real estate technology: Web Site Not Making Money? Try Analyzing It For Improvement! - 01/16/10 08:46 AM
A quick question: are you making money from your Web site and/or blog?  Most agents don't, and if you fit that category, start by measuring the results you're getting at present.  A good site/blog analysis can show you what you need to improve to make a good living from your site alone!
During our CyberStar(r) Summit last week, several of our CyberStars(r) recommended StatCounter.com.  Using it, they measure activity on their site and make adjustments to it based on what StatCounter shows them.

StatCounter is free.  All you do is insert a code in your site or blog (a VA … (6 comments)

real estate technology: CyberStars(r): Passing of the Torch - 01/15/10 07:32 PM

During our CyberStar(r) Summit this week in Scottsdale, I "passed the torch" to CyberStar(r) Brad Korn.  Brad is the new Owner/President of this wonderful CyberStar(r) family.
I founded the CyberStars(r) in 1995 as a result of a panel I held at the NAR Convention in San Francisco.  After our panel, we lamented the fact that there were no networking groups for agents who used technology to share their experiences in using technology to build their businesses.  Then and there, we founded the CyberStars(r).
Today, the CyberStars(r) number 225 top agents from the US, Canada, Australia and the Bahamas.  We have … (2 comments)

real estate technology: R.E. Techology eBook: Discount For VA's - 10/18/09 05:45 PM
As you know if you have followed my posts, I really promote agents using a Virtual Assistant...both in the classes I teach, on my blog and here on Active Rain.
I have just completed an eBook, "Digital Essentials for Today's Agent." 228 tips on using technology from 128 from my CyberStars(r).  One of the sections, of course, is on the need for and effective use of a VA.
I would like you Active Rain VA's to be my "Connectors," influential folks who can get the word out on the eBook so that it gets into more agents' hands and helps their … (3 comments)

real estate technology: The Turkey Vulture & The Smart Real Estate Agent - 10/18/09 04:49 PM


While on my balcony overlooking Lake Anne the other day, I saw a buzzard lazily floating.  It was covering a lot of territory as it surveyed the scene below.
As with all such birds, it floated in lazy circles and only occasionally flapped its wings.  It was a perfect example of maximum results with minimum effort, as the buzzard covered a wide expanse of lake and shore using air currents rather than its own energy.
I like that system: maximum results with minimum effort.
Real estate should be like that, I think...and thanks to today's technology, it can be.
Basing your … (0 comments)

real estate technology: 2,086 Items In My Inbox! - 10/07/09 09:37 AM
At the moment, I have 2,086 items in my inbox!  This is crazy, absurd and unproductive to say the least.
Email is a tool, just like a hammer.  It is a tool to use when needed.  It is designed to get more done in less time and to help me be more productive.   2,086 items in my inbox is pretty good evidence, however, that I am not using this tool very well at all.  The backlog of items creates a swamp of "maybe to-dos" and items to check that cut down on my productivity as soon as I turn on my email … (2 comments)

real estate technology: Social Media, The Burglar & The Real Estate Agent - 10/05/09 05:51 PM
Just posted an article to my blog: "Social Media, The Burglar & The Real Estate Agent."  Hope you'll check it out....included some good information on building your business.  Find it at here.
Also hope you'll subscribe...it's free, and I try to give you continuous tips from my CyberStars(r) and other sources to help you make more money, save more money and save more time!
It's a great day here on the lake in Reston...hope it's a great day wherever you are, too!
Regards,
Allen F. Hainge, CRS
Senior Instructor, CRS 206 Technology Course
… (3 comments)

real estate technology: Decisions, Decisions...What Technology Works & What Doesn't? - 10/04/09 03:55 PM
Ever wonder what technology is worth investing in and which is not?  We know we need to use today's technology to meet the needs of today's consumer, but there is so much out there, only so much money to spend, and we want to make good decisions.  We need technology that works for us, that makes us money, saves us money and saves us time.
Here are a couple of things I have learned over the years that should help you make the right tech purchase decisions:
Rarely, if ever, buy a product pushed by the sponsor of a seminar, especially … (2 comments)

real estate technology: CRS Core Courses & Designation? Skip 'Em! - 09/30/09 09:20 AM
Skip ‘em.  Unless you want to join the top 4% of the wage earners in real estate, that is.  Unless you want to be part of a group that averages $106,500 closed gross commission per year as opposed to the non CRS designee average income of only $38,500 according to NAR statistics. 
Skip ‘em.  After all, you know for sure that the public doesn't care about designations, right?.  You've heard that before, and you believe it.  Never mind that the goal of the courses and designation is improving you and your business so that you can reach more of today's consumers … (10 comments)

real estate technology: You Really CAN Make It To Your Kid's Soccer Game This Weekend....Here's How! - 09/25/09 02:08 PM
You are planning to get to your child's soccer tournament, concert or play this weekend, right?  Or to that exercise class you know you should take?  Or to that long overdue date with your spouse or partner that will keep the relationship fresh?  Or just get off by yourself for a massage or a serene walk in the woods? 
No?  Ah....I know why: you are "too busy" selling real estate.  YAnd I know that you will get to those things "sometime."
You are not alone, you know.  So many agents put off the really important things because they are "too busy." 
And I know the … (8 comments)

real estate technology: New eBook Available: "Digital Essentials for Today's Agent" - 09/11/09 07:22 PM
"Digital Essentials for Today's Agent" is here!
Just wanted my friends to know that my eBook, Volume I in my CyberStar(r) Success Series is now available online.  Thanks to the 128 CyberStars(r) who contributed to this volume, "Digital Essentials for Today's Agent" and to all of you who have been asking about it.
The CyberStars(r) contributed 228 specific tips, techniques and strategies covering all areas of using technology in your business to make money, save money and save time.  No "techie talk," just solid information that I'm sure will help you, whether you are a technology newbie or an experienced tech … (2 comments)

real estate technology: Blog Post: Building An Agent Referral Network - 08/06/09 10:09 AM
Hope you'll take a look at the lastest post on my blog, "Networking With Other Agents: It Pays!"  Top agent Sandra Nickel reveals her system for building a nationwide agent network which now has over 2,000 agents.  She is in touch with them once a week, and it really pays off in referrals.
You can view the article here.
It's a great day here on the lake in Reston...hope it's a great day wherever you are, too!
 
 
… (5 comments)

real estate technology: Allen Commits Heresy, Or Why You Shouldn't Waste Time On Twitter! - 06/16/09 06:48 PM
                               
 
I am about to commit heresy in the eyes of many real estate agents and speakers. 
But first, here's a memory jogger.  See how many of these terms you recognize: 
10-4 (only if you were a neophyte...otherwise it was "5-5-2-2") Good Buddy (God help you if a trucker heard you say "Good Buddy"...it branded you as a 4-wheeler for sure!) Bear (cop) 40 weight (coffee) Pickle park (truck stop parking lot) Bed bug hauler (moving van) Thermos bottle (tanker hauling liquids) Bear in the air (helicopter with radar) Peter car (Peterbilt tractor) Big O (Overnight freight company truck) Now … (50 comments)

real estate technology: Before You Were An Agent, Didn't You Buy A Neighborhood? - 05/02/09 06:56 PM
Remember when you were looking for a home....before you became a real estate agent?  You didn't just buy a house, did you?  Your first criteria was the neighborhood, right?  If you did not like the neighborhood, chances are you did not even go into the home the agent selected for you.
Don't forget that fact now that you are an agent, especially when it comes to your Web site.  Most sites have information on the home which, usually, is somewhat weak: photos and some "brick and mortar" information about the house (number of bedrooms, number of baths...basically MLS information) and that's … (8 comments)

real estate technology: Video CyberStar(r) Interviews....Good Tips! - 04/17/09 07:46 AM
My networking group, the CyberStars®, is a treasure trove of information from top agents on how to build our businesses.  We focus on using today's technology to meet the needs of today's consumer, but few of us are "techies."  Rather, we focus on making money, saving money and saving time through the use of technology.
At our CyberStar® Summit last January, we spent two days sharing ideas, tips, techniques and strategies....a slew of great ideas that helped us all. 
I brought in Michael Krisa, "That Interview Guy," to do video interviews with some of our members.  Here are a few of … (2 comments)

real estate technology: I Don't Understand Why Some Real Estate Agents Ignore The "Little Things"! - 04/06/09 10:04 PM
You would think that someone who wants to list and sell real estate would pay attention to the "little things," those things that top agents do that unsuccessful agents do not do.  A few examples from my recent experience: 
Open House Directional Arrows:  My home is on the water at Lake Anne here in Reston, VA.  There are a number of homes and condos on tehwater in our community, and these properties are always in demand.  This weekend, there were two open house directional arrows leading from the main road into our waterfront community.  Neither had a "Waterfront!" rider on the … (13 comments)

real estate technology: Agent Networking: Sure Beats "Farming"! - 04/02/09 03:29 PM
I met with two other Reston area agents this morning for a "mini" networking meeting.  Holly Weatherwax & Barry Allbright, both agents here in the Reston area, and I meet at the Lake Anne Coffee Shop here on beautiful Lake Anne.  We met for a little over an hour and just exchanged ideas, ideas which I found very valuable.  Among other topics, we talked about using a real estate database, the value of a Virtual Assistant, smart phones, refrigerator magnets, postcard marketing, automatic followup systems, Bluetooth and more.  We plan to meet again and will invite a few more agents next time.
This was … (6 comments)

real estate technology: Recorded Webinar: What Works In Today's Market? - 03/26/09 06:29 PM
Those of you who wish to see/hear the Webinar I did for New Mexico agents last night can click here.
We focused on tools that help agents make more money, save more money and save more time in today's market.  CyberStar(r) Linda DeVlieg of Albuquerque, NM, was my panelist and did a wonderful job....check it out.
I'll be doing the CRS 206 two day technology course in Albuquerque April 30 - May 1 and am looking forward to a great session.
Full information on the course here.  It says that Mark Porter is the instructor, but it'll be me....and I'll get … (0 comments)

real estate technology: Two Of My Favorite Tech Tools! - 03/24/09 02:33 PM
In case you don't know me, I focus on using today's technology, not on the "Techie Wow!" aspect of it.  To me, technology exists to help agents list more homes, sell more homes, save more money, save more time....and get a life outside of real estate.  That's what I stress on my blog and during my nationwide seminars. 
That said, here are just two of my favorite technology tools, tools that help me accomplish some or all of the above.  Nothing fancy, nothing complicated, just two tools I find very useful every day.
My Home Wireless Network
What a pleasure to … (7 comments)

real estate technology: What Does Your Auto Responder Say About You? - 03/19/09 08:43 PM
One of the services I offer is evaluating agent Web sites.  I spend an hour or so analyzing the site, and then the agent and I meet online via GoToWebinar.  We go through the site page by page for an hour or more, and I offer suggestions for improving the site.  One of the weaknesses I find in most sites is that the agent does not have many "click here to ask me for..." links, requests that would increase responses from the site.  Nothing, usually, but the "email Jack" link or "email me for more information" beside a listing. 
Be that … (6 comments)

real estate technology: 5 Guys, Technology, Thank Yous & My Business - 03/11/09 05:21 PM

Lunch time....time to head to my nearby health food emporium, 5 Guys.  If you have ever eaten at a 5 Guys, you know what I mean by "health food": huge double burgers fixed the way you want them and the biggest, tastiest bunch of the greasiest fries you'll ever run across.  Perfect health food, right? 
I placed my order and put a dollar in the tip jar, prominent next to the register.  The cashier let out a hearty "thank you."  I appreciate that gesture wherever I shop, but what happened next went the extra mile and made me smile.  Each … (7 comments)

 

Allen F. Hainge, CRS

Reston, VA

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AFH Seminars

Address: Reston, VA, 20190

Office Phone: (800) 695-3794

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Tips, Techniques and networking ideas from one of real estate's premier technology/marketing trainers and speakers. Allen learns from the CyberStars(r) (www.CyberStars.net) and shares his knowledge with you.


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