Archive for the ‘cool stuff’ Category
To MLS or Not to MLS? Separating Fact from Hype
Topics:
What is the MLS?
What are the Benefits of advertising on the MLS
What is all the “Hype” of the MLS
What Should You Consider?
What is the MLS?
The Multiple Listing Service is a database of homes and property that are for sale. The MLS is operated by the local Board of Realtors®. The MLS is the resource agents use to find homes for their buyers or advertise their home listings to other agents. MLS listings include detailed information about the property. In addition to selling price and address, an MLS listing generally includes number of rooms, size of rooms, interior and exterior features, lot size, local school district, property taxes, association dues, directions to the property and comments. Most also include photo’s of the home and a lockbox. At the sellers discretion, most MLS listings can also be upgraded for a fee to include additional photos or virtual video tours.
To MLS or Not To MLS; Separating Fact from Hype
The Multiple Listing Service (MLS) is a powerful tool for real estate agents and home sellers. It allows seller’s and agent’s to cross-sell all properties in a given market, which greatly expands the sales force of all the properties for sale. The Internet has expanded the power of the MLS by providing information in real time to not only agents, but to home buyers and home sellers alike through its www.Realtor.com website. The MLS and Realtor,com it is looked at by thousands of real estate agents who may have a buyer for your property and individual home buyers searching the Internet.
Note: In addition to Realtor.com, properties listed on the MLS also appear on other major real estate search engines like Zillow, Homes.com, Military.com, Trulia.com, Yahoo, Google and a host of others.
Benefits of MLS Advertising:
There is only one very significant benefit to having your home listed on the MLS…EXPOSURE! The fact that your home is for sale will now be known by anyone searching the Internet. Additionally, hundreds, if not thousands of real estate agents in your market will also know about your property. To fully benefit from this exposure, you need to be willing to “co-op” with a real estate agent, if they bring a buyer whose contract terms are acceptable to you. “Co-op” means that you agree to compensate the buyer’s real estate agent at the closing of your property. Typically, a buyer’s agent will earn between 2%-3% of the sales price of the home. If you are willing to “co-op” with a buyer’s agent, you should indicate this clearly in your Internet and classified advertising, and on your brochures.
To list your home on the MLS, you will need to contract with a real estate listing agent that is a member of your local real estate board. If your interest is purely to have your home listed on the MLS; you can contract with a new type of Broker who charges a one-time fee to cover the cost of them listing your home in the MLS and allows you to act as your own listing agent.
The flat-fee MLS listing concept is fairly new and not all agents will be anxious to provide this service, as they are in the full service real estate listing business. To learn more about using a flat-fee MLS service, visit websites like http://www.why6percent.com
In many areas of the United States, when a home appears on the local MLS, it will also appear on aggregator websites like MSN Home Advisor, Yahoo Real Estate, Realtor.com, Zillow.com and local state and broker websites. Many of the MLS Boards send their inventory directly to these websites to enable even more exposure for the homeowner.
In today’s transient society, thousands of people use the internet to search for homes far in advance of their relocation. Many people supply the list of properties that interest them to their agent, so the agent can set up showing appointments. When a buyer is relocating to a new area, time is limited and critical. This means the buyer’s agent becomes a critical part of relocation effort. Therefore, the MLS can be key to exposing your home to people relocating to your area.
What is the Hype of an MLS listing?
1) Your house will never sell if it is NOT listed on the MLS…False.
Your house may sell more quickly or for more money because of the tremendous exposure we discussed above, but your home can sell with or without the MLS.
2) Buyers will never find your home if it is NOT listed on the MLS…False.
According to the National Assn. of Realtors data, 60% of all home sales occur because of the sign in the yard. Newsletters, directional signs, open houses, classified advertising and InfoTubes or InfoBoxes, filled with attractive home information flyers, will also help you find a buyer for your home.
3) Real estate agents will not bring a buyer to you if you are NOT on theMLS… False.
If an agent has an interested buyer and you indicate you are willing to pay them a commission, they have no reason to boycott your property. If they do, they risk that the buyer contacts you directly and they don’t make a dime.
Considerations:
The MLS has proven value and is certainly a wonderful way to expand your advertising reach. If your goal is to make local agents aware that your home is for sale and reach the millions of buyers searching for homes on major real estate websites. Keep in mind that you will need to pay a commission to a buyer agent at closing, if they bring you an offer that you accept.
If you decide to place your home on the MLS, consider it as a part of your overall marketing strategy and not a replacement for your advertising program. Properly understood, the MLS can be another excellent part of your home selling process.
Thank you for visiting Why6Percent.com. Our national network of flat fee MLS brokers are standing by to assist you in marketing your home. Please visit our website or phone 1-800-381-9496 to get started!
Do’s and Don’ts for Taking Good Real Estate Photo’s.
Profitable 2012 Resolution: Showcase and show off your home with great photo’s.
Photographs are important and powerful tools in marketing real estate. Statistics show that home sellers who provide numerous and good quality photographs of their property receive twice the amount of buyer interest than their competition.
When photographing your property, try to follow this advise from Dave Rezendes, #1 real estate photographer in the USA.
• Don’t assume that wider is better. Sometimes a particular vignette or architectural detail will better convey the feeling of a house and give a stronger effect.
…. CLICK HERE TO FINISH READING THE ENTIRE ARTICLE
Thank you for visiting Why6Percent.com. Make 2012 your year to SHOW and SELL!!!!
What the Real Estate Market looks like in 2012
Would you like to see what the housing market has in store for 2012? If so, take a moment to watch this video.
Remember that in spite of the doom and gloom…10,000 sets of keys are handed to new homeowners every single day!!
Thank you for visiting Why6Percent.com…we offer FREE marketing website for owners, builders and agents. In addition, our MLS and Realtor.com packages can give you all the exposure of a full service listing…without the cost.
Remember that… Who you buy From is as important as What you Buy! Look for Made in the USA products and support US workers!!
Made in the USA School Supplies
Americans spent a staggering $52 BILLION on “Back to School Supplies” in 2010.
We believe that very little of your $52 BILLION spent at big box retailers benefited American companies and US workers.
If you are worried about the future of the US economy…. If you care about the millions of unemployed and homeless Americans…Make a Pledge that in 2011 you will buy Back to School Supplies that are Made in the USA!!! It’s that simple. Keep your money in your pocket and Say “NO” to rewarding retailers and companies that sell out American companies and support foreign workers.
It’s easier than you think to find American Made Back to School Supplies. Here is a short list of companies to get you started!
| Backpacks | ||
| Duluth Pack | DuluthPack.com | |
| Trager | ShoeBuy.com | |
| Tough Traveler | ToughTraveler.com | |
| Lunchboxes | ||
| Mimi the Sardine | ReUseIt.com | |
| Laptop Lunch | GreenFeet.com | |
| Pencils | ||
| General Pencil | GeneralPencil.com | |
| Pens/Markers | ||
| Clementine Art | ClementineArt.com | |
| LiquidMark | RedAppleSupply.com | |
| EcoStars | RedAppleSupply.com | |
| Paper/Notebooks | ||
| Ampad | BuyOnlineNow.com | |
| Basic brand | SaleStores.com | |
| Mead (select items) | OfficeSupplySanity.com | |
| New Leaf | eConsciousMarket.com | |
| Computers/Accessories | ||
| Union Built PC | UnionBuiltPC.com | |
| Green Guru (laptop sleeve) | Greenopia.com | |
| American Jeans | ||
| Levis Capital E | Nordstrom.com | |
| True Religion Jeans | TrueReligionJeans.com | |
| Rock & Republic | RockandRepublic.com | |
| Paige Premium Denim | PaigePremiumDenim.com | |
| Robin’s Jean | RobinsJean.com | |
| Frankie B. | FrankieB.com | |
| Genetic Jeans | GeneticJeans.com | |
| Hudson Jeans | HudsonJeans.com | |
| Rich & Skinny | RichandSkinnyJeans.com | |
| J-Brand | JBrandJeans.com | |
| Earnest Sewn | EarnestSewn.com | |
| Citizens of Humanity | CitizensOfHumanity.com | |
| Rag & Bone | Rag-Bone.com | |
| ReWash | ReWashUSA.com | |
| American Socks | ||
| Thorlo | Thorlo.com | |
| ZKano | ZKano.com | |
| Fox River Socks | FoxSox.com | |
| American Shoes and Boots | ||
| Alden Shoes | AldenShoes.com | |
| Allen Edmonds | AllenEdmonds.com | |
| New Balance (select) | NewBalance.com | |
| American Clothing | ||
| Hard Tail | HardTailForever.com | |
| American Apparel | AmericanApparel.com | |
| Basic Threads | BasicThreadsUSA.com | |
| Fresh Produce | FreshProduceClothes.com | |
SOURCE Made in the USA Foundation
Thank you for visiting InfoTube.net. We have been making InfoTubes and InfoBoxes here in the USA since 1988. We appreciate your business and please visit our website for FREE home selling services. Thank You!
Links that Save American Jobs and Support American Made Products
Paul Choi, a long time supporter of the American worker and American dream, complied a list of Links for People who are interested in fighting the Chinese import tsumani.
If you would like to Vote for Made in the USA products, please CLICK HERE. If you want to express your outrage about the outsourcing of American jobs, CLICK HERE. If you want to reach our politicians and news reporters and tell them what you t hink about the Companies who are shipping jobs overseas, CLICK HERE!!
Thank you for helping InfoTube Fight for American Jobs and Products!!! Your Money is Your Vote…Spend it Wisely!
InfoTube, The Hillman Group and China
I am very happy to report that the public outcry about outsourcing American products, specifically Infotube and Infobox, to China has been encouraging, enlightening, motivating and best of all…it may be working to save jobs and keep American made products on the shelves.
As a result of your emails, calls, petitions, Facebook posts, etc. some strange things have happened. We have been contacted by a US Senator, offering his assistance. We have been interviewed on radio news and talk shows and our story has shown up in print across the country. And, we still have our fingers crossed that we might receive a call from Diane Sawyer and ABC news about our story and products.
If you haven’t told Diane and ABC what your favorite American products are, click this LINK and do so, today! Please don’t forget to mention InfoTube and InfoBox!
Perhaps, the most surprising outcome, so far, has been our two discussions with senior management at The Hillman Group. Surprising, because it is happening at all. Surprising, again, because we are each sharing information and I feel that everyone is sincere about wanting to reach a resolution.
Rest assured that we won’t give up the fight until we hear that Crow Erickson will continue to sell Infotubes and InfoBoxes to our major d-i-y retail customers, like we have done for nearly two decades.
Sadly, during our meeting yesterday, Hillman management confirmed that they have shipped some of the Chinese copycat product…identifible by its Yellow lid…to Home Depot, Lowes and Menards. The retailers, in turn, hung it up in the sign department where the InfoTube and InfoBox used to proudly hang.
Please ask for InfoTube and InfoBox by name at the store!! Simply, refuse to purchase the Chinese Yellow Lid product. You know what is at stake and your money is counted as your vote.
A concerned consumer may have said it best in their reply to an email they received from the Hillman Group.
“See, we American voters may truly be powerless, but we American consumers are not. We are fed up watching big corporations, like yours, screw American businesses, and so if you think this lame email has calmed me, you are wrong. I am just getting started.” Cynn Chadwick
If you have a problem finding our products in the stores, you can purchase through our secure our website or through one of our valued, loyal internet vendors….many of whom took action on our behalf…even though by doing so, they face more sales competition.
Thank you again for your support, your comments and your encouragement. If this little company can find a way to beat the competition over in communist China…then, so can other companies!
Buy American and Support your Homeland!!! We aren’t anti-chinese…we are just Pro-American!
Tommi Crow
President, Crow Erickson Inc. 1854A Hendersonville Rd #221 – Asheville, NC 28803. 1-800-858-6000
ABC News Contest for Favorite American Made Products
For those of you who are following our struggle and have ask how you can help next…
I think that continuing to send requests to ABC news (the direct link is below) would really be helpful for moving our negotiations forward and for highlighting this David and Goliath story.
My recent experiences have proven that the tide of consumer awareness is shifting in our country. The grass roots support for American business, workers and products is gaining momentum quickly and we all need to stay involved to turn our economy and future around.
I would encourage everyone to submit your favorite American made products to ABC News.
http://abcnews.go.com/WN/MadeInAmerica/mailform?id=13599846
I hope to see a lot of love for InfoTube and InfoBox, of course, but I know that a lot of American businesses are fighting against the outsourcing tsunami, as well. Each one of them would appreciate your support and there is no limit on the number of products you can submit.
Thank you again for all your help!!!! Without you, we wouldn’t be here today. Please mention us to ABC News…I would love to tell our story to Diane Sawyer
Tommi Crow
President, Crow Erickson, Inc
Radio News Interview and Call from Senator Richard Burr’s Office
I was interviewed on Clear Channel News this morning about our Fight to Save our Company and American jobs from the chinese, copycat imports of InfoBox that are being brought into the US by The Hillman Group, distributors for Lowes, Home Depot and Menards.
After the radio interview, we received a call from Senator Richard Burr’s (R) office to inquire about our story. The Senator’s office is looking into the matter to determine how they can help. Thank you, Senator Burr!
Tommi Crow radio interview on Jameson show
I would like to say a BIG thank you to Jerri Jameson at WWNC News Radio 570 for having us on her show this morning.
Thanks for following our story and for your support! Please continue to sign our petition and send emails to Lowes, Home Depot and Menardsn telling them that InfoTube and InfoBox SHOULD NOT be replaced with chinese imports.
Public Response to Help InfoTube Save American Jobs is Amazing
Yesterday, I shared the story of our fight to save our small, US company from obliteration with my small circle of friends, family and collegues. Our news must have hit a nerve in a number of people because the number of Facebook posts, emails and phone calls I have received in support of our situation has been nothing short of phenominal!
I have 3 Things to Report to You, so far!
First, WE ARE STILL IN BUSINESS!!! We have received a number of calls from concerned customers that we are no longer manufacturing product. I am happy to report that we are still working and don’t intend to stop anytime soon. Everyone can order product directly from our website, via fax, phone or email.
Secondly, and sadly, we have received no response from Lowes, Home Depot or The Hillman Group.
Thirdly, our fight to save the little, and in the scheme of things, perhaps insignificant, InfoBox and InfoTube has inspired and motivated so many of you. Your support has really picked up morale here and words can’t express you how much we need it and how thankful we are.
Truefully, I’m not sure whether the idea of a chinese knockoff, swinging on “For Sale” signs in front of American homes, many of which are foreclosed, touched a raw nerve…or, whether the idea of a forced layoff of hard working Americans, many disabled and handicapped, was infuriating…or, whether the picture of one of the last American made products, being washed away in a chinese tsunami was just too much to take…but, the anger and frustration that you are expressing about our retailers and their lack of support for available American products is powerful, loud and clear! WE DON’T UNDERSTAND AND WE HATE IT!
i pray that they are listening. I have proudly worked with the largest retailers in the land for nearly 20 years. My growth, as a company, I owe to them. I still believe in them. I believe that they care what their customers think and they want to deliver what we want to buy. Your voice matters, so please keep sending those heartfelt emails and Facebook posts. Eventually, our voice will reach someone in charge who cares.
Thank you for your support and for sharing our story with your friends and collegues. I will issue updates and share any information or responses I receive, so you can follow our progress. We hope every second of the day that we will have something good to report!
WE NEED YOUR HELP TO SAVE AMERICAN JOBS!!!
Crow Erickson—a small, woman-owned company—is a quintessential American success story. INFOTUBE® literature boxes were invented 23 years ago in my garage in Dallas, TX, to provide Realtors®, builders and homeowners with an affordable way to sell their homes.
INFOTUBE® was an immediate success and quickly made its way into every major retail home improvement store across the country, where they have been sold for more than 20 years by retail giants like Lowe’s and Home Depot. Over the years, our company has provided meaningful, competitively paid work for hundreds of disabled and handicapped Americans.
Today, our patented INFOTUBE® and INFOBOX® literature dispensers are used by millions of home sellers, Realtors® and home builders every day. You can find them in neighborhoods across America, very likely even your own.
Recently, our largest distributor, The Hillman Group, without notice, replaced our patented products with Chinese replicas. Their decision effectively puts our company out of business and, ironically, provides no cost savings for the consumer.
WE NEED YOUR HELP!
1. Please copy and paste the following letter or write your own:
I am writing to request that your company take a stand to protect American jobs by continuing to carry successful American-made products, specifically INFOTUBE® and INFOBOX®.
“Made in America” matters to me and so does supporting our U.S. economy. I do not support companies who outsource American jobs to China.
Please continue to support all Americans including the American companies whose products you currently carry on your shelves.
Sincerely,
(your name)
2. Email it to the decision makers at Lowe’s, Home Depot and the Hillman Group.
Drew Strole (Lowe’s) Drew.D.Strole@Lowes.com
Bill Boltz (Home Depot) Bill_Boltz@homedepot.com
Dan Smercina (Hillman) Dan.Smercina@hillmangroup.com
3. Please forward this letter to everyone in your contact circle.
4. For an up to the minute update on the status of this situation and the response of the retail giants, watch our blog, follow us on Twitter @Infotubes or Like our Facebook Page “InfoTube for Real Estate”.
Your voice and your time matter. Thank you for helping us in our fight save our company, American products and American jobs. Together we can make a difference!
Sincerely,
Tommi
Tommi Crow, President
Crow Erickson, Inc.