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vFlyer Offers Single Property Sites
By NikNik · August 20, 2007 · 7 Comments
With Domain Plus, you can search for and then purchase the domain name for your vFlyer listing ad or gallery. For example, a listing at 1731 Chanson Place in GA, would have the domain: http://www.1731chansonplace.com/. (Thanks Brad) Now you can spotlight your listings on the Web by giving them their own URL. Show your clients just how dedicated you are to featuring their listing in a variety of mediums…single property sites being one of them. This is a great feature to highlight in your prelisting presentation as well.
vFlyer can save you more time than ever now by giving you an additional marketing option with minimal set up time. Even the best multi-taskers will appreciate the ability to create listing ads, distribute them to leading online marketplaces, and purchase custom domains all in one visit to vFlyer.
vFlyer is offering competitive pricing for their single property sites. You do need to sign up for an annual subscription to take advantage of Domain Plus. For example, a vFlyer starter subscription has an annual fee of $99.50 a year, monthly fee of $9.95 and each domain name can be purchased for $9.95 each. (Total cost $149.25) Also, the more you purchase the more you get. vFlyer is currently promoting their “FREE Domain Name Offer” until August 31st. Anyone who signs up or upgrades to an annual subscription will get one or more free domain names, as well as 2 months free service.
BTW-vFlyer is not the only one is town offering these bundled services. RealBird provides a similar tool with their Listing Publisher. Both are great offerings depending on your specific Website wants.
Tags: real estate, MyTechOpinion, RealBird, technology, real estate marketing
RealBird’s New Features and New Business Model
By Reggie · August 9, 2007 · 1 Comment
According to NAR, approximately 70% of buyers want to know more about the community they are buying in, so you’ll want to use the rich-text editors to include community and neighborhood information. Potential buyers will also see a “ValPak” icon to the map providing local coupons to enhance their experience. The Listing Publisher will also cross market your listings on each custom site you’ve created. You will also want to include these listings on your personal website. Simply grab their ‘Just Listed” widget to display your listings in the side bar of your website or blog. Or maybe it’s GeoRSS mapping widget you’re looking for. This widget will provide your website visitors local street maps, amazing 40 degree angle “bird’s eye” views (HOT technology) with local points of interest overlay.
Once your site is built, easily publish your listing site to a domain of your choice. Now it’s time to syndicate your listing for maximum exposure. RealBird can help you get the word out to Google Base, Trulia, Edgeio, Lycos Classifieds, Oodle, Local.com, Vast, and RealBird’s own SearchOnMaps.com. You can also grab the code to post on tools like Craigslist, Backpage, Kijiji, Facebook etc.
Tags: new features, new feature, RealBird, widget, Google, trulia
Google Mobile Maps Technology Utilizes GPS
By Chad A. Johnson · July 29, 2007 · 2 Comments
I have been a huge fan of the Google Mobile applications ever since Reggie reported on the service in his post, FREE Google Maps for your Mobile Device. I use it to get driving directions, find businesses and check traffic conditions. It truly is an indispensable program for anyone with a compatible smartphone.
Yesterday, I upgraded to the latest version of Google Mobile Maps for the Blackberry 8800 and got a pleasant surprise. This latest version takes full advantage of the Blackberry 8800’s GPS functionality. Now, when I open Google Mobile Maps, it shows me my current location (within 3 meters)! This is huge, especially for someone without GPS technology in their car. I can now search for an address or business (by name or business type) and get turn-by-turn driving directions from my current location.
The Blackberry 8800 comes with a navigation application installed, Telenav. While Telenav probably has its strengths, it requires a paid service. The $10 per month fee is not much, but the average real estate agents has so many subscription fees for different services and memberships that it can really add up at the end of the year.
While I have only mentioned the Blackberry 8800 (AT&T), those with the new Blackberry 8830 (Verizon), Blackberry 8800 (T-Mobile), Samsung BlackJack, Helio’s Ocean and other GPS enabled phones can take advantage of this great new functionality, as well.
To get the Google Mobile Maps application, go to http://mobile.google.com/ from your smartphone’s browser. Download the Google Mobile Maps Tip Sheet here.
Google Business Search for Real Estate
By Reggie · July 20, 2007 · 2 Comments
- Place your logo next to the search to fully brand the search.
- Ad-words are turned off so you don’t lose traffic to catchy advertisers.
- Search results can be delivered through an XML feed for complete merge with your design.
- Place a specific page above the organic search results for maximum exposure.
- Labels to guide users to search a generic term for channeling website visitors.
- Search multiple domains to bridge the gap of content between your blog and website.
Ok, so how much? Google price for the useful technology is $100 per year for websites with less than 5,000 pages. Websites between 5,000 and 50,000 the cost will be $500 per year.
The bottomline in my opinion is that Google search obviously works quickly and with great results. So, you’ll benefit by merging their search technology in with your real estate content and design for maximum appeal to your website visitors.
Take a look at this 2 minute overview of the Custom Search Business Edition.
Tags: google search, real estate agent, real estate, MyTechOpinion, technology, search technology
Got Real Estate Questions? TruliaVoices Answers.
By NikNik · July 14, 2007 · 10 Comments
Trulia launches answers to your questions with “Trulia Voices”. The Trulia community provides a place where anyone can ask real estate questions and get real answers from homeowners, real estate pros or anyone with an opinion on your local market.
To get started, visit Trulia online. Click on the “Trulia Voices” tab up top, then type your real estate question in the provided field. Update with your area info and submit. You will be prompted to register, if you haven’t already. Within seconds, your question is submitted to their online question/answer forum. You can view questions/answers that may be similar to your inquiries. If there are no like answers found, then just sit back, relax, and soon other community members from your area will begin commenting and answering your specific real estate question.
I asked the question, “Where do you find the school scores for your area?” Now, I already have a few favorite resources when it comes to that question (see past article: School Scores & More), but I wanted to test the Trulia forum to see if I would really get some quality answers. And within 10 minutes of submitting my question, I had some fabulous results. The first real estate pro who answered my question provided me with list a great list of websites. Two of which, I use and recommend frequently (GreatSchools.net & NeighborhoodScout.com). And the following 3 real estate pros also recommended GreatSchools.net, among others.
Trulia Voices makes it easy for anyone with almost any kind of real estate question get knowledgeable answers quickly. It’s quite a helpful forum, really. And, it was nice to see some familiar Trulia Voices: Pat Kitano, Kevin Boer, Brian Brady, Tyler Moxley, Maureen Francis, Trang Nguyen.
Tags: real estate, trulia, local market, MyTechOpinion
Real Estate Agents with Verizon: It’s Time to Upgrade
By Chad A. Johnson · July 3, 2007 · 5 Comments
For you technology savvy real estate agents, the Blackberry 8830 World Edition is Verizon’s first Blackberry device to offer the new trackball navigation, brilliant screen and multimedia functionality. Based on the now 3 month old Blackberry 8800 model, the 8830 will appear virtually identical except for the device’s silver enclosure. The only real difference between the 2 models is that of the 8830’s more advanced network capability. As the “World Edition” moniker would imply, Blackberry 8830 can be used overseas. The 8830 can also access the Verizon EV-DO network, giving the Blackberry 8830 faster web browsing than that of the Blackberry 8800 which is limited to Cingular’s EDGE network.
While the new Blackberry 8830 World Edition doesn’t have the ultra compact size or 2.0 megapixel camera of the Blackberry Curve, it is still an outstanding smartphone device. It is also surprising to see Verizon offer the new Blackberry device so quickly after AT&T introduced is sister device, the Blackberry 8800. It took then over a year and a half to follow-up AT&T’s (Cingular’s) Blackberry 8700 with their own Blackberry 8703e. By the time Verizon customers had that device, it seemed out of date.
Tags: technology, api, blackberry, real estate agents, real estate, iphone
Yugma Online Meetings for Real Estate Agents
By NikNik · June 28, 2007 · 5 Comments
After posting a recent article on 6 different Online Meeting resources for real estate agents, I was introduced to Yugma. Yugma is a FREE web collaboration service that enables people to meet online using any application or software. The Yugma platform is compatible with Windows, Mac, or Linux computers. When it comes to real estate technology, we rarely find FREE offerings. So check out this new online meeting resource and let me know what you think. Here is a quick overview:
- Price: Packages range from FREE (up to 10 attendees) to $69 a month for up to 100 attendees (check out their tiered premium services)
- Download the basic version for FREE (for up 10 attendees) or 15 day trial of Premium Service
- Host online meetings for up to 500 attendees
- Features Include: real-time desktop sharing and collaboration, mouse and keyboard sharing, whiteboard and annotating tools, session recording and playback, real-time private and public chat, built-in file sharing, free teleconferencing, embed Yugma into your website or application( Yugma Widgets)
- Click here for the Yugma Demo
Yugma is focused on providing an easy, secure, and inexpensive solution. But don’t take my word for it, check out what others are saying about Yugma .
Tags: technology, real estate agents, MyTechOpinion, real estate, real estate technology, online meetings
Blackberry Messenger: Helping Real Estate Teams Communicate
By Chad A. Johnson · June 23, 2007 · 1 Comment
Blackberry devices are a great way for real estate teams to communicate. Having the ability to send and receive emails from anywhere adds an additional channel of communication that previously was limited to the home or office.
There is one noticeable downside to email communication via Blackberry, unless you have invested in a technology called Blackberry Enterprise Server (BES), you may experience as much as a 15-minute lag in the sending and receiving of emails. This lends itself to the possibility of a 30 minute timeframe for an email to be sent and a reply to be received. I have seen real estate teams try to overcome this shortfall through the use of PIN messages. This is a fairly decent alternative technology, but really doesn’t amount to much more than a fancy text message (SMS).
A great technology solution for instant communication is the Blackberry Messenger. This instant messenger program allows real estate agents using such Blackberry models as the Pearl, 8800, and 8300(Curve) to chat as they would using any of the more familiar desktop computer instant messaging programs (AIM, Yahoo Messenger, Windows Live Messenger). Chat with everyone in your team simultaneously with no delay in transmission. You can even send files and voice notes using the Blackberry Messenger.
If you are not a fan of the Blackberry Messenger, you might be interested in the Yahoo Messenger for Blackberry and Google Talk for Blackberry.
Tags: messenger program, instant messenger, windows live messenger, enterprise server, blackberry server, technology solution
Online Meeting Solutions for Real Estate Agents
By NikNik · June 20, 2007 · 10 Comments
Online meetings have become quite a fabulous technology solution for those real estate agents who present, train, or meet with clients abroad. Much time and money can be saved when cutting out travel. And for real estate agents working with clients from nearby cities to across the country, online meetings can prove to be highly efficient. There are several online meeting solutions out there, 2 of my favorites options for real estate agents being iLinc and GoToMeeting. Check out my expanded list below:
- Price: $49.00 a month or $468.00 a year (unlimited meetings)
- Free 30 day trial
- Host unlimited online meetings for up to 10 attendees
- Features Include: desktop viewing, share keyboard & mouse control, email & instant messaging integration, chat, free voice conferencing, application sharing, drawing tools
- Easy 2 minute automatic set-up
- For large seminars & events check out GoToMeetingCorporate
iLinc: MeetingLinc & ConferenceLinc
- Price: Contact Sales @ 1-800-767-7145
- Free 15 day trial download
- Personalized guided tour
- Host online meetings for small groups to large events
- Features Include: voice over IP, audio & video conferencing, application & desktop sharing, interactive whiteboards, synchronized Web browsing, breakout groups, floor control to anyone in session, text chat, electronic hand raising, feedback, Q & As, recording & playback, etc.
- Invitations and reminders linked to Microsoft Outlook
- Price: $49 for 1 year of unlimited use
- Host live conferencing for up to 16 attendees
- Features Include: video conferencing, voice calls, instant messaging, AVMessaging, file sharing and web co-browsing for richer online meetings with family, colleagues or customers for live video chat.
- iVisit™ Lite FREE (try out video conferencing)
- Price: Varied, contact sales
- Free 14 day trial
- Hosting for groups of all sizes (from one on one meetings to an audience of a 1,000)
- Attendees receive personalized invitations with a unique meeting URL and password.
- Demo
- Price: Varied (from 3 person room @ $17 per month to 200 Person Room @ $417 per month)
- Free 7 day trial
- Host online conferencing between 2 or hundreds of participants
Features Include: moderator controls, visual tools, new presentation & whiteboarding tools, instant text chat - Room owners can modify their capacity any time they wish Online Meeting Invitations by iBizGrams.com
- Price: $49 / month no commitment ($39 / month with annual commitment (20% discount)
- Free 14 day trial
- Host unlimited online meetings for up to 10 attendees
- Features Include: desktop sharing, control granting, rich annotation, email & instant messaging integration, private chat, conference calling, conduct remote support.
- Easy 2 minute automatic set-up
- Trial
Tags: online meetings, MyTechOpinion, Microsoft, microsoft outlook, real estate agent, technology
vFlyer Adds New Image Editing Features to Enhance Your Real Estate Photos
By NikNik · June 12, 2007 · Leave a Comment
FloorPlanner Aids Real Estate Agents in Floorplan Design
By Reggie · June 5, 2007 · 4 Comments
So how can Real Estate agents embrace this tool? Well we see many obvious benefits, starting with staging. FloorPlanner works to scale so you can mock up a living room before lifting the heavy furniture…simply point and click. Does the backyard need work, start with FloorPlanner and show the owners what a difference a few plants make towards improving the backyard. Seeing is believing. Real Estate Investors may use this tool to mock-up floorplan changes they will make if they go forward with a purchase. One thing is for sure, FloorPlanner has made real estate space layout a breeze!
Tags: MyTechOpinion, real estate agent, blogs, colors, real estate, technology
Could Microsoft Surface be the Ultimate Real Estate Technology?
By Reggie · June 1, 2007 · 3 Comments
If you visit MyTechOpinon often you’ll know that we stick very closely to our niche—Technology for Real Estate. So when we recently learned of Microsoft’s new “Surface” device, we automatically started thinking how this revolutionary new “coffee table computer” could affect real estate agents. With this device comes a change from the way we have historically done computing through standard keyboard and mouse. Surface allows the users to navigate the computer by figure touch. It has a similar look to the iPhone screen but in a full table computer. Amazing! The unit will wirelessly sync devices, thumb through media, zoom and view photos; the list goes on and on. Since we focus on Real Estate Technology lets take a few guesses at how this could help real estate agents:
- Dynamically zoom in and out of neighborhoods using your finger tips to point out neighborhoods and close parks for interested buyers
- Video home tours navigated with the touch and drag of a finger. Want to zoom-in and stretch a room to see it in a bigger scale? The consumer will interact with the home.
- With Surface integrated into a conference room table, an agent could set their camera on the screen and have their new listing photos effortlessly appear. The real estate agent could stretch and zoom the photos for impact while he/she highlights the properties for fellow agents.
The list goes on and on…how do you think real estate agents will utilize the Surface?
Take a look at this video from Popular Mechanics on the Microsoft Surface:
Tags: real estate technology, real estate agent, iphone, technology, Microsoft, real estate agents
