I’m in a cab at 58th & 7th in NYC - broke my bluetooth Jawbone headset. No worries - it’s hanging by wires, still working - sort of, if I hold it just right. Anyway, I bought the extra protection plan from the retailer who sold it to me - Sharper Image.

“Drop me off on 51st…” - I figure I’ll stop in at the Rockafeller Center Sharper Image and get a replacement. I walk to the Bank of America Building - I find the Shaper Image sign - and the image in the blacked out windows tells the story - the one time leader, high end brand, is closed for good. What happened?

About two years ago, before we narrowed our focus on the Connected Market Space technologies to the Realestock.com for the Luxury Real Estate Sector. we were approached to use our platform by the Sharper Image. The entire CMAEON Team and I were excited. We were one of the “lucky” recipients of the final RFP process. We presented our 1to1Connect - MRM3 Product (the predecessor to our newly released 1to1REAL) to the internet marketing Team at the Sharper Image. When we discussed how to make connections, drive these through to the entire organization and “start the conversation marketing online…” we were surprised to see blank stares. “all we want to do is sent out big e mail blasts…” was the response. Our advice that “spamming your customers with generic information is a bad idea …” fell on deaf ears. We were practically begging the people charged with bringing the brand to customers on the web to listen to what they were saying themselves. “you’re the Sharper Image. You have the edge, you need the edge, you need to be a leader, not a follower using old generic distribution of information - you need to have conversations with your customers on the web”  Nothing.

For the retailer, who was once viewed as the innovator of gadgets for “…the people who have everything - but this … Crowd”, we were stunned that they could have so much foresight in the past and fail to see the future. This was all happening while the Facebook Kid was still in his dorm room conjuring up social networking - before Rupert Murdoch had myspace. Granted it was early advice - or was it an early warning. I should have shorted the stock then and there!

“Hey pull over ….” I said to the cabbie - I was rushing to JFK to catch my flight, but we passed another Sharper Image with the lights still on. “Final Close Out Sale - only 12 days left “, written in big yellow letters in the window. “Hey Buddy, I can’t stop here - what ya wan me ta do ??##**” HONK! Yep, I’m in NY - “Just go to JFK”

I looked at my dangling wires and snapped the Jawbone back together once again to make a call.   Hey there’s Brookstone - they seem fine, I thought.

I wondered how many more of these big brands we will see falter - I’ll focus on Realestock.com - our Connected Market Space for the high end global real estate market - where we can make sure our clients and the customers are connecting on fronts “wires in tact” in the Connected Market Space.

So much for my extended warranty - I think I’ll buy my replacement bluetooth Jawbone on line - I hear they have a newer model that’s smaller and less ugly anyway. Any suggestions of where to shop?

My Son turned 20 the other day - he’s a great guy - I’m a proud Dad. I was talking to him “man to man” about social networking on the web.

“You know what makes you different than me?”, I said. “Other than the fact that I’m 6′1″, and handsome…”, he responded - ok, a little humility is in order. “Yea, other than that - I mean online”, I said.

“I’m a guy who’s spent his whole life using the computer to work - it’s been a means to an end for me, for the baby boomers. We don’t see it as entertainment, really, not at the deep levels of our psyche.  Our generation started out with green letters on screens - and we sat there to accomplish something with the computers - take it from me PONG wasn’t that fun!

Your generation sees it as fun. You started, at about 5, with a Mac. There you were, a little guy drawing pictures on kidpics. Then you graduated to some fun, interactive video games. Along came the teen years and Napster and Kaza music downloads - then it was Myspace and Facebook. For you, it’s all been social, a blast, fun, a way to connect with friends.

When I get on the “puter” I’m always trying to accomplish something and get off - like leaving work. It’s a means to an end. It can be something I want to do - just like I bought my beautiful sailboat online. I searched and searched - then I bought. Now I want to go sail - so I use the computer to find ports, find parts (lots of parts), and spend even more money!

And I do love looking for RealEstate on line -on Realestock of course (I’m not too interested in all the MLS based sites, I want a vacation home). I like to search for the next great vacation spot for the family.  But, when I’m done, I want to book it, buy it and go off-line and use it. I want to get on the screen and get off. For me the network is satisifaction that I’ve seen comments, commented, that I’ve searched and asked questions, that I’ve done the job -even if the job was fun - vacations, real estate or buying a luxury item.

Your generation, you and your oldest sister (don’t even get me started on your little sisters and “Webkins” - that’s a whole other generation and discussion) will sit there and howl and laugh and use emoticons … LOL. You guys are up and comming - but let’s face it, my generation are the ones inking the checks for the millions to buy these lifestyle items like properties, resort getaways, yachts, cars and jewellery.
You’ll post stuff on each others “Wall.” You’d just as soon talk online, or on SMS than on a phone. It’s your social basis.  My generation uses it for our lifestyle now, to find stuff - answers to questions about stuff, talk about stuff, lifestyle stuff.  We  get on and then go do other stuff, off line. Just like when we have done our work use of computers - we’ve been ingrained this way from our careers.”

Social networking is for the midlifespace has escaped most sites online so far. Even with sites like “Linked-in.com” - it’s been about linking to other “work related” resources. I think our generation finds the computer interesting,  fun and informative to find stuff on-line. In fact I think we like to work at our job of having a great lifestyle this way, using our computers - it’s our comfort zone.

We need better tools to do it, more easily, and it’s not Facebook. We think and network differently, in a more objective oriented way. We are interested and engaged in these big lifestyle decisions we are making - like buying our dream home, second home, third home, our golf/spa vacation.

It’s like the jewellery I wanted to buy for my wife. She found it online. She even showed me the picture (strategically around February 10th before my business trip to New York) I couldn’t remember the name of the designer - but I remembered it was Tiffany’s. So I went to the store in New York and told them. They the took me online and we searched together. “That’s it,” I said. I recognized the picture. It worked - I was a hero on Valentines Day this year.

So whether it’s your dream sports car or yacht, Jewels or a Penthouse in Manhattan - fun is part of it, for sure. But, I bet you one thing, our generation is online because, in the back of our minds, we want to make a decision based on what we found, what we discover, comments. We want to make the right decision, and when we’re ready, we’ll buy.  Let’s face it, we’ve been doing this a long time - it’s why we can have the lifestyle we want now!

I keep this in mind when designing Realestock with my Team. And we see this at work everyday with savvy searchers and buyers around the globe. Find a luxury piece of real estate - become an exclusive  by invitation only member, and get the real scoop. The people on Realestock are there, because they will, eventually, make some very big lifestyle and investment decisions. Like the single largest online generated sale to date on Realestock.com- a $5mm estate.  And the inquires and conversations in our exclusive community reach upwards of $18 million.

I’d love to have feedback on this line of thought and some ideas of tools any of you searchers on Realestock would like to see. I’ll make sure to take it very seriously, and take it to our programmers and design team.

 From Timvasko.com:

I’m speaking at the Luxury Council event in New York at the beautiful Hotel Plaza Athenee along side some very impressive collegues in the industry.  Greg…. From Halogen.com, Michale… From Protero.com, Susie Ellis from Spafinder.com and Steve Nobel from the Luxury Council.

I’m #4 - ugh! These people are SMART - what should I say? We’re talking to executives from luxury brands - I don’t want to repeat what the panel members have already discussed - I listen - I’m watching the nods and reactions from the audience.

All of a sudden, Bill Murray pops into my head - that scene where he’s trying to kill himself, again, by driving off a cliff in the movie “Ground Hog Day” - that’s what this is like, I think - today, in the marketing industry. I’ve been in this movie before - over and over again - in fact, we all have:

  • 1987 - the S&L crises, Black Monday October 19th, 1987, Graham Rudman, Crashing Real Estate and Financial Institutions
  • 1992 - Desert Storm
  • 1994 - Netscape browser is free - the web; what’s that (the first year I bought my first Internet company for $40,000)
  • 1999 - 2000 .Com boom/bust
  • I skipped over the oil prices in the 1970’s
  • Web 1.0
  • Web 2.0
  • Web x.0

What ever number you put behind it - it’s all about the Technomic revolution - the way technology changes the way we think - we interact - we communicate - we research - we buy.

I then think about the first paper I wrote as a PHD student/University Prof in 1997, “Technomics: The Use of Information in the Distribution Revolution.” It was pretty good - access to information, as information grows, and use grows, relevancy becomes more important, etc.

It’s my turn to speak - I mention the movie “Ground Hog Day” - the audience chuckles, so I guess the analogy isn’t lost on them.

I talk about the how a brand, especially a luxury brand, can’t be Connected if you’re not in the Connected Market Space - connecting internally inside your organization( B2B) and managing the culture and the mindset of your marketing and sales teams - giving them the tools that make them part of the Connected Market Space process. This is an imperative while you manage your brand and connect in the Connected Market Space B2C. It’s what we do with our clients at REalEstock.com - and what we do in our own organization.  I like to call it, “eating our own cooking”

I discuss the Q3 Principal - Quantity doesn’t mater - it’s Quality and Quaified - without Qualified prospects and buyers who will do business with you - it’s all just noise.  And, if you’re not using the right tools and outreach (e.g. People in China send 5 Billion text messages a day - they’re not on the net, they are on their phones - e.g. We just go the iPhone in Canada two days ago!)  Know the platforms of your audience if you want to connect.

I share a story about how the numbers we see Print Media was 664% more expense to use to acquire a lead for a new development real estate versus using online media.  At the same time only 6% of the marketing budget is spent online.

55% of the sales, for my example projects, came  from leads we generated on line (the balance came from referrals to the real estate project in the developers tight circle - prospects they already knew -  0% came from print media).  That’s an expensive $150K thrown away on that real estate deal in today’s market - maybe in any market. What don’t they know?  What cant they track?  It’s time to use the tools and the net the right way - I’m not saying “print is dead” - it’s not. But PR is more important than ever, and 90% of the audience will go online - so online should lead where traditionally print has lead the way to market real estate - I believe this is true for Luxury Brands as well.

And that brings me back to that Bill Murray scene in the movie  - why do developers still insist on throwing their money at media that doesn’t return on the objective?  Sell realestate - generate conversations with buyers, online that lead qualified prospects to become buyers.  So many operate just like Bill Murray, driving off that Cliff in the movie, smashing the alarm clock.

The moral of “Ground Hog Day” -  acknowledge that the world is different, that you have to wake up to the changes in the industry (inside Bill in the movie) - until then, it’s just the same old story - and it’s not working - it will be the same day of expensive media, without results.
I finish - lots of q & a which is always the best part of these events. That’s how I know we connected.

It was only an hour and a half, time to get back to doing what we were talking about “on-line” with our customers in luxury real estate along side the high end luxury brands and with the media that works.

Here’s and example of Media that works - go buy the Robb Report Vacation Homes Aug/September Edition - The Robb Report has always been “Connected” - I believe the smart media like The Robb Report “gets it” and always will be.

 –Tim Vasko

*Tim Vasko is the Founder and CEO of Realestock.com

Victoria, BC - July 15, 2008 - Realestock is pleased to announce that we have recently been the subject of an article profiling the release and powerful capabilities of our global luxury real estate search engine and community in the prestigious Robb Report Magazine. The article stands as yet another example of the intrigue and excitement that Realestock is inspiring in people worldwide.

Read The Article Here Now!

From BloggingStocks.com:

I’ve lived through the internet bubble (and have some scars) and tried to avoid the real estate bubble (it wasn’t easy). But, bubbles have a way of being painful and longlasting.

So, no doubt, the real estate bubble has been painful (may be the worst market for at least the past 50 years). But, could this be a short-run thing?

Perhaps so. In fact, this is the view from the front-cover piece in this week’s Barron’s [a paid publication]. Actually, there may be the start of a real estate recovery by the end of this year.

This is certainly a controversial stand. Keep in mind that inventory levels are stubbornly high (helped by foreclosures) and housing prices seem to fall further and further. What’s more, the credit crunch is still here and there are serious problems with major real estate operators, such as with the implosion of IndyMac Bancorp (NYSE: IMB), as well as the deterioration of Fannie Mae (NYSE: FNM) and Freddie Mac (NYSE: FRE).

OK, so why the optimism? Well, if you peel back some of the recent housing data, it appears that things are stabilizing in terms of home sales and inventories. Basically, market forces are making the necessary adjustments.

Something else: the federal government might take some action. For example, Congress is pushing a bill to deal with $300 billion in subprime mortgages (of course, financial institutions have already taken major steps to write down subprime mortgages).

Ironically enough, a government takeover of Fannie and Freddie is likely to be a good thing. Basically, there should be a boost in the availability of credit.

Oh, and there are also strong demographic trends in the U.S., in terms of population growth and employment.

Finally, the real estate bust has made housing much more affordable (if you take into account per capita income).

True, Barron’s scenario may be off base. Then again, it’s always good to take the other side of the argument — which most of the media hasn’t so far

– Tom Taulli

From Lohud.com:

 

Westchester’s priciest property: $95 million. Taxes on a $95 million property: $221,166. Living large in your own personal paradise: priceless.

Yes, it really is Westchester’s priciest property and it’s really on the market.

Hillandale offers 262 acres of luxury with a capital L. Not surprisingly, this is not even your average estate - it’s a pristine private paradise.

Exquisite only begins to describe this one-of-a-kind expansive, extremely private property that uniquely combines Old World grandeur and elaborate architectural details with modern ultra-sophisticated amenities.

If your idea of bliss is having everything you could possibly want all elegantly packaged in your very own immense estate, Hillandale may be for you.

For starters, Hillandale’s next owner gets a 20,043-square-foot, 23-room sprawling estate that straddles two states (170 acres in Pound Ridge and 92 acres in North Stamford, Conn.), state-of-the-art gym, custom home theater, indoor and outdoor pools, tennis court, meticulously sculpted artistic gardens, four separate guest or staff residences, two barns, an authentic Native American tepee (built for the owners by the Smithsonian Institute), a stone chapel (created in France and reassembled on the property), a private five-acre lake and sandy beach, and, even a little history to boot - one wing sits on the foundation of the original 1900 structure.

Development of the property in past years, including its complete re-creation and transformation by the Haroche family (current owners and founders of Liberty Travel), has been handled with great care.

“The current owners have kept the property as one parcel and were committed to embellishing its natural beauty,” said Joseph F. Barbieri, one of two Sotheby’s brokers assigned to the property. “It’s extraordinary to have a property of this acreage left intact and only 45 minutes from Manhattan, which combined with its extreme privacy makes it uniquely attractive to many types of buyers.”

Large doesn’t begin to describe this expansive estate. It’s nothing short of vast - vast layout, vast grounds and vast vistas. All at a vast price tag.

Vast also means it’s actually possible to lose your way just traveling from the main gate through the 5.5 miles of scenic winding road to the majestic main house.

The estate’s grand profile continues through the home’s entrance, where distinctive antique intricate filigreed bronze and glass front doors (adorned with an 18th century royal crest) open to a grand limestone and marble vaulted reception foyer that extends the full width of the house and showcases a 12-foot reportedly unsigned Tiffany skylight and a sweeping circular marble staircase to the second level.

Pristine would also be an understatement. Most of Hillandale’s museum-quality features, including marble, limestone, onyx and gold architectural elements (from paneling to bath fixtures), were custom crafted by European artisans.

Even the cloak room off the foyer is an elegant and spacious work of art with distinctive hand-painted panels, a mirrored powder room and one of the home’s 11 unique antique fireplaces.

The foyer that opens through French doors to the home’s main fieldstone terrace also links the home’s two wings.

A walk through Hillandale reveals one awe-inspiring room after another: the grand master bedroom suite encloses his and her marble bathrooms with onyx and lapis lazuli vanities (two of the 10 full baths and four half baths), his and her spacious dressing rooms lined with wall-to-wall closets (hers includes a discrete to-die-for walk-in shoe closet), concealed audio-video built-ins, marble fireplace, private Juliet balcony and hidden passageway to an upstairs office with its own en suite powder room; a formal dining room with inlaid flooring, hand-hewn antique pine paneling and lake-view bay window; and a star-gazing or sitting room linking two of five guest bedrooms.

Two separate staff bedrooms with full baths and fireplaces occupy an upper level with back stairs to the oversized upscale pine-paneled wood-beamed kitchen designed for grand-scale entertaining with Sub-Zero refrigerator and freezer, eight-burner Viking range, three Miele dishwashers, wall-to-wall cabinets, Indian granite counters, limestone floors, an oversized storage-packed island with seating for four and an efficiently attached secretariat desk, and enclosed walk-in pantry adding cabinet space and a second refrigerator.

A home that claims two states warrants more than one address, the option of two school districts (Pound Ridge and Stamford), taxes split between two states, and a special coordination of Realtors in New York and Connecticut in a marketing reach not limited to the U.S.

Barbieri confirmed that at $95 million, Hillandale is not only one of the highest priced properties in Westchester or Fairfield, Conn., but it may be the largest.

“This is by far one of the largest estates in this area,” Barbieri explained. “To put it in perspective, Hillandale is 10 times the size of the average 20- to 30-acre estate in Westchester or Fairfield County. We haven’t seen anything like this in almost 20 years.”

On the market since the fall, Barbieri said the property continues to attract significant interest despite a downturn in the U.S. economy. “Properties in this price range normally take a bit longer to sell, but we’re seeing a steady flow of activity, particularly now that the financial markets are beginning to resolve themselves,” he said.

Realistically, who is likely to be a potential buyer? From Barbieri’s experience, a cross-section of European buyers, financiers, developers, entertainers and entrepreneurs of all kinds.

According to Barbieri, whoever visits must come fully vetted and more than financially qualified. In fact, because the property can be viewed by appointment only, Sotheby’s has withheld address details to avoid curious drive-bys.

An estate this grand is meant for a grand life in a residence ready built for grand-scale entertaining - not the having-guests-over-for-a-dinner-party entertaining, but hosting guests for a well-cared-for extended stay.

Where to put them? Not to worry. With five guest bedrooms (each with its own uniquely designed en suite marble bath) and four separate residences that can be used for guests or staff, accommodating guests is not an issue.

Neither is keeping them occupied. Hillandale offers a level of options that rival any secluded intimate resort. Among the endless choices: a conservatory equipped with drop-down ceiling screen home theater, full mirrored bar and wine coolers, circa 1650-stained glass window, and powder room with Tiger’s Eye marble vanity; a heated roughly 75-foot mosaic marble-tiled indoor swimming pool with onyx and gold inlays, spa, wall-to-wall arched windows and spectacular view, attached dressing rooms, sauna, marble bath, kitchenette and upscale custom fitness room with TV and two-way mirrors to the pool; outdoor pool and air-conditioned pool house conveniently outfitted with a kitchen, bar area, and his and her dressing rooms and baths; full-size Australian-surface lighted tennis court with a canopy-covered viewing area and oversized chess set nearby; expansive stone terrace overlooking the property’s private lake (Lake Susan) for dining or relaxing; and plenty of lavish landscaped grounds, gardens and woodlands to explore.

What guest would want to leave? Now that could be a problem.

–Karen Odom

From Albawaba.com:

Sorouh Real Estate Selects Hill International as Project Manager for Six Towers at Shams Abu Dhabi

Hill International (NYSE:HIL), the global leader in managing construction risk, announced today that it has been awarded a contract by Sorouh Real Estate PJSC, one of Abu Dhabi’s leading real estate companies, to provide project management services for Gateway Towers 3 to 8 at the Shams Abu Dhabi development.  The four-year contract has a value to Hill of approximately AED 128.6 million ($35.0 million).

Construction of the six mixed-use towers is expected to cost approximately AED 5.9 billion ($1.6 billion) and be completed by May 2012.  The six towers will have a total built-up area of approximately 1.1 million square meters (11.8 million square feet).  In addition to these projects, Hill is providing overall program management services to Sorouh during design and construction of the entire Shams Abu Dhabi development which includes residential, office, hotel, retail, entertainment and parking facilities, including Sky Tower, a 74-story residential and commercial skyscraper, which will be the tallest building in Abu Dhabi upon its completion.   In addition, Hill is providing project management services for Tameer Towers, a mixed-use waterfront development located within Shams Abu Dhabi.

“Sorouh is proud to partner with companies that adhere to our own commitment to professionalism, international best practices, and creativity. Hill International reflects these innovative and dynamic attributes and I look forward to working closely with our partners on this exciting development,” said Mounir D. Haidar, Chief Executive Officer of Sorouh.

The Gateway Towers will be hallmark features of the Shams skyline,” said Raouf S. Ghali, President of Hill’s Project Management Group (International).  “We are honored that we have the continued confidence of Sorouh and we expect that this development will be a major success,” Ghali added.

Abu Dhabi-based Sorouh Real Estate PJSC is one of the UAE’s leading real estate companies, with projects worth more than AED 45 billion under development.  Set up in June 2005 with a capital of AED 2.5 billion, Sorouh is now one of the largest real estate developers on the Abu Dhabi Securities Market.  In March 2008, Sorouh had a market capitalization of approximately AED 20.7 billion and approximately 40,000 shareholders.

Sorouh has more than 200 employees, working in master-planning and master-development and related fields, and is working on some of the most important developments in Abu Dhabi, including Lulu Island, Shams Abu Dhabi, The Gate District at Shams Abu Dhabi, Alghadeer, Saraya and Golf Gardens.  In addition, Sorouh has developed partnerships with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. and Rubicon, Inc. to explore the development of entertainment opportunities within Sorouh’s real estate portfolio.
Sorouh has received international recognition for its outstanding projects. Recent awards include:

• Best New Business - Middle East Business Achievements Awards 2007
• Best Commercial Project for the Gate District - Abu Dhabi Cityscape 2007
• Best Development, Central Park, Shams Abu Dhabi - CNBC Arabian Property Awards 2007
• Best Customer Service Company, Real Estate Category - Middle East Excellence Awards Institute  2008

For more information on Sorouh, please visit their website at www.sorouh.com.

Hill International has 2,000 employees in 70 offices worldwide providing program management, project management, construction management and construction claims and consulting services.  Engineering News-Record magazine recently ranked Hill as the 11th largest construction management firm in the United States.

-Albawaba.com

From PRweb.com:

Jaco, Costa Rica (PRWEB) July 9, 2008 — The Bijagua Costa Rica luxury real estate, located approximately half an hour’s drive from the town of Jaco, is one of the most pristine residences in the Costa Rica area. The property’s 60 acres atop a mountain are home to an 8900-square-foot residential compound with a three-bed, three-bath main house, staff quarters, a four-car garage, and several greenhouses. The Jaco property includes its own irrigation and storage systems and boasts views of the western coastline and surrounding mountain ranges.

Beachfront lofts are also available along the Jaco coastline. These two-bed, two-bath residences are ideal for vacationers looking for peace and quiet. Units are compact and environmentally friendly, with top-grade finishes and private decks. The Jaco real estate development will include a swimming pool.

Costa Rica luxury real estate Properties are also available in the Wyndham Garden development. Wyndham Garden condominiums and villas offer residents the amenities of a five-star resort. Units can be purchased with all finishes and furnishings in place, and the complex includes a full range of services including child care. All residences provide full views of the mountains and the ocean.

For Jaco real estate investors, and developers, land zoned for use as planned communities is available. These parcels can be built to include condominiums, townhomes, golf courses, and clubhouses. Opportunities exist for Jaco real estate development that is in tune with surrounding rain forests and natural features.

Property ownership in Jaco, Costa Rica is accessible to buyers interested in primary residences, vacation homes, luxury real estate, and investment opportunities. Properties are available that meet long-term living needs, as well as included maintenance and upkeep for buyers who choose to live in Jaco on a part-time basis.

The community of Jaco, Costa Rica is welcoming and vibrant. The main town includes restaurants, shops, and bars. Popular attractions include beaches, mountains, and eco-tourism. Surfing and fishing are popular local pursuits. The Costa Rica luxury real estate community is easily accessible and is within reach of major population centers.

Recent adjustments in Costa Rica real estate transfer and ownership laws make foreign ownership of Costa Rican property attainable. Coldwell Banker’s Vesta Group provides concierge service for interested buyers who require help navigating the purchase of property in Costa Rica. Financing of up to 80 percent of a home’s appraised value is generally available in either U.S. dollars or Costa Rican colones.

For additional information on Jaco, Costa Rica luxury real estate properties available, contact Lisle Head Toll Free at 866-403-1345 or visit www.cb-jaco.com.

ABOUT COLDWELL BANKER VESTA GROUP: Coldwell Banker has served the real estate needs of clients worldwide for over 100 years. The Jaco-based Vesta Group represents buyers and sellers in the Central American nation of Costa Rica.

From Marketwatch.com:

BEIJING, July 9, 2008 /Xinhua-PRNewswire via COMTEX/ — Xinyuan Real Estate Co., Ltd.,  a fast-growing residential real estate developer with a focus on strategically selected Tier II cities in China, today announced that it has been selected as one of China’s Top Fifty “Golden” Overseas-listed Chinese companies by CEO & CIO magazine, a prominent Chinese magazine focused on business management.

 

“We are delighted to be recognized among this elite group, including peers operating across many different industries in China,” said Mr. Yong Zhang, Xinyuan’s chairman and chief executive officer. “We believe that our disciplined focus on high asset turnover, efficient capital management and strict cost control helped us to be considered as a top overseas-listed Chinese company.”

 

The publication narrowed its top fifty from a list of 537 medium-to-large China-based companies listed on major stock markets, including the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, NASDAQ, NYSE and the Singapore Exchange. The magazine noted that key selection criterion was based on robust revenue growth and high investment returns.

 

Xinyuan’s compound annual growth rate of approximately 100 percent over the past three years was cited by the magazine as a key factor in Xinyuan’s selection as one of China’s Top Fifty “Golden” Overseas-listed Companies.

 

About Xinyuan Real Estate Co., Ltd.:

 

Xinyuan Real Estate Co., Ltd.  is a fast-growing developer of large scale, quality residential real estate projects aimed at providing middle-income consumers with a comfortable and convenient community life. Xinyuan focuses on China’s Tier II cities, characterized as larger, more developed urban areas with above average GDP and population growth rates. Ranked #1 among all property developers in Zhengzhou in terms of contracted sales of residential units for the years 2004, 2005 and 2006, Xinyuan has expanded its network to cover a total population of over 34.5 million people in six strategically selected Tier II cities, comprising Hefei, Jinan, Kunshan, Suzhou, Zhengzhou and Chengdu. Xinyuan has completed 14 projects with a total GFA of over 1.0 million square meters within the past 10 years and as of March 31, 2008, Xinyuan had 8 projects under construction with a total GFA of 1.2 million square meters and five additional projects under planning with total GFA of 1.2 million square meters. Xinyuan is the first real estate developer from China to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange. For more information, please visit http://www.xyre.com .

 

 - Xinyuan Real Estate Co., Ltd.

From seonoobs.com:

As a growing number of consumers use the internet to influence their purchasing decisions, the importance of SEO has become apparent. Companies wishing to grab a piece of this online market are using SEO techniques to help their website stand apart from the crowd. Most recently, those in real estate marketing have seen the value of search engine optimization, and they have used this strategy to increase their customer base and boost their overall profits. Here are 3 reasons you should consider using SEO if you are a real estate marketer.

  1. Over Half of All Realtors Have Websites- According to Realtor.org, over half of all realtors currently have a website. With the market shifting online at an alarming rate, this number is always growing. This means the internet is overloaded with websites of realtors. In order to gain a competitive edge over other realtors, you should consider optimizing your website for relevant keywords. By doing this, you will be more likely to generate traffic from relevant search queries. If you don’t optimize your site, you risk being lost in the crowd of real estate websites, and that means the loss of potential clients.
  2. Customers Use the Internet to Buy Homes- Recent studies indicate almost 75% of home buyers use the internet during the purchase process. Databases of available homes with detailed photographs have eliminated the need for spending months driving to houses. Customers now use the internet to narrow the field of homes they are interested in. in short, the internet has become the first salesperson the customer interacts with. Since most customers are going online to browse homes, you should optimize your site to grab their attention. Because most internet sessions start with a search, using SEO can drive targeted traffic to your real estate website.
  3. Local Keywords Have Less Competition- In my first post on SEO Noobs, I discussed the benefits of localizing keywords. Real estate marketing presents the perfect opportunity for taking advantage of local keywords. Customers typically have a preferred city or neighborhood they would like to move to. Therefore, they include this geographic area in their search for available homes. If you optimize your listings according to their location, you will be more likely to appear higher in the SERPs. Local keywords have fewer competitors, so they tend to rise to the top easier.

-Eric Brantner


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