Technology, Tools and Tidbits

It's all about what my seller wants - or is it? It's YOUR job to EDUCATE!

Goomzee — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 10:43:43 -0700

"It's all about whatever my seller wants to hear."

Recently I've read some interesting comments in some of the blog posts about agents adopting new marketing tactics - or not adopting them for that matter.

What stands out in my mind the most is a comment that read, "It's all about whatever my seller wants to hear." Stop there. Isn't it also about the buyer? These comments triggered an irritation that just needed to be scratched. So here we go. more...

Real Estate Marketing 2.0

What does Weight Watchers and your Marketing Plan have in common? More than you think!

Goomzee — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 12:50:28 -0700

Some things in life seem so different; but when you break them down to the core, they end up being much more alike than you'd ever have imagined. There seems to be a similar cycle in many of life's challenges and feats.

I got to thinking today about comparing a marketing plan to the Weight Watchers diet. Sound strange? Hear me out here and then let me know what you think.

---

Goals

WW: You want to lose weight and eat healthier. You decide what your goal weight is and now you need to define the best path to get you there. more...

Technology, Tools and Tidbits

Real Estate Online Communities and Networks: Novelty or Necessity?

SWANEPOEL — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 12:25:19 -0700

Congratulations to both ActiveRain and RealTown that have reached that magical six figure membership number of 100,000 people.

Add to these two frontrunners the re-engineered Inman News that now includes an online real estate community (where we are having this discussion right now) and the rapid expansion of the real estate side of LinkedIn and the evidence supports that social networking and community has officially taken hold of real estate. It is here to stay and is on the short list of major contributors to shape the residential real estate industry. more...

Technology, Tools and Tidbits

RETS and Syndication

CTO — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 06:06:18 -0700

I wanted to provide an example of how RETS has benefited us and our members as an MLS.
There are many reasons, but the Inman news article this morning regarding Prudential partnering with Google and cyberhomes lit a spark. Here is the latest instance of how we have utilized RETS as an MLS to provide a FREE enhancement for our members: (Although any data feed would probably work, the integration because of RETS, was easy, quick, and flawless.) more...

Technology, Tools and Tidbits

Just when you thought you had a real mobile office...

Goomzee — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 11:21:55 -0700

Sick of driving around in your vehicle (the office away from the office) looking for a WiFi Hotspot?

Now you can really set up a "mobile office". Chrysler has announced they will add wireless routeres to some of their 2009 Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge models. What a great service for REALTORS and road warriors alike!

Now I know what you're thinking... How much is it?
Not as bad as you'd think!
The router - $449
Installation - up to $50
Mobile Web access - about $29 per month ($35 activation fee)
Service will be provided by Autonet Mobile.

Feel free to check out the full article: more...

Real Estate Marketing 2.0

MLS Standardization Underway

joshcarney — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 13:16:27 -0700

Does your website appear at the top of real estate-related search engine results?
If so, enjoy it while it lasts.
The adoption of a universal MLS data language could hike the demand for real estate search-engine keywords online.
NAR has mandated that all MLS companies nationwide adopt a standardized language called RETS (Real Estate Transaction Standard) by June, 2009.
RETS will allow approved Realtors & industry vendors to gain third-party access to MLS listing data like never before. more...

Technology, Tools and Tidbits

E-mail marketing

jason.holstein — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 12:04:25 -0700

Hello. Since this is my first post here, I'll briefly introduce myself by saying that I am not a Realtor myself, but rather I work in the marketing department of a large residential brokerage in Orange County, California. I am working on developing an e-mail marketing campaign for our agents and I thought this might be a good topic of discussion.

What types of experiences have you had with any of the many vendors out there offering e-mail marketing services and software? more...

Technology, Tools and Tidbits

Identifying your tech-savvy customers

Goomzee — Thu, 29 May 2008 09:18:36 -0700

Nielsen is preparing to report their Q1 2008 findings for mobile buyers, according to the Mobile Marketing Association. http://www.nielsenmobile.com/

"One is Five US Consumers Has Interest in Using Text Messages to Purchase Goods or Services"
* Total = 20.9%
* Male = 25.8%
* Female = 17.3%
* Ages 13-17 = 24.1%
* Ages 18-24 = 22.7%
* Ages 25-34 = 24.6%
* Ages 35-54 = 19.3%
* Ages 55+ = 15% more...

Real Estate Marketing 2.0

Introduce yourself!

Goomzee — Tue, 20 May 2008 11:13:13 -0700

Since I have started this group, I have meant to keep up on writing a personal note to welcome each and every member. Well, the amount of requests to join was overwhelming (I'm not complaining) and I didn't get the chance to email each one of you. I'm Sorry!!

Anyway, I thought I would write this post and allow each and everyone of you to share with our group who we are and what we do. So, here goes! more...

Technology, Tools and Tidbits

Your top 3 marketing tools you can't work without

Goomzee — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 14:06:38 -0700

Alright, we all have our favorite, and most effective technology tools. However, your favorite may not be your most effective, and your most effective might not be your favorite. But they do something for your business and you would definitely miss having them if they were to disappear one day. more...

Real Estate Marketing 2.0

Create your own RENTAL market widgets!

bogdancirlig — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 13:26:10 -0700

Zilpy released a new tool today, widgets builder for Rental Market. Builder allows you to create a custom widgets for Cities, States, Neighborhoods.

http://www.zilpy.com/widgets

Go ahead give it a try.

I would appreciate your feedback.

Thanks,

Yelena

Technology, Tools and Tidbits

SocialSpark.com - Will it be relevant to the Real Estate Industry?

lackiem — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 14:10:05 -0700

I'd like to see what everyone thinks about this service. Will it be relevant to Real Estate? The site is www.socialspark.com

The service, as far as I can tell, connects businesses and bloggers. There are two main components to the site:

1) Bloggers - they build a profile and can have others rate them on their previous work or experience (similar to LinkedIn profiles), and

2) Businesses/Services - they post their blogging needs on the site and have bloggers bid to write (market) about their brand or service. more...

Technology, Tools and Tidbits

Craigslist Limiting HTML

markedspot — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 13:15:33 -0700

Since I think just about everyone uses craigslist to market their listing I was wondering what everyone thought of Craigslist's proposal regarding html?

Basically what they are saying is:
"Unfortunately, much of the HTML in postings these days is used by spammers for harmful purposes, such as cloaking spam links, embedding false keywords, and overriding the flagging system." more...

Technology, Tools and Tidbits

What's Your Great Idea?

lackiem — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 17:47:42 -0700

We just started this group and want to get the idea juices flowing!

Do you provide or know of a great tool or service to help those in the Real Estate industry flourish? We are hoping for some truly successful, original, cutting-edge, and creative ideas and services.

Does anyone out in Inman world want to throw their idea, service, or tool into the ring? more...

Technology, Tools and Tidbits

Real Estate Photo Philosophy - Phact or Phiction

Goomzee — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 10:42:04 -0700

This morning Realtor.org posted an RISMedia article on the importance and benefits of presenting listings with photos. Their research identified the DOM shortens from 70 days with one single photo, to 40 days with six photos. Not only did the DOM shorten, but the listing actually sold closer to the asking price with just one photo.

Check this out for yourself!
====
Daily Real Estate News | April 2, 2008

How Photos Help Sell Homes more...

Technology, Tools and Tidbits

Were you one of Verizon's 20 billion in February?

Goomzee — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 08:49:01 -0700

As popularity continues to increase, I wanted to share Verizon's press release information regarding their nearly double growth in text messages sent in just 6 months. We are beginning to see the increase of national advertisers using this marketing tactic to reach more of their customers in a more personal way, by using their cell phone; something that rarely leaves their sight.

As posted by Fierce Mobile Content 3.31.08: more...

Technology, Tools and Tidbits

Do you Twitter and how is that working for you?

stacey108 — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 12:02:22 -0700

I don't Twitter yet, but I'm probably going to fairly soon. I've heard it described as an "ambient community" and I'm intrigued by that concept but not sure how it translates practically for real estate agents. Any agents out there Twitter and how do you find yourself using this in your business? Do you use Twitter IM screen or mobile app predominantly? Do you use Twhirl or any other app for Twitter and how? Thanks for any comments. I'd like to advise our real estate agents in the future...

Technology, Tools and Tidbits

www.1234yourstreet.com - What's the value of this service? Am I missing something??

Goomzee — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 14:16:48 -0700

This morning I was in deep thought about the newer service available, which allows you to create an individual domain for each of your listings. As the domain name, you list the address of the home, then hang a sign rider at your listing with the website address: ex: www.1234yourstreet.com more...

Technology, Tools and Tidbits

Wordpress as a Brokerage site.

BracCoy — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 13:10:07 -0700

Can anyone here point me to a real good example of a brokerage using WP as a company site? You know, something more along the lines of having static pages with great graphics and a blog incorporated.

Technology, Tools and Tidbits

Mobile Phones, Mobile Advertising and Real Estate - an Overview

Goomzee — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 16:04:41 -0800

age demographic using text messaging continues to rise as well. It’s not only the younger generations that are using it anymore. The older generations are finding the ease, and some find that the only way to get a hold of their kids. more...