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What is the ROI of Social Media?

By Angelene Posted in - Advertising & Media & Networking & Public Relations & Real Estate & Social Media & Uncategorized & Web on October 31st, 2012

It’s a question we’ve frequently received. And the issue with answering it, is that it doesn’t totally make sense. ROI is a financial measurement. Marketing channels can be measured in goals and benchmarks, but ROI? Not really. You see, how can you possibly measure the ROI of having email versus not having email? Or the ROI of having a phone line? What about the ROI of the customer service representative actually answering that phone line? Can you measure the satisfaction of your prospect after that well-received customer service phone call? What about the ROI of that satisfied customer telling her friends about her positive experience? The answer is no. Which is why social marketing cannot be measured in ROI. However,…

Real Estate Buyers Tell It Like It Is

By Laurie Andrews Posted in - Real Estate on October 23rd, 2012

A spirit of optimism is on the horizon for builders and residential developers as new home inventory continues to be absorbed and pricing begins to climb in many major US markets. As existing homeowners have the ability to sell their home, builders and developers will feel the effect of liquidity in the marketplace. Yet as buyers across the country return to new home sales centers, real estate professionals are wondering how have their priorities shifted? How has their perception of value been impacted by the lengthy downturn?Has the election cycle delayed their decision? As builders and developers strive to enhance 4thquarter sales results, it is crucial for them to recognize the shift in the market and thoroughly understand the changing buyer psychology….

The “Data” Onslaught – Cutting Through the Numbers

By Laurie Andrews Posted in - Advertising & Media & Networking & Public Relations & Real Estate & Social Media on October 16th, 2012

Analytics. Algorithms. Metrics. The new “buzz” words in marketing have hit a hot button with developers who have been seeking accountability in a field previously managed by gut reactions or feedback from the sales office. In today’s world, art is driven by science, providing clearer insight into buyer psychology.

Home Buyer Referrals Go Social

By Laurie Andrews Posted in - Real Estate on October 2nd, 2012

Real estate developers and builders have long recognized the quality of potential leads driven from personal referrals. This assumption is now supported by research from Socialnomics.net that indicates only 14% of consumers believe advertising messages, but 90% trust peer recommendations.While many recognize this new dynamic, few sales organizations know how to utilize today’s technology to expand their reach. Yes, friends and family continue to make the seasonal trip to South Florida and other warm destinations. Often they become envious of the lifestyle they experience while on vacation:holiday celebrations in shorts, poolside barbecues on Super Bowl Sunday or simply slipping into a pair of flip flops instead of snow boots. Who wouldn’t love blue skies and 70-degree temperatures in February? Tapping into visiting…

One of Poland’s Largest Developers Taps into American Expertise

By Laurie Andrews Posted in - Real Estate on September 25th, 2012

Going the extra mile is nothing new to Stephann Cotton. Try 5,288 miles–that’s where you’ll find him firmly entrenched in the Warsaw real estate market. While European markets continue to struggle, Poland remains a bright spot for foreign investment and increased competition is now impacting long-term residential developers. Warsaw has become a global city, an international tourist destination and an important economic hub in Central Europe. Yet a mere 22 years ago, Poland was a communist state and consumer-driven marketing expertise is still in its infancy. For JW Construction, one of Poland’s leading residential developers, heavy competition presented new challenges and a critical need for effective marketing and sales management. The solution was clear–go to America, find the best, and bring them to Poland. Enter…

Single-Family Housing On The Rise

By Angelene Posted in - Real Estate on June 20th, 2012

There has been a rise in confidence level in the single-family home market. According to the Housing Market Index, released by the National Association of Home Builders and Wells Fargo, home builder confidence has reached its highest level of home builder confidence since May 2007. The 4-point rise in May and single point rise in June brings the confidence level to 29. For builders to view the housing-market conditions as “good,” the index will need to surpass 50. The Current Housing Market Index: 1)    Current sales conditions 2)    Sales expectations for the next six months 3)    Prospective buyer traffic Click HERE to read the full article!

The Housing Market Rebound is Underway

By Laurie Andrews Posted in - Media & Public Relations & Real Estate & Social Media on March 30th, 2012

Are you ready? …to drive low-cost leads through customer referrals and highly targeted Facebook advertising programs? …for an active YouTube channel with current videos that enhance your brand while building your Internet search results? …to reduce the cost of your pay-per-click campaign by building your relevance score with Google? …to have a website that is designed for usability on both smartphones and tablet devices? Did you know that 95% of homebuyers use the Internet for research? National media is consistently indicating optimism in the housing market, and better days are just around the corner. During the extended down cycle, technology has changed drastically, and your digital marketing plan must evolve with the times. •    Tablet and mobile devices mandate usability…

A Wave of Buyers Forecasted Within 18 Months

By Laurie Andrews Posted in - Real Estate on June 15th, 2011

After attending Urban Land Institute’s recent Recreational Development Panel Discussion in Phoenix, it’s clear that forecasting the future real estate markets is a hot topic in the industry. The panel was consistent in their findings: the economy has made significant improvements, but there is still a long way to go. Panel speakers reached consensus that we have definitely reached the bottom in many markets; however, there are some areas of the country that will continue to have moderate depreciation before full stabilization occurs. Unfortunately the country is still contending with challenges due to housing foreclosures and the lack of growth in the job market.  However, moving towards 2012 and 2013, the panel is more optimistic, anticipating a surge in activity…

Too many “be-backs” still sitting on the fence?

By Laurie Andrews Posted in - Real Estate on May 31st, 2011

It’s always been a simple equation–the higher your “be-backs,” the higher your sales conversion. While the basic premise remains true today, the number of touch points prior to the sale has increased drastically. If your reaction includes “I need to get a closer on the team,” you may be underestimating the challenge in today’s market. Carrying costs and resale potential are also weighing heavily on their minds, and buyers are doing more research than ever. What to do for 2011? •    Recognize the potential sales that exist in your database and don’t rely solely on your sales team to execute a one-on-one follow-up program. •    Give your buyer a reason to change their timeline to yours and communicate this opportunity…

Where do Buyers come from?

By Alexis Posted in - Real Estate on May 16th, 2011

It all starts with what should be a very sophisticated lead generation campaign, which funnels down into the sales pipeline. Our marketers are very successful in driving qualified prospects to the sales teams, as measured by the traffic to the website and further and the solicitation and receipt of web registrations. Now, it’s up to us to decide how we’re going to convert that lead to a site visitor, then to a buyer. Savvy real estate entrepreneurs understand the importance of 1:1 relationship building. Developing a communication plan that encompasses appropriate, compelling and personal messaging with a predetermined number of “touch points” along the way meant to motivate or persuade your prospect to take the next step- a plan that will make every person…