On the 4th Day of Christmas Caruso Gave To Me – A 4 Step Real Estate Marketing Plan to Develop Effective Landing Pages.   Making effective landing pages for your real estate marketing efforts does not have to be a complicated procedure. Although this technique is made up of two chief areas (driving traffic and also conversions), I am specifically going to focus on the latter part now. Therefore, let’s start to look at the four key steps you need to take to build a successful squeeze page.   1. First, your landing page ought to have a solid and catchy headline in order to grab your audience’s attention and then encourage them to review the rest of your body content. This specific item can make or break your real estate marketing efforts from the beginning, so you must address a primar... 12/17/2011

  On the 3rd Day of Christmas, Caruso Gave to Me – 3 Real Estate Marketing Errors! Frequent Blunder #1: Focusing a great deal of effort on “branding.” Branding purely works for big companies like Coke and Pepsi. Despite the fact that Realtors as well as brokers think that they are really strengthening name recognition, generally branding is not very successful. Of course, I am not alleging you should forget it totally. Even so, you have to be far more focused on obtaining a response from your own consumers when compared with spending time and funds on producing radio, newspaper or maybe billboard campaigns. Alternatively, you’ve got to be marketing for response. You want to get the telephone ringing, people completing subscriber forms on your homepage, and also prospects ending up on yo... 12/16/2011

  On the 2nd day of Christmas, Caruso gave to me 2 Must-Have Apps for Realtors! *Must have an iphone, ipad, android etc.   The first app is the Loan Calculator- Extra Payment + Amortization. This must have app can calculate the monthly rates for all manner of home loans. They also let you make adjustments for things like down-payments, insurance, homeowner association fees & taxes. Even better the app is FREE!   The second app is a Property Evaluator. Designed with real estate agents and lenders in mind, Property Evaluator provides loan calculations, performance projections, what-of scenarios, amortization tables, and other handy analysis tools. This app is only $1.99. 12/15/2011

On the 1st day of Christmas, Caruso gave to me 1 Christmas Green tip...   Christmas tree collection will begin on Monday, December 26th for a two week period through January 6th. If your tree is 6’ tall please cut it in half and place at the curb on your regular collection day. You may also place small trees inside you green waste cart (if you have one). Christmas trees are organic waste, which means they can be composted, mulched or even converted into fuel. A tree is only organic if it’s stripped down to its original form, which means removing all the lights, ornaments and tinsel. The “flocked” tree which is sprayed with artificial snow for a more “wintery” feel is not compostable. Flocking your tree pretty much guarantees that it will be land filled and not composted. You may also c... 12/14/2011

 Let’s start a movement… SHOP SMALL STORES As a local independent broker, I know how hard it is to compete with larger companies, but you can make it with good customer skills, marketing and word of mouth. Repeat customers and referrals is what keeps me in business. So let’s raise awareness of the importance of patronizing small businesses.    Shop Small Stores is a buy-local campaign which promotes strengthening local economies through the support of local independent retailers. Buy gifts in small stores, eat meals at small restaurants.   As we do the rest of our holiday shopping and entertaining, let's think first of small independent companies. Shop at your local toy or book store (if one still exists). Stop at your local home grown coffee shop or café and pick up a gift certificate... 12/14/2011

From the book of Awkward Family Photos. Enjoy!   Stephanie was not happy with the recession inspired Christmas tree…  Little Johnny just couldn’t wait to see Santa!   These Shining Stars have so much spirit, even the Medal Ornament Tree is super fun & festive! Such showoffs!       Nothing says 'the holidays' like a sweater full of facial hair.   Even the cat is scared of Santa…        I don’t think it’s going to be a Happy New Year.   Bobby and his family spent hours picking out that special festive shrub…   And for the Most Awkward Family Christmas Photo Ever goes to… The Newton Family! They’re keeping it simple this year. LOL   Happy Monday Active Rainers!   12/12/2011

Happy Saturday Active Rain! I hope today is filled with much happiness & success!  Time is just flying by this month so make sure you treasure every moment you can.  Have a wonderful weekend! "The entrepreneur is essentially a visualizer and an actualizer... He can visualize something, and when he visualizes it he sees exactly how to make it happen." ~ Robert L. Schwartz 12/10/2011

Is the market is improving or at least stabilizing!?  We provide the latest market updates regularly, as well as personal consultation of market direction… The San Clemente Closed Sales Report for NOVEMBER: The San Clemente Closed Sales Report for Homes Sold in the 0-$500,000 Range: 2011   24 listings closed escrow              2010   17listings closed escrow             The San Clemente Closed Sales Report for Homes Sold in the $500,000-$1,000,000 Range: 2011   33 listings closed escrow 2010   29 listings closed escrow The San Clemente Closed Sales Report for Homes Sold in the $1,000,000+Range: 2011   6 listings closed escrow                    2010   10listings closed escrow                    *Does a sales report tell the whole story about market environment, consumer sentiment and ... 12/09/2011

According to: MSNBC By Mike Wall    A 'major milestone' in search for Earth's twin. NASA's planet-hunting Kepler spacecraft has confirmed the discovery of its first alien world in its host star's habitable zone, that is just-right range of distances that could allow liquid water to exist. The potentially habitable alien world, a first for Kepler, orbits a star very much like our own sun. The discovery brings scientists one step closer to finding a planet like our own — one that could conceivably harbor life, scientists said.   NASA / Ames / JPL-Caltech To read the whole article and see video. Click on: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/45554617/ns/technology_and_science-space/  http://newsletters.msnbc.com. If this planet has similar earthlike weather and geography to our own, I wonder what t... 12/05/2011

Sunset @ Crystal Cove May your light shine brightly today, tomorrow and throughout the world! 12/05/2011

Happy Saturday Active Rain! This is the first weekend of December so make it a good one! Wishing you all a very happy & wonderful weekend! And hopefully you have some time to do a little Holiday Shopping!!! "To discover in ourselves what makes life worth living is risky business, for it means that once we know we must seek it. It also means that without it life will be valueless." ~ Marsha Sinetar 12/03/2011

  Is the market is improving or at least stabilizing!?  We provide the latest market updates regularly, as well as personal consultation of market direction… The Laguna Niguel Closed Sales Report for NOVEMBER: The Laguna Niguel Closed Sales Report for Homes Sold in the 0-$500,000 Range: 2011   41 listings closed escrow              2010   30 listings closed escrow             The Laguna Niguel Closed Sales Report for Homes Sold in the $500,000-$1,000,000 Range: 2011   21 listings closed escrow 2010   25 listings closed escrow The Laguna Niguel Closed Sales Report for Homes Sold in the $1,000,000+Range: 2011  4 listings closed escrow                   2010  4 listings closed escrow                    Does a sales report tell the whole story about market environment, consumer sentiment an... 12/03/2011

  NORTH COUNTY     ANAHEIM TOMORROW Saturday, December 3, 2011 from 10am-7pm is the annual Nutcracker Festival! The Holiday Street Fair held at the Center Street Promenade. The celebration includes a tree lighting ceremony, snow area, free craft activities and train rides for children, entertainment, food and a visit from some special guests. The event is sponsored by the Downtown Anaheim Merchants Association, the Nutcracker Holiday Committee, the City of Anaheim and the Anaheim Community Foundation. For more information you can call 714-956-3586. BREA Coming up Thursday, December 8, 2011 at 6:30pm is the Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony! Light up your holiday season as the Brea Civic & Cultural Center turns on the lights for its holiday tree at the traditional Tree Lighting ceremony. Th... 12/02/2011

  CENTRAL COUNTY   COSTA MESA NOW through December 24, 2011 presented by South Coast Repertory is A Christmas Carol. Nineteenth-century London comes to life when your family joins the SCR family for the holidays. Recapture the spirit of an old-fashioned Christmas with this timeless Dickens classic and all your favorite characters—Tiny Tim and the Cratchit family, the Fezziwigs, the Ghosts of Christmas past, present and yet-to-come—and, as always, Hal Landon Jr. as everyone's favorite curmudgeon, Ebenezer Scrooge. For more information you can call (714) 708-5555. FOUNTAIN VALLEY TOMORROWSaturday, December 3, 2011 from 4:30pm-8:30pm is the annual 2011 Tree Lighting Ceremony (Fountain Valley Recreation Center and Sports Park!). The event will feature live entertainment, pictures with Sant... 12/02/2011

South County   ALISO VIEJO TOMORROW Saturday, December 3, 2011 from 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. is the annual Holiday Fun at Center Stage Studio! Unique holiday gift boutique, bake sale and family fun including photos with Santa, crafts for the kids, and face painting. Our Boutique will feature high-end vendors such as Pampered Chef, Mary Kay Cosmetics, Stella Dot bags & jewelry, Gigi Hill Bags, hand-made gifts, gourmet Olive Oil, Creative Memories, Arbonne, apparel, gift items and much more! Proceeds to support Center Stage Studio, a children's theater and dance education program. There is free admission and parking. Call #949.305.9758 for further information.   DANA POINT Coming up December 9-10 & December 16-17, 2011 starting at 7:30pm by the Water's Edge is the Annual Boat Parade of Lights... 12/02/2011

  When it comes to digital marketing channels, social media seems to capture more of the spotlight than search and email. Yes, less is spent on social, but social is far more exciting, which explains why marketers love talking and writing about social.   Few will dispute the importance of social media today, but a survey I came across that was conducted this year, is a reminder of why marketers shouldn't let social become too big a distraction.   According to the study, 92% of internet users in theUnited Statesuse search engines and send email. The number using social networking services is a little bit more than half at 65%.   That 65% figure isn't unimpressive, particularly when one considers that less than five years ago, less than 20% of adult internet users in theU.S.were tweeting ... 12/01/2011

Home for the Holidays Pet Adoption Fair!   This Saturday, December 3, 2011 from 10:00 am - 3:00 pm at The Irvine Animal Care Center ( 6443 Oak Canyon Rd) will be the Annual Holiday Adoption Pet Fair! There will be over 500 dogs, cats, & rabbits available for adoption! There are also a lot of purebreds, puppies & kittens as well. Plus pet vendors, food & a silent auction to benefit homeless animals. Please consider adding a homeless animal to your family this holiday season. Or maybe someone who is having a tough year could use some goodness in their life. Having a pet is happiness unlike any other. I promise you, you won’t regret it! For more information on the event or to donate you can call 949-724-7740. 11/30/2011

The end of 2011 is near. Are you ready for next year? What you have done recently to improve your business for the upcoming year? I sometimes wonder what people who read various blog posts, do with the information.  What do you do with it?  Is there one piece of great information you’ve come across lately that you’ve acted on? My guess is your answer would be no, and why not?  Based on discussions I have with real estate professionals in the past, it seems that most good ideas are too much trouble.  I am so use to hearing; “Sure, it sounds like a good idea, but I just don’t have time to try it.” So, Here’s the Challenge! Don’t make yourself feel informed by taking in a lot of information from the resources available to you, and then do nothing. Try this; When you read about real estate... 11/29/2011

Picture perfect end to a grateful and blessed Thanksgiving Day! Gratitude is the best attitude.  ~ Author Unknown 11/28/2011

TWAS THE NIGHT OF THANKSGIVING,BUT I JUST COULDN'T SLEEP.I TRIED COUNTING BACKWARDS,I TRIED COUNTING SHEEP. THE LEFTOVERS BECKONED -THE DARK MEAT AND WHITE,BUT I FOUGHT THE TEMPTATIONWITH ALL OF MY MIGHT.TOSSING AND TURNING WITH ANTICIPATION,THE THOUGHT OF A SNACK BECAME INFATUATION.SO, I RACED TO THE KITCHEN, FLUNG OPEN THE DOOR,AND GAZED AT THE FRIDGE, FULL OF GOODIES GALORE.GOBBLED UP TURKEY AND BUTTERED POTATOES,PICKLES AND CARROTS, BEANS AND TOMATOES. I FELT MYSELF SWELLING SO PLUMP AND SO ROUND,'TIL ALL OF A SUDDEN, I ROSE OFF THE GROUND.I CRASHED THROUGH THE CEILING, FLOATING INTO THE SKY,WITH A MOUTHFUL OF PUDDING AND A HANDFUL OF PIE.BUT, I MANAGED TO YELL AS I SOARED PAST THE TREES....HAPPY EATING TO ALL - PASS THE CRANBERRIES, PLEASE. MAY YOUR STUFFING BE TASTY,MAY YOUR TURK... 11/23/2011