Pinnacle Award Survey Live Now!

From the conference chairman: the Pinnacle Awards evolve in 2012

Fri, 18 May 2012 08:43:50 -0600

It's been two years since we introduced the Pinnacle Awards, the REO industry's first awards program specifically designed to recognize the best asset managers in the nation. In those two years, we've successfully managed to help change the perception of what excellence in REO management really looks like, by asking more than 60,000 professionals on the ground in local real estate markets for their thoughts and insights regarding the companies they work with on a daily basis.

But no awards program can remain static and unchanging if it wants to remain meaningful and relevant. The REO market is changing rapidly, and so we're proud to announce that for 2012 we're revamping the Pinnacle Awards program. I'm confident we're dramatically improving an already impressive annual survey effort, the only of its kind. This year, we will be awarding Pinnacles based upon the size of a company’s REO portfolio: this means that for the first time, firms will be judged against their peer group when being considered for a Pinnacle Award.

This is a significant and exciting change, as we'll be able to acknowledge excellence in all market segments, whether a firm manages a large, or not-as-large, REO portfolio. It means that more firms will have an opportunity to be recognized as the leaders they truly are.

With this change, we are also consolidating award categories: we will be recognizing best-in-class firms as a whole, instead of award categories for specific functions. We've found over the years that the firms that score well in any particular functional component also tend to be the firms that score the best in overall ratings, a fact that led to a number of firms winning multiple awards. Starting this year, firms are eligible for one overall Pinnacle Award in their class.

Bottom line, these changes mean that more firms can now compete for the prestige that comes with winning a Pinnacle Award. And because we're only recognizing best-in-class firms, a wider range of firms will be recognized as true industry leaders.

It's an exciting time to be working in REO, and I'm proud that the Pinnacle Awards program continues to evolve to meet the needs of a vibrant and ever-changing industry. I hope to see each of you in the audience when we hand out this year's group of Pinnacle Award winners during REO Expo.

If you haven’t registered for REO EXPO 2012 yet, there’s still time. Please CLICK HERE to learn more about available registration options, and I look forward to seeing you there!

Best regards,

Paul Jackson
CEO, HousingWire
Conference chair, REO Expo 2012

JUST CONFIRMED! HomeTelos to Share its Proven Marketing Techniques at REO EXPO 2012!

Thu, 17 May 2012 08:00:00 -0600

On Tuesday, June 12, First Preston HT - who has sold over $40 billion in assets across the nation - will hold two special agent/broker marketing sessions as part of REO EXPO 2012.

The sessions, held from 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm and 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm, are identical; attendees are encouraged to choose the session that best fits their schedule.

In their session, HomeTelos will present ways in which agents and brokers can use BidSelect.com to get millions of eyes on the properties they have for sale in an online real estate marketplace that provides real-time negotiation of offers. They'll also introduce SplashCube, an easy-to-use social media marketing tool that automates your social messages, so that you wake up to leads in your inbox.

Attendance at this session is strictly limited, so please make your plans and register as soon as possible.

For more information about REO EXPO, CLICK HERE.

To register for EXPO, or to add classes to your schedule, please CLICK HERE.

REO EXPO AGENDA UPDATE: Friends with Benefits: Facebook for Profit

Wed, 16 May 2012 08:00:00 -0600

If you think Facebook is a time suck that has no place in your real estate business, you are missing a huge opportunity. The world's most powerful social network is building the business of real estate agents all across the nation.

In this session, you'll learn how to create an effective and powerful Facebook marketing strategy, and see case studies of how REALTORS are using pages, profiles, groups, and ads to build relationships, get leads, and grow their brand. Come learn from one of the nation's preeminent real estate Facebook trainers about how you can get Facebook to work for you.

All agenda items and descriptions are subject to change. Please CLICK HERE for the most complete and up-to-date information.

For more information about REO EXPO 2012, and to register, please CLICK HERE.

Look What You Can Win at the HW/Rebuilding Together Silent Auction!

Tue, 15 May 2012 08:00:00 -0600

Generous folks from all over have responded to our request for donations to our Silent Auction benefitting Rebuilding Together. The auction will be held at the HousingWire booth at REO EXPO 2012, and you're encouraged to bid early and often.

Here's a glimpse at some of the great material that's been donated so far:

A CEO Boot Camp package,
A $5,000 kitchen appliance package,
Several REO company office visits,
A pair of killer tickets to an upcoming Dallas Cowboys game,
A fabulous gift package, including tickets to Billy Bob's,

And that's just the beginning! Keep watching our website at REOExpo.org and get ready to bid on some fabulous material, all in support of Rebuilding Together!

You can still help this worthy cause by donating an item for the auction. Just visit the Charity Auction page for more information. Every donation is appreciated, and 100% of the proceeds benefit Rebuilding Together.

Last Chance to Enter the HW Agent X Contest and Win. Big.

Mon, 14 May 2012 08:00:00 -0600

Tomorrow, May 15, is the deadline for entering the HW AGENT X contest, your chance to tell your REO horror story and win $100,000 in creative and marketing services from HW Creative as well as a host of additional prizes.

If you've sold the unsellable, recovered the unrecoverable, rescued the unrescuable, you might be our Agent X. All you have to do is visit our submission page HERE and tell us your story in 1,000 words or fewer. If you're selected as a finalist, you'll present your story to our panel of judges and an audience of your peers, all of whom will have an opportunity to vote on our lucky winner.

So go ahead... terrify us. Horrify us. Make us squirm with the story of the worst REO property you've ever successfully sold (you're going to have to go a long way to beat some of our current submissions) and you could be a big winner.

For more contest details, and to read the official rules, please CLICK HERE.

OPEN TO REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS WHO ARE REGISTERED FOR REO EXPO 2012 AT THE TIME OF ENTRY. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED.

No substitution, cash redemption, or transfer of right to receive prizes is permitted.

For Official Rules, CLICK HERE.

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: Nationstar Mortgage to Offer Two Special Agent Training Sessions at REO EXPO 2012!

Fri, 11 May 2012 08:00:00 -0600

Nationstar Mortgage, one of the nation's leading mortgage servicers and lenders offering conforming, Fannie Mae, FHA, FHLMC, VA, Jumbo, and USDA products directly to consumers, will offer two special agent training sessions at REO EXPO 2012.

Limited to Nationstar-approved network listing agents and brokers, the sessions will be held on Tuesday, June 12 from 10:30 am until 11:30 am, and from 3:00 pm until 4:00 pm. Both sessions are identical, so attendees are encouraged to select the session that best fits their schedule.

Participation in these agent and broker training sessions is strictly limited; please sign up today to avoid disappointment.

For more information about REO EXPO 2012's schedule of agent and broker training sessions, please CLICK HERE.

To find out more about REO EXPO 2012, and to register, please CLICK HERE.

REO EXPO 2012 AGENDA UPDATE: CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?: Innovative Marketing Strategies for Real Estate Agents

Thu, 10 May 2012 08:00:00 -0600

In today's media-saturated world, in which consumers are bombarded by ads virtually every moment of every day, how do you get your message heard above all the others? How do you stand out from the crowd in order to increase your opportunities for success?

In this engaging seminar, real "boots on the ground" realtors - your peers - will talk about what it takes to effectively market yourself and your properties in today's world.

Is there a value to property staging? How can you profitably deal with low-value properties? What strategies work best for attracting investor buyers? These questions and many others will be answered during this important session. Don't miss it!

All agenda items and descriptions are subject to change. Please CLICK HERE for the most complete and up-to-date information.

For more information about REO EXPO 2012, and to register, please CLICK HERE.

The Word is Out About AGENT X!

Wed, 09 May 2012 14:00:00 -0600

In her popular and well-regarded real estate blog, CandysDirt.com, Candy Evans - journalist and former editor of D Magazine's DallasDirt - talks about our HW Agent X contest, in which one stalwart agent who has managed to sell the unsellable property will be rewarded with $100,000 in creative and marketing services from HW Creative.

Candy has agreed to serve as one of our judges for the contest, bringing her unique insights, wit, and experience to the table. We know she's going to keep things lively. You can read her latest blog post HERE.

If you haven't entered the HW Agent X contest - and if you haven't, why not? - there's still time... but not much. The deadline for entering is Tuesday, May 15, so get your entry in now!

For more contest details, and to read the official rules, please CLICK HERE.

OPEN TO REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS WHO ARE REGISTERED FOR REO EXPO 2012 AT THE TIME OF ENTRY. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED.

No substitution, cash redemption, or transfer of right to receive prizes is permitted.

For Official Rules, CLICK HERE.

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT! CoreLogic Will Offer Special Agent Training Session at REO EXPO 2012!

Wed, 09 May 2012 08:00:00 -0600

As part of REO EXPO 2012, CoreLogic - a financial, property, and consumer information, analytics, and services company enabling customers nationally and globally to solve their business challenges of risk and opportunity management - will hold a special training session open to CoreLogic-approved network listing agents and brokers.

The sessions, held on Tuesday, June 12, from 10:30 am - 12:30 pm, and 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm, are identical; attendees are encouraged to choose the session that best fits their schedule.

Attendance at this session is strictly limited; please register soon to avoid disappointment.

Check back frequently for more details as they're confirmed, and CLICK HERE for all the latest information on agent and broker training sessions.

For more information regarding REO EXPO 2012, please CLICK HERE.

To register for REO EXPO, or to add classes to your schedule, please CLICK HERE.

REO EXPO 2012 AGENDA UPDATE: The Latest from Washington: Regulatory Changes and How They Affect You

Tue, 08 May 2012 08:00:00 -0600

Regulations involving housing and mortgage finance are changing and evolving faster than ever these days, making it critically important that you understand and keep on top of all the issues.

What does the multi-billion dollar mortgage settlement mean to you and your business, for example?What impact will the newly formed Consumer Financial Protection Bureau have on the way in which servicers handle property dispositions? These are just a few of the questions that this high-level, future-state session will address in an effort to give you insights that will help you navigate this often confusing, sometimes treacherous area.

All agenda items and descriptions are subject to change. Please CLICK HERE for the most complete and up-to-date information.

For more information about REO EXPO 2012, and to register, please CLICK HERE.

The Wells Fargo/Premiere Asset Services Special Agent Training Session Just Got Even Better!

Mon, 07 May 2012 08:00:00 -0600

One of the nation's largest financial institutions and a leader in the mortgage industry, Wells Fargo/Premiere Asset Services will offer a special agent training session on Friday, June 15, from 8:30 am to 10:30 am and from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm as part of REO EXPO 2012. The sessions are identical, so you may choose the one that best fits your schedule.

In addition to the scheduled training agenda, Wells Fargo/PAS will also be holding a series of relationship-building raffles. Additional information about these exciting giveaways will be released within the coming weeks, so keep checking this page. You must be present to win these valuable prizes; make your plans to attend today.

These sessions are always extremely popular, especially those held by such industry giants as Wells Fargo/PAS. As there is a strict limit on the number of people that can attend each session, we urge you to sign up today to avoid disappointment.

To add sessions to your itinerary, please CLICK HERE, and click the button that says, "Already Registered? Click Here to Register for Classes."

Our list of agent training sessions is growing every day, so check back frequently HERE.

Need to register for REO EXPO 2012? Please CLICK HERE.

JUST CONFIRMED: Matt Martin Real Estate Management to Hold Special Agent Training Session

Thu, 03 May 2012 08:00:00 -0600

Virginia-based Matt Martin Real Estate Management (MMREM) is a certified General Services Administration (GSA) and Financial and Business Services (FABS) Schedule Contract Holder specializing in real estate property marketing and management activities. They represent government agencies and financial institutions in providing Real Estate Owned (REO) marketing and management services, and actively work with both the real estate and mortgage industries.

On Tuesday, June 12, from 1:00 pm until 2:00 pm, as part of REO EXPO 2012, MMREM will offer a special training session to all agents and brokers with a valid REO EXPO registration. Attendance at this session is strictly limited, so please make your plans and register as soon as possible.

As part of their session, MMREM will introduce the Olympus Asset Management System, a proprietary operating system that will replace both AMOS and IRIS. Attendance at this session will allow you to get a head-start on using Olympus.

For more information about REO EXPO, CLICK HERE.

To register for EXPO, or to add classes to your schedule, please CLICK HERE.

REO EXPO AGENDA UPDATE: Driving Your Business into Multiple Pillars of Your Community with Bubba Mills

Wed, 02 May 2012 08:00:00 -0600

Currently President of REO Coaching and Business Development for Corcoran Coaching - an international real estate coaching company - Bubba Mills promotes best practices and the development of innovative ideas in REO/asset management. As well, he is an outspoken advocate for compassionate REO disposition and corporate responsibility.

Bubba will draw on his expertise and experience to hold an exciting workshop, in which he will discuss ways to turn leads from your REO business into multiple streams of income, how to generate more leads from your listings, and ways to use your REO listings to create community relationships. Bubba's unique perspective on this emergent field will surely prove enlightening and provocative.

All agenda items and descriptions are subject to change. Please CLICK HERE for the most complete and up-to-date information.

For more information about REO EXPO 2012, and to register, please CLICK HERE.

Wells Fargo/Premiere Asset Services Special Agent Training Session is Filling Up Fast!

Tue, 01 May 2012 08:00:00 -0600

Wells Fargo/Premiere Asset Services is holding two agent/broker meetings as part of REO EXPO 2012, and they’re filling up fast!

The agent/broker meetings are traditionally the most popular offering at the EXPO, and are the programs that attendees regularly tell us were of the most value. Of course, that means they fill up quickly, disappointing those who waited too long to make their plans.

The Wells Fargo/Premiere Asset Services sessions will be held on Friday, June 15 from 8:30 am until 10:30 am, and from 1:00 pm until 3:00 pm. The sessions are identical, so chose the one that best fits your schedule.

PLEASE NOTE: These agent/broker meetings are limited to PAS-approved network listing agents and brokers only. There is a strict limit on attendance. Once that limit is reached, no more reservations will be accepted.

For the latest information regarding the REO EXPO 2012 agent/broker meetings, please CLICK HERE

For more information about REO EXPO 2012 and to register, please CLICK HERE

Why is REO EXPO Different from All Other Conferences?

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 08:00:00 -0600

All conferences are NOT alike! If you’ve been to REO EXPO before, you’ve experienced what makes this event among the most unique experiences in real estate. If you’ve yet to attend, read below and consider these five important distinctions that help set REO EXPO apart from every other conference in the nation:

FOCUS: REO EXPO is not a default servicing conference, nor a loss mitigation conference. Instead, it's a real estate conference, and that distinction sets us apart from a wide range of default servicing conferences attended by hopeful RE pros each year. We bring together corporate real estate departments with local real estate professionals to discuss solutions, address challenges, and pursue strategies that can restore neighborhoods and repair homes.
CONTENT: Why waste your time with high-level overviews that don’t provide anything of lasting value? REO EXPO offers in-depth workshops and training sessions with representatives from many of the nation’s largest financial institutions, all designed to help you make new business contacts and secure business opportunities that might otherwise be unobtainable.
REACH: REO EXPO is the only real estate event to be marketed and backed by a national media platform like HousingWire, giving you access to speakers and industry insiders that only major media can deliver.
ATTENDANCE: Many of the biggest names in the housing and mortgage finance industry – names such as Bank of America, Wells Fargo/Premiere Asset Services, Green River Capital, and more – make sure to attend REO EXPO, because they know it’s where real estate professionals come to do business, make connections, and share insights.
SPECIAL EVENTS: This year, REO EXPO is host to not one, but two major awards. The Pinnacles, now in their third year, recognize those asset management firms that consistently display high degrees of professionalism and integrity, as voted on by real estate agents and brokers across the nation. The HW AGENT X Award, on the other hand, salutes that individual agent or broker who has proven themselves to be a true REO superhero by successfully selling the unsellable default property. Both of these award programs are attended by many of the leading lights of the REO industry.

That’s five solid reasons to attend REO EXPO 2012 -- although there are many, many more. Your colleagues, your friends (and your competitors!) are going to be there. Can you really afford to miss out? For more information about REO EXPO 2012, and to register, please CLICK HERE.

Why Attend REO EXPO 2012? We’ll Give You Six Good Reasons

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 08:00:00 -0600

Perhaps you’re asking yourself, “Why should I attend REO EXPO 2012? What’s in it for me?” If that’s the case, let us give you six good reasons for attending the conference “where business gets done.”

1. Meetings with Key REO Personnel
Where else will you find representatives from Bank of America, Wells Fargo/Premiere Asset Services, Green River Capital, PEMCO, and more, all anxious to meet and do business with YOU? Partners that engage with REO EXPO do more than merely send a representative to the show: they're partners in every sense of the word, and work with us closely to ensure a great conference experience for attendees.

2. Educational Workshops & Agent Training Sessions
At the heart of REO EXPO 2012 are the valuable workshops and agent training sessions all designed to take your business to the next level. From getting started with REO to secrets of getting into government contracts to tips on effective social media marketing and more, these in-depth workshops, led by teams of industry leaders, are the perfect place to learn the things you need to know to grow your business in the coming year. You’ll also have an opportunity to take part in exciting agent training sessions with such housing and mortgage finance titans as Bank of America, Wells Fargo/Premiere Asset Services, CoreLogic, PEMCO, and more. Far more than simple company overviews, these comprehensive sessions will actually position you to expand your business and reap new rewards.

3. Incredible Networking Opportunities
REO EXPO is known for being big enough to attract the major movers and shakers in the industry, but small enough to allow you to effectively network and interact with important contacts from all across the country. Since the point of the EXPO is to facilitate business, your day is designed to make the most of meeting and greeting opportunities the conference.

4. Exciting Keynote Speakers
This year’s keynote speakers will both inspire and inform.

Hear the incredible true story of Nando Parrado, Andes plane crash survivor, whose story of incredible hardship and survival against all odds will thrill you, and inspire you to overcome the obstacles that hinder success in both your personal and professional life.

As well, Mark Fleming, Chief Economist for CoreLogic, will discuss the indicators and trends that he believes will influence the housing market in 2012, focusing on the issues that you’ll need to keep an eye on in the coming year. He’ll cover such essential topics as the labor market, consumer confidence, housing, supply and demand in the real estate market, shadow inventory, negative equity, and more.

You can’t afford to miss these critical presentations, designed to put you on the road to success in 2012.

5. Gala Industry Awards Ceremonies
REO EXPO is an opportunity for the housing and real estate management industry to celebrate itself, to honor its highest achievers, and to set the bar for everyone else, in order to encourage them to reach higher and do better. The brightest and best of the industry are in attendance, providing you with an unmatchable opportunity to rub elbows with these REO titans. It’s a unique opportunity to see, and be seen by, the superstars of the REO universe.

6. An Evening of Entertainment with George Lopez
This year, REO EXPO is proud to announce an evening of laughter and fun with actor, comedian, talk show host, and philanthropist George Lopez. One of America’s leading comedians, this event is presented exclusively for attendees of REO EXPO 2012, so sit back, laugh, and enjoy the show.

We’ll look forward to seeing you at REO EXPO 2012!

For more information or to register for REO EXPO 2012, please CLICK HERE.

REO EXPO 2012 AGENDA ITEMS: Everything You Always Wanted To Know About Government Contracts, But Didn’t Know Who To Ask

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 13:00:00 -0600

Working with government contracts can be a large volume business, one that is often both lucrative and prestigious. Everyone wants to get into servicing government contracts for firms like HUD, but how does one break into this highly desirable arena? What do government contractors and servicers look for in a realtor, and what’s your pathway to success in this field? Find out the answers to all these questions and more in this informative and timely workshop, one designed to help you get started in a new and highly profitable business track.

All agenda items and descriptions are subject to change. Please CLICK HERE for the most complete and up-to-date information.

Join Green River Capital for a Special Agent Training Session at REO EXPO 2012!

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 08:00:00 -0600

Green River Capital – one of the top performing asset management companies in the nation – will hold a special agent training session at REO EXPO 2012. Date and time information has yet to be determined, and will be posted on this site as soon as it becomes available. This is your opportunity to meet key personnel from this leading asset management firm, and to learn how best to work with them.

Check back frequently for more details as they’re confirmed, and CLICK HERE for all the latest information on agent and broker training sessions.

Want to get your business in front of thousands of mortgage servicers and REO asset management firms?

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 08:00:00 -0600

Agent X Can Show You How!

If you’re serious about moving your business forward and taking your career to the next level, you need to reach the people at the top of the real estate ladder, the movers and shakers who can help you get where you want to go. The problem has always been reaching those people, but now Agent X can get you in front of them faster than a speeding bullet.

One lucky winner of our amazing HW Agent X contest - that true REO superhero who has overcome impossible odds in selling the unsellable property - is going to walk away with an unbelievable marketing package worth more than $100,000 in creative and marketing services from HW Creative, including:

Creative and Brand Development services;
The Giants of REO;
Online ad placement in HousingWire.com;
Print ad placement in HousingWire Magazine;
And more!

Get your name and message in front of HousingWire’s vast readership, more than 40% of whom are important executives working in mortgage lending, mortgage servicing, and REO asset management, the very people you want to reach to move your business forward. This is your chance to promote your business to a wide – and very desirable – audience, one that most agents can only dream of reaching.

So enter the AGENT X contest today, and take you business up, up, and away tomorrow!

For more information about the AGENT X contest and to read the official rules, please CLICK HERE.

To register for REO EXPO, please CLICK HERE.

NAWRB to train women-, minority-, small-, or disadvantaged-owned businesses at REO EXPO 2012

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 08:00:00 -0600

Join the National Association of Women REO Brokerages (NAWRB) at REO EXPO 2012, June 12-15 at the Fort Worth Convention Center, for an exclusive certification session, Ready, Set, Certify. This special session will be held on Friday, June 15, from 8:30am until 11:00am.

Learn about the advantages of being a certified minority business owner. Experts will be on hand to teach you about obtaining certification for Women, Minority, Small, and Disadvantaged-Owned businesses. The session is open to all REO EXPO attendees; current NAWRB members are invited to bring their women-owned business certification packages for a complimentary on-site review.

This is a unique opportunity to certify your business; don’t miss it!

For more information and to register for REO EXPO 2012, please CLICK HERE.