This is not a good thing. The article basically says that the bank will assume the risk for anything outside of guidelines. So if the federal standard is 10% down and the bank offers 5%, then the bank is liable for the 5% difference. We need the housing market to recover. We still need 5% down programs.

• 70% of businesses surveyed are employing some sort of social media tactics
• 36% of businesses are sharing e-mail newsletters on Twitter
• 35% of businesses are delivering blog posts via email
• 54% of businesses said that they plan to use their Facebook page as a way to build their e-mail marketing list
• 20% of businesses indicated that using both social media and e-mail marketing has helped them increase customer loyalty.

The survey found that businesses find it easier to measure their Return on Investment (ROI) on e-mail marketing than it is to do for social media marketing.

• 32% of businesses said that e-mail marketing ROI is more quickly realized than social media ROI at just 8%

One of the key takeaways of the survey was that for marketers who are short on time or resources necessary to operate both e-mail marketing and social media campaigns, e-mail should receive priority, since it can be more easily measured.

The survey asked business to rank analytical data (or data that can be tracked) in order of importance to their business. They selected:

1. Tracking who opens an e-mail vs who doesn’t
2. Tracking who clicks links in an e-mail and who doesn’t
3. Reports on sales revenue that is generated as a direct result of an e-mail campaign
4. Reports on which ad campaigns or sign-up forms bring the most subscribers

It is important to have a “sign-up” form for gathering names to add to an e-mail list. Over 60% of the businesses surveyed said that the form needs to look like it belongs on the site. This will make it more likely for consumers to sign up.

“As the survey results indicate, e-mail marketing continues to be a measurable, effective tool that brings significant value to small businesses, regardless of the nature of the business,” said Tom Kulzer, chief executive and founder of AWeber.

After reading this article, I realized that what I am currently doing or not doing relating to e-mail marketing and social media is costly. I am not doing nearly enough marketing using these two methods. I didn’t realize how easy it is to track results. I will definitely be utilizing these two methods more in the future.

If you want more info on the article that I read, please let me know. Also, if you have some tips or pointers for how I could do this better, I would love to hear that too.

rmahaffey@3rdstreetfinancial.com

This is a tremendous program! This program is offered on homes that Fannie Mae has to own due to foreclosure. There are specific listings that this applies to.

• It has Low Down Payment requirements on Conventional financing and flexible mortgage terms. Lenders offer fixed rate, adjustable rate, or interest only financing.
• Borrowers can qualify with less than perfect credit.
• Loans are available to as owner-occupied or investment.
• 3% down payment with NO MORTGAGE INSURANCE!!!!!
• Down payment can be savings, a gift, a grant, or a loan from a nonprofit, state or local government, or employer.
• Often no appraisal fees.
• A variety of lenders have this program available.

Call me for details. This is a great product to have.

http://bit.ly/b9G5Mt.

In summary Tim discussed 5 key rules of networking.

1. Get Committed- Attend at least one networking meeting per week, Block out networking time on your calendar, never leave home without business cards.

2. Be Consistent – Show up Early, work the room, tell people what you do, set expectations on which people can rely, never lie.

3. Be Remembered – Have a 60 second elevator pitch, give yourself a nickname, develop a catch phrase.

4. Follow Up – Handwritten Notes, Phone Calls, Emails

5. Don’t Give Up!

While some of the nicknames or catch phrases may seem a little extreme, Tim has an extremely valid point. We need to be memorable. We need to stick out. We all know that many of our competitors have left due to the market conditions, but the ones that are left are strong too. So we have to have characteristics about us or our presentations that our clients will think positively off. 

Please let me know your thoughts. Also, please pass this along to anyone that you know.

-FTHBs move an average distance of 12 miles from their previous residence

-94% do an internet search prior to purchase and of those 63% take a virtual tour

-36% found their Realtor online

-11% did a prequalification online

-7% filled out an online application

Our clients are checking us out online. Hopefully you are making great strides to create a valuable web-presence.

Here is a helpful tip. Click on this link and check it out.

http://www.picnik.com/app

This site allows you to edit pictures quickly. Maybe you returned from taking listing pictures and found that you would like the lighting to be better. You can fix it with this site.

Have a great day.

When polled based on results from 2009…..

Buyers

86% of them used an agent to buy.   70% were satisfied with their agent

Sellers

84% of them used an agent to sell.   88% said that they would definitely/maybe use the same agent again.

Of all buyers and sellers in 2009……26% used prior agents!!!!!!!

Lenders/Originators

93% of clients getting a loan where satisfied with the lender/originator, however only 11% used the same lender/originator that they had before!!!!

HOW CAN WE MAKE THIS BETTER TOGETHER?????? I WANT TO HELP.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH  Video Marketing and Mortgage News Designed for Mortgage and Real Estate Sales.

I came across this video yesterday. These guys are a little crazy, but the story that they tell about Indymac and OneWest is amazing. It might help when you negotiate deals owned by those banks.

Let me know what you think.