ERA Wilder Realty

To subscribe, visit www.realestatecareersofsc.com.

10 First Time Homebuyer Tips

Fri, 23 Sep 2011 14:05:00 GMT

Are you gearing up to buy your first home? Shopping for a home can be both exciting and a little scary. In the end, your aim is to end up with a home you love at a price you can afford. Sounds simple enough, right? Arm yourself with these tips to get the most out of your home purchase and you’ll be happy with the home you choose. Then contact one of our trained and qualified loan officers to help you get pre-qualified. We have three loan officers in the Columbia South Carolina area, and they are Tripp Davis, Erica West, and Chad Kurtz. They would be happy to help you through the loan process and on your way to homeownership!

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 You may have to live on a busy street, accept outdated decor, make some repairs to the home or forgo that extra bedroom.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.

( 1A & 2A ) HOW TO: Fill out the final page of the HUD contract package for areas 1A and 2A

Thu, 22 Sep 2011 16:33:00 GMT

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!!

Staging Secrets: “Success in Real Estate Show”

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 18:45:00 GMT

ERA Wilder Realty Irmo Agent, Tiffany Sowards, joins the show to share Home Staging Secrets.

Surprising Facts* about Senior Home buyers

Tue, 20 Sep 2011 18:20:00 GMT

You know that senior homebuyers make up a valuable segment of the real estate market; over half of all U.S. heads-of-households are over 50 years of age. They own over 75% of America’s financial assets, 80% of the savings and over 50% of all corporate stocks.

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

erawilderrealty.com

To subscribe, visit realestatecareersofsc.com.

Why Good Credit Matters

Mon, 19 Sep 2011 14:20:00 GMT

Today’s economy runs on credit. If you want to get a mortgage loan for a house or a student loan to pay for college, or if you just want to put your lunch on a credit card, a company is extending credit to you. Your creditworthiness is defined by your three digit credit score and it is the key to your financial life. Good credit can be the make or break detail that determines whether you’ll get a mortgage, car loan or student loan. However, even if you’re not in the market for a loan, good credit can have a major impact on your life. Your credit information can be a factor in whether or not you can rent a nice apartment, how much you pay for insurance or whether or not you can get a job. “Good credit can signify that your financial situation and the rest of your life is on the right track,” says Erica West with New American Mortgage.

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.

Smart Home Buying Tips

Fri, 16 Sep 2011 19:00:00 GMT

A good friend of mine recently asked me, “Erica what do I need to know about buying a new house?” As I started explaining the most important things one needs to know, I realized that it was too much information at one time. So for my friend and anyone else who is considering buying a new house and has lots of questions, check out my list of “Smart home buying tips” below. I hope this answers some questions and helps you with making that important decision! For more help with your mortgage contact me, Erica West, at New American Mortgage. I am a Senior Mortgage Consultant in the Columbia, South Carolina area and I would love to help you with all of your mortgage needs.

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.

Setting the Stage for Sales Success

Fri, 16 Sep 2011 14:00:00 GMT

ERA Wilder Realty Northeast agent, Trish Mozdzierz, stages homes to sell. Read this testimonial submitted by one of her satisfied clients.

Manage your Listings... Before they Manage You

Tue, 13 Sep 2011 13:45:00 GMT

The year 2010 was the weakest for U.S. home sales since 1997*; clearly a drag on an agent’s revenue and profitability. Here are three things that add up to a successful listing management strategy:

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

To subscribe, visit www.realestatecareersofsc.com.

Palmetto Heroes Program

Fri, 09 Sep 2011 15:14:00 GMT

This is the third year of this amazing program that is designed to help South Carolina “Heroes”, including law enforcement offices, teachers, firefighters, nurses, veterans, and EMS personnel who wish to become homeowners. Palmetto Heroes will provide 4.625% fixed rate mortgages through the South Carolina State Housing’s “First time home buyer program” to current South Carolina “Heroes” who qualify. Qualification is based on median income per county and household composition. Additionally, with funding from a generous grant from South Carolina Realtors, the Palmetto Heroes Program will provide an extra incentive of down payment assistance of up to $5,000.00. In some cases, this down payment assistance can even be forgivable. If you are interested in seeing if you qualify for this program, please contact one of our loan officers. New American Mortgage has three trained and qualified loan officers in the Columbia area. They are Tripp Davis, Erica West, and Chad Kurtz. They will be happy to pre-qualify you and help you through the program.

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.

Be Clear on who is on the Mortgage Note and who is on Title

Tue, 06 Sep 2011 15:32:00 GMT

You probably know, as part of the lender initiating the Short Sale process, they will require the homeowner, and the listing agent, to submit what I call a Short Sale Package, which is simply a compilation of documentation substantiating the homeowner’s financial hardship. All parties on the mortgage note, including co-signors and other guarantors, will be required by the lender to provide this financial documentation, as well as signatures on the Hardship Letter and Financial Worksheet that will be required by the lender.

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

To subscribe, visit www.realestatecareersofsc.com.

Good Debt Vs Bad Debt

Wed, 31 Aug 2011 19:45:00 GMT

According to Tripp Davis, Senior Mortgage Consultant with New American Mortgage, “when used intelligently, debt can be of tremendous assistance in building wealth”. The challenge is learning how to judge which debt makes sense and which does not and then wisely managing the money you do borrow. One of the secrets, therefore, to being smart with your money is to differentiate between good debt and bad debt.

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.

The Importance of having a good Escrow Officer or Closing Attorney

Tue, 30 Aug 2011 16:25:00 GMT

You must have a good Escrow Officer or Closing Attorney on your team who is well-trained and experienced specifically in closing Short Sales. Short Sales are unique transactions and it is imperative that you have someone closing the transaction who knows how to properly calculate your Estimated and Final HUD-1 Settlement Statement that will be submitted to the lender.

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

To subscribe, visit www.realestatecareersofsc.com.

When you can and cannot get repairs covered for a Buyer

Tue, 23 Aug 2011 14:15:00 GMT

Remember, in a Short Sale, you have a Seller with no money, a property with no equity, and a lender who is taking a loss on the sale. In a Short Sale, when the Buyer asks the Seller to pay for certain repairs to the property, the Buyer is really asking the lender to pay for these repairs.

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

To subscribe, visit www.realestatecareersofsc.com.

Financing Tips from New American Mortgage

Thu, 18 Aug 2011 15:33:00 GMT

Erica West, Senior Mortgage Consultant with New American Mortgage in Columbia South Carolina, has helped hundreds of first time home owners and current owners with financing. With interest rates at all time lows, Erica can assist you or someone you know with purchasing the perfect home.

A Who’s Who Guide to Buying Your First Home

Wed, 17 Aug 2011 18:40:00 GMT

From your loan officer, Appraiser, to the right Real Estate Agent to hire, there are lots of people involved in your home buying experience! It can be overwhelming to keep all of the players and processes straight. Who does what? Do you really need all of these people? Why can’t you just do it yourself? Each of the people involved in the home buying process is an expert in that particular step. Just like a sports team, each player has a role and ability that helps the team come together to get the job done. Erica West is a Senior Mortgage Consultant with New American Mortgage in Columbia South Carolina and she has helped hundreds of first time home owners. She has compiled a list of what they do and why they do it.

*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.

When you can and cannot get Buyer’s closing costs covered

Tue, 16 Aug 2011 17:56:00 GMT

In a Short Sale, whether or not the Buyer can receive assistance with closing costs depends on two things:
1) what type of loan the Seller has, and
2) what type of loan the Buyer is bringing to purchase the property.

If the Seller has an FHA loan, the only scenario in which the Buyer can receive assistance with closing costs is if the Buyer is also bringing FHA financing to purchase the property, and the maximum amount allowed, according to current HUD guidelines, is 1% of the Buyer’s loan amount.

If the Seller has a VA or Conventional loan, regardless of the type of loan that the Buyer is bringing, most lenders will not approve assistance with Buyers closing costs for more than 3% of the Sales Price and the Buyer must be submitting a fair-market-value offer.

The guidelines for FHA Short Sales are governed by HUD and, in our experience I have never seen an exception to these guidelines. On the other hand, on VA and Conventional Short Sales, the guidelines are a bit more flexible and will be lender-specific.

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

To subscribe, visit www.realestatecareersofsc.com.

Top 10 Reasons to Use New American Mortgage

Fri, 12 Aug 2011 14:30:00 GMT

When it comes to buying or refinancing a home, it's nice to know that someone is watching out for you. Whether you need advice on the size of a loan, are investigating the best way to finance a home, or are seeking the lowest interest rates, New American Mortgage is there for you every step of the way.

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.

HUD Home Advice from the Experts

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 19:10:00 GMT

Gloria Johnson, ERA Wilder Realty agent and HUD Home Specialist, talks with Lucinda Brasington about the process of buying HUD Homes and the $100 down program.

What the Lender Must “Net” in the Short Sale Transaction

Wed, 10 Aug 2011 13:40:00 GMT

Let’s start by discussing what the lender must “net” in the Short Sale transaction. In a Short Sale, the lender must “net” a certain percentage of fair market value. As you probably know, part of the lender initiating the Short Sale process, they will order an appraisal or a BPO to determine the current market value of the property. Once the market value is determined, the lender then multiplies a certain percentage to that value to determine what they need to “net” in the transaction… and that percentage is different depending on what type of loan the Seller has. In an FHA Short Sale, the lender must “net” between 84-88% of market value. In a VA Short Sale, the lender must “net” 88% of market value. And, on Conventional Short Sales, while the guidelines are lender-specific and a bit more flexible, most lenders try to “net” about 85% of market value.

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

To subscribe, visit www.realestatecareersofsc.com.

Money For A Down Payment

Mon, 08 Aug 2011 18:05:00 GMT

If you’re hoping to buy a home to take advantage of the affordable home prices and attractive mortgage interest rates, your first question may be “Where do I find the money for a down payment?” To purchase a home, most banks will require the borrower to secure a sizable down payment. The larger the down payment, the less the home owner will be required to pay out of pocket each month. A larger down payment can also help a prospective buyer secure a lower interest rate, which also saves money in the long run.

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!

Successfully Selling HUD Homes Training

Fri, 05 Aug 2011 14:05:00 GMT

Registration IS required by August 16, 2011! For more information and to register, please contact Lucinda Brasington at lucindab@erawilderrealty.com or click here.

Short Sales with Multiple Mortgages

Thu, 04 Aug 2011 14:47:00 GMT

Today let’s discuss your strategy for facilitating Short Sales with multiple mortgages, to ensure that your primary negotiations are with the right lender.

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

To subscribe, visit www.realestatecareersofsc.com.

Credit Dos and Don’ts during the Loan Process

Wed, 27 Jul 2011 15:30:00 GMT

Tripp Davis is a Senior Mortgage Consultant with New American Mortgage and he has helped hundreds of people obtain a home loan. He has put together a checklist of dos and don’ts for people to follow during their home loan process. Tripp believes that good credit is critical when it comes to obtaining the best interest rates and terms on a mortgage. Here are some credit dos and don’ts to follow.

· DO stay current on existing accounts. One 30 day notice can cost you.

· DO continue to use your credit as normal.

· DO have a bank revolving account and an installment loan if you are attempting to reestablish your credit. Avoid finance companies.

· DON’T apply for new credit. Every time you have your credit pulled by a potential creditor or lender, you can lose points from your credit score. This includes co-signing for a loan.

· DON’T pay off collections or charge-offs. If you want to pay off old accounts, do it through escrow. Request a “letter of deletion” from the creditor.

· DON’T close credit card accounts. If you close a credit card account, it may appear that your debt ratio has gone up. Closing a card will affect other factors in the score, including credit history.

· DON’T max out or over charge credit card accounts. Try to keep your credit card balances 30% below their limit during the loan process. If you pay down balances, do it across the board.

· DON’T consolidate your debt. When you consolidate all of your debt onto one or two credit cards, it will appear that you are “maxed out” on that card and you will be penalized.

· DO call Tripp Davis with New American Mortgage before making any credit changes that may affect your score. He may be able to help you improve your score and obtain a home loan.

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!

Loan Modifications vs. Forbearance Agreements

Tue, 26 Jul 2011 15:10:00 GMT

There are generally four pre-foreclosure options, offered by lenders, to homeowners who might be experiencing a financial hardship and facing foreclosure: a loan modification, a forbearance agreement, a short sale, and a deed-in-lieu of foreclosure. Today I want to clarify the difference between a loan modification and a forbearance agreement.

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

To subscribe, visit www.realestatecareersofsc.com.

What Does New American Mortgage Look For In Mortgage Applications?

Fri, 22 Jul 2011 13:00:00 GMT

At New American Mortgage we carefully review your loan application to ensure that you have a high probability of making a loan payment on time. We access and review everything on your application and then have an underwriter review the verifications. We look for stable income, good credit, adequate cash reserves, and no excessive debts.

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.

Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act of 2007

Tue, 19 Jul 2011 16:25:00 GMT

Today I want to discuss which of your Sellers may or may not be liable for a federal income tax liability as a result of a Short Sale.

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.

To subscribe, visit realestatecareersofsc.com.

Top Team Joins ERA Wilder Realty

Thu, 14 Jul 2011 19:10:00 GMT

July 2011. Lexington SC. ERA Wilder Realty welcomes Top Real Estate Team. Joe and Elaine Katzenberger recently joined the Lexington, SC office of ERA Wilder Realty. “We are so excited to welcome such a professional and well respected team”, says Shelley Metropol, Broker of the ERA Wilder Realty Lexington Office. “Elaine and Joe are both so caring and hardworking; I know they will be a great addition to our office and our company.”

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.

Successfully Selling HUD Homes in SC Training

Thu, 14 Jul 2011 16:20:00 GMT

Registration IS required by July 19, 2011! For more information and to register, please contact Lucinda Brasington at lucindab@erawilderrealty.com or click here.

Take the right steps to homeownership

Wed, 13 Jul 2011 19:00:00 GMT

Deciding to purchase a home can be a very frustrating ordeal however having the right people on your team can make all the difference! Start your search by finding the right real estate agent to help guide you through the process. Try searching erawilderrealty.com for your real estate agent. ERA Wilder Realty has five offices in the Columbia area and they know the Columbia market. You can read their biographies on the ERA Wilder Realty site and choose the best fit for you. Now that you have your agent your next step is financing and finding out how much home you can afford. New American Mortgage is the in house lender for ERA Wilder Realty and our professional loan officers guarantee a worry free transaction. They are professionally trained, knowledgeable and dedicated to bring you quality service. You can count on the necessary knowledge and guidance and the best service available. Our loan officers can get you prequalified, this is a quick process that can tell you roughly how much home you can afford.

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!

Components of a Bank Approval Letter for a Short Sale

Tue, 12 Jul 2011 17:00:00 GMT

Today I want to discuss the 3 provisions you want to be looking for in a bank approval letter for a Short Sale… to ensure that all remaining debt will be forgiven and that your Seller will have the least amount of negative impact on their credit.

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

To subscribe, visit www.realestatecareersofsc.com.

PEMCO's Fresh Look on HUD Event - Charlotte, NC - July 28th

Mon, 11 Jul 2011 14:40:00 GMT

Short Sale #1 - Taking the Time to Educate the Seller

Tue, 05 Jul 2011 16:30:00 GMT

In today’s foreclosure climate you have the opportunity to reach out and be a resource to the Sellers in your community. Keep in mind that when a homeowner is behind on their mortgage payments and possibly facing foreclosure, they need to feel confident the professional they are working with is knowledgeable and well-trained in helping them understand their situation and options for avoiding foreclosure.

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,

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

To subscribe, visit www.realestatecareersofsc.com.

Columbia Local Realtors Cheer Gamecocks Big Win

Thu, 30 Jun 2011 19:30:00 GMT

New American Mortgage and ERA Wilder Realty will be hosting a USC “Parade” party on Friday July 1st at the ERA Wilder Realty downtown office at 1730 Main Street in Columbia. New American will be hosting lunch at noon and all five of the ERA Wilder Realty Columbia offices have been invited. In celebration of the USC baseball team’s record setting win against the Florida Gators, Mayor Steve Benjamin announced that a parade will be held in their honor. The parade will begin at noon and start at Main and Laurel Street and end at the State House grounds with a ceremony and celebration. The Gamecocks successfully defended their 2010 College World Series National Championship by defeating the Gators in two games.

Supporting the community, New American Mortgage and ERA Wilder Realty will show their appreciation to the gamecocks by cheering them down Main Street! All those planning to attend the parade are encouraged to wear garnet and black to show their support for the team!

Although new to the community, New American Mortgage is a progressive full-service mortgage banker committed to participate in the areas they serve. 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 30+ days. New American Mortgage works closely with established real estate company ERA Wilder Realty as they provide excellent service to the home buyers and sellers in the Midlands.

- Tripp Davis, New American Mortgage

** Photo courtesy of WIS News 10 and The Big Spur (Juan Blas)

Online Lead Generation Strategies and Principles #17

Tue, 28 Jun 2011 13:10:00 GMT

The Business “Long Tail” Concept Part 7

Market the Niche -> Get Found

There are many places that you can insert live links to predefined searches for the niche markets in your area. Some of the best include:

1. Your website (but how do they find your website?)

2. Your online marketing

3. Your email signature

Once people know that they can quickly and easily find what they are looking for (i.e. the properties that interest them the most) they are more likely to stick around to look at what else you have to say which only further increases your online lead generation possibilities and get results.

Call me today and I will support you with your online lead generation 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

To subscribe, visit www.realestatecareersofsc.com.

Online Lead Generation Strategies and Principles #16

Tue, 21 Jun 2011 13:00:00 GMT

The Business “Long Tail” Concept Part 6

Property Subtypes are also a great niche to market and let people One Click Search. Easier, Faster and More Relevant is Always Better

Put yourself in the online consumers’ shoes. Let‘s imagine ‘you’ are interested in buying a property in Crow Canyon Country Club. Are you more likely to click on a link for Crow Canyon Country Club or Search the MLS? Or that you are interested in Waterfront or View Homes ....would you more likely click on Waterfront and View Homes or Property Search?

The beautiful thing about allowing people to One Click Search niche markets is that on the one hand you are giving people that want this information, the information they want upfront, fast and easy. And secondly, you are not turning off ‘everyone else’ who just wants to search your general MLS listings.

If people have to search your website or click too much to ‘hopefully get’ what they are looking for, then you are going to lose a lot of lead generation opportunities.

In your next tip I will share with you how to “get found” and “get results”

Call me today and I will support you with your online lead generation 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

To subscribe, visit www.realestatecareersofsc.com.

Top Producer Joins ERA Wilder Realty

Mon, 20 Jun 2011 14:20:00 GMT

Columbia SC. June 2011. Novella Taylor, one of Columbia’s premier real estate professionals, recently joined ERA Wilder Realty. Novella has extensive experience helping buyers and sellers achieve a stress free, successful move and prides herself in saving her buyers or sellers time through a streamlined process. Through her relationships with home builders, a thorough understanding of available inventory, and her relocation certifications, Novella can match a client’s needs with the right home very quickly. “We are very fortunate that Novella has partnered with us”, says Eddie Wilder, President of ERA Wilder Realty. “She is highly skilled, cares about her clients, and truly understands what today’s buyer or seller needs.”

For more information on ERA Wilder Realty products and services or to reach Novella, please call 803.730.3738 or visit www.erawilderrealty.com.

Eat Wings and Raise Funds for the Red Cross

Fri, 17 Jun 2011 15:20:00 GMT

On Wednesday, June 22, 2011, Buffalo Wild Wings® will donate 20% of all pre-taxed food sales (less promotional discounts) from any guest that presents this fundraiser ticket at the location listed below the ticket.

CLICK HERE to download the image

Buffalo Wild Wings

5570 Sunset Blvd., Suite A
LEXINGTON, SC 29072
Phone: 803-957-2999

** Special thanks to the ERA Wilder Realty Agents in the Lexington office, for their community involvement and continued dedication to helping others.

Online Lead Generation Strategies and Principles #15

Tue, 14 Jun 2011 19:00:00 GMT

The Business “Long Tail” Concept Part 5

You probably work in defined geographical areas. In your ‘area’ there are geographical submarkets and property submarkets.

What geographical submarkets or particular property types are in your market that you know people buy and sell?

Identify some market niches, and then using either your MLS or website IDX provider‘s tools, create and save predefined property searches that return just those properties when clicked on as a link. In other words, give people what they want. You know your market better than anyone else.

In your next tip I will share with you “property subtypes” as a great niche to market.

Call me today and I will support you with your online lead generation 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

To subscribe, visit www.realestatecareersofsc.com.

ERA Wilder Realty Welcomes Phil Jenkins

Mon, 13 Jun 2011 18:00:00 GMT

Contact: Phil Jenkins

803-665-0356

Phil.Jenkins@era.com

Columbia, SC - June 2011 - ERA Wilder Realty is proud to announce that Phil Jenkins has joined the company’s Northeast Office. A real estate executive with many years of experience, Phil joins the ERA Wilder Realty team as it continues to grow and expand its market share in the Columbia Area. “We are thrilled that Phil has decided to join us,” says Mike Taylor, Broker of the Northeast office. “He is a true professional and we look forward to creating a dynamic team together.”

Specializing in the entire Greater Columbia Area, Phil prides himself on thoroughly understanding his market. He stays very involved in the community as Ambassador for the Sales & Marketing Council of the Greater Columbia Home Builders Association, member of the Washington Street United Methodist Church, and Church Council. As a Certified Relocation Specialist, and Certified Foreclosure and Short Sale Specialist, Phil is well trained in the areas to assist the home buyer or seller in today’s market. He looks forward to helping his clients navigate the process while providing top notch service. To reach Phil, please call 803-665-0356.

# # #

PEMCO's Fresh Look on HUD

Thu, 09 Jun 2011 15:00:00 GMT

See details in flyer below to get started. Click here to register.

Online Lead Generation Strategies and Principles #14

Tue, 07 Jun 2011 13:30:00 GMT

The Business “Long Tail” Concept Part 4

Grab the market by The Long Tail. Focus your efforts on niches so that:

a. They have a better chance of being found and noticed

b. That they have a better chance at being relevant to some people (a market) vs. not relevant to anyone (the market).

And this has important implications in all your online marketing as well.

“Search Homes for Sale” / “Property Search”

99.9% of agents allow online consumers to search for ‘Homes for Sale’ with the main segmentation being “My Listings” sometimes euphemistically entitled “Featured Listings.”

To the online consumer this looks and feels like ‘every other agent and website’ on the Internet. When the people start thinking you are like ‘everyone else on the Internet’ that is not a good thing. In addition, they can go to one of over dozens of real estate websites and not only search every location in the country.

You are trying to complete with websites that have millions of dollars to spend in marketing and advertising.

In your next tips we will focus on Creating a Niche….Marketing the Niche….Get Found…Get Results

Call me today and I will support you with your online lead generation 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

To subscribe, visit www.realestatecareersofsc.com.

Security When Listing Your House

Fri, 03 Jun 2011 16:00:00 GMT

At ERA Wilder Realty, we provide security when listing your home with us.

Click the image below to hear more about how we conduct a Safe Open House.

Video courtesy of RISMedia

Clients for Life

Wed, 01 Jun 2011 13:30:00 GMT

Jerri Strother helped me with my first time home purchase and she was excellent! She was caring and attentive. She was prompt in responding to my questions and/or concerns and walked me through all the ups and downs of the home buying process. She never let me feel like I was in this alone and if she didn’t know the answer to a question, she was well connected enough to find it out in the end. She fought for me to get the upgrades I wanted, to receive the financing I needed, and for me to be well represented in this process. I can’t say enough about her but I can say you all are lucky to have her on your team. I will be an ERA Wilder Realty customer for future purchases and sales as well as recommend you to anyone who will listen due to Jerri.

Thank you for your time.

Aneshia

ERA Wilder Realty Lexington Agents Host Clothing Drive

Tue, 31 May 2011 18:30:00 GMT

Online Lead Generation Strategies and Principles #13

Tue, 31 May 2011 17:15:00 GMT

The Business “Long Tail” Concept Part 3

You are in the best position to capitalize on local market knowledge, but are you doing the best job at capitalizing on this knowledge online?

You know what local buyers and sellers are searching for (in real time! A showing is the most up-to-date search result and one that has immediate feedback capabilities....something rarely accomplished on a computer).

In the world of real estate online lead generation, the most obvious worst offender of this principle is offering website visitors the ubiquitous “Search the MLS” or “Property Search” as the defining features of your website. Some agents have “Search by Map” prominently featured but pretty much EVERY website offers it.

In other words most agents are trying to compete with Realtor.com and all the other real estate websites by offering infinitely less data and capabilities.

Offering people and online consumers ‘the same but less’ is not a sustainable business model.

In your next tip I will focus on “grabbing the market by the long tail”

Call me today and I will support you with your online lead generation 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

To subscribe, visit www.realestatecareersofsc.com.

Online Lead Generation: The Business “Long Tail” Concept Part 2

Thu, 26 May 2011 13:40:00 GMT

Online Lead Generation Strategies and Principles #12 - Part 2

The Google keywords used most often to find Realtor.com are “Homes for Sale” and the location in which they are searching.

Realtor.com, Trulia, Zillow, Real Estate Companies etc ALL allow online consumers to search for almost all ‘Homes for Sale’ throughout the country.

So how are most agents trying to generate leads with their websites? By offering a small subset of capabilities and nothing unique or otherwise beneficial to people. In other words, most agents are trying to compete with Realtor.com, Trulia, Zillow with the proverbial ‘one arm tied behind their back.’

Trying to compete head-to-head with a company with millions of dollars to spend on technology and marketing is a losing proposition!!

Your next tip is how to compete with The Business “Long Tail” Concept.

Call me today and I will support you with your online lead generation 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

To subscribe, visit www.realestatecareersofsc.com.

Spreading Easter Cheer in the Community

Mon, 23 May 2011 20:00:00 GMT

Several agents from the ERA Wilder Realty Lexington Office held an Easter Fundraiser for the elderly. Agents, friends and local businesses came to together and donated items to support the initiative.

A total of 25 Easter baskets were made for and delivered to the residents of Lexington Medical Center Extended Care facility. Each gift contained personal hygiene items, crossword puzzle books, etc.

ERA Wilder Realtors win International Awards

Mon, 23 May 2011 15:25:00 GMT

The Sumter Item

Posted: Saturday, April 30, 2011 6:00 am | Updated: 11:11 pm, Fri Apr 29, 2011.

Gloria McEwen and Melissa Richardson have received the "Beyond Excellence Award" through ERA International. This group of top producing agents are chosen based on production. Only 6 percent of approximately 29,000 agents globally achieve this status.

The Sumter office also won Silver status for CARTUS relocation services. This is an award that requires excellent service to all clients relocating around the globe.

ERA partners with CARTUS, which is the world's largest relocation company.

ERA Sumter welcomes Eileen Rumph, Susan Reardon-Thompson, Gope Jones, Lisa Rogers, Sherill Kendrick and Meredith Dean to the Sumter office.

ERA Wilder Realty Agent Receives Warm Thanks

Wed, 18 May 2011 16:15:00 GMT

I want to thank you for your Agent Debbie Erdman for her actions in helping us while doing her job as a professional realtor.

In September of 2010, she showed us a property at Night Harbor. She was very competent and did a great job of representing both of us and your company.

The house was closed the last of October without a hitch, but we both know there was quite a bit of behind the scenes actions to make it go so smoothly.

We prepared our previous home at Bush River Plantation for sale, and because of the professionalism of Debbie, we chose her and your company to sell our home.

And you know already, we listed the house in the middle of January this year and it closed April 29. You know it is sold when the money is in the bank.

Debbie Erdman is an asset to ERA Wilder Realty and Vivian and I would like for you to present this message of our gratitude and thankfulness for her help.

Job Well Done

Vivian and Jesse

Online Lead Generation Strategies and Principles #12

Tue, 17 May 2011 18:00:00 GMT

The Business “Long Tail” Concept Part 1

The Long and Short of It: In Business ‘The Long Tail’ concept states that you can sell more, ‘less popular’ items than you can of popular items.

A common example is that Netflix rents more niche movies than popular ones.

So what does this mean to real estate agents? That you can make a business in marketing niche markets and that it can be often times more profitable.

The #1 real estate related website in the United States is Realtor.com. Knowing the Google keywords people use to find Realtor.com will tell you a lot about online consumer behavior and will give you a lot to think about in your own online lead generation efforts as they relate to niche markets.

Your next tip is part 2 of The Business “Long Tail” Concept.

Call me today and I will support you with your online lead generation 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

To subscribe, visit www.realestatecareersofsc.com.

Protect Your Home with a Warranty from American Home Shield

Fri, 13 May 2011 17:10:00 GMT

ERA Wilder Realty Agent, Diane Wilson, shares her own personal experience with American Home Shield and the money she saved by having an AHS home warranty in place.

Online Lead Generation Strategies and Principles #11

Thu, 12 May 2011 13:40:00 GMT

Online Marketing Funnels and Sellers Part 2

First, educate the seller about the fact that it is their property, the listing… that buyers are searching for online. Then show the seller how you are going to surround their listing with links to the tools and information at your website that will not only generate leads to you from people who want more information about real estate in general, but also allow you the ability to talk to more people about the sellers property!

So remember it is your listings that people are searching for on the Internet! Put the tools and information around them that people also want that link back to YOUR website and create an online marketing machine that will help you get more leads and more closings this year!

And the more buyers you talk to, the more buyers you get to talk to about your listings!! If you are not the one talking to the online consumer, then you are obviously not going to be able to talk to them about your listings.

In your next tip we will start a series on the business “long tail” concept

Call me today and I will support you with your online lead generation 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

To subscribe, visit www.realestatecareersofsc.com.

May 2011 Team Tuesday

Thu, 05 May 2011 16:00:00 GMT

Successfully Selling HUD Homes in SC Training

Wed, 04 May 2011 20:30:00 GMT

Registration IS required by May 10, 2011! For more information and to register, please contact Lucinda Brasington at lucindab@erawilderrealty.com.

Online Lead Generation Strategies and Principles #10

Tue, 03 May 2011 15:00:00 GMT

Online Marketing Funnels and Sellers Part 1

The more online leads that you funnel to you by providing the listing information they are searching for along with the other tools and information they want, means the more people you communicate with and talk to.

This directly impacts the seller and the ability for them to get their property sold!!

In your next tip I will share with you part 2 of “online marketing funnels and sellers”

Call me today and I will support you with your online lead generation 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

To subscribe, visit www.realestatecareersofsc.com.

Online Lead Generation Strategies and Principles #9

Tue, 26 Apr 2011 16:30:00 GMT

The “Online Marketing Funnel”

Be sure to post your listings along with links to the tools and information online consumers also want, on YOUR website vs. sending them somewhere else and to someone else!

By providing links to the tools and information about your listing that the online consumer is searching for, you create a funnel that will bring the online consumer to you vs. sending them to someone else like a sieve.

Enhance your listings on your website and leverage online consumer interest and generate both website traffic and leads! Create your funnel!

In your next tip I will share information on “online marketing funnels and sellers”

Call me today and I will support you with your online lead generation 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

To subscribe, visit www.realestatecareersofsc.com.

Why You Should Join the ERA Wilder Realty Team

Wed, 20 Apr 2011 17:45:00 GMT

ERA Wilder Realty Irmo agent, Brandon Hoffman, shares the reasons he joined ERA Wilder Realty and the ERA tools he utilizes that have helped him to become a top agent.

Online Lead Generation Strategies and Principles #8 - Part 2

Tue, 19 Apr 2011 13:00:00 GMT

The Online Marketing Sieve Part 2

By consolidating as many listings as possible from Realtors and Brokers throughout the country and then providing these value added tools and information, real estate related websites make money by directing online consumers to OTHER agents, brokers and service providers that pay to be featured or otherwise highlighted and linked to.

What does this mean to the Realtor and Broker whose listings are attracting the online consumers to these websites in the first place? It means they are losing a large percentage of the traffic and leads that they could be getting if they were the one providing the other information that they want.

In your next tip I will share information with you on the “online marketing funnel”

Call me today and I will support you with your online lead generation 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

To subscribe, visit www.realestatecareersofsc.com.

Online Lead Generation Strategies and Principles #8

Tue, 12 Apr 2011 13:15:00 GMT

The Online Marketing Sieve Part 1

Most real estate related websites are popular in part because they centralize a lot of listings from all over the country. These websites benefit by getting as many listings as they possibly can on their websites to drive traffic from people searching real estate online.

But these websites do not benefit by just showing people your listings, they benefit by providing online consumers links to other tools and information that they (the online consumers) are looking for like mortgage information, relocation information, community information, etc.

In your next tip I will continue with part 2 of the “online marketing sieve”

Call me today and I will support you with your online lead generation 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

To subscribe, visit www.realestatecareersofsc.com.

Facebook Changes News Feed Settings, Could Hinder Communication with Clients If You Don’t Make One Adjustment

Fri, 08 Apr 2011 19:50:00 GMT

See and Be Seen on Facebook. What You Need To Know:

Information Courtesy of Jr LeBaron

The way you see news/posts and communicate on Facebook has changed in the past few months. Lately, you may have noticed seeing only updates in your news feed from the same people? What about only seeing the same group of people commenting on your posts? Where are all of your friends AND where are you in the mix? Are they witnessing the same occurrences?

Many in your contact list can’t see anything you post and here’s why:

The “New Facebook” has a newsfeed setting that, in some cases, by default is automatically set to show ONLY posts from people you’ve recently interacted with or have interacted the most with (which would be limited to a couple of weeks just before people started switching to the “new profile”). In other words, for both business and personal pages, unless you or your friends/fans commented on one another’s posts within those couple of weeks - you are now invisible to them and they are invisible to you!!

HOW TO FIX IT:

On your homepage (click “Home” in the top right corner), click the “Most Recent” title on the right of the Newsfeed, then click on the drop down arrow beside it and select “Edit Options”. Click on the “Show Posts From” and change the setting to “All of Your Friends and Pages”. (See picture below of how the change should appear.)

You can now view all of your friends and fans again BUT YOU ARE STILL INVISIBLE to a large portion of your list. If you want to t reestablish contact, you will need to get the word out to ALL of your contacts. Share this with your friends by clicking the “Share” button at the top of this post or by attending the following “event” on Facebook so they can read the post and make changes to their settings.

Subscribe to our blog and get up to date Facebook information, news and changes. Also, feel free to visit one of our most highly recommended Facebook resources here.

Successfully Selling HUD Homes In SC Training for Agents

Thu, 07 Apr 2011 20:40:00 GMT

Registration IS required by April 12, 2011! For more information and to register, please contact Lucinda Brasington at lucindab@erawilderrealty.com.

Welcome to Ashbrook in Sumter, SC

Wed, 06 Apr 2011 19:00:00 GMT

ERA Wilder Realty agent, Rodney Johnson, introduces you to the Ashbrook community and Shumaker Homes in Sumter, SC.

Online Lead Generation Strategies and Principles #7

Tue, 05 Apr 2011 19:30:00 GMT

It Starts with your listings

According to Google, your listings are what online consumers search for when they go on the Internet searching for real estate. The most common real estate related search terms on the Internet are “Homes for Sale” and the location or “Real Estate for Sale” and the location. In both cases people are searching for LISTINGS!!! Your listings!!

In your next tip I will focus on the “online marketing sieve”

Call me today and I will support you with your online lead generation 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

To subscribe, visit www.realestatecareersofsc.com.

Welcome to Shumaker Homes

Mon, 04 Apr 2011 19:30:00 GMT

Dan Shumaker introduces you to Shumaker Homes where you can customize your home just the way you'd like it.

Online Lead Generation Strategies and Principles #6

Tue, 29 Mar 2011 16:00:00 GMT

4 keys to successful online marketing

To convert the greatest number of online leads, your online marketing should include the following:

1. Around 6 good quality pictures of the property (Not 2 and not 25!)

2. Basic information of the property (condition of the foundation not needed here!)

3. Multiple search tools and local information to increase buyer response (a link to your homepage or a virtual tour is great, but not nearly enough)

4. Multiple reasons and ways for the buyer to contact you (just an email and phone number is not enough)

The goal of online marketing is to whet the appetite of likely buyers and then give them the tools, reasons and ways to contact you. By following these principals, just like the big corporate websites, you will find, as brokers and agents have before you, that there is a lot of business easily found online.

In your next tip I will share with your #1 online marketing tool “listings”

Call me today and I will support you with your online lead generation 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

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

Selling house? Give your home online click appeal (MSNBC)

Mon, 28 Mar 2011 17:00:00 GMT

Selling house? Give your home online click appeal (Click the link to watch the video)

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

The new teamERA.com

Mon, 28 Mar 2011 15:00:00 GMT

Online Lead Generation Strategies and Principles #5

Tue, 22 Mar 2011 17:10:00 GMT

Free form marketing websites!

While Craigslist, Backpage and other similar websites might not be considered worthy of a broker’s time, the numbers tell a very different story. The number 8 website in the United States by unique visitors with 1.2 billion page views a month, Craigslist is the 800 pound gorilla in the world of real estate related websites sending buyer leads to brokers and agents. There is no other website with as much traffic that gives you so much opportunity to publish ads that directly target BOTH the 1% of buyers looking for a property similar to yours AND the 35% of buyer’s interested in buying OTHER real estate.

In your next tip I will share with you the “4 keys to successful online marketing”

Call me today and I will support you with your online lead generation 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

To subscribe, visit www.realestatecareersofsc.com.

Online Lead Generation Strategies and Principles #4

Wed, 16 Mar 2011 20:00:00 GMT

One Click

People love it when answers come easy. And people much prefer clicking to typing. You know what is hot in your market. Don’t make buyers go somewhere else looking for this information! Include links to predefined IDX searches for a few of the hottest or interesting markets in your area to really get buyers clicking on your online marketing and not typing their way somewhere else.

Downtown Condos $200-$250,000

Hayes Valley Homes $800-$1.2m

Foreclosure and Banked-Owned

$5,000,000+ Homes

Local Farmer’s Markets

Include a few searches for the hottest markets in your area with hyper links to your website where the appropriate IDX search will be displayed along with ALL the rest of the tools and information that buyers are looking for online. By giving buyers the easy answers you know they want at a click, you will start to get your share of this 35% of potential buyers and get the opportunity to continue the conversation further increasing your chances of converting more leads.

In your next tip I will share with you information on “Free form marketing websites”

Call me today and I will support you with your online lead generation 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

To subscribe, visit www.realestatecareersofsc.com.

Online Lead Generation Strategies and Principles #3

Tue, 08 Mar 2011 18:30:00 GMT

Give buyer’s MORE Value: Local Search and Local Information.

Buyers begin their online home search looking at property listings. This is why having your property on as many relevant websites as feasible is always good. But buyers also want information on the neighborhoods, the schools and even unique things like the history, farmers markets, and more so they can make an educated decision in the home buying process. This is where local brokers and agents can really shine and put themselves at an advantage over others in their market. Put these tools and information in front of buyers when they are most likely to ‘convert’, when they are looking at property detail information of your listings on the Internet. Trulia, Zillow, and Realtor.com do this, you should too.

In your next tip I will share with you the “One Click It” Strategy

Call me today and I will support you with your online lead generation 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

To subscribe, visit www.realestatecareersofsc.com.

ERA Wilder Realty Receives Five Star Award at Cartus Broker Network International Conference

Mon, 07 Mar 2011 14:30:00 GMT

ERA Wilder Realty was honored for its outstanding performance during the past year at the 2011 Cartus Broker Network International Conference held February 27-March 1 in Scottsdale, Ariz.

ERA Wilder Realty was awarded the Five Star Award, which recognizes brokers who have met or exceeded their individual objectives for outgoing broker-to-broker referral closings during the calendar year.

“The effort that ERA Wilder Realty put forth toward not only achieving but also exceeding their objectives for outgoing broker-to-broker referral closings is emblematic of the commitment to success that makes our brokers such valued partners,” said Gerald Pearce, Cartus executive vice president, real estate group. “We are proud to be affiliated with this talented group of real estate professionals and look forward to our continued joint success in the future.”

“The importance of placing broker-to-broker referrals cannot be over-emphasized,” said Candy Welch, VP of Relocation for 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.”

In addition to the awards ceremony, the three-day 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 real estate referral network, consisting of approximately 425 principal brokers and 475 associate brokers who serve the clients and customers of Cartus.

Cartus provides trusted guidance to organizations of all types and sizes who require global relocation solutions. Serving more than 60% of the Fortune 100 and providing service to over 160 countries, Cartus applies a half century of experience to help clients with their mobility, outsourcing, consulting, and language and intercultural training needs.

Honored in both New York and London by the Forum for Expatriate Management in 2010 as “Relocation Management Company of the Year” and “Best Vendor Partnership,” Cartus is part of Realogy Corporation—a global provider of real estate and relocation services. To find out how Cartus’ greater experience, reach, and hands-on guidance can help your company, visit http://www.cartus.com; read our blog at http://www.cartusblog.com; or click http://www.realogy.com for more information.

ERA Wilder Realty Presents New Subdivision in Partnership with Essex Homes

Thu, 03 Mar 2011 17:00:00 GMT

, SC. ERA Wilder Realty is pleased to present Black River Place, a new subdivision within minutes of historic downtown Camden. Black River Place currently has 18 available lots as well as four available spec homes. The community will feature an amenity center with soccer fields. With elementary, middle and high schools nearby, it is an excellent place to raise a family! Shaw Air Force Base, Fort Jackson and I-20 are also easily accessible.

Exterior features of the homes include a decorative foundation, a concrete patio at the rear door, a two-car garage, an automatic sprinkler system and landscaping. On the inside, all walls have a smooth finish. The kitchen is outfitted with Kenmore black appliances, and bathrooms feature designer flat panel birch cabinets. For your convenience, the homes are prewired for two phone and two cable outlets, a garage door opener and ceiling fans in the owner’s retreat and family room. Essex offers a one-year homeowner warranty on cosmetic items and two years on the plumbing, electrical and HVAC systems for all houses.

Hours for the model home are from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday and Monday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. between Tuesday and Saturday. It can also be shown by appointment. The site agent, Diane Wilson, is committed to helping clients find their dream home. She can be reached at (803)240-6037.

Online Lead Generation Strategies and Principles #2

Tue, 01 Mar 2011 18:15:00 GMT

The goal of online marketing.

The goal is to give buyers valuable information with multiple reasons and ways to contact you about real estate, not just a particular listing. 99% of the people that look at a listing online are not going to click for more information or make contact with you to get more information because they decide for whatever reason that it is not the home for them. But, of the 99%, what about the estimated 35% of people that will be buying a home in the short or long term and need help finding the home of their dreams?! There is no reason why you can’t offer them your expertise and services. Your online marketing MUST get this MUCH LARGER group of future buyers to contact YOU if you want a chance at getting a healthy share of online leads.

In your next tip I will share with you how to “give buyer’s MORE Value”

Call me today and I will support you with your online lead generation 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

Chapin: http://maps.google.com/maps/place?hl=en&georestrict=input_srcid:af2a574194254483

To subscribe, visit www.realestatecareersofsc.com.

Kingston Harbour Clubhouse to Host Fundraiser for Cancer Patient

Mon, 28 Feb 2011 20:00:00 GMT

On Saturday, March 5, Lexington’s premier lakeside community, Kingston Harbour, will host a benefit concert and auction for Elizabeth Festa. Ms. Festa, a mother of three, was diagnosed with invasive squamous cell cervical cancer last year. Her cancer was discovered by chance during an unrelated medical procedure, and she underwent chemo and radiation during summer 2010. Although she was told in September that she was clear, she started to feel pain again within a month. This past January, her biopsy came back positive, and she is undergoing chemo and radiation for the second time, only with a stronger regimen.

Kingston Harbour is located just off I-20. Take exit 61 to merge onto Sunset Blvd/US-378 W toward Lexington. Turn right at Old Cherokee Road. Turn Right at Pilgrim Church Road, and then take an immediate left at Catawba Trail. After about a mile you will arrive at Kingston Harbour. The benefit will begin at 6 p.m. and will include appetizers and drinks in addition to the live music and auction. Items up for auction include artwork, jewelry, crystal, six weeks of shag lessons, four nights and five days in a Charleston condo, and a Wild Dunes Oceanfront condo for six. All proceeds will go directly towards Ms. Festa’s cancer treatment.

Please contact Mary Beth Creed or John Creech for additional information. They can be reached by calling (803)765-0211 or emailing marybeth_hudson@era.com.

ERA Wilder Realty Relocation Department Honors Service Excellence

Wed, 23 Feb 2011 19:30:00 GMT

As part of its annual awards banquet, ERA Wilder Realty honored top offices and agents in the category of relocation. The Sumter office was named both the Top Office for Placed Outgoing Referrals and the Top Office for Closed Outgoing Referrals. Agents David Batten and Julie Busbice were selected as the Top Agents for Placed Outgoing Referrals, and Busbice was honored again as the Top Agent for Closed Outgoing Referrals.

Further awards were given to Charlie Fossett and Brandon Hoffman for being top agents in referrals into USAA’s Movers Advantage Programs for their respective offices. Dan Boyle was named the HES Top Agent AGR Placed, while the ERA Wilder Relocation Partnership Award went to Mike and Jennifer Moore.

Offered to sales associates and brokers of ERA Franchise Systems LLC, the relocation certification course stresses the importance of the extra commitment and service often required for incoming transferred employees and focuses on the details which can go well beyond the normal, local real estate transaction.

"This certification equips sales associates with the experience and knowledge required to serve transferees, their families, employers and third-party relocation companies," said John Carraher, Director, Relocation/Business Development, ERA Franchise Systems LLC. "ERA Real Estate prides itself on the continued commitment to education of our associates, especially in the area of relocation-related business.”

Online Lead Generation Strategies and Principles #1

Tue, 22 Feb 2011 18:30:00 GMT

99 - 35 - 1 Rule

99% of the people looking at your property listing online are not interested in that specific property and are not going to contact you about it.

35% of the people looking at your property listing online are interested in other real estate.

Your online marketing is going after only 1% of the market!

In your next tip I will share with you “the goal of online marketing”

Call me today and I will support you with your online lead generation strategies.

To subscribe, visit realestatecareersofsc.com.

ERA Wilder Realty Agent Larry Yon, Understands The Sky Is The Limit

Thu, 17 Feb 2011 20:30:00 GMT

Larry Yon is a founding board member of the South Carolina Historic Aviation Foundation and serves as vice president of historic archives.

Perhaps more than anyone else available to piece together a revered Mitchell bomber’s time line, Larry Yon knows the plane inside out.

Yon is, once again, a founding member of an organization established to protect and preserve the Midlands’ iconic B-25C. He recently helped create the South Carolina Historic Aviation Foundation.

In 1984, he was asked to preside over the Skunkie Memorial Corporation. (Note: Out of respect for the plane’s historic value, that unbecoming nickname is no longer favored for use.)

Shortly after the plane, recovered from Lake Greenwood’s bottom in 1983 , was returned to Columbia where its service record began, Yon was tapped to by his boss, Jim Hamilton, to lead the plane’s restoration effort.

At that time Yon was director of maintenance for Owens Airport, directed by Hamilton. Yon also was advisor of Explorer Post 214; those Explorer Scouts became the first team of volunteers to work on the restoration of a plane that nearly resembled a trash pile when the project, undertaken at Curtiss-Wright Hangar, began.

In time mechanics from Midlands Aviation were brought in to shore up the daunting task. More than $30,000, assembled by Don McElveen and John Rainey, was poured into cosmetic restoration of the plane. Yon supervised it all.

The plane was ready for a public appearance in 1992 when the Doolittle Raiders held their 50th reunion in Columbia, and again a decade later when the military heroes returned for their 60th reunion. Since then the only changes the plane has experienced have been negatively imposed by time and the elements.

Now Yon is back, in a position again to help get the plane the aid needed for it to take its proper place in the state’s’ history - as an icon representing the fleet that trained crews at Columbia Army Air Base and went on victory against international enemies.

Yon , a realtor now, approaches the new challenge with more than 6,200 flying hours, in more than 475 aircraft - with no accidents. He currently holds airline transport pilot and airplane multi-engine land certificates, has commercial privileges for single engine land and sea, as well as multi-engine sea planes, rotorcraft and helicopters.

Beginning with his own May 13, 1965 solo flight from Owens Field in a Cessna 150, NI750Z, and only six months later his private pilot check ride, he now is a basic ground instructor as well as a Gold Seal flight instructor for single, multi-engine, instrument, rotorcraft and helicopter. He flew the first recorded ultra-light flight on Columbia Metropolitan Airport.

He has been South Carolina Flight Instructor of the Year, and was this state’s first “Flying Lion”. He instructed the first female seaplane pilot to receive a single-engine sea rating from this state, served as FAA Accident Prevention Counselor as well as its Flight and Written Test Examiner.

He has been an FBI agent, served in Vietnam, and was honorably discharged from the US Navy Reserves.

He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and a Master of Transportation degree, both from the University of South Carolina.

He is a member of Mount Hebron United Methodist Church and a lay speaker with the South Carolina United Methodist Conference. He and his wife Betty Banks Yon have a married son, Matthew, who is a United Methodist pastor. Matthew and his wife Katie have a new son, Christopher.

Learn More

Are You Working the “For Sale By Owner” Market?

Wed, 16 Feb 2011 20:00:00 GMT

Most agents today approach FSBO’s with either a fear approach or a complete lie. You’ve heard them …

“I hope you realize, you won’t make as much money!” Or,
“You’re going to list in 30 days anyway … and I have this buyer…!”

Why not try this approach instead …

“Hi, this is Frank, I am a broker but I am not calling to ask you about listing your home and I’m not going to lie to you and tell you I have a buyer, you’ve probably heard that enough …” “I work in the area and would like to quickly walk through your property to know what’s available…”

Why not approach FSBO’s with a “system” and a helpful attitude - you WILL GET RESULTS!

Give me a call and I’ll show you a proven FSBO system and all of the must-have materials to convert this prospect to your client!

To subscribe, visit realestatecareersofsc.com.

ERA Wilder Realty Agents Awarded Prestigious Designation

Tue, 15 Feb 2011 19:34:00 GMT

Fourteen agents and teams were recently awarded a Leaders’ Circle designation by ERA Franchise Systems LLC, a global franchise leader in the residential real estate industry. This designation recognizes top producers for excellence in real estate sales and earns the agents a place at the company's annual "Beyond Excellence" conference, an invitation-only event honoring its most successful sales associates. The agents honored this year are: The Creech and Creed Team, Todd Beckstrom, Angie DeLoach, Debbie Erdman, Steve Burn, Brandon Hoffman, Barb Krebs, David Batten, Duane Salter, Ann Marr, Gloria McEwen, Melissa Richardson, Lynette Cauley and Becky Armstrong.

This year’s conference will build on the new ERA brand positioning of encouraging growth and collaboration. The focus is on business planning, connecting with homebuyers and sellers on their terms and knowledge-sharing among top ERA sales associates. The conference is an opportunity for ERA sales associates to share strategies for growing their real estate business and to connect with their top-producing peers.

"This event enables top-producing ERA^® associates to come together for business planning and knowledge sharing to help them continue their success. It's just one of the unique programs that ERA Real Estate offers to help ERA affiliated sales associates better serve their customers," said Charlie Young, president and chief executive officer, ERA Franchise Systems LLC.

ERA Wilder Realty Launches Service to Assist Soldiers with Relocation

Mon, 14 Feb 2011 19:45:00 GMT

Columbia, SC. February 14, 2011. ERA Wilder Realty is pleased to announce the launching of a new website in partnership with GoArmyHomes to help military families that are relocating to the Fort Jackson area. ERA Wilder understands that moving to a new post in an unfamiliar part of the country can be overwhelming, and our agents are here to provide relocation services and support to ease the transition.

The new website offers a variety of tools to fit the needs of any family. For those who need to make a purchase immediately, ERA Wilder offers the Home Readiness Program, which will take all the hassle out of financing and placing an offer. For those with more time, the Relocation Coach Program is available to help clients become familiar with the Fort Jackson area. For any client, the Army Family Relocation Planner is a tool that helps plan out every detail of the moving process. All of these services are part of ERA Wilder’s commitment to making our clients’ experience as positive as possible.

Army Family Relocation Specialist Candy Welch and Army Family Rental Specialist Adrian La Fosse are dedicated to easing families’ transition into Fort Jackson. Visit http://fortjackson.goarmyhomes.com/ to read success stories, begin your home search and contact your agents.

Selling HUD Homes in Columbia, SC - Sherman Jones, ERA Wilder Realty

Fri, 11 Feb 2011 17:30:00 GMT

Sherman Jones, ERA Wilder Realty agent, talks about selling HUD Homes in Columbia, SC and the common misconceptions surrounding HUD Homes.

Santee Living - Julie Rickenbaker, ERA Wilder Realty

Thu, 10 Feb 2011 18:00:00 GMT

Julie Rickenbaker, ERA Wilder Realty agent, talks about living in Santee, SC and all the area has to offer. To speak with Julie, please call (803) 473-8889.

ERA Wilder Realty Opens Property Management Division

Wed, 09 Feb 2011 17:30:00 GMT

COLUMBIA, SC - February 7, 2011 - ERA Wilder Realty is proud to announce the addition of a property management division that offers sellers greater flexibility in a challenging market. Beginning in August 2010, Wilder Property Management has provided homeowners the added opportunity to lease their home to qualified renters. By leasing their home, the seller is able to benefit from income that would otherwise come out of pocket while the home is unoccupied, to pay for mortgages, landscaping, etc. It is also a greater benefit, because under the right circumstances, a tenant could potentially become a buyer of that same property. Wilder Property Management handles all aspects of the leasing process from start to finish, ensuring that the Owner is getting exactly what they hoped for. From the owner questions and concerns, to marketing and leasing the home, as well as inspections and maintenance, Wilder Property Management can handle it all so that the owner does not have to. This added convenience can definitely help any person relax during a usually stressful time! Wilder Property Management is committed to eliminating all the hassle for the seller.

Wilder Property Management’s Property Managers understand the market, and they have the knowledge and tools to ensure that clients get the greatest benefit possible from their property. They will bridge the gap between landlord and tenant to ensure fair pricing and maintain the value of the home. Customer service has always been a priority at ERA Wilder, and Wilder Property Management will uphold the company’s commitment to meeting the client’s needs.

We cover all areas in Columbia as well as Sumter and soon Santee! Wilder Property Management looks forward to assisting customers with all aspects of the leasing process. For more information, visit www.erawilderrealty.com.

Successfully Selling HUD Homes In SC Training for Agents

Wed, 02 Feb 2011 21:15:00 GMT

Registration IS required! For more information and to register, please contact Lucinda Brasington at lucindab@erawilderrealty.com.

ERA Wilder Realty To Host National Motivational Speaker At Team Tuesday Event

Tue, 01 Feb 2011 19:45:00 GMT

Not only are we recognizing our TOP AGENTS, but have a motivational speaker that you will not want to miss!

Lloyd Arnsmeyer - Click here to view speaker bio.

Carol Vandyke - Selling HUD Homes in Santee, SC

Tue, 01 Feb 2011 18:00:00 GMT

Carol Vandyke, ERA Wilder Realty agent, talks about selling HUD Homes in Santee, SC. To contact Carol, call
843) 412-3576. Click here to connect with Carol.

Social Media Resource Kit (Updated)

Tue, 01 Feb 2011 16:00:00 GMT

The information below was compiled for the purpose of being your one-stop resource for the most widely used social media networks available to real estate agents.

HOW TO: Follow ERA Wilder Realty Online

Website: http://www.erawilderrealty.com

Real Estate Careers: http://realestatecareersofsc.com/

Blog: http://www.erawilderrealty.com/blog

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ERAWilderRealty1

Twitter: http://twitter.com/ERAWilderRealty

Twitter RSS Feed: http://twitter.com/statuses/user_timeline/29191543.rss

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/erawilderrealty1

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/companies/961731

Google Profile: http://www.google.com/profiles/ERAWilderRealty

AllTop: http://my.alltop.com/erawilderrealty

Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/people/erawilderrealty/

SlideShare: http://www.slideshare.net/ERAWilderRealty

Issuu: http://www.issuu.com/ERAWILDER

Foursquare: http://foursquare.com/erawilderrealty

Gowalla Profile: http://gowalla.com/users/ERAWilderRealty

Gowalla Spot: http://gowal.la/s/rvPJ

Yelp: http://erawilderrealty.yelp.com/

Midtown: http://maps.google.com/maps/place?hl=en&georestrict=input_srcid:d2c01c767ac88021

Lexington: http://maps.google.com/maps/place?hl=en&georestrict=input_srcid:514b78a8516f6633

Northeast: http://maps.google.com/maps/place?hl=en&georestrict=input_srcid:a64cee1d01364a90

Irmo: http://maps.google.com/maps/place?hl=en&georestrict=input_srcid:0895ff9bf33b128b

Santee: http://maps.google.com/maps/place?hl=en&georestrict=input_srcid:169f095db493365b

Sumter: http://maps.google.com/maps/place?hl=en&georestrict=input_srcid:3983da2ab64582b7

About: http://about.me/ERAWilderRealty

E-mail: elzah@erawilderrealty.com

FACEBOOK: http://facebook.com

Applications: http://apps.facebook.com/

MarketPlace: Post Lisitings

VisualTour: (Paid)

Realtor.com: Listings (Paid)

SocialRealEstateTools: Listings, etc. (Paid)

MyListings: Realtor Listing App

Roost: Post Listings

Other RE Apps

Neighborhoods: Find your neighbors and connect

SocialTweet: show Tweets in Tab

SocialRSS: (Pull in your Blog RSS Feed)

YouTube

Flickr

LinkedIn: Show profile card or box

Signup Form: create signup form to capture email addresses.

Welcome Tab: Create Welcome Tab for page.

Events: Help resource and FAQ

Link your Twitter Account: What you post on FB will auto post as a tweet to Twitter (depending on settings)

Share Videos & Photos

Create Vanity (unique) URL for page or profile: Must have at least 25 page fans and friends first.

Create a Page or Group

Create a Facebook Ad or Click Here for more options.

Facebook Badges: Create and Share on Web (blog, etc)

Facebook Help

Great Facebook Site: For news, updates, tutorials.

ERA Wilder Realty: Join our Facebook Page for all things ERA Wilder. (http://www.facebook.com/ERAWilderRealty1)

TWITTER: http://twitter.com

Twitter 101: Everything Twitter; from start to finish.

Twitter Search: Enter keywords & find out what others are saying. (Click Advanced Search) http://search.twitter.com/

TwitZip: Enter Zipcode to see Tweets in particular zipcode. http://twitzip.com/

Twello: Directory of public Twitter accounts. http://www.twello.com

Twitter Clients: 3^rd party applications you can use to tweet (phone, desktop, web, etc) (like Hootsuite)

Twitter Blog: News.

Twitter to Facebook: Share your most recent Twitter updates with your Facebook friends.

Twitter Help: Need Help? Visit http://support.twitter.com/

ERA Wilder Realty: Tweet us on Twitter. (http://twitter.com/ERAWilderRealty)

LINKEDIN: http://www.linkedin.com

Applications

ROFO: Add your real estate listings to your LinkedIn profile.

Tweets: Pull in your Tweets from Twitter.

Create a Group

LinkedIn Help

ERA Wilder Realty: Connect with us on LinkedIn. (http://www.linkedin.com/companies/961731)

YOUTUBE: http://www.youtube.com

YouTube 101

Connect YouTube to Facebook

Create A Channel

YouTube on Your Site

Embed YouTube video in SlideShare Presentation (pdf, ppt, etc)

YouTube Extras

YouTube Badges: Display on your blog, etc.

YouTube Help

ERA Wilder Realty: Subscribe to our YouTube Channel. http://www.youtube.com/erawilderrealty1

Do You Have Accountability in Your Business?

Wed, 26 Jan 2011 19:45:00 GMT

Who holds you accountable to make sure that you are actually doing the right things to reach your financial commitment? Most agents answer - “no one!” or “I hold myself accountable!” The challenge with those answers is that it is the first step to failure!!! To be highly successful, you must have “external” accountability in some form.

It’s just way too easy to tell yourself “I didn’t have to do . . .!” or “I’ll catch up tomorrow!” The right accountability partner or coach will be able to keep you on track to your financial commitment. Reaching those rewards will help you achieve your dream!

Please call me today and I will help you set up an accountability system that works for you.

To subscribe, visit realestatecareersofsc.com.

ERA Wilder Realtor Kristi Shirer Finds Success Using Facebook

Mon, 24 Jan 2011 20:30:00 GMT

Connect with Kristi Shirer here.

Introducing Our Team of HUD HOMES Sales Professionals

Mon, 24 Jan 2011 20:00:00 GMT

ERA Wilder Realty Property Management in Sumter, SC

Thu, 20 Jan 2011 21:00:00 GMT

Interested in renting or leasing real estate? ERA Wilder Realty can now assist you with your Property Management needs in Columbia, Santee and Sumter.

Meet Mac McLeod, ERA Wilder Realty Property Manager in Sumter, SC. Click here and connect with Mac.

Do You Know About “Auto Responders”?

Wed, 19 Jan 2011 18:00:00 GMT

What about your website … is it complete with the RIGHT auto-response systems? Take note here, it was a “plural” question. For the more productive websites you need multiple auto-response systems for high optimum effectiveness in completing your Internet Marketing Plan.

Today, prospects have specific needs so we are compelled to give them specific data. If a buyer is requesting information, they need BUYER specific information. If a Seller is requesting information, they need SELLER specific information. The same with FSBO’s, First time Home Buyers, Renters and any other category or prospect.

So each campaign must be specific and should be of a duration of 1 to 5 years. The other key ingredient - AUTOMATED! With the right systems in place, you can dominate your market and set yourself up for unlimited income during your career!

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