How to upgrade to get Home Improvement Value

Posted on May 7, 2015 by robertjrussellcompanies

In these times of financial crisis locally, nationally and globally most people are turning to alternative ways to invest and earn money. One way to do this is to invest on home improvement projects. These projects, if done correctly and well planned, can generate thousands of dollars to the overall value of your home. There are typically two main areas in the home that can bring an immediate increase in value.

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These two areas are the kitchen and bathroom. The kitchen is a place that many people desire to have a lot of floor space, light and counter space. A lot of people want to have plenty of room to prepare and cook food, as well as entertain their guests.

Begin by taking a look at your floor plans, blueprints or layout. If space is an issue, consider taking out a wall. Be sure that it is not a load bearing wall, or you will need to add in reinforcement to it. Also envision adding more cabinets and counter space if it is necessary. Take a look at your flooring and lighting too.

There are several flooring options to consider. The most popular flooring material is ceramic tile. This material can be laid professionally or by the home owner. You can purchase it in many sizes, colors and patterns. It is also a product that is relatively affordable, especially if the floor space is not too large. Be sure that if you choose to do this yourself, that you follow the installation instructions.

Other popular flooring materials for the kitchen are laminate wood floors and linoleum. Again, both of these items can be laid by the home owner, or seek professional help. Next, think about lighting. There are hundreds of options here. If you do not have natural lighting from windows, then think about more overhead and under the cabinet lighting options. Lighting alternatives include, fluorescent, energy efficient, solar, recessed, canned and others.

One more thing to consider in the kitchen is fixtures. These include faucets, sprayers, disposals, appliances and electrical outlets. A lot of people really like stainless steel appliances, but many times these are not included in the price or value of the home. Having plenty of electrical outlets is a big plus.

In terms of bathroom improvements, flooring and lighting are also big considerations. Other things like adequate ventilation, cabinetry, storage and fixtures are also important to consider. Tubs, showers and toilet placement and condition are also things to be aware of.

Popular flooring choices include tile and linoleum. Many people are also installing laminate wood flooring, but this can be costly. This is because you have to buy the more expensive, water resistant and mildew proof materials. A nice touch that is really not much more in terms of expense is to add heating elements underneath your floor tiles. This adds extra warmth and comfort. Adequate ventilation is critical. Without it, your painted walls will crack and peal. You will also have mold and mildew issues in and around your tub or showers.

Tips on Selling Your Home – visit http://www.robertjrussell.com

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Not Arguing but Closing

Posted on May 6, 2015 by robertjrussellcompanies

Don’t forget to go for the close; otherwise you will never make one! One problem that many salesmen have is that they keep throwing great arguments at the customer, but they never actually ask for the order and therefore never get any.

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The difference between an Argument and a Closing Argument is the nature in which they are used. An argument answers a question the customer has. A closing argument involves asking for the order, though it can still be answering a question of the customer.

One of the hardest things to learn as a salesman is to balance the number of arguments and sales arguments. You will never make a sale if you only answer the customers’ questions and give them reasons to buy. You have to also give them the chance to buy, by asking for the order. In the same way you will never sell if all you do is ask for the order without reassuring the customer that they are making the right decision.

I have found that the best mix is that every time I use an argument I always follow it up with a close attempt. For example if the customer asks why they should buy our product instead of my competitor, I will calmly explain the difference between our products and then go for a close. I will never answer a question and then wait for the customers’ response.

Another problem many salesmen will have is that they will use a closing argument without asking for the close. For example they might lower the price, and than just wait for the customers reaction instead of asking for the order.

It is great to give the customer reasons for buying your product but you have to give them the chance as well. No customer will ever ask to buy your product. It is up to you to help them.

Many might argue that you shouldn’t do as many closing attempts as I recommend. The reason I go for the close in every other argument is because I know that you need to do at least 7 close attempts before the customer buys your product. If you don’t keep doing close attempts you will have to talk for hours before you get to seven and by that the customer will have stopped listening anyway.

Thank you for visiting and I hope this article helped. If you have the time please share your thoughts on the differences between close attempts and regular arguments.

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Residential and Commercial Property Management

Posted on May 4, 2015 by robertjrussellcompanies

Property management refers to the handling of real estate in terms of renting, buying, selling, leasing and investing. There are two classes of such management: residential and commercial.

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The first type concerns the supervision of rental home properties. The latter, on the other hand, deals with management of property designated for commercial purposes. In both classes, however, the tenant and landlord share a very delicate relationship based on legal documentation of the lease, rental fees and other minute details regarding maintenance and checking tenant records.

Over the years, a vast empire of real estate management companies has emerged. Some companies pertain strictly to one class – that is, residential or commercial. Several others specialize in managing both types. Such companies are larger, with numerous well-trained staff members who play an important role in the company’s success and popularity.

A professional hired to oversee such legal matters and maintain a balance between the parties involved is known as the property manager. Serving as a neutral person, these managers not only take care of the property but also ensure the satisfaction of the tenant and landlord when striking up a deal. The presence of legalities often means a trained attorney is also working alongside the property manager. Depending on the country, property managers are required to be working under licensed property management companies according to the law. Methods to check the broker’s license are available online through public license check software.

Property management software is gaining momentum rapidly. Smaller management companies are now able to afford and use it with a lot of ease. Asset management software programs are responsible for the accessibility through affordability factor. At the same time, other closely related software has been released online that cater to the same needs. They are available online first for a free trial period and later charge a nominal installment and monthly fee. The fee rarely increases when an update or newer features are introduced. Changes are made on the server side and changing settings on the user’s side is rarely necessary. Services can be discontinued if the goals are not met by the software.

Managing property is another branch of business economics that involves connecting land owners with land seekers. Before striking any deal through a property manager or management company, check online for registered licensing. If litigation might be involved, choose a company with professional attorneys on board. An attorney will also ensure the contracts signed between landlords and tenants are within legal bounds. If the contract is violated, the attorney will take legal action according to previously documented conditions.

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It’s time to surprise your clients

Posted on May 3, 2015 by robertjrussellcompanies

Most people enjoy a good surprise which makes it a key tactic to grow your business.

But few businesses are good or creative when it comes to planning surprises, so they miss this great opportunity to differentiate themselves in their marketplace by using the power of surprise to delight and amaze clients.

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The majority of our clients expect that our service will be a satisfactory experience, which means that the only way to exceed their expectations is to give them something they don’t expect.

Tip #1: Secret to Surprise Marketing

What constitutes surprise marketing? It’s the little, unexpected gestures that make a huge impression on clients, especially when they tell others about it. It’s that ‘word of mouth’ that creates a strong repeat, referral and revenue-generating business.

How do you get started with surprise marketing?

  • Think about what you’ve done in the past and do something different.
  • Look at what your competition is doing, and go a different route.
  • Ask yourself, “what could I do that I’ve never done before?”
  • Get creative when it comes to holidays, seasons, sports, animals, current events, etc.

Remember—marketing is all about relationships, and like any relationship, you have to keep it fresh.

Surprises needn’t cost a lot and if your tactic doesn’t create a buzz, you can try something else.

Tip #2: Attention-Getting Surprises

You can introduce an element of surprise into your marketing by incorporating some or all of the ideas below

  • give a 25 or 50 percent discount on a service to the first 5 customers who respond to an ad
  • before Thanksgiving, have a drawing for a free turkey for clients who return a form, survey or referral request letter
  • before Halloween, offer a free pumpkin for anyone who calls to book a holiday decorating service with you
  • send out a client appreciation letter with either a packet of hot chocolate; hot spiced cider mix or a $5.00 Starbuck’s card
  • attach a Payday or Million Dollar candy bar to a staging note, flyer or card saying ‘use my services and earn more commissions’
  • host a ‘Sundae on Thursday’ event at a real estate office (take a cooler with containers of vanilla, chocolate and strawberry ice cream, whipped cream, nuts, caramel and fudge toppings and make sundaes for agents). This is also a great idea for agents to do at an open house!
  • give your favorite book as a gift-or a more economical idea is to share your favorite quotes or tips with clients and potential clients
  • do the unexpected when staging or redesigning and creatively tie the towels as a surprise ‘leave behind’
  • leave a wish list form after a project with helpful suggestions and purchasing suggestions for the homeowners
  • follow-up: call a week or two after project to see how they are enjoying the services you provided

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Eight Questions to Ask Your Mortgage Broker

Posted on April 29, 2015 by robertjrussellcompanies

Buying your first home can be both an exciting and stressful experience. Your home represents a huge financial investment and you want to be sure that you’re making the right decision for yourself and your family. If you’re considering buying a home, be sure to ask your mortgage banker these eight essential questions.

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What types of mortgages do you offer?
It’s important to understand the types of mortgages that your broker offers. Most lenders offer fixed-rate mortgages (FRM) and adjustable-rate mortgages (ARM). The type of mortgage that best fits your needs will depend on your overall financial situations, how you want to handle repayments and the amount that you want to borrow.

Can you explain what mortgage will be best for me financially?
Your mortgage banker should be able to clearly and succinctly explain what type of mortgage best fits your financial needs and why. Be sure to ask the broker detailed questions about why a particular type of mortgage fits your situation.

What is the total cost of taking out my mortgage?
When you take out a mortgage, you pay more than just closing costs, the total amount of the loan and interest. You’ll also pay originating fees, title and escrow fees, and yield spread premiums. Ask your mortgage banker to detail each and every charge you’ll need to pay in the course of taking out a loan.

What documents will I need to have in order to get a loan?
In order to qualify for a mortgage, you’ll need to prove that you have a source of income. You’ll provide pay stubs, 1099 forms, asset reports and reports on your debts to your lender. All of this information, along with your credit report, will be evaluated before you can be approved for a loan.

How can I know if I’ll qualify for a mortgage loan?
If you’ve had financial problems in the past or simply don’t have a credit history, you may wonder if it’s even worthwhile to apply for a mortgage. While there are no guarantees that you’ll be awarded a loan, working with a mortgage banker is the best way to know your options. Your broker will evaluate your information and talk to you about the loans for which you’ll qualify.

How long will it take to process my loan application?
How long it takes to process a loan application will depend on when you turn in paperwork and how many other applications are being processed by the lender. This process can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months, so be sure to ask your mortgage banker to give you a time estimate.

Who will be my escrow and title agent?
The title agent is responsible for searching for the property’s title to ensure that it can be sold. You can ask your lender or realtor to recommend a title agent. Many realtors have exclusive relationships with certain title companies.

Should I expect delays during the approval process?
Ask if there are any factors that make it likely that processing of your loan will be delayed. Remember that turning in all necessary paperwork in a timely fashion is the best way to ensure that your application will be processed quickly.

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Tips When Choosing Your Investment Property

Posted on April 28, 2015 by robertjrussellcompanies

Buying an investment property is a great way to make a lot of money and one of the best potentially investments out there. An investment property is essentially any real estate that you buy with the sole intention of selling on for more money and potentially renting out in the meantime.

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Unlike buying a property for yourself to live in then, it doesn’t matter whether you like the looks of the property or whether it’s somewhere you would like to live.

So what does matter then? Simple: making sure that the space is a good investment that’s likely to increase in value over time and that you could potentially make more money from even before you sell it. To this end there are a few things to consider, so here we will look at some of the top pointers for choosing correctly.

Look for Superficial Wear and Tear

When buying an investment property, the single aim is to make sure that you make a profit. This means ensuring that you get it for less than you sell it for – so getting a bargain is just as important as being able to sell it at the end of the day. To this end an ideal property will be one that has lots of superficial wear and tear – damaged fascias for instance and poor plastering are great features for an investment property. Why? Because not many people are going to want to buy the property in this condition meaning that you can get a great price for it and then easily add value. Make sure though that the damage you find is indeed superficial and not going to cost you lots of money in repairing or prevent you from being able to sell the property. A serious mistake would be to buy a property and then find that there is serious structural damage that’s going to be very expensive to repair. Make sure that you have the property looked over by a surveyor and that you make thorough checks before investing.

Haggle

Another thing that can help you to get a good price initially is to haggle. Look for signs of wear and tear and then use these as leverage to try and bring the price down. Make sure that when you’re buying you aren’t in any hurry – the person who has the most urgency will generally be the one who loses the negotiations.

Popularity

When choosing your property you need to think not only about how much it is ‘technically’ worth, but also about how much you’ll realistically be able to sell it for. Like selling any product, you should make sure that there is a market out there for your property and that means ensuring it’s desirable, affordable for the area and practical. Things like close proximity to shops and extra features like balconies and hot tubs may be what makes your property sell, while an awkwardly shaped living room that makes decorating difficult might be what prevents it from shifting as rapidly as it should.

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5 Top Benefits of Social Media and your Business

Posted on April 27, 2015 by robertjrussellcompanies

In this time and age, social media has become part of our daily lives. Facebook and Twitter, the two biggest social media platforms used today have 500 and 106 million users respectively.

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Just imagine taking advantage of these media for connecting with your clients and increasing your customer base. The benefits could be limitless.

Facebook has also anticipated that sooner or later businesses will make use of it being a free platform just like so many social media sites thus it now has space for ads and gifting options for users. Twitter has not come up with the same idea yet but for sure, will soon follow suit. Pinterest is another budding socmed site that has been seen to be of great use to businesses. When used appropriately, these social media sites can deliver the following benefits:

  1. Free advertising – Despite the many benefits social media can provide businesses, they are for free. Signing up for them doesn’t entail any cost. Making your business known or posting photos of your products can be done without having to worry about the accompanying cost of doing so. There are Facebook pages that are perfect for businesses.
  2. Easily build customer base – With a massive number of people using Facebook, Twitter and other sites, it is a lot easier for customers to find your business when you have signed up for these sites. It is equally easy for you to find your customers all in one place.
  3. Better customer service – What’s good with these social media sites is the fact that customers can easily reach the business not just to avail of products or service but also to share their comments and opinion of the business and the services offered. With customers’ feed backs that are easily welcomed comes the chance for the business to improve its services. Positive feedback from customers will greatly improve business reputation which is easily shared on SOCMED platforms.
  4. Faster service delivery and customer reach – When business is done through these social platforms, delivery of service will greatly improve when it comes to efficiency. Your customers will have better access to these sites more than their mailbox for instance. Sending them newsletters for instance is better done through Facebook rather than the traditional way. Shares, likes and re-tweet scan also reach a bigger crowd in 24 hours compared to that of old school marketing.
  5. Aid online marketing efforts and SEO – With the use of social platforms, it would be easier to get customers directed to the business’ main website or at least get them curious. This could improve traffic and optimization of the website. Even web searches give recommendations from these social platforms a big point when it comes to relevance. It could really be a great SEO tool too.
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Facts to Be Considered Before Buying a House

Posted on April 26, 2015 by robertjrussellcompanies

Dealing with Properties? There are some important things to be considered before buying it.There is huge money involved in it and it’s a complex legal process. It would be wise to hire a real estate agent.And there are some great benefits: we save our time, the agents know the current market condition, they can guide us with the financial and legal details.

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People often ignore it;they read newspapers or magazines and they make an inquiry about the property as they see advertised. You should hire an expert, who will understand your needs. You should make a detailed inquiry with the agents about the commission and if it’s substantial. Agents have a high convincing power;anything they are showing they will portray it as the best, so be careful & negotiate properly.

The process of buying a property is complex, full of paperwork and it requires expert advices because we cannot ignore small problems.These little things can cause a big problem in the transaction process. Following are some of the factors to be considered before buying a house:

Location: Properties are vital investments; its value has to increase gradually & the location plays a vital role. Before buying, always check the area thoroughly, the infrastructure, security, transportation facilities, schools,etc. And always buy the worst house on the best street. Always take pictures of the property you’re visiting, this would help you for the evaluation.

Budget: Buy the house for less than what you can afford because there would be many unexpected future expenses. Always offer less thanthe asking price.Research as many properties you can in the nearby area& always create a win win situation. Do the math and assure yourself how much the mortgage repayments will be.

Real estate Attorney: We have to be very careful with legal procedure to avoid falling into legal hassles. Don’t become stingy when it comes to legal fees. Hire a personal lawyer even though your mortgage company provides you a lawyer, to help draft all documents.

Mortgages: To prevent delays ideally you would have arranged a mortgage before you find a property you want to buy;if you haven’t then arrange it quickly once your bid has been accepted. Prepare all basic documents when you apply for a mortgage because every lender request for it. Don’t assume you have achieved your goal once the lender pulls your credit and approves you because most of the lenders will try to pull your credit again before the loan closes. If a lender rejects your mortgage application don’t think he/she was the last person on the earth.Instead try different lenders and try to improve your credit.

Home Inspection: It’s always wise to hire an engineer for inspection or get ready for a new buy in a couple of years. Don’t get freaked out if a problem arises it can be adjusted with the small price.

Remember! Negotiate smartly, become stingy, check the documents properly and become a detective.

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Maybe you need a LinkedIn Pulse Post

Posted on April 25, 2015 by robertjrussellcompanies
3 top tips for a great LinkedIn Pulse article

If you have a LinkedIn profile, you can now write an article and have it published on LinkedIn. Which means there are over 350million potential authors all straining at the bit to get published. But why? Why write a long form post in LI pulse? As a writer just dipping my toe into the LI Pulse waters I can name a few reasons. There is the professional business reason, as you build followers, find prospects and lead people to your website. Then there is the enjoyment of writing a well-crafted piece, and finally there is the ego stroking reason, you have an audience, you get recognition and you can continually strive to beat you last results! But getting views, likes and comments in this crowded market place is not easy, there are a few steps you can take to get your article noticed.

Use TAGS to position you piece for your audience of your choosing.

Get to know LinkedIn Pulse, under the tab Interests, you can choose Pulse and then surf around there, check out the influencers, discover the channels, make sure you know where to pitch your article. You have the option to add three tags to any post you write, so you can steer the LI algorithm in the direction you want it to take, and even get your article selected as a featured post.

Think of a catchy TITLE

Make sure the title of the article speaks to your audience; answers a question they have; a need they want met. You may be writing an article on tax regulations, but why is that interesting to your audience? Because they want to reduce their tax bill. So a title such as “Learn to Slash your tax bill” will get more interest than a title such as “an overview of the recent tax changes”. Get creative and put your personality into your title.

Choose your TOPIC with care.

Now we come to the meat of it – the topic of the article. Make sure your topic relates to the title, is  relevant to your audience has includes a smattering a keywords which will help it get found by search functions. But most of all make sure you are writing about something you love, that interests you, and shows you are an expert. LinkedIn is a platform where you can showcase your professional skills so use it to its best advantage.

And finally, once you have published your post, make sure you let your network know about it. Post to your favorite LinkedIn groups, add a link to the article in emails, on other social media platforms such as twitter, google+ and Facebook. Don’t leave everything up to LinkedIn Pulse. If you want to know more about what LinkedIn can do for you feel free to get in touch with me on robertjrussellcompanies@gmail.com

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Owning a Vacation Home

Posted on April 23, 2015 by robertjrussellcompanies

Desire to Own a Vacation Home Growing | Simplifying The Market

The National Association of Realtors just released their 2015 Investment and Vacation Home Buyers Survey which revealed that vacation home sales boomed in 2014 to above their most recent peak level in 2006.

NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun said favorable conditions are driving second-home sales:

“Affluent households have greatly benefited from strong growth in the stock market in recent years, and the steady rise in home prices has likely given them reassurance that real estate remains an attractive long-term investment. Furthermore, last year’s impressive increase also reflects long-term growth in the numbers of baby boomers moving closer to retirement and buying second homes to convert into their primary home in a few years.”

The report shows:

  • Vacation-home sales catapulted to an estimated 1.13 million last year
  • This was the highest amount since NAR began the survey in 2003
  • Vacation sales were up 57.4% from 717,000 in 2013
  • Vacation-home sales accounted for 21 percent of all transactions in 2014, their highest market share since the survey was first conducted

Bottom Line

If you have been considering that waterfront condo in Florida, that ranch in Wyoming or that special getaway you someday will retire to, maybe now is the time to act. Prices are good and mortgage rates are at historic lows. Contact a local real estate professional to help you put your dreams to a plan.

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