Monthly Archives - April 2016

The world today is a smaller place, thanks to social media. According to the Pew Research Center, 74 percent of all adult Internet users utilize social network sites, as of January 2014. This includes 82 percent of all online 30 to 49-year-olds and 65 percent of Internet users age 50 to 64. The largest social media service, Twitter, reports 320 million active users per month, with users making over one billion unique website visits outside of Twitter monthly based on click-thru on Tweet-embedded links.

The proliferation of Twitter and mobile social media has helped to make the world a smaller place. Photo credit: kaboompics/Pixabay

With 31.9 percent of the American population expected to be active Twitter users on 2017, Twitter is redefining how businesses, political candidates, and community groups reach out and spread their message. For any realtor that is interested in growing his business, understanding how to properly create and utilize a business Twitter profile must be an essential part of his real estate continuing education plan.

Getting Started

Twitter’s business usefulness can be broken down into four Cs, according to Entrepreneur Magazine: consuming must-know information, creating content that would make you a thought leader in your field of expertise, curating important information that is of interest to clients and potential and communicating with your current and potential customer base. Your goal in using Twitter is to effectively use all four Cs in a consistent manner that maximizes the 140-characters limit of the application.

The first step toward using Twitter to maximize your real estate company’s presence on social media is to create a proper business profile. This guide assumes that you already have a basic understanding of how to use the Twitter app and how to post a tweet. Twitter has created a guide that explains how to use the service, how to use mentions and retweets and how to effectively master your timeline if you need a refresher.

Establish an Online Personality

In developing your Twitter presence, your profile online should reflect not only your business identity but your business online personality – the first impression you want your clients to make about your brand. This includes your business Twitter handle (which does not need to be the same as your business name, but should make it easy for clients to identify your business), your profile photo (which should be clean and readable as an icon), your profile bio (which should include your mission statement, location, hours of operations if applicable and a link to your website) and your header photo (which should reflect what is important to your business, such as a photo of your real estate agents).

Your online personality also extends to what and how you tweet. For example, tweets that feature a photo are 35 percent more likely to be retweeted, while tweets with a video are 28 percent more likely. Feature a quote in a tweet and the tweet gains a 19 percent boost in retweets while tweets featuring numbers are 17 percent more retweet-friendly. The most successful tweets are those that provides visitors with valuable information in an actionable format without sounding like a hard sell pitch.

The first part of opening your business on Twitter is establishing a positive online personality. Photo credit: PourquoiPas/Pixabay

Ultimately, the idea behind having a Twitter business profile is giving your visitors a good reason to follow you. This will be determined by how your visitors perceive your business.

Have a Strong Marketing Plan

As a real estate expert, your Twitter followers will expect from you trustworthy, worthwhile and up-to-date information. This means that you post frequently and highlight important events, conferences, and open house. This also means that you fact-check everything your company posts, that you ensure the quality of every tweet sent in your company’s name and that you offer your followers a look into things they might not be privy to otherwise, such as information and reviews from previous sales, information concerning competitors and events and conditions in the current market that may affect sales.

This sense of integrity will encourage your followers to create online discussions and to recognize you as a thought leader on real estate issues in your market. Maintaining this integrity is the cornerstone of any successful Twitter strategy.

Other key elements to a strong Twitter marketing plan are including your Twitter handle on all transmitted collateral – including emails and business cards – joining and participating in real estate discussion groups online, starting a market-targeted Twitter Ads campaign and using tools such as Google Keyword Planner and Hashtags.org to find the right keywords and hashtags that will draw traffic to your posts. Making sure that every post includes a mention and either a photo or fact is also important.

Using Data to Master Twitter

In your real estate continuing education, the use of data has likely been discussed previously to analyze your market and customer base. Data can also be used to look deeper into your Twitter “tribe” and to understand exactly what make them tick.

Apps such as Insightpool or Tweepi can, for example, suggest to you Twitter users to follow that have shown an interest in your content. TinyTorch helps you to find industry-specific content on Twitter and TweetDeck and HootSuite allow you to filter the Twitter stream to specific keywords and search terms. Other useful tools include Twitonomy and Klear. The idea of using these tools are simple: by knowing what users to target, you can significantly grow your “tribe.”

Twitter runs on three unofficial “rules”: 1) if you follow someone, they will likely follow you back; 2) if you favorite someone’s post, they will likely follow you and 3) if you offer something, like exclusive information or an e-book, the user will likely follow you. These are far from definite rules, but targeting Twitter users that are looking for your content and following the “rules” is the most certain way to gain followers.

Data is the key to mastering Twitter. Photo credit: tigerlily713/Pixabay

There is — of course — more to developing an effective Twitter strategy for your real estate business than we have space for here, such as which type of posts work best for home-seekers. For learning professionals, PDH Real Estate is the brand of professional development training sites that offer the best value in PDH training online. Contact us for more information on how we can help you master Twitter for all of your real estate marketing goals.

Realtors and salespersons take continuing education courses in Virginia.

The Virginia Real Estate Board requires that actively licensed real estate brokers and salespersons complete a certain number of continuing education course credits in order to renew a license. While the requirements are different for brokers and salespersons, there are several ways in which to study for the exams that can make it easier. Realtor continuing education is important, so using a method that allows you to study when it is convenient helps.

Educational Requirements to Renew a License in Virginia

Brokers in Virginia have to take 24 hours of education classes by the time license renewal comes up, which is dated from the time the license is initially issued. Salespersons are required to take 16 hours of education classes.

Core Classes Required for Brokers and Salespersons in Virginia

The following courses are required for all Virginia brokers. Broker Management and Agent Supervision is an eight-hour course. Fair Housing is a two-hour course. Legal Updates, Agency and Contracts are each one-hour courses. Salespersons are required to take Ethics and Standards of Conduct, a three-hour course. In addition, they are required to take the two-hour Fair Housing course, and one hour each of Legal Updates, which includes flood instruction, Agency and Contracts. The remaining eight hours for both brokers and salespersons may be chosen from approved electives.

Keeping up with changes in real estate is important.

Choosing How to Complete Your Virginia Educational Requirements

Virginia lets realtors and salespersons choose from three ways to complete realtor continuing education courses. Some choose a classroom setting, particularly if their realty company holds classes at the office. However, these classes are frequently given on a chosen day with no other options to change the date or time. Correspondence study offers the convenience of studying from a booklet at your own pace and can be done from home. Online courses let you use your laptop or smartphone to access courses whenever you have free time.

Acceptance of Out-of-State Educational Credits

The VREB allows realtors and salespersons to use up to eight hours of completed courses from another state if that person has a current license in that state. In addition, these courses must have been completed during the license term. The courses can only be electives on subjects related to real estate. The applicant for out-of-state credit must submit a notarized or original copy of the realty license that shows the expiration date and each course certificate.

Reasons to Opt for Correspondence or Online Courses

PDH Academy offers Virginia realtors and salespersons the option of either correspondence or online courses that comply with the requirements of the Virginia Real Estate Commission. We have unlimited support online or by phone for any questions you might have. Group discounts are available, and we offer courses for multiple states, which is handy for those who are licensed in more than one state. Once you have successfully completed the courses you have chosen, we report your results to the board and send you a completion certificate for each course. Contact us for more information or if you have questions. Those on the go know that studying for Virginia realtor continuing education is easier when it is accessible anytime or anyplace. PDH makes it easy for you.

Completing continuing education courses on time lets you renew your license.

Brokers and principal brokers know that continuing education is necessary to renew a real estate license every two years in Oregon. Because a lot of time is involved, being able to schedule and take classes in a convenient way is important. Learn about your options in Oregon to take realtor continuing education courses, so you can choose the type of study courses that fit best into your schedule.

Oregon Licensee Educational Requirements for Brokers and Principal Brokers

All Oregon licensees must complete 30 hours of continuing education courses in order to renew a license. One three-hour core course, Oregon Rules and Laws, is required, and the remaining 27 hours are chosen from electives. License renewal is every two years and tied to the date of issue, so it is important for realtors to have the courses completed before the expiration of their current licenses. While completing the correct number of hours is necessary, there are no passing requirements for final exams.

Eligible Courses for Continuing Education in Oregon

Thirty-three courses are approved for study under Oregon administrative rules. These include record keeping, supervision responsibilities and trust accounts for brokers and a course on responsibilities and relationships in an agency. Courses are also offered on regulations in advertising, antitrust issues, appraisal, evaluation or valuation, taxation, contracts, disclosure and misrepresentation. For those who want to study areas that are a little different, you can choose from risk management, subdivisions and condominiums or environmental protection as it relates to real estate or water rights. The following courses are also approved: consumer protection, commercial real estate, business ethics, fair housing policy and laws, finance, titles or escrows, unit or homeowner associations, timeshares, economics, negotiation or land use as it relates to zoning, planning and other limitations.

Keeping current on changes helps when you sell a home.

Deciding How to Complete Your Oregon Educational Requirements

While studying for your courses at your convenience and where you like is the only way to go, some people prefer correspondence courses, while others prefer to do their studying online. Correspondence can be a good choice for those who prefer to study written copy, especially since one can go back easily to check certain points. However, those on the go tend to prefer online study courses because it gives them the opportunity to study wherever they happen to be. PDH Academy offers both types of realtor continuing education courses. While the correspondence courses are in the form of booklets, the online courses can be accessed through your Android, iPad, iPhone, tablet or laptop.

How PDH Academy Makes Online and Correspondence Courses Easy

By studying during your free time, your 30 hours of realtor continuing education will be finished before you know it. PDH reports the results to the Oregon board and also provides you with a certificate of completion for each course. In addition, support is standing by if you have any questions. We also license in multiple states and offer group discounts. Contact us for more information, or give us a call to see how we can help you.

Taking continuing education courses is mandatory for realtors.

South Dakota real estate licensees know that continuing education required in order to renew a license. This applies to brokers, broker associates, auctioneers of real estate and property managers as well as residential rental agents. There are different options for completing your course requirements for realtor continuing education, and the way you choose to study can depend on personal preference and how busy your schedule is.

South Dakota Required Hours of Study for License Renewal

All licensees with active licenses must complete 24 hours of study every two years, and 12 hours must consist of required courses. The remaining 12 hours may be taken as electives. Sixty hours of study is required for new broker associates with 30 hours completed during the first licensing cycle and the remaining 30 hours completed during the second cycle. For all licensees, the courses you decide to take to complete your requirements must be approved by the South Dakota Real Estate Commission.

Required Subject Areas for Relicensing in South Dakota

Brokers and broker associates completing required areas of study have a number of subjects to choose from. These include ethics, issues about the environment where it pertains to real estate, the Americans with Disabilities Act, fair housing, contracts and license law, antitrust and brokerage services.

Keeping up with the latest information helps a realtor make sales.

Choosing Electives to Complete Your South Dakota Requirements

Licensees have a large choice of subjects to choose from in the category of elective subjects to study. If you aren’t savvy about computer operation, you can take courses on basic computer skills or use of computers or calculators in real estate.

Courses in real estate administrative rules and license law, ethics, appraising, marketing procedures, financing, antitrust, taxation and planning that applies to property can be good choices. Other courses dealing with real estate evaluation or market management, brokerage, contracts, mathematics, securities, appraisal or marketing procedures are also allowed. Real property courses on exchange or management may interest some realtors. Portfolio management and estate building are allowed as long as it relates to real estate.

Acceptable land use courses include land development, planning, and zoning. The Americans with Disabilities Act or fair housing, environmental issues and home inspection are acceptable courses.

Choosing a Course Provider

Realtors have their own preferences, and some might choose a classroom setting with other members of their realty team when it comes to studying and test taking to meet the educational requirements. Others might prefer to study using online or correspondence courses. Convenience and available study time are important when deciding. Those who lead busy lives might benefit more from either online or correspondence courses because a few minutes a day, wherever you are, is enough to read through the material.

Realtor Continuing Education for Easier Requirement Completion

PDH Academy can help South Dakota realtors meet their educational requirements through either correspondence or online classes. For correspondence courses, you must get 80 percent of the answers correct. When completed successfully, we report the results to the board for you and give you a completion certificate for each course. Contact us for more information or to sign up for courses. In addition, we offer group discounts and have support for any questions you might have. We also offer courses in realtor continuing education in different states, which makes it easier for those who hold multiple licenses,

There are various ways you can take continuing education courses.

As New Hampshire brokers, salespersons and those who want to become realtors know, continuing education courses are required to renew a license every two years from the date of issue of the license. You have a choice in where you take your exams but must have passed a three-hour required core course in New Hampshire and an additional 12 hours of electives. Keeping up with realtor continuing education is important, but there are easier ways to do it than sitting in a classroom.

Core Course for New Hampshire Brokers and Salespersons

This three-hour mandatory course for license renewal in New Hampshire covers all updates on changes in legislation and rules governing realtors. The course is required whether you hold an active license or whether you have let your license become inactive.

New Hampshire Requirements for Submission of Education Requirements

All applicants for relicensing are required to fill out a form. On the form you must include information about the completion of your educational requirements. This includes name, license number address and signature. Listing the completion of your educational requirements requires that you list the name of the program and location, dates and hours successfully completed and the program instructor’s name and signature. New Hampshire is also a reciprocacy state and has agreements with Massachusetts, Vermont, Maine, Georgia and Tennessee.

New Hampshire real estate relicensing is every two years.

Your Options Where You Complete Your Course Requirements

The New Hampshire Real Estate Commission allows those seeking licensing or continuing education to study in approved classroom settings or use sites that have been preapproved by the commission for correspondence or online courses. Taking a classroom setting course may be preferred by those who work for a real estate firm that offers these courses, given time constraints. However, correspondence and online courses give you the opportunity to study at your own pace and at home, the office during quiet periods or on the go at any hour.

Why Taking Your Courses Is Better Using Correspondence or an Online Course

While some enjoy the camaraderie of studying and test taking with others, it can be a problem for many people. Some people just freeze up or go blank when faced with an exam, while others find it distracting to be in a room full of people. In addition, some prefer the comfort of a paper edition so that they can look back to review certain points or check answers when quizzing themselves. Online courses are perfect for realtors on the go, since they can study anywhere and at any time.

Why PDH Academy Is a Good Choice for Realtor Continuing Education

PDH Academy offers both correspondence and online courses for New Hampshire realtor continuing education, and provides the support you need if you have questions. Online courses can be accessed with your laptop, Android, iPhone, iPad or tablet from wherever you happen to be and have a few free minutes. This way, you can complete your requirements quickly and easily. Correspondence courses require a grade of 85 percent in order to pass. Contact us for more information to see what works best for you. When you have successfully completed your course, we will send you a completion certificate for each one and report the results to the board. Group discounts are also available.

Realtors are required to take classes to renew their licenses.

Realtors in Kansas and those who are interested in getting a real estate license know that 12 hours of continuing education is required in order to renew a license every two years from the date of issue. The educational requirements are different for brokers and salespersons; however, being able to complete the requirements can be easier if you choose realtor continuing education courses that let you study at your own pace and when it is convenient.

Broker Courses for Relicensing in Kansas

Licensed brokers in Kansas are required to take six mandatory course hours that include three hours of “Required Broker Core” and three hours of “Required Salesperson and Broker Core.” The other six hours may be chosen as elective courses. Areas covered in “Required Broker Core” include trust accounts, BRRETA and license act violations, management, issues with ranches and farms, leasing and commercial sales issues and procedure manuals. Misrepresentation and brokerage representation are covered in the “Required Salesperson and Broker Core” course.

Kansas Salesperson’s Courses for Relicensing

Salespersons who are new and whose license expires five or fewer months from the date of issue are not required to take the 12 hours of realtor continuing education courses needed to renew a license. However, these persons have “SA” as a prefix on their license numbers. Other salespersons are required to take 12 hours of education courses, and this is designated by “SP” as a prefix. Taking the three-hour “Required Salesperson and Broker Core,” class is mandatory for salespersons, with the remaining nine hours chosen from electives, while “Required Broker” class is in the elective category. Those who intend to become brokers before the date of license renewal should take this class, which counts toward becoming licensed as a broker.

Keeping up-to-date on realtor information is part of the job.

Approved Elective Courses for Kansas Realtors

Taking elective courses to fulfill your requirement for license renewal lets you expand your expertise as a broker or salesperson or receive education in an area of interest. The Kansas Real Estate Commission has an extensive list of approved courses that you can take that include areas of finance, green homes, strategies, contracts and risk management. Classes must be taken that are approved by the commission. If one of your real estate related classes is not listed, you can request approval from the commission.

Ways to Take Education Courses for Relicensing

Courses for realtor continuing education are offered in a classroom setting and also as correspondence or online courses. While some realtors, despite busy schedules, might prefer a classroom setting, time constraints may make it easier for others to take online or correspondence courses. PDH Academy offers both correspondence and online courses that you can study for at home, on your tablet, laptop, iPad, Android or iPhone. Contact us for more information. Upon successful completion, we report your hours to the Kansas Real Estate Commission to make license renewal convenient and easy and give you your own completion certificate. Discounts are offered for groups by PDH Academy, and our support team can answer any questions you might have.

Giving a buyer helpful information is part of a realtor’s job.

Active Maine realtors who are brokers, associate brokers or designated brokers are required to complete education courses every two years in order to renew a license.This is why it is so important to complete your realtor continuing education on time and comply by doing the required courses and electives. Staying in compliance by doing your studying and exams through correspondence or online courses makes it much easier.

How Many Hours of Courses are Required for Brokers and Designated Brokers in Maine?

The Real Estate Commission requires that all designated brokers and brokers study and successfully pass 21 hours of continuing education that has been approved by the commission. This includes one mandatory three-hour course, “Core Course for Brokers and Associate Brokers-I.” Elective courses may make up the remaining 18 hours required. Licenses can be renewed up to 60 days before the expiration date.

Maine Associate Brokers Education

Associate brokers are required to complete 21 hours of study for license renewal, with the same mandatory course as designated brokers. As with other types of licenses, the additional 18 hours required can be taken in elective courses.

Keeping informed helps a realtor answer questions.

Options to Fulfill Your Study Requirements

Classroom courses are taught in various cities such as Bangor, Augusta and Portsmouth on different dates. For those who enjoy this type of learning, that may be a good choice. It gives a course-taker the opportunity to enjoy the classroom atmosphere and perhaps to share classes with friends. However, with busy schedules and unpredictable weather, others may prefer to take their courses by correspondence or online at their own convenience. Those who prefer correspondence courses may choose this option because it’s easy to go back and recheck points that may have been missed or see if answers are correct when quizzing themselves. Online courses are good for anyone, but particularly for those on the go because they can study anywhere and at any time.

Ensuring That Your Courses Are Approved

The Maine Real Estate Commission provides a list of places and dates where you can take classroom study courses and information on remote courses. No matter where you take your courses, you have to get and retain your certificate of completion for four years in the event you are audited. While the Real Estate Commission may take your word for it that you have completed the requirements at the time you renew your license, you may face sanctions if it turns out you didn’t complete the necessary hours of coursework.

Taking Your Realtor Continuing Education Courses Remotely

PDH Academy makes it easy by offering accredited courses for Maine realtor continuing education in your choice of correspondence or online courses. You can contact us for more information, and find out what other benefits online courses offer. We carry 18 hours of elective courses but do not offer the core course for renewal. On the correspondence courses, a score of 85 is necessary in order to pass. We will send you a completion certificate when you have successfully passed, which you should keep for the four-year period required.

Does it ever feel like trying to drum up interest for your real estate listings can be demoralizing? This is especially the case when listings have been sitting for a while, and it feels like visibility is falling. These tips will help you find new ways to get your listings noticed. You will see that it is really a combination of steps you need to take in order to secure top listings, not one specific thing you should do.

1. Provide a Video Tour

A video tour is a great way to show off a home, especially if you want to entice your website’s viewers to come take a look in person. When videos are described properly, they are indexed by search engines and easy to find with search terms. Simply make sure to create a detailed title and description for the video, optimizing with keywords and other information about the home.

The type and quality of home tour you choose to give depend on your ideal client base for the home. If you are showing off a luxury home, you may want to use a better quality camera and focus on the most lavish aspects of the interior. Ultimately, the goal is to provide your viewers with a fresh view of the home, inside and out. Allude to features that are better viewed in person to draw them in.

There are a few added benefits to using this technique as well. For starters, you can use your personality to set the tone for potential buyers. Additionally, you are appealing to future sellers who will take note of your initiative.

2. Accept Social Media

Don’t be afraid to share listings and other helpful information with potential clients in a way that encourages further discussion. Shareworthy material belongs on sites like Google+, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest. The keyword is “shareworthy.” Don’t make your posts look like advertisements. Instead, share an interesting anecdote, post a picture, or provide some helpful tips. Turn a post into an interesting read.

Social media use allows you to create content your readers share.

3. List Property on Real Estate Aggregators

There is a reason sites like Trulia and Zillow are so popular. They actually do attract new business. It is often as simple as paying for a special account to promote your listings. The best part is that you can use a tool like Google Analytics to ensure that you are putting your money to good use. You can also track which websites are most effective.

4. Create a Responsive Website

Responsive websites are the best way to reach your potential buyers and sellers who browse the web via smartphone. Real estate agents who do not create responsive websites are sure to be left behind. You can also allow your website to be fully interactive with the phone. Hence, somebody simply needs to click your phone number for their phone to dial it. You can also incorporate maps so that your viewers have adequate instructions to reach listings or your office.

With just a few simple swipes and taps, smartphone users can reach your listings on a responsive website.

5. Keep a Blog

Writing about your listings in a non-commercial way is a great way to garner interest in the properties. Tell a story about the property, rather than advertising it. What could have happened behind those walls? What kind of life would a buyer expect to have here?

You can also use colorful language and personality in your text to create a personality buyers and sellers will become comfortable with. Plus, the search engine optimization of your posts will help to get your website noticed by search engines. Pictures of your listings will also keep readers interested, and categories will make your content easier to find.

6. Create an Email List

If you want to nurture the leads you have already gained, it is important that you follow up with them. Sending email newsletters is a fantastic way to do that. Provide helpful information that will not only keep potential buyers interested, but also inform them of new and ongoing listings every once in a while. Newsletter software also allows you to track the clicks of readers, ensuring you understand what keeps them reading.

Are you interested in learning more about improving the visibility of your real estate listings? Contact us for more information about giving your listings that extra boost.