Author Archives: Christine Macrenaris

Networking Nets Positive Impact

Posted on January 29, 2010 | Leave a comment

By: Christine Macrenaris

Down economy, job loss, home value depreciation…enough is enough! The vein of our existence for the past 18 months has been focused on negativity. It was refreshing to meet with peers from all aspects of the real estate industry at the first Real Estate Round Up last night at Ormbys’s. A new energy was in the air and a true collaboration of ideas took place. We are all in this together, and instead of focusing on what is not working we all recognized last night how much more productive it is to band together to forge positive change for our industry! We received quite a bit of interest for future Real Estate Round Ups, so we’re in the midst of planning another in the coming month(s) and possibly in a different part of town. Where would you like them to be held?

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Posted in sales agent, Sales and Marketing, social media

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Good News! Home Buyer Tax Credit Extended!

Posted on November 6, 2009 | Leave a comment

By: Christine Macrenaris

The ongoing discussion whether or not the government will provide an extension for the homebuyer Tax Credit is finally put to rest! The President signed the bill into law today that extends homebuyers and unemployment benefits.  While the first Tax Credit program of 2009 focused on first time buyers, the addition of the repeat buyers will free up the middle market by allowing homeowners to sell to first time buyers and allow these buyers to “move-up”.  Finally there is an answer for buyers who continue to ask “what’s in it for me?” Below are highlights of how the homebuyer tax credit will work:

  • Tax credit: Ten percent of the purchase price of a primary residence, up to a maximum of $8,000 for first-time homebuyers and $6,500 for repeat buyers who purchase between December 1, 2009 and May 1, 2010. First-time homebuyers are defined as people who have not owned a home in the previous three years. Repeat buyers must have owned their current home at least five years. The credit cannot be used for houses costing more than $800,000.
  • Deadline for qualifying: Purchase agreements must be signed by April 30, 2010, and closings must be final by June 30.
  • Military deadline: The deadline is extended by a year for members of the military who have served outside the U.S. for at least 90 days from Jan. 1, 2009, to May 1, 2010.
  • Income limits: Individuals with annual incomes up to $125,000 and joint filers with incomes up to $225,000 qualify for the full credit. Individuals with incomes up to $145,000 and joint filers with incomes up to $245,000 qualify for reduced credits.
  • How to apply: Taxpayers can claim the credit on their federal income tax returns. If the credit exceeds their tax bill, the government will issue a payment. Taxpayers who want immediate refunds can amend their tax returns for 2008 to claim the credit.
  • New anti-fraud limitations imposed.
  • Cost: $10.8 billion.

Source: Bloomberg Press and Associated Press and confirmed information with the content of the Senate bill

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Posted in First-time homebuyer, Sales and Marketing

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I found all of the buyers…

Posted on August 20, 2009 | Leave a comment

By: Christine Macrenaris

And they are online! I wanted to share an interesting insert in last month’s WIRED called “Balance Your Media Diet.” The chart shows the average American spends roughly nine hours hooked up to some type of screen (click here to see how you compare). Nine hours, people! What did we all use to do before e-mail and internet?

This stat goes to show you to keep up your online and social media strategy! You’ll find your buyer if you craft the right message and target the right outlet. Let’s all go fishing!

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Back to the marketing basics

Posted on March 17, 2009 | Leave a comment

By: Christine Macrenaris

No matter how you slice and dice it – driving leads takes more effort in this down market. Ironically, this is also the time when marketing dollars are slashed when needed more than ever!

Henry Ford once said, “A man who stops advertising to save money, is like a man who stops a clock to save time.”

From a marketing perspective, what can we recommend?   Traditional ways of bringing in traffic are no longer working, so we have to go back to the basics and making sure our 4 P’s are in place and operating properly:

  • Price - Are we at a price where the market sees value? The answer is “no” if you keep seeing 3 pieces of traffic a week.
  • Product - Do you have the right amenities and finishes to support your price?
  • Promotion - Are you doing everything possible to make purchasers aware of your incentives and pricing in place? In order to achieve this, you may have to spend money promoting your product.  Also, are you taking advantage of all the social media and online options such as a Google cost-per-click campaign and Facebook? If not, you need to get on board because 85% of purchasers use the Internet when purchasing a home.
  • People - Are agents trained and knowledgeable about the benefits of the current stimulus package and how to engage the prospect?

And one final missing piece which technically could be a “P” for “pain” is Lending. Just when we see in increase in traffic to our sites, lender programs go away. We need to be a step ahead and now what options are available for buyers from the Stimulus package to local city Grants.

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Posted in Real Estate, Sales and Marketing