Test video post from Tom Tuttle

So in class right now and we're testing using Blackberry Video to send to Posterous. 

Ed Bisquera

Vancouver, WA 98664

(360) 597-8283 cell

http://SocialMediaNetworking101.com

http://Twitter.com/edbisquera 

http://Activerain.com/edbisquera 

Posted via email from PC Home Loans Puyallup

Finding time for paradise Does automation free our schedules?

So I stumbled upon this idyllic photo of a beach in Aruba. Back in the early 1990's I worked and lived aboard a cruise ship, playing music for passengers and one of my favorite spots was Aruba, an island in the southern Caribbean. Why am I reminiscing about this island getaway? Because it got me thinking about how little time we have now and I wonder with the advent of the Internet and automated tools, etc, has it really helped us or are we more distracted than ever?

I spent the last few days constructing a better system at publishing content online for all my clients and using some suggested "best practices" on how much the content delivery can be automated through the use of RSS feeds and a few social network syndication tools. My goal was to create a work flow system that allowed for semi-automated distribution and fully automated as well. My goal was to also find a way to do updates via audio and/or a phone call. [Update: read below; found a service that takes a phone call and converts voice to text. Read update below.]

A few things I discovered was that while http://Ping.fm could deliver to multitudes of social networks, and to my favorite posting service http://Posterous.com I also noticed that http://HelloTxt.com had some better ways of dealing with syndication that I liked. In addition to these free online social networking tools that connect and allow for simple syndication of your content marketing, I employ http://Twitterfeed.com to take my blog RSS feeds to auto post.

Will saving time posting and updating to my social networks really save me more time, enough to enjoy my family and friends more? Maybe, and maybe just enough to get back to Aruba someday! :-)

-- Update --

After searching for a safer way to create and update content online while driving (no longer do I text while driving; so dangerous I know!) I found that http://Dial2Do.com let's me call a number, say "reminder" to take my voice recording and dictate or "email" to send an email from with voice-to-text or "Twitter" to do the same. I have added the commands "hello text" and "ping fm" as well, to experiment with posting. Apparently http://Dial2Do.com also allows to post to a blog via a phone call as well. Stay tuned while I try this service out! Aruba, here I come!

Ed Bisquera

Vancouver | Auburn | Washington
(360) 597-8283 cell
http://SocialMediaNetworking101.com
http://Twitter.com/edbisquera
http://Activerain.com/edbisquera

Sent from my iPhone

Posted via email from Ed Bisquera

Trying an experiment with Posterous.com Does this work?

For today's post, I'm experimenting with using http://Posterous.com and creating a blog post, with attached audio.

If everything works out correctly, clients should be able to automate about 40-50 % off their social marketjng online and still have accurate control of what is posted and where. In addition, different media can be uploaded and posted, including pictures, video, Powerpoint and PDF's.

Hopefully this works. Please let me know if you see this and also can hear the attached audio.

Thanks!

Ed Bisquera

Vancouver, WA 98664
(360) 597-8283 cell
http://SocialMediaNetworking101.com
http://Twitter.com/edbisquera
http://Activerain.com/edbisquera

Sent from my iPhone

Posted via email from Ed Bisquera

Almost official: Homebuyer $8000 Tax Credit ($6500 for existing homeowners) to be signed by Obama today

Well, it's almost official; President Obama is poised to sign a bill, that passed Congress this week (the Senate and the House of Representatives, for those that a quick reminder in government civics lesson) that will extend the First Time Homebuyer Non-Refundable $8000 Tax Credit to April 30, 2010 and opens the credit to existing homeowners as well.

The quick skinny on the new bill:

• The bill, awaiting for Obama's signature, will extend the existing tax credit to existing homeowners as well
• In addition to first time homebuyers, as long as homeowners looking to purchase their next home have owned and lived in their current home for 5 years, they too will qualify for $6500
• First time homebuyers will still qualify for the full $8000, in relation to the new income limits, which has been increased...
• Income cap has also been increased from $75,000 for individuals to $125,000 and for joint filers from $150,000 to $225,000
• New Deadlines:  Contracts need to be signed by April 30, 2010 and the sales need to CLOSE (and likely need to FUND, meaning money from buyer/lender needs to arrive in escrow's hands) by June 30, 2010.

What does this mean for Washington and Oregon homebuyers and homeowners?  The government just agreed to "print more money" in an effort to continue to stimulate the housing industry.  If we continue to see housing sales increase through the 4th quarter of 2009 and now through the first half of 2010, the government hopes we can move a little quicker out of this recession.  Time will only tell, though...

On a sidenote, it was a little disappointing to see so many mortgage and real estate professionals spreading news earlier this week on blogs, Twitter, etc, that this bill had already passed and the tax credit had been extended when it fact, it officially had not. 

Well, these real estate and mortgage professionals were wrong in spreading the news of the tax credit being extended, when in fact, it takes the President to sign the new bill OFFICIALLY into effect.  Yes, it's likely to be passed, but let's not spread incorrect news and information to consumers, until it's official.  Let's be careful on how we share news until it OFFICIALLY HAPPENS. It misleads the consumer and our customers when we should be sharing information that is accurate and helpful. Just my two cents... :-)

At least there were some folks like @jaypapasan (official trainer with Keller Williams) & @PhxREguy that had the news correct, on the potential passing of the tax credit.  Hopefully I can amend my blog post and make it official, that President Obama has signed this extension officially.

For a reminder of how a bill makes it into law, here's a video from our friends at Scholastic Rock.

Schoolhouse Rock- How a Bill Becomes a Law

BJ's flag football game near Ft Vancouver Library Vancouver Washington

Another winning game day for Benjamin's flag football team, "The Seahawks!"

Picture taken October 31, 2009 at fields adjacent to Ft Vancouver Library.

I forgot what the score was, but at least they won! :-) And it didn't rain!

Ed Bisquera

Vancouver, WA 98664
(360) 597-8283 cell
http://SocialMediaNetworking101.com
http://Twitter.com/edbisquera
http://Activerain.com/edbisquera

Sent from my iPhone

Posted via email from Ed Bisquera's Posterous

Mortgage rates nearly unchaged from Friday; 30 yr at 4.75% (5.1 APR) no points, read for more details

Most rate prices are near unchanged this morning as mortgage bonds start out losing ground, then improve, then fall back a bit after the release of better than expected data.  Treasuries are taking a hit while stocks strengthen in yet another reversal.  This back and forth movement is a telling sign of the reality of increased volatility as market participants debate the shape and form and timing of recovery, and the impacts of anticipated decreased Fed intervention.  Busy news week culminating in the employment report on Friday.  This week is likely to be choppy ahead of this heavily weighted data.  Be careful and if you have your full documentation and package to your lender, you should lock ahead of any weighty news.  Not sure? Contact your lender (or me) and get that package in, if you want to refinance at rates still near or below 5%.  It's may be a roller coaster ride for rates, so being prepared to lock is better than trying to do so without your full loan document package in to your lender.  Be prepared!

In the news today - Market Headlines for November 2, 2009


Trading on the market remains unchanged for mortgage backed securities, but that could change at midday repricing. Be prepared to lock against choppy news this week.

Data released today for:
Pending Home Sales Month over Month  SEP 0.00% change
Pending Home Sales Year over Year
Construction Spending Month over Month - SEP -0.20% change

U.S. September Construction Spending Report
2009-11-02 15:00:01.740 GMT By Alex Tanzi
Nov. 2 (Bloomberg) -- The following is the text of the September construction spending report from the U.S. Commerce Department.

SEPTEMBER 2009 CONSTRUCTION AT $940.3 BILLION ANNUAL RATE
The U.S. Census Bureau of the Department of Commerce announced today that construction spending during September 2009 was estimated at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $940.3 billion, 0.8 percent (1.8%)* above the revised August estimate of $933.0 billion. The September figure is 13.0 percent (1.9%) below the September 2008 estimate of $1,081.2 billion.
During the first 9 months of this year, construction spending amounted to $715.2 billion, 12.1 percent (1.3%) below the $813.3 billion for the same period in 2008.

PRIVATE CONSTRUCTION
Spending on private construction was at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $613.9 billion, 0.5 percent (1.1%)* above the revised August estimate of $610.9 billion. Residential construction was at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $256.0 billion in September, 3.9 percent (1.3%) above the revised August estimate of $246.4 billion. Nonresidential construction was at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $357.9 billion in September, 1.8 percent (1.1%) below the revised August estimate of $364.5 billion.

PUBLIC CONSTRUCTION
In September, the estimated seasonally adjusted annual rate of public construction spending was $326.4 billion, 1.3 percent (2.9%)* above the revised August estimate of $322.1 billion.
Educational construction was at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $88.7 billion, 0.1 percent (3.4%)* below the revised August estimate of $88.8 billion. Highway construction was at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $85.5 billion, 1.0 percent (7.8%)* above the revised August estimate of $84.6 billion.

Tomorrow news:
Factory Orders for Sep
ABC Consumer Confidence
Total Vehicle Sales
Domestic Vehicle Sales

Washington State Mortgage Rates Higher, House Passes Tax Credit Extension For Military

I haven't been posting here for awhile and I know, shame on me. Here's something I read recently that should get you thinking about encouraging those on the fence, that if they're able to, should refinance or buy now, sooner than later.

I would suspect rates will start to rise shortly after the first of the year.  So, if waiting to act, get with your lender and take action now to avoid being caught in the rush, as the rates go higher.  Call me at (360) 597-8283 if you have any questions.  See you in the next post. (Hopefully, it won't be several months from now! LOL)  ---- Post below

Mortgage Rates Higher. House Passes Tax Credit Extension for Military

Mortgage Rates Higher. House Passes Tax Credit Extension for Military
by Victor Burek -

The bond market was closed yesterday in observance of Columbus Day so mortgage backed securities did not trade. Regardless of that, several lenders issued rate sheets, however as is typical of holiday pricing strategies, rate sheets were conservative. Most lenders were offering 4.875% as the par rate for well qualified consumers. So far this morning, MBS prices are higher on the day which should allow lenders to issue more aggressive loan pricing (not as aggressive as last week).

We do not receive any market moving reports today but the action does pick up tomorrow with the release of the Retail Sales report. MBS typically benefit with a lower than expected reading and economists’ surveyed are expecting retail sales to post a month over month decline of 2.1%. The only items of any significance today will be a couple speeches by Fed members Donald Kohn and William Dudley. Any time Fed members speak, market participants do pay attention for any clues to future monetary policy and their economic outlook.

The House of Representatives passed a bill yesterday aiming to extend the First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit. Before you get to excited, it appears that it will only be extended for veterans of our armed forces for up to 6 months. To qualify, the veteran must have served overseas for 90 days in 2009. If you are a first time home buyer looking to take advantage of the up to $8000 tax credit, the clock continues to tick. It is set to expire after November 30th so get your application in with your lender.

Rates down, Mortgage Applications Up

Image via Wikipedia

Rates down, mortgage applications up - Originally posted by The Portland Business Journal:

Mortgage applications rose last week as interest rates fell.

The Mortgage Bankers Association’s index of applications to purchase or refinance a home gained 5.6 percent from the previous week.

The refinance index gained 6.9 percent in the week ended Aug. 14, reversing the 7.2 percent loss in the previous week. The purchase index increased 3.9 percent, the third consecutive weekly gain, according to the MBA.

The average interest rate for 30-year, fixed-rate mortgages decreased to 5.15 percent from 5.38 percent, with points decreasing to 0.98 from 1.18.

The average rate for 15-year, fixed-rate mortgages decreased to 4.52 percent from 4.71 percent, with points decreasing to 0.93 from 1.20.

The average rate for one-year, adjustable-rate mortgages decreased to 6.66 percent from 6.71 percent, with points decreasing to 0.07 from 0.08.

There are other signs that the housing market is stabilizing. On Tuesday, the Commerce Department reported that builders broke ground on more single-family homes in July for a fifth straight month.

What does this mean for buyers this week? Well, although there are still a number of issues to deal with (like the HVCC and new disclosure's act) it's still a ripe opportunity to take advantage of low rates to purchase a home.

It's not all roses, but it's definitely an ideal time for First Time Homebuyers to take advantage of lower home prices (all those foreclosed bank-owned homes are increasing) and also the $8000 Tax Credit deadline is looming, so time to take a piece of that as well.

Interested in an opportunity to buy a home through the Homepath Program from Fannie Mae? Why Homepath, you might ask? No appraisal needed, up to 6% seller concessions (Fannie Mae's the seller, so they're likely to agree) and no mortgage insurance. Plus in larger markets like the Portland, Oregon, Vancouver, Washington areas (even Spokane, Seattle, Tacoma, Olympia in Washington - Bend, Salem, Eugene in Oregon) have a number of Homepath homes for sale.

Attend one of our weekly 30 minute webinars on how the Homepath Loan Program from Fannie Mae works by visiting http://homepath01.eventbrite.com and register today!

Have a great Wednesday everyone!

Ed Bisquera

P.S. My FREE Social Media Marketing Online Workshop is coming up next week - more details can be seen at http://SocialMediaNetworking101.com

In Mashable - Facebook Simplifies Event Planning For Users

Facebook Simplifies Event Planning

July 8th, 2009 | by Adam Ostrow

Image via CrunchBase

Facebook has become a significant player in event planning. After all, why use a service like Evite when all of your friends are already on Facebook?

Planning an event on Facebook is already fairly easy – you just click on “Events” from the applications menu bar and create one. But the social network has decided to make it even easier, letting you create an event directly from the publisher (aka, the “what’s on your mind” box).

To do so, Facebook explains, ”after clicking on the “Events” icon, you can enter information about what the event is and where and when you want to meet. You can invite friends directly from the Feed story that’s created either on your Profile or your News Feed. Just select the “Invite guests” link to share the event with friends.”

Like other Facebook updates, this is presumably being rolled out gradually, so you might not see it yet (I don’t), but Facebook shows what it looks like:

Moving events to the publisher makes sense, and it seems Facebook hopes users start using the app more casually – you’ll notice the example they offer is “lunch,” as opposed to the more formal invites you might be used to receiving.

Keep in mind, however, that the publisher is set to become increasingly complicated, as Facebook is currently testing its new per-update privacy options that will be rolled out to all users in coming weeks. Too much clutter could lead to users simply ignoring the features and continuing to just post status updates – user behavior that Facebook () is clearly hoping to change.

as originally posted at Facebook Simplifies Event Planning

What do many Facebook users forget to do with their profile?

What do many forget to do on their Facebook profile?

Watch the video to find out what that is, which is a key part in how transparent you want and don't want to be to the public at large, when using Facebook, a top 10 Social Media Site. Plus last week's Trivia question winner, my new favorite coffee shop in Camas, Washington, and upcoming events! Enjoy! :-)

Quote of The Day

Patience is the art of hoping
~ Luc de Clapier

-------------------

Today's Mortgage Rates Watch & Real Estate/Mortgage News

Rates look like they are sitting fairly stable at the 5.25-5.5% range (5.67%-5.89% APR) on a Conventional 30 YR Fixed Loan, NO pts, 20% down (80% Loan To Value), Owner Occupied, with 740 or higher FICO credit score.

The benchmark 30-year fixed-rate mortgage fell 10 basis points, to 5.7 percent, according to the Bankrate.com national survey of large lenders. A basis point is one-hundredth of 1 percentage point. The mortgages in this week's survey had an average total of 0.48 discount and origination points. One year ago, the mortgage index was 6.53 percent; four weeks ago, it was 5.65 percent.

The benchmark 15-year fixed-rate mortgage fell 9 basis points, to 5.07 percent. The benchmark 5/1 adjustable-rate mortgage fell 9 basis points, to 5.17 percent.

Mortgage rates didn't move much in the days before today's release of the June employment report, as mortgage bond investors hedged their positions. The consensus estimate on Wall Street was that the employment report would show that the economy shed about 365,000 jobs in June. If the number of jobs lost was to be substantially higher than that, mortgage rates might fall; if the number was to be much lower, the result could be higher mortgage rates.

More eligible for refis

In other news, the Obama administration expanded the number of people who will be eligible for mortgage refinancing. The Making Home Affordable refinancing program will now be available for loans of up to 125 percent of the property's value. Previously, the limit had been 105 percent. (You can calculate your loan-to value ratio here.)

-----------------

UPCOMING EVENTS
-----------------

"Getting Connected Through Social Media" Class
for Real Estate Professionals, 3 CE Clock hours

Date: Thursday, July 23, 2009
Time: 1 -4 PM
Location: Keller Williams, Downtown Office
915 Broadway Ste 100, Vancouver, WA 98660

== Cost: $27 Early Bird special before Midnight, July 21, 2009 ==

Learn how getting connected and participating in the conversation online where your clients, prospects and audience is, using Social Media tools, is important to your Real Estate business. Produced by Natalie Danielson of Professional Directions/Clockhours.com and taught by Ed Bisquera and Natalie Danielson.

Details at the event signup page here:

Getting Connected through Social Media Class for Realtors.

-----------------

TODAY'S FREE LUNCH TRIVIA QUESTION OF THE DAY

-----------------

What's the least popular month for weddings?
Answer: YOU TELL ME! :-)

So, for every correct answer that is either either replied via Facebook (post a reply/comment on my wall under the question) or Twitter (send me an @edbisquera reply) or post a comment here below on my blog, gets entered into a drawing to win a FREE Lunch to Blackstone, Gift Card valued at $50! Now, you can send me a private message via Facebook and Twitter too with the correct answer; that will get you entered to win.

Again, it's for every CORRECT ANSWER that gets you into the drawing. And I'll post a video recording of me drawing the winner next Wednesday, along with the new Wednesday Trivia for Free Lunch.

-----------------

Upcoming Homepath Home Buying & Loan Seminar
-----------------
Buy a Fannie Mae Owned Home (Bank Owned, REO Properties)
in the State of Washington
WITHOUT AN APPRAISAL!

Date: July 21, 2009
Time: 11 AM (45 minutes)
Location: 1001 Main St Suite A
Vancouver, WA 98660

Sign up for event here

We'll discuss at an upcoming Homepath Seminar how you can get a home, Owner Occupied or Non-Owner Occupied, in any state, especially Washington and Oregon, where:

1. A Homepath Mortgaged Home Loan requires NO APPRAISAL upon purchase
2. A Homepath Home Renovation Loan can be used for improvements (on designated properties only).
3. A Homepath Home requires NO MI (Mortgage Insurance)
4. A Homepath Home can be up to 97% Loan To Value (3 % down payment)
5. A Homepath Home can also be bought by investors up to 90% Loan To Value (only 10% down).

For more information, read a post about Homepath Homes for Sale, by my Senior Mortgage Consultant, Bill Black, Broker of Record here at Loan Network LLC (formerly America One Finance).

-----------------
Visit http://scribeit.org to read more about our Trivia winner, Joanne Laurent

Stay tuned to the next video blog post!
-----------------

Thanks again and speak with you soon!
Ed Bisquera, 360-597-8283 cell

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Powerful Tweeting Techniques To Drive Traffic To Your Blog | Microgeist

Image by magia3e via Flickr

I found this a great start to giving ideas on how to use Twitter to drive traffic to your blog or website. Some of the first 5 tips are:

Communicate a benefit

Blogs have been associated for a long time now with opinion and personal experience. This is often times the way they are portrayed in the main stream media. This may be due, in part, to the desire on some level to frame blogs as a less authoritative resource.


Make claims and promises

A claim or promise is certainly attractive, but because you are working in social media you must always maintain your trust asset. This, along with your content, is a major component to your traffic engine. This means that whatever your claims are, they should be backed up by content or services that meet those statements. Not doing so eats into your trust asset while doing so contributes to it. Halfway meeting it may maintain your status on this level but it also provides opportunities for competitors to surpass you with superior quality. You are better off being comprehensive and in so doing providing a disincentive for other to try and emulate you. What is more likely in this case is for someone to link to you and add their own commentary or insight on top of yours. What this does is embed you in the community as a person that consistently contributes. From there, you can develop the authority to a) sucessfully recommend affiliate products and services or b) market your own.

Personalize

- Rather than speaking in the general sense as in ‘drive more traffic to a blog’, it is better to phrase it: ‘Drive more traffic to your blog’ This is because many people in smaller niches may be of the opinion that a generalized approach is suitable only for sites with a given minimum traffic requirement. By making things more personal, a reader will start to visualize the proposition as applying to him or her.

Use Keywords

- This aids in being found because each keyword can help your tweet be found via different seach criteria. Many of these words work well together and may be searched as a pair, which will push you further up in the search result. Twitter search is used by many to find information but at the same time it does not have the same volume as Google. What this means is that you are competing with fewer people for top ranking. While this might mean a smaller base of users, it also means a more enthusiastic person because they are using a wider variety of tools to find what they want.

Ask a question

- A question can be one that searches for an answer but what tends to be more effective are questions that pose a controversy or are rhetorical. That latter is particularly effective because it states both the content being delivered as well as the fact that you have a possible solution for them.

The rest of the post here: Powerful Tweeting Techniques To Drive Traffic To Your Blog | Microgeist


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A funny picture I saw to fire up Monday

Just in case you needed a little humor to jump start or fire up Monday with:




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