SOCIAL SHARE FOR YOUR WEEKEND

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Top 10 concerts, events and shows this weekend around Phoenix

'Riverdance' 

If you love the relentless beat of Irish stepdancing, you don’t need to wait till St. Paddy’s Day. Swoon to Michael Whelan’s  gorgeous score as the multimedia celebration of the Emerald Isle that introduced the world to Michael Flatley’s flamboyant hoofing returns to the Valley.

Details: Jan. 15-17. 7:30 p.m. Friday; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday; 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday.  Mesa Arts Center, One E. Main St. $47-$77. 480-644-6500, mesaartscenter.com.

READ FULL ARTICLE

MARKETING CORNER

7 Tech Game Changers for Your Real Estate Business

WATCH

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How to Reconnect with Stalled Real Estate Leads

By Anna Spooner on January 14, 2016 - Real Estate Marketing Magazine

You know the feeling. That internal struggle when dealing with stalled leads in the real estate world – do you contact them again and risk coming off as a nag? Or do you just let things be and hope for the best (that they’ll contact you!)?

Neither option is all that appealing.

Well thankfully we have some great news for you – there’s a better way! Next time you’re wondering how in the world to reconnect with your stalled leads, take a look at these ideas – you’ll be back in business in no time.

Connect on Social Media – Are your potential clients on social media? If so, try reaching out to them there. Send them a tweet, or if they have a business and/or page on Facebook, “like” or “follow” them. They’ll appreciate the interest, and you’ll subtly remind them that you’re still available to help them with their real estate needs.

Send a Hand-Written Note – There’s nothing quite like receiving a hand-written note in the mail. Try sending a follow-up note, just to thank your potential clients for their time, and remind them that you’re always available to help. To make those notes extra special, check out PrinterBees’ customizable notecards.

Use Re: in the Subject Line of Your Email – In a recent survey done by ContactMonkey, it was shown that the use of “Re: (whatever your last email was about)” in the subject line of an email yields emails that are opened more than 92% of the time. That’s a lot of opened emails! Most of the time, people won’t remember what you were emailing about in the first place, so the use of “Re:” is a great way to gently remind them, so they don’t automatically delete your email or move it to spam without considering who it’s actually from.

Host an Event or Gathering – If you’re into party planning and hosting, try hosting a small gathering for potential clients. Not only will this make them feel valued and appreciated, but you’ll likely gain their business, either now or in the future. Additionally, you could ask potential (or past) clients to bring their friends who might be interested in learning more about your services. Offer them something – like a freebie or informative session on increasing the value of their home, for example – as a way of getting potentials in the door.

Plan a Coffee (or Tea) Meet Up – Try meeting up with your potential clients one-on-one for coffee, at your expense. Everyone loves a cup of coffee (or tea or cocoa), especially when it’s free! Don’t be too pushy – just get together to chat about a common interest you might share or something else going on in the world. You can gently steer the conversation toward real estate, but again, don’t be too salesy. Take a genuine interest in the lives of your potential clients – they’ll be much more likely to respond and connect with you in the future.

Share An Important Piece of Information – Did you recently move? Have a new listing up for sale that might be of interest? Discover something new about your target neighborhood? Noteworthy situations such as these are great excuses for connecting with potential clients. And while you’re on the phone with them, gently steer the conversation towards their real estate needs by asking if there’s anything you can help them with.

The Bottom Line? Take a genuine interest in your prospects and their lives by staying connected. Remind them that you are always available – whenever the need arises – and don’t forget to continually follow up. We all get busy, and most of the time potential clients aren’t ignoring you – they probably just forgot and may need a reminder!

MARKET NEWS

Average long-term US mortgage rates fell this week amid continued turbulence in global stock markets

Associated PressJan. 14, 2016, at 11:56 a.m. + More

WASHINGTON (AP) — Average long-term U.S. mortgage rates fell this week amid continued turbulence in global stock markets.

It was the second straight weekly decline for the rate on the key 30-year loan. Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday the average rate on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage dipped to 3.92 percent from 3.97 percent a week earlier. That rate has increased from its 3.66 percent average a year ago but remains well below its historic average of 6 percent.

The average rate on 15-year fixed-rate mortgages eased to 3.19 percent from 3.26 percent.

The tumult in stock markets around the world that started off the year, triggered by economic stability in China, continued in the latest week. That has pushed up prices of U.S. government bonds, depressing their yields, which mortgage rates track.

The yield on the 10-year Treasury bond fell to 2.09 percent Wednesday from 2.17 percent a week earlier. The yield slipped further to 2.06 percent Thursday morning.

The declining mortgage rates have spurred more prospective homebuyers to apply for loans. Mortgage applications, including refinancings, jumped 21.3 percent in the week ended Jan. 8 from one week earlier, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association.

The association's seasonally-adjusted mortgage purchase index — which rose 18 percent in the latest week — reached its second-highest level since May 2010.

To calculate average mortgage rates, Freddie Mac surveys lenders across the country at the beginning of each week. The average doesn't include extra fees, known as points, which most borrowers must pay to get the lowest rates. One point equals 1 percent of the loan amount.

The average fee for a 30-year mortgage was unchanged from last week at 0.6 point. The fee for a 15-year loan remained at 0.5 point.

The average rate on five-year adjustable-rate mortgages fell to 3.01 percent from 3.09 percent; the fee slipped to 0.4 point from 0.5 point.

Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

MARKET SURVEY 1/7/16

Weekly Mortgage Interest Rate Report January 7, 2016

Week ending on 01/07/16 Average Rate Points & Fees Margin  30-Year Fixed Rate 3.97% 0.6 N/A  15-Year Fixed Rate 3.26% 0.5 N/A  5/1-Year Adjustable Rate 3.09% 0.5 2.75  1-Year Adjustable Rate 2.68% 0.2 2.74  Week ending on 12/31/15 Average Rate Points & Fees Margin  30-Year Fixed Rate 4.01% 0.6 N/A  15-Year Fixed Rate 3.24% 0.6 N/A  5/1-Year Adjustable Rate 3.08% 0.4 2.74  1-Year Adjustable Rate 2.68% 0.2 2.74 “Concerns about overseas economic developments have dominated financial markets to start the year. U.S. Treasury bond yields fell amidst a global equity selloff and flight to safety. In response, the 30-year mortgage rate dipped 4 basis points.” – Sean Becketti, chief economist, Freddie Mac

Data and information is provided by Freddie Mac's Primary Mortgage Market Survey® (PMMS)

This is not intended as an advertisement of interest rates as defined by Regulation Z, Section 1026.2. Data is provided for informational purposes only. The financial and other information contained herein speaks only as of the date posted herein. Freddie Mac, and/or the sender of this information, is not responsible for business decisions made based on the reported results of the PMMS. In general, the data presented were calculated from information collected Monday through Wednesday of the same week that the PMMS is released and may not reflect mortgage rates, fees or points currently available. Average fees and points are provided to reflect the total upfront cost of obtaining a mortgage. Borrowers may still pay closing costs which are not included in the survey.

SOCIAL SHARE FOR YOUR WEEKEND

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Biggest and best upcoming events around Phoenix

You won't want to miss any of these concerts, festivals and other events in the weeks ahead. 

Barrett-Jackson 1/23 - 1/31

READ ARTICLE HERE

MARKETING CORNER

Need-to-Know Tips for Viral Social Media Marketing in Real Estate

Ryan Fitzgerald - RIS Media

There is a line in online marketing that "content is king." There's no arguing that content is the most essential piece to building an online marketing strategy that ensures your content reaches the largest audience possible.

After all, what good is great content if no one ever sees it?

Read article and see tips HERE

Predicting the Major Marketing Trends of 2016 (Infographic)

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By Brandy Shaul on Dec. 30, 2015 - 9:00 AM1 Comment

Column Five Media has partnered with Microsoft to reveal the marketing trends it expects to see in 2016. An infographic highlights key technologies which will likely be popular next year, including the Oculus Rift and HoloLens, as well as wearable tech devices and more.

Microsoft expects to see new and improved search engines integrated into social networks, so users can find more content in less time. The infographic also highlights services including Periscope and Snapchat, which can be used to reach consumers in real time.

According to the infographic, content marketing is 62 percent cheaper per lead than traditional outbound marketing, with Microsoft encouraging companies to focus on marketing channels which deliver the highest results.

The infographic encourages companies to do three things to connect with consumers: be transparent, reward users for good behavior and display greater meaning.

As examples, 58 percent of consumers reportedly trust companies which produce video content, while 37 percent of Millennials are ‘strongly motivated’ by wearables which reward them with loyalty points for their activity. Finally, 60 percent of Millennials said they chose to work for their current employers for a ‘sense of purpose.’

Readers: Which marketing trends do you expect to see in 2016?

MARKET NEWS

Mortgage rates fall back below 4 percent

By Kathy Orton January 7 The Washington Post



Mortgage rates were uneven this week as investors scurried toward bonds amid growing global economic concerns.

According to the latest data released Thursday by Freddie Mac, the 30-year fixed-rate average dropped while the 15-year fixed-rate and five-year adjustable rate averages moved slightly higher.

The Freddie Mac survey, which aggregates rates from 125 lenders from across the country to come up with national averages for the most popular mortgages, was completed before China suspended trading on its stock market Thursday for the second time this week. With investors fleeing to bonds, U.S. Treasury yields were driven down to their lowest levels in almost a month. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note fell 7.3 basis points (a basis point is 0.01 percentage point) on Wednesday to 2.177 percent, its lowest level since Dec. 11.

The movement of the 10-year Treasury bond is one of the best indicators whether mortgage rates will rise or fall. When yields go down, interest rates tend to follow.

The 30-year fixed-rate average slid to 3.97 percent with an average 0.6 point, falling back below the 4 percent mark one week after rising above it. (Points are fees paid to a lender equal to 1 percent of the loan amount.) It was 4.01 percent a week ago and 3.73 percent a year ago.

The 15-year fixed-rate average rose to 3.26 percent with an average 0.5 point. It was 3.24 percent a week ago and 3.05 percent a year ago.

The five-year ARM average increased to 3.09 percent with an average 0.5 point. It was 3.08 percent a week ago and 2.98 percent a year ago.

“Concerns about overseas economic developments have dominated financial markets to start the year,” Sean Becketti, Freddie Mac chief economist, said in a statement.

“U.S. Treasury bond yields fell amidst a global equity selloff and flight to safety.”

[New rules for lenders seem to be raising costs for mortgage customers]

Not unexpectedly, mortgage applications dropped off significantly during the holidays, according to the latest data from the Mortgage Bankers Association.


The market composite index — a measure of total loan application volume — plummeted 27 percent from two weeks ago, the last time the MBA did its survey. The refinance sank 37 percent, while the purchase index fell 15 percent.