December 2009

From the Publisher: Bob Longenecker, owner and publisher since 1978

We're still taking reservations for the December-January issue!

Print product hits the street December 26 through January 23 as well as run in our online edition, HomesAndLand.com, and over 20 major search engines which will stay active for 90 days. (You may make changes to the online edition at any time.)

Please call or email now to get your listings in!

925.838.8377 or Production@SmartAds.com

Print Advertising Keeps You Visible in Your Local Market
Florida Realtor® Michael Stone and his wife, Deanna, specialize in high-end properties in Polk County, an area located between Tampa and Orlando. When the market turned down, Michael and Deanna decided to drop out of all traditional media, including Homes & Land Magazine. They wanted to focus on marketing their listings on the Internet. This strategy did generate some leads; however, a problem soon emerged. Because times were tough and they had no visibility on the street, people assumed the Stones had left the real estate business.
Read More

Avoid Common Ad Design Mistakes
"Good design" is subjective. Like art, creating a piece that appeals to all people is increasingly difficult. However, there are design elements that should be avoided if you want consumers to notice your listings and contact you for more information. In the "Anatomy of a Bad Ad" linked below, we point out common design mistakes and offer tips on making an ad more consumer-friendly.
Anatomy of a Bad Ad

Homes & Land Cameo on Bravo's "Million Dollar Listing"
Bravo's real estate reality TV show - Million Dollar Listing - follows three top agents trying to close deals in Los Angeles' tough real estate market. In an episode that aired in early November, agent Chad Rogers convinces a frustrated seller to extend his listing contract by guaranteeing to put his $3.6 million dollar home on the cover of the next issue of Homes & Land of Malibu to Beverly Hills.
Episode Photos

Real Estate Marketing: Dominating a Niche Market
by Mark Knowles, RISMedia
The ongoing financial crisis is changing the face of the real estate market, and although the media is fond of using terms such as "credit crunch," and "credit crisis," these are misnomers. A more appropriate term would be a "return to rational lending practices." This distortion in the marketplace means that amongst the vast array of property for sale, it is necessary to become more focused on a specific niche to be found.
Read Article

"I can't change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination."
Jimmy Dean

Homes & Land of Contra Costa

Phone: 925.838.8377
Fax: 925.830.0975
eMail : Production@SmartAds.com

Marketing Minute Edited by Adrian Amos