Five Tips for Lead Generation

As part of a three-presenter line-up, I opted to focus on tips for improving lead generation to complement other panelists’ focus on print and social media strategies for real estate investors. Knowing that we’d be speaking to first-time home flippers, seasoned full-time investors, and even vendors like lenders, these five tips are broad enough that any business or organization running marketing campaigns can benefit from them.

Free Real Estate Tip of the Day: Ditch the Desk

I was with a client just a few days ago looking at a very high end home that had – you guessed it – a desk built into the kitchen.

A few years ago, this was super standard in larger kitchens, but it’s on the decline now and I believe that’s with good reason.

1) It’s a place that inadvertently collects crap and clutter. No one wants that in the kitchen!

2) If you’re “laptopping it” with your email and recipes, you can do that on a good amount of counter space to begin with and the laptop can still call the office “home”.

3) These built-in desks are usually positioned lower – at a “seated” chair position. It’s just awkward and screws up the flow of the counters. Plus, most kitchens function better and look better with high stools/bar chairs. Once again, a “W” (a win) for the laptop on the regular counter/bar option.

Check out the rest of the Home Fads That Are Falling Out of Place from this month’s Realtor(R) Magazine Online.

I personally don’t agree with all of them, especially because some trends just don’t translate locally the same (ie: fireplaces – they CAN stay. This is still the South and unless you’re in a always hot locale in a small flat, it’s still a major “want” for many buyers), but it’s got some good tips and fresh perspectives nonetheless.

Like to Save $700?

I sure do!

Good news in the real estate world today – thanks for the heads up, Ashton!

HUD Issues New Mortgage Rules to Help Consumers Shop for Lower Cost Home Loans
New ‘Good Faith Estimate’ will help borrowers save nearly $700

WASHINGTON – For the first time in more than 30 years, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development today issued long-anticipated mortgage reforms that will help consumers to shop for the lowest cost mortgage and avoid costly and potentially harmful loan offers. HUD will require, for the first time ever, that lenders and mortgage brokers provide consumers with a standard Good Faith Estimate (GFE) that clearly discloses key loan terms and closing costs. HUD estimates its new regulation will save consumers nearly $700 at the closing table.

It took 30 years to make this happen? Click through to read all the details from this week’s news release.