Homes.org, a fast growing real estate search portal, is now teaming up with local professionals to bring buyers and sellers information on the Boston real estate market. Overall the Boston area real estate market has seen second quarter declines in single family homes compared to 2010, however the condo market is looking a bit stronger, especially in the luxury market during the third quarter.

“The downtown Boston condominium market has shown sign of marked improvement year-to-date in 2011, particularly in the higher price segments, ” says R. Wayne Lopez, principal at RESIS, a real estate consulting service in Boston, MA.

“The high-end of the market is steady performing: as of 3Q reports, sales over one million dollars are up 6% from last year and account for 14% of total sales year-to-date. Sales in the $ 500,000-$ 999,999 price segment are also up 6% from last year,” Mr. Lopez added. An example of this trend can be seen at 45 Province, a development Lopez and RESIS are selling in Midtown, where 34 sales this year are a huge increase from the 12 sales at this time last year.

But Lopez adds that not all market segments are enjoying such an upswing. “,The under $ 500,000 price segment is down 2%. The lower price segment continues to suffer from the new lending restrictions, which often require 20% or more down payment for purchases. Prices seem to be stabilized due to limited inventory supply, and with mortgage interest rates still low there are opportunities to be had by savvy buyers who have cash to purchase or have the down payment needed for financing. With the high cost to rent in downtown Boston continuing to escalate, more and more people who were reluctant to buy in the last few years due to global economic factors have found a sense of comfort with the local market fundamentals and are re-entering the market as buyers.”

Boston, MA Real Estate Market Information and Statistics

County: Suffolk

Zip Codes in the City: 0210802137, 02163, 02196, 02199, 02201, 02203, 02204, 02205, 02206, 02210, 02211, 02212, 02215, 02217, 02222, 02228, 02241, 02266, 02283, 02284, 02293, 02295, 02297, 02298

Population (city): 617,594

Total Households (2005-2009): 237,397

Greater Boston Real Estate Board Sales Data

Median Home Value (2005-2009): $ 404,500

Median Sales Price (Single Family Homes in 2nd Quarter): $ 360,000

Median Sales Price (Condos in 2nd Quarter): $ 386,750

Average Days on Market (Single Family Homes in 2nd Quarter): 105

Average Days on Market (Condos in 2nd Quarter): 99

Homes Sales in 2nd Quarter (condos and single family): 1,383

RESIS 3Q Downtown Boston Condominium Report Sales Data

Average price (3Q 2011): $ 669,650 (up from $ 653,679 last year)

Median price (3Q 2011): $ 470,000 (up from $ 460,000 last year)

Foreclosures (September 2011): 1 in 1,886

Renters vs. Owners: 62.7% vs 37.3%

Type of Home:

5% Single Family

9.8% Condo

85.2% Other

Popular Neighborhoods Seeing Improvements:

According to the most recent figures available from the National Association of Realtors, http://www.realtor.org/library/library/fg003, in the period ending 2010, there were approximagely 1,066,600 real estate agent members in the United States, down from a high of 1,358,000 just four years earlier. In the past year, approximately 500,000 real estate agents across the country have quit the business, according to industry expert, Brian Moses. Moses contends that more are expected to follow suit in the coming months.

Not all regions are being this adversely affected by the current economic situation, however. In the San Bernardino mountains, the real estate business is still doing quite well.

Longtime real estate broker Chuck Hurd has had a finger on the financial pulse of Big Bear Lake, California, since the early 1980s. While other parts of the country are suffering from the current housing market crisis, Hurd sees a different picture in Big Bear, although he agrees that in the local chapter of the NAR, the membership has dropped significantly in the past year.

“We currently have an inventory of around 800 available residential properties in the Big Bear area. There is a wide range of prices, going from a mere $ 70,000 to nearly 7 million dollars. That number of houses will last only a few months if nothing changes and its a relatively low number, compared to several years ago, Hurd says. The good news is that we have seen an increase in sales over 2010. Also, there are far fewer REOs now; only approximately 1 in 300 homes is in trouble up here compared to approximately 1 in 3 in Las Vegas, for example.

“Around the country, people are seeing that stocks are no longer a safe bet, but that real estate is still an excellent investment under the right circumstances. The people who have bought in Big Bear Lake may not make as large a profit if they sell now as if they wait a while, but most are not under water, either. That may be one of the reasons why we are selling to more celebrities here than ever.”

According to Hurd, there are many reasons why Big Bear Lake is so stable in comparison to other areas in Southern California. A very popular recreational area, its tucked in San Bernardino County, surrounded by five other counties Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Diego and Ventura – and is only a couple of hours at most from any of them. That makes it an ideal choice for second homes, for which a large number of the residences are intended, as well as recreation and relaxation.

“The weather in Big Bear is gorgeous. We usually have sunshine 300 days of the year, then a few storms come in, giving us our snow for winter sports. This is a very family-oriented community. Every weekend of the entire year there is something fun to do: car shows, cowboy poetry readings, skiing, water sports, Oktoberfest, hiking, biking. Or, if you just want the peace and quiet of a mountain home, well, this is the place to find that, too.”

Hurd should know: Hes lived in Big Bear Lake himself for over a decade, after selling real estate there while living in Palm Springs.

“Right now, with interest rates incredibly low and housing prices also on the low end, Id say its a great time to invest in real estate in Big Bear. After all, would you rather gaze at a faltering stock certificate or pine trees and a lake? I cant keep properties that are properly priced at under $ 200K for more than a couple of weeks. Thats how quickly housing is moving up here.

“There are approximately 50 rental companies in the area. That says a lot about the investment aspect of having a second home: Many people rent out their places, from small cabins to large homes, for weekends or for an entire season. People spend money in Big Bear recreating and having fun. Big Bear has frequently been San Bernardino Countys top sales tax revenue producer.”

Chuck Hurd is a full-time independent real estate broker and is considered an expert on the Big Bear Lakes market. He was featured on “House Hunters” in 2005, and has been ranked among the Top 100 International Realtors.

Real estate agents across the country are buying video cameras and getting creative to combat the sagging market. With cheap HD cameras available and video hosting on social media sites, shooting and distributing real estate videos has never been easier. Taught by Eric Ristau, a filmmaker with 15 years of experience directing and shooting high-end television commercials, documentaries, and real estate video content, Real Estate Film School is a comprehensive how-to guide for real estate professional. Additionally, the program offers innovative step-by-step instruction on posting videos to the web and sharing them through social media.

As buyers searching for homes online have come to expect video tours rather than still photos in listings, agents across the country have picked up cameras to create their own content. With inexpensive high-definition cameras and built-in editing software standard on personal computers, technology is no longer a hurdle for anyone wanting to create high-quality web video. Without training in filmmaking or videography techniques, however, most real estate video tours feature shaky camera movements, poor shot selection and choppy editing. With over two hours of step-by-step instruction, Real Estate Film School offers tricks, tips, and techniques to improve an agents shooting skills in a few hours of practice.

Real Estate Film School offers several levels of instruction, from basic hand-held shooting techniques to high-end professional tools and advanced methods. For users of the iPhone, iPod Touch or the iPad 2, the program offers a tutorial on producing complete real estate video tours in the device itself, including shooting, editing, voice narration, titles, and the final upload to the web.

A Sample of Real Estate Film School features:

Shooting:

Homes.org, a fast growing real estate search portal, spoke with agents in the Baltimore, MD area to get an overview for how the real estate market is performing. “The Baltimore market is doing better than other regions because our job market is healthier than other areas of the country. There are many people relocating to this area for jobs that are associated with the growth at Ft. Meade in Anne Arundel county,” says Wendy Slaughter, M.S.B, SFR and Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist for The Wendy Slaughter Team of REMAX Advantage Realty in the central MD region.

“My advice for buyers is simple: Be sure you are pre-approved by a high quality, respected lender and make an offer! Rates are low, there are great homes out there and this is the time to take action.” In fact, home prices fell 6% in the Baltimore area in October meaning it’s even more affordable to by a home now than within the last few months.

Slaughter’s advice for sellers is a little more complex. “Our top priority for our listings is condition. We often recommend our sellers go above and beyond simple staging and actually replace carpet, install granite counters, replace outdated light fixtures and freshen the house with current paint colors. In addition, professional photography is a must. Over 90% of buyers search online so the photos are critical. Finally – the big one – price. Our goal is to have our sellers show better than the competition but be priced in line with their competitors. Buyers choose a home by comparison shopping. Be the best on the block and priced well and you’ll sell first.”

Baltimore Real Estate Market October Information and Statistics

County: no county, Baltimore is an independent city

Zip Codes in the City: 2120121231, 2123321237, 2123921241, 21244, 2125021252, 2126321265, 21268, 21270, 2127321275, 2127821290, 2129721298

Population: 620,961

Total Households: 294,579

Homes Sales in October: 325

Median Home Value (2005-2009): $ 152,000

Median Sales Price: $ 83,000

Average Sales Price: $ 126,008

Average Sold to Original List Ratio: 83.54%

Average Days on Market: 149

Foreclosures: 1 in 2,046

Renters vs. Owners: 48.9% vs 51.1%

Type of Home:

13.7% Single Family

37% Condo

49.3% Other

Popular Baltimore Neighborhoods Seeing Improvements:

Direct Business Marketing (DBM), a national leader in online marketing, recently announced a unique lead generation tool for real estate professionals seeking leads from distressed homeowners. Released to the general public on October 1st, the Short Sale or Stay Calculator is a full marketing campaign created to adapt to the unique marketing comforts of each individual real estate professional.

The Short Sale or Stay Calculator provides homeowners with financial information regarding the value of their specific home and future projections of that value. Numerous real estate agents in metropolitan areas throughout the country have been using the lead generation tool. “Realtors are seeing incredible results from the calculator,” said DBM Chief Technical Officer Andrew Houglum. “The marketing materials and the customizable calculator website that goes with them have really performed well.”

The Short or Stay marketing package includes a variety of marketing materials tailored to each agents needs. We’ve tried to include something for everyone,” said Houglum, “lots of easy to use templates for emails, direct mail, post cards, door hangers, radio and TV advertising, something for everyone.”

Direct Business Marketing is a full service marketing agency specializing in direct response marketing and lead generation. Real estate professionals seeking more information about The Short Sale Or Stay Calculator can visit http://shortorstay.com/agents/.

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Now I know some of you are wondering what in the hell is he talking about, real estate agents are not based on residual income. What if I told you it is possible and you wouldn’t have to give up your real estate career? In my opinion I think it would increase your drive to sell houses more than ever. You wouldn’t have to do more than what you are doing now. All you would have to do is provide a suggestion.

Imagine selling a house to a happy buyer and then offering them the essentials that everyone wants and needs when moving into a new home. I’m talking about energy, internet, satellite tv, security system, home phone, and maybe even cellular service. Imagine offering these services and getting paid a residual income every month. To make it very simple, when you obtain a customer that buys and pays for a service every month you make a commission off of their monthly bill. All you had to do is recommend the services and how simple is that.

I’m sure some of the agents reading this article are saying this is just another money making scheme and that it will never work. Well I can be the first to tell you that this is not a scheme and it works like clock work for many people today. They are thrilled to take advantage of an opportunity like this. So are you going to be one of the doubters that sit on the sidelines or are you going to be a player?

In closing I will provide minimal info of what I’m talking about. The company that will make this all possible has been around for over 18 years and continues to grow every year and it has been endorsed by a well known billionaire. Calling all real estate agents! If you truly want more info or you are looking to get started asap then all you have to do is ask for your residual income.

Though looking for leads is a never-ending task, a professional realtor will also be knowledgeable in the current market, mortgages available, basic upgrade costs for a home and the local businesses in the area. A successful real estate agent will be expected to know about the schools and the recreation that the area has to offer, but it does not stop there they have to factor in commuting time and local transit, if desired. A well-rounded and educated realtor is what sets him apart from an agent that just “shows” homes. When someone is relocating and she is unfamiliar with the area, she wants a knowledgeable realtor. A good transaction will set that realtor up with more word of mouth advertising and leads.

Tips for Finding Leads

Use your social networking site to offer your services. Mention when you are doing an open house, have a home on the market or that you just saw a wonderful home come on the market, which was below comps. Do not go overboard with this. Keep it friendly and polite.
Talk to lenders and ask them if they would like to swap referrals. If you have a lender that you enjoy and your clients have used in the past, then you can refer him when your buyer has not secured a lender. The lender can refer you when he finds that someone is looking for a home, but has not secured a realtor yet. Make sure that the lender can benefit you. Also, think about sharing the cost of marketing with the lender. You both can split the fee and showcase each other on the marketing material.
Get active in your community. Start signing up for local charities that you believe in, if you attend church let people know what you do and what type of market the area is in. Talk to everyone, but watch your words. You do not want to come off as a used car salesperson. Talk about a great home that is has a special feature or renovation projects. Those types of conversations earn people’s attention.
Build a website or have a professional do it for you. Have local information readily available on your site such as schools, public transportation and parks. Keep it updated with a question and answer blog. This will help prospects find you. Many homebuyers look to the internet for help, before they ever place a call to a broker.
Stay up to date on trends and home renovation ideas. Visit your local home store to view and check for pricing information. Get a feel for the size and pricing of things like a hot water heaters, tiles, and windows. Realtors that know “about how much” putting granite in the kitchen would cost or the or the cost of replacing a door is what “do it yourself” buyers are looking for. Market yourself in a way that states on your business cards and marketing material that you can help homebuyers that are looking for a fixer upper.  Also, be able to give referrals from local contractors who would be willing to come in and give a good faith estimate. Contractors are a great tool to aid you in marketing and promotion.

A lot of professionals consider that marketing for real estate agents is just about looking for clients, advertising, sites, brochures or newsletters.

There are lots of “marketing” activities that result simply inefficient, time wasting and really demoralizing. Competent marketing for real estate agents is an ongoing activity defined by a number of steps.

It is necessary that you see what true marketing for real estate agents is about; you will be amazed to witness how in 6 simple steps you create a winning strategy for your agency, one that will enhance your commercial image and propel your success.

Effective marketing for real estate agents is achieved by recognizing where you are and where you wish your agency to go. Detailed objectives present what you desire and how to get it. These should be founded on what you visualize yourself doing, possessing and being. Question yourself regarding what you want in terms of job, lifestyle and income.

Your goals have to be SMART: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Timely.

You have to define, plan and target a specific group of individuals showing similar characteristics. You have to exhaustively know who your possible buyers are in order to understand why they would accept your service.

True marketing for real estate agents is about holding sincere conversations with buyers about who you are and what you offer and building mutual faith and deference. To achieve this, you have to know every detail about the individuals behind a potential sale. Just then, you are able to deliver the accurate offering to possible buyers.

You have to distinguish yourself from the competitors within your arena by means of pluses, abilities and life experiences that are meaningful for your customers.

Good marketing for real estate agents lets you see that it is an ongoing training process. You have to deserve the buyer’s confidence and educate him on the facts in order to make him lastly acquire a property from you. Buyers first realize they can buy a property, then, they proceed to get facts, next they asses the different options they possess and lastly, they take action. You must recognize in which phase your buyer is in order to either begin from zero, clarify wrong ideas and get over objections or go for the sale.

Recommendations are essential in marketing for real estate agents, because these are the simplest way to get steady buyers. Tell your buyers that you expect recommendations and what sort you want. The more you remain fresh in your buyers’ minds, the more chances you possess of them talking to others about you.

Based on the five preceding points, enforce genuine marketing for real estate agents with a detailed plan.

Write your monthly objective in terms of potential clients, income or any other meaningful condition. Establish a weekly action program with events you will go to, individuals you will contact, meet or send information to, call on former buyers and writing articles.

When you opt with a real estate professional you are sure that they will provide almost any kind of property you want. You don’t have to be wary of hiring realtor because they will make the negotiations properly done and you can avoid pitfalls by using a realtor from the very start of your hunting. Your future home in surrey will actually depend on how your realtor will negotiate in and explain all the legalities of acquiring the property you like. Their expertise can get you to the closing table successfully.

You might think that buying real estate is something that we feel we all can do on our own. The problem with this theory it many times is not practical or in our best interests. If you have no real idea about buying of property it is best left to the professional. The real estate agent has gone through the years of experience and continuing education to have their level of knowledge. It is better to trust someone who has the experience and education in this market than to go it alone.

When you are planning to buy your home you must take on consideration your financial status. Buying a home is your single big investment and you must have to take considerations some factors. If you think about availing of a home loan, you must think about mortgage payment terms. When you obtain a home equity loan, you must increase your income to meet other obligations. You should study carefully whether to avail home mortgage because if you have not pay monthly mortgage in time, you might lose your home even before you live in it.

Buying your own home is most probably your biggest investment undertaking so far so it is important that you consider your financial situation even before you think of house hunting. You will most likely be availing of a home mortgage so you should know about mortgage payment terms. Your monthly budget should allow for regular mortgage payments on time or else, you could lose your home even before you live in it. If all the preparations have been done and it’s all systems go to start house hunting for Surrey homes for sale, then you must prepare a wish list that will help you focus your search for particular houses that feature what you have in that list. This will save you time and thus will shorten your house hunting adventure.

Searching for Surrey Homes? Then hiring a real estate agent will help you hunt your future house. They can gently let us down and tell us what is realistic.