Editor's Note: The information in this story applies to offices and Associates in states in which eNeighborhoods (blue on the Vendor Breakdown Map) administers the LeadStreet system. Associates in other states should contact their region for information or support.
A new remax.com feature, Click-to-Call, allows remax.com visitors to connect with you while they're browsing your listings. You provide your contact information, set the times that you're "on call" and enjoy the benefits of a jump-start in building rapport with prospective customers.
Once you activate this feature through your LeadStreet account, a "Connect Now" button displays on your remax.com business card for all of your listings indicating that you're available for consultation. The button appears only during times you designate. Consumers simply hit the button, enter their phone number, the service calls you and you're chatting within seconds.
To activate this feature, log in to your LeadStreet account. From the Setup Menu, select "Click to Call Set-up." You can enter up to two phone numbers where you can be reached. Here you also can set your Click-to-Call schedule. Download the Click-to-Call How-To Guide. You also can visit the RE/MAX University Training Calendar to sign up for a Click-to-Call Webinar on May 29 or June 10. For additional support, contact ecare@remax.net.
Additional features of Click-to-CallPage Push – During a Click-to-Call conference, you can send URLs for additional listing information right to the consumer's computer by entering a code on your phone's keypad. You can push up to 10 different Web pages to the consumer.Call Summary – You can review up to a three-year summary of the calls that were initiated via the Click-to-Call service.Record of Contact – Once a Click-to-Call conference is complete, a new lead contact will generate automatically in your LeadStreet database, and no lead acceptance is required.
A leading Century 21 office with more than 50 agents in New York has made the jump to RE/MAX.
Century 21 Wittney Estates in Massapequa, N.Y., is now RE/MAX Wittney Estates, led by Broker/Owners Richard and Beth Witt. Their General Manager, Mark Cohen, also made the move to RE/MAX. The husband-and-wife team started in real estate in 1980. Their office has been recognized with multiple Centurion and Quality Service Awards, as well as the Presidential Award - the highest honor in the Century 21 system.
"We decided to make the change to RE/MAX because we share a common view and philosophy about the future direction of the real estate business," Richard Witt says. "RE/MAX is the only organization with a national advertising program. Plus, RE/MAX brand name and leading position in the marketplace made our choice easy."
Fellow RE/MAX Broker/Owners on Long Island welcomed the news. Nick Gigante, Broker/Owner of RE/MAX Shores in Massapequa, says the addition of the Witts' office to the network strengthens RE/MAX visibility and market share in the area. David Spiegel agrees.
"I find it inspiring that in this challenging real estate environment with firms merging and closing, that a real estate company with leadership and stability in this market area has chosen to become a RE/MAX franchise," says the Broker/Owner of RE/MAX Innovations in Wantagh. "It's nice to see that the RE/MAX brand and our business model attract the very best professionals in the industry."
Henry Weber, President and Regional Director of RE/MAX of New York, says the new Broker/Owners share a common goal with the region in providing the best customer service to homebuyers and sellers on Long Island.
"We're confident that Richard and Beth will provide tremendous opportunities for individuals who possess entrepreneurial spirit and drive," Weber says. "We're certain that RE/MAX Wittney Estates will be a powerful force in its market and beyond for many years to come."
Comment on this storyE-mail your comments to editor@remax.net. Please include your full name, RE/MAX office, city and state or province. Comments, slightly edited for length, flow and punctuation, will appear below.
"We decided to make the change to RE/MAX because we share a common view and philosophy about the future direction of the real estate business," Richard Witt says. "RE/MAX is the only organization with a national advertising program. Plus, RE/MAX brand name and leading position in the marketplace made our choice easy."
Fellow RE/MAX Broker/Owners on Long Island welcomed the news. Nick Gigante, Broker/Owner of RE/MAX Shores in Massapequa, says the addition of the Witts' office to the network strengthens RE/MAX visibility and market share in the area. David Spiegel agrees.
"I find it inspiring that in this challenging real estate environment with firms merging and closing, that a real estate company with leadership and stability in this market area has chosen to become a RE/MAX franchise," says the Broker/Owner of RE/MAX Innovations in Wantagh. "It's nice to see that the RE/MAX brand and our business model attract the very best professionals in the industry."
Henry Weber, President and Regional Director of RE/MAX of New York, says the new Broker/Owners share a common goal with the region in providing the best customer service to homebuyers and sellers on Long Island.
"We're confident that Richard and Beth will provide tremendous opportunities for individuals who possess entrepreneurial spirit and drive," Weber says. "We're certain that RE/MAX Wittney Estates will be a powerful force in its market and beyond for many years to come."
Comment on this storyE-mail your comments to editor@remax.net. Please include your full name, RE/MAX office, city and state or province. Comments, slightly edited for length, flow and punctuation, will appear below.
Has The Market Hit Bottom?
If you're like me, you're getting a little frustrated with the media's reporting on the current housing market. It's a mess, a crisis, a disaster- I've heard it all. I understand that sensationalism sells, but the real problem is that the information reporters rely upon to make these dire assumptions is often inaccurate.
The good news is that some reporters are finally figuring it out! On May 1, MarketWatch carried a story written by Chris Pummer, a respected financial reporter, who contributes to many mainstream newspapers. In his report, "Home Price Data has its Flaws," he noted that the much relied upon S&P Case-Shiller Home Price Index might be giving "imprecise readings of price changes at all levels."
Pummer also noted that most surveys don't agree and that many are flawed by their assumptions, and are using negative hyperbole when describing our current market. It has also been reported that S&P had admitted that their report may "paint an incomplete picture." Really, you think so?
On May 6 The Wall Street Journal printed a guest editorial by hedge fund manager Cyril Moulle-Berteaux entitled, "The Housing Crisis is Over." His premise was that April 2008 could very well mark the bottom of this market, but he emphasized that a bottom doesn't mean that we'll instantly return to 2005, but that "the trend is no longer getting worse."
Moulle-Bertreaux bases his conclusion on the affordability of housing today, the price versus household income. He also says the so called "experts" who say the market has another 30% to drop are making a "simplistic analysis that is appealing on the surface, but is flawed for a variety of reasons."
I have always said that the housing market is like the stock market, no one can predict an exact high or low. At the same time, I am encouraged today by reports from our Affiliates around the country that lead me to believe we are near a bottom. It could take until the end of the year to know for sure if things are turning around, but in the meantime, we could certainly use more accurate and sensible reporting on the situation.
But tell me what you think? Have we hit bottom? What's it like in your market? Post a message to my blog (davesblog@remax.net) and let everyone know how things look from your view point.
Also, I would encourage you to read the two articles that are linked above and pass the word - the sky is NOT falling down and there's never been a better time to buy a house.
Dave Linager
The good news is that some reporters are finally figuring it out! On May 1, MarketWatch carried a story written by Chris Pummer, a respected financial reporter, who contributes to many mainstream newspapers. In his report, "Home Price Data has its Flaws," he noted that the much relied upon S&P Case-Shiller Home Price Index might be giving "imprecise readings of price changes at all levels."
Pummer also noted that most surveys don't agree and that many are flawed by their assumptions, and are using negative hyperbole when describing our current market. It has also been reported that S&P had admitted that their report may "paint an incomplete picture." Really, you think so?
On May 6 The Wall Street Journal printed a guest editorial by hedge fund manager Cyril Moulle-Berteaux entitled, "The Housing Crisis is Over." His premise was that April 2008 could very well mark the bottom of this market, but he emphasized that a bottom doesn't mean that we'll instantly return to 2005, but that "the trend is no longer getting worse."
Moulle-Bertreaux bases his conclusion on the affordability of housing today, the price versus household income. He also says the so called "experts" who say the market has another 30% to drop are making a "simplistic analysis that is appealing on the surface, but is flawed for a variety of reasons."
I have always said that the housing market is like the stock market, no one can predict an exact high or low. At the same time, I am encouraged today by reports from our Affiliates around the country that lead me to believe we are near a bottom. It could take until the end of the year to know for sure if things are turning around, but in the meantime, we could certainly use more accurate and sensible reporting on the situation.
But tell me what you think? Have we hit bottom? What's it like in your market? Post a message to my blog (davesblog@remax.net) and let everyone know how things look from your view point.
Also, I would encourage you to read the two articles that are linked above and pass the word - the sky is NOT falling down and there's never been a better time to buy a house.
Dave Linager
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