How to generate Leads

Here are four things you can do to generate more leads:

Referrals
Ever successful transactions can lead to a goldmine of new leads. If your past clients were happy with your service, they more than likely will be happy to give you referrals.

Live Seminars
This is a great way to generate leads. If you do your planning right, you can be sure that the people who attend are those in your target market. Plus, it’s a great way to get yourself noticed in your community as well. If you don’t think this is something you can afford to do, think about teaming up with some of your team members. You may find that a lot of lenders, title companies, etc. will be happy to split the costs to be a part of the seminar.

Parade of homes
This can be much more effective at generating leads than just a typical open house. First, you generally have more time put into getting interested buyers to agree to show up. Second, you can pre qualify the buyers who are going to show up. And third, you won’t be spending hours in an empty house wondering why nobody’s showing up.

General advertising
Although most will say paying for advertising is the most expensive way to generate leads, it is also the most reliable way. As long as you hold your advertisements accountable, you can make sure you get enough leads to justify the expense.

Related Posts
How to Make the Most of a Lead
Creating an Effective Message
Business Card Tips
Niche Internet Marketing
Postcard Tips

Should you have any questions or need further information, please don't hesitate to contact me,(775) 220-1630
Or visit my website at www.SellingNorthernNV.com




Joshua Talayka
Chase International
Office: 775 850 5900
Toll Free: 877 922 5900
Cell: 775 220 1630
Fax: 775 850 5901
985 Damonte Ranch Pkwy, Ste. 110
Reno, Nevada (NV) 89521

Creating an effective message

Creating an effective message

Before defining your marketing message, you must first define your audience and your goal like with any marketing campaign. However, many agents choose to start by putting out a message without ever considering how it’s going to affect either their target audience or their goals.

Define your audience
You obviously are looking to attract homeowner and home buyers, but get more specific than that. It all goes back to Niche Marketing. Why be like every other agent who can work any type of deal, but doesn’t have any special skill in any of them. You need to narrow your audience down to a certain group or demographic. Once you’ve done this, try to visualize who your audience is, and what they want from a real estate agent.

Define your goal
This is your messaging goal, so don’t confuse it with your personal or ultimate business goal. What do you ultimately wish to obtain with your message? In other words, after your message is spread, what should people think of you when they hear your name. Get specific here, a clearly simplified goal is not only more easily attainable, but also easier to define in a simple message. If you come to several different goals, you need to simplify them more.

Define your message
Once you’ve defined your audience and your goal in the simplest form, you must focus on what needs to be done to get your goal across to your audience. Again, simplicity is the key. You must bridge the gap for your audience to successfully meet your goal.

Should you have any questions or need further information, please don't hesitate to contact me,(775) 220-1630
Or visit my website at www.SellingNorthernNV.com




Joshua Talayka
Chase International
Office: 775 850 5900
Toll Free: 877 922 5900
Cell: 775 220 1630
Fax: 775 850 5901
985 Damonte Ranch Pkwy, Ste. 110
Reno, Nevada (NV) 89521

Business card tips

When deciding on how to design your business card, you need to understand what your prospects want, and how they think. First off, we must assume your prospects want you to sell them something. Otherwise they’re not your prospects, and not worth even a single card. Second, your prospects want you to shock and amaze them. They are looking to see something that makes them say,”Wow, I want to use this person’s services.” Finally, you should realize that first impressions are lasting impressions. You’re prospect is going to form an opinion of you in the first 30 seconds or less. So make sure it’s a good impression.

Here are some helpful tips when designing your business card.

Use print that is large enough for everyone to read. Nobody wants to have to squint to view your card. But at the same time, you don’t want to go overboard.

Use a professional or at least print on good quality card stock. Would you hire someone whose business cards look like they were printed on their mom’s computer using cheap paper? Of course not, and neither will your target market.

Use colors that compliment each other, and do not clash. Conflicting colors will send a person into a sort of mental chaos, and will have a negative emotional response.

Make sure there are no typographical errors.

If you have a picture on your card, make sure it looks professional, and is appropriate for your field. You wouldn’t use the same picture for a real estate agent, as you would a tattoo artist.

Related posts:
Postcard Tips
Creating an Effective Message

Should you have any questions or need further information, please don't hesitate to contact me,(775) 220-1630
Or visit my website at www.SellingNorthernNV.com




Joshua Talayka
Chase International
Office: 775 850 5900
Toll Free: 877 922 5900
Cell: 775 220 1630
Fax: 775 850 5901
985 Damonte Ranch Pkwy, Ste. 110
Reno, Nevada (NV) 89521

Real Estate Farming

When farming an area, keep in mind what your ultimate goal is. You’re not just farming an area to pick up clients that are thinking about Real Estate now, but the ultimate goal is to become more than just a real estate agent, but to become a brand name for that particular group or area. (see Creating an Effective Message)

Before you even get started with you farming campaign, you need to stop and first of all determine who you are going to try and appeal to, and then you need to try and see things from your lead’s perspective. What needs will you need to be able to meet for that particular segment of the market both now, and in the future? The ratio of leads generated from farming will turn into clients based on how trusting of a relationship you have developed with them. From the initial contact to everyone that follows, you need to be proving that you not only deserve their business, but also why you are the best choice for their needs. Remember, people generally make their initial decisions based on emotion. So when I talk about needs, I’m referring to all their needs. Before you can sell yourself as a real estate agent, you need to sell yourself as a person who is generally concerned about their problems, and that you truly wish to help.

Once a relationship is developed, you must be consistent about making repeated contact with them. People generally change homes between on average of every 4-5 years. This means in order actually become their agent, you will have to conduct quality farming for at least 2-5 years. So remember take your time choosing who and where you want to farm, it's going to be a very long commitment.

There are several means available to successfully farm a particular group or area. For example: Postcards, letters, brochures, newsletters, emails, etc. All offer easy ways to make contact, and every agent will have his or her preference. With today’s world being more and more internet dependant, you can save a ton of money, and increase your farming by utilizing various E-marketing campaigns. I however suggest you utilize a combination of methods to ensure you are contacting them in every possible way.

Related Posts
Business Card Tips
Making the Most of Your Leads

Should you have any questions or need further information, please don't hesitate to contact me,(775) 220-1630
Or visit my website at www.SellingNorthernNV.com




Joshua Talayka
Chase International
Office: 775 850 5900
Toll Free: 877 922 5900
Cell: 775 220 1630
Fax: 775 850 5901
985 Damonte Ranch Pkwy, Ste. 110
Reno, Nevada (NV) 89521

Increase in Washoe County’s Real Property Transfer Tax

In an effort to provide funding for the Washoe County School District, The Nevada Legislature may consider the raising of our Real Property Transfer Tax as a way to provide the needed funds. Although I doubt anyone would disagree with the need to increase of funding for our Washoe County School District, is this really the best way to go about raising those funds? If the tax increase does go threw, how will the school district be able to properly budget, and plan when the source of its funding comes from volatile and cyclical tax revenue?

Nevada’s Real Property Transfer Tax is only paid upon the successful transfer of property from one person/entity to another. Furthermore, there are 14 separate exemptions to our Real Property Transfer Tax which people can qualify for. Because of these reasons, there is no way to guarantee a certain amount of tax revenue that will be generated at any given time. The Real Estate market is a volatile market that reacts to multiple economic factors, and therefore actual Real Estate transaction will vary from month to month, and year to year. For example; had the Washoe County School District been funded from this tax in 2004, there probably would have been more than enough tax revenue to properly fund the School Districts programs on account of records sales for the area. However, had they received funding from this tax in 2006, they may have not received enough revenue since the real estate market was experiencing very little activity.

Our community is growing, and our school district need added funding to keep up with our growth. However, it should be provided by a broader based source of funding to ensure the district receives a sufficient amount for its needs.

Related Posts
Quick Statistics
Understanding Local Markets

Should you have any questions or need further information, please don't hesitate to contact me,(775) 220-1630
Or visit my website at www.SellingNorthernNV.com




Joshua Talayka
Chase International
Office: 775 850 5900
Toll Free: 877 922 5900
Cell: 775 220 1630
Fax: 775 850 5901
985 Damonte Ranch Pkwy, Ste. 110
Reno, Nevada (NV) 89521

Beginner Tips for the Real Estate Investor

Have a Plan – To often people work backwards when buying a home as an investment. They buy what they think is a good deal, without deciding first what they are going to do with it once it’s theirs. Before even making an offer on a home, you should know exactly how much you’re willing to spend, and exactly what you intend to do with it.

Think Career – You’ve probably have seen the infomercials on T.V. that make it look easy to get rich quick by investing in real estate. You can just through that idea out the window. Being a full time real estate investor is hard work, and you need to be prepared to put time into it, and make it a full time career.

Building a Team – You’ll never see the amount of money you’re capable of making if your spending all of your time doing all the research, fixing leaky faucets, and negotiating every contract. There are people out there that can do all this for you more efficiently, while at the same time freeing you to do more important things. At a minimum, you should develop a strong relationship with at least one real estate agent who understands the different needs and goals that an investor has. To expand even further on your team, I recommend adding to your transaction team; an appraiser, home inspector, closing attorney (where needed) and a lender. You should also consider putting together a maintenance and repair team. This all may seem like an overwhelming amount of people, which is why Josh Talayka other real estate professionals already have developed a team of professionals to meet all of your needs.

Choosing a Price – The trick is to keep emotions out of the equation, and be focused on the bottom line. This is a business after all. Make sure you’ve done all your homework, have a plan for the property, and have made sure that plan is going to be profitable. Also, it’s a good idea to be making offers on multiple properties to keep you from getting attached to a single property.

Do your Homework – I can not stress this enough. Remember, every investment comes with a risk. Get out there and educate yourself on what it takes to become a successful investor. There are countless sources of information out there that can help you decide if this is something you want to get into.

Due Diligence – Make sure you have all the information possible about the property, the transaction, the costs, and the current market conditions (see Understanding Local Real Estate Markets ). If you are working with a team of professionals, they should have done all the research for you, and can provide you with a summary of that research. Make sure you review it. Even if you have the utmost confidence in your team’s judgment on whether or not you’re making a good investment, it’s still your money, and it’s still you taking the risk.

Understanding Cash Flow – If you are looking to invest in rental property, you need to have an understanding of all your expenses. You will more than likely want to enlist the help of a property manager. However, most people don’t even think to start interviewing any until after the purchase. If you’ve never dealt with a property manager before, you may be surprised that it can be hard to find one that’s willing to help you with a single-family home. Most prefer having several rentals, or at least a large multi-family rental per client. Also, be prepared for fees between 7 – 10 percent of the monthly rent. You also should be taking into account maintenance expenses, as well as what it’s going to cost you during vacant periods.

Volume – You are going to experience marginal deals and in some cases you’ll see a loss. This is why it’s important to get yourself to a level where you have a sufficient volume of deals closing so that the good ones can balance out the bad ones in order to see a profit.

Exit Strategy – Always plan for the worst case scenario, and give your self multiple exit strategies. For instance, you may purchase a home in order to rehab it, and then flip it back on the market (see Profit with fixer uppers). But what if the market takes a dive? Always make sure you’re prepared for other alternatives. You may end up needing to turn the property into a rental or offering a lease-purchase option to a buyer. If push comes to shove, you can sell it at wholesale. Meaning you sell it to another investor below-market value. You may not see a profit, but at least you can cut your losses and move on.

Multiply your Estimates – After doing your homework, and determining what your expenses are going to be on a particular home, double it. You never know what unforeseen events may happen to drive those expenses up. If you believe you can still turn a profit at double the amount, then you probably have a good deal worth investing in.

Should you have any questions or need further information, please don't hesitate to contact me,(775) 220-1630
Or visit my website at www.SellingNorthernNV.com




Joshua Talayka
Chase International
Office: 775 850 5900
Toll Free: 877 922 5900
Cell: 775 220 1630
Fax: 775 850 5901
985 Damonte Ranch Pkwy, Ste. 110
Reno, Nevada (NV) 89521

Real Estate Investments through Self-Directed IRAs

Most brokerages limit the type of investments you’re allowed to buy in your IRA. If you’re interested in including real estate as part of your IRA to diversify your portfolio, you may want to consider creating a self-directed IRA. It is not an entirely complicated process once you do your research on the subject, but you must follow the laws regarding a self-directed IRA or face penalties.

If you decide to go this route, be prepared for a lot of “due diligence.” As with any real estate transaction, this can be a very lucrative investment. But without proper research and knowledge of the real estate market, you can place yourself in a very risky situation (see Beginner Tips for the Real Estate Investor) . Your best bet is to first of all make sure to enlist the aid of professionals, knowledgeable in this type of transaction. However, it is also very helpful to have general knowledge of any form of investment transaction you are involved in. The professionals you choose to work with should be able to provide you with a basic understanding of the entire process.

You’ll start the process by opening a self-directed IRA or self-directed Roth IRA with a custodian or administrator. A simple internet search will turn up several companies that will handle this type of investment. Understand however that a custodian is a neutral party to the transaction, and by law can’t advise you on how to invest, or in what properties (or other investments) to invest in. Request a list of fees before hiring anyone, as they can vary by company.

Investing in income-producing properties takes a lot of time and effort. You need to know if the right Market Fundamentals are there. For example: the rental demand for your property and rental price must be there, the condition of the property must warrant the investment. This research is generally done by a real estate professional, which you can find at www.SellingNorthernNV.com.

While you generally require around at least $3,000 or less to buy a mutual fund, a real estate investment will generally cost a considerably greater amount. You need to ensure you have enough money in the account, or have the proper financing worked out for your purchase. If you require outside financing, you’ll need to contact a loan professional to determine what loan best fits your needs. You should also make sure there is enough money in your account for all other expenditures such as taxes and management fee.

Should you have any questions or need further information, please don't hesitate to contact me,(775) 220-1630
Or visit my website at www.SellingNorthernNV.com




Joshua Talayka
Chase International
Office: 775 850 5900
Toll Free: 877 922 5900
Cell: 775 220 1630
Fax: 775 850 5901
985 Damonte Ranch Pkwy, Ste. 110
Reno, Nevada (NV) 89521

Repairing Your Credit and Identifying Credit Scams

Many people every year get taken advantage of by thousands of scam artists that prey on distressed consumers in need of credit repair. They advertise that for a fee, they can wipe your slate clean. In 1997, the Credit Repair Organizations (CRO) Act was passed to put guidelines on what these businesses can do. However, many still choose to ignore it, and can potentially get you into not only financial trouble, but also criminal trouble.

For example, a relatively new scam out there is being called file segregation. The way it works is the credit-repair agency will show you how to obtain an employee-identification number (substitutes for a Social Security Number). Once obtained, they instruct you to use this new number to apply for new credit, normally using different addresses and phone number to make it difficult for the creditor to link to your last identity. This in essence creates a false identity with a new credit history, which is a felony.

Although the majority of credit-repair agencies do conduct business within the guidelines of the CRO Act, they still charge anywhere from $100 to $1,000 to do what you are able to do with a letter, and no more than the cost of postage. The fact of the mater is the credit bureaus can list negative information for seven years and bankruptcy information for as long as 10 years. And the only way to repair your credit is with new on time payments and by paying off your old debt. You are however entitled to dispute and have any errors fixed that are reported on your credit. This is what the majority of credit-repair agencies will do for you. They generally will state that many consumers can’t even read a credit report, and that using them is just the same as using a company like H&R Block to do your taxes.

Although a credit report may seem complicated, if you have someone willing to walk you through it the first time, it will become easy to understand. This is a service which I offer at no cost to those who need it (visit www.SellingNorthernNV.com). However, I am not by any means a credit professional, and can only provide you with my general knowledge on the subject. I can however get you started in the right direction by showing you where to obtain the information you need to properly have any errors which may appear on your report corrected. You may also be interested in know that you are entitled to add a statement to your report explaining why certain accounts are being reported in a negative way. When applying for credit such as a mortgage loan, the lender will have a chance to consider yourexplanation when deciding whether or not to grant your loan.

Related Posts
Helping Homeowners

Should you have any questions or need further information, please don't hesitate to contact me,(775) 220-1630
Or visit my website at www.SellingNorthernNV.com




Joshua Talayka
Chase International
Office: 775 850 5900
Toll Free: 877 922 5900
Cell: 775 220 1630
Fax: 775 850 5901
985 Damonte Ranch Pkwy, Ste. 110
Reno, Nevada (NV) 89521