Arbor Day 2011: Is Your Business Doing What it Can to Reduce Paper Waste? - 04/29/11 10:33 AM
In elementary school, every holiday throughout the year was celebrated with great excitement. From Groundhog Day to Valentines Day teachers and students would learn the history, tell a story and participate in a special activity in honor of the holiday. Today, April 29, 2011, we here at DotLoop are celebrating Arbor Day--A day to celebrate trees.
Julius Sterling Morton, a Nebraska native dedicated to improving agricultural techniques in society, first celebrated Arbor Day on April 10, 1872. In 1885, Arbor Day was made a legal holiday by the state of Nebraska and soon after, all 50 states adopted the holiday. Today, … (2 comments)

Casual Exercise Delivers Casual Results - 04/28/11 11:32 AM
I was walking out of the gym after an evening run and couldn’t help but to notice all of the “casual” exercisers.  In case you don’t know whom I’m referring to, it’s those people that manage to read a book while on the elliptical machine, never breaking a bead of sweat during a 60-minute workout. 
If you’re a casual exerciser, it’s safe to assume one of two things…
1) You just don’t understand that real results require hard work; or
2) You’re perfectly content with casual results.  
If you fall into the latter category, more power to you.  Your time is your … (3 comments)

Severe Spring Weather Brings Possible Perils to Home Owners - 04/27/11 10:22 AM
 
 
This spring is producing an unprecedented amount of storms for certain regions throughout the U.S., especially in the month of April.  Many states are experiencing disastrous flooding as a result of excessive rainfall; reporting one of the rainiest Aprils on record.  This time of year, many people evaluate their homeowner’s insurance policies to make sure they’re covered under all circumstances.
Homeowners need be aware of the weather conditions prevalent in their region in order to adequately protect their homes against the unforgiving forces of nature. While most basic coverage protects against property damage, the extent to which homeowners are … (0 comments)

Agents: You're More Tech Savvy Than You Think - 04/26/11 11:02 AM

Recently, I attended a few DotLoop training sessions where groups of real estate professionals were introduced to a new online transaction platform that utilizes the Internet and state-of-the-art collaborative technology to close deals.  During the training, I was struck by the disparity between the “tech-savvy agents” and the others struggling to grasp – conceptually – what they were seeing (a collaborative workspace). 
Real estate agents use of technology mirrors the general population and is typically driven by three things:
Individual passion for using new technology,
Desire to expand their “brand” recognition in the market, and
Need to communicate with clients in a manner they prefer. 
… (0 comments)

Is Face-to-Face Communication Being Phased Out? - 04/21/11 12:54 PM
 
Everybody wants me to “Facebook” them, send an email or write a txt (intentionally misspelled).  However connected someone may be, face-to-face communication skills are still very important in business and in life. The right communication skills allow people to connect in a more meaningful and impactful way.
One of the many complaints about society today is the lack of personal communication skills and the preponderance of new media.  This complaint is often attributed to a generation adept to social media and mobile technology, but lack basic interpersonal skills. The problem with these “non” personal forms of communication is people rarely … (7 comments)

Agents Can't Afford to Lack Confidence in Today's Market - 04/20/11 11:10 AM
Real estate is a business that requires a great deal of trust. People on the selling end want to get as much money as possible for their home, while buyers hope to spend as little as possible.  Negotiations can be lengthy and frustrating when a Realtor® is inexperienced or unknowledgeable about a property; consequently, damaging their trust with buyers and sellers.

 
Lacking the experience or knowledge in any situation damages self-confidence. Since there’s a lot at stake in a real estate transaction, an agent’s confidence goes a long way with clients. It is therefore imperative for realtors to ensure … (4 comments)

Why is Mobile Technology so Important for Real Estate Professionals? - 04/19/11 12:14 PM

It was only a decade ago that cell phones became commonplace throughout society. Over the

 years, technology has progressed so much that mobile devices encompass the functionality of the phone with virtually anything a person needs.
 
New models such as the iPhone 4 continually push the boundaries of what is possible in mobile technology. The growing number of people adopting smart phones or other mobile devices is growing as a result.  The Neilsen Company reported on their blog “Neilsen Wire” that 28 percent of U.S. mobile subscribers now own smart phones, with more adopting them every day.
 
… (4 comments)

Effective Communication Practices Boosts Home Buyer Confidence - 04/18/11 11:22 AM
Proper document management and electronic signatures increase efficiency in the home-buying
 process, but effective, one-to-one communication between agent and client remains of basic importance for selling real estate. People are naturally cautious about buying real estate because it’s typically the most important investment they’ll ever make. They need to feel confident, with a sense of trust in their Realtor® as they make the decision to become a homeowner. The key to gaining this special type of trust comes from good interpersonal communication
 
Here are some tips to communicate with potential clients to help them feel comfortable about buying real estate:
… (2 comments)

Environmentally-Conscious Home Buyers Present Great New Opportunities for Realtors - 04/14/11 11:01 AM
 
Iridescent light bulbs, low-flow plumbing and energy-efficient windows are among the new considerations for building a home these days. “Green” real estate that is more ecologically sound and environmentally friendly is resonating with a new generation of home buyers concerned with environmental impact and utility costs. With rising prices in oil and other fuels, home buyers want to stretch their dollars as far as they’ll go. Therefore, Real estate professionals must meet and address the home buyer’s considerations and connect with them on the issues they care about.
Here are a few ideas for connecting with such people to tap into … (0 comments)

The Entrepreneurial Spirit Begins with the Basics - 04/13/11 11:05 AM
I had the opportunity to visit my Alma Mater this week to give a presentation on entrepreneurship to this year’s senior class.  The invite came in light of today’s challenging job market and the idea that graduates need to be more entrepreneurial in their efforts.
I’ll be the first to support entrepreneurship as viable avenue to job creation, self-fulfillment and prosperity.  When opportunities fail to present themselves (as is the case for most college graduates), it makes perfect sense to create your own opportunities… or as I say, “make your own luck.”
But here’s the catch… it’s not for everyone.  While I believe everyone … (0 comments)

REBarCamp Nashville 2011: Real Estate Tech's Most Relaxed Conference - 04/12/11 09:30 AM
Technology in the 21st century is transcending every aspect of our lives.  Consequently, real
estate agents are addressing the demands of the public by familiarizing themselves with the latest technology available to the industry.  At REBarCamp Nashville, some of the brightest minds in the industry collaborate to discuss how cutting-edge technology can be effectively implemented into your real estate business.
What is a BarCamp?
BarCamp defined is “an international network of user generated conferences — open, participatory workshop-events, whose content is provided by participants.” Therefore, participation among REBarCamp attendees is encouraged in order to get the most out of the event.
… (0 comments)

Driving Through Spring Rain Now a Thing of the Past - 04/11/11 01:24 PM
 
The month of April often produces rain showers and thunderstorms providing much needed water to gardens and lawns.  While the spring rain brings new life to the earth, it can also become a major inconvenience, often times a danger, when driving.
Most residential real estate professionals understand the hassle and dangers that come with driving to and from meetings in heavy rain and storms.  When severe weather strikes, safety while driving becomes an immediate concern for agents needing to acquire signatures to close a deal.
On a promising note, this problem is quickly becoming a thing of the past.  With … (0 comments)

The Twenty-First Century Calls for a Collaborative Workspace in Real Estate - 04/08/11 10:54 AM
The twenty-first century began more than a decade ago and since then, we’ve certainly seen our fair share of technological improvements. The Internet has undoubtedly changed the way people do everything in their daily lives.  Things like banking, shopping and taxes are done online by a growing majority of people because it’s quicker, simpler and more efficient.
In the last few years, social media has reinvented the online space.  The advent of facebook and twitter has inspired new sites catering to more specific niches and functions to simplify every aspect of people’s lives. With user-driven content dominating the Internet, real estate … (0 comments)

Basic Considerations for Agents Using Video in Their Marketing - 04/07/11 11:57 AM
Video is becoming an ever present force in the marketing strategy of real estate professionals and
understandably so.  Today’s shoot and share culture is ideal for agents to show homes in more dynamic way than taking still pictures or highlighting home specifications. There are basic considerations that every agent should maintain when using video in their marketing.
Anyone can hastily shoot a video and post it to the web.  However, real estate professionals should take the time to shoot quality video that accurately captures the space of a home, the neighborhood and near by attractions.
Consider this.  When shooting with a … (3 comments)

Sharing Documents for Simpler Real Estate Transactions - 04/06/11 01:02 PM
 
Anyone working in real estate is accustomed to dealing with large numbers of documents and the numerous copies that follow. For many deals, tracking the transfer of properly signed and dated documents among all parties can be a challenge for even the most organized and meticulous real estate agents.
How often have you experienced the frustration of driving back and forth to acquire signatures, only to fax them once again to make sure everything is correct?  If not, you drive yet again to acquire the same signature on the newly revised document.
Differences in schedules and distances among all parties … (0 comments)

Time Management Begins With You; Not With Some Book - 04/05/11 12:47 PM
The funny thing about “time management”, is the multitude of books, articles and seminars on the
subject, all suggesting “easy” or “guaranteed” techniques and tips.  Set goals, prioritize your tasks, eliminate non-essential “to-do’s” and find that magical system that will give you more time for your family.  While many of these articles, books, podcasts etc., usually vary in catchy vocabulary and clichés, successful time management boils down to one’s determination and discipline. 
Spending your time reading about how to manage your time, the techniques to use and steps to follow seem to waste rather than save time. Also, not every system … (4 comments)

 
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DotLoop Company

Blue Ash, OH

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