Tracy Royce

So there it is, the point in the relationship where you really evaluate what it is that you are doing with eachother, the wondering, the hopefulness, and finally, the realization that, "This just isn't going to work, and it's not you, it's me."

Rather than having this conversation over candle-lit dinner and bravelly facing any possible emotional outburts, it happened very naturally, when we realized, some of our "relationships" were just NOT working out with certain banks.

Who of you out there in Active Rain land are doing Short Sales? Ever sat on the phone for an hour 1/2? Ever got one of your homes taken back REO when you could have netted the bank more money, had an approval take to long and see your buyer go bye-bye?

So it's one of those things that we are re-evaluating where these relationships are really going....not to say that we won't entertain a short sale with these lenders, but we will scrutinize these transactions even more, now that we have a mass amount of experience with either of them.

We're doing this on a larger scale and closing dozens of short sales a month, but even for the people out there doing one or two a month, it still begs the question of, what's the best use of your time? And do you want to spend any more time than necessary in relationships where it's very one-sided?? In this business, of course not! You want to be able to maximize your time, serve your clients to the best of your ability, AND make a living while doing so!

(And with that, I won't say exactly which banks we are edging away from, but one of them is yes, Countrywide.)

I'm sure there will be no tears, no "I miss you's" or longing gazes in this break up. But maybe, just maybe if we can make it work and see eye to eye, there could be a possible reunion.

What are your thoughts?

For anyone who watched the Miss USA pageant last night got to view audience members participating in the new social media tool that is quickly setting the bar for all others: twitter.

The contestants got to blog about their experiences, viewers got to talk back about the controversial questions answered (so now we're asking beauty queens about bailouts and same sex marriage?), and even comment on their evening wear and bathing suits.

But are you on board yet? The marketers for the Miss USA, large corporations, Oprah, and even your kids are using Twitter now. However, many Realtors, investors, and lenders are failing to find the practical application of "tweeting" with others online. So let me very briefly outline the benefits:

A) Twittering is meant to connect you with your audience in-between blogs, phone calls, and face to face networking. For example, let's compare it to another technology you are probably familiar with, texting!

Whereas a traditional phone call would be the obligatory, "Hi, how are you, what are you doing, did you feed the dog? Can you please remeber to feed him when you get home? Thanks! See you later!"

A text(SMS) would simply be the direct phone to phone message of something like "Feed Fido when you get home. Text me to let me know. Thx"

So it's meant to be straight, to the point, and without all the frills!

B.) It's convenient to connect to your audience with breaking news, market updates, company promotions, etc!

C.) It's free, easy, and is very widely known and accepted among professionals and large companies alike. Convinced yet? Let's take the leap!

HOW TO SIGN UP AND GET STARTED WITH TWITTER IN 4 EASY STEPS

Have no fear, my curious, progressive adventurers. We're going to break this down together, get you set up on a Twitter account step by step. You can tweet me first to practice!

So sit back, grab that double espresso soy latte, and let's get tweeting!

1.) Open another tab (Cntrl+tab on a PC) and log onto www.twitter.com

2.) For a brief video tutorial, you can view it online straight from the homepage.

(I've also included a link here for a beginners series of video tutorials to get started, find people, update your profile, etc.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNO0HPC5Cms

3.) Once you have filled out your user name and password, you officially have an account!

You may want to do it now or later, but a few words of advice if you are using twitter as part of your professional marketing strategy:

• No racy pics - a nice smiling headshot or company logo will do you just fine!
• Update your profile to reflect something similar your followers might find on your Active Rain account. Again, you are just looking to expand your network!
• Try to post updates about things your customers/followers will find interesting and informative! Remember, it's just like a text in that's it's short, sweet, and to the point.

4.) Look for people you know - go to the top of the page and click on FIND PEOPLE.

• Feel free to type in my name: Tracy Royce
• I am the one from Phoenix, with the name "Invest2grow".
• If you click on my picture you can see where you can "follow" me. All that means is that I will be added to your network!
• Please drop me a line and let me know you're signed up, and I can "tweet" back and follow you too!

If you have followed these steps than you and I are already saying "hello!" on twitter. I hope this helps those of you out there who haven't taken the plunge yet, and if you have any questions, additions, or feedback, let me know how I can help.

What do you think?

Only proving that the housing downturn shows no prejudice to area or location appeal, the wave of inequity hitting the mainland is only building up steam to crash upon paradise: Hawaii.

Even more alarming is that the worst is still yet to come, and factoring in the fact that Honolulu was/is still accounted as the nations 3rd most unaffordable place to live. The majority of homeowners (or soon to be ex-homeowners) are near retirement age. The population (working couples) looking to purchase in the respective market mostly cannot afford the home prices getting ready to be given back to the market, even at foreclosure prices.

Even though some in the housing arena are recognizing and trying to address the problem, Hawaii still has not adopted a coping mechanism to facilitate the wave of foreclosures to come.

For a full article with more information, please visit http://www.starbulletin.com/editorials/20090415_Tsunami_of_foreclosures_is_headed_Hawaiis_way.html

(All material is in strict copyright of the orginal author)

If you know of any homes in Hawaii that are in foreclosure, we are already buying and selling in certain areas, and we specialize in Short Sales. To submit a lead, click HERE with Tracy Royce as the referral source.

Wow, what a demand for meat and potatoes information we've seen through our influx of registrations for this forum.

Over 300 people have signed up, telling us THEY WANT TO KNOW what it really means for their clients to choose between a Loan Mod, Short Sale, Bankruptcy, or just letting the house go into Foreclosure.

We are going to cut off registration here pretty soon but I wanted to keep it open for a little while longer so any last minute Agents and Brokers could sign up for this free event.

Questions, or just curious? Check it out online at HERE.

You can also RSVP right online!

To your success,

Tracy Royce

Live Free Investment Group

With just about a week left before our Foreclosure Alternatives Forum, it has become more and more apparent to me lately how much there is a growing need for legitimate, accredited, educated sources informing homeowners and those still active in the RE community.

Especially now with pop-up shops being set up almost overnight it seems, I am sifting through more and more articles of how homeowners are getting ripped off, scammed, and losing the last of what they had for savings (or putting it on credit cards) by someone who they thought was a reputable counselor.

Let me say this: there is nothing more de-facing for a professional community than these fly by night sham artists who are preying on the emotions of homeowners facing foreclosure. If the government is getting involved to this point, why not regulate the persons behind any agency, whatever their niche in the market is?

It's obvious there is a need for truth, not just regurgitated headlines as marketing ploys. On my twitter today I read that the NAR estimates only 1% of Agents know how to do Short Sales properly. (You can follow me at http://twitter.com/Invest2grow)

1%??!?! So how does that translate in the "real" market? Where are the other agents getting their information from to close and do short sales, or inform their clients of their options if they're facing foreclosure?

Come on....30% of all the deals in AZ right now on the re-sale market are REO's and Short Sales. You're either on the boat or your not as this point. Even more, it's estimated that over 35% of people here (in AZ) have little or no equity already....more Short Sales.

Point being, the shifts in the market have obviously gravitated towards distressed sellers, and it's up to us to sift through the rubble and sham artists to cultivate our reliable resources to help those sellers.

I hope if you're here in AZ you'll come visit me and bring some clients to hear a local, established, expert real estate attorney talk about all the options you're client must weigh when they're facing foreclosure. Everyone that's in the situation has the right to know what they're LEGAL responsibilities and options are, and hopefully we can inform them more and create an educated community on both sides!

The government is trying to make big shifts to help homeowners, let's collaborate from the ground up to make a difference. Enough is enough!

For more info or to RSVP visit Foreclosure Alternatives Forum

P.S. If you are planning on joining, please RSVP as soon as possible! We are already getting a ton of response and RSVP's on this so I want to make sure we can save seats for you/your clients. Thanks!