The Internet – Best Marketing Media for Home Sales

 

Whatever anyone may have told you a few years ago about which media is most effective for marketing a home, it’s all about the Internet today.  There simply is no more effective way to advertise a home for sale, both from a cost and a results perspective.  The advantages of Internet advertising are numerous:

80+% of home buyers use the Web – According to a survey by the National Association of Realtors®, more than 80% of home buyers now begin their search for a home on the Internet.  Reasons include the anonymity of the Web, extensive information on each home, and multiple photos and virtual tours.  Whatever their reasons, it’s very likely that the future buyer of the home you want to sell will be seeing it first on the Internet.

It’s economical media marketing – With many of the real estate specific websites also syndicating to many others, it’s possible to place a home for sale on one site and have it appear on many others within hours to a few days.  Your real estate agent or broker has resources for syndication, as well as a group of sites on which they list your home soon after the listing becomes active.

The Internet is immediate – While placement in most print media is delayed due to production requirements, getting information onto the Web is relatively immediate.  It can take a month to get a listing into one of the Homes Magazines, and generally a week to get one into the newspaper.  It’s easy to get a home listing into one or more web sites in just hours.

Space isn’t an issue, so more information is possible – Unlike an ad in a newspaper that is set up based on a pre-determined space requirement, an internet home listing can just expand to accommodate the amount of information you want to show to prospective buyers.  In a Homes Magazine ad, you might have to limit your information to a paragraph, while the Web allows almost unlimited selling ability.

Visual marketing of your home is best on the Web – Many newspaper ads use black and white photographs, while magazines and other print media will usually only have one or two property photos.  The Internet allows almost unlimited photos, and virtual tours are commonplace.  With advances in video technology, and less expensive storage space, video tours with audio and music are also common.  The Internet buyer can virtually walk through your home.

Changes are also easy and immediate – With print, changes to an ad can be impossible past a certain deadline.  With long lead times, changing your price could still have the old price out there for a month or more in print.  With the Web, changes can usually be made the same day, or within hours.  The most up-to-date information is always presented to potential buyers.

The Web is 24/7/365 – Unlike pre-determined times for radio or TV spots, and issue release dates for newspapers and print, the Internet is out there and open for business every hour of every day of the year.  There has never been a more immediate and lasting impression media in history.

As a home seller, it’s important to you that your home be marketed in multiple media.  So print is still something that real estate agents and brokers will use.  However, the Internet has radically changed the real estate marketing world.  Your home will be visible world-wide to potential buyers via multiple web sites, web logs or blogs, and national property aggregator web sites like Realtor.com®, Google Base, and others.

For more detailed information on how I can market a home … visit my website … For the best move of your life … let me work for you or give me a call … 562-882-1581

Allison Van Wig©

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Allison Van Wig, Local Long Beach Realtor® Explores the LA Bike Path

Living in the Long Beach & Lakewood area has so many benefits … which is just one of the reasons why I love selling real estate here. I guess you could say that I really believe in my product …

One day last week, during my morning bike ride, I decided to take a little adventure and explore the LA Bike Path. A friend recently told me that they had repaved the bike path and I thought to myself … let’s check it out.

I hadn’t been on it for about three years so … I headed West on Del Amo Blvd. because it is one of the many streets in Long Beach that has a bike path on the roadside (except of course for the area between Atlantic and Long Beach Blvd). As I approached the Long Beach Freeway, I entered the bike path & continued onto the trailhead while heading South towards the beach.

On my left hand side, there were wetlands that had been restored with drought-resistant plants … I feel the city has done a beautiful job of bringing the area back to its natural habitat … very nice. Plus, all along the bike path, there are signs posted explaining what the wetlands are and … why we need them.

As I continued my bike ride, I passed a horse … the rider was great and moved over and said good morning … this gave me such a good feeling of community.

Further down the river bed it turns from cement to dirt as it gets a little wider … which, is right around where you’re passing the blue line and of course going underneath the blue line is a thrill as the passengers wave to you.

I then began to see more bicyclists and there were more and more people out for their morning walk … a photographer was taking pictures of birds and was using a special lens to capture images of the flocks of birds who would occasionally leave the river and fly overhead.

As I approached Willow Street and headed back towards the Wrigley area, I had the faint smell of horses and Eucalyptus. On the left side of the trail are horse corrals with very large shade trees …on the right side are small walls so you don’t ride into the river … and on those walls, wild grapes are growing. At Pacific Coast Highway I turned around and headed back to my starting point thereby making it easy to get a 10 mile bike ride because … the path is marked every quarter-mile.

As I turned around and headed back … there was a slight breeze on my face, and I thought … not a bad way to start the morning. Anyone who has not ventured out onto the bike path … give it a try and then feel free to come back to this blog and leave a comment about what YOU think.

For more information about Long Beach and Lakewood real estate and why I love living in Long Beach, feel free to visit my website www.SuperBroker.com … there you will also find full access to the Multiple Listing Service or … if you have any questions about buying or selling real estate or … the LA Bike Path … just give me a quick call … 562-882-1581.

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Local Long Beach Realtor – Allison Van Wig Has Gone To the Dogs

Long Beach & Lakewood California Realtor® Allison Van Wig has done her homework on how to help displaced homeowners and renters find new homes for their family pets.

Real Estate Rover has teamed up with SuperBroker – Allison Van Wig to help solve a heart breaking problem.

The real estate housing crisis is causing many dog and cat owners to become displaced from their homes and sometimes Fido and Fluffy have to find new owners!

Many people do not realize that they have many more options …

#1 There is a lot more “Pet-Friendly” rental housing available than you might think. Find a computer (try the local library) and … Google Pet Friendly Apartments in your city … for instance Pet Friendly Apartments in Long Beach CA … and just sniff around to see what comes up … one such website is www.peoplewithpets.com.

#2 Find a phone book … again at the library if you don’t have one … and call local property management companies and ask them if they manage properties that are pet friendly. The possibilities could be the answer.

Lastly, if all else fails go to www.petfinder.com … there you will find resources for finding your pet a new home, to include posting a free classified ad.

Also, every animal shelter usually has some partnership agreement with an adoption service … this also might be another solution. You could also ask a friend or a neighbor to post your pet’s picture on FaceBook where someone who is looking for a new pet to find. There are thousands and thousands of people who are looking to become responsible pet owners by adopting a rescue dog …

Allison Van Wig has two dogs right now that need a new home … they will be available when their present owner’s house closes escrow … Allison would love to give you more information about these two great dogs.

For information about them or anything else real estate related … visit www.superbroker.com or call Allison direct at 562-882-1581.

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Welcome Home to 13716 Arcturus Ave in Gardena

Beyond this hard-scaping and customized driveway and lush porch area, this home has 3 bedrooms and 2 baths with 1,291 sq feet of living space.

The beautiful entryway leads into living room with picture window, built-in bookshelves and fireplace. Nice dining area + room for eat-in kitchen & … inside laundry area.

 

Great backyard area with nice size patio just waiting for you and your guests!

 

 

For more information about this property visit www.superbroker.com

From your cell phone you can text allison to 79564 or use your Smartphone and scan this Microsoft Snap Tag

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Local Lakewood Realtor® Goes the Distance

In the movie … Field of Dreams one voice kept resonating a message … “Go The Distance … “

I have had the pleasure of serving the Long Beach and Lakewood areas as a Realtor® for over 22 years and I try to go the distance in all areas of my life.

Professionally speaking, I just successfully completed a very difficult escrow on a short sale which took over 26 months to negotiate and close.

Several escrows were attempted and unfortunately had to be cancelled for a variety of reasons too bizarre to mention … but it was this Realtor’s extensive knowledge of how to navigate through serious difficulties that resulted in being able to bring my client’s property to a successful closing.

Personally speaking, I am currently going the distance by committing myself to my goal of completing 100 miles of bike riding within 7 days during my “off hours” from my full-time real estate practice.

I am also am very proud that I consistently go the distance by giving back to my community and by participating in several fund raising events throughout the year. The Susan B Coleman event, The Avon Walk, The “Three-Day” Walk and most recently, The Long Beach Miller Children’s Hospital Bike Ride Challenge.

If you would like to support any of these events or would like to know more about how you too could Go The Distance … visit my website … www.superbroker.com

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A Good Listing Agent Can be the Key to Selling Your Home

Selecting a great listing agent can truly be the key to selling your home quickly and for a good price. When choosing a listing agent, it is in your best interest to select someone who has experience working with sellers, is familiar with your market, and is committed to aggressively marketing your property. One of the best ways to find a great listing agent is to ask your friends and colleagues for recommendations.

Misconceptions About Listing Agents

People often mistakenly believe that real estate agents play a very limited role in selling homes for their clients. Sometimes people think that listing agents just run a few ads in the newspaper and stick a sign in your yard. With a good listing agent, this could not be further from the truth.

Listing agents handle many important marketing and legal details related to the process of selling their clients’ homes, and are crucial to successfully selling most homes. A great deal of behind the scenes work goes into selling a home, and many homeowners who have tried to sell homes on their own will tell you that getting a good listing agent as soon as you decide to sell your home is the smartest thing that you can do.

What Do Listing Agents Do?

Real estate agents work as independent contractors, so not every agent approaches the process of selling a home in the same manner. Typical listing agent activities include:

1. Provide accurate information about market value of comparable homes in the area
2. Make suggestions for preparing the home for sale
3. Photograph the property for marketing materials
4. Create and distribute marketing materials
5. Get the property listed in the appropriate multiple listing services
6. Network with other real estate agents to increase exposure for your property
7. Schedule and host caravans to introduce other Realtors to the property
8. Schedule and host open houses for prospective buyers
9. Advertise the property in local print media
10. Create and post online marketing materials for the property
11. Facilitate communication between you and Realtors representing potential buyers
12. Educate you regarding your legal rights and responsibilities as a seller
13. Facilitate various aspects of preparing the property for closing
14. Many additional tasks

The best way to verify which of the above services the listing agents that you are considering working with provide … is to ask. Make sure you know exactly how the agent plans to market your house and communicate with you throughout the process before you sign an agreement.

Are You Comfortable with Each Other?

It is smart to shop around for a listing agent rather than selecting the first one you meet. It is very important to choose a listing agent with whom you are comfortable.

You need to have a good rapport with the person who will be responsible for helping you sell your home. The two of you will be working very closely together during the time your home is on the market, so it is very important that you get along and are able to communicate effectively with one another.

For more information on choosing a Good Listing Agent visit www.superbroker.com or call Allison Van Wig at 562-882-1581

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Bright & Sunny Lakewood Home on Large Corner Lot Near Lakewood Country Club

 

4003 Centralia in Lakewood California is a 3 Bedroom and 2 Bath Single Story Home with 1620 Sq feet which offers a lot of Indoor and Outdoor Living Space … plus a 2 Car Detached Garage!

Updated Kitchen

Formal Dining Room

Picture Window

Large Bedrooms

Private Office

Great Back Yard & Patio

Stunning home that is bright and sunny. Large corner lot near Lakewood Country Club. Kitchen is updated with newer tile, formal dining area, living room with large window and newer flooring. All bedrooms are large. Home has private office. Great backyard with nice patio and grassy area.

To get more information about this home visit www.superbroker.com or call 562-882-1581 … also Virtual Tour is available 24/7 by visiting www.4003Centralia.checkoutmore.com

MOVE IN READY – Spacious Lakewood Home – 4619 Levelside Avenue

Put your Hammer Away … just turn the key and move in !!

This 3 Bedroom & 2 Bath Home located at 4619 Levelside in Lakewood California is Ready and waiting for you & a must see.

Beautiful hardwood floors, large living room with windows overlooking the neighborhood.

Formal dining area is perfect for entertaining and plenty of room for your guests.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Updated kitchen with a breakfast nook and pantry  plus … inside Laundry Area.

This home offers a large master suite with sliding glass doors to patio and a big closet.

Garden with lemon tree and vegetable area. Two car garage and a nice long driveway.

This is a must see but don’t take my word for it … here is your own private virtual tour.

For more information a to see a property flyer CLICK HERE  or

SNAP THE TAG WITH YOUR SMART PHONE

If you would like to see other properties visit www.superbroker.com or call direct 562-882-1581.

Technorati Tags: Allison Van Wig,Buying Real Estate in Lakewood,Lakewood Mutual Homes,Move In Ready,Formal Dining Room,Nice Back Yard

Starter Home in Lakewood Mutuals Offers Pool Side Entertaining & Built-In Spa

Summer has just begun BUT you won’t want to see it end when you are the proud owner of this beautiful home in Lakewood, CA. located at 4219 Maybank Ave.

New dual pane windows, fresh interior paint, updated kitchen, central air and heat, formal dining room and inside laundry area are what you will love on the inside but … wait until you see what awaits you on the outside in your own private paradise.

Sparkling pool with built-in spa, grassy area and lots of patio space … great for Southern California entertaining.

For a virtual tour CLICK HERE to see everything this home has to offer … then call for a private showing.

To search for other properties exclusive to the MLS or to discuss how easy it COULD be to own a home like this visit www.superbroker.com or call 562-882-1581

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Long Beach/Lakewood Realtor, Allison Van Wig offers Sellers & Buyers Solid Experience in Marketing Properties While Using The Government HAP Program.

For the second time this year (2010) … in February and now in July … Allison Van Wig is working with a Long Beach Seller to handle the sale of their property while utilizing the HAP program which is sponsored by The Department of Defense (DOD) … She offers strong experience on this program where it really matters the most!!

This program offers Homeowners Assistance to eligible military service members and federal civilian, including non-appropriated fund, employees.

The program helps eligible homeowners who face financial loss when selling their primary residence homes in areas where real estate values have declined because of a base closure or realignment announcement. The Long Beach and Los Angeles County real estate market is one of these areas.

Additionally, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) temporarily expanded this program to assist service members and DOD employees who are wounded, injured or become ill when deployed, surviving spouses of service members or DOD employees killed or died of wounds while deployed, service member and civilian employees assigned to BRAC 05 organizations, and service members required to permanently relocate during the home mortgage crisis.

If you know of anyone in the military that might need help selling their home and would benefit from this program, Contact Allison Van Wig for more details.

www.SuperBroker.com or call 562-882-1581

Technorati Tags: Department of Defense,Help for Military Property Sellers,Homeowners Assistance Program,HAP,Long Beach Homes for sale,Allison Van Wig