Real Estate News and Views

Complimentary Home Energy Savings Book with Home Inspection Enrollment!

2013-04-23T11:05:00.000-07:00

With the rise of home prices, increase in housing construction, and the recent announcement that real estate agent is the happiest job for 2013, the real estate industry has a strong and positive road ahead. Real estate salespeople, real estate appraisers, real estate brokers, construction companies, homeowners and home inspectors are benefiting from these positive changes.

To that latter point, in case you didn’t know, we offer home inspection training. That’s right. At a mere $200 down with budget-friendly, interest-free payments, you can get a career started as a home inspector for a great price.

Plus, for a limited time:

The first 140 students to enroll in Allied’s Professional Home Inspection course or Home Inspection course will receive a complimentary book: the Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings, 9th Edition!

With the Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings, you will receive detailed tips on:

Describing energy use characteristics
Improving existing energy equipment
Evaluating energy-efficiency
Summarizing how much energy is expended

Take advantage of the real estate boom and enroll in Allied’s Home Inspection program today. For more information about our programs in your neck of the woods, go here. As always, please give us a call if you have any questions or if you’d like to get started, at (800) 617-3513.

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Demand for Industrial Real Estate Space in Southern California Increases

2013-04-17T13:18:00.001-07:00

Consumer trends often dictate which way the market moves. Sometimes it’s for the worse. Sometimes it’s for the better, which is the case here. According to an LA Times article, one of the markets being affected is the industrial real estate industry.

“Nestled on the windy plains at the foot of the San Bernardino Mountains, once austere stretches of agricultural land have morphed into the country’s most desirable industrial real estate market, and it is growing faster than any other industrial region in the U.S.”

Businesses such as “Amazon.com Inc., Kohl’s Corp., Skechers USA Inc., Mattel Inc., and Stater Bros. Markets” comprise a few of the names that are taking advantage of these wide-open spaces in Southern California. By using these warehouses, large-scale companies can more easily take advantage of Southern California’s “enormous population and teeming seaports,” which allows them to meet the demands of the consumer.

Not only do consumers benefit from the increase in industrial real estate, brokers, agents, and appraisers do as well. After all, where there is real estate, there is an opportunity for you to do business.

“’The Inland Empire is to industrial real estate what downtown Manhattan is to office real estate,’ said Craig Meyer, head of industrial property brokerage in the U.S. for Chicago firm Jones Lang LaSalle. ‘L.A. has been the hottest market in the world for 10 years running.’”

Well, what are you waiting for? If you have your real estate license or broker license already, take advantage of this great opportunity. If you don’t, don’t fret. We have California real estate training for agents, brokers, and appraisers. Plus, did you hear that real estate agent was listed as the happiest job for 2013? Learn more at www.realestatelicense.com, or you can call us at (800) 617-3513.

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Real Estate Agent Listed as Happiest Job in America for 2013

2013-04-11T08:22:00.000-07:00

Career community website Career Bliss just announced their annual “Happiest and Unhappiest Jobs in America” list. Guess what? Real estate agent was listed as the number one happiest job in America for 2013! There are quite a few reasons for why this would be, but we’re going to first let the CEO of Career Bliss, Heidi Golledge, say a few words:

Right now, it is a seller’s market so the real estate agent’s cost of advertising and marketing is very low and commissions are high. Happy times.

Ms. Golledge is exactly right. It is indeed a seller’s market. In addition to high commissions and the low cost of real estate marketing, here are a few more reasons why real estate agents are currently happy as clams:

Numbers don’t lie. Historically low interest rates, low housing prices translate to a “good time to buy.”
The positive real estate numbers continue with news that the real estate industry is set to make a roaring comeback in 2013.
One of the low cost ways that real estate agents can market themselves is through social media marketing.
As a real estate agent, you also have the freedom to take advantage of value of Google+ as a marketing tool.
Housing construction is on the rise, which speaks positively of the housing market.
The recovery in the housing market was officially confirmed by the White House!
Affiliate partnerships open up to real estate professionals! Read about our Allied Connections Affiliate Program.

Well, what about you? What is making you a happy real estate agent?

Learn more about Allied Real Estate Schools online, or give us a call at (800) 617-3513.

Introducing the Allied Connections Affiliate Program

2013-04-08T14:47:00.000-07:00

Become an Allied Partner and Earn 10% of Every Sale

We are very happy to announce the creation of the Allied Connections Affiliate Program. This program provides California real estate professionals, as well as California businesses, with a simple way to earn additional income through a seamless, 100% free, and mutually beneficial partnership with Allied.

Allied Schools President George Achenbach had a few things to say on the matter:

Partnerships are a wonderful way to collaborate and create value for both parties involved. The ‘Allied Connections Affiliate Program’ is a great representation of this. By creating this partnership, we are able to support and give back to our graduates, the local economy, and the California real estate industry as a whole.

With the Allied Connections Affiliate Program, real estate professionals and businesses earn:

10% commission for every sale that comes from your website
90-day opportunity for conversions
Possibility of monthly pay-outs

For a closer look at the Allied Connections Affiliate Program, check out this video:

Individuals sent to Allied from the website of an affiliate partner receive:

Convenient, flexible, and 100% online courses
Top-notch education from a 21-year pioneer of the industry
Helpful, ongoing student support along the way

In order to receive the commission, affiliate partners will simply need to include a unique link on their website that will be given to them by Allied. They will receive 10% of every sale created by way of that link. Sign-up is free and registration only takes a few minutes.

For more information, visit our website. Or you can call us at (800) 617-3513.

Rising Home Prices Benefit Economy and Real Estate Industry as a Whole

2013-04-04T13:13:00.003-07:00

And the good news just keeps on coming! According to a recent CNN Money article, which cites the S&P Case-Shiller index, there was an 8.1% rise in home prices for January 2013. Add this to the fact that housing construction is up and the industry is experiencing the biggest gains in over 6 years, things are looking positive for real estate professionals.

The article goes on to say that:

In a separate government report Tuesday, new homes sold at a 411,000 annual rate in February, down nearly 5% from January sales pace but up 12% from year-earlier levels. The typical price of a new home sold in the month was $246,800, up about 3% from both the January and a year earlier.

As you can see, things are better than they were last year. This is solid news, and news that you should be feeling good about. Not only does this news benefit your real estate career, but it also benefits the housing industry at large, which subsequently betters the local economy.

The housing recovery itself is helping support overall economic growth, as builders scramble to hire workers to meet the renewed demand. The lift goes beyond the impact of increased construction on the economy, as the rise in home prices lifts household wealth. Rising home prices also reduce the number of people owing more on their mortgages than their homes are worth. That, in turn, can help them to refinance those loans at a lower rate, freeing up money to spend on other goods and services.

Now, as the article correctly points out, the real estate industry is not going gangbusters as it did back in 2006. But that’s a good thing. Back then, the boom was artificially inflated by a flawed system that comprised certain levels of disingenuous lending and misguided consumer choices. Fortunately, that’s not the case now. By all accounts, it looks as though we are taking a cautious view of it to ensure that the real estate industry grows in a healthy and functional manner. Amen to that.

For those that are already in the real estate industry, how do you interpret this and other recent news that indicate a strong recovery? What are you doing to ensure your long-term success?

Read about Allied Real Estate Schools on www.realestatelicense.com. For any questions, please give us a call at (800) 617-3513.

Housing Construction Up, Real Estate Industry Benefits

2013-03-26T08:01:00.001-07:00

According to a recent CNN Money article, the month of February was full of new home construction:

Building permits, which are seen as a barometer of builders’ confidence in the housing market, jumped about 5% from January’s level and 34% from a year ago, to an annual pace of 946,000. That’s the best month for permits since June 2008. Additionally, the Census Bureau reported that builders started construction at an annual pace of 917,000 homes in the month, up slightly from the pace in January, and up nearly 28% from year-ago levels.

But what does this mean for existing and future real estate professionals? Well, as we pointed out last week, things are starting to pick up in the real estate industry, with the White House confirming its recovery. New home construction is simply a part of the equation that is, thus far, amounting to what looks like a solid recovery in the market.

With new home sales, decreased levels of foreclosures, and record low mortgage rates, the news that home construction is up makes perfect sense. As the interest in housing increases, construction of said housing needs to match demand. And with more demand comes more opportunities for real estate salespersons, brokers, and appraisers to benefit from these positive changes.

Whether it’s a license renewal you need, or full real estate license training, Allied has it. Make the positive move by choosing one of our many real estate career paths:

Real Estate Salesperson License
Real Estate Appraisal License
Real Estate Broker License
7-Hour National USPAP
15-Hour National USPAP
Real Estate Salesperson Renewal/Continuing Education
Real Estate Appraisal Renewal
Real Estate Broker Renewal
Online Notary Public Course

For more information about our online real estate courses, please visit our website at www.realestatelicense.com, or call us at (800) 617-3513.

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Housing Market Recovery Confirmed by the White House

2013-03-18T09:53:00.000-07:00

As we wrote about last month, the real estate industry appears as though it’s going to make a roaring comeback in 2013. This is wonderful news for our real estate graduates, as well as those looking to pursue a real estate career. Even the White House says so:

Our housing market is healing, and consumers and homeowners enjoy stronger protections than ever before (Chapter 1, p.7).

The report goes on to say that the:

Housing activity firmed markedly in 2012 and, although the level of activity remains low by historical standards, the recovery in the sector finally appears to be gaining momentum. On the production side, new housing starts increased to an annual rate of 900,000 units by the fourth quarter of 2012, up from an annual low of 550,000 units in 2009, and 610,000 units in 2011 (Figure 2-10). Demand for housing has also increased, with new and existing home sales reaching their highest levels of the recovery period during 2012. Similarly, inventories of unsold new homes have fallen to their lowest ever recorded level (Chapter 2, p.67).

Whether you are an experienced real estate professional, new to the industry, or aspiring to become a real estate salesperson or broker, this is news you can grasp onto.

Allied Real Estate Schools has the real estate training courses you need to enhance and/or get started on your career.

Real Estate Salesperson License
Real Estate Appraisal License
Real Estate Broker License
Real Estate Salesperson Renewal
Real Estate Broker Renewal
Real Estate Appraisal Renewal

For more information about Allied’s online real estate courses, please give us a call at (800) 617-3513.

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The Importance of Real Estate Designations for Real Estate Professionals

2013-03-06T13:27:00.001-08:00

The California Association of Realtors says that designations help real estate professionals “distinguish and brand themselves through specialized niche markets to nearly double their earning potential.” Not only will you, as a real estate professional (or future real estate professional!), increase your income-earning chances, but you will also set yourself apart from your competitors in the real estate industry.

Other benefits of earning a real estate designation include:

You will be adding overall value to your position as a real estate salesperson, broker or appraiser. Clients look for this type of specialized value.
You will create additional chances for referral business. It’s easier to refer a real estate agent if you trust in their value and effectiveness. Designations inform that value and effectiveness.
You will better serve your clients with the unique attributes and skills you will gain from earning a real estate designation.

Allied Schools offers four unique, career-boosting real estate designations:

Short Sale Specialist

Despite the gradual upturn in the economy, there are still many short sale properties out there. With the Short Sale Specialist real estate designation, you will learn about all of the nuances of the short sale, from the importance of the Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives Program (HAFA) to the policies, procedures, and forms that are designed to simplify and streamline the short sale process. The Short Sale Specialist real estate designation is available nationally.

Contract Forms Specialist

Even with your real estate salesperson license or broker license, the amount of paperwork you have to sort through can be overwhelming. This is where the Contract Forms Specialist real estate designation comes in. This designation simplifies and informs your understanding of the forms you would be dealing with. With it, you will learn how to identify each unique real estate contract or form and find out how to accurately and efficiently complete any and all real estate forms or contracts. The Contract Forms Specialist real estate designation is available in California only.

E-Networking Specialist

As we have previously discussed, online networking with blogs and social media is essential for real estate professionals. The E-Networking Specialist real estate designation helps you actualize your networking potential online. You will learn how to network with blogging, social media engagement, and countless other online skills. You will learn how to integrate technology into your career as a real estate professional, which will enhance your career potential. The E-Networking Specialist real estate designation is available nationally.

Green Specialist

Not only are consumers becoming more environmentally friendly, but so are producers. That is certainly the case with home builders. Today’s homes are more eco-friendly in the materials that are used, in the energy that is expended, and in the environmental regulations used to build them. In order to expand your career as a real estate professional, you will need to understand what it means to be green. With this designation you will learn about the materials that are used, the industry ratings, and the energy programs, rebates, and incentives for homeowners. The Green Specialist real estate designation is available nationally (for CA and TX, this designation is included at no extra cost).

For more information about Allied’s real estate designations, call us at (800) 617-3513. And be sure to connect with us online on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Google+.

Why Real Estate Professionals Should Be on Google+

2013-02-27T12:31:00.003-08:00

As we have mentioned in a previously blog post, social media is a valuable tool for real estate professionals. Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram and Twitter are all wonderfully beneficial in their own unique ways. But one of the social media platforms that we only briefly mentioned is Google+. Google+ has been around for some time now, but only recently (within the last 6 months or so) has proven its worth—which has started to look much more powerful than all of the rest.

If you are a real estate professional, you should get on Google+. Here’s why:

Google+ is directly tied to your visibility on the internet.

Since Google+ is a Google product, it makes sense that Google+ would play an important role in your value and authority on the internet. If you submit a link to your Google+ profile, for instance, that influences search results in Google, which adds to your relevance. The more you add relevant and engaging content from your blog, your website or other important sources, the more people see you as a leader in the industry. And if you are consistent about commenting on relevant posts and using the +1 button on things around the internet that you deem of worth (to your business, your industry, etc.), your visibility will increase exponentially.

Google+ Local and Google+ Business Page

In addition to Google+ personal profiles, you can create a Google+ business page, which will add further to your value and visibility. This is especially relevant for those real estate professionals that have business names. In addition to that, Google+ Local is another great way to put your name out there. Google+ Local also allows customer reviews, which is naturally searched and indexed by Google. No other social media platform can really provide that level of granularity in visibility.

Google+ Communities

With the new (launched in December 2012) Google+ Communities, you can connect with others in your industry, share interest and have rich conversations, all on Google+! You can create private communities and join public communities, participate in group hang-outs, share Google Drive docs and a whole lot more, which is great for real estate professionals. Overall, it gives you the perfect opportunity to connect with your community. Who doesn’t want that?

Take your Google+ experience with you and download the Google+ app on your smart phone! It has a great user interface with access to Communities, Hang-Outs and more. Also, once you get on Google+, be sure to connect with us!

For more information about Allied Real Estate Schools and our various online real estate programs, be sure to give us a call at (800) 617-3513. Or you can always visit us at www.realestatelicense.com.

Real Estate Industry Set to Make a Roaring Comeback in 2013

2013-02-22T08:15:00.000-08:00

According to the AP, as relayed by USA Today, home prices recently posted the “biggest gains in over 6 years.” This is positive news for those who work in the real estate industry—from home builders and construction companies to real estate agents and brokers. Overall, and across the board, the signs seem to point to a recovery in the real estate market. Homeowners, and prospective homeowners, are feeling more confident. Building job opportunities are growing. Real estate professionals are starting to like what they see in the industry once again.

The USA Today article goes on to explain that

Most economists expect prices to keep rising this year. Sales of previously-occupied homes reached their highest level in five years in 2012 and will likely keep growing. Home builders, encouraged by rising interest from customers, broke ground on the most new homes and apartments in four years last year.

In other words, things are looking up for the real estate industry. If all of the projections are accurate, 2013 is going to be the year that we get past the effects of the bubble. As this pertains to Allied Schools, we can accommodate those that are both professionals in the real estate industry and those that want to be real estate agents, brokers or appraisers.

Get your real estate career started or renew your licensing with career training from Allied Real Estate Schools:

If you’re interested in resuming or starting your real estate career, please give us a call at (800) 617-3513. Need some time to decide? No problem. Take a look at some of our most recent graduates and read what they have to say.

Sources:

Chris Isidore, “Housing to drive economic growth (finally!),” CNN Money, accessed February 20, 2013, http://money.cnn.com/2013/01/27/news/economy/housing-economic-growth/index.html
“Home prices post biggest gains in over 6 years,” USA Today, accessed February 20, 2013, http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2013/02/05/home-prices-2012-most-6-years/1892449/

Social Media Marketing for Real Estate Agents

2013-02-01T09:24:00.000-08:00

Real Estate Professionals Worldwide Benefit From the Use of Social Media

One of the most important things to remember once you receive your real estate license and start working as a real estate agent is that you are quite literally the master of your own domain. Your position as a real estate broker, agent or appraiser is just like owning your own small business. But instead of owning the quaint sandwich shop down the road, the small business you own is yourself. That’s right. You are a small business.

This is important to remember, whether you are just entering into the real estate industry having just earned your real estate license, or an experienced veteran. Your small business (you and any employees you acquire) is yours to build, to manage and to market. It is the latter part of this (marketing) we’d like to get into. More specifically, we'd like to focus on the importance of social media marketing for real estate professionals.

How Real Estate Agents Can Market Themselves Using Social Media

Social media channels like Facebook and Twitter are excellent for marketing your real estate business. But there are other social media channels you can use as well: Instagram, Google+ and Pinterest are a couple of other options you should add to your marketing efforts.

Facebook

Create a Facebook business page. Upload a nice profile picture of yourself. As the face of the business, this is important, so make sure you look sharp and professional. Put up a nice clean header image of one of your properties. Write a brief but effective bio. Once you’re finished with that, start by posting about your business. Keep it relevant and engaging. Do a search in Facebook for other real estate agents. Connect with them and gauge how they are marketing themselves.

Twitter

The same principles apply to Twitter as they do to Facebook. You want to create a profile. Choose a username that is relevant to your business, but not confusing. Write a bio that is a brief but powerful representation of who you are and what you do. Also be sure to include your website URL. Then, like on Facebook, you should be engaging and connecting with other real estate agents. On Twitter you can also do a search for particular keywords that people are posting about. You can easily keep track of particular trends by saving your search. Lastly, make sure to utilize hashtags! Read more about that here.

Image courtesy of Flickr, Jamie A. Howie

Pinterest and Instagram

Both Pinterest and Instagram, while different in their scope, serve similar purposes for real estate agents. Since they are both image-focused social media platforms, real estate agents, appraisers and brokers can use them as an avenue to showcase their listings. On Pinterest, you have the benefit of creating boards for specific areas of interest (e.g., Laguna Hills Homes, Beautiful Bedrooms, etc.). Here’s a good example. If you have a website (you absolutely need to!), be sure to verify it on Pinterest. And take advantage of Pinterest for Business, rather than a personal account. Lastly, be sure to use relevant hashtags in all of your “pins.” As for Instagram, the same rules apply, except you don’t have categorization functionality. It is still a very powerful resource for real estate agents, and should certainly be utilized.

Lastly, we’d be remiss to exclude Google+ from the conversation. It is pretty important, and should be included in your real estate marketing efforts.

Be sure to connect with us on our social media channels: Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Pinterest and Instagram. If you’re an Allied Real Estate Schools graduate, we’d be happy to promote your website or social medial profiles across our channels. Contact Non Wels at nwels[at]alliedschools[dot]com if you're interested.

For more information about Allied’s real estate salesperson courses, real estate broker courses or real estate appraisal courses, be sure to give us a call at (800) 617-3513.

Act Now Before Requirements Change: Your Existing College Degree Can Be Your Ticket to a Broker Career

2012-09-06T14:17:00.000-07:00

If you have an existing college degree, you have until the end of the year to take advantage of the current real estate broker applicant requirements. Don’t wait if you’ve considered becoming a real estate broker!

As the law exists today, according to a recent press release, “an applicant for a real estate broker’s license must first become a salesperson and acquire at least two years of full time experience in real estate, working under the supervision of a broker, before one can become a broker” (Enhanced Online News, August 28, 2012). But there is an exception to the rule. If you have a college degree, you can bypass the two years of experience requirement and get started on your pursuit of becoming a real estate broker today.

On January 1, 2013, this will change. According to a bill that is sponsored by the California Association of Realtors (C.A.R.), applicants may no longer use a general college degree as an exception to the rule. The change is described further in the aforementioned press release: “Existing law allows an exception to the experience requirement for a college degree, ‘which included a specialization in real estate.’ Over the years, the ‘degree broker’ exception has been interpreted to apply to anydegree. Assembly Bill 1718 (Hill, D-So. San Francisco) clarifies that the degree claimed as an exception must actually include a major or minor in real estate.”

So, where do you stand?

An existing college degree can be your ticket to a rewarding, long-lasting career in a rising market. You won’t have to spend two years under direct supervision. You can maintain your independence and become your own boss now. Act now - come January, a general degree won’t be sufficient. You will need a degree in real estate; or, at the very minimum, a minor in real estate. If you’ve thought about becoming a broker, and been previously deterred by the two years experience requirement, it’s worth taking action!

At Allied, we fully prepare our students for successful careers in real estate. With industry-leading materials, you will receive the education you need to fulfill your career goals.

Our California Real Estate Broker License program includes the following courses:

Real Estate Practice
Real Estate Principles
Legal Aspects of Real Estate
Property Management
Escrow
Real Estate Appraisal
Real Estate Office Administration
Real Estate Economics

Why choose Allied’s real estate broker program?

100% online – 24/7 access to training
110% Money Back Promise (with Multimedia Exam Prep Package)
Live education support
Over 1 million enrollments since 1992
Self-paced – train at your own schedule
Nationally-accredited
Fast, convenient and cost-effective

Don’t miss your window. Your existing degree can be the key to your future career as a successful real estate broker. Take advantage of this limited opportunity!

Top 5 Best Real Estate Books and Real Estate Software for Those Pursuing a Real Estate License

2012-07-18T08:55:00.002-07:00

Books for Real Estate Professionals:

1. Real Estate: The Sustainable Investment: “Offers advice and stories to make the learning curve a bit less steep and measurably safer, with proven strategies for reaching long-term investment goals by including income property in your asset allocation.”

2. Investing in Real Estate, 7th Edition: One of the bestselling guides to real estate, newly revised for today’s real estate investors. “Whether you want to fix and sell or buy, improve, and hold, market savvy real estate investor Gary W. Eldred shows you how to achieve your goals.”

3. Shift: How Top Real Estate Agents Tackle Tough Times: “Real estate buyers and sellers have to SHIFT their mindset to new and more creative strategies in this challenging real estate market. This book shows them excellent ways to survive and thrive” (Robert Allen, Amazon.com book description).

4. 21 Things I Wish My Broker Had Told Me: Practical Advice for New Real Estate Professionals: The book includes “interviews and real-life insights from the real estate industry’s most successful and top producing brokers and agents.”

5. My Life & 1000 Houses: Failing Forward to Financial Freedom: “This autobiographic tale is perfect for entrepreneurs and a must-read for anyone aspiring to be a real estate investor.”

Real Estate Software for Real Estate Professionals:

1. Top Producer: “Managing your customers and building repeat business just got easier, faster, and a whole lot more intelligent.”

2. IXACT Contact: Real estate CRM, email marketing and monthly e-newsletters.

3. Masterdigm: Automated email, lead conversion, CRM, web hosting, property management and a lot more.

4. Realty Juggler: Track prospects and clients, print reports, create task plans and much more.

5. Agent Office: Easy-to-use CRM “helps you generate business and keeps your sales pipeline running smoothly.”

Have fun pursuing your real estate license, broker license or appraiser license! Contact Allied if you have any questions. You can reach us at 1-800-617-3513.

Numbers Don't Lie. Statistics Indicate "Good Time to Buy" Real Estate [Infographic]

2012-06-26T09:50:00.001-07:00

Take Advantage of These Historically Low Interest Rates

Low interest rates? Check. Low housing prices? Check. Super time to buy? Absolutely. As the news and recent studies have indicated, the housing market is doing much better than the previous few years. It’s a great time to jump in, feet first, for those looking to buy a home, as well as for those who may be interested in pursuing a real estate license or real estate broker license, or even renewing an out-of-date license.

This infographic is a neat representation of the recent decline in interest rates and home prices in California.

For those who have an interesting in getting your feet a bit wet, Allied Schools offers 100% online, self-paced real estate license programs that are designed perfectly to maximize convenience. You can start your real estate career training by choosing from:

Real Estate Salesperson License
Real Estate Appraisal License
Real Estate Broker License
7-Hour National USPAP
15-Hour National USPAP
Real Estate Salesperson Renewal/Continuing Education
Real Estate Broker Renewal
Online Notary Public
Real Estate Appraisal Renewal

Call us at 1-800-617-3513 or fill out our online form for free information about our online real estate programs today!

*Source: California Association of Realtors

Real Estate Sales Rise

2012-02-20T11:54:00.000-08:00

According to the latest quarterly report from the National Association of Realtors, there are many metro areas that are seeing conditions that are balanced.

According to Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, “Sales have risen strongly in lower price ranges from one year ago, while sales at the upper end remain sluggish.

“More importantly, we’re seeing a consistent trend of declining inventory, which means supply and demand conditions are becoming more balanced in more areas, which will help stabilize home prices.”

With regard to pricing, median existing single-family home prices rose in 29 out of 149 metro areas in the fourth quarter of last year. At present, the national median price was $163,500 for the quarter, which is down 4.2 percent from the prior year.

As noted by NAR, “Median price measurement reflects the types of homes that are selling during the quarter and can be skewed at times because the level of distressed sales, which artificially depress median prices, can vary notably in given markets. Annual price measures, also reported today, generally smooth out any quarterly swings.”

However, local trends are what rules real estate, with some regions experiencing slowing while others are going through a job growth spurt. The Midwest is where the most buying power is due to lower prices, with existing-home sales increasing 7.0 percent in the fourth quarter, which is 14.1 percent higher than last year.

NAR President Moe Veissi stated that, “Even with record high housing affordability conditions, all real estate is local.”

In broader terms, the national scope saw existing-home sales increased 5.9 percent in the fourth quarter, which is 9.2 percent above last year at this time, with NAR reporting all regions rising from third quarter levels.

Source: WSJ

Image by Horia Varlan

Existing-Home Sales Show Upward Trend in December

2012-02-09T09:35:00.000-08:00

Things are looking up-and-up for existing home sales, with December trends showing a rise of three consecutive months. Existing home sales were also above where they were a year ago.

According to monthly data, total existing-home sales rose 5.0% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.61 million in December 2011, from a downwardly revised 4.39 million in November, and are 3.6 percent higher than the 4.45 million-unit level in December 2010. Estimates were based on completed transactions via multiple listing services. This includes single-family homes, townhomes, condos and co-ops.

“The pattern of home sales in recent months demonstrates a market in recovery,” said National Association of Realtors® chief economist, Lawrence Yun, who also stated that record low mortgage interest rates, job growth and bargain home prices have given more consumers the confidence they need to enter the market.

Source: NAR

Holiday Special: Give Your Career A Cyber Boost!

2011-11-14T16:28:00.000-08:00

Looking for a way to differentiate your real estate career? Look no further! This holiday season give your career a cyber boost with invaluable real estate e-tools – and pay nothing extra!

Enroll in any California or Texas Premium Real Estate Package and we will give you up to four designations at no extra cost – up to $152 in exclusive savings!

Now is the time to take the steps to increase your income potential and differentiate yourself from the competition with specialized knowledge.

Gain an edge with these real estate designations:

• Contract Forms Specialist
• eNetworking Specialist
• Green Specialist
• Short Sale Specialist

Call (800) 617-3513 today to get your holiday savings! Stand out from other agents and give your career a boost!

Are First-Time Home Buyers Still Buying?

2011-11-04T11:32:00.000-07:00

Once you get your real estate license, which prospect group do you plan on targeting? When the first-time home buyer’s tax credit was available, targeting first time buyers made sense for many licensed agents. But now that the offer has expired, are those first-time buyers still buying?

According to a recent November 1 report from RISMedia, the overall answer is “yes.” We’re not talking about a buying frenzy, as this group is moving at a slower rate. Why? Beliefs that prices and interest rates will drop lower and concerns over job security in a changing economy.

Although these are viable concerns, they are also among the top reasons why potential home buyers remain on the fence. So let your real estate training kick in and use your uncanny reasoning/deductive logic skills to spring this promising niche into action. Real estate is still a good, long-term investment.

Check Out Highlights from the RISMedia Report:

First-time home buyers are purchasing homes at much the same pace they were before the first-time home buyer’s tax credit created a buying frenzy two years ago.
During the first seven months of 2011, first-time home buyers made up 32-36% of the market, according to NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (NAR) statistics.
Low interest rates and fallen home values are drawing more first-time home buyers to the market, at a time when rental prices are rising.
The FHA’s 3.5 % down payment market share has seen a large increase in the last few years, rising from 3 to 30% since 2006, even though tighter credit standards and higher fees took effect a year ago.

Want to learn more about what today's first-time buyers and home owners are thinking? Check out NAR’s 2011 American Attitudes About Homeownership survey, which found that 95 percent of owners and 72 percent of renters believe that over a period of several years, it makes more sense to own a home.

Should You Get Your Real Estate License?

2011-10-28T13:41:00.000-07:00

To get your real estate license >or not, is that the question holding you back? Maybe all you need is a little insight into your traits and personality in order to discover your true calling. Enter the time and trusted Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) test.

About 89 of the Fortune 100 companies use the Myers Briggs Type Indicator test to help employees find their best fit within the company. The test evaluates individuals on four “Continuunms”:

Extroversion-Introversion: You either focus out on things around you, or you focus in on your own thoughts/ideas.
Sensing-Intuition: What type of decision maker are you? You either want the big picture, or you prefer just the specific facts/details.
Thinking-Feeling: You either base your decisions on emotions/feelings, or you prefer objective logic.
Judging-Perceiving: You either prefer structure/organization, or lean towards spontaneity/flexibility.

One national survey conducted by Douthit Communications, Inc. found that 75% of real estate agents are Extroverted-Judgers, which is three times the percentage of Extroverted Judgers in the population as a whole. Is that you? Take the MBIT online at www.capt.org, as well as a variety of other personality tests. Or you can stay right here and check out this well-done infographic for a quick overview:

And what if it turns out that real estate is your calling? Keep it simple - Take online real estate courses and get licensed fast.

Real Estate Training and the Cash for Keys Program

2011-10-21T13:16:00.000-07:00

Real estate training does not stop once you get your real estate license. Today’s economy is changing quickly. And what goes this month may be replaced with another system, law and/or program next month. Example? The “Cash for Keys” program.

Real estate agents are learning about and successfully using the “Cash for Keys” program to get buyers into the homes of owners who are facing foreclosure. Owners are typically offered between $500- $2,500 if they move within 30 days. Banks benefit by saving money on eviction costs, owners benefit by receiving extra cash and avoiding a foreclosure on their credit report, and buyers benefit by getting the home they desire more quickly.

Real estate agents are often at the heart of the “Cash for Keys” process, as they are the ones who deliver the offer. In addition to foreclosures, the program is gaining momentum with banks when dealing with short sales. For example, Bank of America is testing a program in the state of Florida that would compensate short sellers up to $20,000 and remove their loan deficiency.

So, what kind of real estate training do you need in order for your clients to benefit from this program? According to the National Association of REALTORS®, as more real estate professionals continue to find foreclosures and short sales an increasing part of their job description, they’re seeking extra training and professional real estate designations in order to navigate these often-complex transactions.

In fact, about 21% of National Association of REALTORS® members hold special certifications that help agents better handle distressed property. That’s up from 12 percent last year (2011). Are you among this 21 percentile group? Get moving and keep those skills current.

Your Real Estate Training Should Include Smart Phone Photography

2011-10-10T13:46:00.001-07:00

If you're taking a real estate training course, you can expect a huge emphasis on state laws and regulations. Yet, there are certain tasks that, as a professional real estate agent, your training course will not discuss in-depth. Taking quality photos of your clients' homes for print and Web marketing falls under this umbrella. What to do and how to do it on a humble budget?

First, tinker with your smart phone's camera settings. For example, your smart phone will allow you to select from different resolutions. Taking photos for a print marketing brochure? Keep photos sharp with a high resolution setting, but if your photos are all Web site bound, the low resolution setting should do just fine.

Other simple tips include taking photos when the sun is at its highest and your subject/object is facing the light. Also, make sure your camera lens is clean.

You may find that some smart phone camera functions are time wasters. For example, many argue that the zoom function is unnecessary. Instead get closer to your subject or simply crop later on. Additionally, a harsh LED flash can sometimes do more harm than good. To determine if your flash is necessary, try taking a photo with and without it. It's always better to have options.

Finally, it never hurts to give the photos of your clients' homes a little extra help. And this How to Minute Photoshop Express video from realtormag.realtor.org offers a quick and simple solution for photo editing right on your phone. Check it out now:

The moral of this blog post? Do more than learn state laws and regulations while taking your real estate license course. Think bigger and get familiar with other tasks you will need to master – Like taking great looking photos on your smart phone, because no one wants to be “that realtor who takes awful photos.”

Have any smart phone camera tips? Recently downloaded a smart phone editing app that you simply love? Tell us about it now - Your suggestions are appreciated!

Rev Up Your Social Media Presence While Pursuing Real Estate Training

2011-09-27T17:16:00.000-07:00

Ready for a little real estate training that’s probably not covered in the midst of all those important state laws and regulations you’re memorizing? Let’s talk real estate marketing. Once you obtain your real estate license, you will be responsible for promoting your services, so why not get a head start?

Get online, because when compared to the costs of print advertising, social media is a cost-effective solution for reaching your target audience. Click on the infographic below for a little insight.

Growing your connections or fan base on a social media site will take some time, which is why planning a social media strategy during your real estate career training is a smart move. And there are ways you can draw attention to your social media site to expedite the growth process. For example, to grow out a professional Facebook page you could:

Add Facebook icons to your Web page, business cards and all other marketing collateral
Provide incentives for prospects to like your fan page (discount, contest, philanthropy donation)
Update your page daily with content that matters to your fan base such as local community/economic news, special events, links to interesting articles, links to listings, etc.

Real estate is about relationship building and social media has helped make the process easier. Stay in front of your clients on a consistent basis, and not only will you increase the chances of repeat business, but may also benefit from referrals.

Already have a professional Facebook page that's working for you? Have a social media page you admire and wouldn't mind emulating? Share the inspiration by posting a link to the page in the comment section.

Infographic Source: postling.com

Is Now the Right Time to Start a Career in Real Estate?

2011-09-16T14:54:00.000-07:00

Are you ready to start a career in real estate, but are hesitant due to market uncertainty and less than positive news reports? Consider this: real estate is cyclical and home prices can vary widely even within one zip code. And since no one has a crystal ball, it’s up to you to learn what’s going on with the specific real estate market where you’d like to start your real estate career.

To get you started, check out HomeGain’s 3rd Quarter 2011 National Home Values Survey Results report. The report doesn't narrow down home prices to specific cities, but it's an interesting snapshot of what real real agents/brokers and homeowners are thinking right now. Here are some highlights from the report:

Of the real estate brokers and agents surveyed -

47 percent think home values will decrease over the next six months
42 percent believe home values will remain the same in the next six months
11 percent expect prices to increase in the next six months

Of the homeowners surveyed -

43 percent think home values will remain the same in the coming six months
45 percent believe home values will decrease over the next six months
12 percent expect prices to increase in the next six months

75% of homeowners believe that their homes are worth more than the listing price

68% of homebuyers believe homes are overpriced

Top 10 states where real estate agents and homeowners believe homes prices will increase in the coming six months (see chart for specific details) -

Arizona
Florida
Texas
California
Ohio

Top 5 states where real estate agents and homeowners feel home prices will go down in the next six months-

New Jersey
Pennsylvania
North Carolina
Georgia
Virginia

Source: HomeGain Releases 3rd Quarter 2011 National Home Values Survey Results (September 2011)

How to Apply for the CA Real Estate License Exam

2011-09-08T11:34:00.000-07:00

You’ve met the Department of Real Estate’s (DRE) education requirements for obtaining your CA real estate license. Now what? Apply for the California real estate salesperson test. Here’s what you need to do:

1. Go to www.dre.ca.gov and download one of the two, following forms:

Salesperson Examination Application: This form is required in order to sit for theCalifornia estate real estate license exam.

-OR-

Combined Salesperson Examination/License Application: This single application allows you to apply and pay for your real estate salesperson examination and license in one step (rather than paying separately and filling two forms).

2. Complete your application and prepare the applicable fees (check the DRE Web site for the most current application fees). The DRE will not accept cash. Checks and money orders made payable to the DRE are acceptable forms of payment. Credit cards payments are accepted if the application is submitted by mail/fax.

3. Obtain transcripts or an official certificate that confirms successful completion of your required real estate courses. You will need to submit proof along with your application.

4. Mail your completed application, all applicable fees and proof of completed California real estate license courses to the following address: Department of Real Estate Examination Section, P.O. Box 187001, Sacramento, CA 95818-7001. Do not submit your application and fee more than once. Doing so may extend or delay processing of your application and exam scheduling.

5. Once the DRE processes/qualifies your application, which takes approximately six weeks, you will receive an assigned examination date, time and testing location.

6. Use the DRE eLicensing Online System to complete the following tasks (or self schedule if provided with that option):

Reschedule your exam date
Apply to re-take an exam
Change your exam mailing address
View your exam records
Check your scheduled exam date, time and location
View your exam results
Request duplicate schedule notices and result notices
See if your license has been issued

Once your application is processed and your exam date is assigned, stay fresh with CA real estate exam prep and pass your test the first time. Good luck!

Profit By Putting Property Management on Your Services List

2011-08-11T15:26:00.000-07:00

You sell real estate, plain and simple. Not so long ago, real estate sales and brokering services alone were more than enough to see you through. Now, with dwindling home sales and foreclosures on the rise, real estate professionals find themselves looking for new, creative ways to market their businesses. Enter property management.

What do you think of when you see property management? A massive company overseeing master planned communities? A group of property management specialists watching over several apartment complexes?

The Varied Duties of a Property Manager

Market available units
Coordinate new leases
Renew leases
Collect rents
Enforce rental and lease agreements
Pay expenses and taxes
Negotiate contracts for janitorial, security, groundskeeping, trash removal services, et cetera
Monitor services of vendors
Resolve complaints from residents and tenants
Purchase supplies and equipment for the property
Comply with provisions of legislation, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Federal Fair Housing Amendment Act, as well as local fair housing laws

How about individual property management professionals personally hired to watch out for investor-owned foreclosed properties, purposefully rented out in this increasing market? What’s this, you ask?

The Federal Housing Finance Agency is seeking ways to shrink the glut of foreclosed properties coming available. One of the proposed ideas is to rent these properties out. First, investors would partner with Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac to invest in pools of converted rental homes. A national property-management business would be hired to play landlord for these properties. While the investors would be responsible for rehabilitation and maintenance of the properties, the property managers would share in the monthly rental income and their eventual sale.

So why would you pass up an opportunity to take advantage of this foreclosure market niche? Perhaps you feel you have no time to learn about property management and what it entails. If this is the case, online learning can be your ticket out of “I can’t” mode.

While there are many property management courses available, those that are held online are ideal for someone with a busy schedule. By working at your own pace, you can pick up the essential skills you need to add property management to your roster of services, without adding more to your busy day.

Opportunities that present themselves in this market should be carefully considered. Whether property management is a service you want to offer, or one that you need to, having the skills available can help you take advantage of the needs in this ever-shifting market.

Source: WSJ