Saturday, March 24, 2012

On The Go

On the go
Keeping busy this spring with new innovations, initiatives and trends MARCH 2012

Going... Going... Mobile - @properties is excited to introduce our new mobile website, which makes finding your next home easier than ever. Just log onto www.atproperties.com from your smart phone, and information for any home in the MLS is just a couple of taps away. Use @properties' mobile platform to:


• Search by price, property type and number of bedrooms and baths
• View photos and property descriptions
• Find homes and open houses within a radius of your current location
• Track current market conditions with Neighborhood Market Reports
• Search without downloading an app
• Use any smart phone operating system including iPhone, Android and Blackberry



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Going... Going... Green - The early arrival of spring isn't the only reason things are looking greener at @properties. We are also making strides to reduce our company's impact on the environment. Five @properties offices will soon run on 50% renewable energy, and we're launching a pilot program to increase the energy efficiency of our office lighting. We are using less paper, relying more on sustainable office supplies, and aiming to recycle more than 75% of our office waste. In addition, more than 100 @properties brokers have completed advanced training for their National Association of REALTORS® NAR Green Designation. Looking for more ways to go green at home? Check out these web sites:


• http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/green-guide
• http://greenlivingideas.com
• http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/green-living



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Going... Going... Up? - Interest rates on 30-year fixed rate mortgages have been below 4% for three months but now could be trending up. Last month's positive employment numbers lifted rates from their historic lows. Still, rates are roughly three-quarters of a point below their year-ago levels, making now a great time to take advantage of "cheap money." The combination of today's low rates and low prices give qualified buyers exponentially more purchasing power than they had a few years ago. So far that's translating into much greater showing activity this spring market.

No matter where you're going, please remember to include me in your real estate plans. Thank you for the continued trust of your business and referrals.