2011 Should Be a Good Year for Residential Real Estate

This was a tough year for the Chicago real estate market, but we have some predictions for 2011 that might make you smile.

Experts from around the country met in Chicago on December 3 for the 24th annual Economic Outlook Symposium, where they discussed the national economic outlook for 2011.

“According to the median forecast of symposium participants,” said William A. Strauss, Senior Economist and Economic Advisor, “the nation’s economic growth is expected to increase at a solid pace in 2011.”

Among the predictions, the panelists expect an increase in residential real estate investments, housing starts and consumer spending.

For all the details, and to find out more of the panelist's predictions for 2011, check out the full story at chicagolandrealestateforum.com.

Social Media Conference for Chicago Real Estate Industry

Mark your calendars for Tuesday, September 29th for a can't miss one-day conference. Social Real Estate Chicago will consist of six one-hour long sessions presented by local and national social media experts. This is your opportunity to learn more about social media and how to apply the new technology to your business strategy as a builder, developer, marketer or job seeker in the real estate industry.

The morning sessions will focus on utilizing social media for brand building and will include topics such as the “Dos and Don'ts” of social media for business, best practices and reputation management. The afternoon sessions will focus on social media for job seekers and provide the perspective of both the job applicant and employer. The afternoon sessions will conclude the workshop with a wrap-up presentation on tracking and measuring one's efforts and a how to list for getting started in social media.

Some of the conference's speakers include Mitch Levinson, MIRM and Carol Flammer, MIRM, managing partners of award-winning Internet marketing, public relations and social media firm mRELEVANCE, LLC; Rudy Bachraty with Trulia; Sara Bonert with Zillow; Kelly O'Brien with Chicago Tribune/CareerBuilder.com; Julie Wernau, job seeker, publisher of ChicagoNow.com and Nita Tuskan with New Home Notebook, among others.

Lunch is included with a full day registration that is only $50; half-day registration is $25. See you there!

Social Media: Feeling Confused?

Staff and leadership at many local home building associations have expressed their desire to incorporate social media into their communications; but right now, are stretched so thin the idea of it is just overwhelming.

Well Carol Flammer and Mitch Levinson, managing partners of real estate Internet Marketing, Public Relations and Social Media firm, mRELEVANCE, will show executive leadership and senior staff of local and state home building associations at the National Association of Home Builders Executive Officers Council (EOC) Conference that while it is not easy; it can be done; and now is the time to do it. And even better, they will show attendees how!

Levinson and Flammer will be presenting two sessions; Social Media: Engage in the Online Conversation and Social Media Lab: Building a Social Media Program from the Ground Up. Engage in the Online Conversation is for those that really want to learn more about the power of social media. The Lab is for those that are ready to get started! Levinson and Flammer will walk participants through setting up some of their own accounts and using popular social media tools, such as Facebook and Twitter. Participants in this session will also learn how to set up a blog – the easiest and most effective way possible!

If you will be at the EOC conference, do not miss these sessions. To learn more visit the EOC web site. If you can't attend the EOC conference, but want to learn more, visit mRELEVANCE.

Moving to Chicago?

Are you relocating to Chicago and looking for a cool new condo, a hip townhome or maybe a home in the burbs with a yard big enough for the kids and dogs? Make your first stop Chicagoland Real Estate Forum. This blog features the latest Chicago real estate information and news. Looking for news on green building or energy efficiency, or just want to know the latest tax credit news - it is all here.

Flammer and Levinson to Present on Social Media at 2009 Southern Building Show

The 2009 Southern Building Show & Conference is coming to the Cobb Galleria Centre in Atlanta, Ga. June 4-6. On June 4 attendees will have the opportunity to listen to national speakers and mRELEVANCE founders, Carol Flammer and Mitch Levinson as they present "Sell More Homes with Social Media." The class will last from 4 to 5:30 p.m. and attendees will learn how home builders, developers and others in the home building industry use social media for a competitive advantage. From social media to social networking, blogging and social bookmarking, see case studies of how builders, developers and new home communities are benefiting from social media optimization. Find out how to incorporate a blog and sites such as Active Rain, FaceBook, My Space, Blogger and others into an effective Internet marketing program.

The Internet is rapidly evolving. Do not miss this opportunity to learn how to maximize your return on investment (ROI). Social media marketing and optimization, search engine marketing, an effective Web site, email marketing and social networking are all components of a successful Internet marketing program. Learn how to take your traditional public relations online as an integral part of reputation management.

Social media is not just for teenagers anymore. Do not miss out on your oppotunity to attend this class on all things social media. Register today to attend or exhibit at the 2009 Southern Building Show.

Marketing and Communication Strategies for Aging and Accessibility

Learn-Build is offering a CAPS I course on Monday, October 13th at the Southwest Suburban Home Builders Association. This is a fantastic opportunity to acquire more continuing education credits, and learn some incredibly beneficial information in the process. Millions of Americans are living longer and more active lives. And with their changing lifestyles, older Americans are also looking to revitalize their home environments. Identifying these opportunities and developing the skills to interact with 50+ customers can help you grow your business dramatically. Learn best practices in communicating and interacting with this exciting and evolving population, and take advantage of one of the fastest growing market segments in remodeling and related industries. As a graduate of this course, you will be able to:

• Explain the three segments within the Aging-in-Place market that present business opportunities for building professionals.
• Implement a process for promoting new opportunities for products and services in the Aging-in-Place market.
• Enhance your sales process with effective techniques for the Aging-in-Place market.

Learn Build Offers Customer Service Course

Customer service is a key component to making your business grow. So, Learn-Build and the Chicagoland HBAs are offering a course in customer service on Thursday, July 17 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. By attending this course you can earn continuing education credit in CAPS, CGA, CGB, CGR, GMB, CSP, Master CSP, CMP and MIRM. With Roger Feihn as the instructor, you will be guided on managing the customer through the entire home buying process. Upon completion of this course you should be able to:

• Understand customer expectations
• Set appropriate service criteria
• Establish quality standards and communicate them
• Administer the customer service process
• Know your obligations for warranty service and fulfill them
• Enhance your repeat and referral sales

So be sure to register to attend this event as it seem extremely valuable to the success of your business.