RE/MAX CEO Margaret Kelly on Bloomberg TV

 Our own RE/MAX CEO Margaret Kelly is calling for a slow and steady recovery' This according to her recent appearance on Bloomberg TV. Now you can check out the entire clip of Margaret Kelly talking about new home sales and other promising signs in the housing market on Bloomberg TV by simply clicking here

What Moves You - Win $10,000

Tell us what moves you for a chance to win. You know, the pivotal moments in your life that caused you to move. Marriage, new babies, job changes, kids going to college etc., are the reasons you buy and sell a home. You’ve trusted your RE/MAX agent to help you make that move and in the process RE/MAX has become a part of your life. Now we want to know: What moves you? Share your story for your chance to win some fantastic prizes — including a $10,000 grand prize and one of eight weekly $750 Apple gift card. It’s real simple to enter and to vote on your favorite simply click here.

CAR Member Benefits & Resources

One of the most important services organized real estate provides is representation in the halls of government. C.A.R.’s Government Affairs team works at the local, state, and federal levels to secure and protect your rights as a real estate professional.

Here are 10 C.A.R. member benefits brought to you by the REALTOR® PARTY OF CALIFORNIA To see the list of benefits. Just click the link below.

1. C.A.R. Legislative Advocacy -preserving your ability to do business and to protect private property rights by lobbying at the state and federal government levels.

2. Red Alerts/Calls-for-Action – alerts that encourage you to call your representative or take action on important legislative issues.

3. REALTOR® Action Fund - raises money to advance the goals of our REALTOR® political action committees (PACs) at the local, state, and federal levels of government. 

4. State Government Affairs - advances REALTOR® public policy objectives in the California State Legislature in Sacramento, including sponsoring, supporting and opposing state legislation. 

5. C.A.R. Field Representatives - work in conjunction with Member Mobilization efforts to coordinate grassroots and political activities, such as visiting local associations to help promote involvement and assisting in developing a local strategy to increase member participation in government issues.

6. Legislative Day – an event that gives REALTORS® across California an opportunity to meet with state legislators to discuss issues that matter most. Held on May 2, 2012.            

7. Government Affairs Videos - a video library of C.A.R.'s activities on the legislative front.

8. Legislative Liaison Program – a program that involves you directly in the legislative process by keeping you updated on the latest legislative and political issues affecting REALTORS®.

9. Virtual Advocate - a bi-weekly newsletter that covers legislative happenings from C.A.R. with reports on important developments in politics, legislation, and public policy that affect real estate.

10. C.A.R.’s Government Affairs Team - Through the aforementioned programs, C.A.R. and involved REALTORS® comprise C.A.R.’s Government Affairs team to protect REALTORS®' ability to conduct business. You fight for your clients, we fight for you!

Top 10 Facebook Business Pages

Small businesses can stand out in a big way with Facebook and believe it or not, you are a small business! If you’re looking for some creative examples of Facebook pages from the small guys, look no further! This story comes from The Social Media Examiner who had More than 1400 nominations came in from their annual contest. Their facebook  experts carefully reviewed the nominees and finalists, analyzing their landing pages, engagement, reader involvement and creative use of promotions (among other things). None of these businesses have huge budgets, yet they have all achieved amazing success. Now you can learn from these hugely successful facebook pages,  to see the winners of Social Media Examiner’s Top 10 Small Business Facebook Pages for 2011: just follow our link below.

#1: Intrepid Travel

Intrepid Travel is an Australian travel agency specializing in creating unique travel adventures.
Fans: 79,018

What the judges liked:

• Great description of company philosophy on Info page
• Appealing use of “photo of the day”
• Keeps customers returning through mystery trips (“surprise and delight” element) and an interactive game
• Creates customer community on Meet Others page

See the rest here

RE/MAX Gives Back

According to the 2008 Cone Cause Evolution Study, 85 percent of consumers say that they have a more positive image of a product or company when it supports a cause they care about. And nearly 80 percent would switch to a brand that supports a charity.

Whether you support a cause that RE/MAX has adopted networkwide or one that's closer to your heart, you can expand your success by reaching out.

 

Find out how you can get involved and help support your local RE/MAX office in its efforts to give back to your community. Find the RE/MAX Office Nearerst you.

To Tweet or Not To Tweet

Twitter was most recently crowned “the most buzzing network of 2011″. And I think rightly so. Most of Twitter’s recent changes are amazing I believe and make it my personal top Social Network to use.
Yet, Twitter is still quite small compared to Facebook. Whilst everyone already has Facebook, the question of “should I use Twitter?” is often hard to answer. Personally, I would go with this as one of the best statements:

On Facebook, you can reach some friends. On Twitter…you can reach the world. ~ @TweetSmarter

The guys from Flowtown made a wonderful infographic to help you answer this exact question. Take a look here:

Top DSnews Stories from 2011

This year was undoubtedly one of the most noteworthy in the default servicing industry. As 2011 comes to a close, join us as we look back at the year that was and the Foreclosure-related stories that were most read and left the biggest impact on DS News readers.

Big Four Set to Participate in HARP 2.0

By Carrie Bay | 10/27/2011

The industry's four largest mortgage servicers all say they will be taking part in the revamped Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP). Bank of America, Chase, Citigroup, and Wells Fargo have each expressed their support of the program and the changes that will allow more underwater homeowners to refinance. Government officials expect the program's revisions to expand its reach and increase competition for mortgage refinancing, with an estimated 1 million homeowners to receive assistance under the new guidelines.
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Administration Announces Refinance Program for Underwater Borrowers

By Krista Franks and Carrie Bay | 10/24/2011

It's official. The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) has unveiled a new, revamped government mortgage refinancing program. The initiative involves a series of rule changes to the Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP) to allow more underwater homeowners to reduce their mortgage debt by taking advantage of today's rock-bottom interest rates. Under the revised HARP guidelines, the 125 percent loan-to-value (LTV) ceiling has been removed, and risk-based fees have been adjusted.
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HUD Offers REO Homes for $100 Down in Select States

By Carrie Bay | 10/24/2011

HUD has approved a program aimed at putting foreclosed homes back into the hands of owner-occupant buyers. In select states, from now into October of next year, buyers need a down payment of only $100 to purchase a HUD-owned REO home. The buyer must be an owner-occupant, utilizing financing insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA). Contacts in the field say one of the most exciting features of this incentive program is that it can also be applied to an FHA 203k loan, which can be used to fund repairs and renovations on the home.
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Get all of the Top Stories from 2011 here