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Golden Bear Partnering with Cotton & Company on Luxury Real Estate Marketing

By Angelene Posted in - Advertising & Media & Real Estate on November 18th, 2015

Golden Bear Realty, a global name in destination real estate, recently announced a strategic partnership with Cotton & Company. The powerful alliance of these two nationally recognized firms creates an unprecedented sales and marketing solution for resort owners, developers, lenders and country club communities throughout North America and the Caribbean. One of the most recognized, revered and respected names in the golf and real estate industries, Golden Bear’s firm has spent years researching the market and homing in on its needs. Mike Nicklaus, owner and broker, leads the Golden Bear contingent. “My family has lived up to a standard of excellence our whole life; that’s a standard that we strive to uphold. With our brand and our company, everything we…

Social Media Marketing Results in Sales

By Angelene Posted in - Advertising & Media & Real Estate & Social Media on June 23rd, 2015

Young Professionals Use Facebook/FaceTime to Purchase Luxury Condo Using social media to market real estate means providing information that they can access at their fingertips. In this digitally driven world the consumer can get little snacks of knowledge to keep them coming back for more. You stay in touch with them and you engage. No one can be everything to everyone at all times, but with social media, we can get really close. Staying in tune with the consumer will lead the next generation of marketing to better elevate this form of customer service. For example in San Antonio, Texas, one of our clients, Alteza Residences, recently sold a residence with social media. When young professionals Samar and Kajel Shah…

Country Club Membership Recruiting for the Future

By Laurie Andrews Posted in - Advertising & Media & Networking & Real Estate & Social Media on December 3rd, 2013

Today’s marketing programs for golf and country clubs must be very different compared to how we have marketed prior to the recent recession. Most clubs were originally geared towards a specific demographic and psychographic profile- the Silent Generation born between 1925 and 1942. These profiles have shifted during the downturn, which is why membership recruitment strategies must shift as well. The previously targeted buyer profile has aged, and with that the referral base has diminished. The life and future of your club depends on how well you can “young it up” to appeal to the next market. Not only will the younger market be around longer to enjoy the club, but the projected revenue stream of a 40 – 50…

Homebuying Timeline Shortened as Housing Market Gains Momentum

By Laurie Andrews Posted in - Real Estate on September 3rd, 2013

As the housing market continues to improve, developers and builders are experiencing a favorable trend amongst prospective homebuyers. After several years of building a pipeline of leads and grinding out sales through a lengthy sales process, the timeline for sale has shortened considerably. The market rebound is trumping the seasonality of many markets, with buyers now purchasing within weeks of their initial sales office visit rather than months or years. As specialists in the marketing of residential real estate, Cotton & Company is witnessing the shift across multiple markets indicating a positive trend. Many buyers have been sitting on the sidelines for the past several years waiting for the right opportunity and a more positive economic outlook. This reluctance to…

The World Has Changed Since the Last Real Estate Cycle

By Laurie Andrews Posted in - Real Estate on April 29th, 2013

It’s been a long road back for the real estate development industry. When the down slope for residential real estate began in 2006, the world was a very different place. It’s hard to believe that Facebook only existed on college campuses, and the first generation of the iPhone wasn’t introduced until 2007. But it was the iPad introduction in 2010 that really changed the world for real estate developers, bringing the wealthy discretionary buyer into the digital realm. Today, as many developers begin to reenter the market, they are recognizing new marketing challenges as a result of changing technology. Top 10 Changes: 1. Website infrastructure and design must prioritize tablet interaction. This means a more focused navigation plan that emphasizes…

Early Cotton Report Data Indicates Liquidity Returning to the Market

By Laurie Andrews Posted in - Media & Real Estate on March 13th, 2013

Cotton & Company’s 5th annual consumer survey is underway. The annual online report surveys prospective homebuyers throughout the US to gain insight into the current buyer’s psychology. With more than 700 respondents providing insight on the factors that affect their purchase decision, the data has become an industry standard for forecasting residential real estate trends.  As the data continues to be analyzed for the final report, early indications show liquidity has returned to the market. When asked about their reason for not purchasing to date, the consumer response “Can’t sell my existing home” dropped significantly from the 2011 market data. As additional support to this position, consumer interest in “Waiting for Better Pricing” has dropped to 8%, from the highpoint…

How to Drive Outside Broker Sales in 2013

By Laurie Andrews Posted in - Real Estate on February 12th, 2013

In regional marketplaces across the country, real estate brokers are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. Although the downturn has been prolonged, brokers stand ready to drive success as the market rebounds. With the national media promoting the rebound of the housing market, brokers are anxious to earn those illusive commissions. And that’s the name of the game – making money. As the developer or owner of a new residential community, brokers can provide a quick burst of momentum for your program. Here are some things you do to capture their attention and their clients: 1. Communicate and educate. A strong broker partner is a resource for his clients. He/she knows what is happening in the market…

What’s the Future for Planned Communities?

By Laurie Andrews Posted in - Real Estate on February 5th, 2013

Seems like a simple question, but the answer may not be so clear. A discussion panel of ULI industry experts provided personal insight on the future: Lewis Goodkin – Second home communities are finding their residents are no longer supporting the club structure. Baby boomers want “insulation” not “isolation,” and they are becoming more about necessity than ever before. Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk – There are three primary obstacles to long-term development: 1) Getting people comfortable with change. 2) Affordability as tax credits may not continue and costs are rising. 3) Transit is a necessity and new roads are not being planned. The roads must come first. Charles Cobb – Many places still have a need for new housing communities with lifestyle elements as part of the…

What is More Important – Lead Generation or Conversion?

By Laurie Andrews Posted in - Real Estate on January 28th, 2013

“Lead generation” is all the channels used to create potential buyers. It used to be that print media generated early interest, then the lead came into the sales office and the buyers were then sold on the community and product. Oh, how things have changed! Today’s lead generation channels still include many traditional resources like brokers, signage, direct mail, events, television, public relations and many others.  But today the biggest change is online- where your website acts as your virtual sales office. Ever wonder when real estate sites receive the highest traffic? 10 PM. That’s right!  Laptops go to the bedroom and buyers begin their search. They explore, watch videos, visit Facebook pages and compare communities to decide which are worth touring. It makes…

6 Reasons Video Should be a High Priority When Selling Real Estate

By Laurie Andrews Posted in - Advertising & Media & Networking & Public Relations & Real Estate & Social Media & Uncategorized on January 21st, 2013

Video content is new terminology in the digital marketing age. In years past, creating a video meant a one-time production to acquire and edit a short film to tell the story of your community vision. In today’s content-rich environment, new marketing channels provide outlets where video becomes a constantly evolving tool. Creating compelling video content should rise to the top of your priority list for a variety of reasons: 1. As consumers, we live in a visual world and technology has opened the door to online learning, on-demand movies, and independent entertainment delivered through alternative channels. We look to YouTube for “how to” videos, recipes and research. Why would buying real estate be any different? 2. Making a new home purchase…