“Mortgage rates dropped even further this week as two main factors affecting today’s mortgage market became more favorable. Inflation continued to ease while the Federal Reserve switched to a smaller interest rate hike. As a result, according to Freddie Mac, the 30-year fixed mortgage rate fell to 6.31% from 6.33% the previous week. The monthly mortgage payment for a home loan of $400,000 is currently $2,480 compared to $2,680 five weeks ago when rates were above the 7% threshold. Although mortgage rates are more than double those of a year ago, home prices continue to be higher than the previous year due to limited inventory. Looking at the housing supply by income level, buyers earning $75,000 face the most significant housing shortage compared to any other income group. In a balanced market, these buyers should be able to afford half of the homes listed for sale. However, these middle-income buyers can afford to buy only 20% of all available listings. As a result, even though there are fewer middle-income buyers in the market, there are still not enough homes for them to purchase.”

Today’s buzz is all about the “new” real estate market. Given the rise in interest rates, the recent and ongoing scarcity of housing inventory and the skyrocketing costs for new construction impacted by the pandemic, for most of the industry this is a “new” and changing market

When the market tightens up, it’s the perfect time to refresh and replace old, tired tools with exciting new options that allow immediate service connections with simplicity and effectiveness

And with change comes opportunity!  These new resources and platforms that connect are now seamlessly directed to provide the ultimate customer connection and are far easier, faster and economical than the historically useful but dated platforms that give smart agents the competitive edge.

So, what’s old that is now new? Let’s review a few oldies that have been “kicked up a notch” to better serve your customers and clients:

1. Video Connection – Remember in the early zoom days how complicated it was to be face to face on a video connection”? You needed special cameras, accounts, passwords, options for waiting rooms, codes, etc. Imagine immediate connection with a prospect at the height of their interest at the first inquiry?  Today with “one click” you can easily connect with anyone anywhere without the hassle of loading and executing a download, having to send out a link, and hoping for compatibility of both the user and the guest….and the list goes on.   Check out 1-Click connection to connect interested parties with one simple “click”!   There are no delays as you establish a real time connection with face-to-face interface that accelerates the connection and provides a truly differentiated experience.  So instead of settling for the ever-popular automated text responses, you can now be the star of your own “direct channel”.   This Zoom-like video conferencing app with potential lead generations is available for only $9.95 per month, no contracts, and no setup fee. 

2. How about ramping up those open houses with a new twist? Virtual open houses gained immediate popularity when the pandemic hit. But what if you could engage more effectively online with the same 1-click option for a cutting-edge video connection with exceptional extra services?

Using the simple “1-click” option, you use your cell phone or tablet and can do the following with as simple as one click:  

• Schedule an open house: 1-Click provides a calendar app to schedule your open house.
• The system assists promotion of the time and day of your event as it generates a registration form for the home shopper to fill out and then automatically and sends a text and email with the meeting list.
• The 1-Click system then promotes your virtual open house through email, social posts, print ads, or a sign rider. 1-Click also offers social advertising that will include social community ads directed to buyers.

• This special platform allows you to do a walkthrough of the new listing explaining the special nuances, the facts and benefits of the listing.

• Take advantage of the 1-Click Marketing promoting your open house in a Facebook Promotion and Lead Generation 2-week campaign with a targeted add round your listing to generate 5-10 warm leads
• When your virtual walk-through has ended, 1-Click will forward a list of attendees.

That’s 1 Click easy!  Get your 1-Click Open House users guide video and see the extra benefits to take your open houses from dull to dynamic! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jg0cds3616I

3. It’s SHOWTIME! Establish real celebrity authority in your local marketplace with an agent interview designed to be easily uploaded to all your online channels. Realty Times TV offers professionally designed interviews with a broadcasting professional to highlight the special services you provide. Video is king when it comes to establishing star power and having a video interview of you showcasing what you do and how you do it is the key to getting more recognition in a crowded market.  Click here for details:

4. Need more leads? Everybody wants more leads, and there are several ways to engage with potential buyers and sellers without cutting into your profits. And what if you had a “jump” on hot properties prior to offering through the marketplace? It’s here!  Before They List offers opportunities to pre-market a property to buyers who are already in the marketplace to find specific properties.

5. Now how about helping a seller prior to the official listing process? Discover the benefits of Before YOU list! This service offers home buyer prospecting solutions with properties that match their needs without the stress, time and inconvenience for those sellers who want a jump on the market before the actual listing is launched.

6. Newsletters… An oldie in marketing for sure, but how about a newsletter that provides real RELEVANT value both electronically and with a video component? Contact creates Contracts and the RealtyTimes Newsletter has custom options to keep you connected to your past clients to get more referrals. It’s one of the best ways to stay in touch with your clients and includes the “1-Click” connection with the affordable monthly subscription. Click here to get in touch with the most turnkey, relevant and rich info to maintain and retain your clients and customers.

https://realtytimes.com/ar-newsletter

7. How about adding a fun component to your website to get more views? It is reported that in 2021 over 105 BILLION dollars was generated by the lottery and now you too can incorporate a little Lotto fun on your own marketing. The Players Edge is a simple “widget” designed to build your website traffic. It’s a FREE app that when added to your website generates a onetime popup image displaying recommended lottery picks for the next Powerball or Mega Millions Drawing.  It’s fun, innovative and a real ice breaker to introduce you to new clients and to reignite past clients in a fun but engaging way.  Click here to join the fun: https://realtytimes.com/ar-players-edge

These are just a few of the many new and innovative ways for you to get a jump on the market with cutting edge options to help you stand out in your marketplace.

Another compelling reason to check out  https://realtytimes.com/agentnews/agent-resource-center center to grab a bundle of these new innovations to get a jump on 2023 and launch right now!

The bottom line is this:  technology, social marketing, lead generation and community engagement need a system of products and deliverables to be proven profit generators.  Make a real decision to be the rock star of your market with the help of Realty Times resources made just for you!