Incase you missed it, on January 31st  Toby went over integrating social media into your websites. He reviewed adding links and/or feeds from Twitter & Facebook to your sites promoting your social medial activity and, just as important – promoting your websites on these social media sites.

Twitter
Twitter is a fantastic resource. Initially it was used by the web community, spreading useful links amongst the community, and it remains important, but has caught on to the whole world. Now celebrities, companies, and everyday people are using it to keep up-to-date with what’s going on. By integrating Twitter with your site, you allow people an easier way to follow what YOU are doing, and what is happening on your site.

If you do not have an account yet, its very easy to setup – visit twitter.com. Once you've created an account and learned the Tweeting basics, you will want to visit https://twitter.com/about/resources to get started with adding Twitter to your sites. What can you add you ask?

Twitter Buttons- adds buttons to your website that allows visitors to “Follow You”. There are plenty of other formatting options available.
Twitter Widgets- displays a feed of your Tweets on your site, also creating a link to your Twitter account with loads of different formatting options.
Logos and Icons- a bank of button's to choose from to use as the link to your Twitter account.

 

Facebook
Facebook has grown massively in recent years. Nearly every teen and younger adult has an account and regularly checks it, sometimes several times a day. This offers a fantastic market of people to spread your site amongst, and with Facebook’s continuing growth, and branching out into all sorts of markets such as gaming, search and advertisement, it is somewhere you want to be.

How can you integrate your business website and Facebook?

Badges: Adding a Page Badge allows you to display your Facebook's Page information. It will be a feed from your Facebook account right to your website. Visit facebook.com/badges.

Like Button: The Like button lets you share your content with friends on Facebook. When the user clicks the Like button on your site, a story appears in the user's friends' News Feed with a link back to your website.

To read more about the Like button and get one for your site please go to the following URL- developers.facebook.com/docs.

“Now that I have the codes, what am going to do with it?' you may be asking yourself.

In the Webinar, Toby reviewed figuring out what to add and where to add it. Not all templates are the same, and it may take a bit of consideration where you want to add it.

Smaller items like the Follow button or Like button are easy to place in the header area or at the top of the content of a page. Badges and widgets need a bit more space and may be restricted to the page content area to allow the best fit.

When adding your HTML code, please remember that you must add it in the HTML section of the template. If adding to a page, you can use the Plugin tool (HTML Content) to add your code with added formatting options. Check our tutorials and listen to past calls (in the conference call archives area to learn more about the different options you have using plugins.)

Toby also reviewed the promotion of your websites on Facebook and Twitter by posting links to specific pages, forms or property listings on your website. All you will need to do is type or paste the URL to your site, property, or specific page.

As always, you can contact your Tech Support Team by dialing 1.800.FFN.1921 to ask your questions. Remember that the Tech Support Team offers a monthly webinar the last Tuesday of each month for Technology Tuesday; check out the calendar and make sure you join them as they continue to bring you what you need to get the most out of your websites.

YOUR WEBSITES ARE IMPORTANT,
YOUR WEBSITES ARE IMPORTANT,
YOUR WEBSITES ARE IMPORTANT. . .. .

Having a website is as important as having a phone number.   If you are looking to build your business and find new clients who are interested in buying your houses or perhaps, you need to get some houses bought yourself, then you should have websites to help you.

If you want to increase your client base you need to understand todays technology.  Today more than ever, when someone is in the market to purchase something - almost anything, they go to their computer and begin accessing the internet using a search engine; especially when the purchase will be sizeable.

They say that over 90% of business decisions are researched and shopped on the World Wide Web.  This means that for every 100 people who are in the market for a home, you are only marketing to 10 of them if you are not using a big tool in your arsenal - the website where you sell houses.

What makes having a website so important?   Lets take a look.

Professionalism/Credibility:  Having a website makes your company look so much more professional. Being able to say, "go out and take a look at my properties on our website" not only provides ease for potential clients to check out what you have available but lends a professional air to your company. Your website address should be on your business cards along with an email. Your advertising should be presenting this important information as well; access to your website will live long after your ads have expired.

Value:  Websites have cleared the way for all kinds of businesses to change how they do business. Office and store fronts are no longer required to provide that professional image to meet potential clients, your website becomes your hand shake across the internet. The savings to the business owner can be quite large when you consider the cost to host a website vs. the cost to run an office space. Your website is a life long investment, provding up to date information about you, your company and the services you provide with little effort to maintain.

Access:  Think about it, in today's day and age how else can you share so much information about you, your company and the services you provide other than through a website? When you need something aren't you happy trolling through the intenet and checking out a website to find out more about the company and the services offered? Why would you expect your clients to not be given the same access?

Time Saver:  When selling properties, directing a client to your website and its property listings can save you the time of taking potential clients from one property to another and allow you to focus on showing only those properties they feel drawn to. Adding tools like online forms, opt-in boxes and the like help to streamline how you interact with your website visitors and helps you limit time spent with time-wasters. Your websites are also available 24/7 and allow your potential clients to begin the process of sharing their creditworthiness to purchase or desire to sell a property through their form submissions.

Marketing: While you will still need to place ads and continue to market your company, you can drive your prospective clients to your website where your "ad" can help you market all of your services, display images of your product, provide maps and directions, present testimonials, list your credentials and much more. Any information you feel would be helpful in adding one more client to your client list can be included on your website. What would it cost you to run an ad to include all of this information in your local newspaper or penny saver?

Revenue Generator: A tool called the Real Estate Reseller allows FSBO's to post their properties on your website. Each property posted can net you as little as $19.95; this translates to 10 listing netting you just about the cost of your monthly FFN membership fee. While the revenues generated are a big plus, the affect to your website's visibility on the search engines is increased and you know have access to properties for sale that you might not have been aware.

So, in summary what does all of this mean? You have heard us say it before and we will continue to say it, "your websites are important, your websites are important, your websites are important!"

Joining the monthly Technology Tuesday webinars will help to keep your website up to date and provide insight into ways to maximize your exposure. Call to speak with a tech directly and ask them to offer suggestions and recommendations on how you can update your websites, they'd love to hear from you!

Join Toby on Tuesday, January 31st for his webinar on Social Media 101. 

Dennis continues to beat the bushes and is doing deals. He shares his stories of success not to be bragadocios, but to show that deals are being done; even in today's market.

He begins the call by asking what your excuse is to not be buying and selling houses!

Long time member Sandra let Dennis know that she spent the time between last weeks call and today replaying the Sales Mastery audio CD's like he recommended. She said that the first time she listened to them, back when she bought the program some time ago; she was so confused. This time she states that everything made a whole lot more sense to her.   The suggestion by Dennis to listen to the program multiple times makes sense in more ways than one!

Like many members, Sandra thought that a Virtual Assistance (VA) was some "thing" technical!   The definition of a VA can be a retired person, a stay at home mom or even a friend who is willing to sit in the comfort of their home with a script you have prepared, take calls you generate through your marketing efforts and send you the answers to those questions when callers call in.

Many times you can take a good VA to the next level and have them set up your appointments based on the answers they receive from callers. Using a VA is great for newbies to the business as it can keep your costs to a minimum when money is tight. Unlike companies like Pat Live (and others) who charges you a flat rate even when no calls are received and no information obtain, you can pay your VA by each call taken and/or each set of information captured through the questions asked.

If you do not have a VA, Dennis recommends visiting sites like fiverr.com, elance and uphype.com.   VA's can be located locally or outside of the US, either way is good. 

Dennis tells members that an important key in doing the business is consistency. You have to consistently send out 50 letters per day/5 days per week for a total of 250 Yellow Letters each week.   He believes that the key to success is to:

• Consistently answer the phone (or have it answered)
• Set an appointment to meet with the Seller
• Go to the appointment
• Make an offer to the Seller
• Negotiate a deal
• Do your follow up

Dennis reminds members that sending out 50 letters per week is likened to a hobby; 250 letters per week is your business!

Haynes shared with Dennis that he was learning quite a bit on the rehab he is currently working - which is two days overdue in delivery from the contractor.   He made the mistake of offering to pick up the supplies for the contractor at the onset of the job and has found that the contractor provided only 2/3 of what he needed initially.   Haynes says that not only has his time been "wasted" but he has lost the ability to purchase the additional 1/3 of supplies at a discount and is paying retail.

Haynes and Dennis discussed the importance of adding certain language to your contracts with Contractors. Some recommendations Haynes and Dennis discussed were to have Contractors prepare punch lists to insure that everything is complete before turning the job over.    Haynes thought doing the punch list himself would help to insure that everything was completed and not over looked, he never realized how involved in the complete rehab process he would be through all these little projects.    Dennis says it is the responsibility of the contractor and jokingly teased him that he was certain Haynes would not make the same mistake in the future!

Dennis shared his belief in Performance Clauses. He recommends including verbiage that states $100/day will be charged for each day the job takes after the agreed upon completion date as a motivator.  Offer a serious bonus for completing the job early - not a day or two early, but a week or two weeks early;  it will help to keep the contractor on the job and focus on the task at hand.

Dennis closed the call by sharing how he has streamlined the process of buying homes with a realtor he began working with back in November, 2011.   On the call last week Dennis talked about being uncomfortable with the process that the realtor has adopted.  Today he feels more comfortable.

Dennis explains the process this way;  the realtor has captured an image of his signature and applies it to offers and a check in support of the offer (both contract and check). Dennis has stated in the past that he was a bit concerned by this process (especially since the realtor did not ask "permission" to handle the process in this way) but now says that it has been working out well.

Haynes told Dennis that he believes that many investor/realtor relationships work this way in an effort to keep the deals coming. Dennis feels that it has significantly reduced the paperwork that was shared back and forth between he and the realtor as he no longer has to be sent the contract, sign it, return it and then get a check over to him.

As always, Dennis cautions everyone that reading part of a blog entry, dialing into part of a call or taking content out of context can be very dangerous. Take time to listen to the call in its entirely by visting the conference call archives.

Haynes was off to two appointments with potential Sellers after the call;  Dennis was off to finish negotiating a deal that kept him from being prompt in starting the call today.    Where did you go after the call ended?

This week Dennis opened the call with news on his personal business ventures. He had some unusual details to wrap up but he was able to close on Monday, and shortly thereafter, flip his latest property.

He asked our members who are not buying and selling houses, why not?

Being overwhelmed each and every time you get ready to do a deal, lacking the confidence in yourself, your knowledge and your expertise as well as not practicing what to say and how to say it,  all lead to the same outcome; no deals.   The right mindset is what makes the biggest difference Dennis tells the callers.

He walks into his deals feeling like a knight in shining armor - - not an arrogant knight, but one who is confident.   Confident in his abilities to show people how he can help and knowing that his meeting with them will leave them more knowledgeable than before.

When a member asked Dennis what helped him develop his confidence, Dennis quickly responded,  "Dan Doran's Sales Mastery program which includes a power point presentation to use when working with sellers".   He points out that CD #5 (he thinks you get about10 CD's in the program) is Dan and his partner, Willie Hooks going through that presentation.  

Dennis says he has become a "Transaction Engineer" of sorts and reminds everyone that good, old fashioned hard work provides a huge payback.   He says that he replayed and replayed the presentation to help him overcome each potential obstacle, become able to spin the negatives into positives and build his confidence.   Practice, practice, practice makes the sky,  your sky - the limit.  Your potential is limitless.

A senior member reminded everyone that while they (senior members) may have many deals under their belts, it is too easy to forget all that has been learned.   "Going back to the basics to stay on top of our game keeps you at the top of your game!"   He states that some times he will visit a potential seller even though he knows his offer will be rejected stating, "A declined offer is still practice!".

Taking a look back at his beginnings, Dennis wishes that he had spent the majority of his time cultivating REO's and Free & Clear properties. He shares, "there is less emotional involvement by the Sellers and the payout is generally greater". While Dennis can not property credit who made the quote, he asks you to remember that "Pros practice off the field while amateurs practice on the field!".

If you do not already own Dan Doran's Sales Mastery program, you need to get it. It will give you the knowledge and the confidence to close your deals and over come the obstacles that have been keeping you from doing so in the past.  

Dennis believes in this program, and the use of the presentation so much that he has asked the Tech Support Team to give $25.00 in Freedom Bucks to any member who calls the team and asks for assistance in buying the program.   Retail pricing for the product is $799, FFN Platinum members can purchase it for $699.00 - - and for a limited time (until our next Open Line Tuesday call), you can ask for that additional $25 discount when you order through the team.

Contact the team at 1.800.FFN.1921 to place your order today.   We'll see you on the call next week!

- - - - - -
Should you want to purchase the sister product, The Ultimate Strategy, Dennis has approved a total of $75 to be added to your Freedom Bucks account.  Just tell the Tech Support Team to help you order both Sales Mastery and The Ultimate Strategy. 

I bought a house yesterday morning at 9am.  So this is not the biggest news you've ever heard? Here's why it is so special:

1. We put the house under contract at 4:30 on Monday (so that means we closed in less than 72 hours), you CANNOT steal in slow motion.
2. The Seller brought $75,375.08 to closing in order to pay off a $144,386.45 loan .  Quit making assumptions, as assumptions will make you go broke.
3. I paid $73,000 + about $2,240 in closing costs ($1,019.20 of it was for an annual insurance policy premium.  I usually do not pay for a year up front, the attorney made a mistake and I elected not to have them change it since the Seller was on pins and needles and already at the closing table when the policy arrived.  This policy is about $200 higher than I usually have but the cheaper companies needed more time and I did not have the luxury of time on this one).
4. I borrowed $95,000 from one of my private lenders for acquisiton and repairs to the property.  I paid 15% interest, 0 points, all payments accrue, term of 1 year with right to automatically renew for a 2nd year.  If I sell with Owner Financing I will stop making the Private Lender interest only payments so the accrued interest does not get out of hand on me.

Here's what the financial aspect of the deal looked like:

• ARV $160,000
• Asking  $129,900 (I purchased for $73,000)
• Owed $144,000
• Repairs $20,000

Check out the HUD1 Closing Statement (Click [HERE]).  You ought to go through it line by line to see what a real closing looks like and the costs associated with the closing.

I've also included a bunch of photo's of the property, I take massive amounts of photo's before we ever begin our renovations. (View my photos [HERE]. I do this for lots of reasons but the 2 main reasons are to 1) provide proof to my future buyers lender that the property is in drastically better shape now than when I purchased it thus justifying my much higher sales price.  2)  You can't believe how many times we can go back to a photo vs driving to the property to ascertain all kinds of stuff relating to questions that come up during our renovation process...gas or electric range/HVAC...How many cabinet pulls do we need?  How many and what types of doors/knobs/lighting fixtures...does the front door have a window in it?  Does the front need gutters?.... Plus I love to give my lenders a "coffee table" book of before and after photo's on their deals with me.  They love it and show it to all their friends and it only costs me about $50.  Guess what their friends want to do with their money after seeing these books?

In brief, we made an offer on this one about 6 months ago, our offer was $70,000 vs the listing price of $129,900.  The Seller emphatically rejected our offer.  As an aside I used one of my buyers agents to make the offer.  My agent is supposed to follow up on all properties we make offers on until they are sold, but it rarely happens that way.  My office kept watching it sit on the market until about 2 weeks ago when we called the listing agent to see what's up and make an offer directly thru the listing agent.  He told us that it was under contract with another investor and all set to close on 10/31/11 at 1pm.  We liked the guy and asked if he had others, he did and in  less than 2 week period he put in about 10 offers for us, most have been rejected but he said he likes our style.  He called me this last Sunday afternoon and said he thinks his buyer for the original property has disappeared and would we like to step in and close.  I verified the price and said sure. 

Monday afternoon he sent the agreement for us to sign and we closed it less than 72 hours later.  He told me at closing that in his 20 years of being a Realtor he'd never seen one close that fast, the attorney's paralegal said the same thing to me on the phone and the attorney and seller both said the same thing at closing.  Folks, that's how you impress people.  Impressing people like this only gets them sending more deals your way.

There's tons of lessons here:

• Followup is crucial, and you can't rely on someone else to get it done unless you are monitoring what you expect from them.  We almost missed out on a $50,000 potential profit because our Realtor did not follow thru.
• You never know how one is going to end.
• Every day is a new opportunity.  2 weeks ago I did not know this agent and now he's out there aggressively looking for property for me.  He made about $4,500 off me yesterday, that's definitely got his head in the game
• Close when you say you will.  Who do you think he's going to call with the next deal?  Me or the other investor that could not get it closed?

One day soon I'll sit down and document the property for you in minute detail so the Members out there that are lacking confidence can see one start to finish.  I suspect that will help a lot of you overcome your fears.

Call me on "Open Line Tuesday" if you've got questions on this deal or deals you're working on.