Personal Security Locator: Often when I do the buying guides guides I’ve been writing for Realtor since the early 1990s, I’ll hear from companies about relevant products not included. Sometimes it’s purely an editorial decision,there’s only so much space. And sometimes, despite my relentless search for relevant items to include in the chart , things just don’t bubble to the cyber syrface. Case in point the September personal safety guide,
After the story appeared, the maker contacted me about his Personal Protection Locator. At $299 and $99/year for the service it’s may seem a little price little to some, but can you put a price on safety? The key-sized KeySmart transceiver is easily concealed. When activated, it sends out a signal to the response service pinpointing your location. The service then calls the desigated contact and guides them to wehre you are. It’s a new applicaiton for GPS, and a safety service/feature that could eventually find its way into other GPS devices.
ATT Facebook Users: Another reader contacted me to spread the word about a facebook app developed specifically for Realtors called CenterStage for Real Estate Agents from Clientopoly. It simplifies the process of adding info—text, price and pix—of current listings and home’s you’ve sold to your facebook profile. You can sample CenterStage with a 30-day free trial, after which it costs $8 per month with a year-long commitment.
Affordability Index: Want an idea how how your market racks up nationally, in terms of affordability? In Late September Coldwell Banker released the results of its annual home price comaprison index.The survey reviews pricing on comparable 2,200-square foot four bedroom homes in 310 U.S. housing markets, then ranks them from most expensive(La Jolla, CA) to most afforable(Grayling, MI).National average: $363,460.
Location means everything: a similar home would cost the buyer $2.125 million in La Jolla, but just $112,675. Click here to see this year’s home price comparison index for the U.S. and Canada. There’s a two-minute infomercial about the index on ColdWell Banker’s YouTube channel.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Indexing confidence
Pont2 Technologies is looking to turn its widespread presence into timely market insight with its Real Estate Market Confidence Index, now officially up and running. The index is based on a monthly survey of Point2 users who rate the state of the real estate market as they see it in their area. Participants are asked to rate current conditions and the market outlook, on a scale of one to 10. The index represents the median, or mid point in total responses, for each topic.
For instance, the August index(the most recent available), indicates there is growing optimism about market conditions, but plenty of room for improvement. Using the scale where 1 represents bad and 10 translates into good, the confidence index for the month is 5.9. That’s a slight improvement over the August index of 5.4. There also seems to be more confidence in prospects for a long term rather than short term market recover.y Using the same scale, the short term optimism/pessimism index was 5.8, a full point below the 6.8 index of the outlook for a long term market conditions.
Of course no single window affords a complete view. You may also want to search the Realtor Confidence Index, updated throughout the year, and Zillow’s monthly Homeowner Confidence Survey.
For instance, the August index(the most recent available), indicates there is growing optimism about market conditions, but plenty of room for improvement. Using the scale where 1 represents bad and 10 translates into good, the confidence index for the month is 5.9. That’s a slight improvement over the August index of 5.4. There also seems to be more confidence in prospects for a long term rather than short term market recover.y Using the same scale, the short term optimism/pessimism index was 5.8, a full point below the 6.8 index of the outlook for a long term market conditions.
Of course no single window affords a complete view. You may also want to search the Realtor Confidence Index, updated throughout the year, and Zillow’s monthly Homeowner Confidence Survey.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Google Voice Launches, by Invitation Only
Google has sent out invites to sign up for a free Google Voice account.
Formerly called GrandCentral, it’s the Google version of a unified messaging system for managing your calls from a single account. Users can publish a single phone number, then have incoming calls routed to your phone when, as needed be it a landline or your mobile. It also includes centralized voicemail services from a browser-based system and interface. That’s just a start.
If you didn’t get your invitation, you can sign up for one here
Formerly called GrandCentral, it’s the Google version of a unified messaging system for managing your calls from a single account. Users can publish a single phone number, then have incoming calls routed to your phone when, as needed be it a landline or your mobile. It also includes centralized voicemail services from a browser-based system and interface. That’s just a start.
If you didn’t get your invitation, you can sign up for one here
AgentWorx: A New iPhone App for, from a Real Estate Pro
AgentWorx is new specialty software developed specifically for iPhone users by broker Chris Larsson in Portland OR. He describes it as an iPhone contactmanagement/productivity application for real estate. Helps organize, retrieve and share essential information in an easily managed form. Requires iPhone OS 3.0 or later and is compatible with both the iPhone and iPod touch. Available for $9.95. You can learn more here , or download AgentWorx at iTunes
A Budget Buy on Netbooks
Looking for an an easily affordable way to get started with a netbook?
How does 99 cents sound?
That’s right for a limited time, Sprint is offering a Compaq netbook for less than a dollar....with a two year service plan. At this writing, Versizon and Sprint have the same package for $199 with a two-year plan, but time will tell how they respond to the Sprint offer.
To learn more about this offer through Best Buy, start there.(http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=pcmcat182100050001&type=category) .
If you’re not familar with netbooks, take a look. This, or any other model in this growing category may be just what you need if you want more than a smartphone for mobile computing, but less than a full-sized notebook.
How does 99 cents sound?
That’s right for a limited time, Sprint is offering a Compaq netbook for less than a dollar....with a two year service plan. At this writing, Versizon and Sprint have the same package for $199 with a two-year plan, but time will tell how they respond to the Sprint offer.
To learn more about this offer through Best Buy, start there.(http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=pcmcat182100050001&type=category) .
If you’re not familar with netbooks, take a look. This, or any other model in this growing category may be just what you need if you want more than a smartphone for mobile computing, but less than a full-sized notebook.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Briefly noted...
Here’s another compilation of announcements I’ve set aside, hoping at some point to devote some space to them. Rather than procrastinate further, here’s a rundown of some developments you may want to explore further. Just follow the links.
And by the way, the next buying guide I’ll be working on for Realtor magazine online is about Website enhancements. If you’ve found or developed any you think would be of interest/value to other realtors, feel free to email me with a link to the info.
For a long time ACT seems to have been the most popular off the shelf contact management system for Realtors. Early last month the company released the latest version of the program developed specifically for those in this trade. ACT! by Sage for Real Estate 11, $299 or $199 upgrade, adds a few new features, including a “related contacts” feature for defining relations among contacts like buyers and sellers; improved integration with Outlook for organizing emails and calendar functions with contact records; and streamlined search functions.
Uses of digital signatures, and those interested in seeing how the technology might streamline their workflow, should take a look at the new version of DocuSign just announced. new features in DocuSign v9.1 include electronic signature personalization, a screen guide to sending documents for signature; a proprietary “Intelligent Document Recognition” feature which recognizes the type of document , then tags and tabs it as defined by the user for signing or data entry; designation of a “Signing Host” who functions as a host and notary to coordinate use of electronic and in-person signatures in transactions involving multiple signers.
MobileAppLoader.com is trying to get a leg up as a developer and distributor of iPhone applications with its iPhone application Real Estate Real Easy. Initially available free for download and distribution, the company touts it as a tool to promote your business on the client’s phone. When they launch the application, the opening window invites them to call or email you. Subsequent pages allow them to search for properties, visit a webpage, learn about your services and company, or send you a location-based request for information about an area or particular piece of property. You can see samples at the Website or iTunes( http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewArtist?id=293197705&mt=8 )
Realtor.com continues to fine tune its marketing programs to the varied needs of members and company. Just announced is a deal with Long & Foster to increase marketing exposure for its sales associates and clients on the Realtor.com website. Long & Foster listings will display company branding, a virtual “lawn sign”, wherever they appear on Realtor.com, including on the search results page.
In another new marketing program, Realtor.com and broker members of The Realty Alliance announced plans to avail the Showcase Listing Enhancement package to Realty Alliance brokers and associates increase the appeal of select listings on Realtor.com.
The featured listings will contain a photo gallery of as many as 25 photos, neighborhood details, full motion videos and virtual tours(if available) and lead capture forms. Pilot programs will add home warranty and mortgage services info alongside participating brokers’ listings on Realtor.com
And by the way, the next buying guide I’ll be working on for Realtor magazine online is about Website enhancements. If you’ve found or developed any you think would be of interest/value to other realtors, feel free to email me with a link to the info.
For a long time ACT seems to have been the most popular off the shelf contact management system for Realtors. Early last month the company released the latest version of the program developed specifically for those in this trade. ACT! by Sage for Real Estate 11, $299 or $199 upgrade, adds a few new features, including a “related contacts” feature for defining relations among contacts like buyers and sellers; improved integration with Outlook for organizing emails and calendar functions with contact records; and streamlined search functions.
Uses of digital signatures, and those interested in seeing how the technology might streamline their workflow, should take a look at the new version of DocuSign just announced. new features in DocuSign v9.1 include electronic signature personalization, a screen guide to sending documents for signature; a proprietary “Intelligent Document Recognition” feature which recognizes the type of document , then tags and tabs it as defined by the user for signing or data entry; designation of a “Signing Host” who functions as a host and notary to coordinate use of electronic and in-person signatures in transactions involving multiple signers.
MobileAppLoader.com is trying to get a leg up as a developer and distributor of iPhone applications with its iPhone application Real Estate Real Easy. Initially available free for download and distribution, the company touts it as a tool to promote your business on the client’s phone. When they launch the application, the opening window invites them to call or email you. Subsequent pages allow them to search for properties, visit a webpage, learn about your services and company, or send you a location-based request for information about an area or particular piece of property. You can see samples at the Website or iTunes( http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewArtist?id=293197705&mt=8 )
Realtor.com continues to fine tune its marketing programs to the varied needs of members and company. Just announced is a deal with Long & Foster to increase marketing exposure for its sales associates and clients on the Realtor.com website. Long & Foster listings will display company branding, a virtual “lawn sign”, wherever they appear on Realtor.com, including on the search results page.
In another new marketing program, Realtor.com and broker members of The Realty Alliance announced plans to avail the Showcase Listing Enhancement package to Realty Alliance brokers and associates increase the appeal of select listings on Realtor.com.
The featured listings will contain a photo gallery of as many as 25 photos, neighborhood details, full motion videos and virtual tours(if available) and lead capture forms. Pilot programs will add home warranty and mortgage services info alongside participating brokers’ listings on Realtor.com
Monday, May 4, 2009
How I bought a camera
My Canon digital camera finally died, forcing me back into the market.
What mattered? Price, for one thing. Since new cameras seem to be released every few months, I didn’t want to spend too much, knowing there could be good cause to step up to something else within a year or two. So, I didn’t want to spend more than $200.
Megapixel rating is a much touted and overrated feature. In reality, for typical real estate applications—posting to the web, images in flyers and brochures— a 3MP camera would do. But sensors have evolved well beyond that, except on phones and Webcams. So I knew any current camera would serve.
More important were the camera’s optics. As both a Realtor and avid photographer, I wanted a wide-angle lens, and a powerful optical zoom.
Versatility, too. I don’t shoot that much video but wanted that option so I would no longer need to carry a camera and camcorder. A determining requirement for me was that the optical zoom function when recording video. That’s not such a common feature.
For convenience, I wanted a compact that felt good in my hand. Internal memory and SD card. With everything else, it had to be durable: I carry my camera on a lot of hikes.
So what did I get?
Panasonic Lumix TZ-4, purchased in a bundle at Sam’s Club for $179. It’s one of last year’s models in the Lumix line, so the price break. It’s a compact with a stainless steel body. As far as the optics
go, it’s got a Leica (synonymous with quality optics to those of a certain age) 10X wide angle optical zoom lens. Optical zoom works in the video mode, and it can record high resolution video at 720p in the 16:9 aspect ratio. There’s a step-up model, the TZ-5 which records in true HD (1080 lines of resolution)for less than $50 more.
The only compromise I've discovered so far was giving up a through-the-lens-view finder. That takes some getting used to... I’ve also learned in some situations it’s best not to shoot in the camera's “intelligent” mode. That and carry a tripod for when I want to shoot with the full zoom.
This is not an endorsement, nor a glowing review. In fact, mine may not be the right camera for you. But that’s not my point. It’s this: when you think these things through before you start shopping. prioritize which features and functions matter. Computer, phone or camera you’ll end up happy with whatever you’re buying.
I am.
What mattered? Price, for one thing. Since new cameras seem to be released every few months, I didn’t want to spend too much, knowing there could be good cause to step up to something else within a year or two. So, I didn’t want to spend more than $200.
Megapixel rating is a much touted and overrated feature. In reality, for typical real estate applications—posting to the web, images in flyers and brochures— a 3MP camera would do. But sensors have evolved well beyond that, except on phones and Webcams. So I knew any current camera would serve.
More important were the camera’s optics. As both a Realtor and avid photographer, I wanted a wide-angle lens, and a powerful optical zoom.
Versatility, too. I don’t shoot that much video but wanted that option so I would no longer need to carry a camera and camcorder. A determining requirement for me was that the optical zoom function when recording video. That’s not such a common feature.
For convenience, I wanted a compact that felt good in my hand. Internal memory and SD card. With everything else, it had to be durable: I carry my camera on a lot of hikes.
So what did I get?
Panasonic Lumix TZ-4, purchased in a bundle at Sam’s Club for $179. It’s one of last year’s models in the Lumix line, so the price break. It’s a compact with a stainless steel body. As far as the optics
go, it’s got a Leica (synonymous with quality optics to those of a certain age) 10X wide angle optical zoom lens. Optical zoom works in the video mode, and it can record high resolution video at 720p in the 16:9 aspect ratio. There’s a step-up model, the TZ-5 which records in true HD (1080 lines of resolution)for less than $50 more.The only compromise I've discovered so far was giving up a through-the-lens-view finder. That takes some getting used to... I’ve also learned in some situations it’s best not to shoot in the camera's “intelligent” mode. That and carry a tripod for when I want to shoot with the full zoom.
This is not an endorsement, nor a glowing review. In fact, mine may not be the right camera for you. But that’s not my point. It’s this: when you think these things through before you start shopping. prioritize which features and functions matter. Computer, phone or camera you’ll end up happy with whatever you’re buying.
I am.
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