Jerusalem luxury real estate market slipping: http://ping.fm/tupWF via CNN
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Some quiet thoughts on home ownership....
A house.
A yard.
Family-Mom, Dad, Kids, Pets.
Neighbors.
Home sweet home.
9 million people slated to get help.
It's a start:
Special thanks to the gang at Trulia for going out,
talking to the public
and getting these quiet thoughts together for us-
in the midst of all the clamor.
Saving one home is a good start.
And Realtors are there to help:
with their knowledge of local markets
and other knowledge they can find and share,
they can help guide almost any homeowner
to what is practical and possible in their own unique situation.
Steve
twitter:
@stevenstearns
Friday, February 20, 2009
25 random things social media can do for your business
(graphic from mattbites.com)
1. Social media will help you face the consumer.
and it will help:
2. Protect your reputation.
3. Protect your products.
4. Protect your trademarks.
5. Protect your branding.
6. Create relationships.
7. Improve customer service.
8. Monitor direct consumer feedback.
9. Make you transparent to the consumer.
10. Recruit qualified employees.
11. Communicate in the quickest manner possible.
12. Keep an eye on the competition.
13. Find ideas to grow your market.
14. Find money. (Yes, it IS out there.)
15. Defuse potential unpleasant situations.
16. Share ideas-and incentives.
17. Attend events you couldn't afford to travel to.
18. Increase collaboration.
19. Decrease costs.
20. Create buzz for your company.
21. Listen to your market.
22. Make you nimble.
23. Identify loyal consumers and new consumers.
24. Increase your influence.
25. Embrace change.
Steve
Monday, February 9, 2009
Are you swimming in the Dead Pool?
(image from http://www.homeschoolstudentplanner.com/)...or are you just holding your nose
and hoping you come up OK?
Better look around before you jump in:
15 major US business concerns were put in
a dead pool of sorts for 2009 over at
Reading a little like a review-Circuit City, Chrysler and Blockbuster-
there were some interesting candidates for the floater crew:
Krispy Kreme-come on, I thought I was throwing them a line
the last time I got on the scale;
Rite Aid-you can't make money selling Viagra
...AND overpriced SoBe energy drinks?
Station Casinos-where DID the money go here?
All of those and the rest on the list deserve the attention they are getting.
And then some.
One stands out: Realogy.
No big secret. The general opinion is they have had
a very, very hard time since last year.
Not to oversimplify, but the obvious question:
With their premier franchises and branding,
it makes you wonder what is going to happen
to those franchises, Brokers and Agents-
and one-in-four homes (or so) bought and sold
Realogy says involved/was touched by a branded affiliate of theirs.
Right now, no one is buying much of anything.
And it is getting harder for Realogy
and a whole lot of other businesses to buy time.
Many of them up to their noses in debt, interest payments
-and a lack of effective consumer engagement.
The ripples in the water have yet to turn into
the froth and confusion of a feeding frenzy.
So, are you treading water in the dead pool,
or are you growing your social networks?
Steve
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Don't throw up on your market...
...or on anyone else.
Really.
It's just good etiquette
to keep it down after you have cleared your plate.
Learn how to do it:
Now:
Take a deep, deep breath.
Exhale.
If you are still feeling queasy, uneasy and confused-
imagine how your consumer feels.
Face your market. Listen. Learn.
(And don't forget to pick up the tab once in a while-:)
Steve
facebook: http://tinyurl.com/c7f27d
twitter:@stevenstearns
blog: http://realestateisreallycrazy.blogspot.com/
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/stevenstearns
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Preaching to a mute choir.....
You know you can hear...
...so why aren't you singing ?
"...95% of consumers between the ages of 18 and 44 who bought a home last year used social networking sites at least a few times a week, and a majority used them daily...."
"according to NAR...44% of all buyers use social networking every day."
-from matthewferrara.com
Your audience, your market, is standing in the front row.
They are filling up the seats in the auditorium.
They have their ticket and are standing in line waiting
for the next sold-out performance.
And they are bringing their friends, neighbors and yes-their kids!
So...
Are you going to the show?
Why aren't you on the way to the stage?
Why aren't you singing your lungs out?
...or at least tuning up.
The world is all ears.
And waiting to hear from YOU.
The neighborhood expert.
To sing the praises of the schools, parks, coffee shops, beauty salons,
restaurants, pubs, libraries,
-and that great listing you just grabbed.
Do it.
Don't wait for the fat lady.
Steve
920-691-6030
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Realtors. Brokers. All business owners. Watch this video. Please.
Realtors.
And brokers.
Business owners.
Watch this video.
Please:
Now, take a deep breath.
Act.
Get social!
Steven Stearns
Social Network Building
920-691-6030
Join me at:
twitter:@stevenstearns
http://realestateisreallycrazy.blogspot.com/
Monday, January 19, 2009
THIRTY LINKS TO SOCIAL MEDIA-WELCOME ALL REALTORS!
30 LINKS TO SOCIAL MEDIA
WELCOME TO ALL REALTORS !
Grab a cup of whatever you like,
and get ready to explore your network neighborhood-
and wire me, call me or leave a comment-I would be happy to help!
http://activerain.com/
Wisconsin Bloggers at activerain
http://localism.com/wi/fort_atkinson
http://www.linkedin.com/in/stevenstearns
http://twitter.com/stevenstearns
140 tools for twitter!
Top twelve women RE Bloggers 2008
A whole bunch of RE/MAX Bloggers!
http://www.wannanetwork.com/
http://www.inman.com/
www.rismedia.com
http://www.nahrep.org/
http://www.casalatino.com/
http://www.rsspieces.com/
http://www.stpaulrealestateblog.com/
http://www.bloodhoundrealty.com/BloodhoundBlog/
April Hayden Munson
http://searchservice.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=sitesearch.results&orig=search_Header&type=AllMySpace&qry=realtor&submit=Search
Thursday, January 15, 2009
LET'S GET SOCIAL!
IT'S A HOUSEWARMING PARTY!
and THANKS FOR COMING-
Welcome, old and new friends, to my new digs on the web:
Steven Stearns
Anyone.Anywhere.Anything.
Social Network Building
Content Creation Consulting For Commerce, Creatives and Citizens
920-691-6030
Join me at:
twitter: @stevenstearns
http://realestateisreallycrazy.blogspot.com
http://www.linkedin.com/in/stevenstearns
(...and a new facebook page coming soon!)
Google Searches:
Featured CNN IReport Superstar: Midwest Flooding-June 2008
Blog/Photos and Interviews on CNN National and CNN Headline News
Let's get social!
Thanks,
Steve
Friday, January 9, 2009
REAL ESTATE BROKERS-ARE YOU LISTENING?
...it's really simple:
80 percent of all homebuyers are on line.
Nearly 60 percent of retailers are using facebook.
ONLY 7-10 percent of all Realtors are engaged
in social media
and social networking.
...'nuff said.
Steven Stearns
Anyone.Anywhere.Anything.
Experienced Social Network Building/Content Creation Consulting
For Commerce, Creatives and Citizens
920-691-6030
Google Searches:
Google Searches:
Steven Stearns
crazy real estate
Featured CNN IReport Superstar: Midwest Flooding-June 2008
Saturday, January 3, 2009
A walk on the roof....
...is not something you would do in January.
Well, unless you had to. And were really, really careful.
(ss photo)Again, I am NOT telling you to literally do this-
but imagine how far you could see-
and who could see you
if you could stand on the roof of all of your listings.
Simple enough idea.
And that is what social networking is all about.
Let's get a ladder!
Anyone. Anywhere. Anything.
Experienced Social Network Building/Content Creation Consulting
for Commerce, Creatives and Citizens
920-691-6030
Sunday, December 28, 2008
YOU FOUND ME!...(again)
(graphic from http://andrewmargolis.com/blog)
Well, thanks for stopping by!
Sorry about the confusion and the boxes, but what I can tell you is this:
I am still here.
Well, so is most everyone else!
Ready to listen. To create and share ideas. To market some of my own, hopefully, (and have something to share with the wolf...)
But most of all, to keep it real and keep it crazy.
And of course, it will be great to see some new scenery.
So-
How can I help you? Just wire me!
Steven
shsworks@sbcglobal.net
http://www.linkedin.com/in/stevenstearns
Sorry about the confusion and the boxes, but what I can tell you is this:
I am still here.
Well, so is most everyone else!
Ready to listen. To create and share ideas. To market some of my own, hopefully, (and have something to share with the wolf...)
But most of all, to keep it real and keep it crazy.
And of course, it will be great to see some new scenery.
So-
How can I help you? Just wire me!
Steven
shsworks@sbcglobal.net
http://www.linkedin.com/in/stevenstearns
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Hey Gang-HAVE A GREAT HOLIDAY SEASON!
...and don't hate me-I am in FLORIDA!
Our Holiday Sale is still on through the end of the month-scroll down
and check it out!
And right down there, too, is great news-
you can place your listings in over 40 social networks
with our Obeo HomeSite!
...have a great holiday!
I will be out of the office and out of Wisconsin on vacation from December 20, 2008 through January 1, 2009,
returning to work January 2nd, 2009 in the a.m.
I will be returning urgent emails and phone calls as necessary.If you need any other assistance with Obeo, like immediate help to set up your account, order a tour or need technical/email support, please call Obeo at 1-800-729-6236.Also,
Obeo is having a holiday sale on Obeo services!
Get your promotion info for Wisconsin at:
For information on the Obeo Holiday Sale outside of Wisconsin, please call our toll-free number.At Obeo, we know Realtors ROCK!- and we want to keep you rolling.Follow this link to our Microsite for info and to demo our products:
HomeSite, StyleDesigner, SpaceDesigner and ObeoConnect:
...and this link to great videos about how Obeo works for you-http://tinyurl.com/3vgzed
Have a great holiday season!
Steven Stearns
Obeoman
262-325-8687
Obeo Sales-Tech Support: 800-729-6236
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
THE Incredible Embeddable Tour for Your Social Networks
Hey!
I have a new address on the web-just click and bookmark below!
Steve Stearns
Anyone. Anywhere. Anything.
Experienced Social Network Building
Content Creation for Commerce, Creatives and Citizens
920-691-6030
See you there!
Steven
(Click on the pic to see it in action at Activerain!)Obeo Adds Social Media Feature to HomeSite Product Toolbox Users can share, embed, link and e-mail HomeSite virtual tours with others
(SALT LAKE CITY, Utah) – Obeo, a leading provider of full-service residential real estate online marketing products in North America, has added a new social media feature for users of its HomeSite product.
Obeo HomeSite is a unique online marketing tool created with the customer in mind. Potential buyers can view the home through photos and panoramas, click and drag furniture onto an interactive floor plan and "virtually" customize the home, creating an engaging, personalized experience.
The new social media feature added to the HomeSite Tools section allows users to add their HomeSite virtual tour to dozens of social media Web sites such as Facebook, LinkedIn or MySpace. They can also share and bookmark it through StumbleUpon, Digg or Delicious, some of the latest social media bookmarking Web sites.
"This new social media feature allows Obeo clients to promote their listings like never before," said Andy Evans, Founder and Director of Product Strategy. "With just a few clicks, our client's listings are instantly promoted to friends, family and thousands of potential buyers on the Web who are looking for a new home."
Users also have the ability to send their HomeSite virtual tour via e-mail as well as link to the tour from their personal/company Web site or MLS system, customizing the settings to have the link appear and function in whatever way desired.
Embedding the HomeSite tour right into a Web page or blog is also offered, making it appear as if the tour is running right on the Web site rather than linking out to another site or launching in a pop-up window. Most people are familiar with this concept because of YouTube videos. The HomeSite tour can be set to automatically play as a slide show and adjusted to fit into the user screen space available directly within the blog or website it is posted within.
The new social media feature is another additional tool to engage consumers and real estate professionals alike. As a part of Obeo's included services, when a home is listed on Obeo HomeSite, the listing is automatically syndicated to many of the top listing services, including Yahoo! Real Estate, Zillow, Trulia and Google Base Real Estate, giving the listing maximum exposure.
With offerings such as the social media feature, along with virtual tours, customized printing and professional photography, Obeo is paving the way in customizing the world of real estate for its consumers.
About Obeo:
Since its inception in 1999 and its evolution from 360 House to Obeo in 2004, the Salt Lake City, Utah-based company has become the largest preferred supplier of full-service residential real estate online marketing products in the United States and Canada. The Latin word for "to go to" or "to encompass," Obeo provides REALTORS®, homebuilders, land developers and property managers with customized online marketing solutions and offline sales tools. To find out more, go to www.Obeo.com.
Have fun and grow your business with it, gang!
Steve
Obeoman
262-325-8687
Obeo National: 800-729-6236
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Dodging bullets, blizzards and the blues...
First, I just wanna say
I am SO glad
my blog did not wind up on this list,
and out of gratitude, we are offering discounts
on all Obeo marketing packages- the promo code is below!
(...dodged that one...!)
(...if you would like to nominate me next time,
well, that is up to you.)
Huge obvious update:
The market is a little chilly.
That kind of chill can make you blue.
Obeo says so what-let's turn up the heat:
Promotion Dates: Dec. 8th - 31st, 2008
To order your Obeo tour,
please call our toll-free number (1-800-729-6236)
to take advantage of the extra discount on multiple tours.
Simply mention the 'Obeo Christmas Gift' to your Obeo customer service representative to receive your discount.
Agents!: President of RE/MAX Preferred Dennis Midthun approved this offer!
Even though Winter may be back-
(and my back is out-a little...)
snowy mornings are beautiful,
as long as the snowblower starts when you want it to!
(Old Faithful-Thanks, Dad for moving to a condo!)
Let's all dig out!
Steve
Obeoman
262-325-8687
Obeo National:800-729-6236
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Clients for life...why not?
Are you a client for life?
Think about it-you probably have a favorite brand or two;
some boots, clothing, apparel, auto or an appliance you just will not do without.
Now-what about YOUR clients-
Think about them.
How are you making them yours?:
It's easy.
Give them a reason-a good one-and they will stick with you.
Sounds like a win-win!
Thanks for stopping by,
(by the way, you can play with the StyleDesigner here!)
Steve
Obeoman
262-325-8687
Obeo National:800-729-6236
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