Luxury Insights

The Corcoran Group's internet marketing guru to speak at Leaders in Luxury 2010

Matthew Shadbolt
Director of Internet Marketing,
The Corcoran Group

Topic:
How luxury pros can use video and new media
for profitable results

Widely quoted in both real estate and business media, he is a noted expert in internet marketing and understands what works online and how luxury agents like you can use the internet for effective branding, prospecting, and property promotion. 

As Director of Internet Marketing for one of Manhattan's leading real estate brokerage firms, Matthew Shadbolt is responsible for all of Corcoran's interactive output and advertising.  Under his guidance, Corcoran's online audience has quadrupled in fewer than five years. 

Prior to joining Corcoran, Matthew spent five years at Home Shopping Network QVC in both the U.S. and in London (where he developed the world's first real-time interactive television purchasing application).  A native of the United Kingdom, Matthew graduated from the Jan van Eyck Akademie in The Netherlands.

If you are a successful luxury agent, please join us at Leaders in Luxury 2010.  From the networking cocktails to the killer keynotes, it will be two business-building days of fantastic networking, idea sharing, and fun. 

If you haven't already signed-up, registration for the two-day Leaders in Luxury event this year
is only $895.  There are limited seats remaining, so act now.

More information and registration

See you in Austin!

MORE free property listings on the Wall Street Journal website

Back in 2008 we inked a deal with The Wall Street Journal that gave all of our Members free advertising on WSJ.com.  Since then, Members have placed thousands of free ads and saved more than $2.2 MILLION!  

We've just renegotiated our deal with The Wall Street Journal and it is now even better.  We've tripled the benefits for Members. 

Members now receive 18 free 60-day property listings ( worth $6,300) plus a free agent profile in the WSJ online directory of luxury agents (worth $800).  That's a savings of $7,100!  And our Featured Experts get even more...

Here are the details (for Members only). 

Not a Member?  Find out how you can join us.

RE/MAX University launches new CLHMS training course

The CLHMS designation is the official designation of The RE/MAX Collection, and for years now, our popular CLHMS training has be available to RE/MAX agents through various channels.

A RE/MAX study earlier this year found that among their agents, those with the Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist^® (CLHMS) designation were the highest earners in RE/MAX and earned more than those with every other designation (an average income of $177,800 in 2009).

The CLHMS training course is now available to RE/MAX agents through RE/MAX University.  This video-based course features the same content as our two-day live classes, and our popular online training. 

The CLHMS course for RE/MAX University features special pricing and a choice of bonus modules:

• Working the International Market
• Luxury Home Short Sales

RE/MAX agents can find more information and register on Mainstreet.

Think you’re one of the best in the business?

Here’s your chance to shine.

The search is on for the real estate professionals in the luxury home niche who do the best job of marketing themselves and their properties.

Our  Leaders in Luxury National Marketing Competition is challenging real estate professionals across the U.S. and Canada who think they are among the best in the luxury marketing arena to “Prove it!” by submitting samples of their marketing for review by a panel of professional ad agency and marketing executives. 

The competition, which is in its sixth year, allows luxury Realtors® to highlight the outstanding work they’ve done in successfully marketing luxury homes and estates and to demonstrate best practices associated with building their own real estate brands.  Winners will be announced at our annual Leaders in Luxury symposium and networking event to be held October 20-22, in Austin (TX).  

Entries are being solicited in the following categories:

• Best Marketing Campaign for a Luxury Property (domestic or international)
• Overall Excellence in Personal Marketing with Emphasis on Agent Branding
• Best Online Marketing
• Best Market Data Report
• Outstanding Personal Achievement (during the last three years)

The contest is open to Institute members and non-members who are registered for The Leaders in Luxury event. 

Information and the competition entry form is available at www.LeadersInLuxury.com.  Deadline for receipt of entries is September 24th. 

We know you’re good, this is your chance to prove it!

Seven real estate experts tapped for Leaders in Luxury Advisory Board

We’ve just announced the initial details for this year’s Leaders in Luxury (LIL), an invitation-only educational and networking event for real estate agents who work in the million and multi-million dollar home and estate market in the U.S. and Canada.  We’ve also chosen seven agents to serve on the Advisory Board, which is helping us plan the event. 

This is the sixth year we’ve hosted an event for top luxury professionals. If you saw our earlier post you know LIL 2010 is scheduled for October 20-22, at the luxurious Barton Creek Resort and Spa in Austin (TX).

Our Advisory Board is made up of a diverse group of luxury professionals from large and small markets across the country who have attended Leaders in Luxury in the past.  What they have in common is strong expertise in the luxury market and an understanding of what real estate professionals need to know to better service the affluent buyer and seller.                  

The 2010 Leaders in Luxury Advisory Board  -- Drum roll, please!    

DeAnne Cutthoff
of RE/MAX Elite in Brentwood (TN)

Nancy Henline
of Keller Williams in Hickory  (NC)

Maureen Kennedy
with Pacific Union in Oakland (CA)

Diane Kink
with Keller Williams in Houston (TX)

Ron Parks
of McGuire Real Estate in the San Francisco Bay area (CA)

Aaron Wheeler
of Oakville Properties in Silicon Valley (CA)

We are counting on these Institute members to help us make this year’s LIL the best one yet.  We hope to see you there. 

In addition to information and idea packed presentations, special recognition awards will also be given in several marketing categories including an award for overall excellence in marketing in the luxury real estate niche.

For more information, visit www.LeadersinLuxury.com   Email info@LuxuryHomeMarketing.com or call us at 214-485-3000 to ask about an invitation.

Realtors Conference and Expo 2009 San Diego

We're in sunny San Diego for the annual Realtor's Convention and Expo.  
Stop by and see us in booth #627!

Annual Gathering: Special Short Sale Summit

Members have been asking us,“Can you help? We’re losing luxury listings to short sale agents who don’t understand how to market luxury homes.” 

So… although Leaders in Luxury will be back in 2010, this year (in response to member requests) we’ll host a special meeting through our new ILHM Center for Asset Preservation division: 

Short Sale Summit 2009
October 7 - 8
Houston, Texas
Hilton Post Oak Hotel

Even if you are experienced with short sales or have already earned a short sale or distressed property designation, you'll want to attend this event.  This is the industry’s first Short Sale training covering government’s new Making Home Affordable Program, which totally changes the rules for short sales (and the whole foreclosure/foreclosure avoidance process).

With jumbo loans defaulting at twice the rate of conforming loans and almost half of residential sales falling into the distressed category, understanding how to make short sales successful at all price points is more important than ever.

Just to give you an idea how different the new standard MHA process is:

• There is now only ONE point between default and foreclosure when a short sale will even be considered.
• The loss mitigator approves the short sale attempt in advance.
• The loss mitigator sets the list price. 
• Whoa!  Those are big change and that's just the start!  There's good news about the commission...

This two day meeting will:

• Provide the Institute’s usual great networking.
• Give you the information you must have about the government’s New Making Home Affordable program which covers 9 out of 10 loans, totally reinvents short sales, and is mandatory.
• Arm you with the checklists, forms, web links and other required tools for successful short sales, regardless of price (there will be special info on luxury short sales).
• Provide you with first hand advice from servicers’ loss mitigators.
• Give you essential information on luxury short sales, to help ensure that you don’t lose luxury listings to “short sale" agents!
• Reward you with a Short Sale Achievement Certificate
• Texas agents receive 15 hours of continuing education credit

On both days, you'll hear from speakers and panels of officials, loss mitigators, and other agents.  You'll have the opportunity to network and will leave having earned a Short Sale Achievement Certificate from the ILHM Center for Asset Preservation, indicating you have received Making Home Affordable training.

This event is open to both Members and non-Members, so bring your whole team.

More info on the CAP Short Sale Summit 2009

Register now and save!  "Early Bird" discounts end the 17th.

• Registration for Institute Members
• Public Registration
  

Great new benefits for Members from UNIQUE HOMES Magazine

Our friends at UNIQUE HOMES MAGAZINE have always been a great resource for and supportive of our members.  

We're happy to announce that they are extending some great new benefits to Institute Members.  You can find all the details here in the Members Only section of our website (login required, members only).

Institute Launches Center for Asset Preservation (CAP)

Everything you need to know about the Making Home Affordable Program and the mandatory process, rules and paperwork for Short Sales...

The ILHM Center for Asset Preservation (CAP) announces new training specific to the Making Home Affordable Program (MHA).  The central focus of our CAP training is doing Short Sales using the new mandatory process, guidelines, and required paperwork.  The training also provides an overview of other MHA foreclosure avoidance options, as well as key information on the Mortgage Debt Forgiveness Act -- all of the key things agents must know for successful short sales under the new rules. 

We created CAP and began developing this Short Sale training for our ILHM members, but when we discovered that no one was offering training covering Making Home Affordable, we decided to open the training to all agents. 

This information is ‘must have’ information for agents hoping to help homeowners avoid foreclosure and, it is essential for completing successful short sales for borrowers who must sell. 

Be sure to watch the “MHA Myths” video above if you’re hearing that Making Home Affordable isn’t important!

At ILHM, we believe strongly that all of America’s REALTORS® must get involved, get trained and get to work to help homeowners in their battle to avoid foreclosure and minimize the negative credit and tax consequences they are facing.  As an industry, Realtors are key to helping get American households back on their feet and the economy back to good health.  

CAP training will soon be available online.

A live event, the Short Sale Success Summit 2009 is scheduled for October 7 and 8 in Houston (TX).

For agents who have taken short sale training in the past or even earned a distressed property designation, the CAP course is ongoing Making Home Affordable resource your must have.

Making Home Affordable covers almost nine out of ten home loans and changes almost everything about how Short Sales are done.  CAP’s new up-to-date training reflects the new processes, rules, guidelines and standardized paperwork which are now required. In fact, we challenge agents to take the quick quiz about Short Sales on our CAP website.  We think most agents will be surprised by the correct answers.

Agents completing CAP training online or at live events will earn a CAP Short Sale Achievement Certificate.  Texas agents will earn 15 hours of continuing education credit for the live CAP training event in Houston which will be held at the Hilton Post Oak Hotel near the Galleria Shopping complex.

In addition to the Making Home Affordable training, The Short Sale Success Summit 2009 will include panels and presentations featuring government officials, loss mitigators, and real estate agents specializing in Short Sales. 

A special module on the impact of MHA and the Debt Forgiveness act on luxury properties will be included. There will also be special networking opportunities.  Call or email us with your questions. 

We’ll hope to see YOU in Houston at The Short Sale Success Summit 2009.

CAP Website

CAP Blog

New Partnership with Napa Consultants, International

We're pleased to announce a partnership with Napa Consultants, International, a leading luxury real estate strategic marketing firm specializing in personal and company branding, website design and internet/social media marketing.

Many of you already know managing partners Ron & Alexandra Seigel from the recent Stand Out or Bow Out! conference call we did with them (recording here) and their Language of Luxury blog. 

This partnership will bring more opportunities to collaborate on calls, webinars, and videos, as well as new benefits for Institute members.  Members can find more details on the new Napa Consultants, International page in the "Members Only" section of our website.

Ron & Alexandra love to talk branding and marketing strategy and host Language of Luxury discussion groups on many of the popular social networks:

Twitter: luxurymarketing
Proxio, BrokerAgentSocial, Plaxo, Linked In, ActiveRain, RealTown, Facebook

Drop by and say "Hello!"