Facebook Business Page

Many agents are making an impression with a Facebook Business Page. I recently came across an application from eListit that I thought I would share; it is called The Real Estate Plus Application. It is a facebook application for real estate agents and makes a perfect addition to your Facebook Business Page. If you are not currently signed up with them don’t worry you can still get the application by signing up for a free account with them.

Some of the benefits are that you can advertise your business, build your network with other agents, get referrals, get recommended by clients or friends, post your business profile, add listings and write blogs all on your Facebook Business Page.

Expand your real estate network on your facebook business page by opening your business up to agents from all over the world. Another neat feature is that you can open your business to referrals from home buyers/sellers that are browsing the application. They are able to request help from an agent in a certain region and then their contact information is sent via e-mail to agents that service that area. With the application your friends, family and clients are able to endorse you and your business with recommendations. You can also include your listings and properties under contract within the app so they will show on your facebook business page. We all know how popular blogging is and this app has a section specifically for your blog.

Here is an example that I made up:

This appears to be a great way to advertise yourself and your company with a professional profile on your Facebook Business Page. Contact Straessle Marketing Solutions today if you need assistance setting this up or would like more information on how our real estate virtual assistance can help your business.

What to Do in Corpus Christi, TX This Weekend

There are a lot of exciting things to do in Corpus Christi, TX this weekend. Here are a few things you won’t want to miss.

What: Harlem Ambassadors vs. local officials basketball game

When: 7 p.m. Friday

Where:W.B. Ray High School Gym, 1002 Texan Trail

Cost: $7; children younger than 3/free

Information: Tickets are available at the Ronald McDonald House, 3402 Fort Worth St. Call 361-854-4073 or www.harlemambassadors.com, www.optimistcc.org

What: Pacifica Quartet and Wann-dar Tan
Where: House of Rock, 511 Starr St.
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Cost: $10
Information: House of Rock, 882-7625

Saturday Show:
What: Pacifica Quartet
Where: Wolfe Recital Hall, Del Mar College East Campus, 101 Baldwin Blvd.
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday
Cost: General admission $25/ Students $10
Information: David Parker at 884-5775

What: Bay Quilt Show

Where: Commons area at Rockport-Fulton High School

When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday

Cost: $5 general admission/ free for children 12 and under

Information: 729-5440 or www.piecemakersbythebay.org

What to do in the Corpus Christi, TX area this weekend.

Annual Taste of Portland Event this Saturday!

What: Annual Taste of Portland

When: 6:30 p.m., Saturday

Where: NorthShore Country Club

Cost: Individual tickets $25

Information: For reserved tables call the Portland Chamber of Commerce at 361-643-2475 or email chamber@portlandtx.org.

If you have an event you want me to add please contact me!

~Elizabeth

Welcome to Part 4 of planning your business for 2012. Last blog we looked at your vital numbers as well as where your clients come from. This blog we are going to look at what areas of your business need improvement so that you can meet your goals for 2012.

Four areas of focus for 2012!

(I have included some examples for each area of focus)

I gave you some examples for each area to focus on but take the time to come up with your own. Everyone has different ways of working their business. Once you have what you want to focus on then you will need to come up with solutions and an action plan. Since each of you will have different highlights of each area to focus on then your game plans are going to be very different.

ACTION PLAN

Improve Marketing:

There are so many different avenues of marketing for real estate. A good place to start when deciding what you want to do for marketing is to see what currently works for you. If you are getting alot of leads from a certain piece/method of marketing then you may want to consider concentrating on that more. If certain things are not working and you are not seeing a return on you investment (ROI) then you should consider taking those out of your marketing plan for 2012. A good rule of thumb is to have 3 avenues of marketing that will bring you in leads. Besides looking at just what you are currently doing for marketing look at what other successful agents are doing. Ask successful co-workers what works for them. Your Real Estate Virtual Assistant is also a great wealth of resources and will know the most recent marketing techniques to bring success! A virtual assistant can also help on the back end of your marketing so that you can be doing what makes you money- selling houses!

Improve Skills:

Some ways of improving your skills include role playing, objection handling, getting a Real Estate Coach, reading books and online material, going to educational seminars, and working on your mindset. How do you plan on improving your skills?

Focus on High Probability Lead Sources:

What is your definition of a lead? When defining your lead some things to look at are the length of time until a lead wants to buy or sell their home, are they realistically capable of buying or selling a home, will they respect your time, and did they give you good contact info. Once you have defined to you what a lead is figure out where the majority of your leads are coming from and concentrate on these sources. You may need to incorporate more lead generation systems into your action plan for next year if you are not getting enough leads to meet your goals. I would also highly recommend making sure that you have a lead follow-up system in place that is efficient otherwise all those leads won't do you much good. Ask me ways to generate leads and what are good lead follow-up systems!

Improve Efficiency and Organization:

Speaking of lead generation/lead follow-up systems you need to look at your back office systems and your customer service systems as well. Both of these will help you improve your efficiency and organization. Come up with a team of people that you feel can help you be more efficient and organization. These can include lenders, attorneys, title/escrow officers you currently work with. Maybe you have an office administrator that helps you or a Real Estate Virtual Assistant. Having a great team of people to back you up will help you be more efficient and will lead to happy clients! Make sure you are managing your time- make a
schedule and stick to it.

This is a lot we went over today. Take the time to look at the areas you need to focus on and formulate an action plan that leads to your success in 2012! More planning to come next week.

You must remain focused on your journey to greatness.

~Les Brown

Contact me today to Improve Your Results in 2012! Visit us online at Straessle Marketing Solutions- we are now available online to chat live!

Homedale Estates Home for Sale - 2438 Handlin Drive - Homedale Estates Corpus Christi

It has been over 20 years since I spoke to my buddy from the Air Force. It seems he has a home for sale in Homedale Estates in Corpus Christi. He called moe for a bit of advice to see if I could help him out. It turns out, the home is in a great location, is in perfect condition and is priced below market. It seems he just needs a little extra exposure and I want to shar his great home with you.

Homedale Estates Home for Sale

Please feel free to click any of the images or links for more information, maps and virtual tours of this wonderful home.

Here is the description of 2438 Handlin Drive - Homedale Estates Corpus Christi

Meticulously maintained, beautifully landscaped 1744 sq/ft home less than 10 minutes from NAS/CCAD, 15 minutes from Padre Island beaches and within walking distance to the most desirable public schools in Corpus Christi. Home features include: 425 sq/ft covered patio, 10’ X 12’ wired workshop/shed, sprinkler system, full attic with cabinet grade plywood flooring (lots of storage space), tons of crown molding, open floor plan, stainless steel appliances, large landscaped and fenced backyard with several fruit trees. Quiet neighborhood—great neighbors! 7 year old subdivision-- mostly military/retired military/civil service and DoD families.

Price reduced to $159,900 on July 3, 2011

Make sure you wear your lucky green outfit or your lucky green charm on St. Patrick's Day, Thursday, March 17^th and receive a chance to win a television at the 7 p.m. session and get your FREE hot dogs from the snack bar!

All Saints Bingo is open seven days a week and offers two $750 games at both the 7 & 9 p.m. sessions on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays! The Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday 7 p.m. sessions have three early birds, a $750 game, and a $500 game.

All Saints Bingo has separate smoking and non-smoking rooms with electronic smoke eaters in the smoking room. You can pay for your bingo purchases with cash, check, or debit card.

Celebrate your birthday with at All Saints Bingo. We will have an exclusive computer pack for our players on their special day for 1¢ and a free piece of cake from the snack bar.

May the luck of the Irish be with you all month as you enjoy the fun and excitement and find out why "winning is heavenly at All Saints Bingo" and...don't forget to wear your green! Proceeds from the bingo games benefit Lost Pet Hotline, Peewee's Pet Adoption World & Sanctuary, Inc., and Dobie Haven, Inc. We thank you for your support and look forward to seeing you at All Saints Bingo throughout March!