Empire Realty Assoc. | Marketing Team | Danville, Walnut Creek, Alamo, Lafayette

I don't know about you, but I find Facebook very addicting! In addition to all the fun and games, we have really started to dive into using Facebook as one of the many "tools" in our tool chest to promote our brand. With 250M+ members, we feel strongly about "going where the people are" - and in many instances our "people", i.e. clients, friends, family, etc. are on Facebook.

We started the Empire Facebook page a few months ago and have now grown to over 100 fans.

Here are 5 tips I have learned on how to successfully utilize Facebook for Real Estate.

1. Make it fun and not just all about business. For example, for about a week we were trying very hard to get to 100 fans - so as we got closer I would post status updates "We are at 94 fans, just need 6 more to get to 100!!" - so that really motivated a few of our agents. One of our agents, Karen Guarisco invited 4 clients of hers to be fans and one of her clients was the 100th fan. She jokingly said, "do I win a million dollars?" - so I replied and posted a picture of a million dollar bill as a thank you! :-)

2. Post something daily. I think it's important to post something everyday. Your posts will go into your fans "news stream" when they log on. I think this helps keep top of mind awareness about your brand.

3. Don't be overly selective of who you invite as fans! I invited all my friends, why not? Some joined, some did not, but it opened up the door of an interaction with people that maybe hadn't realized Empire or what we offer. It just "opens the door" of opportunity.

4. Post items that will drive people back to your site. For example, many times I will post a link about local market stats for a certain area or zipcode with a link back to that specific page on our company website.

5. Post press releases as Notes and tag people! We submit about 1-2 press releases to the newspaper each week and in addition, we post them here to Active Rain and also onto our Facebook fan page. I also "tag" people in the Note - so not only does it show up on the Empire page it shows up on their page. As well! In addition to press releases, we use the Notes section as a blog - we post tons of great client and agent success stories.

We are excited about the future of social media and the role it will play in our business. I think we have really just scratched the surface.

Would love to see how others are utilizing Facebook! Thanks!

posted by Katie Lance, Marketing Manager, Empire Realty Associates, Danville, CA

Press Release | 7-1-09

EMPIRE REALTY ASSOCIATES WELCOMES REALTOR DEBBIE PRICE

DANVILLE - Empire Realty Associates is excited to announce that Realtor, Debbie Price, has joined the Danville office.

Debbie started her career in real estate as a Broker Assistant where she gained a tremendous amount of experience in the transaction and administrative areas. As an assistant, she was intrigued by the industry and decided to get her license. Debbie has now been licensed for over five years.

"I love the interaction between working with families and helping people find a home. There is nothing better than helping my clients find the perfect home," says Debbie

"She has had an impressive past track record of success in her real estate sales career, and if you don't know her yet, you will enjoy being in contact with her high energy and enthusiasm," says Hank Perry, President, Empire Realty Associates.

Debbie grew up in the Bay Area and currently lives in Danville with her husband who is the pastor at Rolling Hills Church and their four children. Her friendly personality, dedication, and professionalism are traits that make Debbie a great agent to work with. Empire Realty is proud to welcome her to the office.

Debbie works with buyers and sellers in the Tri-Valley, Lamorinda and Diablo Valley areas. To contact her please call (925) 217-5015 or email her at DPrice@EmpireRA.com.

posted by: Katie Lance, Marketing Manager, Empire Realty

At our last sales meeting, Empire Realty Associates President Hank Perry was speaking about how so many of our agents that have been in the business for many years are "reinventing" themsleves because of this market and because of that... having a great year!

Partner and Realtor Sue Rubin at Empire Realty's Danville office, is having her best month ever as an agent!! In June she closed a record 8 transactions (one was 2 sides!). Sue has been a Realtor since 1990.

I interviewed Sue and asked her:

• What do you think contributed to having your best month ever?

• What do you like most about it? Why do you do what you do?

Sue said, "What contributed to having my best month ever was the accumulation of consistently staying focused, working tirelessly and relentlessly, remaining optimistic and positive, servicing clients like never before, very long work days and being well prepared for every opportunity since I put the pedal to the metal during the 4Q 08! Results are now coming to fruition. I kept saying to myself: 'one day I will be paid for all the work I am doing" and never gave up on that expectation!'

Sue goes onto say, "I am passionate about helping people accomplish their goals, as doing so is very rewarding and satisfying. Beyond that, I enjoy the challenge as each client and transaction is different and unique; most importantly, I love the reward knowing at the conclusion of a transaction that I have developed/earned another powerful advocate and fan who will endorse me/my work to others."

I love what Sue says about consistency - that is really the bottom line. When you consistently market yourself, put your client's 1st, work hard, work late hours... it WILL pay off!!

Great job Sue!! Thank you for sharing your story!

posted by: Katie Lance - Marketing Manager, Empire Realty Associates

At our sales meeting this week, Empire Realty Associates Realtor and Partner Floria Hakimi shared a wonderful story about "going the extra" mile with her clients. This story really inspired and touched us all - a wonderful reminder of the good work we do when we put our clients best interest 1st!! Thank you Floria for sharing your story and kudos to you - job well done!

"I got a call from my client at 9 am on Sunday. He left a message asking to see me, urgently. He sounded very serious. I knew this wasn't another one of those calls like I had in the last 6 months. James & Mary are my past clients. I sold Mary's sister's house to them in Dublin. Then sold it and bought them another home in San Ramon. When Mary & James were ready for their first home, I was the lucky agent to get the call. They bought a beautiful small single story in San Ramon," says Floria.

"9 years later, January 09, I got the call that they were ready to move up to their next home. Now with two kids, there was need for a larger home and a better location. It took us about 6 months to get their house ready! From paint and crown molding to refinishing the cabinets and replacing the tiles with granite, they did everything that my stager and I suggested them to do. Their home went on the market on a Wednesday for the Thursday broker tour, priced $10,000 more than what I had suggested back in January. I was sure we would get multiple offers and we did. We negotiated a few offers and selected the best, highest, cleanest and one that I knew the agent and trusted that he would stay on top of things. We sold their house $41,000 over asking price, negotiated the option of renting their house back up to 45 days after close of escrow and a whole lot of other positive terms in favor of the sellers."

"This call was coming after we looked at only 4 homes as their possible future home, going about $250,000 more in purchase price. When we met that Sunday morning at the Starbucks in san Ramon, he told me that he has been throwing up all night and couldn't sleep and wants to get out of the deal! He said that they changed their mind and his wife and kids are supportive of his decision. He was all apologetic for putting me through all this and that he would take care of any damages and or fees."

"Well, two hours later, after I listened to all that he had to say, I told him that what I saw was Fear operating vs Wisdom leading him in his decision. All his physical symptoms were real but not to be taken seriously. I told him that we should look at lower priced homes but he cannot back out just because he is afraid he won't find the right house. He needed to be reminded of what he already knew but had forgotten. The reason why they were going to move in the first place was to better their lives within their financial ability. I reminded him that these days lenders don't give loans unless they are sure that borrower is solid and can perform. I also reminded him that making this move when prices go back up would only make it harder and more expensive. He won't have as many choices and as much leverage in negotiating the best terms both on selling his house and buying his future home. Guess what, we were in contract with a beautiful home in two days! Not only almost doubled the size of the house and the lot but it was in a better neighborhhod and had a pool too. And he paid only $105,000 more for that."

"The following Sunday I received another phone call from his wife. Mary called to tell me how grateful they were that I didn't buy into their fear and encouraged them not to give in. She said they are thrilled with their new home and can't believe how smooth everything had been handled. We are closing on both houses next week. All contingencies are removed and they are packing!!"

Thank you for sharing your story Floria - in these challenging times, now more than EVER we need Realtors like Floria who will talk with their clients and help them make the best decisions for them and their family.

posted by: Katie Lance, Marketing Manager - Empire Realty

Looking for some great music and good times this summer? Check out the concert series!

• Blackhawk Plaza is a great area to come and shop, dine, and have a great time. The concerts are always a blast and great for the whole family.
• July 10 - Busta-Groove will kick-off the Summer Concert Series with the hottest hits from the 70s, 80s, 90s and today.
  
• July 17 - Popular band Pride and Joy will ignite audiences with a stylized performance of timeless pop and soul tunes.
  
• July 24 - Fabulous oldies invade Blackhawk Plaza with the Sun Kings and their uncanny renditions of popular Beatles songs

July 31 - Motown tunes will rock Blackhawk Plaza when East Bay Mudd's ten-piece band performs a soulful collection of Motown and R&B classics.

August 7 - Local San Francisco based Evolution will rock Danville with hits from Journey.* August 14 - 80s music returns to the Bay Area with retro sounds from the San Francisco band Tainted Love.

August 21 - Waterloo will bring the music of Abba to Danville when this Northern California-based tribute band ignites the Plaza with classics including "Dancing Queen," "Ring Ring" and more.

Concert seating opens at 5pm and is first come, first serve.

We do not allow outside food or drink (check bags at entry) and no glass. For more info, please contact the Management Office at 925-736-2751.

For more info about Blackhawk click here:

Curious about the real estate market in Blackhawk, check out these reports which are updated weekly!