COLDWELL BANKER JAMAICA REALTY

With a presence on YouTube, Facebook and Twitter, and now an active participant in the blogging world, Coldwell Banker is staying at the front of the social media wave. Chief Marketing Officer Michael Fischer discusses how the company is anticipating consumers’ needs and always staying one step ahead, in an interview with RISMedia.com.

1. What is the company’s overall social media strategy?
“The idea behind our getting involved with social media was to establish a better relationship between the Coldwell Banker brand and consumers as well as with our agents. Certain networks and platforms work better for different audiences. We have a strong Facebook and Twitter platform for our agents while our YouTube channel (On Location) and Blog (Blue Matter) focus on creating a conversation and establishing dialogue with our consumers. Social media has been a wonderful opportunity for the Coldwell Banker brand to continue the conversation beyond our internal newsletter to agents or website to consumers.

“On Location meets an unmet need for home buyers and sellers. Our entire rationale in video is to combine an agent’s personality, which clearly comes across in video, with the unique aspects of a property. It’s a marketing opportunity our industry hasn’t had before. We have had thousands and thousands of videos uploaded in a little more than a year…and consumers have responded as well.”

2. Why is social media important?
“We are committed to social media as it gives us the chance to create a two-way conversation within the brand as well as with our consumers. By being present in social media, we can put a face to the Coldwell Banker name so that our clients can connect with us on an even deeper level.

“For example, On Location provides not only Jim Gillespie (CEO) with a forum to address real estate matters, but our agents are using the site to showcase their expertise on local market conditions and expose their listings.”

3. How will the newly revamped coldwellbanker.com be valuable to today’s consumers?
“We have put a lot of thought and energy into our new Coldwell Banker website and have worked to create a site that is different from all the others on the Web. Revamping our website was all about helping consumers find the information they are looking for in a more straightforward way. One new feature is a rating system, which is used internally to drive algorithms on the backend that will recommend properties to consumers, much like iTunes recommends music according to songs you have purchased in the past.

“In addition, our new BlueScape Search feature is a Pandora-inspired search that takes the rational thinking out of the home-search process and creates a truly emotional search. After rating at least five photos, BlueScape compiles a group of properties that are unique to an individual consumer’s taste. It’s more visual and completely new to our industry.”

4. what was the motivation behind creating your Blue Matter blog?
“We felt the real estate industry, when it comes to blogging, was not focused on the consumer. The Web is full of real estate blogs, but they are all just industry people talking to each other. With Blue Matter, we have an opportunity to share unique insights and thought-provoking commentary.

“Coldwell Banker has a strong point of view on how to guide consumers through today’s difficult market. Our blog gives us a chance to be honest with consumers and provide them with a reasonable path through today’s real estate market.”

5. Why is it important for today’s real estate companies to not be content with just having a great-looking website?
“Today’s consumers want information where they are. The old philosophy of creating virtual brick and mortars and driving people to online sites is no longer going to cut it. Consumers want information coming directly to them or served in areas where they spend time, such as social media sites. Consumers are more mobile than ever, so we need to make sure we are reaching them—whether it be through an app, a mobile-enabled site, TV commercials or video.”

6. What is the company’s goal with social media?
“Our goal in being involved with social media is to understand what our customers, brokers and agents want and need, and there is no better way of keeping a pulse on what is going on than by being involved in social media. While Coldwell Banker has been around for 104 years, we never want to rest on our laurels. We have always been interested in understanding what’s out there as well as what we need to do as a company to adapt to consumers’ needs and ensure we respond more quickly to these needs than other real estate companies. Our use of social media has differentiated us as a company, and at the end of the day, we want people to be proud of their association with us.”

7. What do you see in the future for Coldwell Banker and social media?
“As we move into the future, the social media platforms that are popular today will change as there are always going to be new ways of connecting. We are constantly working to stay on top of what is available and what is coming down the road so that when there is an opportunity to connect and engage with customers, we will have tried and understood the new medium and be ready to move forward.”

We at Coldwell Banker are pleased to offer you these new tools for your real estate needs. Stop by our office at any time and talk to one of our agents about our personal commitment to providing information and service.

Jamaica’s Dustin Brown has no coach, no extra money, no major financial backing.  He also had no experience in front of huge crowds, but he does now, after advancing to Round 2 and playing Britain’s Andy Murray at the US Open.

The 26-year-old German-born player won his first Grand Slam match on Wednesday, ousting Spain’s Ruben Ramirez Hidalgo 6-4, 7-6 (8/6), 7-5.

Brown, ranked 123rd, has risen nearly 300 spots in the world rankings as a low-budget player.  “The last year has been a very good year for me, ranked maybe 400-something to inside the top 100 and that with limited support from federations,” he said.  “If I get financial backing and a coach traveling with me, we’ll just see what happens. Either way I think there’s definitely much more to come.”

By winning on Wednesday, Brown became the first Jamaican to win a match at the Open in 40 years. He’s also the first Jamaican to crack the world’s top 100.

Brown pays his own travel and expenses to events, saying, “If you lose first round, you could go out with a minus.”  But he doesn’t envy Murray’s riches, explaining he has a freedom that comes with not being beholden to sponsors’ desires.

Brown kept the 1st and 2nd sets close, 5-7 and 3-6, but Murray’s experience and speed in returning closed out the match in the 3rd set, 0-6.  He enjoyed the vocal support of Jamaican fans during both matches.

With the hurricane season well underway here in the Caribbean, a few thoughts at preventative care and 1st-line reaction seem timely.

Homeowners should begin their disaster preparations by developing a plan. A good plan includes not only an emergency preparedness kit, with important papers, food and water, and extra blankets and flashlights, but also a well-thought out plan for how family members will evacuate and communicate—making sure that everyone in the family is familiar with the plan and knows what to do and where to go in case of an emergency.

Homeowners who live in high-risk areas should have a “go-bag” ready in case they need to leave quickly; including a change of clothing, insurance policy and agent contact information, and toiletries as well as money, an evacuation route and a place to stay.  If you rent your property, it is only common sense and considerate to leave a hurricane preparedness information packet for your guests.

It’s smart to catalog all of your possessions using a digital camcorder or camera and move expensive items to a higher location such as a second floor or attic.  This is also true if you are an absentee owner and leave your own possessions in an empty or rental property.

Make sure your home is properly insured against natural disasters, since many plans don’t cover earthquakes, hurricanes and floods—especially in high risk areas—and consider supplemental disaster insurance policies that cover losses from specific catastrophes that traditional policies don’t cover. Homeowners should first review their existing policy to determine what’s covered since supplemental plans can cost a few hundred dollars to several thousand each year depending on the type of disaster and the home’s location, size and type, and then determine their area’s disaster risk.  If you are a condo owner, then be sure you know what the association policy covers and what is left to you.

In the event of a hurricane, reinforce doors and windows against strong winds. Hurricane film is an inexpensive, clear plastic film that keeps glass shards from becoming dangerous missiles and can be left in place year-round, however it can’t prevent heavy winds from blowing in the entire window frame. Another less expensive alternative is plywood; its downside is that it’s temporary and is often put up at the last minute when a hurricane is approaching. An easier but more expensive alternative is roll-up or accordion-style storm shutters that are permanently attached to a house. The most expensive option may be high-impact windows, made of two panes of tempered glass separated by a plastic film. They are always in place and since they look like standard windows, they don’t affect a home’s appearance.  Many homes in the Caribbean do have hurricane shutters.  Know what you have available.

Preventative maintenance can also lessen property damage.  Leaky roofs and foundation cracks can let water into a home more readily and weaken the structure, so it’s important to make repairs quickly. It’s also good to clear gutters and drains, invest in a battery-powered sump pump, and prevent sewage backup by installing a check valve, which allows waste to only flow one way. It’s also smart to catalog all of your possessions using a digital camcorder or camera and move expensive items to a higher location such as a second floor or attic.

If flood waters do make their way into a home, be proactive within the first 24 hours. Before entering the home, check for any visible structural damage. Turn off all water and electrical sources, even if the power isn’t currently operational. Before making repairs or removing any water, fully document the damage by taking photos or video and notify your insurer as soon as possible. Wear waders or waterproof boots and rubber gloves because water could be contaminated by sewage or household chemicals. After the insurer has approved removing the water, use a sump pump or wet vac, open doors and windows, and remove wet contents, including carpeting and bedding, to mitigate mold damage.

For more information, visit www.houselogic.com.

(resource:  RISMedia.com)

Acreage for sale, Green Island, Hanover, Jamaica

Located only 10 minutes from Negril, this 18 acre site is ready to be developed with flat land in a quiet upcoming community of Hanover in Green Island. 

Ideally located with access directly off the main road. Asking $1,950,000.

Visit our Coldwell Banker Listing page for more photos.

The Jamaica Tourist Board and JetBlue launched the All You Can Jet Pass  together with an all-inclusive Jamaica trip giveaway. KISS 108, Boston’s number-one hit music station, announced a contest for which the prize is an all-inclusive four-day/three-night vacation for two with accommodations at Sunset Resorts’ Sunset Beach Resort, Spa & Waterpark in Montego Bay, plus two All You Can Jet Passes from JetBlue.

John Lynch, Jamaica’s Director of Tourism, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership. “JetBlue’s new All You Can Jet Pass is a major innovation in the travel industry,” he said. “With the carrier’s continually growing service to both Montego Bay and Kingston, this promotion is a perfect fit for the Jamaica Tourist Board, and we’re excited to join JetBlue in this venture.”

The All You Can Jet Passes each provide unlimited air travel for one person on JetBlue-operated flights within the JetBlue route network. Bookings must be made between August 23 and October 3 for travel between September 7 and October 6, 2010.

e360’s latest 2nd Home Trend Report, conducted this past June/July, shows positive signs for the Coldwell Banker Island Affiliates, throughout the Caribbean.  The report surveyed existing second home buyers on preferences for timing, attributes, location, and pricing of an additional second home purchase.

Of those 45% indicating that they are in the market for a second home, Mexico was the top international destination with more than half of the total interest. More impressively, of the remaining 54% who indicated that now would not be a good time to buy, 79% indicated that they would be likely or very likely to purchase in the next 2 years.

As consistent with current market trends, lifestyle and vacation attributes are the leading motivator at 46%.  Investment purposes showed 41%. Second home purchases for the purpose of retirement ranked 3rd at just over 11%.

The desire for a second home geared for vacation purposes is not a surprising finding. E360’s Global Research Analyst, Chad Martin, said “This is a consistent trend with the <i>preferred attributes of the buyer being water views and proximity to water </i>or mountain activities.” Lake and ocean views combined for an overwhelming majority of the preferred attributes surveyed with mountain views coming second.

Martin added that while spa and medical facilities have exhibited recent high growth rate forecasts in recent studies, respondents did not translate that growth into the highest motivation for second home purchases. Green-based second homes also did not show the highest appeal, nor has golf amenities translated into sales.

The appeal of being close to the water with an ocean view should help keep our beautiful Caribbean Islands as an attractive 2nd home location in the next few years.  Contact a Coldwell Banker agent with any questions you have on investing in our real estate.

Readers of Lonely Planet Magazine and its web site voted Reggae on the Beach, held on Jamaica, as the Greatest Cultural Experience.  More than 3,000 voted in the survey, described by Lonely Planet as awards that celebrate the experience that make us travel.

The award was just announced this month. Reggae on the Beach placed first, ahead of ballet at the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, salsa dancing in Havana, opera in Italy, and authentic blues in Chicago.

Richard Koss, Lonely Planet author, offered his interpretation of Reggae on the Beach as a night on the Black Sand Beach, an isolated cove about a half an hour walk from River Lodge, West of Robin’s Bay in St. Mary. Koss described lying in a hammock at the Natural Vibes bar overlooking the sea with a beer in hand and reggae music drowning out the pounding of the waves as unbelievably soothing.

Reggae music is an ingrained part of the Jamaican culture.  It is difficult to go anywhere on the island and not find a small local band, sound system or bar playing this music.

Jamaica is the top-ranked Caribbean nation to live in terms of education, health, quality of life, economic competitiveness, and political environment, according to Newsweek magazine. 

The magazine compiled metrics across those five categories, which ranked the island 47th, three places above Cuba, among 100 countries surveyed.

Newsweek’s first-ever Best Countries special issue attempted to answer the question, “…if you were born today, which country would provide you the very best opportunity to live a healthy, safe, reasonably prosperous, and upwardly mobile life?”

(resource:  JamaicaObserver.com)

Pros and Cons of Going Condo

Condominiums and townhouses offer an affordable option to single-family homes in many markets, and they’re ideal for those who appreciate a maintenance-free lifestyle. But before you buy, make sure you do your legwork. These are some of the important elements to consider:

• Storage. Some condos have storage lockers, but usually there are no attics or basements to hold extra belongings.

• Outdoor space. Yards and outdoor areas are usually smaller in condos, so if you like to garden or entertain outdoors, this may not be a good fit. However, if you dread yard work, this may be the perfect option for you.

• Amenities. Many condo properties have swimming pools, fitness centers, and other facilities that would be very expensive in a single-family home.

• Maintenance. Many condos have onsite maintenance personnel to care for common areas, do repairs in your unit, and let in workers when you’re not home — good news if you like to travel.

• Security. Keyed entries and even security personnel are common in many condos. You’re also closer to other people in case of an emergency.

• Reserve funds and association fees. Although fees generally help pay for amenities and provide savings for future repairs, you will have to pay the fees decided by the condo board, whether or not you’re interested in the amenity.

• Resale. The ease of selling your unit may be dependent on what else is for sale in your building, since units are usually fairly similar. 

• Condo rules. Although you have a vote, the rules of the condo association can affect your ability to use your property. For example, some condos prohibit home-based businesses. Others prohibit pets, or don’t allow owners to rent out their units. Read the covenants, restrictions, and bylaws of the condo carefully before you make an offer.

• Neighbors. You’re much closer to your neighbors in a condo or town home. If possible, try to meet your closest prospective neighbors.

Check with our Coldwell Banker Agents with your specific questions on any condo purchase.