Elaine Anderson

Hello Everyone,

Received another email today from trulia.com very useful tool & most of all it's FREE!

Check out 10 ways to enhance your online presence using Trulia:

1. Earn credentials as area expert.
   
   A complete suite of Web 2.0 tools lets real estate agents show market expertise with up-to-the-minute statistics and reports that you can use in your blogs and on the Trulia Voices question-and-answer platform. You will achieve an increasing level of expertise as you answer more questions and blog.
   
   
2. Brand your listings.
   
   The most consumer-friendly property detail sheet is not complete without your name, your contact information, and a link right to your web site. Trulia receives listings from real estate companies, multiple listing services, and other online publishers. If your listing is here, brand it and it will appear on your profile page.
   
   
3. Build your reputation proactively.
   
   Construct an online profile that includes a record of your accomplishments and lists your affiliations. There’s plenty of room, so include memberships in organizations that fuel your passion even if they are not real estate related (i.e. CARE National Advocacy, Big Brothers and Sisters, Turning Point).
   
   
4. Showcase your testimonials on the Trulia profile page.
   
   What better way to build a reputation than with the kudos of past clients and colleagues? As you are building this page, take a few moments to contact some past clients and ask them for a few words that you can use on this important page. Here is a great example.
   
   
5. Drive quality leads to your web site.
   
   Trulia delivers more traffic to agent and broker web sites than any other web site. The more tools you use, the more traffic you will drive to your web site. And consider the qualitative value of visitors who have researched the real estate market and read the answers to the questions that you post, and visitors who read your blog.
   
   
6. Attract your ideal client.
   
   Put the Law of Attraction to work for you and let your personality shine on your Trulia Blog. Share your thoughts and successes, share your joy as well as your frustration. Be real. Be you. Watch the magic happen as you establish an online kinship with like-minded consumers. What a great way to kick off a formal business relationship.
   
   
7. Use widgets and mobile applications to share market stats and listings.
   
   Use a Trulia profile badge in your e-mail signature that keeps your online presence ever ready. Trulia market stats widgets and mapping widgets are FREE tools that drive consumer engagement on your personal web site. A TruliaHomeroll lets you customize a widget to match your web site and show properties for sale. A TruliaSearchbox widget lets your site visitors search for homes right on your web site.
   
   Trulia iPhone and SmartPhone applications bring maps and property information to your mobile devices and car.
   
   
8. Trulia Pro broadens your reach and exposure.
   
   Trulia Pro offers exposure beyond organic search. Featured listings appear at the top of search results, and you can aim your exclusive Spotlight ad at 20 market areas or zip codes. Trulia Pro is easy to use, easy to modify, and the perfect way to upgrade your suite of FREE tools and services at Trulia.
   
   
9. Convert more inbound and outbound referrals.
   
   Use the Member Search on Trulia Voices to find a real estate professional in other market areas to find the right match for your family, friends, and clients. Read agents’ answers to consumers to gauge their market savvy and select an agent or several agents to interview for a chance to work with a buyer or a seller.
   
   
10. Carve a niche in your local market.
    
    What is your special fancy? First-time homebuyers, historic homes, equestrian properties, luxury homes? Spend energy and have fun sharing insights and information about the market you know best. Use the keyword search tool to find conversations other agents and consumers are having and lend your voice to the discussion on Trulia Voices. Leave a trail of footprints that buyers and sellers can follow to find their perfect agent.

Recently received this email from trulia.... sign up for there free Trulia E-Newsletter very beneficial:

How to avoid foreclosure

Loan Modification Help-What about those Upfront Fees? Already struggling homeowners who are seeking loan modification help are finding out that any assistance from a loan modification company comes at a steep price... see more or reply

Written by Susan Gregory, Real Estate Professional, Dana Point, CA

More tips:

Q: I am 2 months behind on morgage my payment is almost 1,800.00 dollars a month, i want to do a loan

Tip: Use the keywords "avoid foreclosure" and "modify loan" to get more tips here.

How to find & buy foreclosures

So you want to buy a foreclosed home With all the bank owned properties out there, is this the right market for you... The first thing you need to do is be pre-approved for a loan. No bank will look at your offer without it... see more or reply

Written by Scott Godzyk, Real Estate Professional, New Hampshire

More tips:

Q: How do you purchase foreclosures? Can the previous owner reclaim the property later?

Tip: Find foreclosure homes on Trulia. Enter a city and select just the "Foreclosure" listing type on the left.

How to navigate auctions

What Happens at Foreclosure Auctions Continuing to dispell myths about real estate auctions... leading up to a foreclosure auction, someone who has a lien against the property has exercised their right to foreclose... see more or reply

Written by Vicky Chrisner, Real Estate Professional, in Dulles, VA

More tips:

Q: Is it true that once my home is BANK OWNED I can no longer be able to buy it back?

Today REALTORS® at CENTURY 21 The Realty Group took action to encourage Congress to Support the National Association of REALTORS® Housing Stimulus Plan.

* Make the $7500 first-time homebuyer tax credit available to all buyers and eliminate repayment requirements. The credit's limited availability and repayment requirement severely limit the credit's use and effectiveness.

* Make the 2008 FHA, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loan limits permanent. New rules for 2009 will reduce them. Now is not the time to limit mortgage affordability.

* Get the Treasury relief program back on track and target more funds to mortgage relief. Create a federal mortgage interest buy-down program to make below-market rates available and stabilize home prices.

* Permanently bar banks from engaging in real estate brokerage and management. The banks have proven they have enough to do to simply manage the loan process. Banks should not manage home sales and purchases.

We encourage everyone to contact their Congressman today and tell them to support this 4-point plan!

THE INTERNET IS NOW 9 TIMES MORE EFFECTIVE THAN PRINT ADVERTISTING

Newspaper

• 1 Little Photo
• No Movie
• 4-10 Lines of Print
• No Directions to Property
• General Office Information
• Placed Amidst A Few Other Properties
• Have to Go Buy A Paper
• Best Information on Sunday
• Messy & Inky
• Circle Ads With Pen
• Articles Furnish Some Information on Terminology & Process
• Local Distribution

Internet

• 6-10+ Big Vivid Photos
• Virtual Tours
• Entire Listing Information
• Map To The Property
• Complete Listing Agent Information
• Links to MLS To View All Properties
• Internet Always Available- FREE
• Best Information 24/7
• Quick & Clean
• Print Property Brochure Flyers
• Wealth of Information on Real Estate Terminology and Process
• World Wide Distribution

So we clearly see that internet marketing is more effective! On Realtor.com alone, your property will stand out to more than 5.7 million individuals who, on average, spent 78% of the time searching for homes. I also know that 83% of buyers find multiple photos of the property very useful!