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Learn How to Convert Social Traffic to Business Leads

By Suzanne De Vita

You have a great website, social media presence and you run great ads. Then WHY are you not getting more leads? Conversion is the answer. Landing pages, squeeze pages and in-line conversion tools are the key. Learn what makes a great conversion strategy and how to build amazing conversion pages. Simply put, PNC’s latest What’s Trending Now Webinar will help you get more leads and write more business.

A Complimentary Webinar for Agents. Reserve your spot today!
When: Tuesday, August 15 or Thursday, August 17
1 Hour Duration: 9am PT / 11am CT / Noon ET

The views and opinions expressed in this presentation are those of the speaker’s and do not necessarily reflect the policy or position of PNC Bank, N.A. and should not be construed as legal or professional advice.

PNC is a registered service mark of The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc (“PNC”). All loans are provided by PNC Bank, National Association, a subsidiary of PNC, and are subject to credit approval and property appraisal. This information is provided for business and professional uses only and is not to be provided to a consumer or the public. This information is provided to assist real estate professionals and is not an advertisement to extend consumer credit as defined by Section 226.2 of Regulation Z. Programs, interest rates, and fees are subject to change without notice.

©2017 The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. All rights reserved. PNC Bank, National Association. Member FDIC.

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From:: Real Estate News

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‘Dunkirk’ storms U.S. box office with $50.5 million debut

Christopher Nolan’s World War II film “Dunkirk” conquered the competition at the U.S. box office this weekend, opening at $50.5 million from 3,720 locations. The critically acclaimed drama, from Time Warner Inc.-owned [s:TWX] Warner Bros., got a hefty boost from Imax theaters, which added $11.7 million to the film’s weekend haul. The film’s production budget was reportedly around the $100 million mark.

See also: Nolan’s cinematic vision in ‘Dunkirk’ is Hollywood’s best defense against Netflix

Market Pulse Stories are Rapid-fire, short news bursts on stocks and markets as they move. Visit MarketWatch.com for more information on this news.

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From:: Stock Market News

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Lawmakers reach deal on Russia sanctions bill: reports

Republican and Democratic lawmakers on Saturday reached a deal that would allow new sanctions on Russia, Iran and North Korea while limiting President Donald Trump’s ability to lift measures aimed at Moscow, news reports said. The proposed bill would require the president to submit a report to Congress on any actions that would “significantly alter” foreign policy in connection to Russia, Reuters reported, including easing sanctions or returning diplomatic properties in Maryland and New York that were ordered vacated by President Barack Obama late last year. Congress could then vote to approve or reject the changes.

Market Pulse Stories are Rapid-fire, short news bursts on stocks and markets as they move. Visit MarketWatch.com for more information on this news.

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From:: Stock Market News

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Quarter-Over-Quarter Mortgage Gains at Fifth Third

The volume of home-lending activity at Fifth Third Bancorp ascended from the previous quarter, as did mortgage income and the size of the servicing portfolio.

Earnings before income taxes were $494 million in the three months ended June 30, growing from $427 million in the same three-month period last year.

Those metrics, as well as other financial and other operational results, were presented in the Cincinnati-based bank-holding company’s second-quarter earnings report.

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From:: Financing

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Remodeling Real Estate for the Future

By Susanne Dwyer

Don_Jim_Mark

Most of us wake up every morning knowing what we need to do and how we’re going to get it done. But do we ever think about why we do what we do? Well, at HomeSmart International, they think about it every day. In fact, “the why” is what drives the company; it’s the reason for its creation, and the compass that guides its fast-paced growth across the country. What exactly is HomeSmart’s “why?” The success of its brokers and agents.

Founded in 2000 by Matt Widdows—a former frustrated real estate agent who developed his own systems to compete, grow and succeed—HomeSmart has grown to 13,286 agents and 123 offices nationwide with a formula that provides high-level service, support and value at the lowest possible cost to brokers and agents. The proprietary technology and end-to-end solution HomeSmart delivers at minimal cost, along with the efficiencies and profitability of a flat-fee model, has driven an increasing number of brokers across the country to join what they refer to as the “HomeSmart movement.”

“Greatness comes from setting ridiculous expectations, then finding a way to make those expectations normal and deliver on them,” says Widdows. “And sometimes you have to misbehave and go against expectations in order to improve and innovate.” This philosophy—and the ability to deliver on it—is exactly what has attracted brokers to the HomeSmart model and culture. Here, four brokers from various corners of the U.S. share their “why” for joining HomeSmart…and why they’re never looking back.

Jim Sparkman, Mark Farrow and Don Sturgeon
Owners, HomeSmart Realty Group
Salem, Ore.

Maria Patterson: When and why did you join the HomeSmart brand?
Don Sturgeon: We were all considering leaving our previous brokerage to start our own company. Jim stumbled upon HomeSmart, and we decided this model was the future of real estate. The 11 agents who were part of our teams came with the three of us on October 14, 2013.

MP: You grew pretty quickly right out of the gate—how did you manage that?
DS: When the three of us joined forces, it sent ripples through the market. People didn’t know anything about HomeSmart, so there was a lot of buzz. Then, it was just a matter of going out and talking to agents who we thought would see the value of a fee-based model. All they knew prior was the traditional brokerage that offered high splits and high desk fees.

MP: As top-producing agents, why were you attracted to the HomeSmart model?
Mark Farrow: Our agents increased their compensation by a little over 30 percent with their first transaction. With the first deal they closed, they saw a big difference.

MP: So it’s the flat fee that’s the biggest draw?
DS: We never lead with the fees. It’s always about the level of service we provide. Agents have 24/7 access to the principal brokers, cutting-edge technology, great offices, ongoing training and continuing education, all for a low transaction fee.

MP: How do HomeSmart’s services help you and your agents become more profitable?
Jim Sparkman: The agent services offered by HomeSmart International add a layer …read more

From:: Real Estate News

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The Best Cities for First-Time Homebuyers

By Susanne Dwyer

Affordability is at the forefront of the minds of first-time homebuyers, who are contending with climbing prices and fierce competition. There are other considerations, however, that are important for first-time buyers, as well: cost of living, property crime rate, and utility costs, to name a few.

A recent assessment by WalletHub weighed these and other factors to identify the cities best suited for first-time buyers:

  1. McKinney, Texas
    McKinney, located in Collin County and part of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, scored 68.32 in the assessment.
  1. Frisco, Texas
    Frisco, located in Collin and Denton counties and part of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, scored 68.2 in the assessment.
  1. Allen, Texas
    Allen, located in Collin County and part of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, scored 68.15 in the assessment. Allen has the second-lowest property crime rate of the 30 cities ranked.
  1. Cary, N.C.
    Cary, located in Wake County and part of the Research Triangle, scored 67.98 in the assessment. Cary has the fourth-lowest property crime rate of the 30 cities ranked.
  1. Norman, Okla.
    Norman, located in Cleveland County and part of the Oklahoma City metropolitan area, scored 67.64 in the assessment. Norman has the fourth-lowest cost of living of the 30 cities ranked.
  1. Lincoln, Neb.
    Lincoln, the capital of Nebraska, located in Lancaster County, scored 66.61 in the assessment.
  1. Richardson, Texas
    Richardson, located in Collin and Dallas counties and part of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, scored 66.32 in the assessment.
  1. Boise, Idaho
    Boise, the capital of Idaho, located in Ada County, scored 66.26 in the assessment.
  1. Thornton, Colo.
    Thornton, located in Adams and Weld counties and part of the Denver-Aurora-Bloomfield metropolitan area, scored 66.04 in the assessment.
  1. Murfreesboro, Tenn.
    Murfreesboro, located in Rutherford County and part of the Nashville metropolitan area, scored 65.97 in the assessment.

Source: WalletHub

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From:: Finance and Economy

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The Best Cities for First-Time Homebuyers

By Susanne Dwyer

Affordability is at the forefront of the minds of first-time homebuyers, who are contending with climbing prices and fierce competition. There are other considerations, however, that are important for first-time buyers, as well: cost of living, property crime rate, and utility costs, to name a few.

A recent assessment by WalletHub weighed these and other factors to identify the cities best suited for first-time buyers:

  1. McKinney, Texas
    McKinney, located in Collin County and part of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, scored 68.32 in the assessment.
  1. Frisco, Texas
    Frisco, located in Collin and Denton counties and part of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, scored 68.2 in the assessment.
  1. Allen, Texas
    Allen, located in Collin County and part of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, scored 68.15 in the assessment. Allen has the second-lowest property crime rate of the 30 cities ranked.
  1. Cary, N.C.
    Cary, located in Wake County and part of the Research Triangle, scored 67.98 in the assessment. Cary has the fourth-lowest property crime rate of the 30 cities ranked.
  1. Norman, Okla.
    Norman, located in Cleveland County and part of the Oklahoma City metropolitan area, scored 67.64 in the assessment. Norman has the fourth-lowest cost of living of the 30 cities ranked.
  1. Lincoln, Neb.
    Lincoln, the capital of Nebraska, located in Lancaster County, scored 66.61 in the assessment.
  1. Richardson, Texas
    Richardson, located in Collin and Dallas counties and part of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, scored 66.32 in the assessment.
  1. Boise, Idaho
    Boise, the capital of Idaho, located in Ada County, scored 66.26 in the assessment.
  1. Thornton, Colo.
    Thornton, located in Adams and Weld counties and part of the Denver-Aurora-Bloomfield metropolitan area, scored 66.04 in the assessment.
  1. Murfreesboro, Tenn.
    Murfreesboro, located in Rutherford County and part of the Nashville metropolitan area, scored 65.97 in the assessment.

Source: WalletHub

For the latest real estate news and trends, bookmark RISMedia.com.

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From:: Real Estate News

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Home Price Change Expectations Flat

By Susanne Dwyer

Many homeowners have enjoyed a return to positive equity in recent years, with home prices on a consistent upward trend in most markets. How high will values go?

Potentially not much further, according to consumers in the June 2017 Survey of Consumer Expectations by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, who held firm on their expectation of a 3.5 percent change in prices—the same expectation given in May.

Consumers, in addition, anticipate the median inflation rate to be 2.5 percent in one year and 2.8 percent in three years. The likelihood of finding a job, based on their perceptions, grew to 59.2 percent in June, and the likelihood of losing a job shrunk to 13.5 percent. The share of consumers surveyed with improved finances over the last year soared to 34.8 percent—a record.

Source: Federal Reserve Bank of New York

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From:: Real Estate News

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Real Estate Reigns as Americans’ Preferred Investment

By Susanne Dwyer

Real estate is the long-term investment of choice for Americans, who in a recent survey by Bankrate.com placed it ahead of bonds, cash, gold and stocks as the best method of building wealth over time. Real estate is now the chosen vehicle for the third consecutive time in the survey:

  • Real Estate (28 percent)
  • Cash (23 percent)
  • Stocks (17 percent)
  • Gold/Other Precious Metals (15 percent)
  • Bonds (4 percent)

Stocks have never been highly favored in the survey, despite their tendency to produce significant returns for investors who have a wide enough window to weather swings.

“We’ve begun to see rising yields on savings accounts,” says Mark Hamrick, senior economic analyst at Bankrate.com. “However, the preferences for cash and real estate indicate that too many people are leaving money on the virtual table by failing to be sufficiently exposed to the stock market, where higher long-term returns are found. This is especially the case for younger investors, who are in the best position to weather the inevitable short-term market volatility.”

Source: Bankrate.com

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From:: Real Estate News

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Wall Street veteran Anthony Scaramucci assumes leading White House role

By swheeler@housingwire.com In addition to chronicling Spicer’s “abrupt and angry departure,” news stories Friday morning scrambled to provide information on Scaramucci, who is well known in political and financial circles, but not a household name. Depending on where you get your news, he was alternatively described as a “wealthy financier” or a “loudmouth Wall Street creep.” Other descriptors include “smooth-talking Long Island native” and one of Trump’s “most aggressive television surrogates.” …read more

From:: Real Estate Wire