Jan O'Brien - Real Estate Coach

Top 50 Blogs on Real Estate Industry Trends and Topics

2010-07-18T19:06:23-07:00

Real Estate is an enormously exciting, fast-paced and diverse industry. Whether you are interested in the foreclosure market, property investment, commercial reality or even in the economics of real estate, there is ample opportunity to make your mark.

Follow the patterns of the market, the advice of professionals, and even the personal stories of first-time realtors by using the links provided below. These engaging and insightful real estate blogs will give you the tools and expertise you need stay on top of trends, overcome obstacles, and stand out in the real estate industry.

via guidetocareereducation.com

Jan O'Brien - Real Estate Coach has been featured on Guide to Online MBA's list of the Best Real Estate Blogs found here: http://www.guidetocareereducation.com/tips-and-tools/real-estate-blogs.

Thanks for the include on this extensive real estate resource list!

Posted via email from jan obrien's posterous

Facebook Movie Preview - Social Network

2010-07-18T16:50:15-07:00

"The Social Network" Movie is due out this fall and is based on the book "The Accidental Billionaires" by Ben Mezrich. Mezrich wrote the story of how Facebook started without any input from Zuckerberg. His primary source was Facebook's co-founder Eduardo Saverin, who was the company's original business manager but later had a legal dispute with Zuckerberg. The book is a great read and tells a compelling and fascinating story of the origin of Facebook.

Posted via email from jan obrien's posterous

HUD Seeks Public Comment on 3 Policy Changes

2010-07-18T16:35:53-07:00

For the next 30 days, HUD is seeking public comment on the following policy changes, each of which are designed to mitigate risk to the Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund while promoting sustainable homeownership for FHA borrowers:

Update the combination of credit and down payment requirements for new borrowers. New borrowers seeking FHA-insured financing will be required to have a minimum FICO score of 580 to qualify for FHA’s flagship 3.5 percent down payment program. New borrowers with credit scores of less than a 580 will be required to make a cash investment of at least 10 percent. Borrowers with credit scores of less than 500 will no longer qualify for an FHA-insured mortgage.

Reduce allowable seller concessions from six to three percent. Allowing sellers to contribute up to six percent of the home’s sales price to offset a buyer’s costs exposes the FHA to excess risk by potentially driving up the cost of the home beyond its appraised value. Reducing seller concessions to three percent will bring FHA into conformity with industry standards.

Tighten underwriting standards for manually underwritten loans. When using compensating factors in the underwriting process, lenders will be required to consider those factors which are the best predictive indicators of loan performance, such as the borrower’s credit history, loan-to-value (LTV) percentage, debt-to income ratio, and cash reserves.

via portal.hud.gov

HUD is changing policy to "manage its risk and boost reserves." The big changes appears to be the seller concession changing to 3% - down from 6% and borrowers with credit scores of 500-580 will need 10% down payment.

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Facebook Expected to Reach 500 Million Users in July 2010

2010-07-18T15:25:39-07:00

Facebook reached 400 million users five months ago. This time last year, it had just reached 200 million, and eight months before that it was at just 100 million. The site launched in February of 2004, and has since become the most popular social site on the web.

via mashable.com

Facebook continues to impress with continued explosive growth with an estimated 500 million users in July. Look for launch of "Facebook Stories" where users can share how Facebook has impacted their lives.

Posted via email from jan obrien's posterous

Press Release - Jan O'Brien REceives 2010 Best of Kalispell Award

2010-07-14T07:40:20-07:00

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Jan OBrien Receives 2010 Best of Kalispell Award

U.S. Commerce Association’s Award Plaque Honors the Achievement

NEW YORK, NY, July 7, 2010 -- Jan OBrien has been selected for the 2010 Best of Kalispell Award in the Insurance Agents & Brokers category by the U.S. Commerce Association (USCA).

The USCA "Best of Local Business" Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USCA identifies companies that they believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community.

Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2010 USCA Award Program focuses on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the USCA and data provided by third parties.

About U.S. Commerce Association (USCA)

U.S. Commerce Association (USCA) is a New York City based organization funded by local businesses operating in towns, large and small, across America. The purpose of USCA is to promote local business through public relations, marketing and advertising.

The USCA was established to recognize the best of local businesses in their community. Our organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations, chambers of commerce and other business advertising and marketing groups. Our mission is to be an advocate for small and medium size businesses and business entrepreneurs across America.

SOURCE: U.S. Commerce Association
CONTACT:
U.S. Commerce Association
Email: PublicRelations@uscaaward.com
URL: http://www.uscaaward.com

via uscaaward.com

Thanks to the U.S. Commerce Association for the recognition. Be sure to check out their site for comprehensive small business resources, tips, articles, news, and marketing ideas: http://www.uscaaward.com.

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IPad Winners Announced for the 2010 PREA Summit Conference Registration Drawing

2010-07-12T11:34:05-07:00

Post Update, Monday July 19, 2010

It is my pleasure to announce the winners of the iPad giveaway for the Summit Conference Registration contest...

Judy LaFico - Prudential Gary Greene, REALTORS

Barbara Gunn - Prudential Douglas Elliman Real Estate

Congratulations to the iPad Winners and see you in Washington, DC!

**************************

Attention Prudential Sales Professionals who are eligible for the 2010 Summit in Washington, DC September 19-21!

Register no later than 5 pm (EST) Friday, July 16 and you could have a chance of winning a brand new iPad.

I will be joining Prudential Real Estate and Relocation Services (PRERS) for the 2010 Summit Conference and delivering the session Business Acumen for Real Estate Leaders. I am excited to sponsor this registration contest that will select two lucky winners for Apple iPads.

The iPad Giveaway winners will be chosen in a random drawing of eligible entrants. The contest is open only to Prudential Real Estate Network members who are legal residents of the 50 United States, 18 or older, with valid membership prior to July 1, 2010. Entries will only be granted to those registered for the Summit Conference along with three other associates from the same office. All eligible registrations must be completed by 5 PM Eastern on Friday, July 16.

Winners will be posted here on my blog (www.janobrien.com) and on my Facebook page by noon Eastern on Monday, July 19.

This event is exclusive to Prudential Real Estate 2008 and 2009 Chairman’s Circle, President’s Circle and Legend Award winners and the Broker/Owners of your companies and is programmed for the top producing sales professionals in the network. Eligible Prudential Sales Professionals can register at www.prea.prudential.com/.

Having been in the trenches, I am looing forward to sharing my perspective for Sales Professionals and Brokers alike on strategies to maintain your position in the real estate industry. I will share proven tips and tricks on real estate business systems, best practices for distressed properties, online reputation management and branding, blogging for business and much, much more.

Download PREA Summit Flyer for more details on the program and agenda.

Zillow to Power Yahoo Real Estate

2010-07-08T23:28:57-07:00

Yahoo is outsourcing yet another product to an outside company. Tonight, Yahoo is announcing an exclusive partnership with real estate listings and search site Zillow. As part of the partnership, which will go into effect later this year, Zillow will power all for-sale listings on Yahoo Real Estate. The financial terms of the partnership were not disclosed.

Zillow’s will integrate its 4 million for-sale listings on Yahoo’s real estate site, where users will still be able to search for home listings by the same parameters as on Zillow’s site, such as by geography, price and other criteria. For-sale listings placed on Zillow will automatically appear on Yahoo Real Estate.

via techcrunch.com

Do you have your Profile on Zillow? Check out this page for how to leverage Zillow for your real estate business: http://www.zillow.com/learnmore/why-use-zillow.htm.>

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Building Your Social Media Profile Panel at RISMedia Social Media Summit

2010-06-13T18:11:02-07:00

I had the opportunity to be a part of a dynamic panel on Social Media Profiles at the RISMedia Leadership Conference/Social Media Summit in Rye, New York (June 9-10).

The panel was facilitated by Krisstina Wise, Broker-Owner of The Good Life Team in Austin, TX. Krisstina has (in just over a year) dominated in her market place with her web presence through blogging and integration of other key social networks like Facebook and Twitter. More than 50% of her business is generated through social media.

The panel included:

Pat Wattam, Broker/Associate, Re/Max First in Baton Rouge, LA
Anthony Crecco, Broker/Owner Crecco Real Estate
Craig Donato, CEO. Oodle
Rebecca Chandler, Director of Marketing, The Real Estate Book

I discussed the importance of knowing your goals (purpose, outcomes) before embarking on your social media marketing journey. Here are the key questions to consider:

What do we want to accomplish with our social media strategy? Be specific.

Do we want to communicate and build more relationships online?
Build brand awareness?
Visitors complete a form, sign up for something, calls or emails for more information, become a prospect for our business or service?

Who is our target audience? Our perfect customer?

What social media and networking sites are they using?
How do we know or how can we find out?

Who is going to maintain our social media presence?

Write and upload the blog posts?
Status updates?
Do we have the resources to sustain our strategy?

How do we measure success?

Are we measuring views, traffic, comments, subscribers, leads, sales?

I also reviewed some strategies for managing your online brand (name reputation).

1parkplace has a free report The 5 P's of Social Marketing which includes a checklist for building your social network profiles and a list of sites to monitor your brand online.

Request your Free copy of this report as well as several others at:

http://rissummit.1parkplace.com/

Fannie/Freddie (GSE) Announce HAFA Guidelines.... finally!

2010-06-05T11:46:58-07:00

On June 1, 2010 both Government Sponsored Enterprises (GSEs) announced their guidelines for HAFA (Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives). These programs will allow homeowners with GSE loans to pursue a short sale or deed-in-lieu of foreclosure if they are unable to secure a modification under the government’s foreclosure prevention program.

Both programs are almost identical to the Treasury's HAFA program that was effective April 5, 2010 for non-GSE mortgages. Which makes one wonder..... why the big delay?

The borrower must first be evaluated and denied for a Making Home Affordable Program (HAMP) workout plan. The GSE HAFA programs take effect Aug. 1, 2010, but servicers are allowed to use HAFA immediately.

After reviewing the guidelines, here are some minor differences from the Treasury HAFA program:

Servicers are eligible for a $2,200 cash incentive for each completed short sale (it is $1,500 for non-GSE HAFA) and $1,500 for each completed deed-in-lieu.

Freddie Mac Eligibility: 60 days late and have cash reserves less or $5,000 or 3 times their monthly mortgage. Borrowers may be in foreclosure, in pending litigation involving the mortgage, or in active bankruptcy.

In addition, Freddie said it does not require or accept cash contributions or promissory notes from the borrower.

Quick links to GSE HAFA Resources:

For a breakdown and side-by-side comparison of the key points, read Darren Welsh's blog: TGIF Legal Tip: Fannie and Freddie HAFA Programs

CFAC Designation Course (Short Sale Training) in Las Vegas, June 18, 2010

2010-06-05T10:32:04-07:00

Certified Foreclosure Alternatives Consultant℠

CE..5094000-RE 7 Hrs. General

This course is approved by the Nevada Real Estate Commission

Friday, June 18th 9am-4:30am ~ Lunch included!

iMortgage 9139 W. Russell Rd., #100, LV, NV 89148
(Behind Bank of George in the Desert Canyon Business Park ~ 215 and W. Russell Rd; take Jerry Tarkanian Way to W. Oquendo Rd.)

Once you complete the Certified Foreclosure Alternatives Consultant℠ Designation Course, you’ll be a trained consultant who understands the alternatives to foreclosure with an emphasis on the short sale process. A CFAC℠ encourages clients to partner up with other trusted advisors such as attorneys, CPA’s, and financial consultants. A CFAC℠ educates the client so they can make an informed decision as to what’s in their “best interest.” If the client determines the short sale is their best option, no one is better trained to competently, diligently, compassionately, and successfully process a short sale transaction than a CFAC℠.

Click here for more CFAC COURSE CONTENT INFORMATION

SPECIAL PRICING....

If you’ve already earned the Certified Short Sale Professional (CSP) designation, it’s only $149!

That’s a savings of $80.00 off the regular $229.00 price! Apply coupon code: CSP149

If you’re a non-CSP join our FREE www.shortsaleprofessionalnetwork.com and pay only $179.00! That’s a savings of $50! Apply coupon code: SSPN

REGISTER NOW!

The path to pursuing a CFAC℠ certification is straightforward. Complete the qualifying 7 Hr. classroom core course. One day in length. Review the course materials online and pass the CFAC℠ exam. For further information, contact Steven Kitnick at (702) 255-8722.

Cancellation/Refund Policy: There are no refunds. With 48-hour notice, class credit will be issued.

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