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Latest real estate, mortgage news, and market reports for Oregon and Washington, region of Portland and Vancouver.
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
In Mashable - Facebook Simplifies Event Planning For Users
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.
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.)
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UPCOMING EVENTS -----------------
"Getting Connected Through Social Media" Class for Real Estate Professionals, 3 CE Clock hours
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.
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TODAY'S FREE LUNCH TRIVIA QUESTION OF THE DAY
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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.
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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
Key Element People Often Forget in Social Media Marketing?
What is the one key element people often forget to complete thoroughly on Social Media sites?
Watch the video to find out what that is, which can help your search engine rankings and is Pillar Number One of the 5 Pillars of Social Media Marketing. :-)
Quote of The Day
If we're growing, we're always going to be out of our comfort zone. ~ John Maxwell ------------------- Scroll Down Below To See Info On Google Profiles!
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. We should see some help, since today's announcement of a nationwide unemployment rate of 9.5%, with job losses for last month around 467,000 nationwide.
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UPCOMING EVENT -----------------
"Getting Connected Through Social Media" Class for Real Estate Professionals, 3 CE Clock hours
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.
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YESTERDAY'S FREE LUNCH TRIVIA QUESTION OF THE DAY
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What Lewis Carroll book was banned in China after censors decided: "Animals should not use human language"? 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.
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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).
"What's the FOUR Letter Word Asked About Social Media?" Video
What is the FOUR Letter Word Asked About Most Frequently Regarding Social Media, at Social Media Marketing Seminars and Classes throughout the United States? It's all revealed at the 1:45 mark in this video blog post by Ed Bisquera, Mortgage Matchmaker & Social Media Guy. Recorded in beautiful sunny downtown Vancouver, WA, dated July 1, 2009.
Quote of the day: Insincerity is always weakness; sincerity even in error is strength. ~George Henry Lewes
• Today's Mortgage Rates Watch & Real Estate/Mortgage News
Rates look like they are sitting fairly stable at the 5.375-5.625% range (5.77%-5.99% 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. Forecasts are predicting a small increase in rate, due to typical activity as 2nd quarter earnings are taken to offset any capital gains.
NO APPRAISAL REQUIRED!! WHEN YOU BUY A FANNIE MAE-OWNED HOME with a Homepath Loan Find out more in tomorrow's Video Blog Post!
HVCC News: The appraisal issues dealing with the HVCC law is being dealt with and you can do something about it to fight it. There is a bill currently being sponsored to put the HVCC on hold, as the Feds try to figure out how to rectify the shortcomings of this HVCC ruling. It's apparent that it was a big mistake and you can check out our friends at Think Big Work Small and see what they have to say about it. Are you a Realtor and HATE FAILED SALES?? Watch this video NOW and sign the HVCC Petition NOW!!
UPCOMING EVENT Class on Social Media "Getting Connected" for Real Estate Professionals, 3 CE Clock hours
== 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.
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• WEDNESDAY FREE LUNCH TRIVIA QUESTION OF THE DAY
What Lewis Carroll book was banned in China after censors decided: "Animals should not use human language"? 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.
I had NO ONE enter the contest last week, so I'm hoping there's a few that at least play along for a FREE LUNCH to Blackstone Restaurant (ok, you get a $50 gift card. Deadline is by next Tuesday, July 7 at Midnight!).
• The FOUR Letter Word Dealing with Social Media revealed at the 1:45 mark in video above
It's every person's "curse" and every person's main question when talking about using Social Media. Are you facing the same problem? Are you interested in learning more and how to maximize this FOUR Letter word? Watch the video to find out what I talk about and if you're interested in a Social Media 101 Class & Course, contact me through EdBisquera.com or call me at (360) 597-8283. I will have an event sign up here on my blog tomorrow. Stay tuned!
That's it for today. Thanks again for visiting, watching and reading. If you found any value in today's video blog and post, please share this post with anyone you know that may be interested.
Best wishes to you and here's to a wonderful Wednesday!
Ed Bisquera, 360-597-8283 Cell Phone
P.S. Young Professionals of Vancouver Networking Event TODAY at Joe's Crab Shack, on the mighty Columbia River at 5:30. Come by, chat, drink and network! EB
4 Reasons Why Marketers Should Choose Facebook Pages Over Facebook Groups
It's known that if you are using Social Media Marketing, having a profile at Facebook is important to have when marketing online yourself, your cause or your small business. But really, Facebook Groups and Facebook pages are the public way to market, versus using your personal Facebook profile. It allows you to reach the millions on Facebook, and if you're worried about "friending" people you don't really know well through your personal Facebook profile, than creating your own Facebook Group or Facebook "Fan" or Business Page is the way to go.
In brief, this posting below covers the 4 reasons why you should create and use a Facebook "Page" instead of a Facebook "Group." So for businesses small and large, Pages (known also as "public profiles") are the way to go, according to these four important reasons:
1. Pages Allow Marketers to Publish to the "Stream" (more on that later) 2. Pages Allow Marketers to Engage Fans with Rich Media (PDF, Audio, Video, etc) 3. Pages Let Marketers Analyze How Fans are Interacting with the Insights Dashboard 4. Pages Let Marketers Increase their SEO (Search Engine Optimization. Essentially, improve your "Google search juice!"
So for marketing anything commercial or your small business or your band or your cause, the future of marketing on Facebook is Facebook Pages, not Facebook Groups.
You can read in detail the four resons below. Please comment on my blog if you like what you read! Thanks and happy day to you!
Can Facebook Save the Real Estate Market? | Newsweek Voices - Daniel McGinn | Newsweek.com
"A Broker’s Best ‘Friend’ Can Facebook revive the real-estate market?"
By Daniel McGinn Published Jan 7, 2009
When I checked Facebook earlier this week, I learned from my friends' status indicators that Ken was looking forward to eating lasagna after a trip to the gym. Steve and Michelle were worrying about an ice storm. Bret was planning to cook a rib-eye steak. And Tracy Wortmann, a high-school classmate with whom I reconnected last fall, had a different piece of news to share: 'Tracy has 5 new listings, let me know if anyone is looking … Now is the time to buy!!!'"
Ten Social Resolutions for Marketers in 2009|Beyond Banner
"If 2008 taught us anything, it’s that 2009 stands to be proving ground for the social Web. With declines in viewership, subscriptions and recall of traditional channels, it will be more important than ever for marketers to cut through the noise and separate the hype from the truth about what the social Web is all about. And, if the burn rate for most start-ups is any indication, 2009 might be the make-or-break year for many of those shiny trinkets to start putting out for investors.With this in mind, and the uncertainty of the economy a reality, I see the new year as a great opportunity for everyone to catch up on all these changes and take advantage of the great things happening on the Web. Here are a few resolutions marketers can make in ‘09 to help bring about a prosperous new year."
I am a Mortgage Consultant at Loan Network LLC in downtown Vancouver Washington and also a Social Media Marketing instructor. I help homeowners and investors with their finance and real estate needs. I've spent my time in the event/seminars marketing and entertainment industries. I'm also a professional musician, having played piano and keyboards for over 25 years, as a soloist recording my own albums and with numerous jazz and pop bands. I've recently played with Pacific Northwest favorite, 5 Guys Named Moe.
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