More Americans Confident About Buying

Source: Jason P Miller, RealtyTimes.com

Last week, Fannie Mae released their January 2014 National Housing Survey results. Two categories reported all-time survey highs. 

• 52% of respondents thought it would be easy for them to get a home mortgage today. 
• 70% of respondents said they would buy if they were going to move.

Doug Duncan, senior vice president and chief economist at Fannie Mae explained what this may mean to the real estate market moving forward:

"A majority of consumers now believe that it is getting easier to get a mortgage. For the first time in the National Housing Survey's thee-and-a-half-year history, the share of respondents who said it is easy to get a mortgage surpassed the 50-percent mark. The gradual upward trend in this indicator during the last few months bodes well for the housing recovery and may be contributing to this month's increase in consumers' intention to buy rather than rent their next home. The dip in overall home price expectations, though notable, is consistent with our view of moderating home price gains this year from a robust pace last year, while positive trends in perceptions about the economy and personal finances over the next year support out view of stronger growth in the broader economy."

With home prices projected to increase in 2014 (albeit at a slower pace than they did in 2013) and with mortgage rates projected to increase, it is good news that consumers are becoming more confident in their ability to buy a home if they so desire. 

Low inventory and increasing demand to buy homes makes this a perfect market for you to sell your home. If you are interested in selling your home, Call me, Mynor Herrera, today for expert help buying or selling in the DC, MD, & VA areas!  I also specialize in Bethesda and Chevy Chase, as well as the subdivisions of Rosemary Hills, Rock Creek Forest, East Bethesda and Whitehall Condominium. 

5 Easy and Cheap Ways to Improve your Kitchen

Improve your kitchen without breaking your wallet.

1. Pull-out Shelves
   Anyone who's ever gone rooting through the back of their kitchen knows a thing or two about the convenience of pull-out shelves. Pull-out shelving not only provides ease of access, but also organization and additional storage space. This one from ShelfGenie includes multiple shelves for easy storage of small kitchen accessories and appliances.

2. Under-Cabinet Lights 
    It's hard to slice and dice your dinner preparations when you're working in your own shadow. Under-cabinet lights shed some light on the subject, putting an end to the dark days of squinting to see what you're cooking. They also produce a brighter and more polished presentation of the kitchen for potential buyers.

3. Flexible Faucet
     In order to stay within budget, you don't have to improve everything but the kitchen sink. Installing a  flexible faucet seriously improves an old sink's functionality and refreshes its look with modern style. Of course, a good looking and highly functional sink is sure to impress any potential home buyers focused on the kitchen.

4. Knobs, Pulls, and Hinges
     For another quick, inexpensive way to add creative accents to your kitchen, replace the knobs, pulls, and hinges on your cabinets. There's a limitless array of options, and you can finish the job in a weekend.
   
5. Hooks
     Hoe many different things can you hang from a hook? Pot holders, mugs, cooking utensils, recipe clips ... the options are endless, and a hook can be placed just about anywhere.


Interested in working with a Realtor who puts you first and cares about saving you money? Call me, Mynor Herrera, today for expert help buying or selling in the DC, MD, & VA areas! I also specialize in Bethesda and Chevy Chase, as well as the subdivisions of Rosemary Hills, Rock Creek Forest, East Bethesda and Whitehall Condominium. 

Source: Houselogic.com

PR/Marketing Intern Wanted!

Mynor and Associates is currently looking for a PR/Marketing intern that is knowledgeable about today's hottest social media platforms. If you know someone who is comfortable with social media platforms and can upload original content to our blog, then send your resume to brenda@mynorandassociates.com or contact Brenda Pomar at 240-383-1350 ext. 685.

Here are some more details regarding the job position and the qualifications necessary to perform basic job duties.

Candidate must be personable, detail-oriented, self-motivated and possess excellent written and verbal communication skills. 

Key Responsibilities

• Developing and implementing marketing plans.
• Reaching out to former and current clients.
• Assist in establishment of long-term relationship with clients.
• New business development.
• Organize client-oriented events. 
• Individual and mass communication efforts.
• Preparing and/or coordinating the production of collateral marketing materials.
• Identifying sponsorship, speaking, award and PR opportunities.
• Monitoring the effectiveness of marketing initiatives.

Blogging

Candidate must have a knack for writing, breaking information down to the consumer level and the ability to sustain and develop the company's voice across all blog content.

Key Responsibilities

• Writing & curating various types of articles on a wide range of topics for our blog.
• Optimizing content for search engines and lead generation.
• Conducting analytical projects to improve blog strategies/tactics.
• Growing blog subscribers and expanding the overall blog's reach.

Social Media

Candidate will manage, leverage, and grow our online social media accounts by creating and implementing strategies and tactics that improve our social media presence.

Key Responsibilities

• Managing all social media platforms for the business.
• Creating and evaluating social media strategies.
• Monitoring, responding to, and communicating with our online community.
• Developing new methods to engage customers on social platforms.
• Growing the company's social media reach.

Email Marketing

Candidate will be expected to develop and track email campaigns to ultimately increase our business' email marketing success.

Key Responsibilities

• Managing email campaigns from start to finish, including creation of pieces, planning, testing, evaluating, and reporting.
• Developing and optimizing lead nurturing campaigns.
• Segmenting contact lists and personalizing emails.
• Keeping up to date with practices and standards in the email marketing industry.

Requirements/ Time Commitment

• Candidate must own a laptop.
• Candidate is expected to be at the office least two days per week. Flexible schedule between 10-20 hours per week.

Benefits

• Opportunity to build your portfolio and strengthen your résumé with experience at a top producing real estate team.
• Get real world office experience where you will have an active role of creating and implementing your ideas.
• Opportunity to establish business relationships.

Think this is the job for you or someone you know? Contact us today to set up a possible interview.