Selling a Home in the Greater Lansing Michigan Area Requires a Well Explained Marketing Plan

A Real Estate Professional in the greater Lansing real estate market must meet the needs and expectations of the Connected Consumer. The rules of business are changing in our industry, with nearly 90% of all buyers searching the Internet prior to contacting an agent. It is imperative that practitioners of our industry become savvy on what is available to them for marketing real estate.

Buying or selling a house in the greater Lansing area is much more convenient with search engines like Google, Yahoo, MSN, and the dozens of other smaller ones available. Technology has revolutionized the way buyers, sellers, real estate agents and most ancillary type real estate businesses operate in today’s world of buying and selling.

Syndication is becoming one of the fastest growing listing advertising mediums on the Internet today. Giving your home maximum exposure just makes sense and Point2Agent has the largest syndication network in the real estate industry, with new partners being added frequently.
Here's a sample of how a property is promoted by myself on Point2Agent.

Linking to demographics for Delta Township or Delhi Township are two examples of individual sites REALTORS have available as a service to today e-consumer, provided they understand technology, websites, Blogging, search engine optimization and all the other areas of real estate Internet marketing that is a must in today’s changing market. Searching all inventory available in the greater Lansing area needs to be at the stroke of one link, in order to give the best service available.

Many programs are available today for agents to market properties in specific locations, styles or targeting specific buyers. Postlets is one of my favorite when it comes to promoting a featured home or several. Agents also have the opportunity to use a company called SawItOnLine which produces a Gallery of Homes and than sends them out to many portals and sites with what we call syndication of listings.

Real estate markeking is not for those who dabble or are not keeping up with the changes, Sellers and buyers need someone who knows what they’re doing and will work hard to get the job done. Make sure for your financial welfare, that the real estate agents you interview prior to selling your home have knowledge of the real estate market, negotiating skills, and ability to listen to your needs and desires. A well explained marketing plan that includes Internet technology is a must by any Realtor.

"Expect the Best" Mike

Mike Bowler Sr. ePRO, CRB, GRI, SRES
Coldwell Banker Hubbell Briarwood
1020 S. Creyts Road, Lansing, MI 48917
Phone: 517-492-3400 Fax: 888-832-6203
email: Mike@MikeBowler.com
Website for Clients: MikeBowler.com
Search Listings

Why Internet Marketing of Your Real Estate is Important to Greater Lansing Home Sellers

The days are gone of just putting a sign in the yard and selling your house. With over 85% of all home-buyers shopping the Internet prior to contacting a Realtor, it is imperative that your Real estate agent provide syndication from their website to offer better search engine exposure.

Point2Agent is A powerful, professional, and customized online presence to grab the attention of potential buyers. Everyone knows having a website online is very important. Making sure your website is sticky and packs a punch is even more valuable to being successful online. That's why sellers should make sure that real estate agents are providing the widest amount of Internet marketing exposure available in today's market.

My Point2 Agent website provides the seller with a powerful suite of website tools that allow me to have the customized, professional online presence I need and to properly market a home for sale in a competitive market.

With the highest number of syndication partners available and more being included all the time, Point2Agent also provides me with a competitive edge above other real estate professionals. Syndication gives me an advantage that is clear to sellers.

In addition to Point2Agent I like SawItOnLine and Postlets, These programs allow sellers and buyers to obtain updated information on properties, new liistings and many pictures. Syndication out to additional sites by all three of these programs also allows for my listings to be advertised across multiple popular home search sites with just a click of the mouse.

Real estate agents today need to be Internet savvy with the best tools to properly market a sellers home. a few snap shots of the house is not sufficient when most major portals accept up to 30 pictures, plus a virtual tour of the home. The key for getting your home the most exposure in today's market is to ask the right questions and have your Realtor demonstrate an Internet marketing plan on where your house will be promoted.

"Expect the Best" Mike

Greater Lansing Area Real Estate - Ask Questions Prior to Selling or Buying

Lansing Michigan real estate buyers in today's home market want to have access to houses for sale, with plenty of information and lots of pictures.

It amazes me to no end that you can still visit real estate websites to find no pictures or very few. Even Realtor Boards and MLS Services sometimes limit the number of photos to 8 or 10. A large percentage of the houses have more rooms than that, let alone community photos that could be included, landscape, amenities of the neighborhood, schools, and parks.

The real estate professional must meet the needs and expectations of the Connected Consumer. The rules of business are changing, especially in the real estate industry. Consumers need to start asking more questions and expecting more results from the Realtor, when it comes to marketing their home. With Syndicated websites, major portals, search engine marketing, and social networking sites that drive more traffic to the listing, their is no excuse for apathy in our industry any longer. All real estate agents have had a great opportunity over the past few years, in a slower market, to get re-educated and trained in Internet Marketing for real estate, but few have been willing to pay the price or devote the time necessary to become Internet savvy. That's not all that bad, for they will be left in the dust, when the market turns.

Real estate agents today need to be Internet savvy with the best tools to market a sellers home.

A few snap shots of the house is not sufficient when most major portals accept up to 30 pictures, plus a virtual tour of the home. The key for anyone selling a home in today's market is to ask the right questions and have your Realtor demonstrate an Internet marketing plan on where your house will be promoted.

The e-PRO Certification Program will establish a baseline of online competence, and it will also introduce its students and graduates to the best aspects of Online Community...the Internet is about the power of people connecting with people. However, this is just a beginning for any agent who is in this business for the long haul. What's your thoughts?

The greater Lansing area real estate Seller's today, need massive exposure to their listed home, to get the most exposure. The days are gone of just putting a sign in the yard and selling your house. With over 85% of all home-buyers shopping the Internet prior to contacting a Realtor, it is imperative that your Real estate agent provide syndication from their website to offer better search engine exposure.

Each agent should be able to explain their Internet marketing plan prior to being hired to sell your home.

Website Syndication, Photo sharing, vitual tours, Blogging, Social networking for business, Search engine marketing, and optimization, are only a few of the many complex, yet simple systems that will get your house the best exposure in today's market. Real estate transactions are complex, involve large assets and demand competent representation. Marketing properties, home selection and financing are just a few of the skills today's consumer looks for when they select a real estate professional. Make sure your Realtor is prepared to offer you the knowledge and expertise to counsel you in relocating, buying, investing or selling the family home, using the most up to date technology and Internet tools.

Your Realtor should be prepared to employ the latest techniques and services for your benefit, just like you've grown to expect from a professional.

"Expect the Best" Mike

Mike Bowler Sr. ePRO, CRB, GRI, SRES
Coldwell Banker Hubbell Briarwood
1020 S. Creyts Road, Lansing, MI 48917
Phone: 517-492-3400 Fax: 888-832-6203
email: Mike@MikeBowler.com
Website for Clients: MikeBowler.com
Search Listings

Housing Opportunities for the Delhi Township, Holt, Real Estate Market - Timing is Money!

Delhi Township, Holt,real estate buyers and sellers do have opportunities in this market today. Crisis or no crisis, people still can move up or buy that first home. The large number of homes available for sale provides home buyers with a wide range of choices. Interest rates remain low. Affordability has improved in many markets. I think this is the smartest time to buy a home in my 30 years of marketing real estate.
Home inventory dropping almost 10% over the past 6 month’s is a sure sign that we may be reaching the bottom of this challenging market that we have experienced over the past 24 months.

Preparing your home for the spring market is very important to compete in today’s market. The Home Sellers Tool Kit will give you some great ideas to get you prepared for selling this year.
You may be thinking, is it a good time to sell my home and buy another? We have to remember that homes are selling when they are well prepared for sale and priced right. The reason is because people buy and sell homes for lifestyle reasons. Births, marriages, new jobs, retirement and others are all drivers. Following the advice of a full-service professional, who knows market conditions and a home’s competition, is critical in readying a home for sale.

First time home buyers receiving the tax credit which will be the lesser of either 10% of the home’s cost or $8,000 also contributes to the reason for buyers to start shopping. This will be available to qualified first time home buyers – and those who have not owned for at least 3 years - for the purchase of a principal residence in 2009. The credit does not have to be paid back if the buyer stays in the home for at least 3 years. This could have the domino effect to allow sellers to begin moving up to that larger home and selling their house, which they may have out-grown.

So, is “Now the Time To Make Your Move” I think so, however, much depends on your current situation, motives, and ability to qualify for the new, tight credit market. It may take a team of professionals to help you make some of these important decisions.

Our market could change soon, (or maybe not) as prices begin to climb back up, interest rates begin to rise, and inventory continues too go down. Is that when we will be back into a normal market? Not really. There is no such thing as a bad market or good market; there is just a market. Supply and demand is what made this the best country in the world to own real estate.

Mike Bowler Sr. ePRO, CRB, GRI, SRES
Coldwell Banker Hubbell Briarwood
1020 S. Creyts Road, Lansing, MI 48917
517-492-3400
mailto:mike@mikebowler.com
Search Listings

"The trouble with our times is that the future is not what it used to be"

"The trouble with our times is that the future is not what it used to be". Paul Valery He is best known as a French poet who made the above statement and contributed much to society. Those of us in the real estate business, mortgage business or consumers attempting to sell their homes can relate to this quote. Real estate is not what it used be, and probably never will be. These are certainly challenging times for everyone. Regardless of where I go, what I read, or listen to, it seems to ring with the negativity that comes with mediocrity. Are we as a nation wailing in our own self pity, or are we going to be part of the solution. Real estate markets are just that, real estate markets. There is no such thing as a good market and a bad market, it's just a market. Supply and demand have always controlled the price of housing.

Now, granted it does not help having troubled financial institutions, politicians talking out of both sides of the mouth, or funny money be created by our Government. Between these fiascoes and the media consistently driving bad news down our throats 24 hours a day, it is challenging to stay positive. I can assure you one thing, that is, from 2000 to 2006 when home prices were going through the roof, mortgages were provided to anyone who could fog a mirror, and homes were having two and three offers written on them, no one complained. You can go back in history and see a similar pattern in the 70's. 80's and 90's. Yes the future is not what it used to be, however, it does resemble the past.

I have a sign that hangs above my desk, that I am in the habit of reading each and everyday. It says: "Tough Times Never Last, Tough People Do!" quoted off a Book title written by, Robert H. Schuller back in the 80's. Another little reminder that I have hanging there is a sign that says, "I must do the most productive thing possible at every given moment". Tom Hopkins. Tommy was an inspiration to my real estate business and life in general back in the early eighties and still is today. When interest rates were 18% people thought the sky was falling, however we survived.

You may ask, who this post is meant for? It's meant for all of us. If we want to make this world a better place to live, we need to start at home. We need to go help a friend, neighbor, or shelter down the street. We need to share our experiences, our smile, and our attitude with others. We need to get out of our own head and be of service to other people. I believe, that our world will change, when we do. What do you think?