Free Flash Charts for Your Real Estate Blog or PowerPoint

By Reggie · March 22, 2008 · 8 Comments 

I thought that might get your attention.  It’s true; FusionCharts Free is now available for you to download. This free version is an amazing entry level flash charting component for your real estate website, blog or PowerPoint.  Easily create high impact, visually appealing graphs on Local Market Indicators, Average Sales Prices, Building Starts, Vacancy Rates, Mortgage Originations, Neighborhood Sales, and tons of other compelling data for your audience.

FusionCharts Free supports popular chart types including bar, column, line, pie and more. Also note that FusionCharts is a cross-browser and cross-platform solution that can be used with PHP, Python, Ruby on Rails, ASP, ASP.NET, JSP, ColdFusion, HTML and even PowerPoint Presentations. Read more

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Do You Treat Your Car Better Than Your Computer?

By Chad A. Johnson · February 5, 2008 · 2 Comments 

Many real estate agents have beautiful cars that get pampered. They are washed weekly. They get an oil change every 3000 miles and the recommended service calls are never missed.

Why do very few real estate agents treat their computers with such loving care?

In my experiences, most real estate agents use and abuse their computer until it crashes or slows to a painful crawl. Using my car analogy, that would be like driving your car, doing nothing more than filling it with gas, until it broke down and needed to be towed.

A computer is no longer a real estate technology nicety, it is a necessity. A real estate agent without a computer is without email, the MLS and marketing pieces. It is time to pamper your computer as you do your car. Bare in mind, you can rent a car to replace yours, but you can’t rent a replacement computer with your programs and data ready to go.

Here are 8 ways to pamper your computer that are equivalent to an oil change, wax job and 20,000 mile tune-up.

1. Plug every piece of technology into a quality surge protector. Notice how I used the word “quality”. Surge protectors are rated to handle different levels of power surges. These levels are measured in joules. The higher the number of joules, the better protected you are. I have seen power supplies, motherboards and processors get fried because a cheap surge protector succumbed to a powerful burst of power.Bonus Points: Purchase a battery backup with a built-in surge protector. This will protect your system from power failures that can corrupt your Windows installation. My desktop computer has been protected for several years using an APC battery backup devise.
2. Install a security suite, keep the definitions up-to-date and run system scans weekly. It doesn’t matter whether you like Norton, McAfee, Panda or any the other security programs, just make sure you have one. I recommend a security suite instead of just an anti-virus program. The threats out there require the extra protection.Just having the software installed isn’t good enough. New viruses, Trojans and worms hit the Internet everyday. You need to make sure that your security suite is downloading new definitions as they become available. This usually isn’t an issue until the subscription expires. You will know when this happens as daily reminders to renew your subscription will pop-up in your face. When this happens, renew your subscription or upgrade your software immediately.

   Lastly, your security program is going want to scan your computer completely on a weekly basis. Make sure that happens. That scan could identify and remove a dormant threat waiting to strike.

3. Run Windows Updates. There is something like 40 million lines of code in the Microsoft Windows operating systems. Anything that complex is going to have flaws and holes in it. To compensate for this, Microsoft continuously works to improve on the performance and security of Windows through patches and service packs.These patches and service packs are made available through Windows Update. Your computer will most likely download these updates automatically. When ready to install, a yellow shield icon will appear in the lower right corner of the screen. Click to install these.

   You can also get to Windows Update from a link in the Start Menu.

   Bonus Points: Go to Windows Update and click on the Microsoft Update link. The Microsoft Update system combines the Windows Updates with other Microsoft software updates. This means that your Office suite will get patches and fixes as they are released.

4. Install software and hardware updates. In my last article, Windows Vista for Real Estate Agents: Part II, I provided a list of websites for the major computer manufacturers’ download pages. You should become familiar with the page for your computer’s manufacturer. As hardware and software updates come available, install them.Several manufacturers have gone a step further by placing software on your computer that notifies you of updates and patches. A prime example of this is the Dell Support program.

   Software also needs to be kept current. As flaws are identified, program manufacturers will release updates to correct the issues. Many programs will periodically check for updates and notify you when they are available. Other programs require you to select an update option from a menu or you will need to go to the manufacturer’s website to look for updates.

5. Clean your computer. Sounds obvious, but this chore seldom is done. This doesn’t mean just wiping the monitor and keyboard down. You need to open the case and clean out the dust that accumulates thanks to the computer’s intake fans.The best way to do this is unplug everything and take the case outside (it is going to get messy). Open the case and vacuum out the bottom of the case (be careful to not touch any parts with the vacuum).

   Next, take a can of compressed air (available at any computer or office supply store) and blow out dust from the different components. DO NOT blow directly on any fans. It can be fun to watch the fan spin from this, but that is a quick way to damage the fan.

   When dust accumulates, it acts as an insulator, making your computer run hotter. The dust can also clog fans making them stop. An overheated computer can lock up or crash.

6. Place your computer in a well ventilated place that is off of the floor. Heat, dust and static electricity are the enemy of your computer, you need to place your computer in a location that is as void of these elements as possible.Computer running in closed cabinets can quickly overheat. Floors collect dust and carpets generate static electricity. If your computer must be placed on the floor, use something to prop it up a couple of inches. Many computer stores carry inexpensive stands to serve this purpose.
7. Use System Tools to give your computer a tune-up. Windows comes equipped with tools to boost system performance. Here are 3 that I use regularly and links to directions on using them.Disk Cleanup: Temporary files and other junk can accumulate on your system. This system flushes it all.

   Disk Defrag: When files are added to your computer, they aren’t placed in an orderly fashion. Windows will break up the data into chunks that fit the gaps on your hard drive. This makes it a chore for Windows to locate each piece when you want to use the files. Disk Defrag organizes your hard drive in a most logical, efficient fashion.

   ScanDisk: This system tool scans your hard drive for problems caused by hard disk failure, improper shut-downs, viruses and other issues.

8. Remove unused programs. Look into your computer’s Add/Remove Programs menu (located in the Control Panel). If you see programs that you don’t use and you have identified that they aren’t critical programs for aspects of your hardware or other software, remove them.Many computers ship with “bloatware”. This is software that companies pay to have put onto new computers. Many of these are trial or free versions of paid software. If you don’t plan on using those programs, get rid of them.

   You might find other programs that were vital to you in the past, but worthless now. One example I see a lot is software for an old Palm device that has since been retired, but the Palm Hotsync Manager is still active.

This computer maintenance checklist is simple to complete and should be manageable for any real estate agent. There are going to be times when you need to call in a professional. I doubt you fix your own car (that is what a mechanic is for). My next article will cover options for onsite, offsite and remote computer repair.

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Are you missing hidden opportunities to grow your real estate blog readership?

By Reggie · January 12, 2008 · 4 Comments 

If you’ve started blogging for your real estate business, it’s likely the major reason was to grow your online presence or lower your monthly communication costs with potential clients. Both are very important byproducts of blogging. However soon after you start publishing posts the question comes up, “How can I get more visitors to my blog? And how do I retain more of my current traffic?”

Although there are many strategies for attracting new readers to your real estate blog, one basic strategy is to closely follow your website analytics software. If you don’t already use one…start now! I use three different analytics packages: Google Analytics, Clicky Web Analytics and CrazyEgg. Google Analytics is free up to 5 million page views a month. Clicky and CrazyEgg both have a limited free version and a few tiers of paid plans.

However before you jump in to your metrics and get overwhelmed, start by asking yourself a few key business questions about your real estate website or blog that you would like answered. The questions could be:

1. How do I convert more visitors with my IDX MLS tool?
2. How do I gain more subscribers to my Buyer or Seller eBooks?
3. How do I get more visitors to search local communities on my blog?
4. How do I get more visitors to subscribe to my RSS feed?

Once you’ve come up with the questions, you can analyze your data to help find the answers. This method should prevent you from being overwhelmed by the aggregate data and make better use of your time.

Next I will explore specific ways analytics software can help build a broader audience for your real estate blog.

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Google Earth - Tweaked for Real Estate

By Reggie · November 26, 2006 · 1 Comment 

Over the Thanksgiving holiday, I revisited Google Earth like I have many times before, but this time I was looking at the tool through new eyes. I started to ask myself, “How can Google Earth benefit the average real estate agent?” I continued playing around with the software, and then it hit me…Google Earth can help Realtors in a listing presentation with WOW factor! How you ask? Why not plot SOLD properties on the map. Google Earth enables you to easily zoom in and out looking at various levels of detail.

To start I must mention that the free version will not work. REALTORS must subscribe to Google Earth Pro. If you want to try this idea before you purchase, try Google’s 7-day free trial. Be aware the trial will only let you import 10 records at a time. Once you have downloaded Google Earth Pro, follow these steps to plot your Sold activity:

Stage 1 – Import Data

1. Begin by compiling a list of your sold properties. Use Microsoft Excel (or comparable software) to organize your data. In the Excel file include Address, City, State, Zip and Physical characteristics. (You may be able to export this from your MLS.) Also include a column with text reading “Sold” or “Sold by [YourName]” this column can be used to describe each potted point on the map.
2. Once the file is created, save it as a CSV file.
3. Open Google Earth Pro and select File and then Import.
4. Locate the Excel file you created of your Sold properties and double click the item. The Data Import Wizard appears.
5. Start by selecting the radio button for Delimited and then choose the delimiter. If you are using a CSV file, choose Comma. Select Next.
6. Check the box titled This dataset does not contain latitude/longitude information, but street address. Select Next.
7. Depending on how you entered your data, you now need to select the proper why your dataset is populated. For example if you put Address, City, State and Zip in their own columns choose the 2nd option title Addresses are broken into multiple fields.
8. Next modify each dropdown to point the correct address fields. Select Next.
9. Select Finish.

Stage 2 – Style Templates

1. A selection box will open asking you if you would like to Apply Style Template To The Features You Suggested. Select YES.
2. First you are asked to Set Name field. I referenced this in Stage 1, step 1 above. This is the text that will be displayed on the map next to each marker. (i.e. Sold)
3. Next select the Color tab. Select a color that represents your brand.
4. Next select the Icon tab. Choose an icon that will display your sold data. I recommend the colored pushpins or your own custom logo. Choose a different icon than one provided by Google in there core layers. This will help to not confuse the interested party.
5. Now select OK.
6. Save the Google Earth template to your computer.

Now What? How can I leverage my map? Google Earth makes sharing this data very easy. To start you can simply load Google Earth Pro on your laptop and display this data during your listing presentation. Or you can creatively add this to your pre-listing package and deliver it by email to the seller before you meet. To email your Sold map click the “M” on the toolbar. It will open the email window, you’ll notice two choices: 1) Graphic of snapshot view (.jpg) and 2) Snapshot of 3D View (.kml). *Note: If you email a .kml file, the recipient must have Google earth. However it can be the free version.

Other possible use: Create a Buyers Tour for your clients and let them review the properties the night before on Google earth. They can quickly eliminate properties that are not appealing based on location or proximity to busy areas. Google also makes it easy click and add layers such as Dining, Shopping, Transportation, Parks and Recreation and lots more. These markers will show up just like your plotted properties do. This will allow buyers to get a feel for where homes are located in proximity to local attractions. More WOW factor!

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