Home Buyers Excited About Searching on New Realtor.com(R) Web Site
Monday October 27, 8:33 am ET

Design Changes Motivate Visitors to View More Properties, Sign up for More Alerts, Share More Listings With Friends

LOS ANGELES–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Searching for real estate is about to get easier, faster and more exciting as Move, Inc. (NASDAQ:MOVE - News), the leader in online real estate, today announces the launch of the new Realtor.com Web site into public availability. Statistics on visitor search behavior captured during the Beta test period indicate Move has made the right enhancements at the right time. “The redesigned Realtor.com offers a more inviting, easy-to-navigate and personalized search experience that’s complemented with the right tools, resources and information,” said Lorna Borenstein, president of Move. “Despite one of the most challenging real estate markets we’ve experienced, second quarter user registrations increased by 9% and the number of consumers electing to receive email alerts has doubled [over 3.3 million delivered since Beta], compared to the first quarter of this year. This increase in engagement after the Beta release confirms we’ve made the right enhancements to the site, encouraging potential home buyers to remain onsite longer as they access more real estate listings, resources and information. As the leader in online real estate, we feel a special responsibility to keep users engaged as we continue to deliver the best online tools available.” Beta tests show consumers are more actively involved with the new site’s search tools and features as compared to those offered on the “classic” site. On the newly designed search results pages, visitors are viewing 40% more properties and clicking through 12% more often to view property details. Compared to the “classic” version, 45% more visitors downloaded informational brochures on properties of interest and forward listings to friends 10% more often. During the Beta test phase, visitors were 10% more likely to click on to a broker or agent’s Web site and 37% more likely to email an agent or broker for more details.

“The new Realtor.com sets the online standard in real estate search and offers Realtors and advertisers the most effective marketing platform available,” said Errol Samuelson, president of Realtor.com. “By making it even easier for consumers to find what they need in the context of Realtor.com’s comprehensive listing database, we’ve significantly improved visitor involvement within the site and delivered greater value to our advertisers.” The new Realtor.com includes a complete redesign of the home page, search results pages and listing detail pages. Landing on the redesigned Realtor.com homepage, visitors will immediately notice a new look and feel featuring a warmer color palette and streamlined design centered around a dynamic photo carousel and easy-to-use Find Homes search box. Integration of neighborhood data that delivers hyper-local information on 55,000 communities, a newly added home valuation feature that includes sold data directly from MLSs, and instant access to tools and trends have also taken up residence on Realtor.com’s new homepage. Throughout the site, newly integrated intuitive search features have reduced the number of clicks consumers take as they search, while improved navigational features swiftly power them through Realtor.com’s four-million-plus listings, the largest collection of online real estate listings. Listings will now be “time-stamped” for freshness and feature more, higher-quality super-sized photos that are 140% larger than on the “classic” site. Virtual video tours and photo galleries that give an “insiders view” of a property are now easier to find, while greatly enhanced personalization options offering convenient and timely alerts better enable consumers to remain current as new information or listings become available. As a result of the design enhancements to the consumer search experience, Move has created a more valuable and efficient advertising vehicle for Realtors^® and consumer media advertisers. The company is now better positioned to capture revenue from advertisers shifting their marketing spend towards the Internet. Industry trends and studies show advertising dollars have been consistently shifting online, away from traditional media from 2004 through 2007, with newspapers and broadcast TV losing $890 and $720 million per year respectively^[2]. Industry analysts predict US Internet ad spending increases will remain in positive territory, “in the mid-teens or higher through 2011^[3].” “We’re pleased and excited to give consumers an online real estate resource they can trust that’s exciting, engaging and relevant,” Borenstein says. “As the category leader, Move and Realtor.com remain committed to providing a world-class search experience that will revolutionize the American dream of homeownership and extend our position as the leader in online real estate search.”

If you are looking to be the featured agent on Realtor.com, now it the time. Not sure how it works? Call me. I am always ready to talk. Alot. Or a little. Up to you.

As always - your  self proclaimed low pressure, high energy, gives away too much info for free, number 1 internet marketing consultant, Heather Riggio.

Thanks in advance - !!

Heather Riggio

805.557.7841

Here is a link to check out different banner ads – plus see them live on the site!! Look forward to speaking with you soon. http://heatherriggio.featuredwebsite.com/step-3—featured-ad.asp   The 3 most important things you will print today.

• HOW I MARKET YOUR HOME !!!
• BEST PRACTICES !!!!
• THE LISTING PRESENTATION – THIS WILL TAKE TIME TO UPLOAD – BUT WELL WORTH IT.  RIGHT CLICK - SAVE TARGET AS…. DOWNLOAD & SAVE TO DESKTOP
• TRAINING CLASS
• LOG IN HERE
• TRAFFIC
•  Set-Up Guide
• The new Realtor.com: HOMEPAGE
• SEARCH RESULTS PAGE

HEATHER.RIGGIO@REALTOR.COMCLICK HERE IF YOU CAN NOT READ THIS EMAILWWW.HEATHERRIGGIO.COM

FOR MY CONTINUALLY UPDATED MARKETING TIPS, INCLUDING .MOBI!!!!REMEMBER – JUST LIKE YOU, ALL Realtor.com MARKETING ACCOUNT MANAGERS ARE NOT THE SAME, YOUR REFERRALS ARE APPRECIATED!!!  The market redefines itself only so often, and only once in a while comes an opportunity to monetize on the changing tides…. if you are interested in having a strategy that will afford you an opportunity like that, please consider this that opportunity. The market is changing…..starting………  now.   

SHOULDN’T ALL YOUR ADS READ??????…..  THIS HOME, AS SEEN FEATURED ON THE FRONT PAGE OF REALTOR.COM  AND

LIST WITH ME!!   There are a limited number of Featured Homes™ positions available in your market. That is why I have secured space to ensure that your home gets top local billing on the #1 real estate site – REALTOR.com®*LESS THAN 1% OF ALL HOMES ARE FEATURED HOMES.. CALL ME TODAY … INVENTORY IS LIMITED  What are FEATURED HOMES? Featured homes are the homes that show up BEFORE the search results in that city/zip code. You can feature any home in your inventory, as well as change them as often as you would like. Why should I KEEP them? Limited inventory and exclusiveness. There are only 8 featured home ads per zip code. They also show up on MSN, AOL, and the rest of our networks. One more reason for people to refer you, more often.  It will also increase your exposure on Realtor.com, as well as consumers will have an opportunity to see your inventory… first. Uneven the playing field.

How to use them:

• Use as LEVERAGE at listing presentation - See that spot right there on the front page of REALTOR.com – list with me and that could be your home tomorrow!!

• Increase conversion ratios when FARMING EXPIRED’S & FSBO’S.

• Use to keep your sellers happy, AND RETENTION

• USE WHEN MARKETING TO LUXURY HOMES-

I truly understand that your home deserves the best exposure money can buy, that is why I RESERVED a spot on the front page of REALTOR.com, MSN & AOL.com – just for your Home.

• Incorporate FEATURED HOMES into your postcards, emails, shopping carts, display ads, yard signs, press releases, in your custom ad copy on Realtor.com and phone calls to leverage that you are less than 1% of all Realtor.com in the U.S. that you can put their home in a featured home spot on Realtor.com.

 Sign up for a Free REALTOR.com® Blog. Be featured on special REALTOR.com® pages! REALTOR.COM’S FIRST TELEVISION COMMERCIAL. YOUR CLIENTS ARE WAITING.CALL ME FOR MORE REALTOR.COM AGGRESSIVE MARKETING SOLUTIONS SAVE THIS EMAIL.                                                                                     REFER ME HERE    

 ~~~~~~~CLICK HERE FOR MY 2008 WELCOME KIT~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

****************** *** *************(,)(,)*

*…..* 

None of the media has reported on this lawsuit to my knowledge.  Time will tell who will prevail but it will probably be Obama. http://tinyurl.com/3nt9qb  

http://www.mygazines.com/

http://marketing.realtor.com/newbenefits/ 

Heather,

I was thinking of signing back up but I can’t remember anyone coming through Realtor.com to me.  Also with that expense at this time I think I will hold off.  Thank you so much for your patience and help.

XXXXXX

DEAR xxxx

I really wish that you would of told me last year. Because we have Leverage, leads, & listings tools. This is not a lead tool. This is a exposure tool, so people can tell their Realtor – let me see this home. I have LEAD PROGRAMS  - NOT AT THIS PRICE.    You have to think about this carefully. I will note the account – but do take into consideration:   When your seller says “how will you sell m y home? Where will you advertise? And how are you different? What will you say. You KNOW everyone comes to Realtor.com & you are just not sure how to capitalize on it.   

Why & HOW TO LIST WITH REALTOR.COM 

WHY?? The fact of the matter is, in most markets,  REAL ESTATE is 90% a referral based business. Build branding & loyalty with all you have to offer. Add to your referral base by having a solid marketing plan that will produce referrals. What matters most is what matters most to your buyers & sellers.   

How will Listing Enhancements help me ? 
Listing Enhancements will assist in creating consumer awareness of my listings because they are designed to:  ~ use as leverage against competition~ use as leverage against FSBO’s~ use as leverage against expired~use as leverage to break into new farming territories, with a marketing plan designed for them - to market thier homes, not market to them~building your referral base & customer loyalty~ sending out traffic reports your sellers can send to their friends~ Bringing even more value to your sellers, which will produce even more referrals~ Differentiate me from non enhanced listings ~ Increase My Exposure and Branding ~Provide more value to your listings presentations~Justify Commission~Display of your brand and your listing to the largest audience of potential homebuyers and sellers on the Internet ~ Increased Exposure on the Search Results Page & Listing Detail Page ~ Differentiation on the Search Results Page & Listing Detail Page ~Ability to Customize and Enhance Listings proving for the most visible digital marketing plan ever.  

 WHO WOULD YOU LIST WITH?  BE ONE OF 10% OF ALL YOUR COMPETITION ENHANCING THEIR LISTINGS ON REALTOR.COM  BE ONE OF 1% OF ALL REALTORS LEVERAGING AGAINST THEIR COMPETITION WITH FEATURES HOMES (FRONT PAGE ADVERTISING)  HOW?? Would you rather tell your seller that you sold more homes than anyone else, or you sold all your homes for more money than anyone else? 

Good Luck,  let me know if you need me.

 Heather Riggio

I have had a couple Realtors tell me, oh now RDC is lowering price now that RDC can not sell them, due to the changing markets…

I then ask can I say something frank & direct? 

I will make a deal with you, I will tell you the same thing you tell your clients when they ask you why you want to discount their home, or we can do something to proactively change the market…..  ourselves, here, today, now.

DEAR SIR - HERE IS A GRAPH PROVING WE GET MORE TRAFFIC IN NEW YORK THAN MLSLI.COM

http://www.google.com/trends?q=realtor.com%2C+mlsli.com&ctab=0&geo=US&geor=usa.ny&date=all&sort=0

To: Riggio, Heather
Subject: Re: Realtor.com versus MLSLI.com

Hi Heather,
The graph refers to new york state. Can you send me the stats for my market.
These do not apply.
Thank you,
xxxxxx

DEAR SIR XXX, 

There is nothing I can do. Everybody knows that Realtors sell houses,  not ads. And the program that you purchased is designed to satisfy sellers  concerns, compete at listing presentations, and help justify commission. This is not one of our leads programs. (which runs in the thousands) Google does not allow me to sort by whatever city I want.  Besides, My conversation with you was truly meant to not even touch  on your products but your office motivation, and sending out a loud message to the agents in your office.  I am a firm believer that 90% of all realtors business comes from referrals, I just offer solutions that allow you to keep those referrals coming. If everyone in your area is on mlsli.com, them how are you un-evening the playing field. I do not sell advertising, but entire marketing systems that enable you to satisfy seller pain.  I am truly sorry that calls is all you are looking for. If every program was just designed to make incoming calls, then where is the leverage part of what you do. List with me, I do what every Realtor in my area does? I want to give you a reason to wake up in the morning with a new game plan, rejuvenate & retain your agents with marketing strategies that work. 50% of all agents are leaving the industry right now, yet Realtor.com memberships are at an all time high. Realtor.com agents are not leaving the market at the same rate, cause they have a marketing, competitive edge.  I am sorry it did not work for you. I truly am. I cannot just offer you listing enhancements. Last year, I sent you my how to list and leverage with Realtor.com, best practices & power point, and did not even get a read receipt. And I can’t just argue about traffic. http://www.google.com/trends?q=realtor.com%2C+mlsli.com&ctab=0&geo=US&geor=usa.ny&date=all&sort=0 which I did not see your cities in the top 10 on Google either.  If you think anyone in your office can benefit from saying: List with me, I am the featured cma specialist on Realtor.com. List with me, I place your home the most visible place to advertise your home, on MSN.com, the new Realtor.com, move.com,  excite, juno.com, netzero.com List with me, cause I am one of 10 agents Realtor.com featured on their site in this whole county.  List with me, cause I advertise where people are searching. http://www.realestaterama.com/hitwise-ranks-realtorcom-as-top-real-estate-search-term/  Please have them call me, and I will be glad to devise a marketing plan to help they feel more confident in this industry.  Heather.

comScore Ranks REALTOR.com(R) Most Visited Real Estate Site in December 07

Posted by California Real Estate

January 16, 2008

Move Web Sites Achieve 14 Percent Traffic Increase in December 07 as Compared to December 06 (1)

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — comScore, a leader in measuring the digital world, ranked REALTOR.com as the most visited real estate website in December 2007(1). Zillow.com ranked number ten, falling three positions from November to December 2007(1).

This news comes on the heels of a recent release of industry-wide rankings from Hitwise reporting that REALTOR.com and Move.com were the most visited real estate sites in December 2007(2). Hitwise is a leading online competitive intelligence service.

“REALTOR.com remains the leading real estate resource for consumers because we deliver the freshest, largest and most comprehensive online collection of listings,” said Lorna Borenstein, president of Move, Inc. “We’re pleased consumers continue to cast votes of confidence in our content through their traffic counts. As we prepare to launch many new and exciting resources in 2008, we’re confident consumers will continue to choose REALTOR.com and Move.com as their most trusted online resources when pursuing the American dream of homeownership.”

Earlier this month, Hitwise also released industry-wide rankings of more than 100 sites reporting that REALTOR.com retained first place with an 8.03 percent market share in December 2007(2), while Move.com moved up from fourth place to second place with a 2.73 percent market share.
    comScore ranking of total unique visitors for December 2007:

    Rank         Site
    1            REALTOR.COM(R)
    2            MSN Real Estate
    3            Yahoo! Real Estate
    4            Rent.com
    5            Apartments.com
    6            Homegain.com
    7            Trulia.com
    8            Servicemagic.com
    9            HPCInter@active
    10           Zillow.com

Media Contacts:
     Julie Reynolds/Move, Inc./818.264.5594/ julia.reynolds@move.com
     Sierra Wilson/ Edelman for Move, Inc/ 323.202.1416/
     sierra.wilson@edelman.com
SOURCE Move, Inc.

© 2007 PR Newswire. All Rights Reserved.

Hitwise Ranks REALTOR.com as Top Real Estate Search Term

Posted by RealEstateRama

December 13, 2007

REALTOR.com Beats ‘Homes For Sale’ & ‘Zillow’ As #1 Search Term on Web 

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Hitwise, a leading online competitive intelligence service, ranked REALTOR.com as the number one search term used in the real estate industry category during the month of November (1). REALTOR.com accounted for 1.56% of all searches on the Internet in the real estate category, far exceeding the next closest ranking term that captured .91% of all searches in November. Zillow.com and Zillow ranked eight and ninth respectively with .34% and .33% of all real estate searches.

“REALTOR.com continues to be top of mind with consumers searching online for real estate because we deliver the largest online collection of listings complemented with the most comprehensive and freshest data available on the Internet,” said Lorna Borenstein, president of Move, Inc. “As the leader in online real estate, we’re committed to providing the tools consumers need and want as they pursue the American dream of home ownership. It’s second nature for consumers to begin their home search on the Move Network of Websites.”

The terms were ranked by volume of searches that successfully drove traffic to websites in the Hitwise Business and Finance — Real Estate category for the four-weeks ending November 24, 2007, based on US Internet usage. Hitwise rankings for the month of November in the real estate industry category for the top ten search terms were as follows:

    Rank      Search Term          Volume
    1         REALTOR.com          1.56%
    2         Remax                0.91%
    3         Real Estate          0.47%
    4         Apartments           0.40%
    5         Homes for Sale       0.37%
    6         Century 21           0.35%
    7         Zillow.com           0.34%
    8         Zillow               0.33%
    9         Realtor              0.31%
    10        For sale by owner    0.30% 

For up to date analysis of online trends, visit the Hitwise Intelligence-Analyst Weblogs at http://weblogs.hitwise.com and the Hitwise Data Center at http://www.hitwise.com/datacenter

ABOUT REALTOR.COM(R)

Realtor.com — “Where the world shops for real estate online” — is operated by Move Inc., and is the official Web site of the National Association of REALTORS. Ranked as the No. 1 homes-for-sale site, REALTOR.com(R) currently offers potential home buyers access to over four million property listings as well as the most brokers and agents to contact. The site also provides REALTORS and the home sellers they represent with the Internet’s largest real estate marketplace, reaching more than 4.2 million consumers in November 2007.(2) Agents and companies have the power to customize the resources of the REALTOR.com Web site to maximize their brand and productivity. The REALTOR.com Web site (http://www.realtor.com) is operated by Move, Inc. .

REALTOR(R) and REALTOR.com(R) are registered trademarks of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS(R). REALTOR(R) is a federally registered collective membership mark, which identifies a real estate professional who is a Member of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS(R) and subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics. All other trademarks appearing above are the property of Move, Inc., or of their other respective owners.

(1) Source — Hitwise — November, 2007 — based on volume of searches

(2) comScore Media Metrix, November 2007

This press release may contain forward-looking statements, including information about management’s view of Move’s future expectations, plans and prospects, within the safe harbor provisions under The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the results of Move, its subsidiaries, divisions and concepts to be materially different than those expressed or implied in such statements. These risk factors and others are included from time to time in documents Move files with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to, its Form 10-Ks, Form 10-Qs and Form 8-Ks. Other unknown or unpredictable factors also could have material adverse effects on Move’s future results. The forward-looking statements included in this press release are made only as of the date hereof. Move cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Finally, Move expressly disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.

© 2007 PR Newswire. All Rights Reserved.

The Los Angeles Times has ceased publication of its weekly real estate section — born more than a century ago — amid major staff cuts.

In mid-July, newspaper managers began to carry out the “largest staff and production cuts in the newspaper’s history,” according to an article in the Times, citing “a continuing slide in advertising revenue.” The newspaper has a circulation of more than 1 million and ranks among the largest newspapers in the nation.

Staff and content cuts are certainly nothing new for newspapers, and a media analyst told Inman News that similar downsizing will likely continue to plague the industry as ad dollars continue to shift online.

The cutbacks initiated last month at the Los Angeles Times had initially targeted about 150 newsroom employees, or 17 percent of the company’s newspaper and Web site editorial staff, according to the Times article, with plans to cut 100 positions in other departments.

Times Publisher David D. Hiller resigned the day after the cutbacks began. Times Editor Russ Stanton announced on July 30 that 135 newsroom employees were laid off, and content cuts have led to 14 percent fewer pages.

Such major cuts at that paper and others have triggered questions about how the industry can properly inform readers about community news in the face of staff cuts, the article notes.

Stanton had earlier stated in a letter to readers that “The future of the Los Angeles Times, in print and online, rests in our ability to meet the needs of our readers and deliver news and information that is unique, far-reaching and indispensable. In-depth journalism remains our hallmark and we are committed to that mission in the face of economic challenges to our industry and our nation as a whole.”

He announced that the newspaper’s “Home” section would move from Sundays to Saturdays and would combine with “Real Estate,” amid other changes — “Book Review” was merged with an “Arts & Books” section to become “Arts and Books,” for example, and the Times had earlier announced the termination of its weekly magazine, among other reductions in content.

Lauren Beale, real estate editor for the Los Angeles Times, wrote in a July 27 blog post at the newspaper’s L.A. Land blog, “because of reductions in staff and space, the Sunday Real Estate section has printed its final edition.”

She noted that the newspaper would continue to publish real estate coverage throughout the week and a few regular features of the section would continue in the Saturday “Home” and Sunday “Business” sections.

Beale began working for the newspaper’s Real Estate section almost 29 years ago. “There’s a journalism term for finishing an edition’s work: You put the section to bed. When I started as a part-timer in this department … under then-editor Dick Turpin, I never dreamed that one day I’d be putting the section to bed for good,” she wrote. The newspaper’s Real Estate section had launched in 1901.

She told Inman News that some other major newspapers have abandoned editorial-produced real estate sections in favor of advertising sections that she referred to as “advertorial,” or ad-based real estate content.

Readers’ online comments about the end of the weekly Real Estate section ranged to the extremes, from anger at its cancellation and the media company’s owner Sam Zell to ugly condemnation of the section.

A supporter of the section wrote, “it was informative (plenty of question-and-answer columns for renters, condo and home owners), presented the facts, and provided some entertainment.” That reader planned to cancel the newspaper subscription over the loss of its Real Estate section, according to the post.

“I’m more of a news, business, sports guy, so I didn’t read the Real Estate section,” wrote another Times reader. “But I am disturbed by the prospect of some of our big city papers being dramatically downsized or going away. The Internet (is great at) distributing other people’s content, but not so much at originating it … papers like the L.A. Times, imperfect though they may be, still frequently play an important role in keeping our other institutions honest.”

Meanwhile, another wrote, “I’m probably not going to miss the Real Estate section. The only thing I ever read in the Real Estate section was the story of how some self-absorbed celebrity is selling his mansion for $10 million, which was always curiously $8 million more than similar-sized homes in the same area.”

Helene Lesel, a real estate writer whose syndicated “Rental Savvy” columns have run in the Los Angeles Times for the past seven years, said her column is one of the casualties in the demise of the weekly section.

“They’re not going to accept anymore syndicated material — there’s not anywhere to put it,” said Lesel, whose columns are distributed by Inman News. “I had read that section since I was a little kid.” The Times seems to be focusing more on the Web these days, she said. “It’s a whole new world out there.”

Stanton’s letter last month did state that the newspaper’s Web site “just recorded its biggest month ever in June with 115 million page views, a 50 percent increase over last year,” and Stanton also noted that readers “embraced” some of the Web site’s new blogs.

Real estate ad budgets are shifting toward online media — and that shift is likely permanent, said Colby Atwood, president for Borrell Associates, a media research and consulting firm.

“Real estate advertisers during this downturn are going to be trying the Web, some of them for the first time, and once they do they won’t go back,” Atwood said.

There has been a drop-off in real estate advertising spending in print publications, owing to the housing downturn and this shift to online media, which can be “more efficient, more trackable” and offer a better return on investment.

“It is not surprising that newspapers are starting to scale back their real estate sections. The decision by the L.A. Times is an example of things that we’re going to see more of as (newspapers) manage the contraction of their business — which is what metro daily newspapers are going to be about for the foreseeable future,” Atwood said.

And while some of the ad problems newspapers are facing now with the severe downturn in the housing market are cyclical, Atwood said not to expect ad money to flow readily back into print when the market recovers and rebounds.

“Truly fundamental shifts are taking place in the advertising industry and a lot of advertising media are not coming back. (Advertisers) are going to be hard-pressed to justify spending money on things they now know are inefficient,” he said.

A Borrell report released last week states that the newspaper industry suffered a record decline in revenue from classified print ads in 2007, “driven largely by a 23 percent fall in real estate classifieds.”

The report also states, “Newspapers are beginning to understand that their most valuable franchise is not local news, but local sales information,” and about half of the people who buy a newspaper do so for the advertising content.

Local news may not be a big selling point for local advertisers: “The epiphany that newspaper managers are beginning to experience is that local news and community information (as opposed to national news) may not attract a large or particularly attractive audience for small advertisers,” according to the report, noting that the Internet is quickly growing in popularity among small advertisers, with local online advertising increasing at a rate of 61 percent this year.

Residential real estate agents and brokers are expected to spend about 25 percent of their ad budgets with newspapers this year, with 12.8 percent going to online sources and 24.2 percent toward television ads.

Meanwhile, residential real estate developers are projected to spend about 47.9 percent of their total ad budgets with newspapers and about 30.2 percent online; and mortgage providers are expected to spend about 8.9 percent of their ad budgets in newspapers and 22.1 percent online this year.

–Inman News reporter Matt Carter contributed to this report.

***

What’s your opinion? Leave your comments below or send a letter to the editor. To contact the writer, click the byline at the top of the story.

Copyright 2008 Inman News

All rights reserved. This article may not be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever, in part or in whole, without written permission of Inman News. Use of this article without permission is a violation of federal copyright law.

A new hot topic is now available.Do you want to be heard? Want to be known as an industry expert? Submit a post on our latest Hot Topic.

You can read more about it in the Hot Topic section of your Dashboard.

SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE BLOG HERE HTTP://TALK.REALTOR.COM

NEW POISONOUS SPIDER IN THE UNITED STATES

A spider bite…please read :

And you thought the brown recluse was bad!!!

Three women in North Florida , turned up at hospitals over a 5-day period, all with the same symptoms. Fever, chills, and vomiting, followed by muscular collapse, paralysis, and finally, death.

There were no outward signs of trauma. Autopsy results showed toxicity in the blood. 

These women did not know each other, and seemed to have nothing in common

It was discovered, however, that they had all visited the same restaurant (Olive Garden) within days of their deaths. The health department descended on the restaurant, shutting it down. The food, water, and air conditioning were all inspected and tested, to no avail.

The big break came when a waitress at the restaurant was rushed to the hospital with similar symptoms. She told doctors that she had been on vacation, and had only went to the restaurant to pick up her check.

She did not eat or drink while she was there, but had used the restroom.

That is when one toxicologist, remembering an article he had read, drove out to the restaurant, went into the restroom, and lifted the toilet seat.. Under the seat, out of normal view, was a small spider.

The spider was captured and brought back to the lab, where it was determined to be the Two-Striped Telamonia (Telamonia dimidiata ), so named because of its reddened flesh color. This spider’s venom is extremely toxic, but can take several days to take effect. They live in cold, dark, damp climates, and toilet rims provide just the right atmosphere.

Several days later a lawyer from Jacksonville showed up at a hospital emergency room. Before his death, he told the doctor, that he had been away on business, had taken a flight from Indonesia , changing

planes in Singapore , before returning home. He did not visit (Olive Garden), while there. He did, as did all of the other victims, have what was determined to be a puncture wound, on his right buttock.

Investigators discovered that the flight he was on had originated in India

The Civilian Aeronautics Board (CAB) ordered an immediate inspection of the toilets of all flights from India , and discovered the Two-Striped Telamonia spider’s nests on 4 different planes!

It is now believed that these spiders can be anywhere in the country.

So please, before you use a public toilet, lift the seat to check for spiders. It can save your

life!

And please pass this on to everyone you care about. 

What the New REALTOR.com® Can Mean for Brokers and Agents

REALTOR.com® has always been focused on leveraging internet and communications technology to help brokers and their agents enhance their brands and drive more buyers and sellers to their listings. To further that commitment, REALTOR.com® just announced a completely redesigned website that will improve your brand recognition; make it even easier for consumers to find and contact you and attract more listings.

Our New Features and What They Can Do for You

Here are just a few of our new features and changes, and how you’ll benefit from the new REALTOR.com®:

Redesigned Home Page

• Just 2 clicks to your listings – Buyers and sellers can now get to you faster
• New Home Page Carousel – Rotates photos of homes relevant to a viewer’s search. Gives a buyer the impression that there is always something new on REALTOR.com® - and a strong reason to keep coming back to your listings

New Redesigned Search Results Page

• Gallery View, Map View and List View – Gives buyers and sellers three different avenues to search results. Buyers and sellers with different needs now have multiple ways to find you and your listings

New Premium Showcase Listings

• Listings are expandable – Appears larger on the Search Results Page than basic listings. Plus, the listing is highlighted in yellow, so it stands out more dramatically, helping to grab the attention of buyers. Consumer research also shows that viewers perceive the new Showcase Listings as higher quality properties. This perception of higher quality transfers to brokers, enhancing professional appearance of your image, separating you from your competition and strengthening brand recognition in viewer eyes
• Listing Detail Page lets broker or agent appear to host listing, instead of advertising it – Research has shown that this more holistic approach can mean a 61% increase in consumer recall of your brand¹
• New Open House Alert placement -  Better positioned to attract viewer attention and drive more buyers to your open houses
• Striking New Photo Gallery – Our new gallery photos are now up to 15 times bigger. Lets your properties stand out from Basic showcases and scream for viewer attention
• Now displays and promotes other properties from your database – Up to 3 of your other listings, to increase your chances of triggering contact from a buyer

New Ways to Be Seen

• New neighborhood-specific search tools – Provides out of town buyers detailed information about local schools, shopping, etc. Positions you as the local expert and encourages contact
• Home Value Comparisons – A new feature that lists recent local sales statistics, displaying your logo and pointing viewers in need of real estate expertise to your contact information

See the New REALTOR.com® for yourself

The new REALTOR.com® provides many more improvements, new features and capabilities than we could possibly cover in this article.  For a closer look and better picture, just click here to experience the new REALTOR.com® for yourself.

Who is Most Likely to Buy Foreclosures?  Interest in purchasing a foreclosed home is rising rapidly, according to a survey conducted in April by Harris Interactive for Trulia.com, a real estate Web site.

• About 60 percent of single/never-married adults are more likely to be at least somewhat interested in purchasing a foreclosure. 

• About 50 percent of men are likely to be at least somewhat interested compared with 51 percent of women. 

• Younger adults, ages 18 to 34, are the more likely than other age groups to consider buying a foreclosure with 69 percent expressing interest. 

• Only 32 percent of adults 55 and older are interested in buying foreclosures.

Source: Trulia.com

I hear over and over again I did not get any leads on the showcase listing enahncements… but I do not remember offering a lead generator. Here is one response I had today, to a Realtor who was  looking for a “lead program”. Dear Readers, sometimes.. thinks need to also be done to actually market the home.

If you do decide to come back to Realtor.com, you should let the person you speak with know you are looking for one of our leads programs.  The showcase listing enhancements  is the “marketing” side of marketing the home.  This is to get exposure so they can take the sellers agents listing & have their buyers agent take them to see the home. Most consumers want to have someone negotiate the best price for them, and not contact the selling agent. Would you agree?

I just had a client call me and tell me that he leveraged the reports we have on Realtor.com, he sent the report to the seller who then agreed to reduce the price, the house is now in contract.

Those that tell you they get nothing from Realtor.com, make sure you tell them to email the report to each seller showing them how many people viewed their property, this will help the Realtor negotiate a price reduction from the seller. Then add a banner that says “ JUST  REDUCED” that should help them get more calls on listings.

Have you ever seen one of our  military walking past you and wanted to convey to them your thanks, but  weren’t sure how or it felt awkward? Recently, a gentleman from Seattle  created a gesture which could be used and has started a massive movement  to get the word out.

Please everybody take just a  moment to watch this is a great lesson for the next generations  too…. The Gratitude Campaign …and then forward it to your  friends!

Click on below:   

http://www.gratitudecampaign.org/shortmovie.php <http://www.gratitudecampaign.org/shortmovie.php>