Here are three 3 tips for showing properties successfully:

1.     Educate as you go - Educate the buyer about the current marketplace in the neighborhoods you`re touring; it builds their perception of your expertise and will help formulate a realistic offer.

2.     Post-showing follow-up - Discuss what you`ve shown the buyer, listen to their feedback, and agree on the next step.

3.     Post follow-up follow-up - Contact the buyer in a day or two, restate your agreed plan of action, and schedule the next step.

Contact me for more information about effective tools and techniques for showing a property.

Best,

Lucinda Brasington, Dir. of Marketing
Penny Benton, Dir. of Training
ERA Wilder Realty, Inc.
803-728-8400 ext. 203 - Lucinda
803-728-8400 ext. 206 - Penny
lucindab@erawilderrealty.com
pennyb@erawilderrealty.com
www.erawilderrealty.com

To subscribe, go to the following address: http://www.realestatecareersofsc.com

Northeast Columbia, S.C. April 22, 2013 - ERA Wilder Realty would like to announce its blood drive benefitting the Red Cross on Wednesday, May 8^th from 10 A.M. to 3 P.M. at their Northeast Columbia office.

“Giving blood is giving the gift of life,” said Debbie Allen, director of the blood drive. “As a company, we hold the value of giving back to the community very highly, and there is an ongoing need for blood, everywhere.”

All agents, spouses, friends and family are encouraged to come out and donate their blood. A bloodmobile will be parked in the back parking lot of the Northeast Columbia office of ERA Wilder Realty, located at 1129 Sparkleberry Lane Ext., Columbia, SC. Snacks and refreshments will be provided for donors.

Approximately every two seconds, somebody in America needs blood. The American Red Cross is the single largest supplier of blood products to hospitals throughout the United States. Local hospital needs are always met first, but they also help to ensure that no patient goes without blood, no matter where or when they need it. They provide more than 40 percent of the nation’s blood supply.

ERA Wilder Realty is one of the largest real estate companies serving the state of South Carolina, founded in 1995. An innovative momentum provides their agents with tech-savvy tools and the most up-to-date knowledge of today’s real estate market, allowing them to serve their clients in the best possible way. Visit erawilderrealty.com to get in touch with an agent that will make your buying or selling experience a smooth and enjoyable process.

To sign up for a donation time, contact Debbie Allen at 803-397-7790.

For more information, email bridgetn@erawilderrealty.com or visit our website at erawilderrealty.com.

###

Columbia, S.C. April 15, 2013 - ERA Wilder Realty sales team “Creech and Creed” has been ranked the number 3 ERA Top Associate Team Producers in the country for their performance in total units closed in 2012.  They closed 139 transactions, and over 20 million in sales.

“We were so honored to receive this award, and we cannot give enough thanks to our clients and those who send us referrals,” said Mary Beth Creed.  This is the 6^th National award combined for John Creech and Mary Beth Creed in the past 7 years. 

Creech and Creed is located in ERA Wilder Realty’s Downtown Columbia office. Contact John Creech at (803)-608-0920, Mary Beth Creed at (803)-665-8769, or Alex Hopkins at (803)-528-8161 to find out how this nationally ranked team can satisfy your real estate needs. 

ERA Wilder Realty is one of the largest real estate companies serving the state of South Carolina, founded in 1995. An innovative momentum provides their agents with tech-savvy tools and the most up-to-date knowledge of today’s real estate market, allowing them to serve their clients in the best possible way. Visit erawilderrealty.com to get in touch with an agent that will make your buying or selling experience a smooth and enjoyable process.

For more information, please email bridgetn@erawilderrealty.com.

###

Columbia, SC -  January 28, 2013 - It’s no secret that ERA Wilder Realty taps into the programs and services of global real estate leader ERA Franchise Systems LLC to benefit local customers. But it’s big news that this program now includes the unique college-savings program Upromise. With the Upromise partnership, ERA Wilder Realty can help customers find their dream house while also helping these clients save for a family members’ college education.

When a Upromise member buys or sells a home through ERA Wilder Realty, a contribution is made to the member’s Upromise account, and saved for the member’s designated child, grandchild, other relative or friend. Membership is free and takes just a few minutes at upromise.com. Similar savings can add up from purchases with other national participants.

ERA Wilder Realty promotes the program through ads in school bulletins, presentations to seniors concerned with their grandchildren’s education, and other initiatives. “I’m a supporter of the program for many reasons,” said Eddie Wilder, President of ERA Wilder Realty. “Not only do we offer many unique services to buyers and sellers, but at the same time help families prepare for their children’s future.”

For more information, please email amyo@erawilderrealty.com.

1. Participates in Social Media - Sites such as Facebook, MySpace and Craigslist are Gen Y`s home turf. They`re active members of the online community who share information - not sales pitches - and demonstrate social responsibility in the communities they serve.
2. Resists the Hard Sell -Gen Y`ers are sometimes known as the `unreachables` because they do not respond to conventional mass media sales approaches. But Gen Y responds to messages targeted to their specific interests, their community.
3. Is Worth the Effort -Gen Y`ers tend to be skeptical and hard to sell to, but worth the effort when you consider that as a group they spend about $200 billion annually*

*NAR (Ref : http://www.realtor.org/rmodaily.nsf/0/0de7d4f7d310d678862573ca0051d0c9?OpenDocument)

Contact us for more information about interacting effectively with Generation Y buyers and sellers.

Lexington, SC - January 24, 2013

Carter has been a Real Estate Professional for 5 years with prior sales experience in the traffic safety industry. He was honored to become a second term member of the Lexington County School District Two Board of Trustees. As a real estate professional, Carter has strong ties and connections to the local market.

"Professional growth and development and use of the latest in technology are essential elements in today's ever changing Real Estate market,” says Carter, “ERA Wilder is always on the leading edge of technology and offers endless resources that enhance the experience of Buyers and Sellers nationwide. ERA Wilder has a proven record of commitment to clients and the community.”

“We are honored to have Phil join our team of professionals,” says Eddie Wilder, President of ERA Wilder Realty “With his work ethic and extensive knowledge of the Lexington area, I know he will be a wonderful addition to our company.”

As part of ERA Wilder Realty, Carter will be able to offer homebuyers and sellers a wide variety of innovative and market-relevant products and services such as the ERA® Sellers Security® Plan and the ERA® Gold Star Property program as well as robust online marketing programs, extensive listings distribution partners, and related services including mortgage, title and home warranty.

For more information, please email amyo@erawilderrealty.com or visit www.erawilderrealty.com

Jonathan Howell, an attorney of McDonnell and Associates, PA, will be facilitating the classes. Effective January 1, 2013, several changes were made to the Seller Property Disclosure. This is a required disclosure statement that sellers of residential real estate in South Carolina will provide to buyers prior to signing a contract of sale. The disclosure has not been changed since 2003.

“We are proud of the large participation of our agents to stay informed and to understand the changes that take place within the real estate market,” says Penny Benton, Director of Education and Training for ERA Wilder Realty, “It is important for our agents to inform and protect their clients of all changes which take place within our industry. We are able to do that through our partnership with many local industry experts.”

McDonnell and Associates, PA has partnered with ERA Wilder Realty to successfully advise clients in real estate transactions involving the purchase, sale or refinance of a home or commercial real estate property. With a statewide network of title searchers and traveling attorneys, McDonnell is able to complete a real estate transaction anywhere in South Carolina. The attorneys and entire staff has experiene with the complete closing process including title work, title insurance, and settlement. Key changes to the disclosure statement include places that allow for attachments and additional explanation if necessary. The statement has changed from a four to a five page document and requires the seller to provide many more details regarding the condition of the home.

For more information, please email amyo@erawilderrealty.com or visit www.erawilderrealty.com.

In 1995, Eddie Wilder founded ERA Wilder Realty with the mission; “Our success has been defined by integrity, honesty, professionalism, community involvement, family devotion and a deep commitment to faith. Only those agents who are committed to living up to these principles can be a part of ERA Wilder Realty.” This philosophy has carried the company through years of growth and even through leaner years.

No matter what the economic outlook has been, giving back has always been a standard of ERA Wilder Realty. More than just a philosophy, the mission of ERA Wilder Realty has created a culture of agents who believe in supporting each other. In 2012, the agents of ERA Wilder came together to host two separate fundraisers to benefit agents of family members that were battling serious illnesses. “We are fortunate to be in a position to help one another,” says Eddie Wilder, President of ERA Wilder Realty, “I am proud to be a part of a network of agents who are always ready and willing to serve.”

While ERA Wilder agents take pride in caring for each other, they also continue to reach out to support the community they serve. ERA offices around the nation work together to raise money and awareness for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. ERA Wilder hosts two events each year, the annual Bowl-A-Thon and its first ever Letter Writing Campaign. Last year’s fundraisers were a huge success and ERA Wilder hopes to continue to raise the bar in 2013.

For more information, please contact amyo@erawilderrealty.com or visit erawilderrealty.com or ‘like’ us on facebook at facebook.com/erawilderrealty.

1.     Make them feel they are valued as people

2.     Offer opportunities to achieve financial success

3.     Provide proven tools and techniques to help them build their business

Contact me to continue the discussion about what goes into a successful relationship between agents and their offices.

Lucinda Brasington, Dir. of Marketing
Penny Benton, Dir. of Training
ERA Wilder Realty, Inc.
803-728-8400 ext. 203 - Lucinda
803-728-8400 ext. 206 - Penny
lucindab@erawilderrealty.com
pennyb@erawilderrealty.com
www.erawilderrealty.com

To subscribe, go to the following address: http://www.realestatecareersofsc.com

Here are three more ways to promote your Website:

1. Premiums - Ensure your Web address is prominently displayed on advertising specialty items, such as water bottles, balloons, pens and pads that you give to clients.
2. Voicemail message - Include your Web address on all voicemail messages on your office phones, smart phone, etc.
3. Use QR Codes -The use of Quick Response (QR) codes encoded with your website`s URL on promotional materials enables Web-enabled camera phones equipped with a QR code reader app to jump directly to your site.

Contact me about more ways to increase awareness of your Web presence.

Best,

Lucinda Brasington, Dir. of Marketing
Penny Benton, Dir. of Training
ERA Wilder Realty, Inc.
803-728-8400 ext. 203 - Lucinda
803-728-8400 ext. 206 - Penny
lucindab@erawilderrealty.com
pennyb@erawilderrealty.com
www.erawilderrealty.com

To subscribe, go to the following address: http://www.realestatecareersofsc.com

Once you`ve created your Website, you`ll want to make sure it gets maximum exposure. Here are three ways to promote your Website.

1. Optimize your pages for search engine results - Proper page design techniques will result in your site placing higher on search site results. Consider paying for a `sponsored link` on leading search sites.
2. Social media - Use your presence on social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn to drive traffic to your site.
3. Promotional materials -Review all your promotional materials in all media to ensure they display your Web address.

Your next tip will share more ways to promote your website. Meanwhile, contact me about more ways to increase awareness of your Web presence.

Best,

Thank You,

Lucinda Brasington, Dir. of Marketing
Penny Benton, Dir. of Training
ERA Wilder Realty, Inc.
803-728-8400 ext. 203 - Lucinda
803-728-8400 ext. 206 - Penny
lucindab@erawilderrealty.com
pennyb@erawilderrealty.com
www.erawilderrealty.com

When it comes to communication, we`re living in an increasingly untethered and online world.

A report issued by the Cellular Telephone Industry Association (CTIA) notes that there were nearly 293 million subscribers to wireless services as of June 2010 in the United States alone, 93 percent of the U.S. population, versus 66 percent just five years ago.

If that sounds like a lot, the CTIA report noted it`s just a fraction of about 2.3 billion subscribers to wireless mobile services worldwide, or just over 34 percent of the planet`s population.

The move to the Web is no less dramatic. A leading Internet research firm* predicts that at least a quarter of the world`s population will be online on a regular basis by 2012, or a projected total of 1.8 billion people. Much of the growth is expected to come from China, India, Russia and Brazil, countries that are all currently experiencing substantial economic growth.

The study goes on to predict that China will surpass the US in the number of regular online users in 2011, making it the number one Web-surfing nation in the world.

* Jupiter Research (Ref: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/jupiterresearch-says-that-one-quarter-of-the-worlds-population-will-be-online-by-2012-totaling-18-billion-users-57535902.html )

Contact me for information about exciting new tools for succeeding in real estate in our wireless, Web-based world.

Best,

Lucinda Brasington, Dir. of Marketing
Penny Benton, Dir. of Training
ERA Wilder Realty, Inc.
803-728-8400 ext. 203 - Lucinda
803-728-8400 ext. 206 - Penny
lucindab@erawilderrealty.com
pennyb@erawilderrealty.com
www.erawilderrealty.com

To subscribe, go to the following address: http://www.realestatecareersofsc.com

Lexington, SC- November 21, 2012 - Lisa Couture and Staci Little of the Lexington branch of ERA Wilder Realty are lending their service to Relay for Life. Both agents have been named Co-Chairs of the event, which will be held May 10, 2013 at White Knoll High School.

Staci Little has been an agent with ERA Wilder Realty since January of 2010, when she started as office manager for the Lexington office. In 2011, she went back into sales with Lisa Couture and attained her Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR) status. Little feels passionately about Relay for Life and has been involved with the organization since 2005. She has remained on the planning committee and accepted the co-chair position this year to continue fighting for a cure in the honor of her late husband, Todd Little, who lost his battle with brain cancer in 2009. Staci is also a recent survivor of skin cancer, along with her mother and sister.

Lisa Couture has been an agent with ERA Wilder Realty since 2005. Lisa was also a real estate paralegal for 25 years and has attained ABR status, is a Top Gun Graduate, and works on the E-Team for Relocation. Lisa attended her first Relay event after her stepson Clyde “Bubba” Walker passed away from cancer. In 2011 her husband lost away his fight with pancreatic cancer and Lisa joined the Relay committee and the ‘Couture and Little’ Team last year. Her sister-in-law Rachel Brody is also a breast cancer survivor. Lisa is now a Co-Captain with Charlie Branham for the team ‘Pray 4 Kennedy’.

The American Cancer Society sponsors Relay for Life events and each year, more than 4 million people in over 20 countries take part in the global phenomenon. At Relay For Life events, communities across the globe come together to honor cancer survivors, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against a disease that has already taken too much. Relay teams camp out overnight and take turns walking or running around a track or path at a local high school, park, or fairground. Relay events are up to 24 hours in length and, because cancer never sleeps, each team is asked to have at least one participant on the track at all times.

This year, the Lexington area event will be held at White Knoll High School on May 10, 2013. The event will last for 12 hours, 7pm to 7am. The theme for this year is “Step Right Up to Find a Cure- The Carnival for a Cause!” You can help by donating, providing corporate sponsorships, joining or starting a team, or volunteering for the planning committee.

For more information, please email staci.little1@gmail.com or visit www.relayforlife.org/lexingtonsc. You can find them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RelayforLifeofLexingtonSC.

1. Flexibility -One key design principle is flexibility; offer consumers lots of options to browse the site in a direction that fits their interest, whether it`s buying or selling a home, looking at offerings in specialty markets such as luxury properties or learning about home financing options
2. Content that Satisfies - Flexible search capability and content that`s useful throughout the entire process of purchasing and living in a home offers a consistently satisfying online experience, builds customer loyalty and encourages people to return to the site.
3. Test & Revise Often -Make sure you have a plan in place to monitor page views and test links periodically, to avoid frustrating visitors and ensure that your design and content stays current with evolving consumer trends.

Could the purchase of a foreclosed property be your buyer`s best path to home ownership? Many believe that now is the time to pick up one of these distressed properties at a bargain price.

Here are three things to discuss with your buyer to help decide whether purchasing a foreclosure makes sense for them:

1. Do the Homework - Although laws vary by state, the first step in locating a foreclosed property is usually indicated by the public filing of a lis pendens (Latin for `lawsuit pending`) by a lender.
2. Evaluate the Property -All the rules for evaluating any property apply, plus other factors such as the amount of outstanding liens (if any) on the property and the presence of other foreclosed properties in the neighborhood must be considered.
3. Plan Financing in Advance - Have a financing plan in place before presenting an offer; financing options can vary widely from property to property.

It also pays to conduct an up-front reality check with your buyer on whether all the time and effort will be worth it; one expert in the field notes that cost savings on foreclosures can range from 40% to as little as 5% for choice properties in sought-after locations*.

*http://www.era.com/eraresources/buyingadvice/foreclosures.jsp


Contact me for more proven tools and techniques for working with buyers.

Lucinda Brasington, Dir. of Marketing
Penny Benton, Dir. of Training
ERA Wilder Realty, Inc.
803-728-8400 ext. 203 - Lucinda
803-728-8400 ext. 206 - Penny
lucindab@erawilderrealty.com
pennyb@erawilderrealty.com
www.erawilderrealty.com

To subscribe, go to the following address: http://www.realestatecareersofsc.com

Columbia, SC - November 9, 2012-

Robert graduated from the University of South Carolina in 2010, where he played point guard for the men’s basketball team from 2007-2010. He joined ERA Wilder Realty as an agent in January of 2011, specializing in commercial real estate. He is a committee member of the Columbia Tip Off Club and a Board Member of the University of South Carolina’s Lettermen’s Association.

"Having Robert on the March of Dimes Signature Chefs Auction Committee was crucial to our success.  We were able to see an increase of $20,000 in sponsorship over last year’s event.  This could not have been achieved without Robert's connections in the community and his willingness to support the March of Dimes mission. Overall, the 2012 event raised over $98,000."  

The March of Dimes Foundation is a United States nonprofit organization that works to improve the health of mothers and babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. It was founded by then-President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1938 to combat polio and has since found the vaccine for polio. The Columbia, SC Chapter of the March of Dimes holds several events each year to raise awareness and funds. They host a total of 11 fundraising events throughout the year including the Signature Chef’s Auction, March for Babies, Real Estate Award Breakfast, and African American Achievement Award Breakfast.

The Signature Chef's Auction is an annual, high profile black-tie event, which pays tribute to the culinary excellence of leading local chefs, restaurant owners and caterers in the Midlands.  It is the March of Dimes premier gala event and helps support vital research into the causes and ways to prevent premature birth.  Money raised also support community programs to help moms have healthier babies. This year the Signature Chef’s Auction raised over $98,000 through a silent auction and a competitive live auction of one-of-a-kind culinary and travel packages.

The March of Dimes is always looking for volunteers and would love to get other motivated persons involved. Anyone looking to join the committee can contact Rebecca Walker directly at mlippard@marchofdimes.com or by calling 803-403-8531. Donations can still be made and a 100% tax deductible contribution can be sent to March of Dimes Attn: Rebecca Walker 240 Stonebridge Dr, One Greystone, Suite 206 Columbia, SC 29210.

For more information please email Amy Owen at amyo@erawilderrealty.com or Rebecca Walker at mlippard@marchofdimes.com

Columbia, SC- November 5, 2012-

Since ERA is a New Jersey based company, many ERA’s around the country feel compelled to lend a hand. ERA Sunrise Realty in Georgia has started a specialized disaster relief effort to “Help the Babies Now.” The real estate firm is collecting supplies through next week at its offices: diapers & wipes, formula, bottles, and baby food. ERA Central in New Jersey is helping to place victims in short and long term rental homes. ERA Justin in Rutherford, NJ is offering relocation services to those who have been uprooted as a result of the storm.

If you would like to get involved in Sandy aid, there are several ways to help. The American Red Cross is offering shelter, clothing, supplies, food and blood. To donate $10 to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief, text the word REDCROSS to 90999 or you can call 800-RED-CROSS. The Humane Society is leading pet search and rescue efforts, to donate visit humanesociety.org.  The Salvation Army is aiding with hot meals, water, and shelter. To send a $10 donation via text message, text the word STORM to 80888 or take clothing and furniture to local Salvation Army locations.

For more information, please email Amy Owen at amyo@erawilderrealty.com

Eckerson graduated from the University of South Carolina in 2010 with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology. While at USC, Hutch lettered four years with the Gamecock football team at left and right tackle position. In August 2011, he signed a free agent deal with the San Diego Chargers before signing with the New Orleans Saints in 2012.

“My time spent playing football has taught me a lot about dedication, team work and the responsibility I have to get the job done for those who are counting on me. I know that this experience will transfer to everything else I do in life, including my work in the real estate business. I have always been interested in real estate. I grew up watching my grandfather's success in the land and timber industry, and it's one of the areas that interests me the most. Something that sets me apart is my ability to see a property or piece of land not only for what it is, but what it could be. I enjoy helping other people to see the same vision and think beyond simply what is in front of them. I know that excitement and perspective will help me to be successful in all aspects of real estate. I look forward to growing in my own abilities and contributing to the overall success of the ERA Wilder Realty team,” said Hutch.

“We are very pleased Hutch has decided to join our firm,” says Eddie Wilder, President of ERA Wilder Realty. “I am so impressed with Hutch’s level of commitment, enthusiasm, and genuine interest in serving others. His skills and successes in life will translate into a very rewarding career in real estate.”

As part of ERA Wilder Realty, Eckerson will be able to offer homebuyers and sellers a wide variety of innovative and market-relevant products and services such as the ERA® Sellers Security® Plan and the ERA® Gold Star Property program as well as robust online marketing programs, extensive listings distribution partners, and related services including mortgage, title and home warranty.

 For More Information, please contact Amy Owen at amyo@erawilderrealty.com or call Lucinda Brasington at (803) 765-0211.

1. The majority of vacation and investment properties are purchased by people 55 and over*.
2. Survey participants age 55 and older consider the Internet to be an essential tool for researching properties. And nearly 70 percent of seniors considering a home purchase in the near future cited `photos and virtual tours` as the top tools for researching real estate online**.

Bonus Factoid: Although many seniors view Internet searches as a crucial first step, they still view a qualified real estate sales associate as `the most influential professional` during the entire home buying process.

*http://www.eratodayrealty.com/news/39/37/The-mature-real-esate-market
**http://www.era.com/eraresources/buyingadvice/50+buyeroptions.jsp

Contact me for more information about programs that spur sales to the senior market.

Thank You,

Lucinda Brasington, Dir. of Marketing
Penny Benton, Dir. of Training
ERA Wilder Realty, Inc.
803-728-8400 ext. 203 - Lucinda
803-728-8400 ext. 206 - Penny
lucindab@erawilderrealty.com
pennyb@erawilderrealty.com
www.erawilderrealty.com

To subscribe, go to the following address: http://www.realestatecareersofsc.com

They`ll appreciate your attention and remember you when it`s time to buy or sell.

Contact me for information about other valuable prospecting techniques.

Thank You,

Lucinda Brasington, Dir. of Marketing
Penny Benton, Dir. of Training
ERA Wilder Realty, Inc.
803-728-8400 ext. 203 - Lucinda
803-728-8400 ext. 206 - Penny
lucindab@erawilderrealty.com
pennyb@erawilderrealty.com
www.erawilderrealty.com

To subscribe, go to the following address: http://www.realestatecareersofsc.com

All Shepherds’ Centers have a common mission: “To empower older adults to use their wisdom and skills for the good of their communities.” The vision is that individuals will experience meaningful lives through all phases of their mature years. Long term plans include programs designed for Baby Boomers, community leadership and advocacy training for older adults, intergenerational projects helping children at-risk, caregiver support, and pilot testing diverse technologies to engage home bound elderly to mitigate the serous problems of social isolation.

The Shepherd’s Center of Lexington is currently in need of involvement of a wide array of talented volunteers and generous donors who understand and value the significant benefits of this program. They are also in need of funds to hire part-time staff, buy office equipment and supplies, purchase liability insurance, and design a website.

Schlichte asks for support at their upcoming ribbon cutting ceremony and Belgian Waffle Breakfast on Friday, November 2nd at 8am. At this event, registration will begin for classes that start January 10th for 9 weeks. These are lifelong learning classes for the 50+ age group. Specifically they are in need of sponsors, volunteer instructors, and ticket sales for the breakfast at $7.00 each.

For more information please call Peter Balsamo at (803) 520-6605 or email at pb9665@gmail.com. You can view Schlichte’s agent profile on erawildrrealty.com

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Best,

Thank You,

Lucinda Brasington, Dir. of Marketing
Penny Benton, Dir. of Training
ERA Wilder Realty, Inc.
803-728-8400 ext. 203 - Lucinda
803-728-8400 ext. 206 - Penny
lucindab@erawilderrealty.com
pennyb@erawilderrealty.com
www.erawilderrealty.com

To subscribe, go to the following address: http://www.realestatecareersofsc.com

 Passport to a Cure is a premier social event raising awareness and fund research for neuromuscular disease. The inaugural event will feature a culinary world tour through food stations and signature cocktails created for the occasion. The evenings adventure will include music, silent and live auctions feature a selection of art from MDA’s campers. Additional elements to add to the experience will include tour guides as auction hosts, interactive entertainment and souvenir photos for ‘travelers’.

This year, ERA Wilder Realty will sponsor the Wine Pull through their agents donations of over 50 bottles of wine. The Wine Pull is an event in which attendees purchase a cork for $20, which has a number corresponding to a bottle of wine. Each purchase wins a bottle of wine valued at $10-$50+.

Since 1995, ERA Wilder Realty has raised more than $100,000 for MDA. ERA Wilder Realty would like to annouce two upcoming events, 5th Annual Bowl-A-Thon on October 19th, and its first ever Letter Writing Campaign.

For more information please email amyo@erawilderrealty.com or visit www.mdaevent.org/erawilderbowl

Check out our Facebook page!

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Follow us on Twitter for real estate news!

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Visit our Website for all things real estate!

http://www.erawilderrealty.com/

Lending his expertise, Jim Brown, broker in charge at the Irmo office with 20 years in the new homes industry says, "Eddie Wilder and I realized that the one area in Real Estate where the buyer/client was not receiving a high level of client services was in the custom construction arena. We have recruited and trained New Construction specialists and designed a system wherein the property owner is being fully represented as a client by a professional Realtor. We are with them from the beginning to the end.”

“The Builders we work with appreciate the way we help explain things and our assistance in transitioning from one phase to the next. Whether it’s a starter home on family land or a home on the lake, we can help you make that dream come true,” says Jim Brown.

 Build On Your Lot also caters to those who would like to build but don’t own land. In fact, over half of our clients begin the custom homebuilding process without it. New Home Services is powered by ERA Wilder Realty, and has land specialists trained in finding the perfect location for your dream home.

Whether you have a house plan in mind or need our assistance in designing one, ERA Wilder Realty encourages you to talk with one of their building consultants. Once we have an idea of the home you want to build, we will schedule an on-site visit to determine several factors including where to place the corners of your home and any costs of improving the property. With interest rates at an all-time low and the affordability index at an all time high, now is the time to build your custom home!

 For more information or to schedule a private consultation, please email info@nhscolumbia.com or call Jim Brown at (803) 345-6713.

Check out our page and ‘LIKE’ us on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/nhscolumbia

Look for more information on our webpage! http://www.erawilderrealty.com/buildlot.php

‘LIKE’ ERA Wilder Realty on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/erawilderrealty1

 “Giving back to our community is one of the core principles of our company”, says Lucinda Brasington, ERA Wilder Realty Bowl-A-Thon Chair. “Our agents give tirelessly of themselves to help raise money to send children with MDA to camp and we are very proud of all of their efforts.”

MDA is a voluntary national health agency aimed at conquering neuromuscular diseases that affect more than a million Americans. MDA supports more research on neuromuscular diseases than any other private-sector organization in the world, seeking causes of, and cures and treatments for, neuromuscular disorders. MDA is closer than ever in finding treatments and cures for several of the more than 40 diseases the organization is researching.

 Since 1977, ERA Real Estate has teamed up with MDA in its fight against neuromuscular diseases, raising more than $30 million. While ERA has played an integral part in helping MDA in these advancements, with your support, we can build upon the existing foundation to help make a difference for MDA’s future to home in on a cure. Over the past five years, ERA Wilder has been able to raise over $100,000 for MDA. You can help by donating to the Bowl-A-Thon teams at www.mdaevent.org/erawilderbowl.

 For more information please visit www.MDA.org or email amyo@erawilderrealty.com Read other announcements and Press Releases here! http://www.erawilderrealty.com/mediaannouncements.php

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1.     Every month a vacant house remains unsold represents a reduction in net profit from its eventual sale

2.     Joint owners who are going their separate ways may be deadline-driven

3.     Sales to settle estates often yield pricing flexibility in return for a timely closing

Contact me for more information about programs and techniques that can help you motivate a motivated seller.

Best,

Lucinda Brasington, Dir. of Marketing
Penny Benton, Dir. of Training
ERA Wilder Realty, Inc.
803-728-8400 ext. 203 - Lucinda
803-728-8400 ext. 206 - Penny
lucindab@erawilderrealty.com
pennyb@erawilderrealty.com
www.erawilderrealty.com

To subscribe, go to the following address: http://www.realestatecareersofsc.com

1.     Ninety-four percent of the time agents mark a lead dead within 72 hours - despite the fact that prospects are taking longer and longer to act.

Agents who follow-up, follow-up, follow-up boost conversion rates with minimal effort.

2.     The vast majority of leads are abandoned because the prospect attempted to contact the agent... and the agent never called back.

There is no shortage of options for connecting with a prospect. Brokers and agents who act on this frightening fact are on their way to leading the market they serve.

3.     Prospecting “dead” leads can produce stellar results

Fifty percent of leads take twelve months or more to act; prospecting even abandoned leads can unearth a trove of closed transactions.

Contact me for information about tools and techniques that can dramatically increase your lead conversion rate.

Best,

Lucinda Brasington, Dir. of Marketing
Penny Benton, Dir. of Training
ERA Wilder Realty, Inc.
803-728-8400 ext. 203 - Lucinda
803-728-8400 ext. 206 - Penny
lucindab@erawilderrealty.com
pennyb@erawilderrealty.com
www.erawilderrealty.com

To subscribe, go to the following address: http://www.realestatecareersofsc.com

“I am very happy to be able to serve the realtor community,” says Eddie Wilder. “I look forward to continuing to foster a collaborative environment with our realtor partners as we offer valuable resources and focus on serving the needs of our consumers.”

The Central Carolina REALTORS Association (CCRA) was founded in 1913 and now has over 2000 members. The mission of CCRA is simple, to be the organization in the Midlands that represents the standard for the real estate sales professional through the organization's Code of Ethics, educational offerings, information systems, and involvement in local government issues.

Eddie Wilder, President of ERA Wilder Realty, founded his company with a similar vision: To unite the area’s leading real estate agents to provide the best quality service possible, and to exceed the expectations of everyone, everyday. Through their creative marketing, cutting edge technology, commitment to quality and unmatched service, ERA Wilder Realty became one of the fastest growing real estate companies in the Carolinas. Wilder has recently been recognized with the highest honor in the ERA system, the coveted Gene Frances Sward for best overall company. Other awards include Top 10 ERA Company Nationwide in Sales, Nationally Recognized MDA Fundraiser, and Platinum Principal Broker with Cartus Relocation Network.

Today, ERA is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year with record astonishing growth and a winning combination of unique products, affiliate support and entrepreneurial spirit.

For more info please visit www.ERAWilderRealty.com

How much money are you leaving on the table with every "dead" lead?

Jeff Riber is in front of ERA Wilder Realty to tell you!

1.     Explain the Advantages of your Search Engine - Give your buyer a hands-on tutorial of the advanced property search features of you company`s Web site. Even if they`ve used it before, you can explain advanced search features while you discuss their wants and needs.

2.     Notify Buyers of `New to Market` Listings - Set up your own search using criteria supplied by the buyer; email or Tweet news of `new to market` or newly priced listings as they become available and offer to make an appointment to view the property.

3.     Consult & Collaborate - Preview promising listings on behalf of your buyer; it shows that you respect their time. Always accompany a buyer when they view a property and take the time to hear their feedback.

Contact me to discuss more tools and techniques for property searches that produce results.

 Best,

Lucinda Brasington, Dir. of Marketing
Penny Benton, Dir. of Training
ERA Wilder Realty, Inc.
803-728-8400 ext. 203 - Lucinda
803-728-8400 ext. 206 - Penny
lucindab@erawilderrealty.com
pennyb@erawilderrealty.com
www.erawilderrealty.com

To subscribe, go to the following address: http://www.realestatecareersofsc.com

Best,

Lucinda Brasington, Dir. of Marketing
Penny Benton, Dir. of Training
ERA Wilder Realty, Inc.
803-728-8400 ext. 203 - Lucinda
803-728-8400 ext. 206 - Penny
lucindab@erawilderrealty.com
pennyb@erawilderrealty.com
www.erawilderrealty.com

Best,

Lucinda Brasington, Dir. of Marketing
Penny Benton, Dir. of Training
ERA Wilder Realty, Inc.
803-728-8400 ext. 203 - Lucinda
803-728-8400 ext. 206 - Penny
lucindab@erawilderrealty.com
pennyb@erawilderrealty.com
www.erawilderrealty.com

To subscribe, go to the following address: http://www.realestatecareersofsc.com

July 18, 2012. Sumter, SC.

Debbie has been a successful business owner in Sumter and for the past 5 years has taken the ERA Wilder Realty Sumter real estate office to one of the most profitable in the company. "This is a perfect position for Debbie," says Eddie Wilder, President of ERA Wilder Realty. "Debbie has a deep love for Sumter and is passionate about attracting new residents and companies into the area. Her knowledge of the business community, hospital network and the military market uniquely qualifies her to be an ambassador for ERA Wilder and the entire Sumter area. We are very excited about the future.”

For more information, please visit www.erawilderrealty.com.

July 19, 2012. Sumter, SC.

Stepping into the Broker role is Lisa Svetlik, owner of The Svetlik Real Estate Co. "Lisa is a well respected leader in the real estate industry and we are very fortunate to be joining forces,” says Wilder.  “We look forward to Lisa's strong and expert guidance as we continue to provide excellent customer services to home buyers and sellers in the Sumter and surrounding areas."

For more information, please visit www.erawilderrealty.com or call 803-774-SOLD.

1.     Preview other properties - Take the time to look at other properties in the areas your buyers are looking so you can get a better feel of competing properties in terms of features, price and amenities.

2.     Show them beforehand what you’re going to show them - Meet up with your buyer, brief them on what you`re going to show them and why each property addresses some or all of their needs. Provide a printed or on-screen map that details the location of each property.

3.     Less is more - An initial look at 3 to 5 homes avoids overwhelming a buyer. Don`t hesitate to add or eliminate a property at the last moment based on early buyer feedback; your buyer will thank you for valuing their time.

Contact me to find out more about effective tools and techniques for showing a property.

 Best,

Lucinda Brasington, Dir. of Marketing
Penny Benton, Dir. of Training
ERA Wilder Realty, Inc.
803-728-8400 ext. 203 - Lucinda
803-728-8400 ext. 206 - Penny
lucindab@erawilderrealty.com
pennyb@erawilderrealty.com
www.erawilderrealty.com

To subscribe, go to the following address: http://www.realestatecareersofsc.com

When buyers contact you, they are full of questions and want answers now. Successful real estate professionals resist the temptation to launch into a two-minute, one-size-fits-all sales pitch. They listen, encourage a buyer to tell them their wants and needs, then deliver value based on those wants and needs, showcasing the value they bring to the table.

In that sense, your `two-minute pitch` may actually be excerpted from a well-prepared `one hour pitch` from which you relate the skills and specialized knowledge (including your connections to the community your caller is considering) to demonstrate that you are a valuable asset and ally in their search for a home. Buyers come to you already armed with information from the Web and other sources, but they typically do not possess your experience in helping buyers or your deep knowledge of the market you serve.

About half of buyers are first-time buyers. They may know what properties are available, but they likely know little about community resources, neighborhood lifestyles, the details of home construction, and the thousand and one other details that go into a successful outcome.

Contact me to find out more about connecting with buyers through communicating value.

Thank You,

Lucinda Brasington, Dir. of Marketing
Penny Benton, Dir. of Training
ERA Wilder Realty, Inc.
803-728-8400 ext. 203 - Lucinda
803-728-8400 ext. 206 - Penny
lucindab@erawilderrealty.com
pennyb@erawilderrealty.com
www.erawilderrealty.com

To subscribe, go to the following address: http://www.realestatecareersofsc.com

A potential buyer calls. You have two minutes to make the case for being the real estate professional they turn to. If you`ve prepared your `two minute drill` you are well on your way to converting the call - unless you fail to follow Step #1:

Listen. Really listen. - By far, the biggest mistake that a broker or agent makes at this point in the conversion process is to launch into a set sales pitch. Savvy professionals know that a potential buyer will tell you how to meet their needs in the first few sentences of the conversation - if you`re listening. If not, they`re on to the next candidate on their list.

Opening with `Thank you for calling! How may I help you?` or a similar type of question is the key that invites a potential buyer to tell you how to convert the call.

Contact me and I`ll be happy to share more call conversion techniques with you.

Thank You,

Lucinda Brasington, Dir. of Marketing
Penny Benton, Dir. of Training
ERA Wilder Realty, Inc.
803-728-8400 ext. 203 - Lucinda
803-728-8400 ext. 206 - Penny
lucindab@erawilderrealty.com
pennyb@erawilderrealty.com
www.erawilderrealty.com

To subscribe, go to the following address: http://www.realestatecareersofsc.com

Most agents say that they are selling “themselves”.  Sorry to burst your bubble, but buyers aren’t looking to buy “you”; they want to buy a house.

So what’s the value proposition you offer to the buyer over the phone?

Believe it or not, it’s the benefit of meeting with you!  You must clearly articulate why it would be beneficial for them to meet with you.  Your objective is one thing and one thing only, an appointment.

We call it the “Elevator Speech”!  You have exactly the time it takes from the 1st floor to the 5th floor to tell them what it is you do, why you are unique and special and why the “Buyer” needs to meet with you!  That’s it … period!  Right again, about 20 - 25 seconds.

Your next tip will provide you with some of the benefits you can verbalize to a potential buyer over the phone to secure an appointment.

If you want to get them today, give me a call.

Thank You,

Lucinda Brasington, Dir. of Marketing
Penny Benton, Dir. of Training
ERA Wilder Realty, Inc.
803-728-8400 ext. 203 - Lucinda
803-728-8400 ext. 206 - Penny
lucindab@erawilderrealty.com
pennyb@erawilderrealty.com
www.erawilderrealty.com

To subscribe, go to the following address: http://www.realestatecareersofsc.com

1.     The buyer`s wants and needs drive the agenda.

2.     The buyer will typically come to the table armed with information gained from weeks, months or perhaps years of online research.

3.     Your role is to listen to a buyer`s wants and needs and filter the information they`re communicating through your knowledge and experience to help determine their qualifications to purchase a home, identify properties that fit their needs, and help navigate the buyer through the process to a successful closing.

The outcome of an initial meeting is to assist a potential buyer to reach their goals, whatever direction that assistance may take. The benefits to your bottom line will not always be immediate, but it will be lasting, whether in the form of a sale today, a sale in the future, or a referral that results in additional opportunities for you.

Contact me for more information about resources that can help you be more effective with a potential buyer.

Best,

Lucinda Brasington, Dir. of Marketing
Penny Benton, Dir. of Training
ERA Wilder Realty, Inc.
803-728-8400 ext. 203 - Lucinda
803-728-8400 ext. 206 - Penny
lucindab@erawilderrealty.com
pennyb@erawilderrealty.com
www.erawilderrealty.com

To subscribe, go to the following address: http://www.realestatecareersofsc.com

Of course, that will depend on your market-inventory knowledge.

Certainly you can convert all kinds of incoming buyer calls to appointments, but if you don’t know the current inventory, you’re going to waste a lot of your time, the buyers time, and look very unprofessional.

Knowledge is power, do you have market knowledge?  Do you know the current inventory?  How much time do you spend previewing new listings?  This comes under schedule management.  We’ll give you some ideas on that further into this series.

You can qualify buyers, get their financing in place, but without up to the minute market knowledge, you’re going to struggle to convert buyers into closings.

Call me if you want support in positioning yourself as the most competent agent in the marketplace.

Your next tip will be building a home tour that fits the criteria of your buyer.

Thank You,

Lucinda Brasington, Dir. of Marketing
Penny Benton, Dir. of Training
ERA Wilder Realty, Inc.
803-728-8400 ext. 203 - Lucinda
803-728-8400 ext. 206 - Penny
lucindab@erawilderrealty.com
pennyb@erawilderrealty.com
www.erawilderrealty.com

To subscribe, go to the following address: http://www.realestatecareersofsc.com

In short, a well-crafted, targeted drip campaign helps ensure your long term success.

Contact me for additional assistance with your drip marketing campaign.

Thank You,

Lucinda Brasington, Dir. of Marketing
Penny Benton, Dir. of Training
ERA Wilder Realty, Inc.
803-728-8400 ext. 203 - Lucinda
803-728-8400 ext. 206 - Penny
lucindab@erawilderrealty.com
pennyb@erawilderrealty.com
www.erawilderrealty.com

To subscribe, go to the following address: http://www.realestatecareersofsc.com

1.     Homebuyer seminars

2.     FSBOs

3.     Open Houses

4.     Expired listings

5.     Sign calls

6.     Ad calls

7.     Company website and online referrals

8.     Past clients

9.     Farming

10.   In-house mortgage or title

11.   Relocation referrals

Contact me and I`ll help you formulate an action plan for each source that consistently generates buyer leads.

Best,

Thank You,

Lucinda Brasington, Dir. of Marketing
Penny Benton, Dir. of Training
ERA Wilder Realty, Inc.
803-728-8400 ext. 203 - Lucinda
803-728-8400 ext. 206 - Penny
lucindab@erawilderrealty.com
pennyb@erawilderrealty.com
www.erawilderrealty.com

To subscribe, go to the following address: http://www.realestatecareersofsc.com

(DANBURY, Conn. - May 17, 2012) -

ERA Wilder Realty received the Cartus Destination Services Award, which recognizes brokers who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in customer service and sales conversion.

“Cartus Broker Network members understand how important the home sale transaction is to every home buyer. A new home purchase represents not only the acquisition of a house but also an introduction to new surroundings,” said Gerald Pearce, Cartus executive vice president, Broker Services and Affinity Services. “Brokers such as ERA Wilder Realty help make the move to a new location easier for each of its customers.” 

“Winning the Destination Services Award honors the efforts of our agents in welcoming newcomers to our area and helping them feel comfortable with their surroundings, “ said Eddie Wilder, President of ERA Wilder Realty. “We appreciate the business opportunities Cartus brings us, and we believe in showing our appreciation by delivering high-quality service to new arrivals.”

In addition to the awards ceremony, the event included interactive workshops, roundtable and panel discussions, and executive presentations. Cartus Broker Network participants networked with other industry professionals and exchanged information and ideas regarding team-building, revenue generation, retention, new business strategies, and increasing customer service—all essential elements for continued success. 

About Cartus and the Cartus Broker Network

Cartus Broker Network is the nation’s leading network of more than 835 market-leading real estate firms representing more than 3,000 offices and more than 97,000 agents. Cartus provides trusted guidance to organizations of all types and sizes that require global relocation solutions. Serving over 70% of the Fortune 50 and providing service to more than 160 countries, we apply our more than half century of experience to help our clients with their mobility, outsourcing, consulting, and language and intercultural training needs. Cartus is part of Realogy Corporation—a global provider of real estate and relocation services. To find out how our greater experience, reach, and hands-on guidance can help your company, visit www.cartus.com and www.pitchengine.com/cartus; read our blog at www.cartusblog.com; or click www.realogy.com for more information.

# #  #

The Northeast office of ERA Wilder Realty has continued to thrive.  Currently this office is in the top three for all offices in the Columbia area.  The Northeast office has really focused on owning our part of Columbia.  We do really well in our part of town including Elgin where the office shatters the competition.  When you buy into the ERA program and really utilize all of the tools that the company offers, a lot of small differences add up to a rather large difference in the end.  All of us here are continuing to work hard on our HUD homes, new construction with Essex Homes and Great Southern Homes, and our general brokerage resales.  No matter the path you are looking for, there are options with this office and that will allow you to make sure you buy the right property for your needs.

Written by ERA Wilder Realty Agent, Andy Brumbaugh

Best,

Thank You,

Lucinda Brasington, Dir. of Marketing
Penny Benton, Dir. of Training
ERA Wilder Realty, Inc.
803-728-8400 ext. 203 - Lucinda
803-728-8400 ext. 206 - Penny
lucindab@erawilderrealty.com
pennyb@erawilderrealty.com
www.erawilderrealty.com

To subscribe, go to the following address: http://www.realestatecareersofsc.com

The vast majority of abandoned leads are abandoned by agents, not by the customer.

Whether a customer unsuccessfully attempts to connect with an agent via phone or email, most agents attribute abandoned leads to the fact that `The customer didn`t call me back.` The agent never made contact with the customer.

Despite the fact that customers can spend from one to five years researching and considering their next move, most agents have very little stamina when it comes to following up. In fact, over ninety percent of leads are marked `dead` within 72 hours!

Top brokers understand the value of connecting with customers and maintaining the relationship, through `drip` campaigns and other value-added techniques, until the customer is ready to act.

Contact me for information about automated tools for the tracking and follow-up of potential leads.

Best,

Thank You,

Lucinda Brasington, Dir. of Marketing
Penny Benton, Dir. of Training
ERA Wilder Realty, Inc.
803-728-8400 ext. 203 - Lucinda
803-728-8400 ext. 206 - Penny
lucindab@erawilderrealty.com
pennyb@erawilderrealty.com
www.erawilderrealty.com

1.     Take a fresh look at your business plan

2.     Identify long-term and short-term objectives

3.     Break each objective down to the actions required to achieve it

4.     Identify and prioritize each critical task and sub-task required to meet a specific business objective

5.     Set a timetable for achieving each goal

6.     Assign responsibility for each task

7.     Execute the action plan

8.     Periodically review, reassess and adjust objectives and tasks as-needed

Contact me for further assistance with formulating an effective action plan.

Best,

Thank You,

Lucinda Brasington, Dir. of Marketing
Penny Benton, Dir. of Training
ERA Wilder Realty, Inc.
803-728-8400 ext. 203 - Lucinda
803-728-8400 ext. 206 - Penny
lucindab@erawilderrealty.com
pennyb@erawilderrealty.com
www.erawilderrealty.com

To subscribe, go to the following address: http://www.realestatecareersofsc.com

The foundation of a successful effort to increase productivity is the development and continual enhancement of a Business Plan that reflects both current and anticipated market conditions in the area you serve.

1.     Do you have a written Business Plan in place?

2.     How many transactions will you close this year?

3.     What is your anticipated average sales price?

4.     What is your average commission percentage per transaction?

5.     What is your anticipated buyer to seller ratio?

6.     What are your anticipated expenses?

7.     How will you maintain your Business Plan and adapt it to changing market conditions?

Contact me for assistance in developing a stronger Business Plan that can give you a leg up on your competition.

Thank You,

Lucinda Brasington, Dir. of Marketing
Penny Benton, Dir. of Training
ERA Wilder Realty, Inc.
803-728-8400 ext. 203 - Lucinda
803-728-8400 ext. 206 - Penny
lucindab@erawilderrealty.com
pennyb@erawilderrealty.com
www.erawilderrealty.com

To subscribe, go to the following address: http://www.realestatecareersofsc.com

Spring is here and the season keeps getting better.  Columbia has some very encouraging news to report in regards to the housing market.  A good indicator of the housing market is how many building permits are being pulled.  Those numbers are outstanding.  In January building permits for new construction homes rose 49% over the same month in 2011.  Likewise, February was up 14% and March was up 31%.  These are hard numbers that shows people are out there buying homes.  This is great for the real estate industry but also great for our overall economy.  Now is the time! 

The average days on the market has remained steady from 2011.  This is a nice change as well.  Over the last 4 years the average time on the market has increased every year.  With those numbers holding steady that is a sign that we are about to see it peak and start to fall.  Interest rates are still incredibly low and there are a number of programs available for people to buy a home with little money down. 

A final bit of information that Realtors will analyze is the absorption rate.  This is a ratio of the number of homes on the market versus the number of homes sold for every month.  The higher the number the worse it is.  A higher number says it will take more months to sell a home, this year our absorption rate numbers have gotten better every month compared with 2011.  This is probably the best sign of all!  The sooner we can get to a balanced market the better and we are well on our way! 

Contact an ERA Wilder Realtor of your choice and start planning your move because now is the time.

Andy Brumbaugh, Realtor

1.     Direct inquiries via your website

2.     Referrals from other real estate sites

3.     Referrals from search engines

4.     Referrals from apps on web-enabled devices

5.     Referrals from your existing customer base

6.     Print ads

7.     Direct Mail / Email campaigns

8.     Local TV spots

9.     Local Radio spots

10.   Open houses

11.   Agency presence at community events

Track the source of every transaction on a monthly basis. Then take a quarterly look at marketing expenditures by source and re-allocate as needed.

Contact me for more tips on `sourcing` your business to maximize profitability.

Best,

Thank You,

Lucinda Brasington, Dir. of Marketing
Penny Benton, Dir. of Training
ERA Wilder Realty, Inc.
803-728-8400 ext. 203 - Lucinda
803-728-8400 ext. 206 - Penny
lucindab@erawilderrealty.com
pennyb@erawilderrealty.com
www.erawilderrealty.com

To subscribe, go to the following address: http://www.realestatecareersofsc.com

Columbia, SC 4/15/2012  - John Creech and Mary Beth Creed of ERA Wilder Realty in Columbia, SC were awarded a Beyond Excellence designation by ERA Franchise Systems LLC, a global franchise leader in residential real estate industry.  This designation, conferred at the 2012 ERA International Business Conference in New Orleans, LA in March, recognizes the ERA network’s top producers for excellence in real estate sales.

“Fewer than 10 percent of our sales professionals earn this designation, making Creech and Creed not only a role model for the company but the entire industry as well,” said Charlie Young, president and chief executive officer of ERA Franchise Systems, LLC.

The team of Creech and Creed were ranked number 11 out of all ERA Associates in the Nation. 

“We are very proud of John and Mary Beth,” says Eddie Wilder, President of ERA Wilder Realty. “They continue to provide excellent customer service as they meet the ever changing needs of their clients.” For more information, please visit www.erawilderrealty.com.

“Would you see value in viewing pictures of the inside of all the homes that fit your search criteria, rather than to drive around and call agents and schedule individual appointments to see the inside of each home?”

“Would you see value in reviewing a current snapshot of the market so that you are able to understand the current value of homes that you are researching?”

What are some of the other value propositions/benefits that you can offer a potential buyer?

We call it the “FAB” approach; Features, Advantages and Benefits.  Yes it takes time but YOU take a few minutes and place all of your features in the far left had columns of a 3 column page.  At the top left it starts with Features, then the Benefits and lastly the Advantages.  Write out all the whys and what if’s that you can.  You’ll be amazed at your results.

Features and benefits are important to communicate during the incoming call, but how do you handle the overall communication process?

Call me today and I’ll be happy to share some of them with you.

Your next tip will focus on how you convert the incoming call with more than just features and benefits.

Thank You,

Lucinda Brasington, Dir. of Marketing
Penny Benton, Dir. of Training
ERA Wilder Realty, Inc.
803-728-8400 ext. 203 - Lucinda
803-728-8400 ext. 206 - Penny
lucindab@erawilderrealty.com
pennyb@erawilderrealty.com
www.erawilderrealty.com

To subscribe, go to the following address: http://www.realestatecareersofsc.com

Award to be Presented at Network’s International Conference

(DANBURY, Conn. - April 9, 2012) - ERA Wilder Realty has received Five Star recognition from the Cartus Broker Network. The award is accorded to brokers who met or exceeded their individual objectives related to outgoing broker-to-broker referral closings during 2011.

ERA Wilder Realty will receive a trophy for its achievement during the Cartus Broker Network International Conference, which will be held in Florida on April 25-28 at the Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes.

“ERA Wilder Realty’s focus on referring customers to other Network firms that provide the high level of service and provide trained and qualified agents demonstrates not only their support and confidence in the Cartus Broker Network but also their understanding of its success. The fact that ERA Wilder Realty has achieved objectives for outgoing broker-to-broker referral closings speaks volumes about the commitment to success that makes our brokers such highly valued partners,” said Gerald Pearce, Cartus executive vice president, Broker Services and Affinity Services. “We are proud to be affiliated with this talented group of real estate professionals and look forward to our continued success in the future.”

“The importance of placing broker-to-broker referrals cannot be overemphasized,” said Eddie Wilder, President of ERA Wilder Realty. “We are happy to join the list of Network members from around the country who have worked so hard to succeed in doing this.”

About Cartus and the Cartus Broker Network

The Cartus Broker Network is the nation’s leading real estate referral network, consisting of 835 real estate firms representing more than 3,000 offices and more than 97,000 agents. The members of the Broker Network serve the clients and customers of Cartus. Cartus provides trusted guidance to organizations of all types and sizes that require global relocation solutions. Serving over 70% of the Fortune 50 and providing service to more than 165 countries, we apply our more than half century of experience to help our clients with their mobility, outsourcing, consulting, and language and intercultural training needs. Cartus is part of Realogy Corporation—a global provider of real estate and relocation services. To find out how our greater experience, reach, and hands-on guidance can help your company, visit www.cartus.com and our pressroom at www.pitchengine.com/cartus; read our blog at www.cartusblog.com; or click www.realogy.com for more information.

# #  #

www.erawilderrealty.com

Look at every transaction that closed in the last 12 months and determine the source of each transaction.

• How many transactions came from an ad call?
• How man transactions came from the internet?
• How many transactions came from open house?
• How many transactions came from referrals?

By the way, these are just a few of the examples of what you need to explore in sourcing your business.

Incidentally, in the course of sourcing there were activities and dollars spent that “didn’t” produce traceable results, get rid of them … move towards those that did deliver a result.

If you need help in “sourcing your business” to help you earn more business, give me a call!

Thank You,

Lucinda Brasington, Dir. of Marketing
Penny Benton, Dir. of Training
ERA Wilder Realty, Inc.
803-728-8400 ext. 203 - Lucinda
803-728-8400 ext. 206 - Penny
lucindab@erawilderrealty.com
pennyb@erawilderrealty.com
www.erawilderrealty.com

To subscribe, go to the following address: http://www.realestatecareersofsc.com/

Colie Dyson was a long time family member of ERA Wilder Realty, especially the Northeast office that he built from the ground up.  Colie was battling lung cancer and unfortunately, lost his battle on March 1.  The family though is still battling.  There are an enormous amount of bills to cover with one’s passing and this means we need your help.

We will be holding an auction to benefit Colie in late April.  We are looking for monetary donations as well as items we can auction off.  We are looking for items such as grills, electronics, art, weekend getaways, sports/entertainment tickets, memorabilia, gift cards, and more.  Anything at all that you can donate that we can auction off will go to the worthy cause of helping Colie’s family.  This man has been instrumental in helping so many agents in the Columbia area.  You might not have met Colie but I can promise that if you live in the Columbia area, especially the Northeast part of town, it is likely that where you live was in some way or another touched by him.  He has been an ambassador for real estate as a whole for as long as I have been alive, he is a one of a kind local hero that puts a new meaning to the ERA tag line of “Always there for you”.

If you would like to make a donation you can contact me or be in touch by joining our Facebook page about the auction and contacting the organizers there.

http://www.facebook.com/ERAWilderFundraisers

Written by ERA Wilder Realty Agent, Andy Brumbaugh

As some of you may already be aware, a friend and member of the ERA Wilder family needs our help.  Lexington Agent, Charlie Branham's daughter had brain surgery very recently to remove a tumor and sadly it is cancer.  They are facing a battle that many of us have faced ourselves and we are going to ban together once again to help.  We are having a spaghetti dinner benefit on March 24th at Golden Hills Country Club from 6-9pm. 

If you have an item or service for the auction, please deliver to ERA Wilder Realty in Travinias Plaza or call Lisa Walker Couture at (803) 600-1615 or Staci Winecoff Little at (803) 760-5432.

Ticket prices for the fundraiser are as follows: Adults are $10.00, children $7.00 and kids under 3 are free.   

Also, a Caringbridge page (Kennedybranham) and a Facebook page (pray4kennedy) have been started so that you may follow her treatment.  Kennedy has a serious battle to face and as we all know through personal experiences, this is a very stressful time for the family.  Your prayers and support are greatly appreciated.

Contact:

Lisa Couture (803) 600-1615 or Staci Winecoff Little (803) 760-5432

(COLUMBIA, SC. - March 6, 2012) -

Platinum level recognition is based on performance results related to a wide variety of goals including customer service, cost management, and accuracy on the Broker Market Analysis.

“ERA Wilder Realty has delivered excellent results to both its customers and the Cartus Broker Network,” said Gerald Pearce, Cartus executive vice president, Broker Services and Affinity Services. “The Platinum level has long represented extraordinary accomplishment. To earn this distinction, ERA Wilder Realty has successfully executed a business plan that involves attention to customer needs, understanding of local conditions, and incorporation of best business practices.”

“Achieving Platinum level is something that we really wanted and worked for throughout 2011,” said ERA Wilder Realty. “This speaks to the work that our entire staff has put into making us a successful brokerage. I thank them for their efforts.”

ERA Wilder Realty

http://www.erawilderrealty.com  

About Cartus and the Cartus Broker Network

ERA Wilder Realty is a member of the Cartus Broker Network, the nation’s leading real estate referral network, consisting of 835 real estate firms representing more than 3,000 offices and more than 97,000 agents. The members of the Broker Network serve the clients and customers of Cartus. Cartus provides trusted guidance to organizations of all types and sizes who require global relocation solutions. Serving nearly 60% of the Fortune 100 and providing service to more than 160 countries, we apply our more than half century of experience to help our clients with their mobility, outsourcing, consulting, and language and intercultural training needs. Cartus is part of Realogy Corporation—a global provider of real estate and relocation services.

Please register by Friday, March 16, 2012 by visiting http://www.HUDPEMCOevents.eventbrite.com or by emailing lucindab@erawilderrealty.com

As part of its Team Tuesday awards celebration, ERA Wilder Realty honored top offices and agents in the category of relocation. The Lexington office was named the Top Office for Placed Outgoing Referrals and the Sumter office was named the Top Office for Closed Outgoing Referrals.

Agent Debbie Erdman was selected as the Top Agent for Placed Outgoing Referrals, and Novella Taylor was selected as the Top Agent for Closed Outgoing Referrals. Agent Trish Mozdzierz was awarded for Top Dollar Closed Outgoing Referrals.

Further awards were given to Charlie Fossett and Gloria McEwen for being Top Agents in referrals into USAA’s Movers Advantage Programs for their respective offices.  John Creech was named both the Top Agent for AGR HES Placed Referrals and Closed Referrals, while the ERA Wilder Relocation Partnership Award went to Susan Turco.

“We could have never achieved platinum status without the hard work, integrity and dedication of our agents,” says Candy Welch. “This high honor is truly a team effort.”

Can you believe Valentine’s Day 2012 has already passed?  This year is already flying by.  It seems like we all celebrated New Years and next thing you know the days are getting longer and March is right on top of us.  Things keep rolling for the

Speaking of goals, ERA Wilder Realty held their 2011 awards ceremony this week at their quarterly meeting.  The Northeast office did extremely well.  Below is a list of all award winners from the office.

Top Sales Closed (units):  Sherman Jones

Top Sales Closed (volume): Ken Queen

Top Listing Sides: Novella Taylor

Top Listing Volume for the Company: Ken Queen

Beyond Excellence: Sheila Bell, Andy Brumbaugh, Sherman Jones, Barb Krebs

Leaders Circle: Ken Queen

Top Dollar Closed Outgoing Referrals: Trish Mozdzierz

Top Agent Outgoing Referrals Closed: Novella Taylor

Colie Dyson Always There For You Award: Ron Gerald

Company Overall Top Ten: Ken Queen (#2)

Top New Home Sales Agent: Andy Brumbaugh

2011 Rookie of the Year Nominee: Sherman Jones

ERA Wilder Realty would also like to spotlight those agents in the Northeast office who received honors from builder, Essex Homes, and also at the Regal Awards, hosted by the Home Builders Association of Greater Columbia.

Essex Homes awarded Andy Brumbaugh for closing three or more Essex homes in a calendar year. Andy also walked away with the highest award given by the builder for the most units closed in an Essex Homes community, Kelsney Ridge.

The HBA of Greater Columbia hosted its annual Regal Awards celebration and honored three Northeast agents for their outstanding performance in 2011.

                Over $1,000,000 - Andy Brumbaugh and Cynthia Robbins

                $2,000,000 to $3,000,000 - Ken Queen

                Sale Executive of the Year in the category of $175,000 to $225,000 - Ken Queen

Congratulations to all of the award winners from the Northeast office.  It is a great team and a great office.  2011 was a lot of hard work and we met a lot of goals and hope to make your goals happen in 2012!

-ERA Wilder Realty Northeast Office

You may read the entire February 2012 issue of Lexington Life Magazine, by visiting: http://lexingtonlifemagazine.com/LexLifeFeb12Full.pdf

So far in 2012, things continue to improve.  For those of you that are looking for a home we have several programs that set us apart.  We are continuing our work with HUD homes so for those of you looking to buy a foreclosed home, we have a large supply of homes to choose.  We also have an ongoing relationship with some of Columbia’s top builders.  If a new home is what you are looking for then we will certainly have something that can fit your needs. 

Are you considering selling your home?  ERA is continuing their industry leading programs with our Sellers Security Plan which will guarantee your home sale.  We also have Goldstar homes for those homes that are truly exquisite and set themselves apart from the rest.  Goldstar homes have been inspected, are priced right, and in great condition.  Ask one of your ERA Wilder Northeast agents if your home will qualify for one of our programs, it could mean you get more money for your home! 

As our first blog post, we wanted to just take a moment to discuss some basic topics about our office and address specific buyers and sellers.  In future posts we will get into some more in depth topics about buying and selling your home and what we can do to help you!

Andy Brumbaugh

ERA Wilder Realty - Northeast Office

Columbia, SC February 2012 - ERA Wilder Realty honored its most successful sales associates and selling brokers at its annual ERA Wilder Team Tuesday Awards Celebration held February 14 in Columbia, SC. 

Mike Scott from the Irmo office, Ken Queen from the Northeast office and Gloria McEwen from the Sumter office were among the top producers recognized for their excellence in real estate with the 2011 Leadership Circle Award. To qualify for the Leadership Circle award, ERA sales associates or selling-brokers must have achieved $200,000 in adjusted gross commission (AGC) from the previous year.

Julie Rickenbaker and Rebecca Armstrong from the Santee office, Robert Wilder and the Creech and Creed Team from the Midtown office, Jeff Emmerling, Debbie Erdman, Todd Beckstrom and Jessica Redmond from the Chapin office, Sherrie Porter and Brandon Hoffman from the Irmo office, Sheila Bell, Andy Brumbaugh, Sherman Jones and Barb Krebs from the Northeast office, Darlene Schlichte, Mike Anderson, Darlene Anderson, David Batten, Laura Reid, Janet Loper and Elaine Katzenberger from the Lexington office, and Charlie Fossett, Debbie Bowen, Susan Thompson and Melissa Richardson from the Sumter office were among the top producers recognized for their excellence in real estate. To qualify for the Beyond Excellence award, ERA sales associates or selling-brokers must have achieved 45 total units closed or $100,000 in adjusted gross commission (AGC) from the previous year.

At the event, best-practices discussions provided an opportunity for attendees to share strategies for growing their real estate business and providing better customer satisfaction.

For more information please visit www.erawilderrealty.com or call 866-593-SOLD.

Here is another opportunity for you - do you have a 5 year “drip” marketing campaign in place for all types of Sellers and Buyers?  For most agents the answer is a resounding NO!

To be effective it must be CONSISTENT and COMPELLING and specific to each type of prospect (buying and selling).  Imagine, if you sent a “selling” infomercial to a buyer, you’ll just lose the buyer and vice-versa.  Buyers and Sellers must receive specific information and the same for For Sale By Owners, investors, etc.  And, this campaign should be 1-5 years in duration to be effective.

Put one in place today and you’ll be setting yourself up for long term success!

Call me and I’ll help you set one up today!

Thank You,

Lucinda Brasington, Dir. of Marketing
Penny Benton, Dir. of Training
ERA Wilder Realty, Inc.
803-728-8400 ext. 203 - Lucinda
803-728-8400 ext. 206 - Penny
lucindab@erawilderrealty.com
pennyb@erawilderrealty.com
www.erawilderrealty.com

Explain to the seller what happens next, all the way through to closing.

Pretty simple in theory, but a time that you must use to make them aware of everything that goes on during the marketing and sale process; and everything you could think of that might not go right!

First, let’s focus on the initial steps of marketing the house.  You will want to create a checklist to use that provides these steps.  Here are some examples:

• When does the sign go up?
• When is the first ad submitted and where?
• When will photography be completed?
• When will the property go into MLS?
• When will the key-box be installed?
• How often you will communicate with them?
• What happens when we get an offer?

The above is for guidance purposes only for the listing presentation.  Develop your checklist that maps the steps you are going to take.

Examples of what could go wrong!  “Why, you ask me, would I tell and of my sellers any of these examples?”  “My answer would be, “What would they think if you didn’t tell them!!!”

• We could get a buyer all the way up to escrow and they back out.  It’s a possibility and we’ve seen it happen before!
• We may see a low offer.  That’s o.k., we don’t have to accept it.   Counter!
• Agents may leave a light on or a door unlocked after showing the property.

Your next tips are a couple final pieces to the puzzle of the listing presentation that you will find helpful. If you would like to review the entire listing presentation, call me today.

Thank You,

Lucinda Brasington, Dir. of Marketing
Penny Benton, Dir. of Training
ERA Wilder Realty, Inc.
803-728-8400 ext. 203 - Lucinda
803-728-8400 ext. 206 - Penny
lucindab@erawilderrealty.com
pennyb@erawilderrealty.com
www.erawilderrealty.com

To subscribe, go to the following address: http://www.realestatecareersofsc.com

Retiring, relocating or ready to sell your home? Let ERA Wilder Realty agent, Cindy Luoma, help you.

   Waterford Senior Living - Real Estate in SC by erawilderrealty

Please register by Friday, February 17, 2012 by visiting http://www.HUDPEMCOevents.eventbrite.com or by emailing lucindab@erawilderrealty.com

Please register by Monday, January 23, 2012 by visiting http://www.HUDPEMCOevents.eventbrite.com or by emailing lucindab@erawilderrealty.com

If the seller stalls, or objects over commissions, there’s only one reason, you didn’t make a strong presentation or present enough value to cause them to take action and list with you.

Now what?

Go back and review all the features and benefits that you presented and ask them a simple question, “What part of my marketing plan do you feel won’t get you the maximum exposure to the greatest pool of buyers?”

Don’t go into your “But I’m the best” commentary.  Go right to the truth.  Truth lies in the value they see or don’t see in you.

If you feel role-playing will help, please call me; it’s always good to hone your technique (practice) “before” you slay the dragons!  Call me.

Your next tip will be step 14 of the listing presentation, the last thing you do before you leave with the listing.

If you would like to get that from me today, give me a call!

Thank You,

Lucinda Brasington, Dir. of Marketing
Penny Benton, Dir. of Training
ERA Wilder Realty, Inc.
803-728-8400 ext. 203 - Lucinda
803-728-8400 ext. 206 - Penny
lucindab@erawilderrealty.com
pennyb@erawilderrealty.com
www.erawilderrealty.com

To subscribe, go to the following address: http://www.realestatecareersofsc.com

Lake Murray Market Conditions.

Buying Trends,

Determining the Value of your Home,

Selling Strategies,

What to Look for in the Months to Come

“Mr. and Mrs. Seller, as I shared with you earlier, my job is to take your home to market and test the market through my marketing efforts.  Periodically I am going to deliver back to you the results of that test.  I will provide you a current update of the marketplace and you will decide if we need to change our strategy.  Mr. and Mrs. Seller, the market is the message and I am the messenger”

Will that get the decision of “price” right off your back?

Your next tip will be step 13 of the listing presentation.

If you would like to get that from me today, give me a call!

Thank You,

Lucinda Brasington, Dir. of Marketing
Penny Benton, Dir. of Training
ERA Wilder Realty, Inc.
803-728-8400 ext. 203 - Lucinda
803-728-8400 ext. 206 - Penny
lucindab@erawilderrealty.com
pennyb@erawilderrealty.com
www.erawilderrealty.com

To subscribe, go to the following address: http://www.realestatecareersofsc.com

The seller has told you what is important to them and what their expectations are of a real estate agent.

Now it’s time to verbalize your value proposition.  There are two critical areas to focus your presentation, maximum exposure of their home and your skills.

Maximum Exposure:  Start by going right down the list of each of their expectations.  Clearly articulate the features and benefits that you offer for the specific want or need of the seller until you gain agreement.  Your final question before you move to the next expectation, “Would you agree that this will get your home the maximum exposure to the biggest pool of buyers?”   What if they have expectations of you that are not a part of your marketing program?

Skills:  What are the skills that you bring to the business relationship?

• Marketing Expertise
• Market Knowledge
• Negotiating Skills
• Home Enhancement Skills

Communicate the benefits of your skills very clearly and gain approval from the seller before moving forward.

You have now verbalized your value proposition and have agreement with the seller.  But, what about expectations the seller has that aren’t included in your marketing plan?

This will be your next tip.  If you would like to get that from me today, give me a call!

Thank You,

Lucinda Brasington, Dir. of Marketing
Penny Benton, Dir. of Training
ERA Wilder Realty, Inc.
803-728-8400 ext. 203 - Lucinda
803-728-8400 ext. 206 - Penny
lucindab@erawilderrealty.com
pennyb@erawilderrealty.com
www.erawilderrealty.com

10.    Ask the seller what they think your job is as their real estate agent.  What do you think their answer is going to be?  To get their house sold, yes?  NO!

“Mr. and Mrs. Seller, my job is to take your home to market and to test the market.  Selling your home is a result of me doing my job.”

You ever feel like you get caught in a sales trap with your sellers?  Your job is the process, not the outcome.  If you follow the process, your sellers will experience their outcome.

In a later tip, I will share with you the continuation of this and the pricing conversation.

If you would like to get that today, give me a call!

Thank You,

Lucinda Brasington, Dir. of Marketing
Penny Benton, Dir. of Training
ERA Wilder Realty, Inc.
803-728-8400 ext. 203 - Lucinda
803-728-8400 ext. 206 - Penny
lucindab@erawilderrealty.com
pennyb@erawilderrealty.com
www.erawilderrealty.com

7.       You begin by asking the number one question:  You need to find out what is important to the sellers, not focus on what’s important for you to tell them.  Let them tell you where you need to go in the presentation.  The number one question is this:  “Mr. and Mrs. Seller, what are your expectations of a real estate agent?”  Don’t make the big mistake of the worst opening line in the industry:  “Let me show or tell you how I work!”

8.       Write down all the answers the seller gives you:  You want them to know that you are paying close attention.  They want to feel important.  Most important, the answers will tell you where you need to go in the listing presentation and what is most critical to them in choosing a real estate agent.

One question you might ask the seller before moving forward:  “Mr. and Mrs. Seller, if I show you that we can deliver on all of your expectations, will you allow me to market your home?”

Your next tip will explain steps 9 of the listing presentation.  If you would like me to share it with you today, give me a call.

Thank You,

Lucinda Brasington, Dir. of Marketing
Penny Benton, Dir. of Training
ERA Wilder Realty, Inc.
803-728-8400 ext. 203 - Lucinda
803-728-8400 ext. 206 - Penny
lucindab@erawilderrealty.com
pennyb@erawilderrealty.com
www.erawilderrealty.com

2.       Dress professionally.  It’s absolutely amazing that people have “built-in” expectations of whom they want to represent them “and” what they look like!  A shirt and tie or dressy dress will do more than you think!

3.       Have a clipboard and notepad in hand:  When you go to the doctor, you are asked questions and he writes down the answers.  When you go to an attorney, he asks you questions and writes down the answers.  This is a simple process of demonstrating your professionalism and that you are focused on every feature of the property.

4.       Walk around the outside of the house taking notes:  Tour the outside of the home noticing any features that are critical to the marketing process and write down anything that may be of concern or that you have questions about.

5.       Walk around the inside of the house taking notes:  Do not ask the seller to tour you through the house as if they were trying to sell it to you.  That strategy will create the 3 hour tour and 30 minute listing presentation.  Simply walk from room-to-room asking questions and taking notes.

Your next tip will explain steps 5-10 of the listing presentation.  If you would like me to share them with you today, give me a call.

Thank You,

Lucinda Brasington, Dir. of Marketing
Penny Benton, Dir. of Training
ERA Wilder Realty, Inc.
803-728-8400 ext. 203 - Lucinda
803-728-8400 ext. 206 - Penny
lucindab@erawilderrealty.com
pennyb@erawilderrealty.com
www.erawilderrealty.com

To subscribe, go to the following address: http://www.realestatecareersofsc.com

Cut out and send them a short congratulatory note with your business card.

They’ll love it and remember you!

Thank You,

Lucinda Brasington, Dir. of Marketing
Penny Benton, Dir. of Training
ERA Wilder Realty, Inc.
803-728-8400 ext. 203 - Lucinda
803-728-8400 ext. 206 - Penny
lucindab@erawilderrealty.com
pennyb@erawilderrealty.com
www.erawilderrealty.com

To subscribe, go to the following address: http://www.realestatecareersofsc.com

Here are the 14 productive elements to a great listing presentation.

• Show up on time
• Dress professionally
• Have a clipboard and note pad in hand
• Walk around the outside of the house taking notes
• Walk around the inside of the house taking notes
• Choose a spot to present.  The kitchen table or the dining room table.
• Ask the number one question.  (Sellers expectation of you as their agent)
• Write down all the answers the seller gives you.
• Restate and clarify the answers you receive.
• Ask the seller what they feel your job is?
• Present your value proposition based on the expectations of the seller.
• Pricing strategy
• Close and get the listing signed.
• Explain to the seller what happens next, all the way through to closing

Our next tip will explain steps 1-5 of the listing presentation.  If you would like me to share them with you today, give me a call! 

Thank You,

Lucinda Brasington, Dir. of Marketing
Penny Benton, Dir. of Training
ERA Wilder Realty, Inc.
803-728-8400 ext. 203 - Lucinda
803-728-8400 ext. 206 - Penny
lucindab@erawilderrealty.com
pennyb@erawilderrealty.com
www.erawilderrealty.com

Features are not the piece that excites someone to take action, it’s the Benefit.

The consumer wants to know, “What is the benefit of working with you?”  “What’s in it for me?”

How do you verbalize the importance of staging?

(Example):
“Do you buy a drill because you want a drill or do you buy a drill because you want a hole?”  The drill is the feature and the hole is the benefit.

What benefits do your tools and skills provide a customer?  How do you verbalize, present and demonstrate the benefits of the features you have for a customer?

In your next tip, I will provide you with specific features and benefits that go with those features.

If you would like to know them today, give me a call! 

Thank You,

Lucinda Brasington, Dir. of Marketing
Penny Benton, Dir. of Training
ERA Wilder Realty, Inc.
803-728-8400 ext. 203 - Lucinda
803-728-8400 ext. 206 - Penny
lucindab@erawilderrealty.com
pennyb@erawilderrealty.com
www.erawilderrealty.com

To subscribe, go to the following address: http://www.realestatecareersofsc.com

How are you going to make this home presentable for the market?

It’s simple…. actual photos of before and after pictures where you have hired a professional stager or consulted with the client yourself.

How do you verbalize the importance of staging?

(Example):

“Mr. and Mrs. Seller, how we live in a home is different than how we present the home to the market.  Would it make sense for us to stage your home so that we can present it to the market in the best possible way?”

This is the last of the critical 4 step process towards your Listing Presentation.  If I can help you make better use of your time, skill levels and prospecting efficiency, please call.

In your next tip, I am going to share with you the important difference between features and benefits.

If you would like to know how to do that today, give me a call.

Thank You,

Lucinda Brasington, Dir. of Marketing
Penny Benton, Dir. of Training
ERA Wilder Realty, Inc.
803-728-8400 ext. 203 - Lucinda
803-728-8400 ext. 206 - Penny
lucindab@erawilderrealty.com
pennyb@erawilderrealty.com
www.erawilderrealty.com

• What is market knowledge?  Is it a simple Market Analysis or is there more to it?
• Do you know the difference between Median Prices vs. Average Sales price?
• If so, what does it all really mean?
• How about days on market?  Sales price as a percentage of list prices?
• Are you using Price Banding in your listing presentation?

Your commitment is to be the most skilled in presenting and verbalizing your market knowledge. 

Call me today and I will provide you with the strategies and tactics.

In your next tip, I have a bonus benefit you can present to your sellers that will further differentiate you from the competition.

If you want it today, give me a call.

Thank You,

Lucinda Brasington, Dir. of Marketing
Penny Benton, Dir. of Training
ERA Wilder Realty, Inc.
803-728-8400 ext. 203 - Lucinda
803-728-8400 ext. 206 - Penny
lucindab@erawilderrealty.com
pennyb@erawilderrealty.com
www.erawilderrealty.com

To subscribe, go to the following address: http://www.realestatecareersofsc.com/

You MUST register by sending an email to: lucindab@erawilderrealty.com

“Mr. and Mrs. Seller, marketing your home is defined by using cost-effective, results proven strategies to get your home sold….Maximum exposure to the greatest number of potential buyers…. What are your expectations of me in marketing your home?”

Sure, you have all the great marketing strategies and tactics to get a home sold, but isn’t it important to find out the expectations of your prospect so that you are on the same page!

The seller will share with you their expectations and you will write them down.

Restate what they have shared with you for clarity and to show that you are listening and ask why each one is important to them.

Then move into your marketing plan, clearly articulating each action step that you are going to take and when you are going to take the action.  Use a calendaring system to let all parties know what’s going to happen and when it’s going to happen.

After you have presented your marketing plan, you will need to ask them one question, “Does this look like a marketing plan that can get you maximum exposure to the greatest number of buyers?”

If I can help you with any of the verbalization process today, give me a call!

Thank You,

Lucinda Brasington, Dir. of Marketing
Penny Benton, Dir. of Training
ERA Wilder Realty, Inc.
803-728-8400 ext. 203 - Lucinda
803-728-8400 ext. 206 - Penny
lucindab@erawilderrealty.com
pennyb@erawilderrealty.com
www.erawilderrealty.com

To subscribe to this newsletter, visit www.realestatecareersofsc.com

• Negotiating Skills
• Marketing Skills
• Market Knowledge

Can you clearly articulate the value the consumer will experience from your negotiating skills, marketing skills and market knowledge?

In your next tip, I will share with you how to verbalize the benefit of the three most critical attributes of a listing agent.

If you would like to know how to do that today, give me a call!

Thank You,

Lucinda Brasington, Dir. of Marketing
Penny Benton, Dir. of Training
ERA Wilder Realty, Inc.
803-728-8400 ext. 203 - Lucinda
803-728-8400 ext. 206 - Penny
lucindab@erawilderrealty.com
pennyb@erawilderrealty.com
www.erawilderrealty.com

To subscribe to this newsletter, visit www.realestatecareersofsc.com

• How many transactions are you going to close?
• What is your average sales price going to be?
• What is your totals sales volume going to be?
• What is your average commission percentage per transaction?
• What is your gross commission income going to be (before commission split)?
• How many buyer closings will you have?
• How many seller closings will you have?

Please call me if I can help you with your projections and any other facets of your plan!

Lucinda Brasington, Dir. of Marketing
Penny Benton, Dir. of Training
ERA Wilder Realty, Inc.
803-728-8400 ext. 203 - Lucinda
803-728-8400 ext. 206 - Penny
lucindab@erawilderrealty.com
pennyb@erawilderrealty.com
www.erawilderrealty.com

To subscribe, go to the following address: www.realestatecareersofsc.com

Allow the square footage to show or use furniture to create sectional space. Show versatility. Allow others to use their imagination.

Many of you have asked for another iPad training class. Immediately following the meeting, we will have an iPad class/share session. We will do this "Questions & Answers" style so come with your questions and list of iPad applications you want to share with the group. :)

ERA Wilder Realty Brokers and Agents came out in support for the National Association of Realtors Homeownership Matters Bus tour as it stopped off in Columbia at the South Carolina Association of Realtors office on Fernandina road. “We joined in and voiced our support for politicians upholding the American value of homeownership,” said Morris Lyles BIC of the Downtown ERA Wilder Realty office. Among things that the federal government is discussing is the elimination of the home mortgage interest deduction, which would be catastrophic to the already struggling housing business. Also on the table in Washington is the requirement of banking regulators to require a 20% down payment on all transactions. This would make homeownership out of reach for millions of Americans that can qualify for a loan currently. Another issue that is currently affecting the housing market in SC is that in many counties FHA loan limits will expire meaning that they will revert back to 125% of the median income. “This will cripple the market in SC,” said Elizabeth Mendenhall the Vice President of the National Association of Realtors. If you would like any other information about these issues, or information about how to contact your elected representative and tell them to put a stop to this please call any of ERA Wilder’s offices.

Learn more: http://www.abccolumbia.com/news/local/Realtors-Rally-To-Protect-the-American-Dream--130148538.html 

Watch the Video produced by ERA Wilder Realty Lexington agent, Charlie Branham.

October 2011. Columbia SC.

This year’s conference theme was “Seasons of Success: Plant, Grow, Harvest.”  Over 100 relocation professionals from across the country gathered in Denver to address concerns facing today’s mobile workforce.  Topics included “Social Media and its Effects on Marketing”, Short Sales and Relocation Programs: Can they Co-Exist?”, Dodd-Frank Changes and their Impact on the Industry”, to name a few.

Additional speakers from RDC’s Advisory Councils examined the need for creative solutions to the declining real estate values, the prolonged recession, high unemployment numbers, and reluctance to relocate. Representatives from companies such as SC Johnson, the Home Depot, Prudential Relocation, Sirva and Altair, addressed the current market environment, policy trends and shared creative solutions. 

Attendees interacted with corporate and relocation management representatives at the organization’s dinner atop the Hyatt Regency Hotel, celebrating the ongoing success of the RDC.

The Relocation Directors Council^® sets the standard of excellence for real estate relocation professionals. It’s Corporate and Relocation Management Company Advisory Councils work in conjunction with the Board of Directors to promote the highest ethical and performance standards in the industry.  Its membership is comprised of 250 relocation professionals, representing over 5,000 real estate offices and 215,000 sales associates nationwide.  RDC^® affiliates have become the trusted source for up-to-date market information, best practices, industry specific education, and extraordinary relocation service. As members of Worldwide ERC®, RDC^® member services span the globe.

To learn more about RDC or to locate an RDC member, visit their website at www.relocationdirectorscouncil.com

Clean out the clutter and let your home shine. Allow prospective buyers to imagine themselves making their own new memories in the home by removing your own family photos. So, sell the space, not your stuff. This simple step can make a big difference.

I stumbled upon a fantastic tutorial created by Mari Smith that will guide you through the process of editing your Facebook chat sidebar settings.

Visit the link to learn more from Mari. http://www.marismith.com/edit-your-facebook-chat-sidebar-settings/

·    Walk your farming area and knock on doors! Introduce yourself and hand out business cards, pens, pads, or anything with your name and number on it.

·    Get involved! Volunteer for community work, join a new club, or become a coach of one of your children’s school teams.

·    Attend and participate in local seminars, workshops, and networking events and have plenty of business cards on hand for distribution!

·    Write or call old prospects, and past customers and see if their needs have changed.

·    Who can help you find more prospects? Family members, spouse’s coworkers, children’s friends’ parents, church members, club members, neighbors, anyone that you are a customer of, and anyone you come within 3 feet of!

·    Meet new people! Standing in line at the grocery store, in the post office, at the library, at the museum, at your children’s next event, at the hair salon, picking up the dry cleaning, etc. And hand out CARDS!

·    Give a talk or presentation at a networking event, conference, or industry meeting. And raffle off a prize at the end of the event to collect business cards from the audience.

·    Create a business card that stands out from the rest! Decide on a tagline, or a memory tag that really helps you, and be unique!

·    Offer to help with a prospects next event or meeting.

·    When getting a referral, ask your customer for details on how to make a favorable impact on the referral.

·    Use seasonal and holiday promotions to reach out to new prospects.  A dry erase calendar with your picture and contact information would be great. The more prospects see you the more they recognize you’re doing something different than most agents. In their mind, you’re the most signification agent in your market.

It’s all about relationship building. Develop the ability to connect with your clients and make them trust and rely on you for all of their real estate needs.  That’s what makes a career in real estate so much fun! It’s part of your job to meet all kinds of interesting people everywhere you go!

                Your real estate agent will be with you every step of the way and is the person with whom you’ll spend the most time. Most agents are found through word of mouth, a friend, or a neighbor that had a good experience and passed along the name to you. After helping you sell your home, your agent will manage the process of negotiating the sale. Your real estate agent will explain the steps of the process from the beginning and keep in constant communication with you.

                We at New American Mortgage understand that selling your home can be a very emotional time in your life and our loan officers, Tripp Davis, Erica West, and Chad Kurtz can assist you with pre-qualifying potential buyers. They are professionally trained, knowledgeable and dedicated to bringing you quality service.

· The persons name and contact information.

· What property they contacted you about.

· If they are buying or selling.

· What they are looking for.

Once you have all the information you need, contact them on a regular basis to make sure they stay on track. Don’t worry that you’ll be bothering them, instead, worry that they would otherwise forget who you are or feel ignored by you.

New American Mortgage partners with Columbia based real estate company ERA Wilder Realty to provide all the necessary services for selling and buying real estate in the Columbia South Carolina area. For more information on all the services that ERA Wilder Realty has to offer, visit erawilderrealty.com.

                Pride of ownership is the number one reason why people yearn to own their own home. It means you can paint the walls any color you desire, turn up the volume on your CD player, and decorate your home according to your own taste. Home ownership also gives you and your family a sense of stability and security. It’s making an investment in your future!

                Property tax deductions. You can deduct the mortgage interest from your income taxes. And you’ll get a tax break on capital gains, when you sell. You’ll only get the income tax break if you itemize your deductions.

                Build equity! Each month, part of your monthly payment is applied to the principal balance of your loan, which reduces your obligation. The way amortization works, the principal portion of your principal and interest payment increases slightly every month. It is lowest on your first payment and highest on your last payment.

                Mortgage rates are historically low! It's not just the price of the home that will affect affordability; mortgage terms will also affect your monthly payments. These days, rates are very attractive for conforming loans.

                We at New American Mortgage understand that purchasing a home can be a very emotional time in your life and our loan officers, Tripp Davis, Erica West, and Chad Kurtz will do their best to take the worry out of your next home purchase. They are professionally trained, knowledgeable and dedicated to bringing you quality service! Call today to find out how New American Mortgage can help you become a home owner or visit newamerican.com for more information on home ownership.

                New American Mortgage partners with Columbia based real estate company ERA Wilder Realty to provide all the necessary services for selling and buying real estate in the Columbia South Carolina area. For more information on all the services that ERA Wilder Realty has to offer, visit erawilderrealty.com.

• The majority of vacation and investment properties are purchased by people 55 and over*.
• Survey participants age 55 and older consider the Internet to be an essential tool for researching properties. And nearly 70 percent of seniors considering a home purchase in the near future cited photos and virtual tours as the top tools for researching real estate online**.

Bonus Factoid: Although many seniors view Internet searches as a crucial first step, they still view a qualified real estate sales associate as the most influential professional during the entire home buying process.

* http://www.eratodayrealty.com/news/39/37/The-mature-real-esate-market
** http://www.era.com/eraresources/buyingadvice/50+buyeroptions.jsp

Contact me for more information about programs that spur sales to the senior market.

Thank You,

Lucinda Brasington, Dir. of Marketing

Penny Benton, Dir. of Training

ERA Wilder Realty, Inc.

803-728-8400 ext. 203 - Lucinda

803-728-8400 ext. 206 - Penny

lucindab@erawilderrealty.com 

pennyb@erawilderrealty.com 

www.erawilderrealty.com

To subscribe, visit www.realestatecareersofsc.com.

1. Know how much home you can afford

If you don't already have a budget, make a list of all your monthly expenses (excluding rent), including vehicle costs, student loan payments, credit card payments, groceries, health insurance, retirement savings and so on. Don't forget major expenses that occur only once a year, like any insurance premiums you pay annually or annual vacations. Subtract this total from your take-home pay and you'll know how much you can spend on your new home each month.

2.  Mortgage qualification

What you think you can afford and what the bank is willing to lend you may not match up, so make sure to get preapproved for a loan before placing and offer on a home. One of our Mortgage Consultant’s at New American Mortgage can help qualify you and consult you on the best loan to fit your needs.

3.  Consider additional expenses

Once you're a homeowner, you'll have additional expenses on top of your monthly payment. Unlike when you’re renting, you'll be responsible for paying property taxes, insuring your home against disasters and making any repairs the house needs.

4. Your wish list

Go ahead and put everything you can think of on your wish list, but don't be so inflexible that you end up continuing to rent for significantly longer than you really want to. First-time homebuyers often have to compromise on something. You may have to live on a busy street, accept outdated decor, make some repairs to the home or forgo that extra bedroom. Of course, you can always choose to continue renting until you can afford everything on your list -- you'll just have to decide how important it is for you to become a homeowner now rather than in a couple of years.

5.  Vision

Even if you can't afford to replace the wallpaper in the bathroom now, it might be worth it to live with the wallpaper for a while in exchange for getting into a house you can afford. If the home meets your needs in terms of the big things that are difficult to change, such as location and size, don't let physical imperfections turn you away. Besides, doing home upgrades yourself, even if you have to hire a contractor, is often cheaper than paying the increased home value to a seller who has already done the work for you.

6. Being swept away

Minor upgrades and cosmetic fixes are inexpensive tricks that play on your emotions and elicit a much higher price. If you're on a budget, look for homes whose full potential has yet to be realized. Also, first-time homebuyers should always look for a house they can add value to; this ensures a bump in equity to help you up the property ladder.

7. Compromising on the important things

Don't get a two bedroom home when you know you're planning to have kids and will want at least three bedrooms. By the same token, don't buy a condo just because it's cheaper when one of the main reasons you're over apartment life is because you hate sharing walls with neighbors. It's true that you'll probably have to make some compromises to be able to afford your first home, but don't make a compromise that will be a major strain.

8. Neglecting to inspect

It's tempting to think that you're a homeowner the moment you go into escrow, but before you close on the sale, you need to know what kind of shape the house is in. You don't want to get stuck with a money pit or with the headache of performing a lot of unexpected repairs. Keeping your feelings in check until you have a full picture of the homes condition and the soundness of your potential investment will help you avoid making a serious financial mistake.

9.  Finding your Real Estate Agent

Your Real Estate Agent will be with you every step of the way and is the person with whom you’ll spend the most time. Most agents are found through word of mouth, a friend, or a neighbor that had a good experience and passed along the name to you. After helping you find the right home, your agent will manage the process of putting in an offer and negotiating the sale. Your agent will also explain the steps of the process from the beginning and keep in constant communication with you.

10.  Think about the future

It's impossible to perfectly predict the future of your chosen neighborhood, but paying attention to the information that is available to you now can help you avoid unpleasant surprises down the road. Here are some questions to ask.

·                     What kind of development plans are in the works for your neighborhood?

·                     Is your street likely to become a major street or a popular rush-hour shortcut?

·                     Will a highway be built in your backyard in five years?

·                     What are the zoning laws in your area?

·                     If there is a lot of undeveloped land? What is likely to get built there?

We at New American Mortgage understand that purchasing a home can be a very emotional time in your life and our loan officers Tripp Davis, Erica West and Chad Kurtz do their best to take the worry out of your next home purchase. They are professionally trained, knowledgeable and dedicated to bringing you quality service! For more information on financing your next home visit newamerican.com.

New American Mortgage partners with Columbia based real estate company ERA Wilder Realty to provide all the necessary services for selling and buying real estate in the Columbia South Carolina area. For more information on all the services that ERA Wilder Realty has to offer visit erawilderrealty.com.

From HUDPEMCO:

NOTE: **Line 12 should only be initialed by the buyer**

THIS VIDEO IS SPECIFIC TO PEMCO PROPERTIES IN AREAS 1A AND 2A

The 1A area includes:
- Illinois, Indiana, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Kentucky

The 2A area includes
- Georgia, Florida, Mississippi, Alabama, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands

This is a walk through on how to fill out the 9548 page of the HUD contract package by hand. It has been reviewed and approved by the PEMCO contracts department.

BLUE INK!!

Here are a few results of a survey of the real estate wants and needs of seniors that may surprise you:

• Most seniors want single-family homes and choose independence over communal living.
• Most senior buyers are looking to live within 20 miles of their current residence, about half within the same county.
• The U.S. Census Bureau reports that less than 5 percent of people 55 and over move in any given year; the main reason for a long-distance move at 55+ is to be closer to family.

*Source: http://www.era.com/eraresources/buyingadvice/50+buyeroptions.jsp

Your next tip will share more about senior homebuyers. Meanwhile, contact me for information about programs that spur sales to the senior market.

Thank You,

Lucinda Brasington, Dir. of Marketing

Penny Benton, Dir. of Training

ERA Wilder Realty, Inc.

803-728-8400 ext. 203 - Lucinda

803-728-8400 ext. 206 - Penny

lucindab@erawilderrealty.com

pennyb@erawilderrealty.com

erawilderrealty.com

To subscribe, visit realestatecareersofsc.com.

HOME LOANS: Home is where we live, where we belong, our refuge and our place for connection. Many people dream of owning their own home. We want to help you finance your home, whether it’s your first, your next or the home you’ve always dreamed of.

TRANSPORTATION: Unless you have the cash to purchase a car, you’ll have to get a loan. Your credit not only affects whether or not you qualify for a loan, but also the amount and interest rate of the loan.

EMPLOYMENT: Many employers conduct credit checks as part of the hiring process. If you haven’t demonstrated financial responsibility, a prospective employer might be hesitant to hire you.

ENTREPRENEURSHIP: Many people have dreams of starting their own business. Most business startups require a sizable amount of cash that you might not have available. In that case, you’ll need to obtain a small business loan. Among other things, you need to have good credit to qualify for the business loan.

                Since your credit is defined by how you’ve paid your bills in the past, many businesses, landlords, mortgage lenders, and even employers use your credit to predict your future financial responsibility. Anytime you need to borrow money, or even services, your credit is called into question. This is why maintaining good credit is so important.

According to Erica West with New American Mortgage, “Owning a home is easier than ever”! With interest rates at all time lows, Erica can assist you or someone you know with purchasing the perfect home. Call Erica today to find out how New American Mortgage can help you become a home owner.

                New American Mortgage partners with Columbia based real estate company ERA Wilder Realty to provide all the necessary services for selling and buying real estate in the Columbia South Carolina area. For more information on all the services that ERA Wilder Realty has to offer visit erawilderrealty.com.

1. FINANCIAL PLAN. Conduct a financial plan to determine whether you can really afford to buy a house. Make sure to either have enough money saved for your down payment or research how to take advantage of any first time home buyers programs out there. Find out where you stand with your finances and make any corrections if needed. Be sure to make all your payments on time.

2. BE AN INFORMED BUYER. Do your research! Visit neighborhoods that you may want to live in. A lot of Realtors hold open houses on the weekends that will give you the opportunity to view the neighborhood and the house while talking to a real estate professional that knows the area. Perhaps even consider talking to some neighbors and getting a feel for the neighborhood and amenities that it offers.

3. YOUR CREDIT REPORT. Get a copy of your credit report. Go to Annual credit report and request your free copy. It is very important to go over your credit report and check everything on it before you start the mortgage process.

4. GET PRE-APPROVED FOR A MORTGAGE. Call me, Erica West, at New American Mortgage because now is the perfect time to become a home owner! Owning a home is easier than ever and with interest rates at all time lows, I can help you with purchasing the perfect home! I will let you know how much home you can afford so you can shop for that home with confidence.

5. FIND A REAL ESTATE AGENT. Your Real Estate Agent is with you every step of the way and is the person with whom you’ll spend the most time. Most agents are found through word of mouth, or a friend, however I recommend that you visit ERA Wilder Realty and search through their list of professional agents. Your agent will manage the process from putting in an offer and negotiating the sale to finding the right pest control company for you. Your agent will also be in constant communication with you.

6. HIRE A REAL ESTATE ATTORNEY. Buying a home is a major purchase in your life, so don’t try to save money when it comes to legal fees. Ask for references from your real estate agent and ask to be recommended to someone in your area that will look out for your best interests.

7. SCHEDULE A HOME INSPECTION. Think you’ve found your dream home? I recommend that you have a Licensed Home Inspector inspect your home from top to bottom to see if there are any areas that need attention. Not all home problems are easy to see so it’s better to find out if there are any major problems with the home.

8. HOME. It’s where we live, where we belong, our refuge and our place for connection. So much happens in our homes: birthday parties, family reunions, anniversaries, and holiday celebrations. It’s a place of our own where we can paint any color, tear down walls and express ourselves. As children, we’ve all built houses from blocks or played house with dolls. We all dream of owning our own home. I want to help you finance your home, whether it’s your first, your next or the home you’ve always dreamed of owning. I understand that purchasing a home can be a very emotional time in your life and I will do my best to take the worry out of your next home purchase. I am professionally trained, knowledgeable and dedicated to bringing you quality service. For more information on financing your next home call Erica West at 803-528-5019 or email me at erica.west@newamerican.com. New American Mortgage partners with the Columbia based real estate company, ERA Wilder Realty, to provide all the necessary services for selling and buying real estate in the Columbia, South Carolina area. For more information on all the services that ERA Wilder Realty has to offer visit erawilderrealty.com.

1.       Up-Front Positioning - Well-positioned listings sell. Ensure that you are taking on saleable listings by applying metrics that ensure you know what price ranges are selling before you take a listing.

2.       Intensify Your Effort in the Last 90 Days - For unsold listings, you know that the 90 days leading up to expiration are extremely critical. Two effective tools when working with a seller in this phase are a pricing analysis of comparable properties and a salability rating checklist.

3.       Manage, Manage, Manage - Managing your listings requires continuous, intense effort to be successful. The only way to achieve that is to get down to a grassroots level and analyze your listings in depth, listing by listing.

Buyers come to you already armed with information from the Web and other sources, but they typically do not possess your experience in helping buyers or your deep knowledge of the market you serve.

*NAR (Ref: http://www.mercurynews.com/real-estate/ci_17147709?nclick_check=1)

Contact me for more information about successful listing management strategies.

Thank You,

Lucinda Brasington, Dir. of Marketing

Penny Benton, Dir. of Training

ERA Wilder Realty, Inc.

803-728-8400 ext. 203 - Lucinda

803-728-8400 ext. 206 - Penny

lucindab@erawilderrealty.com 

pennyb@erawilderrealty.com 

www.erawilderrealty.com

To subscribe, visit www.realestatecareersofsc.com.

                The borrowers must meet the South Carolina State Housing’s first time home buyer requirements. The program features a reduced mortgage interest rate and down payment assistance is available. The funding will be limited to $40 million. Loans are available on a first come first served basis and borrowers must have an accepted sales contract on a home prior to reserving funds. All South Carolina State Housing loan policies and procedures will be in effect for this program. Please talk to one of our loan officers for specific loan details.

Police Officers - The borrower must be a full time police officer with state or local government agency including correctional officers with the South Carolina State Department of Corrections.

Fire Fighters and EMS - The borrower must be a full time or volunteer fire fighter or EMS with a state or local government agency.

Teachers - The borrower must have a South Carolina Teachers Certification and be employed as a classroom teacher or have a contract to receive a paycheck begin teaching within 60 days of closing on the home.

Nurses - The borrower must have a Nursing Degree and be employed as a nurse in a hospital, doctor’s office, school, or other medical facility.

Veterans - The borrower must be a person who has served in the active military, naval, or air service, and who was discharged or released from duty under condition other than dishonorable.

                Buying a home should be one of the most enjoyable experiences of your life! Most of the time, it’s the largest investment you will make. We at New American Mortgage understand that purchasing a home can be a very emotional time in your life and our loan officers Tripp Davis, Erica West, and Chad Kurtz do their best to take the worry out of your next home purchase. They are professionally trained, knowledgeable and dedicated to bringing you quality service! For more information on financing your next home visit newamerican.com.

It is equally important that you, the listing agent, are clear on who is on title to the property, as any party that is on title will have to provide signatures on the closing documents in order for the property to close and transfer to the Buyer with clear title.

If any party that is on the mortgage note, or on title to the property, will not cooperate in providing the required documentation and/or signatures, unfortunately, the Short Sale will not close.

Thank You,

Lucinda Brasington, Dir. of Marketing

Penny Benton, Dir. of Training

ERA Wilder Realty, Inc.

803-728-8400 ext. 203 - Lucinda

803-728-8400 ext. 206 - Penny

lucindab@erawilderrealty.com 

pennyb@erawilderrealty.com 

www.erawilderrealty.com

To subscribe, visit www.realestatecareersofsc.com.

                Good debt is investment debt that creates value, for example, home mortgages, student loans, and business loans. Good debt includes buying a home or refinancing a home to get rid of excessively high rates. 

                Bad debt includes debt you’ve taken on for things you don’t need and can’t afford. The worst form of bad debt is credit card debt, since it usually carries the highest interest rates…not to mention what that debt could potentially do to your credit rating. “Total personal debt should not exceed 36 percent of your total income,” says Tripp. Keeping the debt to income ratio in mind, it’s also important not to miss payments. “Missed payments are trouble,” he says.

                The BEST debt! The best type of debt is debt that builds wealth over the long run, and the Number 1 example of that is mortgage debt. So when you borrow to buy a home, chances are that’s good debt and you’ll build value!

Tripp heavily promotes the idea of homeownership, saying that everyone needs to own where they live and the fastest way to wealth in America is buying where you live.  According to Tripp “Owning a home is easier than ever”! With interest rates at all time lows, he can assist you or someone you know with purchasing the perfect home. Call Tripp today to find out how New American Mortgage can help you become a home owner.

                New American Mortgage partners with Columbia based real estate company ERA Wilder Realty to provide all the necessary services for selling and buying real estate in the Columbia South Carolina area. For more information on all the services that ERA Wilder Realty has to offer visit erawilderrealty.com.

Furthermore, you need an Escrow Officer or Closing Attorney on your team who is willing to do a preliminary title search on the property when you take a Short Sale listing. When a homeowner is behind on their mortgage payments, chances are they might also be behind on their property taxes, their federal income taxes, their Homeowner’s Association Dues, their utilities, and other obligations that, if delinquent, could very likely show up as additional liens or judgments that have attached to the property. Keep in mind that any of these other encumbrances will need to be negotiated and settled in order for the Short Sale to close. So in choosing a good, experienced Escrow Officer or Closing Attorney to close your Short Sales, make sure you choose someone who is willing to do a preliminary title search on the property, so you and your Seller can strategize accordingly.

Thank You,

Lucinda Brasington, Dir. of Marketing

Penny Benton, Dir. of Training

ERA Wilder Realty, Inc.

803-728-8400 ext. 203 - Lucinda

803-728-8400 ext. 206 - Penny

lucindab@erawilderrealty.com 

pennyb@erawilderrealty.com 

www.erawilderrealty.com

To subscribe, visit www.realestatecareersofsc.com.

The general rule-of-thumb is that a Short Sale is an “as-is” property. Typically the only time a lender agrees to pay for any repairs on behalf of a Buyer is when the property is uninsurable and the Buyer cannot get financing until certain repairs are taken care of. In most of these cases, however, rather than the lender actually paying for these repairs, the lender simply allows the Buyer to gross-up the sales price and build the cost of the repairs into their own financing.

Thank You,

Lucinda Brasington, Dir. of Marketing

Penny Benton, Dir. of Training

ERA Wilder Realty, Inc.

803-728-8400 ext. 203 - Lucinda

803-728-8400 ext. 206 - Penny

lucindab@erawilderrealty.com 

pennyb@erawilderrealty.com 

www.erawilderrealty.com

To subscribe, visit www.realestatecareersofsc.com.

*Loan Officer - A Loan Officers job is to find the best loan to fit your needs. A Loan Officer can assess your financial needs and find a loan to match. You’ll probably have daily contact with your Loan Officer for a couple of weeks while you’re finding the right loan and filling out all the paperwork.

*Appraiser - Before you get a loan the bank will have an appraiser look at the home and decide if it’s really worth the money you’re planning to spend. An appraiser is an unbiased third party who can actually tell you the truth. An appraiser has no vested interest in a sale or purchase and can give you a reasonable and reliable opinion of the value of the home.

* Real Estate Agent - Your Real Estate Agent will be with you every step of the way and is the person with whom you’ll spend the most time. Most agents’s are found through word of mouth, a friend, or a neighbor that had a good experience and passed along the name to you. After helping you find the right home, your agent will manage the process of putting in an offer and negotiating the sale. The agent should explain the steps of the process from the beginning and keep in constant communication with you.

                According to Erica West with New American Mortgage “Owning a home is easier than ever”! With interest rates at all time lows, I can assist you or someone you know with purchasing the perfect home. Call me today to find out how New American Mortgage can help you become a home owner.

                New American Mortgage partners with Columbia based real estate company ERA Wilder Realty to provide all the necessary services for selling and buying real estate in the Columbia South Carolina area. For more information on all the services that ERA Wilder Realty has to offer visit erawilderrealty.com.

At New American Mortgage, we've earned a reputation for putting our customers first. That's why no matter how large or small a loan you're looking to take, we'll be there to guide you and help you with all the details.

Tripp Davis is a Senior Mortgage Consultant with New American Mortgage in Lexington South Carolina and has helped hundreds of homeowners realize their dream of homeownership. He has put together a list of top 10 reasons to use New American Mortgage. So in David Letterman fashion here is his list!

#10        It’s not always about who has the lowest rates and fees. There’s a lot to be said for GREAT service.

#9           New American Mortgage partners with ERA Wilder Realty and has a designated Loan Officer for each of our seven offices in South Carolina.

#8           We will provide a comprehensive analysis of your client’s situation. This will allow us to advise what actions and programs are in your client’s best interest.

#7           We will not sit on your file until 5 days before the proposed closing date. We check the status of your loan on a daily basis.

#6           We are experienced in Conventional, FHA, VA, Rural Housing and State Housing loans.

#5           We want repeat business.

#4           We are available after hours and on the weekends.

#3           Text, email, or call us and we will get the answers you are looking for.

#2           New American Mortgage has very competitive rates.

               And the number ONE reason you should use New American Mortgage is…

#1           Our 7 day “Clear to Close” culture is a system that shifts the entire loan process to front end loan approval and processing!

Text, email, or call us for more information on all the loan programs available! New American Mortgage funds its own loans and is known for having the fastest loan processing time in the industry, processing and approving most loans in less than seven business days versus the industry average of 30+ days! For more information on all the services that New American Mortgage has to offer visit newamerican.com.

New American Mortgage partners with Columbia based real estate company ERA Wilder Realty to provide all the necessary services for selling and buying real estate in the Columbia South Carolina area. For more information on all the services that ERA Wilder Realty has to offer visit erawilderrealty.com.

By knowing what the lender must “net” in the transaction, you, the listing agent, can more accurately determine your MLS list price and the bottom-line offer that will meet the lender’s requirements and get an approval.

Thank You,

Lucinda Brasington, Dir. of Marketing

Penny Benton, Dir. of Training

ERA Wilder Realty, Inc.

803-728-8400 ext. 203 - Lucinda

803-728-8400 ext. 206 - Penny

lucindab@erawilderrealty.com 

pennyb@erawilderrealty.com 

www.erawilderrealty.com

To subscribe, visit www.realestatecareersofsc.com.

According to the National Association of Realtors, 8 in 10 Americans feel having enough money for the down payment and closing costs is the biggest barrier to purchasing a home. Erica West is a Senior Mortgage Consultant with New American Mortgage and she has compiled a list of way’s to help with this situation. She suggests that you try the following ways to come up with the down payment of a home.

·          Save money for the down payment. Set up a separate bank account that is solely for the down payment. Cut down on unnecessary monthly expenses such as cable service, cell phones, and eating out. Place this extra money into the account. Have a small portion of each paycheck deposited directly into the account, or set aside a certain percentage of each check. By pooling all your money in one place and earning interest on it, you’ll have a down payment for a house in no time!

·          Borrow money from a life insurance policy. This is only possible if you have a “permanent” policy as opposed to a “term life” policy. Paying the money back into the insurance policy is also optional, but this also means less money for beneficiaries after your death. Speak to your life insurance agent regarding the actions required to borrow the money.

·          Sell items in your home. These can be anything from the family’s unused television to an heirloom that the family no longer wishes to own. Hold a yard sale, or place your items on an Internet auction site, or sell these items to a friend or family member.

·          Acquire a loan from a friend or family member. Ask parents, grandparents or siblings who are financially capable for a short or long term loan. The family member may also be willing to give the money as a gift.

·          Call Erica West with New American Mortgage for more information on all the loan programs available through New American Mortgage. New American Mortgage is a progressive full service mortgage banker. It is one of the fastest growing mortgage companies in the United States, with over 40 offices nationwide. New American Mortgage funds its own loans and is known for having the fastest loan processing time in the industry, processing and approving most loans in less than seven business days, versus the industry average of 30+ days!

New American Mortgage partners with Columbia based real estate company ERA Wilder Realty to provide all the necessary services for selling and buying real estate in the Columbia South Carolina area. For more information on all the services that ERA Wilder Realty has to offer visit erawilderrealty.com.

Let’s say you have a Short Sale listing with two mortgages and the current market value of the property is $90,000. Furthermore, let’s say that the first is owed $80,000 and the second is owed $20,000. Assuming you get an offer at market value of $90,000, the first mortgage should be paid off the full. In this scenario, you would be facilitating your Short Sale with the second. But, since the first is in senior position and has the first right to foreclose, you will want to contact the first, explain that you are working a Short Sale with the second, and request that they stall any foreclosure proceedings while you are working your Short Sale with the second. The first will typically agree to this in an effort to avoid the time and the expense of the foreclosure process.

Now, let’s change up the numbers a bit. Let’s say that current market value is $70,000 instead of $90,000. In this scenario, there is not enough equity to pay off the first who is owed $80,000, so you will be working the Short Sale with the first and they will determine the amount they are willing to offer the second for the “release of lien”. Once the first has determined this amount and the terms they will agree to, you will then want to initiate communication with the second, by submitting your Short Sale Package, the Purchase Contract and an Estimated HUD-1 Settlement Statement indicating the amount that the first is offering the second for a “release of lien”.

Thank You,

Lucinda Brasington, Dir. of Marketing

Penny Benton, Dir. of Training

ERA Wilder Realty, Inc.

803-728-8400 ext. 203 - Lucinda

803-728-8400 ext. 206 - Penny

lucindab@erawilderrealty.com 

pennyb@erawilderrealty.com 

www.erawilderrealty.com

To subscribe, visit www.realestatecareersofsc.com.

In a loan modification, the lender simply agrees to modify the terms of the loan. For instance, let’s say a homeowner is in an adjustable rate mortgage that originated with a “teaser rate” of 3%. And now, 7 years later, after resetting multiple times, the interest rate is sitting at a whopping 12%, putting the homeowner in a monthly payment they cannot afford. Assuming the homeowner qualifies, the lender may agree to modify the terms of the loan, to get the homeowner into a monthly payment, and a new interest rate, that they can actually afford.

On the other hand, in a forbearance agreement, rather than modifying the terms of the loan, the lender simply sets up a “payment plan” allowing the homeowner to pay off the balance of any delinquent payments over a specified period of time, typically 6-12 months. So, in a forbearance agreement, in addition to their regular monthly payment, the homeowner must make an additional payment each month to pay off the balance of any delinquent payments.

Thank You,

Lucinda Brasington, Dir. of Marketing

Penny Benton, Dir. of Training

ERA Wilder Realty, Inc.

803-728-8400 ext. 203 - Lucinda

803-728-8400 ext. 206 - Penny

lucindab@erawilderrealty.com 

pennyb@erawilderrealty.com 

www.erawilderrealty.com

To subscribe, visit www.realestatecareersofsc.com.

            Your credit score is the next thing our loan officers Tripp Davis and Erica West check at New American Mortgage. The minimum score required to qualify for a loan is 620 through 660 depending on the program. New American Mortgage will also require a written explanation for any recent negative information in your credit report.  Your credit score is only one factor we look at, in addition to your income, employment and other existing debts.

            Your income is the second thing our loan officers will verify. A steady, reliable and stable source of income is the best indication of the ability to repay. We want to see two months pay stubs, two years W2’s, two years of tax returns, and two months of bank statements. A verification of employment will be sent to your employer to determine how long you have been with the company and the probability of continued employment. If you are self employed, we will want two years personal and business tax returns and two months bank statements.

            We at New American Mortgage understand that purchasing a home can be a very emotional time in your life and our loan officers Tripp Davis and Erica West do their best to take the worry out of your next home purchase. They are professionally trained, knowledgeable and dedicated to bringing you quality service! For more information on financing your next home visit newamerican.com.

            New American Mortgage partners with Columbia based real estate company ERA Wilder Realty to provide all the necessary services for selling and buying real estate in the Columbia South Carolina area. For more information on all the services that ERA Wilder Realty has to offer visit erawilderrealty.com.

Now keep in mind, in a Short Sale, you are asking the lender to forgive or cancel, the debt. And anytime debt is forgiven or cancelled this triggers taxable income. So, in order for lenders to be in compliance with the IRS, they are supposed to issue a 1099 to a Seller for the amount of the debt forgiven in a Short Sale.

Well, here’s the good news. In December of 2007, a very important piece of legislation was put into place entitled The Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act, which allows certain qualified taxpayers, with certain qualified residences, to exclude from taxable income any debt forgiven in a Short Sale. To qualify, the property must have been the Seller’s principle residence, and the debt that was forgiven must have been either on the original purchase money loan, a loan taken out to refinance the property, or a loan taken out to substantially improve the property.

If you would like to read a good, comprehensive summary of this piece of legislation, we would encourage you to visit the IRS’s website at www.IRS.gov.

Thank You,

Lucinda Brasington, Dir. of Marketing
Penny Benton, Dir. of Training
ERA Wilder Realty, Inc.
803-728-8400 ext. 203 - Lucinda
803-728-8400 ext. 206 - Penny
lucindab@erawilderrealty.com
pennyb@erawilderrealty.com
erawilderrealty.com

To subscribe, visit realestatecareersofsc.com.

July 2011. Lexington SC

Elaine and Joe work together to bring quality service to their clients.  Elaine is from Orangeburg with deep southern roots and is involved in the Lexington community and a member of the Lexington County Chamber of Commerce.  She is also a member of the Sales and Marketing Council and the National Association of Realtors. She understands that buying or selling a house can be very confusing and challenging, but with an experienced agent the task becomes a lot easier.  Whether it is a house on Lake Murray or a condo in Columbia, Elaine can help with the purchase.  She provides great customer service while paying special attention to individual needs and wants. 

Joe Katzenberger comes from a long career in sales management and success servicing both the United States of America and Canada in addition to overseeing markets throughout the world in the agriculture and golf irrigation industry.  With this experience, he is accustomed to working with people of all backgrounds, wants and needs. As a Real Estate Broker and REALTOR he has sold and managed real estate in Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Oregon, Washington, Texas, Ohio and Pennsylvania.

In addition to being a REALTOR, he has taken additional training through the National Association of Realtors in Short Sales and Foreclosures earning the SFR credential.

He and his wife Elaine were both licensed in South Carolina in 2006.  Elaine is a South Carolina native and Joe got here "quick as he could". For more information, Please contact Joe at 803-315-0143 or Elaine at 803-319-9988.

Preapproval is the next step and is generally more involved, requiring documentation of your income and assets. This tells you how much a lender is willing to lend you and at what rate. Here’s what you should count on getting together for this process, according to Tripp Davis Senior Loan Consultant for New American Mortgage: two months pay stubs, two months bank statements, two years W-2s, and a copy of your driver’s license.

               The next step is finding your dream home. Your ERA Wilder Realty real estate agent has access to all the homes in the Columbia area and will help you find the perfect home for you. Your real estate agent can also assist in negotiating the best price for you! Once you write your contact it’s time to submit a loan application with your New American loan officer. Your loan officers takes care of the next few steps for you by ordering a title and property appraisal, then your loan is submitted to underwriting for approval. A closing agent coordinates insurance, and prepares transfer of final materials. Then it’s off to the closing attorney for your loan documents to be signed. You are given the keys to your new home and ready to move in!

First, you want to see language that indicates the lender is going to waive any future deficiency judgment against the Seller. Second, and as further evidence that the lender is agreeing to waive any deficiency, you want to see language that indicates that the lender will be issuing to the Seller a 1099 representing the cancellation of debt. And third, to ensure that the Seller will have the least amount of negative impact on their credit, you want to see language that indicates the lender will report the transaction as a “Satisfaction of Mortgage”.

Now, know that in some Short Sales, with certain lenders, these provisions are standard, while with others, they are not. So, to protect your Seller’s best interest, before you move forward in closing on a Short Sale, make sure these provisions are present in the lender’s approval letter. If they are not, you and your Seller will need to further negotiate with the lender. And if the lender will not budge, your Seller simply needs to understand the potential ramifications of not getting these provisions in writing.

Thank You,

Lucinda Brasington, Dir. of Marketing

Penny Benton, Dir. of Training

ERA Wilder Realty, Inc.

803-728-8400 ext. 203 - Lucinda

803-728-8400 ext. 206 - Penny

lucindab@erawilderrealty.com 

pennyb@erawilderrealty.com 

www.erawilderrealty.com

To subscribe, visit www.realestatecareersofsc.com.

In working with a Seller in this situation, you don’t want to overwhelm them. Instead, you want to make sure they have the information they need to make the best decision and proceed with the best course of action. I find that Sellers primarily need to understand 3 categories of information. First, the homeowner needs to understand the foreclosure process as it applies to their particular state; second, they need to understand the available pre-foreclosure options as offered by their lender; and third, they need to be clear on the benefits and implications of each of those options.

Given the current foreclosure situation, as the real estate professionals serving your respective community, it is imperative that you are properly trained and equipped to be a resource to homeowners who might find themselves facing foreclosure.

Thank You,