The social media giant, Facebook, can help your business generate leads and turn them into customers. It is one of the most cost effect tools for inbound marketing, especially for small business owners. Creating a profile and posting updates just isn’t enough to turn fans into paying clients.  Facebook’s ability to create effective landing pages, analytics, and target marketing is a great indicator of where to improve your marketing and raise your conversion rate.

 

THE FIRST STEP

Building a fan base is the first step in employing social media as a driving force for your business. Your soon to be followers have to be aware of you before they can start engaging with you. The best way to build a good fan base is by connecting with people that are related to your specific industry. If they are not, they will not be very likely to engage with your page. It may be beneficial to add your Facebook page to postcards, emails, or newsletters with a message for the recipients to like it. Use your existing fan base by integrating comments and publishing them to your wall so they show up on your newsfeed. This will ensure that posts from your fans will be seen by their friends who haven’t liked you yet.

 

LOOK AT ME

Once you have you fan base built, you must get their attention so you can generate more traffic. Most of your Facebook fans are not currently buyers or sellers with intent, so we have to maintain their attention in order to become their trusted source in the future. Facebook is now giving an increased weight to video on their site. This places a larger importance on tying your page to YouTube and Google+. Then, you win all the way around! Especially if you are effortlessly hooked together, like me. Contest and events have also been proven to make consumers more enticed.

 

PROSPECTING

Now that we have a database of potential consumers, it is time start prospecting and convert those fans into potential clients. If you have already established an opt-in or personal connection, then this part is easy. You can simply start messaging or communicating with them! If you have not, you may want to consider an opt-in page or contest to acquire direct contact with your fans. Continue posting relevant content and begin encouraging feedback so that it can become a two way connection.

 

 

COVERT AND CLOSE THE DEAL

The more communication you foster between yourself and your fans, the easier this will become. Client testimonials, post of praise, and other content that supports their decision to choose you will seal the deal even quicker. Continuing to grow your fan base is also somewhat correlated with greater conversion rate. Subtly announcing transactions and tagging clients with their permission also helps to tip the scales in your favor. It is especially invaluable when the client interacts with you on the post!

 

THE NEW BREED OF REFERRALS

It is simply to attain recurring business from the clients we have now found via Facebook. Through increased fan activity, we can acquire the attention of our fans’ friends and make them possible referrals in the future. By keeping in touch with your fans through the techniques mentioned above, you can get a referral from their network who they may have never met!

 

 

     Facebook offers many tools that fit in these parts of the sales cycle, including paid ads and one of their new methods, Facebook Pap to get generate more clients. Maintaining a strong presence through continuous interaction, as well as improving your page with metrics analysis, will help you turn those fans into clients without breaking a sweat. 

Originally Posted at: Lafayette Real Estate News

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fifteen Will Get You Three

Freddie Mac chief economist, Frank Nothaft, says that affordability, stability and flexibility are the three reasons home buyers overwhelmingly choose a 30 year term.  However, for those who can afford a higher payment, there are three additional reasons to choose a 15 year term: save interest, build equity and retire the debt sooner.

First-time buyers have a higher tendency to use a minimum down payment and are very concerned with affordable payments.  It is understandable that the majority of these buyers select 30 year, fixed-rate mortgages.

Consider a $200,000 mortgage at 30 year and 15 year terms with recent mortgage rates at 4.2% and 3.31% respectively. The payment is $433.15 less on the 30 year term but the interest rate being charged is higher.  The total interest paid by the borrower if each of the loans was retired would be almost three times more for the 30 year term.

Another interesting thing about the 15 years mortgage is that more of the payment is going to principal than interest from the very first payment.  It would take over 13 years on the 30 year mortgage for the principal to exceed the interest allocation.

Some people might suggest getting a 30 year loan and making the payments as if they were on a 15 year loan.  That would certainly accelerate amortization and save interest. The real challenge is the discipline to actually make the payments on a consistent basis if you don’t have to.  Many experts cite that one of the benefits of home ownership is a forced savings that occurs due to the amortization that is not necessarily done by renters.

Originally Posted at: Lafayette Real Estate News

Make Good Offers Better

It’s disappointing, frustrating and sometimes, discouraging when you lose a home you want to buy.

One of the hardest lessons for today’s buyers is that writing an offer doesn’t mean that you’ll get the home or even a counter-offer.  The low inventory affecting many of the housing markets requires a different strategy to give you the best chance to get the home you want.

1. Make your best offer initially; you may not get a chance to accept a counter.
2. Submit a written pre-approval letter from the lender.
3. Increase earnest money above what is considered normal.
4. Make a larger down payment.
5. Eliminate unnecessary contingencies.
6. Don’t ask for personal property not included in the listing agreement.
7. Pay your own customary closing costs.
8. Shorten the inspection period.
9. Buy the home “as is” subject to inspections which still allows you to get your earnest money back if the inspections are unacceptable but doesn’t require the seller to make repairs.
10. Write the seller a hand-written, personal letter telling them why you want their home; include a picture of your family.
11. Offer to use the seller’s or listing agent’s preferred title company.
12. If you can pay cash, do so and arrange financing after closing.  Be prepared to show proof of available funds.
13. Schedule the closing as soon as possible but let the seller know you can be flexible.
14. Once you decide on a home, act with expedience.
15. Ask your real estate professional if they have any other suggestions.

Think of making an offer like applying for a job. You want to make your best impression and show why you are the best choice.  You won’t always know that there are multiple offers.  Approach the process like the competition is doing their best to get the home.

Originally Posted at: Lafayette Real Estate News

 

 

Another Source for a Down Payment

Most taxpayers know that they will pay a 10% penalty if they withdraw funds from their IRA before they turn 59.5 years old.  There is an exception for first-time home buyers that allows a penalty-free withdrawal of up to $10,000 per person if they haven’t owned a home in the previous two years.

This would allow a married couple who each have an IRA to withdraw a lifetime maximum of $10,000 each, penalty-free for a home purchase.

In many cases, the money would be used for a down payment or closing costs.   However, some buyers might consider this source to increase their down payment so they could qualify for a loan without mortgage insurance.

If the taxpayer qualifies for the penalty-free withdrawal, there may still be taxes due.  Contributions to traditional IRAs are made with before-tax dollars and the tax is paid when the funds are withdrawn.  Since Roth IRAs are made with after-tax dollars, there is no tax due when the funds are withdrawn.

Another interesting fact about this provision is that the taxpayer making the withdrawal can help a qualified relative which includes children, grandchildren, parents and grandparents.

Homebuyers who are considering using IRA funds for a home purchase should get expert advice from their tax professional concerning their individual situation.

Originally Posted at: Lafayette Real Estate News

The Acadian Home Builders Association (AHBA) is proud to present the 53rd Annual Parade of Homes showcasing the latest in home building design and products. Houses included in the Parade exhibit the hottest trends in architecture, floor layout, building materials, and appliances. Some are also furnished by local interior designers in a wide range of styles. Square footage and prices range from starter homes to estates.

The Parade of Homes is a self-guided tour where ticket holders can view as many homes as they like in any order they choose. Ticket purchases include the official Parade of Homes Guide Book which contains pictures and descriptions of each home, builder profiles, and a map.

Parade at a Glance
The 2015 Parade of Homes will feature 31 newly constructed homes in 20 subdivisions across Acadiana, all built by 26 state-licensed AHBA builder members.

Parade Dates & Times
Saturdays & Sundays
April 11, 12, 18 & 19, 2015
1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Contact us for more information.

Originally Posted at: Lafayette Real Estate News