to insert into your newsletter.

If you need help with your client data base or setting up a mailing system or even setting up a newsletter, just give me a jingle.

Have a very Happy & Profitable Labor Day!

This can be placed on your blog or website.