AGBeat http://agbeat.com News, insights, tools, and inspiration for business owners and professionals Fri, 25 May 2012 05:50:29 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 Redfin sued by CoreLogic over their Home Price Toolhttp://agbeat.com/real-estate-news-events/redfin-sued-by-corelogic-over-their-new-home-price-tool/ http://agbeat.com/real-estate-news-events/redfin-sued-by-corelogic-over-their-new-home-price-tool/#comments Fri, 25 May 2012 05:31:09 +0000 AGBeat http://agbeat.com/?p=57927 Recently, Redfin launched a new tool to educate homeowners on the pricing process, but the company has now been sued by CoreLogic for violating their automated valuation model patent filed 20 years ago.

Get more News at AGBeat

79% conversion rate if you return calls within 5 minutes. Get Better Voicemail. AG Partner
]]> http://agbeat.com/real-estate-news-events/redfin-sued-by-corelogic-over-their-new-home-price-tool/feed/ 0 Clear IdeaPaint makes any wall a dry erase boardhttp://agbeat.com/design/clear-ideapaint-makes-any-wall-a-dry-erase-board/ http://agbeat.com/design/clear-ideapaint-makes-any-wall-a-dry-erase-board/#comments Fri, 25 May 2012 04:05:07 +0000 Charlene Jimenez http://agbeat.com/?p=57920 IdeaPaint now has a clear option - many are familiar with white but this makes a huge change and is inexpensive for small businesses to make an entire dry erase wall. It is a time saver, money saver, and most importantly, a design saver!

Get more News at AGBeat

79% conversion rate if you return calls within 5 minutes. Get Better Voicemail. AG Partner
]]> http://agbeat.com/design/clear-ideapaint-makes-any-wall-a-dry-erase-board/feed/ 0 All commercial real estate sectors making a comebackhttp://agbeat.com/real-estate-mortgage-economy/all-commercial-real-estate-sectors-making-a-comeback/ http://agbeat.com/real-estate-mortgage-economy/all-commercial-real-estate-sectors-making-a-comeback/#comments Thu, 24 May 2012 16:55:25 +0000 Tara Steele http://agbeat.com/?p=57917 After years of being hard hit by the recession, all sectors of the commercial real estate industry are recovering, says the National Association of Realtors who projects rents will continue rising for all sectors as vacancies continue to fall.

Get more News at AGBeat

79% conversion rate if you return calls within 5 minutes. Get Better Voicemail. AG Partner
]]> http://agbeat.com/real-estate-mortgage-economy/all-commercial-real-estate-sectors-making-a-comeback/feed/ 0 SBA: free business advice from Uncle Sam for small businesseshttp://agbeat.com/entrepreneur/sba-free-business-advice-from-uncle-sam-for-small-businesses/ http://agbeat.com/entrepreneur/sba-free-business-advice-from-uncle-sam-for-small-businesses/#comments Thu, 24 May 2012 04:41:09 +0000 Charlene Jimenez http://agbeat.com/?p=57915 When a small business or entrepreneur is getting started, sometimes the budget consists of zero dollars, and pricey consultants are a pipe dream - that's where Uncle Sam's SBDCs step in to give free advice and help, which can be a massive advantage for any business owner.

Get more News at AGBeat

79% conversion rate if you return calls within 5 minutes. Get Better Voicemail. AG Partner
]]> http://agbeat.com/entrepreneur/sba-free-business-advice-from-uncle-sam-for-small-businesses/feed/ 0 Six rules for effectively arguing any opposing pointhttp://agbeat.com/editorials/six-rules-for-effectively-arguing-any-opposing-point/ http://agbeat.com/editorials/six-rules-for-effectively-arguing-any-opposing-point/#comments Thu, 24 May 2012 04:31:12 +0000 Jeff Brown http://agbeat.com/?p=57859 Online or offline, humans are programmed to be thoughtful, but not necessarily logical. Remembering six simple rules for arguing can do wonders for discussing any topic with someone whose viewpoint opposes your own, be it a client, a coworker, or an online commenter.

Get more News at AGBeat

79% conversion rate if you return calls within 5 minutes. Get Better Voicemail. AG Partner
]]> http://agbeat.com/editorials/six-rules-for-effectively-arguing-any-opposing-point/feed/ 0 FreshBooks launches expense receipts as PDFs on invoiceshttp://agbeat.com/tech-news/freshbooks-launches-expense-receipts-as-pdfs-on-invoices/ http://agbeat.com/tech-news/freshbooks-launches-expense-receipts-as-pdfs-on-invoices/#comments Wed, 23 May 2012 16:28:56 +0000 Marti Trewe http://agbeat.com/?p=57904 FreshBooks now offers PDFs of expense receipts as part of their system, which automatically get attached to a client invoice to save you time, and give them better records. Plus, the option is handy and impressive, making any small business look more polished.

Get more News at AGBeat

79% conversion rate if you return calls within 5 minutes. Get Better Voicemail. AG Partner
]]> http://agbeat.com/tech-news/freshbooks-launches-expense-receipts-as-pdfs-on-invoices/feed/ 0 New home sales up 10%, challenges remain for the sectorhttp://agbeat.com/real-estate-news-events/new-home-sales-up-10-challenges-remain-for-the-sector/ http://agbeat.com/real-estate-news-events/new-home-sales-up-10-challenges-remain-for-the-sector/#comments Wed, 23 May 2012 16:25:02 +0000 Tara Steele http://agbeat.com/?p=57911 New home sales and prices are up, but challenges remain for this hardest hit portion of the housing market, particularly tough competition from the resale market.

Get more News at AGBeat

79% conversion rate if you return calls within 5 minutes. Get Better Voicemail. AG Partner
]]> http://agbeat.com/real-estate-news-events/new-home-sales-up-10-challenges-remain-for-the-sector/feed/ 1 Step up your customer service with one of these 3 digital toolshttp://agbeat.com/news-business/step-up-your-customer-service-with-one-of-these-3-digital-tools/ http://agbeat.com/news-business/step-up-your-customer-service-with-one-of-these-3-digital-tools/#comments Wed, 23 May 2012 15:47:08 +0000 Charlene Jimenez http://agbeat.com/?p=57899 Stepping up your customer service is as easy as incorporating the right tool for your business. Before you decide on one, analyze what your customers need to feel welcome, needed, and appreciated. After all, without dedicated and loyal customers, your business would fail to thrive.

Get more News at AGBeat

79% conversion rate if you return calls within 5 minutes. Get Better Voicemail. AG Partner
]]> http://agbeat.com/news-business/step-up-your-customer-service-with-one-of-these-3-digital-tools/feed/ 0 U.S. home prices rise modestly in the first quarterhttp://agbeat.com/real-estate-news-events/u-s-home-prices-rise-modestly-in-the-first-quarter/ http://agbeat.com/real-estate-news-events/u-s-home-prices-rise-modestly-in-the-first-quarter/#comments Wed, 23 May 2012 15:27:09 +0000 Tara Steele http://agbeat.com/?p=57907 According to the FHFA, home prices have improved modestly in the last quarter, but have changed less than one percent over the past year with each region performing quite differently, as did each state during this period.

Get more News at AGBeat

79% conversion rate if you return calls within 5 minutes. Get Better Voicemail. AG Partner
]]> http://agbeat.com/real-estate-news-events/u-s-home-prices-rise-modestly-in-the-first-quarter/feed/ 0 Pride of Owdership: something stinks on the MLShttp://agbeat.com/editorials/pride-of-owdership-something-stinks-on-the-mls/ http://agbeat.com/editorials/pride-of-owdership-something-stinks-on-the-mls/#comments Wed, 23 May 2012 15:00:08 +0000 Gwen Banta http://agbeat.com/?p=57851 Realtors that don't proof read their property descriptions in the MLS inevitably end up in the hall of shame here at AGBeat. We feature these bloopers in hope that you will be inspired to check yourself before you go and wreck yourself.

Get more News at AGBeat

79% conversion rate if you return calls within 5 minutes. Get Better Voicemail. AG Partner
]]> http://agbeat.com/editorials/pride-of-owdership-something-stinks-on-the-mls/feed/ 0 Mortgage rates fall, mortgage application volume riseshttp://agbeat.com/real-estate-mortgage-economy/mortgage/mortgage-rates-fall-mortgage-application-volume-rises/ http://agbeat.com/real-estate-mortgage-economy/mortgage/mortgage-rates-fall-mortgage-application-volume-rises/#comments Wed, 23 May 2012 14:27:58 +0000 Tara Steele http://agbeat.com/?p=57902 Mortgage application volume rose for the week, with the refinance share regaining lost ground as purchase applications slid slightly. The MBA points to the continuing sovereign debt crisis in Europe which has had an impact on the U.S. Treasury yield.

Get more News at AGBeat

79% conversion rate if you return calls within 5 minutes. Get Better Voicemail. AG Partner
]]> http://agbeat.com/real-estate-mortgage-economy/mortgage/mortgage-rates-fall-mortgage-application-volume-rises/feed/ 1 Edina Realty pulls plug on Realtor.com; Prudential KC dumps Trulia, Zillowhttp://agbeat.com/news-business/edina-realty-pulls-plug-on-realtor-com-prudential-kc-dumps-trulia-zillow/ http://agbeat.com/news-business/edina-realty-pulls-plug-on-realtor-com-prudential-kc-dumps-trulia-zillow/#comments Tue, 22 May 2012 23:10:04 +0000 Lani Rosales http://agbeat.com/?p=57891 As more brokers pull out of sending their real estate listings to search sites like Zillow, Realtor.com and Trulia, questions surrounding timing swirl, as brokers and real estate media sites feel passionately that they are both doing what is best for consumers.

Get more News at AGBeat

79% conversion rate if you return calls within 5 minutes. Get Better Voicemail. AG Partner
]]> http://agbeat.com/news-business/edina-realty-pulls-plug-on-realtor-com-prudential-kc-dumps-trulia-zillow/feed/ 0 Microsoft’s social network, So.cl is finally available to the publichttp://agbeat.com/real-estate-technology-new-media/microsofts-social-network-so-cl-is-finally-available-to-the-public/ http://agbeat.com/real-estate-technology-new-media/microsofts-social-network-so-cl-is-finally-available-to-the-public/#comments Tue, 22 May 2012 16:06:35 +0000 AGBeat http://agbeat.com/?p=57889 After over a year in beta, Microsoft's FUSE Research team has launched So.cl, a social network that emphasizes search and forming community around information, ideas, and the beauty of both. Formerly made available only to select universities and students, the platform is now publicly available.

Get more News at AGBeat

79% conversion rate if you return calls within 5 minutes. Get Better Voicemail. AG Partner
]]> http://agbeat.com/real-estate-technology-new-media/microsofts-social-network-so-cl-is-finally-available-to-the-public/feed/ 0 NAR: existing home sales, prices, inventory levels improvehttp://agbeat.com/real-estate-news-events/nar-existing-home-sales-prices-inventory-levels-improve/ http://agbeat.com/real-estate-news-events/nar-existing-home-sales-prices-inventory-levels-improve/#comments Tue, 22 May 2012 15:40:39 +0000 Tara Steele http://agbeat.com/?p=57885 NAR's chief economist says that the shrinking foreclosure volume is helping home values, and in some areas price conditions are improving as inventory levels tighten up, and the association expects even stronger price increases in areas like Phoenix, Miami and Orange County.

Get more News at AGBeat

79% conversion rate if you return calls within 5 minutes. Get Better Voicemail. AG Partner
]]> http://agbeat.com/real-estate-news-events/nar-existing-home-sales-prices-inventory-levels-improve/feed/ 1 How to write an effective email to the short sale lenderhttp://agbeat.com/residential/how-to-write-an-effective-email-to-the-short-sale-lender/ http://agbeat.com/residential/how-to-write-an-effective-email-to-the-short-sale-lender/#comments Tue, 22 May 2012 15:24:40 +0000 Melissa Zavala http://agbeat.com/?p=57854 If you want to draw attention to a short sale file, have a legitimate reason to express concern, and remember that what you write could lead to either the success or the demise of your short sale transaction. That’s why it’s best to choose your words carefully. Don’t be a bully or a tattletale.

Get more News at AGBeat

79% conversion rate if you return calls within 5 minutes. Get Better Voicemail. AG Partner
]]> http://agbeat.com/residential/how-to-write-an-effective-email-to-the-short-sale-lender/feed/ 0 Polygraph leaves beta: big data analysis of brands on Facebookhttp://agbeat.com/cities/austin/polygraph-leaves-beta-big-data-analysis-of-brands-on-facebook/ http://agbeat.com/cities/austin/polygraph-leaves-beta-big-data-analysis-of-brands-on-facebook/#comments Tue, 22 May 2012 14:22:22 +0000 Marti Trewe http://agbeat.com/?p=57883 Polygraph Reports are the Compete.com and Klout of Facebook Pages, using big data analysis to uncover previously immeasurable information for brands to gather intelligence on competitors while justifying their own marketing resources.

Get more News at AGBeat

79% conversion rate if you return calls within 5 minutes. Get Better Voicemail. AG Partner
]]> http://agbeat.com/cities/austin/polygraph-leaves-beta-big-data-analysis-of-brands-on-facebook/feed/ 0 Should I hire a consultant or a full time employee?http://agbeat.com/entrepreneur/should-i-hire-a-consultant-or-a-full-time-employee/ http://agbeat.com/entrepreneur/should-i-hire-a-consultant-or-a-full-time-employee/#comments Tue, 22 May 2012 05:25:45 +0000 Charlene Jimenez http://agbeat.com/?p=57877 Deciding between hiring a full-time employee and a consultant is unique to your business needs. A smart decision for one company isn’t necessarily going to be the best choice for you. Study all of your options before you come to a final decision.

Get more News at AGBeat

79% conversion rate if you return calls within 5 minutes. Get Better Voicemail. AG Partner
]]> http://agbeat.com/entrepreneur/should-i-hire-a-consultant-or-a-full-time-employee/feed/ 0 Young renters plan to buy, ‘accidental’ landlords on the risehttp://agbeat.com/real-estate-news-events/young-renters-plan-to-buy-accidental-landlords-on-the-rise/ http://agbeat.com/real-estate-news-events/young-renters-plan-to-buy-accidental-landlords-on-the-rise/#comments Tue, 22 May 2012 04:53:26 +0000 Tara Steele http://agbeat.com/?p=57879 In two new studies, it is evident that the American Dream of homeownership and even owning multiple properties is alive and well, even among the young rental generation.

Get more News at AGBeat

79% conversion rate if you return calls within 5 minutes. Get Better Voicemail. AG Partner
]]> http://agbeat.com/real-estate-news-events/young-renters-plan-to-buy-accidental-landlords-on-the-rise/feed/ 3 HomeMint: Justin Timberlake’s new home decor startuphttp://agbeat.com/design/homemint-justin-timberlakes-new-home-decor-startup/ http://agbeat.com/design/homemint-justin-timberlakes-new-home-decor-startup/#comments Tue, 22 May 2012 04:03:20 +0000 Lani Rosales http://agbeat.com/?p=57870 Finding inspiration in their own lives, Justin Timberlake and famous designer Estee Stanley came together to discover and collaborate with artisans all over the world to make homes more beautiful, and their recommendations based on a quick quiz are quite accurate so far.

Get more News at AGBeat

79% conversion rate if you return calls within 5 minutes. Get Better Voicemail. AG Partner
]]> http://agbeat.com/design/homemint-justin-timberlakes-new-home-decor-startup/feed/ 0 13,000 Realtors rally in D.C. as 14,000 join virtuallyhttp://agbeat.com/real-estate-news-events/13000-realtors-rally-in-d-c-as-14000-join-virtually/ http://agbeat.com/real-estate-news-events/13000-realtors-rally-in-d-c-as-14000-join-virtually/#comments Tue, 22 May 2012 04:01:53 +0000 AGBeat http://agbeat.com/?p=57881 The National Association of Realtors brought together thousands of Realtors to rally at the National Mall in D.C. to stand up for homeownership against legislative threats to the housing market recovery.

Get more News at AGBeat

79% conversion rate if you return calls within 5 minutes. Get Better Voicemail. AG Partner
]]> http://agbeat.com/real-estate-news-events/13000-realtors-rally-in-d-c-as-14000-join-virtually/feed/ 0