Nogui's Blog

I had such a wonderful time at the  Real Estate Bar Camp RDU

The Thought Leaders were phenomenal! Though I was only there half a day, I managed to pick up a ton of new information. A big thank you to the guys and girls at ReBarCampRDU for putting on a hell of of a conference.

Here are 10 wonderful marketing tips for REALTORS:

1. Use Google Analytics (FREE) to track hits, bounce rate, and where those hits are coming from. By inserting their code into your website, you can analyze your traffic data, enabling you to change your or tweak your marketing techniques for better traffic!

2. Use a contact form with a success page on your website or blog!

3. Don't use a Flash only website. The Google Machine will not be able to read the text inside Flash.

4. Make sure your website is W3C compliant! Check w3c.org for more info! Google likes this.

5. Oldie but Goldie: Content is King

6. List neighborhoods and subdivisions on your blog. It will make it easier for buyers to find you when they are looking in a specific neighborhood. It also makes you look like an expert.

7.  Extend your domain name out 5 years: Google likes this. It has something to do with the longevity of the domain.

8. Place links that go elsewhere and are relevant to your blog post.

9. Unless your Hemmingway, only 300 - 500 words per blog post: Too little and Google will not find it. Too many words and you run the risk of readers falling asle........

10. If your new to the whole social media thing - don't go crazy and don't get overwhelmed. Start small. A Facebook business page, Twitter, Linkedin, and your blog is a perfect start.

Any attendees who would like to share a fantastic tip, please do so on the comments below! Enjoy!

Nogui Aramburo
REALTOR and Marketing Coordinator
The Amy Pomerantz Group
Coldwell Banker, HPW
Follow me on twitter.com/nogui

Become a Fan of REBarCampRDU http://www.facebook.com/rebcrdu

To everyone who wasn't in a position to take advantage of the First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit, you get another chance!

Which means you can buy a home, furnish it and put a little money away for a rainy day!

Other good news; the credit has been expanded to include current owners who are looking to purchase a second home or are looking to move into another home.

In order to qualify for the credit, all contracts need to be in effect no later than April 30, 2010 and close no later than June 30, 2010.

What is a tax credit? A tax credit is a direct reduction in tax liability owed by an individual to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). In the event no taxes are owed, the IRS will issue a check for the amount of the tax credit an individual is owed. Unlike the tax credit that existed in 2008, this credit does not require repayment unless the home, at any time in the first 36 months of ownership, is no longer an individual’s primary residence

First-Time Homebuyers: First-time homebuyers (that is, people who have not owned a home within the last three years) may be eligible for the tax credit. The credit for FTHBs is 10% of the purchase price of the home, with a maximum available credit of $8,000. Single taxpayers and married couples filing a joint return may qualify for the full tax credit amount.

Current Owners: The tax credit program now gives those who already own a residence some additional reasons to move to a new home. This incentive comes in the form of a tax credit of up to $6,500 for qualified purchasers who have owned and occupied a primary residence for a period of five consecutive years during the last eight years.

How Much are First-Time Homebuyers Eligible to Receive? An eligible homebuyer may request from the IRS a tax credit of up to $8,000 or 10% of the purchase price for a home. If the amount of the home purchased is $75,000, the maximum amount the credit can be is $7,500. If the amount of the home purchased is $100,000, the amount of the credit may not exceed $8,000

Who is Eligible fort FTHB Tax Credit?
Anyone who has not owned a primary residence in the previous 36 months, prior to closing and the transfer of title, is eligible.
This applies both to single taxpayers and married couples. In the case where there is a married couple, if either spouse has owned a primary residence in the last 36 months, neither would qualify. In the case where an individual has owned property that has not been a primary residence, such as a second home or investment property, that individual would be eligible.

How Much are Current Home Owners Eligible to Receive? The tax credit program includes a tax credit of up to $6,500 for qualified purchasers who have owned and occupied a primary residence for a period of five consecutive years during the last eight years.

According to the IRS, factors that would demonstrate the ownership of the property would include: 1. Right of possession, 
2. Right to obtain legal title upon full payment of the purchase price, 
3. Right to construct improvements, 
4. Obligation to pay property taxes, 
5. Risk of loss, 
6. Responsibility to insure the property, and 
7. Duty to maintain the property.

More info available at: http://www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com/

Some information Courtesy of:
Jeffrey B. Schneider, CFM
Sr. Mortgage Specialist
P: 919-361-6168
F: 866-527-6654
www.SunTrustMortgage.com/ADSGroup

Nogui Aramburo
REALTOR and Marketing Coordinator
Coldwell Banker HPW

www.blog.bullcityrealtor.com
Cell: 919.771.3609
Email: aramburon@hpw.com
Follow me on Twitter
twitter.com/nogui