Create A Marketing Plan: Step 4 – Situation Analysis

In recent articles, I’ve talked about how to Define Your Goals, Know Your Clients, and Evaluate Your Competitors. The fourth pillar of a solid marketing foundation is to know your business environment. Real Estate Industry Statistics The total number of licensed real estate agents has surged more than 70% in the last 5 years, from 1.5 million licensees in 2000 to 2.6 million licensees in...

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Study Reports that Local Competition among Real Estate Firms Is Intense

A recently published study by Steve Sawyer of Penn State University confirms what most agents already know – that competition is fierce. The study analyzed 12 local markets that represent 800 of the largest metropolitan areas and was based on local MLS data, interviews, and secondary sources. The study found some interesting results. Though there has been substantial growth in each of the...

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Realtors and the Internet

A new white paper by Real Living called Women, Technology and Real Estate: Leveraging the Connection found the following: The real estate agent of the future: Finding new ways to deliver convenience is key to evolving role. Historically, consumers relied on real estate professionals for almost all information concerning the buying and selling of a home – a transaction model which...

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Housing Bubble?

Freddie Mac may say there’s no housing bubble, but the folks over at Fool.com aren’t buying it. They refer to a recent New York Times article where 2 Goldman Sachs analysts caution that home prices are now overvalued on average by 10%. And if interest rates rise just 1%, that percentage will increase to 15%. Anyway, the Fool.com article lists Freddie Mac’s reasons why it...

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Realtors’ Tech Budgets Exceed Marketing

Clickz.com recently cited an NAR study on Realtor’s tech budgets. They say the average Realtor spent $1300/year on technology, up 52% from 2002! Virtually all agents work for firms with websites ad 50% of Realtors have their own site. Comparatively, the NAR found that typical members budgeted $1200 for promotion and marketing expenses for 2004. Some things jump out at me when I read...

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Real Estate Still Booming

A recent article in the Philadelphia Inquirer mentioned a number of statistics about the currently booming real estate industry. Some interesting facts & figures include: More than 200,000 Realtors have flowed into this market over the last five years, with the greatest percentage increase coming in 2002 and 2003. The current number of NAR members is now at 1 million. NAR members account...

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