Denise R. McCoy

Courtesy of NACA.com ( I am a Naca Referring Agent and have permission to repost).

The Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America ("NACA") is a non-profit, community advocacy and homeownership organization. NACA's primary goal is to build strong, healthy neighborhoods in urban and rural areas nationwide through affordable homeownership. NACA has made the dream of homeownership a reality for thousands of working people by counseling them honestly and effectively, enabling even those with poor credit to purchase a home or refinance a predatory loan with far better terms than those provided even in the prime market.

Investing in working people
The NACA homeownership program is our answer to the huge subprime and predatory lending industry. NACA has conclusively shown that when working people get the benefit of a prime rate loan, they can resolve their financial problems, make their mortgage payments and become prime borrowers. NACA's track record of helping people who have credit problems become homeowners or refinance out of a predatory loan debunks the myth that high rates and fees are necessary to compensate for their "credit risk."

Started in 1988, NACA has a tremendous track record of successful advocacy against predatory and discriminatory lenders as well as providing the best mortgage program in America with $10 billion in funding commitments. NACA is the largest housing services organization in the country and is rapidly expanding by growing its existing 30+ offices, headquartered in Boston, MA, opening many new offices nationwide, and expanding the services it offers its membership. NACA's confrontational community organizing and unprecedented mortgage program have set the national standard for assisting low- and moderate-income people to achieve the dream of homeownership.

NACA - America's Best Mortgage Program
The incredible NACA mortgage allows NACA Members to purchase or refinance homes with:

• no down payment,
• no closing costs,
• no fees,
• no requirement for perfect credit,
• and at a below-market interest rate.

Everyone gets the same incredible terms, including the below-market interest rate, regardless of their credit score or other factors. NACA also provides free, comprehensive housing services. NACA counsels Members into the extraordinary NACA mortgage using character-based lending criteria that takes each Member's circumstances into account to determine whether they are ready for homeownership and what they can afford. This is in contrast to risk-based pricing where people are often given loans they cannot afford while brokers and others make tremendous fees and profits.

Property renovation and foreclosure prevention
NACA also provides property renovation assistance and Membership Assistance for NACA homeowners. NACA's Home and Neighborhood Development ("HAND") Department addresses repair issues, and where appropriate provides rehab assistance throughout the renovation process. NACA's Membership Assistance Program (MAP) provides comprehensive counseling for Members who are delinquent on their home payments, including establishing payment agreements and providing financial assistance to help Members avoid foreclosure.

Innovative technology
The NACA program has developed state-of-the-art mortgage software for web-based counseling, processing and underwriting., called "NACA Lynx", which is the envy of the mortgage industry. This is a paperless system that allows for character lending, loan processing and underwriting to be done on a very large scale.

Powerful national advocacy
NACA has revolutionized mortgage lending with its mortgage services and advocacy. NACA's organizing department continues the aggressive advocacy against predatory lenders and the fight for economic justice. NACA is a high-profile organization, with its program and advocacy featured in the national media, including the Wall Street Journal, Prime Time Live, Boston Globe, Washington Post, major news outlets, and local networks nationwide.

NACA's committed staff and contacting NACA
Our staff of hundreds of dedicated staff is committed to working with you to access this incredible mortgage product and to advocate for strong neighborhoods and economic justice. We are always looking for qualified staff-see our current job listings for details. To keep updated on NACA services, campaigns, and relevant legislative happenings, sign up by clicking Contact Us.

Ethnic Marketing --as featured in the December 2008 issue of Broker Magazine

Taking A Targeted and Genuine Approach to Ethnic Marketing
by Karen Gleason

Should you market to certain ethnic groups and will you miss out on revenue if you don't? Statistics reveal the buying power of ethnic markets. But, without a targeted and genuine approach, you may as well throw your marketing dollars into the depths of the Pacific.

Since 2007, Hispanics have topped all U.S. minority groups for purchasing power, with $862 billion in buying power, according a 2007 study from University of Georgia's Selig Center for Economic Growth. This is a 307% increase from 1990. By 2012, nearly one out of every six people living in the United States will be of Hispanic origin with buying power of a little more than $1.2 trillion.

According to the same study, Asian buying power was projected at $459 billion for 2007 - an increase of 294% from 1990. It should reach $670 billion in 2012. California accounts for 33% of the nation's Asian consumer market.

The Selig Center also reports that the African American consumer market had a projected buying power of $845 million in 2007. Its buying power in 1990 was $590 million. That equals a growth of 166%. It's expected to climb to $1.1 trillion in 2012.
Buying power for Native Americans was projected at $57.1 billion for 2007. That's a 190% increase in buying power since 1990 when it was $19.7 billion. It should rise to $77.4 billion in 2012.

Why Ethnic Marketing?

Age, interests, geography, and ethnicity give people a common understanding. As business owners, we can bring this into our marketing efforts. Does that mean you have to be African American to market to African Americans, Hispanic to market to Hispanics, or Asian to market to Asians? Of course not! But you should certainly recognize Martin Luther King Day, Cinco de Mayo, and the Chinese New Year if you are marketing to people with an African American, Mexican, or Chinese heritage, for example. Few care what you have to say until they know how much you care.

Where to Start - Ethnic Business Organizations in California

When focusing your marketing efforts, join organizations or support them financially. It shows that you care. In most business organizations, members have access to the membership list with e-mails and addresses. This is exactly what you need to deliver concise direct messages to these members who could turn out to be your best champions. With your membership, you should have opportunities to advertise in the organization's newsletters, on their website, in their directories, and at their meetings.

Expo Marketing

Most ethnic business organizations -offer events where vendors can exhibit and showcase their products and services. -Denise R. McCoy, sales and marketing representative for California Black Chamber of Commerce (www.calbcc.org) says that exhibitors do not have to be members of their Chamber to participate. However, active chamber members get first priority to exhibit. Only one business per industry is allowed for each event. The California Black Chamber of Commerce represents more than 11,000 members, affiliates, and supporters. According to McCoy they -offer four prominent events per year that cost $200 to $300 per expo to participate.

The following is list of ethnic business organizations in California: Most of the list came from the Orange County President's Council:

· National Hispanic Business Women Association (www.nlbwa-oc.com)

· National Latina Business Women Association (www.nationalhbw.org)

· California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce (www.cahcc.com)

· California Black Chamber of Commerce (www.calbcc.org)

· Asian American Business Women Association (www.aabwa.org)

· Asian Business Association of Orange County (www.abaoc.org)

· Asian Business Association of Los Angeles (www.aba-la.org)

· Asian Business Association of San Diego (www.abasd.org)

· Asian Business Association of Silicon Valley (www.aba-sv.org)

• Asian Women Entrepreneurs (www.aweoc.com)

Personal Marketing is Personal

Since insurance, financial services, and benefits are personal services, the marketing for these offerings should be personal as well. According to data from the greeting card industry people are 47% more loyal to companies that remember their birthdays and recognize them individually.

This relates to ethnic marketing by recognizing holidays that have special meaning to others. With today's online templates and databases, small business owners can mail hundreds or even thousands of personalized cards. Some services offer online templates where you can create cards with unique and special messages custom-made for your customer.

Claire Kim is a South Korean-born American who owns Claire Design, a Web, graphic design and advertising firm in Irvine. She says that it's wise to market to different ethnic groups. "It would really impress me if someone marketing financial services sent me a Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving) or Korean New Year card," Kim says. (Chuseok is celebrated in the autumn, sometime from mid-August to October, based on the lunar calendar. The Korean New Year also follows the lunar calendar and coincides with the Chinese New Year.)

E-Mail Newsletters

Kim recommends keeping in touch with customers and prospects via on-line newsletters. Sending a monthly or quarterly newsletter that is custom-designed for ethnic holidays is an effective way to stay in touch with your target market.

Messaging

Messaging is key whether you are using greeting cards, direct e-mails, online banners or display advertising in a directory. While much of broker marketing is getting the word out about your offerings, it is important to customize the message for your audience. When it applies, translate your message into your targeted groups' language. (You may want to ask a friend or an organization's marketing contact to help you with this.) Stay concise. Offer packages and discounts for your group. Give them a reason to call you above others. Most of all, stay the course. Continue to reach out to your targeted group at least three or four times a year.
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Karen Gleason opened the doors of Going Global Communications in Orange County Calif. in 2002 (www.ggcpr.com). She and her team advise insurance clients on custom media and marketing strategies including: media story ideas, press releases, web copy, product launch initiatives and bylined articles. Her industry client list includes: Portal Insurance, the Precept Group, London Insurance and Financial Services, and iBenefits.

As I look at the landscape of the real estate industry, I can't help but wonder how my fellow colleagues are doing. From time to time I wonder if other agents are feeling the same way I am feeling about this market.

When I started out as a Real Estate Professional, I had big plans. I thought to myself..now that I have my license surely I will be rolling in the dough. I pictured a new house, new car and most importantly a new bank account. I could pay for my precious daughter to go to college and create a retirement nest egg for me to enjoy as the years went by.

Well, as I am sure you can imagine--my goals are the same, but the avenue I must take to get there inevitably must change. I heard a wise man say once, "Doing the same old thing over and over, while expecting a different result is--INSANE my friend." Alright, I added my own little spin on it, but you get my point.

My personal mantra is, "I don't have problems, only challenges, because challenges can be overcome." We are all experiencing challenges at the moment. It's not necessary for me to go into detail about what those challenges are. However, I am a firm believer that your mindset has alot to do with how you view your past, current and future circumstances.

As a licensed Real Estate Agent, I couldn't be happier. I have the opportunity to help someone realize their dream of home ownership every single day that I practice my craft. I have the power to empower clients with information that will help them make an informed buying decision. I am capable of creating the change that I am so desperately looking for in my life, by simply changing how I view the world.

Remember you have the power to control your own destiny. Your outlook in life should be your outlook for life. More importantly, learn how to turn your passion in life into your passion for life. Not sure how to do that? Start by surrounding yourself with positive people, places and things. Although it may be hard for some..turn the television off from time to time, put the newspaper down. Spend more time with those that you love. Create you own "Good News" today and don't let the state of the world get you down.

In closing, stay focused, make some adjustments and know that at the end of the day..human beings are the only creatures that have the ability to think a thing and then take the necessary steps to MAKE IT HAPPEN.

Be blessed on all sides and know that this to shall pass...