Under new Treasury Department rules that take effecton April 5, short sales will be presented as the next possible step for homeowners who are not applicable for the federal Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP).

By offering this option, the administration is acknowledging that the current mortgage modification effort "can't solve the foreclosure problem by itself," says RealtyTrac chief economist, Rick Sharga. He sees positive points in the new guidelines, such as easier, standardized paperwork, financial incentives for both homeowners and mortgage servicers, and limited payouts for second lineholders.

Short sales are not widely used. According to the National Association of Realtors, in January 2010, only 14% of home transactions were short sales. The new program is doubtful to make the short sale transaction any easier, and while it may increase the number of these transactions, some are saying it won't "live up to the hype."

Read more from RISMedia.

Posted in Education And Training, MBI News

Selling expired listings may not be for everyone, but Realty Times' Dirk Zeller offers some great advice on how to prospect expired listings, saying it can be the core of any real estate professional's business.

Everyday, there are new expired listings, a streaming source of leads that are easy to find. While some of the sellers of these listings may be tired from trying to sell, they still ultimately want to sell, and a great majority of these are looking for or need an agent--you!

The key to sealing the deal on expired listings is the CAP method: consistency, attitude, and most critically, persistence. By focusing on the CAP system daily, you can follow up effectively to prospect these leads.

Read more at Realty Times.

Posted in Marketing, Seller Resources

More and more, people are turning to social media to try and build connections and even business. But does it work and does it raise your level of SEO on the web?

By using social media, you're able to push out your links and information through the wider World Wide Web as it is syndicated to a larger audience, in turn, increasing your online traffic. Branding yourself with something like a Facebook page offers transparency and growth based on your fans and communications. By connecting with people geniunely, your links and content is more likely to be shared, which builds actual link relevance that Google and other search engines need to actually increase your SEO level.

Building link relevance comes down to building reputation among the social channels you have and who is following you.

But does it really increase your SEO? Houseblogger's Real Estate Marketing SEO Blog says that, at best, it gives you a link. You can read more here.

Posted in Technology And You, Marketing, Online Education

Kevin White

Horizon View Properties LLC Metro Brokers

Dakota Ridge Office

13982 West Bowles Avenue #200

Littleton, CO 80127

Office: 303-973-7600 

Alternate No: 303-697-4222

Mobile: 303-877-9081

Fax: 303-339-8229

Contact Kevin White

Posted in Metro Brokers Agents