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Suggest You - Real Estate: The Consumers Will Have The Final Word!
Every mobile carwash business needs to be good at sales if they are to succeed in the marketplace and develop new clientele to grow their business and buy more trucks. If you own a mobile carwash business you need to concentrate on sales and make sure that the customers that you signed up are clustered together to save you from driving time.Remember you make money when the truck is parked and is cleaning vehicles and you are losing money when you are driving in traffic or driving between customers. The more customers you have close together on your route the more money you will make and the less time you will stand wasted in traffic jams.To ensure that your sales go as planned you will need to carefully strategize while looking at a map, which customers you need to target to cluster your route into the smallest and the most efficient space possible.We all know that it is easy to get cars to wash for mobile carwash companies because most people own a car and if you work in business districts all day there are plenty of customers everywhere you can wash. The trick is to get the best customers who will pay you the most money so you can make the most profit. Please consider this in 2006.
The traditional model does not reflect today’s consumers.
Advances in technology and the ever increasing sophistication of consumers are destined to change the way home real estate is bought and sold. Did the industry fail to recognize changes in the behavior and expectations of homeowners and investors?
Today’s consumers are tech savvy, more independent, more sophisticated, more knowledgeable and want to be in control. They want to have choices!
Almost every traditional brokerage house has a web site mostly used to provide “photographs and summarized property information.” This is a step in the right direction, but not quite what the consumer wants. Consumers want access to the same information and tools t
After you have decided to sell your house, you must prepare the house accordingly. The look of your house will be the first impression the buyer gets. So you need to prepare your house very carefully, to give the right message.The first thing that the prospective buyer sees is the exteriors. Make any necessary repairs. If you have a lawn or garden, make it attractive. Check that the sidewalks and driveways are free of weeds and clutter. Make enough room to walk comfortably on steps, balconies, patios, etc. Clear away any unnecessary furniture and articles. Also, all pathways and rooms should have sufficient lighting. Ensure that all doors, windows and cupboards are openable. Try to remove clutter from the basement and garage. Have the house professionally cleaned, especially carpets and draperies. Any pending repairs and painting should be undertaken before listing the house for sale. Bathroom and kitchen fixtures should be in proper working condition. All pet areas and bathrooms should be cleaned thoroughly. Check that there are no clogged drains or rain gutters causing seepage and dampness. Spray an insecticide to get rid of bugs. And if you are still not sure how to prepare the house for selling, you can hire a professional inspector who can recommend what changes and rep
Change is good for the consumer and for the real estate industry. It fuels competition and drives innovation and efficiency. Yet, the real estate industry has seen little change during the last 50 years. Indeed, other than marginally lower commissions as a result of the introduction of “discount brokerage models,” the change is imperceptible.
Will the industry survive as we know it today? What will it take to thrive in the future?
Technology and changing consumer behavior will be the driving forces behind change, but not the only forces. What matters is what the consumers want -- not what we think they want.
We searched for answers. We went from denial, to awareness, and finally to acceptance. The lessons were harsh but clear. We needed to listen and learn from the consumer. Here is what we learned and want to share with you.
Legislation and regulation can’t stop evolution and innovation.
It is not business as usual anymore. Prior success no longer guarantees the future viability of the existing real estate business model and profitability for the industry. While it has been a long and rewarding ride, its time has passed. However, there should not be any doubts that there is a bright future for the real estate industry. After all, real estate will continue to be the heart and engine of our economy. And it will be especially brighter for those embracing radical change and seeking new ways to serve the consumers. Those that embrace the change brought by evolution will succeed. Those that continue to use legislation to defend the indefensible will see their business succumb to innovative models that put the interests of the consumer at the center of the process.
Consumers have lost confidence in the traditional model.
Is anyone surprised about this? Have consumers been taken for granted? Did the industry forget that consumers are critical on both sides of the transaction? You would have thought that consumers would be in control of the process. Yet, ironically, consumers do not have any leverage because the power resides with intermediaries. Consumers’ options are limited when buying or selling real estate, particularly for those who want to go about it on their own.
We hear frequently: “Why do we need to pay a 6% commission for selling our property?” That concern is being felt across the real estate industry, and while commissions are being reduced, the decrease is still not commensurate with the “homeowner’s perception of value”.
Homeowners believe that fees should be based on “the value of the services” and not on “the value of the property”. The adage that a rising tide lifts all boats has proved to be true in the real estate industry. This rising tide has brought housing values to record high levels. The good news for the homeowners is that their equity has increased. The bad news (which materializes at the time of the purchase and sale of property) is that such increase is completely independent of the contributions of third parties. It is simple market forces at work : supply and demand.
Consumers see through the lack of transparency.
Consumers know that you are not what you write or say, but what you do when no one is looking. Consumers want more transparency. They want all the myths to disappear. They want a leveled playing field, with unrestricted access to the tools and knowledge required for a successful sale or purchase. They want transactions that are “procedurally” easier, smarter, cheaper and faster. They want to choose how to go about buying and selling. The one size fits all approach is not longer valid.
Because of this lack of transparency, consumers are paying more for less value. Consumers are working more, but not being compensated for their efforts. Over 74% of buyers are now using the Internet to search for properties, yet they cannot complete the process because the back end is controlled by intermediaries. Sellers who want to sell on their own do not have an “effective platform” to market their properties, unless they use the Multiple Listing System. The cost of representation currently based on the value of the property is archaic and does not reflect the realities of the times. The absolute value of commissions paid continues to increase and the beneficiary is not the consumer. It is the consumers’ equity that continues to erode, while the economic benefits are enjoyed by the intermediaries. Simply stated, the time has arrived for the consumers to be in control of the process. After all, the consumers own the properties and who better than them to decide what to do and how to go about it. They are willing to pay for the services and guidance they need, but not as a function of the value of a property.
The traditional model does not reflect today’s consumers.
Advances in technology and the ever increasing sophistication of consumers are destined to change the way home real estate is bought and sold. Did the industry fail to recognize changes in the behavior and expectations of homeowners and investors?
Today’s consumers are tech savvy, more independent, more sophisticated, more knowledgeable and want to be in control. They want to have choices!
Almost every traditional brokerage house has a web site mostly used to provide “photographs and summarized property information.” This is a step in the right direction, but not quite what the consumer wants. Consumers want access to the same information and tools th
Internet marketing is what we call in business school, an easy-entry business. Anybody can do it, with less than 100 dollars.The problem with easy-entry businesses is that because everyone can get it, most people fail.People don’t think before they make decisions. In their head somewhere, they feel that just because they have only invested $100, that the returns on the business are low. And they somehow manage to match their expectations.If they do make a few hundred dollars, they manage to take it all and buy a few nice dinners, to compensate themselves for their time.The serious internet marketer, on the other hand, will think himself grateful to be able to go into business for himself for less than 100 dollars, and reinvest every dollar that comes in.The most expensive part of getting started online is traffic generation.Traffic generation is either expensive in time, or expensive in money. But it has to be spent.So how do you make the campaign profitable? There is only one way: measure everything.Just like running a science or economics experiment, every input must be measured, every output must be measured.The outputs on every campaign must be greater than the inputs on those very campaigns. There is no ot
Consumers have lost confidence in the traditional model.
Is anyone surprised about this? Have consumers been taken for granted? Did the industry forget that consumers are critical on both sides of the transaction? You would have thought that consumers would be in control of the process. Yet, ironically, consumers do not have any leverage because the power resides with intermediaries. Consumers’ options are limited when buying or selling real estate, particularly for those who want to go about it on their own.
We hear frequently: “Why do we need to pay a 6% commission for selling our property?” That concern is being felt across the real estate industry, and while commissions are being reduced, the decrease is still not commensurate with the “homeowner’s perception of value”.
Homeowners believe that fees should be based on “the value of the services” and not on “the value of the property”. The adage that a rising tide lifts all boats has proved to be true in the real estate industry. This rising tide has brought housing values to record high levels. The good news for the homeowners is that their equity has increased. The bad news (which materializes at the time of the purchase and sale of property) is that such increase is completely independent of the contributions of third parties. It is simple market forces at work : supply and demand.
Consumers see through the lack of transparency.
Consumers know that you are not what you write or say, but what you do when no one is looking. Consumers want more transparency. They want all the myths to disappear. They want a leveled playing field, with unrestricted access to the tools and knowledge required for a successful sale or purchase. They want transactions that are “procedurally” easier, smarter, cheaper and faster. They want to choose how to go about buying and selling. The one size fits all approach is not longer valid.
Because of this lack of transparency, consumers are paying more for less value. Consumers are working more, but not being compensated for their efforts. Over 74% of buyers are now using the Internet to search for properties, yet they cannot complete the process because the back end is controlled by intermediaries. Sellers who want to sell on their own do not have an “effective platform” to market their properties, unless they use the Multiple Listing System. The cost of representation currently based on the value of the property is archaic and does not reflect the realities of the times. The absolute value of commissions paid continues to increase and the beneficiary is not the consumer. It is the consumers’ equity that continues to erode, while the economic benefits are enjoyed by the intermediaries. Simply stated, the time has arrived for the consumers to be in control of the process. After all, the consumers own the properties and who better than them to decide what to do and how to go about it. They are willing to pay for the services and guidance they need, but not as a function of the value of a property.
The traditional model does not reflect today’s consumers.
Advances in technology and the ever increasing sophistication of consumers are destined to change the way home real estate is bought and sold. Did the industry fail to recognize changes in the behavior and expectations of homeowners and investors?
Today’s consumers are tech savvy, more independent, more sophisticated, more knowledgeable and want to be in control. They want to have choices!
Almost every traditional brokerage house has a web site mostly used to provide “photographs and summarized property information.” This is a step in the right direction, but not quite what the consumer wants. Consumers want access to the same information and tools t
Do you have 5, 10, or 20 years of sales experience? Or do you have 1 year of sales experience 5, 10, or 20 times? Many salespeople never advance beyond ancient outdated sales lines like "If I do this for you, will you give me the order?" Or "What do I have to do to get your business?" Lines like these are why salespeople have a reputation near lawyers in our society. Everyone learns lines like these in sales at some time or another. Often it comes from a senior salesperson who is described as "aggressive" or as "a closer". Because this guy brings in a lot of business, other's think that they should model his every habit. People say that you would sell more if you acted like this person. Yet secretly, most people abhor this guy. Here's a hint. If the people in your sales organization abhorred this guy, then so did most of his prospects and customers. This guy sold a lot by using the law of averages. He sold not because of his ancient sales lines, but in spite of them. He worked 70 hours a week, and one of his favorite sayings was "its a numbers game". Now you do have to get your message out to a large number of people. However, if you are annoying them in the process, you are wasting many great sales opportunities. Lines such a
We hear frequently: “Why do we need to pay a 6% commission for selling our property?” That concern is being felt across the real estate industry, and while commissions are being reduced, the decrease is still not commensurate with the “homeowner’s perception of value”.
Homeowners believe that fees should be based on “the value of the services” and not on “the value of the property”. The adage that a rising tide lifts all boats has proved to be true in the real estate industry. This rising tide has brought housing values to record high levels. The good news for the homeowners is that their equity has increased. The bad news (which materializes at the time of the purchase and sale of property) is that such increase is completely independent of the contributions of third parties. It is simple market forces at work : supply and demand.
Consumers see through the lack of transparency.
Consumers know that you are not what you write or say, but what you do when no one is looking. Consumers want more transparency. They want all the myths to disappear. They want a leveled playing field, with unrestricted access to the tools and knowledge required for a successful sale or purchase. They want transactions that are “procedurally” easier, smarter, cheaper and faster. They want to choose how to go about buying and selling. The one size fits all approach is not longer valid.
Because of this lack of transparency, consumers are paying more for less value. Consumers are working more, but not being compensated for their efforts. Over 74% of buyers are now using the Internet to search for properties, yet they cannot complete the process because the back end is controlled by intermediaries. Sellers who want to sell on their own do not have an “effective platform” to market their properties, unless they use the Multiple Listing System. The cost of representation currently based on the value of the property is archaic and does not reflect the realities of the times. The absolute value of commissions paid continues to increase and the beneficiary is not the consumer. It is the consumers’ equity that continues to erode, while the economic benefits are enjoyed by the intermediaries. Simply stated, the time has arrived for the consumers to be in control of the process. After all, the consumers own the properties and who better than them to decide what to do and how to go about it. They are willing to pay for the services and guidance they need, but not as a function of the value of a property.
The traditional model does not reflect today’s consumers.
Advances in technology and the ever increasing sophistication of consumers are destined to change the way home real estate is bought and sold. Did the industry fail to recognize changes in the behavior and expectations of homeowners and investors?
Today’s consumers are tech savvy, more independent, more sophisticated, more knowledgeable and want to be in control. They want to have choices!
Almost every traditional brokerage house has a web site mostly used to provide “photographs and summarized property information.” This is a step in the right direction, but not quite what the consumer wants. Consumers want access to the same information and tools t
The pace & volume of modern change is focusing attention on ways human resource activities can be used to ensure organization members have what it takes to successfully meet their challenges. From personal HR to Strategic HR, this field has become the prime focus area of top management. Generating value additions is the buzz word and contributions from this department and not limited to talent pool alone. This goes on to show that the functional area is not just to get the best in human resources but also optimizing operations to boost the bottom line of the organization.That leads us to the nitty-gritty of the whole HR business. Organizations today want to position their business for profitable growth and look relentlessly for web-based, integrated workforce automation solutions that would function smoothly with their existing business systems. The aim is to move away from largely manual and paper based business processes to consolidating vital organizational data into a centralized location, used as a repository that can then be easily used and maintained. The challenge is to achieve all this without experiencing a corresponding increase in administrative and accounting staff, thereby achieving the desired economies of scale. When it comes to cutting
Because of this lack of transparency, consumers are paying more for less value. Consumers are working more, but not being compensated for their efforts. Over 74% of buyers are now using the Internet to search for properties, yet they cannot complete the process because the back end is controlled by intermediaries. Sellers who want to sell on their own do not have an “effective platform” to market their properties, unless they use the Multiple Listing System. The cost of representation currently based on the value of the property is archaic and does not reflect the realities of the times. The absolute value of commissions paid continues to increase and the beneficiary is not the consumer. It is the consumers’ equity that continues to erode, while the economic benefits are enjoyed by the intermediaries. Simply stated, the time has arrived for the consumers to be in control of the process. After all, the consumers own the properties and who better than them to decide what to do and how to go about it. They are willing to pay for the services and guidance they need, but not as a function of the value of a property.
The traditional model does not reflect today’s consumers.
Advances in technology and the ever increasing sophistication of consumers are destined to change the way home real estate is bought and sold. Did the industry fail to recognize changes in the behavior and expectations of homeowners and investors?
Today’s consumers are tech savvy, more independent, more sophisticated, more knowledgeable and want to be in control. They want to have choices!
Almost every traditional brokerage house has a web site mostly used to provide “photographs and summarized property information.” This is a step in the right direction, but not quite what the consumer wants. Consumers want access to the same information and tools t
What is the big fuss over Youtube? You have to live in a cave to have not heard of Youtube, but what is it and how is it changing the internet. This article will tell you everything you need to know about the latest internet craze.WHAT IS YOUTUBE?YouTube is a popular free video sharing Web site which lets users upload, view, and share viral video.Video sharing refers to a site that allows user to distribute their video clips.The site utilizes Adobe Flash technology to display video.On the About Us page at Youtube.com it states, "YouTube is a place for people to engage in new ways with video by sharing, commenting on, and viewing videos. YouTube originally started as a personal video sharing service, and has grown into an entertainment destination with people watching more than 70 million videos on the site daily."YouTube is a place for people to engage in new ways with video by sharing, commenting on, and viewing videos. YouTube originally started as a personal video sharing service, and has grown into an entertainment destination with people watching more than 100 million videos on the site daily. Our users determine what is popular on the site, and can unleash their creativity and broadcast their talents to a global audience. erode, while the economic benefits are enjoyed by the intermediaries. Simply stated, the time has arrived for the consumers to be in control of the process. After all, the consumers own the properties and who better than them to decide what to do and how to go about it. They are willing to pay for the services and guidance they need, but not as a function of the value of a property.
The traditional model does not reflect today’s consumers.
Advances in technology and the ever increasing sophistication of consumers are destined to change the way home real estate is bought and sold. Did the industry fail to recognize changes in the behavior and expectations of homeowners and investors?
Today’s consumers are tech savvy, more independent, more sophisticated, more knowledgeable and want to be in control. They want to have choices!
Almost every traditional brokerage house has a web site mostly used to provide “photographs and summarized property information.” This is a step in the right direction, but not quite what the consumer wants. Consumers want access to the same information and tools that professionals have. They want a buy and sell process that is “easier, smarter, faster and cheaper”. Consumers know that the Internet has made it possible to have access to information and resources that in the past only were available to professionals. The Internet has also made it possible to provide these services at a fraction of the cost. Technology based models are not a substitute for good judgment, but they are more efficient and transparent. These efficiencies result in lower cost of representation, and access to information and know how that is completely unbiased and independent of the value of a property. Put another way, technology drives down the cost of representation!
Homeowners want real options, not a recycled traditional model. While real estate is a $ 1.3 trillion industry that is highly fragmented, there is little differentiation between options. The industry also exhibits behavioral traits typically found in oligopolies. Consumers have been led to believe that the process of buying and selling is complicated and unmanageable without the intervention of an intermediary. This is simply not true. Consumers want real options that remove the “fear, uncertainty, and doubt,” which historically has been foisted on the real estate transaction by intermediaries.
There are over 2.3 million licensed brokers and agents in the United States. Entry and exit barriers are low. In theory, it looks like consumers have a very large number of choices. In practice, that is not the case. Mostly everybody offers the same and there is little differentiation between companies, business models, and services provided by brokers and agents. Consumers want “real choices,” not variations of the existing business model.
Currently, home owners that wish to sell their property have two options: (i) sale by owner (FSBO); or (ii) a contractual engagement with a licensed real estate broker or agent.
For those owners who desire to sell their property themselves, advertising and valuation tools are virtually non-existent. Their intent is to avoid the high commissions sought by brokers, but they are restricted in their advertising and analysis capabilities.
Looking to take advantage of the market necessity for a FSBO real estate solution, a plethora of market developers has begun to introduce solutions in this area. Nonetheless, these developers have focused on creating revenue from either individual online FSBO advertisements, advertisements from or referrals to third-party real estate professionals, lead generation, or some basic set of information services/tools with limited capabilities. These are legitimate alternatives for some but not for all.
Real estate consumers are actively seeking alternatives. Consumers have an infinite appetite for information and knowledge. Web based applications have made that possible and there is no turning back. According to a 2004 report from the National Association of Realtors, the Internet has rapidly become the preferred method of property search with over 70 % of homebuyers indicating that they utilize it as their primary source of property listings. In fact, 2003 marked a milestone in the technological evolution of the real estate industry. That year, for the first time, more buyers used the Internet than newspaper advertisements as an information source. Buyers are doing most of the work, yet they find themselves having to go through an intermediary. Buyers do not buy the myth that “Commissions are paid by sellers.” They know these commissions are part of the gross purchase price and paid exclusively by them.
Most consumers want an innovative online business environment with functionality that incorporates optimal data sources, analytical tools, marketing exposure, and opportunity leads in a comprehensive and user-friendly online solution. They know the Internet has created new industries and new ways to transact business and they want to be the beneficiary of such transformation. New games and new rules will become the standard. And we better learn to play the new game! The consumers will have the final word.
Change is unavoidable but not easy to accept. Change is good for society and we are constantly witnessing the transformation of everything around us. Change drives innovation, efficiencies and progress. Why should it be different for the real estate industry?
We need to listen and learn from the consumers. They want choices.
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