1. Build your inbound links
2. Put a video on your page
3. Rate all the meta keywords you use
4. Use an SEO grading school like the FREE one provided by Hubspot at http://website.grader.com/ or one of the more advanced tools listed on http://www.avivadirectory.com/free-online-tests/
5. Follow RSS feeds, blogs, tweets, and any other social media network on at least 5 different networking sites and at least 5 people on each site and constantly learn and research new SEO methods.
If all else fails pay someone else to do it.
Regards
Paul Hitchings
Best Regards,
Paul Hitchings, founder
www.hitchingsconsulting.com
direct: 925.708.3570
efax: 925.215.1404
skype: hitchings.consulting
I will save you the trouble of reading the whole article and tell you that SEO stands for "search engine optimization." SEO is important because a growing number of consumers are heading to the internet to search for services and products to do research before they even pick up the phone.
You may be well known among your competitors and past and current clients, but are you getting leads from your website? Do you have an inbound marketing campaign? Do you blog, maintain your social network profiles and generally interact online?
If the answer to one or more of those questions is "NO" than you might consider why online marketing hasn't been something you looked at more seriously in the past
What are the best ways to perform SEO on my website?
There numerous companies out there that claim to perform SEO services. Some are better than others but there are commonalities in their methods. Here is a short list of common techniques used to improve the number of leads to your website using SEO.
Number seven above is one of the key steps. Even as a consultant I often rely on professionals in the industry more knowledgeable than I. If you don't have the money to work with one of these individuals do a little homeowork and search around on the web for ideas and advice on website optimization. There are many resources available to those who don't mind spending a good half an hour scouring through Google results.
Once you've spent some time looking around on the internet, you'll get an idea of what common themes exists and which ideas are more unique to the originator.
If all of the above makes absolutely no sense than please give me a call and I'll be glad to help explain why you want your website "optimized."
Regards,
Paul Hitchings
What is a short-sale?
A "short-sale" situation occurs when a borrower's loan value exceeds the current market on the home. More simply put, the homeowner has a higher principle balance on the mortgage than he or she can sell the home for today or tomorrow.
In these types of situations there are limited options:
1. Continue payment of mortgage and hope home values rise (presuming homeowners can continue making payments)
2. Stop making payments and face foreclosure, major reduction in credit score, possible deficiency judgment for uncollected balance of the lien and other negative future consequences
3. Modify the loan with the lender for terms that are more affordable
Note: Any borrower can attempt to modify any of their home loans. Borrower's DO NOT NEED TO HIRE THIRD-PARTY COMPANIES OR ATTORNEYS and NEVER PAY FEES UP FRONT FOR LOAN MODIFICATION! The most important thing to remember in loan modification is that the optimal result is a reduction of principal AND interest rate. This is not possible in all circumstances but should be considered the most strongly desired outcome.
4. Attempt to sell the home through a realtor as a "short-sale" or "potential short-sale" (potential if the home is near becoming a "short-sale" )
5. Attempt to sell the home without a realtor as a for sale by owner (FSBO).
6. Work with an investor to release interest in your equity (or lack thereof) in the proeprty
Which option is best for ME?
I should take this opportunity to note that I am not a licensed realtor. But speaking strictly as a business consultant, my first piece of advice is get a referral to a trusted financial advisor, realtor, attorney, tax specialist, and any other professional whose advice is pertinent to your specific situation. Though there are multiple possible outcomes in a "short-sale" situation, each has its specific advantages and disadvantages.
The simple answer is you want to take the course of action that will have either the greatest potential gain, or the least potential loss with least amount of future ramiciations; or shortest future ramifications if they are unavoidable.
Because of the complicated nature of the real estate industry, a property that may sell quickly, be easily flipped, repaired, or rented in one neighborhood; can't be used as a benchmark for another property with similar metrics in another neighborhood.
There are few certainties in the real estate market. The three I've found so far are as follows;
1. Location, location, location
2. 10% of the realtors do 90% of the volume
3. Everything is negotiable
Now I'm really confused...
You are now probably thinking that reading this entire article was a waste of time, but it wasn't. Read on...
Who do I listen to then?
There is a simple way to find out who are the people to listen to in the market. I will use the example from my personal life. I ride a motorcycle. Ninety-nine percent of people I meet tell me one of the following;
1. Motorcycles are dangerous
2. Be careful
3. You have to drive defensively
If I only ever spoke to the 99% of people who ordinarily don't ride motorbikes these are the opinions I would get. However, if I speak with the 1% of the population that DOES ride motorcycles, the attitude is entirely different.
The point is that if the realtor you are speaking with is SUCCESSFULLY working with clients in your situation than chances are they know what they are doing. If the realtor or professional you are working with can not provide solid details about their professional experience in the field, RUN!!
Note:
Please feel free to comment on this blog. If you have a major contention with any of the above material please do not hesitate to contact the author. All statements made above are intented as informational only. Please speak with a licensed professional before making any serious financial decisions.
www.Hitchingsconsulting.com
paul@hitchingsconsulting.com
Introduction
The economy is in recession. Thousands of employees are getting laid off every day. Millions of Americans have lost billions of dollars in their personal portfolios. Should I keep going? To the layman, the current economy may indicate a time to return to the time-tested financial idioms, don't put all your eggs in one basket, work hard and save money, look before you leap. All of these ideas are based on a conservative style of investing. The only drawback to conservative investing of course is conservative returns.
Note: If you are happy making 10% on your portfolio, happy with 15% and worried about risk at 20%
"STOP READING THIS ARTICLE NOW"
If, however, you are the type of person who can appreciate opportunity when it knocks, then please continue.
Methodology
Various opportunities have availed themselves and some areas of the market are growing like gangbusters. The following list details some of the more prominent opportunities to be had in a strong declining market;
1. Short-sale property acquisition (loan balance exceeds value)
2. Pre-foreclosure property acquisition (i.e. late on payments by several months)
3. Equity purchase agreement with borrowers(s)/homeowner(s)
4. Single REO property acquisition through realtor
5. Bulk REO property package acquisition through exit strategy company
6. Direct Purchase of single lien from lender
7. Direct purchase of multiple lien package from lender
8. Home-equity lines [**with EXERCISED CAUTION**]
9. Buyer representation
10. Loan origination
All of the above offer short to medium term return-on-investment for initial capital invested. Typical of market economics, the acquisitions made in bulk offer greater discounts and decreased payout periods with respect to the initial investment. I should also note that all transactions should be conducted with licensed professionals who have their licenses registered with a supervising broker. STICK WITH BIG NAME COMPANIES. Check your references and do research on EVERY COMPANY before doing business with them.
IF YOU ARE BEING SOLD BY A PUSHY SALESMAN BEWARE!! Any successful professional realizes that his or her past successes and referals speak for themselves. I follow the golden rule and treat everyone the way I desire to be treated.
I will be expanding on items 1 through 10, covering one topic each week for the next 10 weeks.
Please e-mail me at paul@hitchingsconsulting.com to be added to the weekly newsletter.
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