You are here: Home / Archives for Reggie
post

Google Tools for Real Estate Professionals

By: Reggie · Posted on November 22, 2006 · 1 Comment

I was “Googling” (verb: to search Google) last night when I stumbled across a great page on none other than Google’s website. The page was titled “Google Tools for Real Estate Professionals”. It’s devoted to Realtors trying to get the most out of Google’s far reach and innovative services. The page contains helpful links to:

post

Google’s new "Phone Call" feature!

By: Reggie · Posted on November 19, 2006 · 4 Comments
Can this be true? I recently heard Pat Kitano talking about this new service. Sure enough, when I used Google Maps to search out a business I learned this is right on! Here’s how it works. Simply search for a business using Google Maps and be fairly descriptive. Search using business name and the corresponding city for best results. Then simply click the balloon on the map. You will notice a “call” link next to a business’s phone number. Click “Call” and you will then be prompted to enter your number. Click “Connect for Free” and then like magic the phone number you input will ring. Once you answer, you will here a ring. That ring is Google connecting you to the phone number and company you searched.

Because I was interested in what Google aims to do with your data I looked through the Privacy Policy. Google states that your information will only be used to place the call. Once the call is complete and Google has evaluated their service your phone number will be deleted from their servers.

Is this call free? Yes, Google picks up the cost of this call. However if you are on a cell phone your standard phone airtime rates apply.

Go Google…this is a great offering and will be sure to take off! Thanks for innovation GOOGLE!

post

Connect utility services and more from one Website.

By: Reggie · Posted on November 19, 2006 · Leave a Comment

WhiteFence is the self proclaimed “leading online one-stop comparison shopping marketplace for consumers looking to compare and order essential home services.” In a nutshell, WhiteFence offers consumers the ability to connect most necessary home services. Whitefence positions itself to aid both the consumer who is moving and the consumer that simply wants to switch service providers.

I went to WhiteFence.com and entered my address and was pleasantly surprised by the easy access to the vendors I have selected if I was really changing services. Here are a few areas they provide assistance with:

Basic Services

  • Phone

  • Cable TV

  • Satellite TV

  • High-Speed Internet

  • Electricity

  • Change of Address

  • Newspaper Delivery

  • Natural Gas

  • Water and Sewage

Financial Services

  • Banking Services

  • Renters Insurance

  • Rent Payments

Moving Services

  • Mover Quotes

  • Packing Supplies

  • Auto Shipping

  • Self Storage

Because of the wealth of information at my finger tips, and the fact that switching services is such a headache, in my opinion WhiteFence is one to add to your bag of tricks!

Similiar Products: Connect Utilities, and MoveUtilities

post

Cyberhomes, The FNRES answer to home valuation

By: Reggie · Posted on November 16, 2006 · 1 Comment

Well it’s official, last week FNRES (Fidelity National Real Estate Solutions) launched “Cyberhomes” lead by Marty Frame, former Realtor.com chief information officer. Now Marty is the Sr. Vice President / Chief Information Officer for FNRES.

The new FNRES product “Cyberhomes” is going to be the newest and hottest valuation tool on the Internet for a consumer. With Cyberhomes having access to IDM and Hansen Data it’s sure to dominate over tools such as Zillow, House Values and Real Estate ABC. For example, as I understand it, Cyberhomes has access to over 100 million property records compared to Zillow who has around 67 million. Cyberhomes will also be updating more than 575,000 new ownership records every month.

The valuation data derived from Cyberhomes is based on the AVM Fidelity has been refining for years, most recently know as “Value Your Home.” With Cyberhomes valuation, the volume of data is amazing, but even better is how the consumer can include adjustments on things they know are positive or negative about the home, neighborhood, or even the community.

The tool also boasts upwards of 18 dynamic graphs detailing the property and its comparables, property in the neighborhood and key market fundamentals. I should also mention these graphs do not look like the Value Your Home graphs. They’ve reinvented the visuals, the graphs are now colorful and dynamic. Users can change the time period on the fly.

Like Zillow and others this tool will be free for the consumer. However, unlike its closest competitors Cyberhomes also promises to be a lead generation tool for REALTORS. Brokers will have the option of having their listings show up on the tool. This is much easier than Trulia who requires the broker to setup a live feed to communicate inventory. With these lead generation aspects, Cyberhomes promises to be REALTOR friendly.

post

Becoming a Mobile Agent

By: Reggie · Posted on August 13, 2006 · Leave a Comment

If you are trying to become effective with your mobile technology, it’s important to understand where you will get the best results. In my opinion, you should be looking into the following categories:

  • Handheld / Mobile Phone Combination: According to the CAR 2005 Member Use of Technology survey 31% of members surveyed said that a Blackberry or Treo was their MOST important technology upgrade in 2005. In my opinion, that’s because with a combination device agents can not only get right back to phone call, but send and receive emails and view appointments as well. With the 3rd Generation network speeds, MLS data is better than ever. You can use an application like Pocket MLS to easily access property listings via the internet to view key information such as Listing Agent, Showing Options, Photos and more. To view popular handhelds click on one of the following links: Blackberry, Treo 700P (Palm), Treo 700W (Windows), Cingular 8125
  • Laptop or Tablet PC: This technology is vital for a technology savvy Real Estate agent. With mobile computing you will have access to your data wherever you are! Need to fill out a contract with your client, no problem with Winforms. With a Tablet PC you can take it even a step further and sign your contracts, take handwritten notes, and draw as needed in a presentation situation. For Laptops I recommend Dell and for the Tablet PC I recommend HP.
  • Wireless PC Card (Aircard): I recently purchased a wireless PC card and was not to impressed with the speed, yet this tool sure comes in handy when you need access to the Internet outside of your office. Setup was very simple and now I can access the Internet virtually anywhere. I simply insert the PC Card into the PCMCIA slot on my HP Tablet. From the Cingular software, I click connect and away I go! An agent could access MLS, email, online disclosures and more. Click here to visit Cingular and learn about 3G and their BroadbandConnect next generation network.
  • Mobile Printer: If you start really using the technology above you will ask yourself “What good will the Tablet and Wireless Card do if I can’t print out the documents I create?” That’s where mobile printing comes in. Two popular models are the HP Deskjet 460 and the Canon PIXMA iP90
post

Spice up your next Internet posting! Part #2

By: Reggie · Posted on August 13, 2006 · 12 Comments

Postlets.com is a new online classified service with a twist. Postlets allows anyone to build and post a classified ad, and they will not only display it but automatically submit the listing to several classifieds search engines—maximizing your reach across the Internet. For those sites that except HTML, Postlets will generate the code so all you need to do is cut and paste.

Here is how Postlets works. Start by creating a free account. As you begin they need contact information (Click Here to Read Postlets Terms of Use) and you must choose a category for your posting. (i.e. Real Estate) Then enter your properties physical characteristics and description. Lastly upload up to 12 photos. That’s it, you’ve completed the post. Now Postlets will submit the listing to Oodle, Google Base, Edgeio, Propsmart, HotPads and other classifieds search engines. If you want to take it a step further, Postlets can spice up your Craiglist, Backpage or LiveDeal post with HTML!

So remember, add the sites to your listing plan. The more eyes you can attract the better.

post

How can Trulia help my business?

By: Reggie · Posted on August 3, 2006 · Leave a Comment

Have you heard about the new Trulia Real Estate Search? Inman recently announced Trulia as the “2006 Most Innovative Web Service“. Trulia connects home buyers directly with brokers through their online interface offering a “mashup” of interactive neighborhood and satellite maps, homes for sale, multiple search views, and market trends to help the home search process.

ENOUGH, How can Trulia help me?
By displaying your listings with a link back to your website. Trulia indexes real estate information from various website feeds into their easy to use interface. Learn about starting your own feed to Trulia by clicking here. (* Note: If you do establish a feed, each listing must have complete data and an image.)

If you are feeding properties to Trulia, you may want to use some of their free tools. Trulia offers an Integrated Search Box, Trulia Map, Home Roll (Newsest homes on Trulia) and a XML RSS Feed of results pages. Take a look at their map plugin below:

Trulia Provides Local Information
When it comes to relocation info, Trulia has done a wonderful job of dynamically linking all of the best locations in one easy interface. Take a look at the California Real Estate Guides, he is a Snapshot of San Francisco. You’ll view sales trends with graphs, schools, census information (i.e. crime, houshold income, travel times.) local maps, community Organizations, attractions, parks & recreation, entertainment, news & media, and government.

Try the Trulia local real estate guides search here

Trulia logo
Examples: “San Francisco, CA”, “94588″…

post

The Advantage of Online Spreadsheets

By: Reggie · Posted on July 30, 2006 · Leave a Comment

The new Google Spreadsheet application enables users to create web-based spreadsheets that anyone with permission can simultaneously update from their own computer. Google Spreadsheet has many benefits, including:

  • Easily share spreadsheets & collaborate in real-time. With Google Spreadsheet users can invite anyone to read and/or modify your spreadsheets.
  • Efficiently edit your spreadsheets from anywhere. All you need is access to the internet, nothing to download!
  • Store your spreadsheets quickly and securely online.
  • Import and export your .xls and .csv formatted data.

To signup for Google Spreadsheets you must have a Google account. To get started, click here.

Visit Google Spreadsheets at:
http://spreadsheets.google.com

Take a tour of Google Docs and Spreadhseets