In a move clearly targeting loan mod shops around the country, Sen. Charles Schumer said on June 2nd that he will amend a bill he introduced in early 2009 which initially focused on mortgage brokers doing loans and refi’s, to include loan modifications done by these brokers as well. Schumer’s bill, titled “The Borrowers Protection Act”, will now place restrictions on loan modification companies, mortgage brokers, and others who collect advance fees from struggling homeowners to modify their current mortgages.

New York Governor David A. Paterson also announced legislation that would ban advance fees paid to loan mod shops with the exception of attorney’s offices while Schumer’s amended bill will force loan mod shops to follow federal registration or licensing requirements and adhere to guidelines on truth in lending laws, fees, and marketing. The allowance for the continuing collection of advance fees by attorney’s offices should serve at least as an implied endorsement of their work in the loan modification industry.

Both bills seek to eliminate the shoddy and misleading marketing tactics often employed by loan mod shops that lure struggling homeowners into a loan modification process with guarantees of principle reductions, ultra-low interest rates, and other unsubstantiated claims. These shops often spend the bulk of their time and effort on marketing and collecting fees but then spend little or no time on the loans they have been hired to modify. Both Schumer’s and Paterson’s bills are aimed at the shops that are taking advantage of homeowners by promising undeliverable results and then, simply, not delivering. The anger and vitriol on the issue comes from the fact that those homeowners not only lose the money that they paid in fees, they are often subject to foreclosure if they have fallen too far behind on their payments during the loan modification process. Another issue with the loan mod shops is that one out of every two homeowners that get their loans modified with them fall back into default within six months. Including homeowners that negotiate directly with their lenders, Fitch Ratings expects those default rates to approach 70% of all modified loans by the end of 2009

Schumer’s and Paterson’s bills, allowing for advance fees to attorney firms and disallowing them for all others, acknowledge the superior work done by the law firms in the area of loan modifications. While statistics are hard to come by, it is estimated that attorney driven loan modifications are two to three times more successful at keeping homeowners out of foreclosure than the loan mod shops and do it yourselfers. The reason for the huge performance gap is that attorney driven loan modifications result in greater concessions from the lenders, lowering mortgage obligations to a point where the payments fit into the homeowners’ budgets, allowing them to stay current on those payments. The loan mod shops and do it yourselfers, on the other hand, are much more likely to accept offers from their lenders for modifications that are not sustainable for the short term, let alone the life of the mortgage.

“We always tell the client to always make a mortgage payment if you possibly can,” said Kisha Wright, with the Long Island Housing Partnership.

Like every other real estate agent, you know how tough it is to find quality real estate leads. You need potential clients to take action now! Not wait, sit on the fence for a while and eventually slip away. So how can you catch these clients hook, line and sinker? Learn how to market and advertise YOURSELF! Take advantage of the features your realty website offers that allow you to show off.

Write a catchy and creative blurb on your professional skills, attitude and star sales qualities.

Remind your clients to interact with your website. Ask them to fill out a form, contact you and save their favourite properties. Make them communicate with you in any way possible.

Take advantage of every touch point. Store clients’ e-mails, phone numbers and addresses. Make sure to contact every single person that makes contact with you.

Don’t fall into the background. Stay top of mind with a monthly newsletter, deal of the month or open house invitation.

Always show customers what’s in it for them. Sell yourself through your abilities, actions and services not through boasting, bragging or arrogance.

Make an offer they can’t refuse. Promise a free home staging quote, t-shirt, mortgage broker quote or even a useful real estate report if they fill out a form. Remember, everyone LOVES something for free. Tag team with an industry specialist to make it happen.

Identify what makes you different from every other money-hungry agent. Create a Unique Selling Proposition for your services and run with it. Make it the bread-and-butter of your business.

Ask them for referrals, testimonials, questions and requests. Keep your phone number and e-mail visible and in the right places. Present a call to action that encourages them to follow through.

Make your REALTOR® website a real estate research headquarters. Give your visitors ALL the info they need to know. You can bet buyers & sellers will get online to make an informed decision long before they take any definitive action with an agent. Why not be the one-stop-shop? Appeal to their every real estate need, want and desire. With the right marketing and advertising strategies, they will stay on your site longer and visit more often. That’s how you ring in the qualified sales. Cha-ching!

But what about when the kids are not in school? What about the holidays and in-service days? What about weekends and the after-school time when homework is done? Have you thought about making your real estate business a family affair? Your kids can be your own real estate assistants, helping you grow your real estate business and learning valuable lessons about life, teamwork and business.

As long as your child isn’t doing anything that your state deems work that should be done by a licensed real estate assistant, the sky’s the limit as to what your son or daughter can help with. That teenager who’s a whiz on the computer can help you develop your website. Your little artist can design your marketing materials. Kids can really be a help…and if you pay them a few bucks, there’s even more motivation to help Mom make her real estate business the best!

Just think of all the ways they can help you:

— Scan documents

— Make photocopies

— Fold letters, brochures, etc.

— Stuff and stamp envelopes

— Clean the car prior to a buyer appointment

— Take pictures of properties

— Develop marketing materials

— Filing paperwork

— Co-hosting Open Houses

There are many ways in which you can make your real estate business a lesson in teamwork. You get help to grow as a Mommy real estate agent and your children can feel like a part of your real estate business. It’s a win-win situation for kids and Mom!

Author: Tina McAllister
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Make PCB Assembly

1. Is the Website Visible on Major Search Engines?

Establishing where the property portal is ranked on search engines is very important. If you are selling property in New York, you might want to do a relevant search for property in New York and see on what page the property portal is showing up. Obviously the higher up on the search engine’s results pages the better.

2. Would You Browse This Site?

Enter the site as a user and do a quick search for property in your area. Is the navigation on the page easy-to-use and clear? Do you find the layout and design to be satisfying? Is it easy to enquire about a property?

3. Does It Have Unique Website Features?

Find out what kind of features the property portal has to offer, including how many images can be loaded, if there is space for visual tours/videos, maps, on show alerts, etc.

4. Does It Cater To Your Target Market?

Think about the market that will be interested in the property you sell. Will they have access to the Internet and will they be able to use the site.

5. What Are Your Clients’ Needs?

Clients like to know that you are advertising their property on all the mediums available to you. If they suggest you advertise on a property portal you might want to give it some thought.

6. Is Your Competition Advertising on the Site?

Before you sign on the dotted line, browse the website to see if your competition is advertising on the site. That will be a good indication for you to follow their lead.

7. What is the Website’s Reach?

Find out if the website has any other affiliate sites that your property would appear on. Also asked if they have a mobile site so cell phone users would be able to browse the site.

8. Are You Getting Value For You Money?

Shop around to see what other property portals are charging and what you are getting for your money. Make sure that the one you choose has a good technical support department so you can contact them should you have any queries.

9. Is the Website Advertising Off-Line?

You want to subscribe to a property portal that is the most dominant player in the market. This means that the site will have to do a lot of marketing – not only online but also offline.

Property portals are a great way to advertise your property on the Internet. It is cost effective and most of all it gives your listings an international audience that can view your property ads 24 hours a day. Since there are a lot of property portals on the net it is essential that you choose wisely.

Elizabeth works for South Africa’s leading online property portal, advertising property for sale and to let in all area of South Africa, including Sea Point accommodation to let by Cape Town letting agents and Cape Town rental accommodation.Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/real-estate-articles/9-questions-to-ask-when-choosing-a-property-portal-1537599.html

Home selling is a good and reliable investment especially in contemporary times that the massive effects of the economic uncertainties are continuously spreading its impact. For instance, you get more profits and productivity when you know how to use your real estate resources and do it in an effective and sure-fire way. Hence, there are salient queries you need to deal with such as the important components of what really sells a house. In the vast and competitive market of home selling, it is imperative that you engrave your own distinctive mark amidst myriads of other properties and competitors.

Here are some of the important tips for effective home selling, boosting your profitability by getting it sold in the right price and avoid making it idle for a long time in the market.

• Price. This is one of the most significant components affecting the process of selling your house. The price of your property is everything when it comes to selling it and ensuring the productivity of your objectives. Make sure that you do not overprice because it will surely be detected through home inspection and home appraisals. A property that is priced just right is the one that sells most effectively. If for instance you experience difficulties in selling your home, then you may opt for price reduction. It is definitely the least option you may resort to, but it is surely better than not sharing your property at all.
• Marketing.  Promoting and marketing your house in a more elaborate and creative way is a determinant of the outcome of your venture. Even if your house is of good quality and high standards, if you lack the effort and resources to let it known through endorsement in the market, then all your efforts will surely go in vain. Come up with a systematic, clear and well-designed marketing plan which you must put into written materials. You need this to guide you and use as a basis in the duration of your ventures and materializing your plans. Complementing to a good plan are equally high quality marketing materials that can assist in boosting your property and drawing more potential buyers.
• Home Staging. This is very significant if you want to lift the value and worth of your house which equates to higher price rate and definitely more profitability chances. Staging your house means showcasing the different features and strengths of you property. Furthermore, it is where you do necessary fixtures and repairs for home maintenance. This will help you get rid of the worries when home inspection and appraisal is done to your house. It is also an effective way of gauging the exact value of your home to be sold in the market.

There are innumerable ways and strategies that help define the quality and potentials of a house to sell quickly in the market. Aside from ensuring that your house is of good quality and condition, you must utilize other strategic selling alternatives. The outcome of your endeavor mainly depends on the right choices you make and the heart you invest in your ventures.

Real Estate for Sale in Gilbert Arizona and See Gilbert Homes for Sale can offer you a whole deal of information about the real estate market. Whether you want to sell your house, buy a property or rent one, getting all the information that you need will give you a great advantage.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/real-estate-articles/what-sells-a-house-important-tips-for-effective-home-selling-1329455.html