iREALTY ThinkTank - Technology Tutorials for REALTORS

2012-01-27T11:05:00.000-08:00

Create Your Own App

There is an app for EVERYTHING now!

Is there an app for your personal brand?

Many businesses today have apps to serve their clients and as a REALTOR, you are a business too. Canada is one of the leading countries in smart phone use. Your clients use their smart phone or iPAD to access information daily. When your clients are on their smart phones and iPADS, you can be on there too!

Join us for a 1 hour workshop covering:

how to create your own app
what content to include and
how to share it with your clients and potential clients

Have your personalized app created before you leave the session.

Bring your laptop
Bring the username and passwords for your: Blog, Twitter, YouTube, Flickr or Picasa account.

Event starts at 5:00PM.

Wednesday Feb 8th, 2012

Hosted at RE/MAX iREALTY Innovations

555-11th Ave SW, Calgary

Twitter for REALTORS

2012-01-21T17:43:00.000-08:00

Twitter for REALTORS

General Twitter Information

Why Twitter?

Stay in touch with clients easily and non-intrusively
Stay in touch with prospective clients
Meet new potential clients
Meet new potential referrers
Keep on top of "what's going on"

What is Twitter?

Twitter is a micro-blog
140 character to share a brief message with your followers
Intended to be up-dated frequently
Share relevant information with your followers
Learn relevant information from those you follow
Information not filtered through main stream media
Messages received directly from the speakers

Profile

Include personal hobbies or interests you are comfortable with clients knowing about you.

Example: You are an avid gardener or You speak Spanish or You refurbish antique cars

Also:

Include that you are a REALTOR.
Include the area that you work in
Include any specialty you focus on
Your Brokerage Name (as this tends to be required by many governing bodies)

Posting a Tweet

140 characters including spaces and punctuation
Make content interesting
Some personal
Some business
Make most of your posts your own content
Post photos, videos and links (of your own content often)

DO NOT:

make most of your tweets links to general news items
say or insinuate anything negative about anyone or any business. Ever.
use profanity
post anything TOO personal

Post a Photo

Use photos often
People love pictures instead of text
Get Twitter Mobile App for your phone
Train yourself to notice good photo ops and tweet them on the go
(This takes conscious effort and time to learn the new habit. Be patient with yourself)

Post a Link

Include links in your Tweets where appropriate
Link mostly to your own content
Link to YOUR latest Blog Post, Video Update, Stats Report, Updated Website, or to your other social media
Use a URL shortner such as goo.gl to make url fit

How to get Real Estate Business Using Twitter

Using Twitter as a Search Engine

Prospect by searching for the name of your neighbourhood and following local people
Search using the name or hashtag for your city
Search using the name or hashtag for your city and the word or hashtag for realestate (#re)
Identify the people who are potential clients in local neighbourhood, then:
Comment on their tweets, retweet their tweets you like, create converstations with them

Tweet Ups

Tweet Ups are get togethers for Tweeters to meet each other in person
Attend local tweet ups to meet tweeters in your area.
Be sure to follow the attendees on Twitter
Again, be sure to make comments about their tweets, retweet their tweets you like and create a familiarity.
Be sure they know you're a REALTOR, without selling yourself
Find Local Tweet Ups:
http://twtvite.com
http://tweetvite.com
http://search.twitter.com/advanced

Most Important Tool on Twitter! #Hashtags

This is how you get your message out to those NOT following you.
When you include hashtags, anyone searching those hash tags see your tweet, whether they follow you or not
What is a HashTag?
A pound sign #, followed by a word or phrase that describes or relates to your tweet.
Example #yyc is the hashtag for anyone posting about the City of Calgary

Relevant Hashtags for REALTOR's

#re

#realestate

#crea

#nar

#remax (or your franchise)

#realtor

Hashtags for Events

Very effective use of Hashtags

any conference you attend, ask the organizer what the official hashtag is
for example #recon12 (fictionally stands for "real estate conference 2012")
then anything you tweet about or during the conference, be sure to include the hashtag
anyone searching for this hashtag will see your tweets
many attendees will be searching the hashtag to keep on top of what's going on
be sure to search for the hashtag yourself
see who is at the conference
respond to their tweets and retweeting their tweets you like, are 2 great ways to connect with people
if you see them in person at the conference, be sure to meet them in person too

Video for REALTORS

2011-04-07T12:24:00.000-07:00

Video for REALTORS

• Why use video in real estate

• When to use video in real estate

• How to use video in real estate

Why Use Video in Real Estate?

As of March 2011 53% of all Internet activity is video based
Google is the top used search engine on the Internet.
YOUTUBE IS #2!!!
Facebook videos viewership spiked over 2000% in 2010, from 2009
Video search queries just surpassed text
queries for the first time ever in beginning of 2100
Why is this? Its easier to have show and tell, than to read.

When to Use Video in Real Estate?

Listing video
Personal promotion
Video blog
Video email

Creating Property Videos

• About home, not you

• Music, not you speaking

• Move camera slowly, no fast pans

• Pan from one corner of room to other

• Back to window for lighting purposes

• Don't try to

do in one take. Can edit different scenes together

• Start fro

m outside home, showing exterior

• Then show entering home

• Then show walking through front foyer into home. Keep camera as

steady as possible

• Then show rooms, using the corner to corner pan technique

• Show views, yard, club houses etc.

• Have a separate video of neighborhood overview

What to Do With Your Property Video?

• Have a separate channel on Youtube just for your Listed Property Videos

• Post on Tubemogul.com Populates many video hosting sites at once

http://tubemogul.com/about/o neload.com

• Include tags so people can find it. Example - calgary, real estate, mls,

realtor, mount royal, homes, properties, listings

• Put a widget on your blog and website that will automatically populate

with your Listed Property Videos www.widgetbox.com

• TAKE THEM OFF WHEN LISTING COMPLETE! Nothing says sloppy as much

as a expired

listing video still running.

Personal Promotion Video

Introduce yourself to public
Make more impact than website, or blog alone
Keep short, under 60 seconds
Smile! Sounds obvious, but you must consciously remember to do so. Makes all the difference in the world.

Video Blogging

• A blog using video instead of text

• Use a combination of both is best

• Can edit text easily

• Video shows your personality and connect with you

• Can use standard blog format and embed video

• Try here: http://btemplates.com/

• Or can use specific format for just video Check out :

• http://blog.templatemonster.com/2010/03/26/wordpress-video-blog-designs

Video Blogging- Types of posts

Market Updates

-Do quarterly. Keep Short! Use simple stats, easy to understand and

absorb. Explain what the numbers mean to the viewer.

Neighbourhood Spotlights

-Highlight particular neighbourhoods, so potential buyers get the gist of

how different areas look, feel and what they are all about.

Did You Know?...

Examples-”Kitchen reno’s provide the highest ROI of any room in the

home?”

or “Home Inspections are not all equal”

-Then go on and explain in detail in the video post

How To Videos

-Show how to prepare the home for each showing. (Much more effective than

writing same information!)

-Show how to use smart phone apps to find current listings near present location

Industry News Coverage

-Talk about recent mortgage rule changes and how it affects home owners and

buyers

-Talk about how developments globally affect your market locally

Interview

-Interview local business owners in particular neighbourhoods you are

highlighting

-Interview appraisers

-Interview Real Estate Board Directors

-Interview people

who had bad experiences with FSBO companies

Video Email

Use for:

Thank Yous

•“Thanks so much for sending that referral my way!”

• Nice to Meet Yous “I really

• enjoyed meeting you today.

• I look forward to staying in touch”

Seller Updates

•“These are the showings we’ve had this

week and the feed back from each”

Buyer Follow Ups

•“Just wanted to follow up and see if you

have any questions on the homes we looked at and if you

have decided any of them are right for you.”

Show How to sign documents

•“Here is page 1. Please

initial here at the red circle and sign here at the red X”

Equipment

Lighting

Umbrella Lights

-reflective on inside

-good for putting in dark corners of rooms when shooting video

-lightens up a room

LED lights

-on top of camera with light mount

-excellent for personal promotion video, interviews and other close up

shots

Cameras

Flip style cameras

-best ease of use

-download directly to computer, no finicky settings to deal with, quick to

open and to start filming

-some don’t allow separate memory cards

Advanced Cameras

-more expensive

-many more features in lighting, filters, timing etc.

-suitable for those who are comfortable with the different settings and

want a more photographic experience

-file format not always easily compatible with sites you may use

iPHONES

-great for candid, on-the-go filming

-example-come across a street party in a particular neighborhood.

Or –catch a few moments of a local neighborhood soccer game.

Both useful for social media content or for neighborhood profiles.

Tripods

-Highly recommended for all still filming

-standard type tripod

-gorillapod

Remote

-not always available for flip style cams

-excellent for self filming (rather often)

-if don’t have remote, can always edit out your moving to and from the

camera to turn it on and off

iREALTY ThinkTank.com

Many Thanks to our host today:

RE//MAX REALTY Innovations

www.irealtycanada.blogspot.com

www.irealtycalgary.com

Jessica Stoner

jessicastoner@remax.net

403-678-8006

http://twitter.com/iREALTYjstoner

http://www.youtube.com/user/jstoner71

http://irealtycanada.blogspot.com/

RE/MAX R4 Convention: iPAD Jam Session Results

2011-03-15T19:06:00.000-07:00

On Monday March 6^th2011, at the RE/MAX R4 Convention at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas we held another iPAD Jam Session. There we great turnout with many tech oriented agents, both newer and experienced who came out to share and learn.

These are all of the many apps we discussed during this session. (*Note: For more great apps discussed in the iPAD Jam Session held last month, view the blog post immediately prior to this one)

Best App Ever!

iREALTY Tech Tip App
-Visit this link on your smart phone:
-http://wbxapp.com/irealty-tech-tips
-If your Smartphone is capable of reading QR barcodes, use the barcode below to go directly to this app.

Signing Apps
-One comment overheard several times during the session was “I wish there were fewer steps involved in signing contracts on an iPad.” This next app simplifies things significantly.

Sign-N-Send
http://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/sign-n-send-free/id398995647?mt=8
-signature app
-simple and intuitive
-one of the few current iPAD apps that can be safely used with clients contracts. (as signature is applied directly to document, not to a box to be moved onto the document. This small difference can be a large one if ever challenged in court.)
-well worth buying the paid version ($1.99) vs. free version to eliminate a cover page with advertisements.
-use Drop Box app to move documents onto iPAD
-or, just open documents from your email, directly in Sign-N-Send for quick signatures required on the go.

RE/MAX Apps
RE/MAX University App
http://itunes.apple.com/md/app/re-max-university/id371884043?mt=8
-a truly useful app
-many of us rarely remember to visit our powerhouse of a tool-RE/MAX University
-now, it is easy to watch a quick motivation video while waiting for your client at a coffee shop
-review the courses offered this month, and sign up for one just after you tweeted your morning thought
-kill some time at the airport and watch the latest video on Social Networking, Technology or Today’s Market on your iPad or iPhone.
-bring RU with you, and you’re more likely to watch and learn often

Location Based

Google Earth

http://www.google.com/mobile/earth/
-you may be familiar with Google Earth, however, you can now use it in live time with your clients, in the field
-“fly” to your current location when showing property and show clients where the closet school, bus stop, grocery store is etc.

Handwriting
Penultimate
http://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/penultimate/id354098826?mt=8
-is a hand writing app for the iPad
-allows drawing too
-$1.99-$2.99
-view a great review here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGEHy37txjo

Teleprompter
iMobile Prompter – (hardware)
http://www.digitaljuice.com/djtv/detail.asp?comment_page=4&sid=484&sortby=&rvid=0&page=1&rpid=0&swid=0
-Hardware that holds iPad or iPhone in place, so that may be used as a teleprompter
-easy to film video mobilly while still following a script
-somewhat costly system at approximately $600

Pro Prompter App
https://apps.bodelin.com/
-software that turns iPad or iPhone into a teleprompter
-excellent for your videos filmed outside the office (neighbourhood introduction videos, or your office event videos)
-$9.99
-or for a free teleprompter app, try this:

Teleprompter
-Information on app:
http://www.apple.com/webapps/productivity/teleprompter.html
Site to utilize app is:
http://m.ba.net/util/teleprompter/

Personalized News
Flipboard
Personalized social magazine
http://flipboard.com/
-Populates with articles that are of interest to you and your friends
-Your friends can add articles they think would be of interest to you
-Finds your friends from existing social networks such as Facebook and Twitter
-Overview video explaining Flipboard:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2vpvEDS00o

SkyGrid
http://www.skygrid.com/
Complies articles from many sources, personalized to your interests
Video explaining SkyGrid:
http://www.skygrid.com/video.html

Remote Access
Team Viewer
http://www.teamviewer.com/en/download/mobile.aspx
-access your desk top from your iPad

Password Storage
SplashID
http://www.splashdata.com/splashid/
-provides proven protection for safe password management
-easy access to all of your passwords from anywhere

Password Keeper & Data Vault
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/keeper-password-data-vault/id287170072?mt=8
-also provides portable, secure access to your passwords
-be sure to read information on annual subscription rates

Printing Apps
Eurosmartz
http://mobile.eurosmartz.com/products/printcentral.html
-Print direct to most existing WiFi or shared printers

PDF Annotations and Readers

Good Reader
http://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/goodreader-for-ipad/id363448914?mt=8
-similar to the iAnnotate or Noterize apps
-recommend using Drop Box to move files from computer to these apps on iPad

Forms
Zip Forms Mobile App
http://www.support.zipform.com/zfm/iphone/KBA-01489.asp
-Zip Forms offers electronic real estate documents
-this mobile app is available to subscribers of the company's zipForm 6 Professional software
-app allows subscribers to access their account and carry out same activities now away from the office
-for more information: http://www.zipform.com/company/press_releases/zfmobile_web.asp

Just For Fun
(This has nothing to do with real estate, yet it is always REALTORS that want to share this app! Apparently, REALTORS love astronomy!)

Star Walk
http://vitotechnology.com/star-walk.html
-hold your phone or ipad to the sky and see the names of the stars you are looking at
-see constellations pointed out as you look at them
-track satellites in live time
-even track Santa on Christmas eve!

Books
FreeBooks App
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/free-books-23-469-classics/id317776727?mt=8
$1.99 app to download 1000’s of free Classic books

iBooks
http://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/ibooks/id364709193?mt=8
-purchase, download and read books from anywhere

One of my personal Favourites
Bump!
http://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/bump/id305479724?mt=8
-Share your contact info
-invite someone to be your Facebook Friend, follow you on Twitter or LinkedIn
-share an app with your friends
-share photos with a friend
-All by gently bumping your phones together
-works between iPhones, iPads, iPod Touch and Android
Video Demo: http://bu.mp/videos

iPAD Jam Session Results

2011-02-24T13:59:00.000-08:00

iPAD JAM Session

Yesterday we hosted a fantastic iPAD Jam Session at RE/MAX iREALTY Innovations in Calgary. We had approximately 20 agents out with their iPhones and iPad’s. We broke into groups and learned from each other what apps are being used, looked for and that might be useful for REALTOR’s in the course of their business. Below are the compiled notes of what was discussed. Thanks so much to those that attended and shared!

DROP BOX
https://www.dropbox.com/
-used to get documents from computer to iPAD and back
-sign up for an account (it’s free)
-install on laptop and desk top
-download app on iPAD
-click and drag documents from computer to dropbox
-open in dropbox on iPAD and then chose which app you want to work on the doucment in (example, Noterize, iAnnotatePDF, Evernote, etc)

NOTERIZE– For Signatures
-information at: http://www.noterize.com/
-must be a PDF document to utilize
-this one allows a signature to be applied directly to the contract, and not required to be moved
-this is the only signing app at this point that should be used for signing contracts with clients

KEYNOTE
-information at: http://www.apple.com/iwork/keynote/
-is like a Powerpoint Presentation program, for Mac’s
-can be used on iPAD’s
-excellent for showing prepared listing and buyers presentation

SOUNDNOTE- Audio recording app
-information at: http://soundnote.com/
-turn on during meeting with client to record what was discussed. Can send file to clients so they are reminded of the items you discussed and the information you provided.

EVERNOTE- can take text, audio and photo notes
Create an account here: http://www.evernote.com/ It’s free.
-download app on iphone and/or ipad
-excellent when using multiple means of gathering information
-all items are stored in the cloud, so can access file recorded on iPHONE, iPAD or computer.

IANNOTATEPDF
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbcC7lxcczw Jessica Stoner’s Youtube video on REALTOR’s using iAnnotate for showings
-information at: http://www.ajidev.com/iannotate/
-must be a PDF document to utilize
-excellent for use in showings
-save all feature sheets for showings as one PDF (print to PDF, see below)
-drag and drop into dropbox on desktop or laptop
-on ipad, open from dropbox and then open to work on in iAnnotatePDF
(may also email PDF feature sheets to yourself and open on iPAD and choose iAnnotatePDF from there)
-add text boxes to write minimizable notes to yourself (time of showing, codes, instructions such as “Dog in Yard” or “Use side door” etc)
-can also hand write notes on pad
-can highlight specific information
-hand iPAD to clients to pre-view while driving to home.
-allow them or you yourself to take notes while the client views the home. (best for you to take notes while client look around home)
-after showings save documents with notes to dropbox, to be moved to wherever you store your documents, or save directly to online document storage system such as google docs.

SHAZAM -just for fun and really cool. Will tell you name and recording artist of any information it hears
-information at:http://www.shazam.com/

GOOGLE TRANSLATE -translate verbal or written sentances between many different languages
-really amazing app! Perfect for traveling.
-information at: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/google-translate/id414706506?mt=8

NOTE SHELF-hand writing note taking
-information at: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/noteshelf/id392188745?mt=8
-allows export directly to drop box or evernote

GROUP TEXT-allows unlimited group texting from iPAD or iPHONE
-information at: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/group-text/id362183535?mt=8
-good for texting multiple people the same message all at once

HOOT SUITE- For Twitter
-information at: http://hootsuite.com/
-access your Twitter account from your smart phones and iPAD’s.

Also try:
TWITTER FOR iPAD
-information at: http://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/twitter/id333903271?mt=8

LOG ME IN-remote access to your desktop
-information at: https://secure.logmein.com/products/ignition/iphone/
-allows you to use programs that usually cannot be accessed by iPAD, such as MLXchange
-allows access to the documents on your desk top

Also try:
CLOUD BROWSE-remote access to your desktop
-information at: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/cloud-browse/id394418635?mt=8
-allows you to view Flash on your iPhone or iPAD

Primo PDF -make any doucment a PDF
-information at: http://www.primopdf.com/download.aspx
-is installed as a printer driver on your computer
-you may choose to print any document, and choose the printer ``Primo PDF` from the list of printers, and it will be saved in your documents as a PDF

Also try:
CUTE PDF –PDF creator
-information at: http://www.cutepdf.com/

REAL SIGN- this is not an app, but a great new tool

-legal paperless signature from any computer
-view Jessica Stoner`s review of this product at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5WYtQVA4lY
-information at: http://store.realsign.com/pages/details

VOICE TO TEXT APS-translates your speech to text
-information at: http://www.dragonmobileapps.com/applications.html
-record your message then choose if you want to email it, sms (text) it or tweet it or update your Facebook status with it.
-faster than typing on small keyboards

REALTOR.CA
-information at: http://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/realtor-ca/id408873309?mt=8
-designed just for us from CREA
-allows mobile access to the MLS
-help your clients download the app and show them how to use it
-remind clients it is important they contact you to view any property

MYLOGLITE-track your driving mileage for tax purposes
-information at: http://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/milog-lite-mileage-log-tracker/id294778378?mt=8

FLICKSTER -for the movie goer
-information at: http://www.flixster.com/wap/apps/iphone
-view trailers, see what`s playing nearby etc

MORTGAGE CALCULATOR-for quick calculations for you and your clients
-information at:http://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/hmp-canadian-mortgage-calculator/id399689445?mt=8
-if you are working in Canada, be sure it is a Canadian calculator. US calculate mortgages differently

FREE BOOKS- can’t go wrong with free books
-information at: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/free-books-23-469-classics/id364612911?mt=8

BUMP -share your contact information with another iphone or ipad, simply by bumping them together
-information at: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/bump/id305479724?mt=8
-cool feature and fast too

CONVERTBOT-convert everything
-information at: http://tapbots.com/software/convertbot/
-all REALTOR’s need to convert something, sometime
-unique fun presentation of the information as well

SCANLIFE-QR code reader
-is for smartphones for now, as no camera on iPAD yet
-one of many QR code readers available.
-one of the better ones out there now
-this technology is continually improving

ANGRYBIRD -game that is all the rage
-information at: http://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/angry-birds/id343200656?mt=8
-I have no idea why this game is all the rage
-but want you to be in the loop when your kids, Grandkids etc, want to play Angrybird

Real Sign signing pad product-Review

2011-01-16T14:17:00.000-08:00

I was contacted by a company recently called Real Sign (formally Easy Sign) regarding their Signature Pad system for REALTORS, and as always, I was keen to try it out. I received it last week in the mail, and dove right in!

View the video below for the review:

When I was arranging details with the owner of the company, I mentioned I would send the pad back within a week. The owner confidently assured me I would not be sending it back. Hmmm. She’s right. I'm keeping it!

Foursquare in Real Estate

2010-12-06T15:15:00.000-08:00

Foursquare for Real Estate

Foursquare maybe wasn’t designed for REALTOR’s but it could have been given how useful it is for us! An excellent way to be exposed to potential clients who frequent the same areas and businesses you frequent.
When individuals choose real estate agents, they want someone who understands their area. They also would prefer to use someone they have some familiarity with. When a potential agents sees you checking in at the same local businesses they do, they know you are likely to be familiar with their neighbourhood, as well as feel some connection to you.

Your Foursquare Name
Try to incorporate real estate in your name somehow, such as AgentMark, Markinrealestate. Or try to incorporate your brokerage into your avatar.
Then, use Foursquare often! Add a Tip to every place you frequent, so you have the added exposure to those viewing or checking into that location.

Checking In, and Leaving Tips
By adding a tip every time you check in, you are always on the top of the list of “Tips” and therefore more visible.
An example of a Tip that is helpful as Realtor is:
“Only had 15 minutes before I had to show houses to a client, and the sushi was delivered in 5 minutes! Go for the sushi if you are short on time.”
Or
“As a REALTOR in town, I always send my clients to “X venue” for ribs. Can’t beat them anywhere.”
Or
“All of us at RE/MAX Alpine love the cinnamon buns made here only on Sunday mornings!”

These types of Tips remind viewers that you are a REALTOR, at the same time leaving a legitimate helpful hint.

Sign up your Brokerage as a registered venue (Will require your broker’s confirmation)
Offer specials to first time check ins. For example: “First time check in’s receive free latte at SuperFly Cafe next door.”

Become Mayor- Useful for exposure of yourself. Everyone viewing or checking into that venue will see you as Mayor. (Mayor is the person who has then most checks in’s at a particular venue.)

Add Your Listings as Venues:
http://foursquare.com/add_venue

Anyone can create a venue. With the owners permission, you can claim the venue and manage it as well. Currently the claiming of a venue can take 1 week to 3 months, so not all of your listings will be on the market long enough to be claimed, however you can still have it available for checking in.

When creating the venue, give it a name such as: RE/MAX Alpine Listing: 123 Main Street. Or RE/MAX Alpine-For Sale- 123 Main Street.

-Be consistent
-have all of your listing venues start the same way
-name should make it clear that home is a listing for sale

After creating the venue, make sure you leave a tip right away, explaining that it is a listing for sale, you are a REALTOR with X Brokerage, and will potential buyers please check in and leave a tip with what they like best about the property.

-Word it in a way that it is less likely a buyer will leave a negative comment.
-Asking specifically for what they like best will be more likely to produce a positive comment)

Added Benefit of Listing Exposure
When your listing is a venue on Foursquare, anyone checking in at a nearby venue will see your listing appear on the list of nearby venues. The public will be exposed to the fact that there is a nearby property for sale, and may be encouraged to drive by and check it out. Any extra exposure is worth while!

Give home viewers incentive to Check In
-when venue is claimed -offer reward for 1st time Check Ins.
- coffee drink at local cafe? Free ice cream cone at shop down the street etc.

Market your Listing with Foursquare

In comments on MLS, add: “This listing is a registered venue on Foursquare. Please check in when viewing and leave us a Tip telling us what you like best about this home.”
Excellent exposure for your clients listings.
Put a sign in house, reminding them “This listing is a registered venue on Foursquare. Check In and leave us a Tip telling us what you think is the best feature of this home.”
Get your clients permission to do this as you can’t control what people say!
If a very inappropriate comment, can request Foursquare to remove it. Visit http://support.foursquare.com/entries/196728-how-do-i-delete-a-tip for information on how to do this.

Check In at Open Houses

You can encourage people to check in during open houses
Offer gift to those who check in that day.
Free coffee drink at local bistro or Free video rental etc.
As an added bonus, benefit of cross marketing and developing a new relationship with local business owner
By having visitors check in to open houses, you now know who visited your open house. (Most people don’t like to sign in or leave contact info)
Currently can only communicate with your “Friends” on Foursquare. However most people on Foursquare can be found on other social media, and you can touch base with them through other medias.
(Send a follow up saying thanks for visiting my open house today. Did you want to look at additional homes in this area?)

Claim your Venues
To offer rewards, you will need to have claimed the venue.
Currently this can take 1 week to 3 months to process, which is sometimes much longer than you listing will last. Therefore, offering rewards might not always be practical at this point. However, you can still create a venue and have people check in, and see and leave Tips.

Offer reward to those agents that show your properties the most. Movie tickets, Starbucks card, etc.

Offer reward to clients ( yours or other agents clients) who view more than 5 of your listings. ( not trying to poach the clients, just trying to get more people to view your listings)

To speed up claim time, view this excerpt from the Four Square Help Page:
http://support.foursquare.com/entries/191153-why-has-my-venue-claim-not-been-processed
To expedite your claim, please do the following:
Open a new ticket by clicking here:
http://support.foursquare.com/anonymous_requests/new
Include "CLAIM HELP" in the title.
In the body of the ticket, please include the foursquare venue url(s) of your location(s), as well as the foursquare user id(s) of whomever you would like to have manage your venues on foursquare.

Remember...

Be sure to delete venue after sold or expired.
As you created the venue, you can simply go to your account, click “Edit Venue” and then click the trash can. It will look like this:
Want to remove this venue from our database?

More Ways to Use Check Ins
Checking in at specific spots tells people a little bit about yourself too. This helps potential clients with similar interests know that you have something in common with them.

For example, I am an avid mountain biker and have created venues for all of the mountain biking trails in my area. This way, bikers can check into the trails they are riding and the community of bikers can be aware of who is riding what trail that day. We can leave tips for each other about current trail conditions and wildlife activity. In addition, the community of bikers in town can see that I am a Realtor, and will see me checking into the trails often and leaving tips. It is regular exposure to a group of people who I have a passion in common with. Bikers want to work with bikers. Just like those people who have similar interests as yours, want to work with you.

As in all social medias, it is not all about work. It is about connecting with those who have similar interests as yours.

People Checking In at a quilting store, or a hunting and fishing gear retailer, or a particular neighbourhood gym, are far more likely to work with a Realtor that is also checking into these specific locations, as it shows you share their interests and passions.

Creating a Venue
If a venue doesn’t exist-add it. The owner may claim it at some point, but in the mean time you and others can check into it.
http://foursquare.com/add_venue

Apps
There are many apps for Foursquare, but there is still a wide open feild of apps waiting to be created. As Foursquare grows and develops, there will be more useful apps available to us.

Venmo app-leave a gift for friends at locations. The app is free but you need to have accounts with both Foursquare and Venmo to use it.
This can be used in the course of your work, by sending your clients to a cafe for a coffee while they consider the offer they have been presented. Let them know to check in on Foursquare at the coffee shop, and they can pick up the gift you have left for them.

Save the Data!

2010-11-07T06:03:00.000-08:00

Only You Can Protect Your Data

Paperless offices require digital storage of documents, which often means utilizing an online document storage service. These can be in the form of a real estate specific back office system, or can be a general business document storage service.
Regardless, DO NOT assume, because they are in business, it is safe to store your documents with them. Below is a series of questions you should ask and receive satisfactory answers to, before utilizing any company for this purpose. Keep in mind, though most are very professional and do have all of these items addressed, there have been some surprising answers I have come across, while asking these questions.
For example, one company I questioned indicated that they stored all of their information in PDF format. This meant that I could retrieve all of my information back should I want to leave, however, I could never search for data based on information in document and I could not re-enter the data into another real estate transaction management system easily.
Another company indicated that, though they do store the data and back it up, they did not guarantee to me that it was backed up. I was told if I wanted a guarantee, I should copy each document onto my hard drive as well. Part of their training actually included how to back up each document to your computer!
The last example of an unsatisfactory answer is when I was told I could retrieve my data, by downloading each document individually. When dealing with hundreds of 1000’s of files and documents, which would accumulate over the years, this is wholly unacceptable means of retrieving data.
Please be careful and receive acceptable answers to these questions before trusting your most precious data to any company!

Security Questions for Online Data Storage Companies
• -Who owns the data?
• -How is the data secured?
• -Is the data encrypted?
• -How often is data backed up to server?
• -How is the power supply to the server protected?
• -Is the server mirrored by another server?
• -Is the mirrored server in another city? Where are they located?
• -What format is the content when we get the data back? (SLQ, CSV, PDF? other format?) (Needs to be in a usable format once retrieved. SLQ and CSV more likely to be compatible to be imported to another program.)
• -Is there a tool that allows client enabled bulk back up to hard copies on regular basis? Or will you provide us with back up hard copies? How often?
• -How is data protected from employee access and theft? (Personal data such as we are providing is valuable to ID thieves and other crime markets.)
• -Who has access to servers?
• -Do employees sign NDC? Can we be provided with a copy of the agreement?
• -How do we retrieve our data if want to change service providers?
• -What happens to our data if company fails or enters bankruptcy?
• -Have you ever had to restore data?
• -Have you ever lost any clients data?
• -How long have you been established?

Now you are prepared. Good luck with your paperless office!

Topaz Signature Pad Review for REALTOR's.

2010-07-19T20:08:00.001-07:00

The real estate industry is quickly voyaging into the world of paperless, mobile transactions, and we at iREALTY ThinkTank are busy keeping you informed of tools and services that help REALTOR’s make the journey less bumpy.
Recently I was very excited to test out the Topaz signature pad, for the purpose of marking up and signing real estate contracts.

In theory, it seemed to be everything one could want in a real estate digital tool, however I have learned through painful trial and error, that theory should not be confused with a practical effective tool.

The Theory: The Topaz signature pad I tested was a SigGem LCD pad. It is an easily transportable size of approximately 4 1/2 X 1 1/2 inches, and plugs conveniently into ones laptop with a single UBS port. The cost of the device is very attractive as well, retailing in the $250-$350 range. The idea of the Topaz signature pad is for one to apply a handwritten signature to a document. As the signature is applied where the cursor is placed, it seemed that the writing applied to a document could be any writing and not just a signature, allowing us to mark up contracts, initial, date, and sign where required. It even allows the signer to change the size and location of their writing for a better fit into the document. As the Topaz signature pad is LCD and backlit, the signer could easily see their handwriting on the pad and erase it to start over again if they chose. This creates zero need for a learning curve on part of the signer, as it looks and feels exactly the same as one writing on paper. As a bonus, most consumers now days are familiar with signing on such pads, as they are utilized by many courier companies and retails stores such as the GAP. Given such a laundry list of positive features, I was stoked to take the device out for a test drive!

The Reality: The practical application of the device for our real estate purposes unfortunately fell short of our general purpose needs. Upon first downloading the software packaged with the device, an hour long search ensued to find instructions on how to utilize the system. There was a demo program in the software that allowed one to test writing, erasing, and adjusting writing on the pad. However, nowhere was it explained how to actually apply the writing onto a document. The help desk at Topaz systems was extremely helpful and walked me through the process. We applied signatures and writing onto blank excel and word documents easily. The first blow came when I discovered I would have to purchase a full version of Adobe, to utilize the signing pad on PDF’s. The next blow came, when it was clear that though the writing is visible to the signer on the pad, it does not apply to the document in live time. The writing is to be completed and then applied to the document. This seems to be such a minor difference that it is hardly worth mentioning; however this little difference could make all the difference in many justice systems. Having a client see their signature sign the contract as they write it, is a different and often a more enforceable situation than signing a pad, then in a separate step, applying the signature to the document.
The last deal breaker for me was the discovery, when trying to mark up a mock purchase contract, that the background behind the signature is not transparent. I did not notice this initially, as I was working on blank sheets of paper. When trying to apply writing onto a contract, the writing is placed on the contract inside of a white box that is applied to the document. The white box covers existing lines, writing or anything already on the document. For example, if you were to counter a contract, and you wished to cross out the purchase price and write in another, the line drawn to cross out the price would not appear to cross out the number, but would obscure the number all together. Just the line would appear.

There are many desirable features and attributes to the Topaz Signature Pad and clearly with some minor development, these pads could be the number one future choice of REALTOR’s everywhere. In the mean time, its current faults make a practical and legally enforceable real estate transaction highly improbable.

We will continue to test and report on new digital signing systems and have no doubt that as time goes on we will have a plethora of choices. In the mean time, tablet computers, paired with software systems such as Real Estate Dashboard from Go Paperless (gopaperless.com) is still your best bet for the most practical and legally enforceable paperless real estate transaction.

Subscribe to this blog to receive my future reports on electronic signatures on the iPAD, the HP Slate, the iphone and Wacom portable interactive pen displays.

Is Technology "All Flash, Little Substance?"

2010-06-19T13:22:00.000-07:00

Could be. The interesting thing is, the answer lies with you, not the products themselves. Technology is NOT a solution, but a tool.

Do you remember the the first Palm Pilot you might have had? The idea that you could "Beam" your business card to another Palm and receive others cards, by infrared technology, was the coolest thing on the planet! State of the art, very efficient and no doubt this was they way we would receive all of our information in the future! However, here it is a decade later, and no one is "Beaming" their data from their phones today.

Why is this?

Aside from the technology itself being finicky, and that time and effort was required for users to set it up and to learn to use it, there was a far greater roadblock. The technology was to change the way people exchanged business cards and this is unfortunately backwards. Technology does not changes things to make things easier for us. We need to change to allow technology to do it's job for us!

The exchange of business cards is a very long ingrained pattern, and a time worn custom in business cultures around the world. To change it so fundamentally, by eliminating the paper card for a digital one, is a very uncomfortable thing to do. It was simply too much, too soon for most of us in that era.

As a society, we hadn't embraced what we all have adopted today, and that is that we need to learn, adapt and change on a monthly, even weekly basis to allow technology to help us.

And that right there, is the key. Technology, no matter how revolutionary it is, will not help us if we don't create a new pattern to adopt it into our lives.

The world of phone apps is a utopia of 100's of 1000's of new tools at our disposal. When you first loaded new applications onto your phone, how productive did you find them? My guess is nada. How productive is a tool that you forget you have! Here is the typical pattern for the use of new apps on your phone.

1. You download a groovy new application, such as a weather app, a mortgage calculator, a voice memo app etc. The first time after you installed the app, and you need to look up the weather, calculate a mortgage or record a memo, you immediately... run to your computer.

2. Then, while navigating your search engine, you remember "I have an app for that."

3. So the next time this same need arises you...run to your computer again. And again. This process probably happens 3X before you think to go to you app first. Even then, you probably use it for the first time, only when you are away from your computer and necessity prompts your mind to search for other options. "Oh right, I have a totally cool app for that!"

4. Now, you have changed your brain pattern to solve this need, as well as make a new muscle memory that directs you to your phone instead of the computer.

5. Each additional app you download follows this same pattern. But, each time, the training of your mind pattern becomes easier and muscle memory is reinforced every time we now reach for our phone instead of our keyboards.

So the question was: Is Technology "All Flash, Little Substance?" That's up to you. Technology is useless if it is not integrated into your daily life. The best technology in the world can flounder if the users don't adjust their activities to accommodate the new work patterns required. Technology is designed to make your life more efficient. How can your life be more efficient if you keep doing the same things?

The end result is, you have to allow change for Technology to work. You have to change your patterns; mentally, physically and in your day-to-day activities. The more you allow yourself to change patterns, the easier it will be to continue to do so. Soon, the introduction of new technology in our lives will be a common everyday occurrence. Oh wait, that's now!

The iREALTY Lifestyle While on Vacation.

2010-04-14T17:02:00.000-07:00

The last thing I want to do when on vacation is work. I know I am not alone in this desire (need?). Many feel that the world is too connected, and that with all of the digital ties to the office, one can never fully get away and unwind. Having just returned from a wonderful 2 week vacation, I am in the prime mode to discuss this issue. Unlike the leading misconception, being connected does not mean always working. Much of the lifestyle promoted by iREALTY is to be able to live the quality life you want outside of the office, enjoying recreational activities and family time. This is not enjoyable when being interrupted every few minutes with phone calls, emails, voice messages and texts. The iREALTY lifestyle allows one to work effectively out of the office, but also to play out side the office as well.

The connected aspect of the modern REALTOR does not force you to work all of the time. It allows you to know that essential, or time sensitive things are taken care of, so that you can fully enjoy your time off. Taking time off and leaving your clients and transactions in someone else's hands is stressful. This is a simple truth. The unknown creates stress. Not letting go creates stress. Somewhere in here, we need to release this stress!

While on my recent 2 week mountain bike vacation, I spent my time biking, socializing, relaxing and doing all of the things I wanted to do, knowing that everything back home was being taken care of. While not being actively involved in transactions or day to day activities at the office, I did know that all was going well. I did not have to get involved in conversations with anyone at the office or those covering me, as I had the ability to briefly, once a day, review online items I wanted to stay on top of. I reviewed the necessary documents on our online storage system, signed paperwork that needed signing on my tablet computer, and retrieved my voice mails in text message format, quietly, when necessary. The few minutes it took me each day to keep my ducks in a row created the peace of mind I needed. The brief online review I scanned once a day, created peace of mind and allowed me to turn OFF my connections for most of my vacation.

Having just returned, I walked into the office KNOWING that all was still in order. Today was long, (no getting around the build up of work while away!) but in order.

Remember why you are working so hard. It is likely, so that you can enjoy a quality lifestyle. Be sure you make time to enjoy that lifestyle!

The Future of Illegal Paper File Storage

2010-03-20T09:25:00.000-07:00

Here's my prediction. Currently some jurisdictions in North America and around the world have concerns regarding real estate documents being only stored as only digital files. Some areas even allow digital files to be stored, only if there is a paper copy too! Though we are clearly moving in the direction away from this absurd requirement, my prediction is that in a 5-10 years, paper real estate documents will be REQUIRED to be shredded before storage and only secure digital storage will be permitted.

This is so backwards from where most policy makers comfort level is at currently, it is hard to envision this. However, the current policy makers will be replaced with industry members who have grown up in a digital world. This is what the future leaders in our industry are going to see:

Paper real estate files required to be retained fro 5-10 years depending on the jurisdiction they operate in. These paper documents at risk from:

fire
flood
other natural disaster (hurricane, tornado, earthquake)
sprinkler damage
misplacement
misfiling
being removed and not returned
being difficult to access off-site
BEING STOLEN!

Each one of these items are legitimate and feasible concerns that in the past we simply accepted. There wasn't a choice and we dealt with the consequences of such events, which usually involved losing required documents or files.

In today's business world, we have the tools and technology to avoid every one of the risks laid out. Online document storage systems allow for confidential files to be stored in digital format. Many online document storage providers have professional dedicated servers for exactly our type of confidential documents. They often have the following security items in place to address each concern above:

server located in fire secure room
mirrored server holding 2nd copy of data in separate city, in event one server suffers from natural disaster
redundant power supply in event of temporary power loss
searchable data base, so misfiled items can be found with ease
items can be copied and printed, while original remains in system. Misplacement or removal is a non-issue
documents can be accessed from anywhere with an Internet connection. Always accessible
documents are stored encrypted. Password access is required to access the documents. Users can only access the documents they have been assigned permission to. Only limited and required employees have access to the server and these employees sign non-disclosure statements.

Comparing the two lists above, it is clear that the future of real estate document storage will not only be allowed to be stored digitally but that paper file storage will be illegal!

For a list of security questions to ask of potential online document service providers, leave me a video reply here on the video widget (top left corner of the blog) or email me at jstoner@telusplanet.net

How Can I Keep Up With All this %$#@&! Technology!?

2010-03-17T14:24:00.000-07:00

That's easy. You can't! So don't stress over it. I'm not being facetious. One literally cannot stay on top of the rapidly changing technology landscape, as there are new tools, products, software, online services, and apps being released every single day. If you are feeling overwhelmed, that is a-OK. Believe me, so is everyone else! From the most novice of computer users to the most techno geek out there, we are all feeling it.

There is a misunderstanding all about us, that you must be on of top of all of these new changes or your business will suffer a quick and painful death. This melodrama is not exactly true. You must adopt some changes, or such a fate will inevitably follow, however some changes is a far cry from the absolute necessity of utilizing all the new tools in the digital world of today.

Real Estate business is still the real estate business. There are innumerable tools for you to use, and this is a fantastic and very fun thing! You can pick and choose from a massive variety of gadgets, services and online methods of operating, each chosen to be utilized specifically for the value it will bring to your specific business. Your business is still about you, and your clients, and the needs of your business has always been different from the needs of your colleagues. You still want to be set apart from your competitors.

Remember, your clients are often similar to yourself. If you think LinkedIn makes far more sense than MySpace, then by all means use LinkedIn and ignore MySpace altogether. If Podcasting is obviously the most logical and natural way to communicate as opposed to a Video Blog, go for the Podcast. Your current clients will likely agree with you, and in addition you will attract new like minded clients though your adoption of these new tools that feels like a natural fit.

Social Media is important. If you are new to it, choose the one that appeals to you the most, and visit it and use it daily.

Are you new to the iPhone or Blackberry applications? Take some time to visit the iPhone or Blackberry app store and see what apps might be useful to you. Choose a few and learn to use them.

Want to make your business mobile? Learn to use Google Docs or another online document storage service. Use it consistently.

This sounds so simple, and it is. You already have an idea of the areas you want to add to your business. Choose 3 and give them a go. Release the rest. Take a deep breath. Smile. You have just eliminated the largest stress creator in the business world today. You are 3 steps ahead already!

Low inventory levels set stage for heated Spring market in most major Canadian centres, says RE/MAX | RE/MAX of Western Canada

2010-02-25T09:17:00.000-08:00

Low inventory levels set stage for heated Spring market in most major Canadian centres, says RE/MAX | RE/MAX of Western Canada

The Future of Real Estate Is...On Your Phone.

2009-09-12T09:56:00.001-07:00

As many know, technology moves so fast nowadays, that sometimes whole sections of technological development is passed over. For example, in some developing countries, the large majority of people have never made a phone call. Landlines were never installed in the country. Now with cell phone towers being established globally, most of these countries simply jump straight into cell phone systems, passing over land lines all together.

This is happening in another aspect of technology as well. The cell phones are no longer simply a verbal communication device. The cell phone now allows access to the internet. One can take, download and upload pictures, videos, documents, do online banking, update their Facebook page, take an online educational course or simply surf the web.

In developing countries, the cost of a computer could be higher than a family’s annual wages. But a cell phone might be a feasible expense. Because of this, the cell phone is effectively replacing the computer for much of the world.

A hilarious example of this, is a story I read the other day about a Chinese Farmer who built a home-made helicopter, out of wood, following instructions he found while surfing the internet on his cell phone! http://techblips.dailyradar.com/story/farmer_s_home_made_helicopter/ Seriously, what can’t you do on a cell phone?!

The sheer number of people on the planet that can’t afford a computer but can afford a cell phone is staggering, and the cell phone companies are well aware of this potential market. Phones are continually being developed and redeveloped with “Computer Replacement” in mind.

This helps much of the world in positive ways we can’t foresee yet, however, it also changes the way we do business in the developed world. We can afford computers, and don’t require our phone to replace them. Yet, slowly, they are. It is extremely convenient to receive a contract on our cell phone, review it, and forward it on to where it needs to go. No need to drive to the office, no need to get out the laptop and boot it up. Our cell phones make business more efficient.

As the development of cell phones as computer replacement continues, we are seeing more and more advanced features on our phones. For example, the other day, I tested a signature program for the iphone that allow one to digitally and legally sign documents on the iphone and send it on. (iPhone App “Sign Here” by LexAlign Applications Inc) This is currently limited to a handful of specific contracts that can be filled in on this program, and other contracts cannot be imported into the program. Yet.

We are just at the beginning stages of the cell phone age. Daily we see advances in this direction of technology.

Soon, through our phones, will draft all of our clients real estate contracts using laser light projected keyboards, (Example: http://www.virtual-laser-keyboard.com/ ) forward them to our clients for legally binding signature, signed right on their phone screen. It won’t be long before our phones have more capabilities and convenient features than our computers, and we will be using our phones for all aspects of our day to day operations.

For those with iPhones, Blackberries and Palms, you are familiar with this trend already. I use my iPhone daily to post Tweets, check and send emails, access my clients contracts stored on a secure online vault, text my agents, check the weather, and of course, call my Mom. Often with the computer right in front of me or just a few feet away.

I do these things on my phone already, in my daily operations. How long do you think it will before all real estate will take place on our phones? And then will 1000’s of sq ft of office space seem necessary?

The future of real estate is on your phone. And away from your office.

Follow me on Twitter at http://twitter.com/iREALTYjstoner

For more information contact Jessica Stoner at jessicastoner@remax.net or visit www.irealtycanada.com

Can a Non-Tech Realtor become an iAgent? Should they?

2009-09-01T16:42:00.000-07:00

Today's Blog Post is the form of a Video Blog. Please Click Here to view. Subscribe to this Blog to receive updates.

Follow me on Twitter at http://twitter.com/iREALTYjstoner

For more information contact Jessica Stoner at jessicastoner@remax.net or visit www.irealtycanada.com

Summer and the Virtual Office

2009-07-09T16:25:00.000-07:00

I’m a Virtual Office Broker and I love summer. Summer is short here in our great Canadian country. We manage to pack in an awful lot in a short period of time, and many agents see a standard seasonal slowdown in business during these months. But do the stats really show a decline in activity over summer?

Statistics in the Calgary real estate market place over the past 5 years clearly shows highest volume trends in the spring months, followed by slightly lower volume in the summer months. Fall, then winter seasons are lowest volume in most normal years.

Then why the perennial statements from Realtors all around us, knowingly sharing the fact that the summer season is tough, slow and unproductive? My theory is because there are more fun things to do in summer and Realtors are doing them!

There are kids to spend time with, mountains to hike, festivals to attend, patios to sit on, and of course beaches to lie on. When squeezing this in during our short few weeks of summer weather, it’s tough to put in time at the office. Therefore, many agents’ production decrease.

The question is then, who is doing all the business? We know there is rather high volume of transactions taking place, and most Realtors have dropped business. Therefore, it really has to be the agents choosing to put time in at the office, instead of more interesting summertime activities.

Were it really that a Realtor must choose between work and summer fun, I’m in agreement with most of my peers. Summer is too precious to waste, and I don’t intend to do so.

However, in a Virtual Office, agents have no need to choose one or the other. The office isn’t necessary to continue to fully serve clients for a Mobile Agent. What Realtor in their right mind would rather sit by the fax machine waiting for conditions to be removed, when their family is out canoeing?

Virtual Offices such as RE/MAX Alpine Realty (an iREALTY office) in Calgary, are designed specifically for Freedom Based Real Estate. Agents can fully service their clients while enjoying the lifestyle they desire. Being tied to office machinery is no longer required with suitable mobile devices, and online software and programs utilized by quality Virtual Offices.

As so many other agents make a choice they think is required, and slow down their business durning the summer, the Mobile Agent is perfectly positioned to pick up their slack. They happily increase their business during this season, and still enjoy the bounty of summer time fun.

Did I mention, I love summer!

Should Real Estate Agents Blog?

2009-05-29T12:00:00.000-07:00

A very personal choice for the average Realtor. Are you comfortable expressing yourself in writing? Blogging will be a cake walk for you. Not so keen on writing? No worries, you can still Blog! Try a video Blog, or maybe you would prefer to Podcast, which is like an Audio Blog. Regardless of the method of Blogging you choose, if done correctly, Blogging can be the largest driving factor in your real estate business.

Blogging has many by-product advantages that may not be apparent initially.

The first advantage is the obvious one, that everyone understands.

1. Readers (or viewers or listeners) are delivered the full message of what you have to say, with out being filtered by the media. No need for the middle man to interpret or slant what is being said.

Also a known benefit:

2. Viewers feel more connected to you and feel there is a relationship with you, as they read your blog posts.

Some more advantages that is not quite as obvious on first glance:

3. Replaces the need to continually pay a web professional to add up-to-date content to your website. Also, you can update in a far more timely manner than having another party add this content.

Photos, links, articles, stats etc, can all be added to your blog and can be updated daily, or weekly or as often as you like. Blogs can redefine the purpose and utility of your website, with the website providing mostly long term, slow-to-change relevant information, while your blog provides the latest up-to-the-minute information you want to share with your clients and potential clients.

4. Frequent or a least consistent Blogging keeps you fresh on the minds of potential clients.

5. Blogs can be hosted on dedicated blogging sites that are free to create and maintain

6. Agents who blog are going to appear higher in search engines searches, than those who don’t. The more times you post , the more recent the information being feed into search engines, creating higher search rankings for you, your website and your blog. Being high in search engine rankings is still vitally important in today’s business.

To increase your search engine rankings, be sure to add tag words to your blog, as well as use these same words in your blog posts.

7. Blogs allow the public to respond. The internet is no longer just a one way communication, but a conversation between parties interested in your post or topic.

8. Widgets –can provide all kinds of additional information, fun, facts etc from other sources. For example, a most basic practical widget would be a local weather forecast. You may want to include a mortgage calculator widget, or a local restaurant guide widget. Polls are great fun to add to Blogs as they engage readers as well provide either fun or useful information for you. Example of a fun Poll: What are you doing this weekend? And have 5 multiple choice answers to choose from. Then in your next blog you can post the answers or Tweet them on Twitter or your Facebook Page etc.

9. Creates excellent content for you to provide to your other social media sites. Tweet about it and add link on Twitter. Add link and comment on it on your Facebook page. If it is a video blog, your YouTube followers will automatically see it. Post a message to your contacts on Linked In when a new Post is published.

Blogging does take time and may not be right for every agent. For those who give it a try, be sure to post consistently, respond to any comments submitted and then make sure you market it to all of your data bases! Happy Blogging!

Receive iREALTY Tech Tips and updates, texted to your phone. Text the word joinirealty to 74747. We'll do the rest!

Follow me on Twitter at http://twitter.com/iREALTYjstoner

For more information contact Jessica Stoner at jessicastoner@remax.net or visit www.irealtycanada.com

Social Media for the REALTOR. Is it worth your time?

2009-05-16T09:22:00.000-07:00

This is an excellent question, as social networking undeniably is time consuming. Used incorrectly, social media can a large powerful black hole in your productivity.

Without a doubt, many REALTORS spend hours on Facebook, Twitter, Blogging and chatting on forums, all with the hope that it will lead to business. But how many actually see a return on the time invested?

Agents venturing into the social media scene, should keep the following 8 Tips in mind:

1. To start with, choose one media at a time, and work it consistently. Too many social media venues generates low quality attention to each, ensuring abundant time required, with low return on investment. One media site, attended to consistently allows the agent to create genuine relationships with those they are connecting with.
2. Choose the media that feels best for you not the most popular. If Twitter seems like an ineffectual idea, try Facebook. Maybe linked feels more appropriate for you, or blogging may be a more suitable venue. Other options you may not have considered such as YouTube as a means of expressing yourself and you can garner followers through YouTube as well.
3. More connections is not always better. To forge genuine relationships, your connections should be people that have a legitimate reason for connecting with you. They live in your town, or city, are actually interested in real estate in your area, are other industry professionals, are likely to send you referrals or can provide you with knowledge, advice or ideas that are valuable to you.
4. Be sure to provide value to your connections. Provide useful stats, market up dates, new listings, interesting news items, fun facts, humor, etc. If you were connected to yourself, what information would keep you engaged?
5. Keep it part personal, part business. Blatant marketing and sales is inappropriate in social media. People don’t want to be sold to in this environment. However, they are probably interested in your product or service, as they did choose to connect with you. Now days people tend to do business with people from with in their online social networks. However they want to know who you are before they do business with you. Feel free to share more personal information than normally exchanged in business communication, but within reason. Share your delight about your afternoon golf game, but don’t share the fight you had last night with your spouse. Common sense prevails.
6. Communicate one on one with your connections. Don’t just post things, engage people in conversations. If they ask a question, be sure to answer it! Ask people questions your self to get conversations started. Your relationships will never develop if there is no one-one-one conversations.
7. Market the URL for your profile on the media you are on. People will rarely find you themselves. For example: if you blog, market your blog address in your email signature, on your business cards, on your website, in your print advertising, on your feature sheets, on your lawn signs, on your Voice Mail message…you get the idea.
8. Keep positive. People really don’t want to hear about your dislikes. Really.

Let’s recap:

Choose one media at a time, and make sure it a media that appeals to you, not necessarily the most popular one. More connections is not necessarily better. Select quality connections that you can forge a relationship with. Provide value to your network. Keep it part personal part business. Communication one-on-one with your connections. Market your URL everywhere. Help people find you. And keep positive!

By following these guidelines, you will ensure the time spent on social media will actually result in business!

Follow me on Twitter at http://twitter.com/iREALTYjstoner

For more information contact Jessica Stoner at jessicastoner@remax.net or visit www.irealtycanada.com

The Virtual Brokerage and First Time Home Buyers

2009-05-04T08:16:00.001-07:00

(To Learn More about the Virtual Brokerage Concept, click on the widget to the left of this page. Attend our Networking Event this Wednesday May 6th, at Metropolitan Grill Mount Royal, Calgary. See Video Invitation at bottom of Post)

We have a tough market to be selling real estate in. Prices have dropped, sellers are stressed and buyers are nervous about entering a volatile market. However there is always an upside, and it’s first-time homebuyers that get the silver lining at this time. With interest rates at rarely seen lows, extraordinarily high inventory of property to choose from, dropping prices and struggling current construction projects, those entering the market for the first time have many advantages. And they know it!

First time home buyers are leading the recent rebound in real estate sales in many cities in North America, the Calgary area included. For agents of a Virtual Office such as RE/MAX Alpine Realty (iREALTY), they can offer these clients what the traditional real estate agent cannot. The conventional brokerage model is sorely equipped to serve the modern first-time home buyer.

First time home buyers tend to be a younger demographic. This same demographic is a far more tech savvy group, who not just understand and live technology, but expect the convenience of modern digital tools to be the norm. This generation of home buyers is naturally drawn to those providing paperless documents, online access to them and communication methods that suit them such as IM, Skype, Texting etc. Upon resale, this same group will expect a much more online presence from their Realtors and Brokerage, as that is where they spend much of their time. They would want to find their listing promoted on Facebook, Twitter, Blogs, Craig’s List, YouTube, Flickr, etc, in addition to some traditional means. They expect their real estate service provider to have the know-how and willingness to serve their needs which are different from previous generations of home buyers and sellers. If first time home buyers are driving the market now, it will clearly benefit those who have the ability to cater to this demographic.

iREALTY Virtual Brokerage model is designed to serve just such a group. The Virtual Brokerage model is much more than just “minimal office space.” It is much more than just “online documents.” The iREALTY model actively educates and provides tools to the agents to keep them on the forefront of this real estate WEB 2.0 revolution and first time home buyers actively seek out such a company to work with.

Our current first time home buyers are the future of subsequent home purchases and sales, at the same time as new generations of first time home buyers enter the market. The digital demands of this clientele will not reduce as they age, but grow as the tools expand. This is the current and future clientele of our real estate industry, and those who can serve them and their many needs will find a profitable long term career.

Why do Clients want to use a Virtual Agent?

2009-04-20T21:46:00.000-07:00

It is becoming clearly evident that the Virtual Office such as an iREALTY office is the way of the future of real estate and highly desirable for agents. The question is, why would your clients want a Mobile agent?

There are a variety of reasons clients will be choosing Virtual real agents over traditional agents:

Agents come to clients, clients do not have to go to the office.

Real Estate is no longer a sales industry, but is a service industry. Mobile agents can provide far more service to their clients, starting with offering the convenience of saving the clients the time and hassle of driving to the agent’s office. iREALTY agents are equipped to efficiently do business in the field, at their client’s homes, work, or local coffee shop.

Client’s documents, contracts etc. are accessible to them online, 24/7.

In traditional real estate, clients are handed numerous pages of paper at several different stages of a transaction. Clients of Mobile Agents are very appreciative of eliminating the need to keep track of 30, 50 or even more pieces of loose paper, and instead, having all of their documents available to them online, in one place, at their convenience.

Client’s documents are more secure. (Can’t be misplaced, damaged or stolen by Identity thieves)

Though we rarely think about it, paper is fragile and constantly at risk. Contracts are always in jeopardy of being unexpectedly misplaced, misfiled, accidentally viewed by the wrong individuals, damaged by fire, flood, sprinklers, smoke damage, earthquake, tornado, or other natural disaster, or outright stolen by Identity thieves. In an iREATLY office, clients can be confident that their contracts and other documents are stored securely on off site professional servers, designed to protect against such events as those above. Though digital document storage seems very modern and new now, it is likely that traditional paper storage in real estate will not only be out of date in the future, but possibly even prohibited due to such high risk factors.

Digital paper trail created as time and date is recorded of each document added or altered. Useful in contract disputes or litigation.

Like the security of documents, this is another item that clients may not be aware of immediately, however should be made aware of. In the event of a contract dispute or litigation, a secure and undeniable digital record of how and when the contract progressed, provides valuable documentation for the client.

All information in one place. Clients receive their own digital copy of all documents at end of transaction.

Clients will not have to search for numerous loose and often lost pieces of paper for their next real estate transaction, for tax purposes or for lawyer’s records. All documents are stored together on one CD for client’s convenience.

6. iAgents are knowledgeable about current online and real estate technology. Best able to market homes in the most up-to-date and highly effective manners.

The real estate market has migrated almost entirely online, though many agents have yet to catch up. While traditional agents still focus on newspaper advertising, mail outs and paper newsletters, iAgents understand marketing in real-time where the buyers are looking. On the web. The Mobile Agent is familiar with blogging, social networking, and the various methods of online communications that best exposes client’s listings to the public.

For more information contact Jessica Stoner at jessicastoner@remax.net or visit www.irealtycanada.com Follow me on Twitter http://twitter.com/iREALTYjstoner

Virtual Agents: Can you really work without an office?

2009-03-24T15:15:00.001-07:00

There is a romantic idea of working as an iAGENT, without an office, and spending days lounging in coffee shops with your laptop. However, is this a realistic notion? Can you really get all the work you need done in Starbucks, libraries or at your clients houses?

The Virtual Realtor certainly does work out in the field, however, it is not practical to expect all work to be done in such locations. A quiet space at home is usually where the grunt work will take place. The daily grind such as calling databases, creating budgets and business plans, doing taxes and all of the other uncreative, necessary aspects of running a real estate business still need to take place and public locations are not necessarily appropriate for such.

For some, home is the ideal location for these tasks. For others, their residence is simply not conducive to work, and that is why drop-in space is available for our mobile agents at our iREALTY office.

However, the desirable work lifestyle of having the local café as your office is effective for other aspects of an iAGENT’s operation. For agents utilizing tablet computers, it is very effective to write and respond to offers with clients, paperlessly, at these public locations. Public meeting spaces tend to have a relaxing and enjoyable atmosphere as well as often having wireless internet so that it is expected that work meetings will take place at that location. Plus there are always choices of different meeting locations near your clients, allowing the iAGENT to provide superior service by coming to your clients, instead of requiring your clients to go out of their way to come to you at your office.

The local coffees shop is an excellent venue to inspire creativity, and is a great place to write blogs (I am in a Starbucks as I write!) advertising, website updates and other creative work.

The last benefit to working surrounded by the public instead of in the office, is the daily and constant contact with people you may never have had met. It is a rare occasion where I work in a local café without chatting with someone I know, or even better, meeting someone I don’t know. It seems that coffee shop etiquette allows and even encourages conversations with strangers and what better environment for a real estate agent to meet potential contacts, clients and friends!

You don’t sell real estate in your office, so get out of it!

Follow me on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/iREALTYjstoner

Recession and the Virtual Office

2009-03-15T19:58:00.001-07:00

Recessions suck. Our business in the real estate industry is down, people are nervous and the general economic global environment is shaky at best. What good can possibly come from a recession? Vast amounts!

This recession in particular is an essential cleansing process. Unnecessary excess that remain unaddressed in booming markets are now paired down. Wasteful behavior is corrected, banks will required to be more transparent, and commerce to be more accountable. Does this affect our real estate industry? Only for those who intend long term survival.

Agents are aware there are newer and better ways to do business, and in very busy and prosperous markets, there is little time or need to make business model changes. Now with our slow recovering down market, agents are seeking just such a change and are looking towards their Brokerage to implement them.

The future of successful businesses is not just about “less is more.” In addition to less expense, a successful Brokerage must offer “more value” as well. I yawn at the sound of such kitschy buzz words so forgive the use. It is simply is true.

Agents are aware that office space is becoming less useful and more expensive each year, and therefore are attracted to the Virtual Office concept. But savings due to such a business model is not enough. The Virtual Office must offer the tools and technology to make it efficient for agents to run their business paperlessly and online. Agents must always feel connected to their office, Broker and their colleagues. Social relationships in the Brokerage must be easily created and maintained, and again it needs to be Brokerage’s business model that provides the methods and technology for these to form.

Cutting back and being conservative is a positive by-product of such a recession, but this will only sustain Brokerages a bit longer, not perpetually. The recession also creates opportunities for the creation of new sustainable models of operation, such as providing for the mobile agent and providing the social platform for on-the-go agents to stay connected.

Agents are far ahead of most Brokerages in recognizing their needs in this new and changed real estate profession and will be moving towards those accommodating such models at a rapid rate. Brokerages ready to accommodate the needs of their more tech savvy agents or looking to recruit younger generations of agents will have a more valuable business to market when selling their business on retirement.

RE/MAX Alpine Realty (an iREALTY office) in Calgary is opening mid-April 2009 and interviewing agents now. Contact me for more information.

Brokerages interested in learning more about the iREALTY concept are encouraged to contact me, to see if your office is suitable to add iREALTY features.

Jessica Stoner stoner.jessica@gmail.com 403-678-8006 cell, stonerjessica Skype address

The Super-Fly model to Social Connection and the Virtual Real Estate Brokerage

2009-03-07T18:02:00.000-08:00

The motto of RE/MAX has long been that agents are “In business for themselves, not by themselves.” This has never been truer than in a Virtual Office concept. My own concerns when I was considering opening a Virtual Office was that everyone would be separated, disconnected and all by themselves. That seemed dreadfully depressing to me, as I am a social creature, as are most people who are attracted to this industry. I knew if a Virtual Office were to work, a strong, connected sense of community must be at the heart of the business model.

It was extremely important to me that agents love working at this iREALTY brokerage, and who they work with is an exceptionally large factor to one’s satisfaction. However, if they never see, hear, or speak to their colleagues, the connection between co-workers never form.

So, collaborating with partners at a social networking software company, we have developed the iCOMMUNITY.

The iCOMMUNITY is an internal social networking site for real estate brokerages. Agents spend pretty much all day, every day, on this site and from here, they can access everything they need. There are practical elements, such as giving agents the authority to create and publish information in any part of the program. The agents create their own community, which just makes sense as there are many multiples of them and only one Broker/Manager. Why should all information only come from one person? Agents inform, correct, elaborate, blog, share and opinionate. (I’m not even sure that is word!;-) ) with each other.

For example, a traditional conversation works like this. Bob speaks to Bill, they discuss an item and come to a conclusion. Now two people have this information. With iCOMMUNITY, two people have a conversation, but (if they choose) everyone has access to it. Multiple people can participate in the discussion, and now every agent in the office knows this information. With iCOMMUNITY, our agents are the most informed and knowledgeable agents by far, as they have a never ending stream of relevant live time information from their colleagues.

iCOMMUNITY also has its fun side, which is equally necessary and far more entertaining! Incorporating many aspects of social online networking, agents are in constant contact with their colleagues and office, sharing laughs, photos, games, personal updates, messages and “tweets” and generally socializing. iAGENTS are more connected, informed and in touch with each other and their office, in ways that are simply impossible in traditional offices.

Social connection is at the heart of RE/MAX Alpine Realty (iREALTY) and is the essential component of a successful Virtual Office.

For more information contact Jessica Stoner at jessicastoner@remax.net or visit www.irealtycanada.com Follow me on Twitter http://twitter.com/iREALTYjstoner

2009-02-28T18:28:00.000-08:00

RE/MAX Alpine Realty in Calgary is an iREALTY office. This means we are Virtual, Paperless, Green and Connected, which equals Freedom on many different levels.

I’m sharing with you today, our concept of the Virtual Office at our iREALTY office. You may find this helpful for your own office, or you may like what such a Brokerage offers you as an agent, and you want to find out more about this RE/MAX iREALTY office. Regardless, I hope it helps and I look forward to discussing it with you.

The Virtual Office is a new concept and requires some explaining. First, our Virtual Office does indeed have a physical office space. What makes it Virtual is that we have minimal office space. Agents can drop in to work, scan, meet clients and fill in and sign document paperlessly directly on our specially designed monitor. What our space is not, is a very large workplace with 1000’s of sq ft of space, with every agent claiming their own office or personal area. It seems wasteful and inefficient for agents to utilize their office 2 hours a day, and then remain empty and unused for the other 6 hours. Paying for empty space is hardly resourceful or good economics. When walking through any large real estate office, it is the norm to see less than 25% of the offices being utilized at any one time, which begs the question, is there not a more efficient and cost effective manner of operation?

When I ask such questions, I am told that the agents require their offices for the following reasons:

-a place to get work done.
-a place to meet clients.
-a place to store their documents securely.

I have no problem with these answers as this helps my business tremendously ;-)

A Place to Work

At iREALTY, agents work from wherever it is most convenient for them. At a clients house, a coffee shop, or at home. Some prefer to work from the office, and are welcome to work at the drop in centre in the office at their convenience. When they are not there, the space is utilized by other agents. Why not share the space? The very first thing I learned when I started in real estate 10 years ago was that ‘You can’t sell real estate in the office, so get out of it.” If this is was preached 10 years ago, why so many agents are still paying unnecessary fees for office space for themselves and their colleagues?

A Place to Meet Clients

What else did we have? Oh right. How can agents meet with clients without their office? Again, how about where it is convenient for the client. At their house, their work, a coffee shop, the library, etc. Our clients can also be met at the office if it is convenient for them, and agents may utilize the office tools available, such as the “Write-on Monitor” that allows clients to mark up contracts, initial and sign paperlessly, directly on the screen.

A Place to Store Documents Securely

The last reason stated for the requirement of agent offices, is the most antiquated of all. The need for secure document storage. It should be known by now, that paper documents are simply not secure, period. Paper can be temporarily misplaced or permanently lost. They can be burned in fires or harmed by sprinklers or smoke damage. Floods, earthquakes, hurricanes and tornadoes all are causes of damage to buildings and documents stored inside.

More common dangers of paper documents are the accidental viewing by inappropriate eyes, the realization that the document is at a different location from where you are, and very common now days, theft. Personal information contained on many real estate documents help identity thieves build credible fake identification and is a very profitable business. Real Estate documents are in high demand.

For all of these reasons, real estate documents should not be stored on paper, but securely on servers that are dedicated specifically for the purpose of safe storage. Data is password protected, encrypted, and are stored on servers that have redundant back ups and is often behind bullet proof, fire proof and tamper proof barriers.

Plus a Bonus! Secure online data storage allows the convenience of accessibility by any authorized party, (agent, client, broker, and administrators) from anywhere, 24 hours, 7days a week. You’ll never be caught without a crucial document again.

RE/MAX Alpine Realty in Calgary is an iREALTY office, which means this is the standard method of doing business. This is just one of the features of an iREALTY office, and I am excited about sharing more with you in the coming weeks and months.

Jessica Stoner is the Broker/Owner of RE/MAX Alpine Realty in Calgary, an iREALTY office www.irealtycanada.com