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"80 percent of home searchers conduct research on the Internet” (National Association of Realtors) is one of the most commonly quoted statistics today in residential real estate. Yet, despite this compelling data point supporting the value of online advertising, many brokers report a hesitancy to shift more advertising dollars online-largely due to agent pressure to focus on print media and other more traditional marketing.

Why? Because many agents are unfamiliar (and therefore, uncomfortable) with explaining the benefits of online marketing to homeowners so they can win the listing presentation. In addition, some real estate professionals indicate that they face the challenge of having to successfully “market” the benefits of online advertising to seller clients, who are less accustomed to online advertising being a key marketing driver that attracts home buyers.

The irony is that the vast majority of home sellers are jumping onto the Internet to conduct their own home research, given the robust broker, agent and third-party property listing resources now available for consumers to search online.

For brokers who are struggling to make the jump from “ink to links,” the key is to help more of your agents appreciate the incremental benefits of online advertising and arm them with the know-how to successfully market these benefits to their home seller clients. For agents, take advantage of every opportunity to learn more about these online advertising tools.

1.Understand the power of online advertising. According to NAR, consumers are five times more likely to buy a home found online versus in a newspaper, and 24 times more likely to buy a home found online versus in a home book or magazine. So if you already have an ample print campaign that is delivering results, think about the incremental impact that online advertising can add to your campaign-fully trackable, and at a fraction of the cost.

2.Get data from online real estate media sites on the type of serious home searchers who conduct their research online and share this with your clients. For instance, in a July-August 2007 user survey conducted by Trulia.com, 69% of users indicated that they were not yet working with an agent, and 81% reported that they were planning on buying a home within the next 12 months. In addition, 52% earn more than $100K per year, and 46% are pre-qualified for a mortgage.

3.Know where your online traffic is originating from-and get more of it. Brokers can start by testing real estate advertising sites that offer free traffic, and/or cost-effective paid advertising, and track the results. Take advantage of free analytical tools, such as Google Analytics, or more robust paid tracking services such as Hitwise, to identify your top online traffic referrers.

4.Get a head start with your clients by advertising on sites that offer daily, weekly or monthly reporting. In addition to third-party tracking tools, work with advertising sites that deliver ongoing traffic reporting so agents can easily assign a tangible value to your online advertising efforts and then communicate this value to their home seller clients.

5.Make sure your brokerage has a designated online advertising owner and budget. To ensure you are taking full advantage of your online advertising investments, your head of marketing should have a specific plan and line item in his or her budget for online advertising.

6.Apply your best offline advertising strategies online. Think about what advertising strategies have been most effective in building your offline business and adapt them to your online strategy.

7.Incorporate an e-business or online marketing class into your training curriculum. Whether a brokerage opts to administer the class or enlists a marketing partner to teach the subject matter, ensure that all of your agents know the fundamentals of how to leverage online advertising and how to explain its benefits to their clients-the homeowners.

Commentary by Kelly Roark

To view original article click here

Last Updated: Tuesday, November 6, 2007 | 4:06 PM ET

CBC News

A line stretching about 100 people long has formed outside a Toronto condo office — a full week before the units are to be released for sale.

Touted as a prime piece of real estate at Yonge and Bloor, 1 Bloor St. E also holds the distinction of being the first 80-storey residential tower planned in the country. Construction is expected to be completed by 2011.

"The Toronto condo market is booming," said Veronika Belovich, the director of sales and marketing for the builder, Bazis International.

Belovich said she expects the lineup to number more than 1,000 by the weekend, citing an old real estate adage as the reason.

"Location, location, location," she said of the units, which range in price from $300,000 to $2 million. "There's just so much demand."

NEW YORK, April 3 /PRNewswire/ -- The just-released 1st Quarter 2007 Prudential Douglas Elliman Manhattan Market Overview reports that the Manhattan residential real estate market entered 2007 with a surge in the number of sales, declining inventory, rising prices and shorter marketing times. Record bonus income and stabilizing mortgage rates have helped foster a significant increase in demand this quarter. The rise in demand has helped reduce inventory, shorten marketing times and reduce listing discounts

HIGH STYLE Rendering of the W Hotel planned for Hoboken.

WHILE virtually all signs point to a housing market gone limp, sales at two opulent projects in Hoboken and Jersey City indicate that there is still vibrancy at the very high end.

At the 55-story Trump Plaza condominium tower rising in Jersey City, more than 100 of 445 units priced from $425,000 to more than $2 million were sold in the first 10 days. At the W Hotel under construction beside the Hudson River in Hoboken, 22 of 36 condos offered at prices from $775,000 to $4.5 million were sold in three weeks.

The Trump building, the first of two planned towers that will be the tallest residential structures in New Jersey, has only dirt, foundation, scaffolding and cranes right now at its site at Washington and Bay Streets, a block from the Exchange Place PATH station. The W, which will be the first of its brand in New Jersey, currently has a similar look at its site on River Street in Hoboken.

Nevertheless, both projects have sales offices near their construction sites, with scale models, streaming video, detailed floor plans and mockups of finished rooms. View Entire Article

At the Four Seasons in Scottsdale, Ariz., pet guests get welcome packages.

ONE brisk afternoon this past winter, the lobby of the Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch in Beaver Creek, Colo., could have been mistaken for the Westminster Kennel Club dog show.

Kevin Moloney for The New York Times

There sat Biscuit, a white-haired West Highland terrier from Denver, waiting diligently at the foot of her owner, a stylishly trim woman drinking a glass of wine in the lounge with a friend. And Bambi, a skittish border collie from Texas, wore a red Willie Nelson-style bandanna around her neck. Then there was the tan and petite cocker spaniel, prancing up and down the sunny courtyard alongside her equally tan and petite owner.

In a culture in which dogs and cats have become surrogate children (and grandchildren) and are sometimes better dressed than their owners, a growing number of hotels and resorts have welcomed four-legged guests in recent years, including the Four Seasons, the Ritz-Carlton, the Loews and the Kimpton hotels. But now, several luxury condominiums and private residence clubs are taking pet-friendly policies further by offering services and amenities that rival those meant for humans, including grooming sessions, swim classes, massage treatments (no mere belly-scratch) and even a doggie psychic. View entire article

"In addition to international interest, several other factors are contributing to the sustained demand in New York," says Ethan H. Lazar, president of Cambridge Development & Construction. "People are staying in the city and raise families rather than relocating to the suburbs and at the same time, many empty-nesters are choosing to return to the city once their children have left home."

At 10 West End Avenue, residents will find an enriching lifestyle and one-of-a-kind amenities. Celebrity fitness expert Ari Weller has designed a fitness center, which is adjacent to the glass-enclosed, slate and quartzite 50-foot pool. The Children's Museum of Manhattan is creating a children's activity center, providing the building's youngest residents with a place for fun and discovery. Plus, Lincoln Center, Time Warner Center, Central Park, Riverside Park and Hudson River Park are all just moments away.

The 173 graciously proportioned residences at 10 West End Avenue range from one to four bedrooms. Occupancy is anticipated for late Spring 2007. Please visit www.10wea.com or call 212.710.1010 for more details.

Bend Pet Resort earlier this year introduced the first doggy condos to Central Oregon after dog owners continually requested something more upscale.

"People would bring me their dogs and ask me, 'Can't you just take my dog home with you?' Obviously, I couldn't do that," explained Bend Pet Resort owner Ken Gran-acki, who owns 11 American Kennel Club champion Samoyeds. "I really felt there was a market for more luxurious dog housing."

When a dog checks in, it's five-star treatment.

The 8-foot-by-8-foot rooms come with dog-sized wrought-iron daybeds, including the fluffiest of pillows.

These climate-controlled condos with white tile floors and walls also have cable access for canine guests to screen the "Animal Planet" channel, which is piped in 24 hours a day.

"We just thought having a 20-inch stereo television in each condo might make it feel more like home, so they could be less stressed and more relaxed," Granacki said. "And some of these dogs really do like to watch 'Animal Planet.'"

By the end of May, Granacki plans to install Web cameras in all six condos so dog owners can log in any time to check on Fido and see how his day is going.

But that's not all these dogs get. They also get a personal valet of sorts.

Each canine guest of these condos gets walked several times a day and can have playtime with other condo guests.

Like the rest of the kennel, "room service" for food is always prompt and regular.

The nightly room charge: $45. A second dog, depending on size, can stay for an extra $30. In larger metropolitan areas, doggy condos can run $125 per visit.

Bend Pet Resort also has a "doggy spa" for special grooming and pampering. Spa treatments are extra.

With all the amenities, the resort aims to capture a human market receptive to pooch pampering.

"Bend people want this. It's a dog-friendly place and it's pretty high on the median income level," Granacki said, explaining why he took a chance on building doggy condos. "This is the type of (dog) housing you'd expect to see in Scottsdale, Arizona, or certain cities in California, like Redondo Beach. It is very upscale, and there is a demand for it now in Central Oregon."

Besides the wrought-iron beds, there are no metal bars or wires in the condos. Sliding glass doors on each condo allow dogs to view other canine guests, "so they don't feel lonely," Granacki said. "It also allows us to see them."

After construction began on the condos last summer, Granacki's wife, Kari, wondered whether they would be financially successful.

"I was a little scared whether we could fill these condos," Kari admitted.

But the condos have been booked regularly since the resort began taking reservations in January.

"February, which is usually our slowest month of the year, we actually found we were short a (condo) suite because one owner extended his stay - he was supposed to check his dog out in the morning and we had another dog coming in that evening," said Kari, laughing at the memory.

"I'd say not having enough (condo) suites to go around is a good problem," Granacki joked.

During spring break, all the condos were booked and reserved a month beforehand, Granacki said.

Dog owner Donna Cook booked early enough to reserve a condo for her yellow Labrador during spring break. She plans to do it again this summer when she goes to Mexico.

"Well, we'd never left her alone before, so I guess we were feeling a little guilty," Cook said with a chuckle. "I wanted her to feel like she was at home, and she got walks and playtime and TV ... that is a little embarrassing to say. We may be turning into one of those kind of dog people."

Cook's not alone.

According to the national survey by the American Pet Products Manufacturing Association, American pet owners are expected to spend $40.8 billion on their pets in 2007, the largest chunk coming from dog owners.

Companies like Paul Mitchell, Omaha Steaks, Origins, Harley-Davidson and Old Navy all offer dog product lines ranging from shampoo and pet attire to gour-met foods.

Granacki, who bought the 10-acre Bend Pet Resort five years ago, said he researched the area before he bought the boarding and kenneling business. He said he found a U.S. Census Bureau report about Bend's many dog and cat owners.

"We cashed in our 401(k), we sold everything and we put every penny we had into this place, and our business has more than doubled since then - and that was before the doggy condos were built," Granacki said.

The gamble of building the condos and adjacent indoor training arena has paid off.

"It cost us $300,000 to build this whole new building and already the condo suites have, so far, paid for the (monthly) mortgage on it," explained Granacki.

Granacki is expanding his business to include "interactive doggy day care."

He's found nearly a dozen regular clients who don't want their dogs home alone while they're at work. For $20 per day, you can drop off Bowser early in the morning and pick him up in the evening.

A number of area kennels offer doggy day care, including Pet Paradise, Park Your Pooch, Paws & Claws, La Pine Pet Bed 'n' Bath Inc. and Lightning Creek Pet Resort. Costs average roughly $12 per day, from about 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Overnight stays are common at kennels, too, with costs averaging about $20 per day, which typically includes a daily walk.

But as far as doggy condos, Bend Pet Resort appears to be breaking new dog ground in Bend.

"People love their pets - and we cater to that kind of customer," Granacki said.

With dollar signs in their eyes, thousands flocked to Toronto's convention centre a few weeks ago to hear The Donald trump up real estate investing as the way to riches.

Trump's hype, for which he was paid a cool $1.5 million, may reflect successes he's had with his ventures, but one must remember: He's erecting a sky-high, 68-storey condo tower in Toronto. And he hopes to cash in with sky-high condo prices of $2.3 million to $15 million.

The shovel, though, has yet to go in the ground.

Which leads to this: With reports like this one, entitled From Tech-Wreck to Shelter-Melter by the economists at BMO Financial, could a correction be looming for our housing market?

South of the border, where investors got sucked into a feverish buying frenzy in many hot spots, the meltdown has already begun. And what pulled the trigger was the bottom-feeding subprime market that fuelled the flames by lending to people with bad credit ratings who borrowed from Peter to pay Paul, in hopes of striking it rich with real estate.

Bubbles burst in many overbaked markets. Subprime lenders are going bankrupt. And analysts worry about the fallout. Will it be a ripple or a tidal wave?

But north of the border, it's don't worry, be happy.

"Unlike the U.S., there are no signs of stress in Canada's housing market," said Sal Guatiera, senior economist in his BMO report. He points out our boom was much more sedate than the housing boom in the States, plus subprime lending here is just a fraction.

Bottom line is, sales in markets across the country are up 5%, while average prices are up 10%. And the latest report from the Toronto Real Estate Board shows just a slight slowdown, with sales down 2% last month with 8,518 homes changing hands last month. Average prices, though, are up 3% to $365,285.

Still, one real-estate expert, who says he keeps hype out of his seminars, warns Toronto's hot condo market may moderate.

"We're entering an overbuild situation," said Don Campbell, author of Real Estate Investing in Canada, and who on the Money Line TV show this Wednesday will release his latest Top 10 list of cities in which to invest.

Campbell explains some 111,000 new units will be completed in Toronto's condo market this year, with a trend of more supply continuing to 2011.

"Basic economics tell us when you have oversupply and static demand, values have to adjust downward," said Campbell, president of the Real Estate Investment Network.

According to a recent outlook by Genworth Financial Canada, Toronto's condo market will remain the third strongest in the country until 2010, with average prices to climb to $247,303 this year and $305,500 by 2010.

Out West is where markets will be the strongest. For example, Genworth predicts that in Calgary, condo prices will rise by 12.5% by 2010 to average $335,855.

Bottom line is, despite Campbell's worry of too much supply in Toronto's condo market -- overall he remains optimistic about investing opportunities, despite housing busts south of the border, which hurt Ontario, a major U.S. trading partner.

"We will sneeze a few times, but not catch a full-blown cold," said Campbell, who adds Ontario's economy is suffering from a restructuring of its manufacturing heartland.

But that spells opportunities, he says, confidently declaring: "Ontario investors will look back at 2007 and see it as the best buying opportunity they've had in a long time."

Last year, Barrie topped his list of the best city to invest in. Also on the list was Orillia, Kitchener-Waterloo, Cambridge, Hamilton, Oshawa, Ottawa and Toronto.

Tune in to my Money Line TV show Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. on Rogers Television to hear where this year's hot spots are.

Also, on the show Campbell will give away two tickets, worth $1,174 apiece, to attend his real estate investing seminar next weekend at the Pearson Convention Centre.

You can also enter a contest to win a pair of tickets by emailing info@reincanada.com or call 1-888-824-7346.

At the seminar, Campbell will explain why he prefers buying resale condos over new ones, and why Canada Revenue Agency wants you to have positive cash flow with your investment.

He'll also explain his guideline that you need to fetch rent worth 8% of the condo's buying price to make the investment work.

By A. LETCHUMANAN

A NEW luxury super condo, tagged to be among the crème de la crème of condominiums in the country, has been launched in Desa Seri Hartamas, Kuala Lumpur. 

The developer, Maymont Development Sdn Bhd, will construct 158 luxury super condos that offer privacy and exclusivity on 5.2 acres of freehold land belonging to Datuk P. Kasi. 

Its director Gerard Pereira said the standard Matahari luxury super condos would be 40ft wide and have a minimum built-up area of about 3,900 sq ft. 

This is about the size of an average bungalow, while the biggest super condo would be about 10,700 sq ft.  

“The units are well finished with teak timber strips flooring in all bedrooms (except the maid's room), marble and granite for toilets, built-in wardrobes, plaster ceiling and air conditioners as standard items. All units have high ceilings about four metres high,” he said. 

Datuk P. Kasi (left) describing the Matahari luxury super condo to Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu in Desa Seri Hartamas

“Prices start from about RM2.2mil for the standard luxury super condo,” he said. 

The features include a 25-metre high and 7.5-metre wide stone carving on the building called Matahari Art Wall designed by an internationally known artist working in Bali, Richard North Lewis. 

He said the luxury super condos were targeted at those who wanted a large space like a typical bungalow with conveniences of a condominium lifestyle in a gated and guarded community. 

“This is expected to appeal to foreigners and participants of the Malaysia My Second Home programme as it is located in Desa Seri Hartamas.  

“There are three international as well as local primary and secondary schools,” he said. 

Pereira said the luxury super condos came in 24 different home layouts to give a variety of choices and the prestige of limited editions. 

“These condos are modern and tropical-inspired with artistic design touches and luxurious quality finishing.  

“They offer a panoramic view of the Petronas Twin Towers and surrounding areas,” he added. 

Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu, who officiated at the sales launch of the units recently, said the project was setting new benchmarks for housing development in the country with high quality finishings and other design features.