Welcome to latest edition of the Real Estate Resource Roundup.  These are some of the industry articles that caught our eye this week.

Keeping the Conversation Alive: Maintaining Relationships with The Personal Marketing Company
Our own Bill Barrs (Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers, Atlanta, GA) talks about how social media has opened doors for real estate professionals.  Social media has allowed him not only to stay engaged with his audience, but also to update them with helpful content.

Weak October Sales Have Home Builders Fretting About Spring
A monthly survey of builders across the U.S by John Burns Real Estate Consulting found that sales of new homes declined by 8% in October from the September level and by 6% from a year earlier.

Real Estate Industry Leaders Largely Pleased with new mortgage disclosure forms
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau released a final rule requiring the use of new, simplified mortgage disclosure forms that are designed to make it easier for homebuyers to understand the terms of a mortgage.  Real Estate and mortgage leaders have been reacting very positively about the new forms and many have said that it is a step in the right direction toward the consumer having greater control over the loan process. 

10 Surprising Social Media Stats That Will Make You Rethink Your Social Strategy
Fast Company provided 10 surprising social media stats – for example, 25% of smartphone owners say they can’t remember the last time their phone wasn’t next to them. That number is sure to grow.

And, don’t forget, our next Beta Broker Hangout is December 9th! Register now!

Better Homes and Gardnes Real Estate’s Next Beta Broker Hangout: Strategies for Effective Real Estate Videos
As part of our ongoing Beta Brokerage project, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate is hosting its next Beta Broker Hangout on Google+.  The company is planning a lively discussion with two successful brokers who will share experiences, successes and tactics for using video in their marketing.