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By Laurie Andrews
Posted in - Real Estate on November 20th, 2012
As a hurricane approaches landfall, millions tune into television, Internet and radio, awaiting word from the meteorologist who stands ready to document the moment of impact. Unfortunately, that moment comes and goes, leaving unimaginable devastation behind. In the immediate aftermath, the world is fixated on the dramatic stories of rescue and recovery. The Red Cross and private charities step in to meet the basic needs of storm victims unable to provide for themselves. Now, three weeks later, many people in the northeast are realizing the impact of a storm like Sandy, may in fact last a lifetime. Life will continue to change over the coming months. After waiting for insurance adjusters to inspect the damage, monetary relief will begin to flow. Although many will rebuild, creating thousands…
By Laurie Andrews
Posted in - Real Estate on November 13th, 2012
1. Be Found Where People are Looking: They’re out there, and every day we see the increasing numbers of unique web visitors. A very positive sign for new home developers. Homebuyers are doing their research online, well before they reach out to the sales team on site. Your Internet footprint is critical and it goes well beyond just keeping your website up to date. Content generation and distribution require a focused effort that should be one of your top priorities. 2. Use Affiliate Database Resources. Data is king. You want to begin a conversation with the same people they do, so why not work on that together? While every company has digital assets, often the potential goes unrecognized. It’s time…
By Laurie Andrews
Posted in - Real Estate on October 31st, 2012
It’s been quite the summer in Warsaw, Poland. We’ve enjoyed getting to know this country of proud people and its rich history that includes a period of Soviet Communist dominance from 1945 to 1989. Considering Cotton & Company opened for business in 1983, in some ways we had a five-year head start on an entire nation who only became capitalist following the Soviet fall. In contrast, we were humbled to learn that Poland’s Constitution is only second in age to the US Constitution, even though the establishment of a Polish state is identified with the adoption of Christianity in 966, far beyond the American Revolution in 1776. So what brings Cotton to the eastern bloc — JW Construction, the largest developer…
By Laurie Andrews
Posted in - Real Estate on October 23rd, 2012
A spirit of optimism is on the horizon for builders and residential developers as new home inventory continues to be absorbed and pricing begins to climb in many major US markets. As existing homeowners have the ability to sell their home, builders and developers will feel the effect of liquidity in the marketplace. Yet as buyers across the country return to new home sales centers, real estate professionals are wondering how have their priorities shifted? How has their perception of value been impacted by the lengthy downturn?Has the election cycle delayed their decision? As builders and developers strive to enhance 4thquarter sales results, it is crucial for them to recognize the shift in the market and thoroughly understand the changing buyer psychology….
By Laurie Andrews
Posted in - Advertising & Media & Networking & Public Relations & Real Estate & Social Media on October 16th, 2012
Analytics. Algorithms. Metrics. The new “buzz” words in marketing have hit a hot button with developers who have been seeking accountability in a field previously managed by gut reactions or feedback from the sales office. In today’s world, art is driven by science, providing clearer insight into buyer psychology.
By Laurie Andrews
Posted in - Real Estate on October 2nd, 2012
Real estate developers and builders have long recognized the quality of potential leads driven from personal referrals. This assumption is now supported by research from Socialnomics.net that indicates only 14% of consumers believe advertising messages, but 90% trust peer recommendations.While many recognize this new dynamic, few sales organizations know how to utilize today’s technology to expand their reach. Yes, friends and family continue to make the seasonal trip to South Florida and other warm destinations. Often they become envious of the lifestyle they experience while on vacation:holiday celebrations in shorts, poolside barbecues on Super Bowl Sunday or simply slipping into a pair of flip flops instead of snow boots. Who wouldn’t love blue skies and 70-degree temperatures in February? Tapping into visiting…
By Laurie Andrews
Posted in - Real Estate on September 25th, 2012
Going the extra mile is nothing new to Stephann Cotton. Try 5,288 miles–that’s where you’ll find him firmly entrenched in the Warsaw real estate market. While European markets continue to struggle, Poland remains a bright spot for foreign investment and increased competition is now impacting long-term residential developers. Warsaw has become a global city, an international tourist destination and an important economic hub in Central Europe. Yet a mere 22 years ago, Poland was a communist state and consumer-driven marketing expertise is still in its infancy. For JW Construction, one of Poland’s leading residential developers, heavy competition presented new challenges and a critical need for effective marketing and sales management. The solution was clear–go to America, find the best, and bring them to Poland. Enter…
By Laurie Andrews
Posted in - Media & Public Relations & Real Estate & Social Media on March 30th, 2012
Are you ready? …to drive low-cost leads through customer referrals and highly targeted Facebook advertising programs? …for an active YouTube channel with current videos that enhance your brand while building your Internet search results? …to reduce the cost of your pay-per-click campaign by building your relevance score with Google? …to have a website that is designed for usability on both smartphones and tablet devices? Did you know that 95% of homebuyers use the Internet for research? National media is consistently indicating optimism in the housing market, and better days are just around the corner. During the extended down cycle, technology has changed drastically, and your digital marketing plan must evolve with the times. • Tablet and mobile devices mandate usability…
By Laurie Andrews
Posted in - Real Estate on May 31st, 2011
It’s always been a simple equation–the higher your “be-backs,” the higher your sales conversion. While the basic premise remains true today, the number of touch points prior to the sale has increased drastically. If your reaction includes “I need to get a closer on the team,” you may be underestimating the challenge in today’s market. Carrying costs and resale potential are also weighing heavily on their minds, and buyers are doing more research than ever. What to do for 2011? • Recognize the potential sales that exist in your database and don’t rely solely on your sales team to execute a one-on-one follow-up program. • Give your buyer a reason to change their timeline to yours and communicate this opportunity…
