SEO TIPS: Does your website bring in New Business?

Many real estate professionals were provided with a website from their Real Estate Agency and others decided to purchase one on their own. Many website companies will charge you a reasonable fee to provide you with a user-friendly website. However, here is the million dollar question! Is anyone finding your website?

Did You Know?

The NAR Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers has found annual percentage of home buyers using the internet as their source was 84% for 2007. Also, did you know approximately 80% of home buyers are finding their realtor online and typically selecting the first one they see online? So, are you the realtor their finding online? How well does your website rank on Google, Yahoo or MSN? Have you ever checked?

These are important questions for each realtor to consider. As more and more information becomes available to the savvy home buyer, they are taking advantage of all the key resources before talking to an agent. What can you do to help position your business for success online?
Consider searching for a reputable Search Engine Optimization (SEO) consultant to develop a personalized Search Engine Marketing (SEM) plan for your business. Here are a few services that should help:

• Research: Your SEO webmaster should do an evaluation of your website to determine the best keywords and keyword phrases for your business.
• Assessment: You need to know what is your current ranking. Is it poor? Do you have this wonderful looking website, but no one is finding it! Or, are you rankings great? What are your current rankings on Google, Yahoo and MSN? The consulting company should be able to generate a report on your ranking against the best keywords (phrases).
  Development: The Company you choose to work with should be able to document an SEO/SEM Plan. You might not understand everything in it, but that is ok.
  Consultation: Spend some time with the SEO Company going through the plan and get a basic understanding of the work being performed and how long it will take for them to complete the work.
• Budget: You need to think about this prior to even calling someone to help with your SEO issues. SEO work is not cheap, but the time, resources and effort your SEO consultant puts in is hard work. Trust me on this one, I have been doing this work for my own websites and it is very time consuming.
• Metrics: Make sure they provide you with a baseline of metrics, so you understand where you website is ranked and positioned today. This is very important! Once they have completed their initial work, your website is indexed again and now you can rerun your metrics to evaluate the improvements.
• Patience: SEO work is very tedious and not an exact science. It will take time to improve your rankings. (Months) Try to get a fixed cost contract for the initial work and then an on-going maintenance contract for the SEO master to continuous improve your rankings.

Again, is anyone finding your business online?

I hope this information is helpful to you. Take Care.

Dan Dunleavy
President, FixtoFlip Inc (The Tools and Resources you need to Fix and Flip Real Estate Profitably!)
484.883.9114 or visit us at http://www.fixtoflip.com/
(New) We are now providing the latest Finance & Investment Video News all updated daily. Check out this link: http://www.fixtoflip.com/news.php?#42

Can You Increase Your Business Through Buyer’s of REOs?

The (total) number of real estate transactions is down. For most realtors this means less business and less income. The number of foreclosures is way up! Combining these two realities opens up a broad new category of opportunities for agents with vision, patience, and creativity is a key to success in this rocky market. Sales of foreclosure properties have been climbing and the numbers are expected to continue for some time. Listing foreclosures is not for the faint at heart but bringing buyers to the table can be good business! The most accessible (from a buyer’s point of view) type of foreclosure property is the REO (Real Estate Owned).

A quick summary of the foreclosure process might be helpful here. When a lender decides that they must take action to protect their interest in a failing loan, they must file a Notice of Default (NOD) or in some jurisdictions lis pendens. This is the first time the bank is required to publicly pronounce their intent to act on their interest in a specific property. The borrower is given a time to cure by statute and the time varies by state. At the end of the cure period an auction on the county courthouse steps is held. This is usually called a Trustee Sale. The buyer is almost always the lender. Once the lender takes the title to the property it becomes an REO. The lender can now sell the property just like any other property owner.

Each property can only be listed by one realtor but a buyer’s agent can show many available properties. The competition for REO listings is intense and the institutional owners’ expectations are high for the listing broker. Buyer’s brokers have more flexibility in their approach to the booming REO market. Hundreds of thousands of buyers are surfing the net on a daily basis to find foreclosed properties.

The realtor that can deliver an extensive list of available properties, including foreclosed REO properties, to potential buyers will have more to show and offer their clients and they will ultimately close more deals and make more money. A buyer’s agent, armed with an accurate list of bank-owned properties for sale, has a real advantage. We are working to bring products to market to assist realtors who wish to explore this market.

Want to get in on the action so many others are experiencing? Share your thoughts on the topic and expand your business opportunities. Click Here

Dan Dunleavy
President, FixtoFlip Inc (The Tools and Resources you need to Fix and Flip Real Estate Profitably!)
(954) 889-7092 or visit us at http://www.fixtoflip.com

How to Make Your Home Recession Proof?

FixtoFlip.com was asked to share our thoughts for this article. We were glad to have the opportunity to work with MainStreet.com and they did a terrific job on the article. Here are a few thoughts from the article:
Home improvements can also increase your asking price when you sell, and can result in your home being sold sooner than later. (Of course, where your house is located should always be considered before you begin recession-proofing your home, not every home will benefit from home improvements in the same way.) Here are a few tips to recession-proof your abode:

CURB APPEAL Spend a little time on landscaping. "Within the first 30 seconds, people are passing judgment on your house," says Dan Dunleavy, CEO of Fix to Flip. If you’re a do-it-yourself type, then this will cost you absolutely nothing for labor. A quick trip to Sears (SHLD) is a good place to start for landscaping tips. Hiring a landscape artist on, say, Craigslist might cost you $22 an hour and up. The payoff is a house that might be easier to sell. GET BEAUTIFUL ON THE INSIDE "Flooring, painting, carpeting and molding" are the first things you see when you walk through the door, says Dunleavy. It should be "eye candy," which means no carpet that predates the birth of its homeowner. Other rooms to modernize? The kitchen and the bathroom. "People want a bathroom that looks appealing," says Dunleavy. "They don’t want a stone age bathtub or sink." A contractor might hit your wallet "pretty hard" but there are websites, such as the Do It Yourself Network that can help you with your own home improvements. And even though a new toilet from Home Depot (HD) might cost you $149, the added value is real. "Bathrooms are a big deal," says Dunleavy
There are more ideas in this article. To read the full article go to: MainStreet.com

Dan Dunleavy
President, FixtoFlip Inc
(954) 889-7092
http://www.fixtoflip.com/
The Tools and Resources you need to Fix and Flip Real Estate Profitably!

New at FixtoFlip.com:
Flip Tips White Papers
FixtoFlip.com Newsletter

Other Blog Entries:
Flip Tips: (Flipping Houses) How do I find a Home Inspector?
Flip Tips:(Flipping Houses) Buyers Market, so Why not invest?
Flip Tips (House Flipping) A Newer, Smarter, Flipper
Flip Tips 2. (Getting Connected) Flip Tips (House Flipping or Rehab)
FixtoFlip.com has a New Integration for Adding House Flipping (Rehab) Properties.
Watching The Numbers
Not All Doom and Gloom

Secrets in Buying a Bargain Property!

You would be surprised how your business and personal relationships can help you find your next FixtoFlip bargain properties. You truly get the best deals by finding the property early and discovering the real bargains. Negotiating the selling price is truly where must flippers make their money! Investors understand finding the FixtoFlip bargains can take awhile in order to find a diamond in the rough but with patients, the right network relationships, and bargaining to get your price. You can succeed!

Networking is key to finding your next flip and there are many personal and business relationships to consider for your next FixtoFlip bargain. Let me share a list of potential areas of finding your next deal. Please keep in mind I don’t condone all these types, but wanted to share a list for your review.

- Friends
- Networking with Realtors
- Newspaper
- Banks or Lending Companies
- Lawyers
- Local Accountants
- Foreclosure Websites and Reports
- Sherriff Sales Listing on Websites or Newspapers
- For Sale by Owners
- Nursing Homes
- People in Financial Distress
- Neighbors for Referrals
- Finding Houses Look Vacant and Grass is High
- Families Inheriting Properties They Can Not Use
- Networking with Agencies
- Foreclosure website
- Local Contractors

- FixtoFlip.com

I hope you find this list helps you to discover your next flip!

Dan Dunleavy
President, FixtoFlip Inc
(954) 889-7092
http://www.fixtoflip.com/
The Tools and Resources you need to Fix and Flip Real Estate Profitably!

Other Blog Entries:

Flip Tips: (Flipping Houses) How do I find a Home Inspector?

Flip Tips:(Flipping Houses) Buyers Market, so Why not invest?

Flip Tips (House Flipping) A Newer, Smarter, Flipper

Flip Tips 2. (Getting Connected) Flip Tips (House Flipping or Rehab)

FixtoFlip.com has a New Integration for Adding House Flipping (Rehab) Properties.

Watching The Numbers

Not All Doom and Gloom

Flip Tips: How do I find a Home Inspector?

A home inspector can be exceptional at uncovering surprises in a potential house flip. So, don’t take a home inspection lightly! If you are not a qualified general contractor or experienced in home inspections, we recommend you to hire a professional.

Each home inspection service will have an initial cost for their service to identify any minor or major flaws with the property. This is money well spent if it saves you from making a serious financial mistake by selecting the wrong fixer upper or house flip.

Consequently, Flipping Houses requires you to do a full inspection and document all the damages, flaws, or issues, so you can accurately access the cost of repairs.

Here are a few things to consider when selecting your home inspector:

What is your experience in inspecting potential house flip properties?
What do they charge for their service?
Do you have a sample of your report?
What is included with their service?
Do they charge extra for septic inspection?
Where were they trained?
Are they continuing with their education and where?
Are they properly insured? And, by whom?
How long does it take for you to perform your inspection? (If they tell you 1 hour, move on to the next candidate. An average inspection can take approximately 2 to 5 hours depending on the size of the property.)

There are a few good methods for finding the best home inspector. If you are working with a great real estate agent, typically the agent’s home office will have a few referrals of their favorite home inspectors. Or, consider one of these websites to find your next home inspector.

Home Inspections USA: http://www.homeinspections-usa.com/

American Society of Home Inspections: http://www.ashi.org/

HomeInspection.com: http://www.homeinspection.com/


Dan Dunleavy
President, FixtoFlip Inc
(954) 889-7092
http://www.fixtoflip.com
The Tools and Resources you need to Fix and Flip Real Estate Profitably!

Other Blog Entries:
Flip Tips:(Flipping Houses) Buyers Market, so Why not invest?
Flip Tips (House Flipping) A Newer, Smarter, Flipper
Flip Tips 2. (Getting Connected)
Flip Tips (House Flipping or Rehab)
FixtoFlip.com has a New Integration for Adding House Flipping (Rehab) Properties.
Watching The Numbers
Not All Doom and Gloom

Flip Tips: (Flipping Houses) Buyers Market, so Why not invest?

There are ton more properties for sale then there are buyers. This is one of the best buyers markets we have seen in years. So, what is holding you off from buying your house, investment property or next house flip?

With the excess of properties for sale, you have complete control and can negotiate some truly amazing deals. For example, sellers or banks might be willing to take a much lower offer to move the property, consider paying your closing costs or providing some type of seller assistance. You need consider the number game before the purchase or before you negotiate your deal. But, the timing is ripe for the picking.

Consequently, the real questions are:

Home Buyers: Why aren’t you buying a house today? The prices aren’t going much lower, so why wait.

Investors: Are you looking for a second home in the mountains, lake front or beach? Well, what are you waiting for? There are so many properties for sale in resort areas, so negotiate your deal.

Flippers: Are you looking for your next flip, but nervous on whether to buy? Well, know the numbers and use the right tools to project your expenses, assume a slower resale cycle and account for finished property being completed below the other listings prices in your market. A little hard work and preparation can make the difference between success and failure.

I hope each of you have a Happy Holiday and prosperous New Year!

Copyright © 2007. FixtoFlip Inc. All rights reserved.
Dan Dunleavy
President, FixtoFlip Inc
(954) 889-7092
http://www.fixtoflip.com/
The Tools and Resources you need to Fix and Flip Real Estate Profitably!

Other Blog Entries:

Flip Tips:(Flipping Houses) Buyers Market, so Why not invest?
Flip Tips (House Flipping) A Newer, Smarter, Flipper
Flip Tips 2. (Getting Connected)
Flip Tips (House Flipping or Rehab)
FixtoFlip.com has a New Integration for Adding House Flipping (Rehab) Properties.
Watching The Numbers
Not All Doom and Gloom

(House Flipping) A Newer, Smarter, Flipper

In the early part of the decade, people were flipping houses with the same ease and success as the stock daytraders of the 90s. There was no shortage of homes to fix and flip, and in a staunch sellers market, the ROI on even a modest mid-market home could net huge investment returns for novice flippers.

Now, the market has changed. Many areas are flooded with properties for sale and residential lots are not moving as fast as once did. Mortgage rates, although still at an all-time low, are higher than they were in the flip-centric heyday. Consequently, many analysts and real estate watchers have declared the end of the fix to flip, resulting in the exodus of many of the “make-a-quick-buck” rehabbers from the market.

Who’s Flipping Now
Fixing houses is not without risk and given these conditions, this may seem like a scary time to jump into the flipping market. Like any business venture, you can plan and protect and create contingencies, but cannot plan for the unexpected. The difference though, between the new, serious flipper, and the flippers of years past, can be summed up in four words: research, planning, partnerships and management.

The smart flippers today are doing more homework than their predecessors. While flippers of the past may have conducted some preliminary market research, the new flippers are conducting more extensive research and documenting that research in their plans. The extra research allows the flipper to get a more precise picture of his or her investment property.

New flippers are also planning and managing their expenses more diligently than ever before. Instead of just a cursory evaluation, new flippers put the proper tools and resources in place prior to purchasing. New flippers use schedules and spreadsheets that detail costs and expenses, helping flippers determine the ROI before a purchase. Additionally, the new flipper creates and follows a schedule, ensuring that inspections, repairs, improvements, etc. are completed on time and within budget.

Partnerships are also key in the current short-term real estate market. Real estate service partners allow flippers to focus on the overall project, not get caught up in the details. The smart flippers assemble teams that include trusted realtors, mortgage brokers, home inspectors, contractors, and other professionals to ensure that the process moves smoothly, efficiently, on time and within budget.

The new successful flipper has one more quality not generally found in the flippers of the past: patience. Where flippers of the past may have been eager to turn a quick buck, the new flipper is more apt to wait for the right buyer or market condition before turning the property over. New flippers also have more sensible profit goals, realizing that the inflated profit gains of a few years past are probably not realistic in the current market.

Plan for Success!

Copyright © 2007. FixtoFlip Inc. All rights reserved.
Dan Dunleavy President,
FixtoFlip Inc (954) 889-7092
http://www.fixtoflip.com/
The Tools and Resources you need to Fix and Flip Real Estate Profitably!

Other Blog Entries:
Flip Tips:(Flipping Houses) Buyers Market, so Why not invest?
Flip Tips (House Flipping) A Newer, Smarter, Flipper
Flip Tips 2. (Getting Connected)
Flip Tips (House Flipping or Rehab)
FixtoFlip.com has a New Integration for Adding House Flipping (Rehab) Properties.
Watching The Numbers
Not All Doom and Gloom