"Time Saver--How to Create, Use E-Mail Templates in Outlook"
RISMedia (09/02/08) Horowitz, Etan

Those who send numerous, similar e-mails via Microsoft Outlook easily can create templates instead of keying in the same messages time and again. In the "Tools" menu, they should choose "Options," then "Mail Format." The next step is to uncheck the box to "Use Microsoft Office 2003 to edit e-mail messages" and hit "Apply" followed by "OK." To create the template, they need to open a new e-mail, enter the text and a subject line, and indicate parts of the message that must be changed every time with bold text or by typing "xxx." They then should select "Save As," provide a title that indicates the template's purpose, choose "Outlook Template (.oft)," and hit "Save." When employing the template, they should enter the "Tools" menu and select "Forms," "Choose Form," and "User Templates in File System." They need only hit "Open" when they find the template, make any changes to the text, and send the message.
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"A Different Kind of Bike Tour"
Wall Street Journal (08/22/08) P. W10; Keates, Nancy

Some real estate agents are offering bike tours of homes in close proximity to bike trails, taking advantage of consumers' desire to drive less and live in a more environmentally conscious manner. Ventnor, N.J.-based broker Cris Noreen of Farley and Ferry GMAC says bike tours account for 20 percent of his sales, while 50 percent of the sales closed by Craig Della Penna of Northampton, Mass.-based Murphys Realtors Inc. last year came from such tours. While some REALTORS® view bike tours as a unique form of marketing, others are worried about long rides to tour one home per day in suburban areas, as well as the potential for injuries and the fact that helmet hair does not project a professional image.
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"Next Stop, Twilight Zone Open Houses"
Chicago Tribune (08/29/08) Podmolik, Mary Ellen

More real estate agents are scheduling open houses on Thursday nights, hoping to attract more attention from home shoppers. For example, Jerry Feldott of Naperville, Ill.-based Feldott & Associates Ltd. notes, "Executives that are looking for houses are usually extremely busy on the weekends. It won't replace Sunday [but] our industry has to make some changes because our client base is changing." Given that many people have to work the next morning, experts say Thursday open houses bring out the most serious buyers. Others say evening open houses allow buyers to see homes in a more "romantic" light. To generate buyer interest, agents holding open houses on weekday evenings are serving food, handing out flyers at public transit stations, and advertising with door hangers.
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"Controlling Junk in Your Inbox"
RISMedia (08/26/08) Barnett, Mike

Mike Barnett of InternetCrusade's RealTown.com offers several tips for professionals using Microsoft Outlook's Junk Mail folder settings. Under "Options," there are several categories from which to choose that determine which messages are sent to the junk folder automatically. With "No Automatic Filtering," messages from blocked senders will be diverted to the junk folder. When the filter is set at "Low," messages that are obviously spam are sent to the junk folder; while the "High" filter catches a majority of junk messages but requires users to frequently scan the junk folder to make sure regular mail is not filed improperly. Outlook also allows users to deliver all messages to the junk folder, except for those sent by people or domains on the Safe Senders or Safe Recipients lists. Finally, Barnett recommends setting Outlook to alert users to suspicious domain names and disable links in phishing messages.
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"Add Firepower to Real Estate Presentations"
Inman News (08/26/08) Levin, Rich

There are several ways that real estate professionals can strengthen their presentations, such as asking property owners questions over the phone to build a trusting relationship prior to the seller/listing presentation. They should ask sellers why they want to move, the deadline for doing so, and the importance of sticking to that time frame. During the presentation, they should suggest a particular asking price but ensure that clients understand that they have full authority over pricing. As for buyer presentations, agents should again inquire over the phone about why they want to buy and when; and they should present prospects with such information as common purchase documents, a list of all the parties involved in a purchase transaction, and phone numbers for utility companies and local schools. When showing properties, agents should ask open-ended questions, use "tie-down" phrases when buyers come across something positive, give buyers alternative choices when a negative feature is uncovered, and ask "yes" or "no" questions to persuade them to make a decision. Agents should know as much as possible about the buyers and sellers before making the offer presentation and handling negotiations. They should minimize the back-and-forth between parties in the midst of negotiations and let clients know beforehand their expectations for the negotiating process. When writing offers, agents should carefully look over documents with clients and ensure they understand all the details, how the paperwork will be processed, and what problems could arise. Finally, when making a price-reduction presentation--which would be better referred to as a "marketing update" meeting--agents should inform clients from the start that marketing, location, the property's condition, access, price, and the state of the housing market will determine whether a home sells.
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"Learn How to Use Public Relations and Get Valuable and Free Media Exposure for Your Property"
Realty Times (08/25/08) Mustard, Jeff

Jeff Mustard, known as The PR Cowboy, says real estate professionals should understand that the media is always interested in new and exciting news stories; so agents would be wise to develop a plan for approaching the press and getting free exposure for their listings. They must first have an angle or story idea; and Mustard encourages them to emphasize awards and designations, their ability to overcome obstacles to achieve personal and professional success, past dealings with celebrities and other high-profile clients, and insider tips or techniques. Agents should use these experiences to write a 550-word press release, which should be geared toward the media outlet that is most appropriate for their listings. Mustard adds that agents need skills in pitching their stories to maximize media exposure.
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"Successful Blogging for Real Estate Agents--Don't Be DORKY!"
Realty Times (08/20/08) Allan, Jennifer

Real estate expert Jennifer Allan encourages agents who blog to avoid being "DORKY," which she defines as boring and predictable. When blogging, according to Allan, agents should be themselves--whether they are sappy, sarcastic, funny, or even frustrated. They also should write only about topics that they care about and ensure their voice is heard throughout. Finally, they should avoid being sloppy bloggers, meaning that they should spell check and proofread all of their posts.
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"A Specialty Market in the Real Estate Community--Multicultural"
RISMedia (08/21/08)

Real estate brokers need to pay attention to market trends and focus on particular niches in order to remain competitive, and many are responding by creating business and marketing plans to serve the multicultural markets. Before doing so, experts urge brokers to define the market opportunity, taking into account population expansion in different ethnic groups, income levels, language, affordability, and the age of home buyers. They should then establish a plan to recruit agents that speak the language of the ethnic groups to be serviced and know much about their cultures. This language and cultural understanding also should apply to receptionists, marketing staff, and ancillary service providers. After they have assembled the infrastructure necessary to meet the needs of the multicultural markets, brokers can devote the necessary time to creating business development and marketing plans.
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Wisconsin Real Estate News

"Building Green Housing for Wisconsin's Tribes"
Madison Capital Times (WI) (09/03/08) Weier, Anita

The University of Wisconsin -- Madison is helping Wisconsin's First Nations develop affordable, energy-efficient houses for their members. Assistant Professor Sue Thering worked with the St. Croix Ojibwa, the Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Superior Ojibwa and the Mole Lake Sokaogon Ojibwa to develop the plans. "Traditionally, Native American families have more than one generation living together. Others call it over-crowding but we call it helping out our families," says Duane Emery, director of community development and housing for the St. Croix Ojibwa of Wisconsin. "We want to push green codes or green principles in our design," he adds. "As Native Americans, we need to do this." Construction on two 1,400-square-foot houses on the St. Croix reservation near Hertel, Wis., is expected to be completed this fall using a combination of tribal casino revenues and grant money secured by the university. Thering notes the partnership emphasizes multi-generational housing. "It would be incredibly green: instead of five tiny houses there would be one large house with less impact on the environment," she says. Thering obtained a $116,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Program, and technical drawings have been produced for multi-generational homes after meeting with a steering committee from the three tribes to find out what they wanted. The energy-efficient homes will use 100 percent recycled roofing with recycled cellulose insulation, and interior materials will be durable and low-toxin, with as much recycled and reused products as possible. The windows will be high quality for energy efficiency. Thering says the new housing is one way of dealing with waiting lists for housing on several reservations. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, which sometimes subsidizes housing on the reservation, may provide matching funds to build multi-generational homes.
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"Foreclosures Don't Stop Home Sales"
Reedsburg Times Press (09/03/08)

Real estate agents in Reedsburg, Wis., say the local real estate market is thriving, despite the high number of foreclosed homes. The Wisconsin REALTORS® Association reports that Sauk County's home sales are down from 352 in the first half of last year to 257 in the first half of 2008, and that the median price of homes for sale has fallen by about $11,000 from the end of 2007. Such conditions have made real estate a buyer's market, although credit is tightening. "I don't feel that we've been that affected compared to other areas of the country and other areas of the state," says Liz Kuhart, a real estate agent for Century 21 Affiliated in Reedsburg. "It's definitely slower than it was a few years ago, but it's a very good time for buyers and I think they're understanding that. The sellers are in competition with foreclosures." Property in high, middle, and low price ranges have all been affected by the foreclosures. "Everything from $649,000 to $20,000," Kuhart states. Sauk County Development Corporation Executive Director Karna Hanna says that "[h]ouses are still selling, but they're selling more slowly. There's just so much available." The plunge in housing prices in other parts of the country and state has not hit Sauk County, according to a recent Wisconsin Taxpayer's Alliance study showing that the full market value of Wisconsin real and personal property rose 3.3 percent this year, with Sauk County increasing 5.5 percent. "There's good property that's coming up that's moving quickly. The market is so deceiving right now," Steve Schulte of Area Wide Realty says.
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"Modular Homes Are Becoming More Complex"
Fond du Lac Reporter (WI) (09/01/08) Kochan, Kathy

While the first generation of prefabricated homes encompassed basic floor plans and construction--generally featuring a ranch design, two to three small bedrooms, a kitchen, bathroom, and living room--modern versions are much more varied and elaborate. A prefab home today could boast a great room, a kitchen with a breakfast nook, a separate dining room, and even a second story; and luxury appointments such as spa tubs, walk-in closets, foyers, family rooms, and first-level laundry rooms are surfacing in the latest models. Pre-fab housing specialist Design Homes Inc. specializes in ranch-style dwellings but allows home buyers to choose from among Cape Cod, lofted, or tri-level styles. "We can modify any of our plans," says Tim Roberts, manager of the company's Fond du Lac, Wis.-based facility. "If you don't see what you like, show us what you want." Modular homes are structurally similar to contractor-built homes and are built to federal and state building codes but save consumers money by circumventing the middle man. They also save time, as they can be assembled in as little as one day.
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"Rental Home Controversy"
Fox11 (Wisconsin) (08/31/08)

FOX 11's Robert Hornacek reports on a controversy developing just outside of Lambeau Field in Green Bay. Several property owners in the neighborhood north of the stadium are marketing their homes as a place for Packers fans to stay, but some city leaders say homes can not be used as businesses. Some neighbors have also complained about the houses available for rent, noting the neighborhood is zoned for single family homes. The city's planning director recently sent a letter to property owners in the area indicating what is and is not allowed.
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"Stevens Point to Offer Free Home Buyer Workshops to Area Residents"
Stevens Point Journal (Wis.) (08/29/08)

The Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) and the Central Wisconsin Home Buyer Education Committee are offering free home buyer workshops to first-time home buyers in the counties of Portage and Wood. The workshops, which feature WHEDA's Home Buyer Education program, will take place at the Portage County Public Library on Sept. 10 and 17. Topics at the workshop will include the application process, credit, consumer rights, and closing loans. The sessions will also provide information on the products, services, and benefits that WHEDA offers. "These workshops are designed to help first-time home buyers learn the responsibilities that go along with home ownership," says WHEDA Community Relations Officer Arlene Scalzo. "They will have the chance to speak one-on-one with a professional in order to get specific home buyer-related questions out of the way." Those who complete both sessions will be eligible to receive a free national credit report from WHEDA and a WHEDA Certification of Completion, which is required for certain WHEDA products.
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"Wisconsin Spends Millions to Bring New Business Here. Does it Work?"
Madison Capital Times (WI) (09/03/08) Ivey, Mike

The Wisconsin Department of Commerce spends millions to attract business to the state. Recently, NanoMedex received $290,000 from the department under programs designed to grow the technology sector in Wisconsin. The funding is based on possible approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2010 of an anesthetic that dissolves in water, making it easier to administer to patients. "It's a project we're very excited about," says Tony Hozeny, spokesman for the Department of Commerce. "We're talking about a potential $700 million market for this type of drug." Public investments in so-called "new economy" companies are gaining in popularity across the country, but there is no mechanism in Wisconsin or most other states to follow their progress. Observers note the very nature of the technology sector means it can take years to determine whether a start-up will produce a return or not. The Commerce Department's 2005-2007 biannual report said its Division of Business Development awarded more than $400 million to 753 recipients. Funds specifically earmarked for the technology sector totaled some $12.9 million in that time period. To better monitor state subsidies to corporations, a UW-Madison think tank has called for a searchable database to track whether that money actually benefits the Wisconsin economy. The database would include how much companies pay in state taxes, how much business they do in the state and how much financial help they get. "State support is fairly recent and biotechs take a long time to develop and show a return," says consultant Steve Clark, a former professor and medical researcher at the UW School of Medicine and Public Health. "You will pick up the failures before you see the successes, so that could skew a preliminary analysis of cost-benefit to a state."
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More Wisconsin and Midwest Real Estate News

"Mortgage Applications Rise"
Wilmington News Journal (DE) (08/28/08)

The Mortgage Bankers Association reports a 0.5-percent increase in home loan applications during the week ended Aug. 22 from a more than seven-year low the previous week. Applications for purchase loans edged up 0.6 percent, while refinancing requests rose 0.3 percent. Experts note that ongoing residential price drops are enticing buyers in search of affordability, but these prospects must contend with rising mortgage rates and stricter credit standards.
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"Survey: Affordability Matters Most to First-Time Buyers"
Inman News (08/21/08)

Of the 150 real estate brokers recently polled by Coldwell Banker, 81 percent said first-time buyers want homes in move-in condition, and most said first-time buyers are particularly concerned about affordability. First-time buyers are interested in larger homes than their counterparts 10 years ago, according to 71 percent of those surveyed. Another 41 percent of brokers said first-time buyers want to live near their jobs, and 35 percent said first-time buyers believe homeownership is a good investment.
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