Chris's Blog

Armed Forces, and over seas; Searching for a home back home

Chris Drayer (FloorPlanOnline) — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 09:40:25 -0500

From my inbox today, a rare message from a non agent worth sharing! Deborah has lived with her husband in Europe the last three years, and is hunting online for a home.

Deborah - glad we can help in your search. Best of luck with the NAVY and let us know how the search concludes!

Message :Dear FloorPlanOnline, I am not a real estate agent, I am
simply looking for a house online (I'm currently stationed overseas).
I just had to tell you that in my opinion your product deserves 5
stars. Reviewing hundreds of listings the past few months has been
challenging to say the least but whenever I come across a listing with
your product attached - it's always a more positive experience from a
potential buyer's point of view. Your product takes only a few seconds
to download compared to your competitors. If I WERE an agent I'd use
your product. So good job FloorPlanOnline, I wish you continued
success. ~ Deborah Alves

Sights of RE barcamp and Pre-Inman SF 08

Chris Drayer (FloorPlanOnline) — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 10:34:48 -0500

RE Barcamp San Francisco 2008 was a blast - however I was not able to take part in the whole day, as my flight came in from KC, then LA around 1pm. The location was easy to find, the Zebra greeted me at the door and handed me a cool RBC badge and a t-shirt. Drinks and lunch were provided, however I was late to the show, so cant tell you what was in the box lunches.

sessions were informal and very informative, but perhaps a bit hard to hear, as there was so much excitement in the air. (read: agents really like to talk loud!) Below, the Real Estate Zebra hands out "trading cards" reading peoples unique super hero powers aloud to the crowd. I think Jeff Turnerreceived the largest ovation. His code name "the facilitator" and his super power was "Helping others live on the bleeding edge without falling off"

The attentive and exited crowd listens to he closing comments, and trades super hero cards.

Weather or not its cold in SF, RE Bar Camp 08 San Francisco was Fantastic. I believe Mark Twain said "The coldest winter I ever spent, was a summer in San Francisco" - There was about a 40 deg difference between LA and SF. It made the temp just right last night.

I really like this town - you never know who or what will be around the next corner. Check out this shot I took of the Cable car last night next to the uniquely named store "Fcuk". BTW - I didn't go to the store...

FloorPlanOnlinewill be at D-10 at the inman SF connect show. Hope to see you there!

Press Release: Nationwide Service Providers can Photograph and Measure Agents Listings

Chris Drayer (FloorPlanOnline) — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 10:49:27 -0500

For Immediate Release

Agents Go "Virtually Hands Free" with FloorPlanOnline

July 15, 2008 - Today's Real Estate agents are required to have a strong working knowledge of a wide variety of digital tools in a seemingly decreasing amount of time. The time many agents plan on marketing a listing can get wasted simply loading and stitching photos for a virtual tour. Then there are flyers to design, videos to post and blogs to write - and today's sellers want it all done with a very high level of quality. From Flyers to FloorPlans, Virtual Tours to Videos - FloorPlanOnline can save agents time, stress and money with "Virtually Hands Free" Premium FloorPlanOnline Tour Products.

"Today's Agent wants the best for their clients, but there simply is not enough time in the day to manage it all. Even with an assistant, time spent on marketing can spin out of control." Says FloorPlanOnline CEO, Kris Cone.

Kris Cone, CEO, Michael Rahmn, CTO and Chris Drayer, Central Region Sales Manager, will be demonstrating the exciting "Virtually Hands Free" concepts from FloorPlanOnline at the Inman Connect Conference in San Francisco, July 22-25 2008 at Demo Station #D10 on the second floor of the conference.

FloorPlanOnline has a nationwide Service Provider network (available in most metros) that can not only professionally photograph, but measure and create a floor plan rendering from your existing listing. The FloorPlanOnline Production Department then edits the photos, digitally recreates the floorplan rendering and builds the Interactive FloorPlan Tour with outstanding features such as the WalkThru Video, Mapping, Flyers, Viral Marketing and "built-in" tracking and reporting.

The Interactive FloorPlan Tour gives the online viewer the opportunity to see all the key features of the property via a detailed floor plan which names the rooms, gives room dimensions and shows key features. Buyers can click on camera icons in each of the rooms to view the photos or view the "WalkThru" tour of the property - a video set to music from a library of over 200 songs. "Agents should not let today's technology get in their way" Says Cone. "We really are making today's online marketing Virtually Hands Free."

Visit with FloorPlanOnline at Demo Station #D10 at the Inman Connect San Francisco Conference to learn more about this cutting edge technology.

###

For additional information and to schedule an interview with Kris Cone please contact Chris Drayer, 866-810-3816 x110 or chris@floorplanonline.com

Press Release: FloorPlanOnline to Demonstrate at Inman SF Conference

Chris Drayer (FloorPlanOnline) — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 15:48:02 -0500

For Immediate Release

FloorPlanOnline will Demonstrate At Inman Connect SF Conference

July 14, 2008 - Kris Cone, CEO, Michael Rahmn, CTO and Chris Drayer, Central Region Sales Manager, will be demonstrating the exciting concepts being marketed by FloorPlanOnline to top real estate professionals and real estate companies throughout the North America and the U.K. at the Inman Connect Conference in San Francisco, July 22-25 2008 at Demo Station #D10 on the second floor of the conference.

"Today's buyers demand quality content online, and Interactive FloorPlans allow buyers to click and see individual rooms, space and views as well as room dimensions" says CEO Kris Cone. "We've found that sellers are 60% more likely to list homes with agents who use the Interactive FloorPlanOnline Tour in their listing presentation".

The Interactive FloorPlan Tour gives the online viewer the opportunity to see all the key features of the property via a detailed floor plan which names the rooms, gives room dimensions, shows key features (windows, doors, stairs, cabinets, etc.) along with photos which have been embedded throughout the floor plan so a photo view is incorporated with the floor plan view. This robust product also gives the viewer a "WalkThru" tour of the property via a video presentation of individual photos, set to music of the agent's choice from a large library of music with more than 200 songs.

The value proposition of this state-of-the-art tour is further defined by a flyer program which gives the agent a choice from 7 different flyer templates plus the capability of creating their own customized flyer. Adding further value is a mapping system which gives views of the property via a street map, a topographical map and a satellite map. Further FloorPlanOnline offers the outstanding capability of launching a very effective viral marketing program which has been proven to generate more listing appointments, convert a larger percentage of listing appointments into listings and to secure more double-ended transactions from those listings for the agents using the Interactive FloorPlan Tour. All these outstanding features are included in both tour products.

Unlike most tour companies FloorPlanOnline has a large nationwide network of Service Providers who will measure the property, create the floor plan rendering and take professional photos with the Premium level of service. Premium service is available in most major markets and makes FloorPlanOnline Virtually hands free for agents.

Visit with FloorPlanOnline at Demo Station #D10 at the Inman Connect San Francisco Conference to learn more about this cutting edge technology.

###

For additional information and to schedule an interview with Kris Cone please contact Chris Drayer, 866-810-3816 x110 or chris@floorplanonline.com

Inside Out? Inside Inman is Maureen's Outside blog Inside Active Rain

Chris Drayer (FloorPlanOnline) — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 17:03:53 -0500

Way to go Maureen McCabe - "front page" of Inman News! You are so very famous.

Thanks to Active Rain for continuing to build, grow and add cool features like the free outside blog feature. You guys are great. Im looking forward to seeing all the new stuff at the Inman Connect SF in 3 weeks - Ill be joining FloorPlanOnline CEO Kris Cone and IT Guru Michael Rahm. I plan to link our other blogs in right away.

I wanted to include a screen shot of the link, however I believe that is a copyright violation...so just check out the link above!

Video only link for FloorPlanOnline!

Chris Drayer (FloorPlanOnline) — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 14:36:54 -0500

New tour link options!

Chris Drayer (FloorPlanOnline) — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 14:31:33 -0500

click here

Hey Chicago, Please meet my friend FloorPlanOnline

Chris Drayer (FloorPlanOnline) — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 11:00:40 -0500

Hello Chicago, My name is FloorPlanOnline

FloorPlanOnline is NEW to the Chicago market, (but with Active Rain since the start) and you can get in on the action.

FloorPlanOnline has been called the "Single best marketing tool for Real Estate Agents" - even in today's market. If you would like to view an online demonstration and or invite FloorPlanOnline to present to your agents please drop us a line.

Agents that work with FloorPlanOnline have no contract and pay per listing - frequently replacing outdated and dizzying spinning virtual tours while utilizing the FPO production department that builds tours and edits photos for you. In fact, FPO can photograph and measure your whole listing - making it virtually hands free for you!

FloorPlanOnline continues to break new ground and raise the bar for quality and ease of use with over 95% customer satisfaction.

"My listing, which had a website made by FloorPlanOnline, sold to an out-of-town couple. The husband saw the property, but his wife couldn't make the trip. Because she could really "see" the house through the photos and floor plan, they bought the property. It was the only property, out of the 20 they saw, which had a floor plan, and the wife said it was the key feature in her decision-making."

Very best,
Louise Johnston
Prudential Fox and Roach Philadelphia, PA

Please give me a ring or shoot me an email to learn if FloorPlanOnline might be a fit for your agents or if you are interested in being a FloorPlanOnline field sales rep!

"how many homes did your dog sell last year?"

Chris Drayer (FloorPlanOnline) — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 07:33:51 -0600

Ok, I'm in tears. I'm pretty sure they are from laughter but I think some might be truth tears - as in the truth about agents hurts due to the link below.

The line that got to me was "I dont care about your Dog, how many homes did he sell last year?" I think the piece points out that agents have been selling themself's and their product (homes) short. -Most agents need to step up the way they handle their marketing if they want todays buyer to respond. Buyers and sellers want more info about listings, not your dog.

Thanks to Marc and Brian @ 1000wattconsulting for the 1 min clip!

http://www.wellcomemat.com/video/6DF8FF1C76

TODAY 101 Sell your home in 30 days

Chris Drayer (FloorPlanOnline) — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 16:14:14 -0600

Barbara Corcoran plugs FloorPlanOnline errr floorplan.com on TODAY show in her piece today. Good tips, but got our website wrong! FYI its http://www.floorplanonline.com/

http://barbaracorcoran.com/blog/ See tip #9 on her blog as well!

FloorPlanOnline on TODAY Show (not floorplan dot com!)

Chris Drayer (FloorPlanOnline) — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 16:12:52 -0600

We are gonna be on TV (or so they say):

Barbara Corcoran, the former CEO of Corcoran Real Estate in NYC (now owned by NRT & Realogy) is now a hostess on the TODAY Show. She had just met with one of our customers who showed her his FPO IFP presentations and she was so enthused about what she saw that she asked him for the contact info of his FPO sales person and immediately called GZ for more info. She indicated that she will be featuring the FPO Program on her segment of the TODAY show tomorrow morning @ 10 a.m. EST.

I guess we are almost famous... way cool! Thanks Barbara!

Third Party FloorPlanOnline Review

Chris Drayer (FloorPlanOnline) — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 13:01:34 -0600

http://www.reagentinct.com/2007/04/24/bristol-connecticut-finally-gets-a-virtual-tour-real-estate-agent/

I wont copy and paste the article - I don't have the authors permission - so click the link to view his humorous but truthful review and comments.

If you have comments, questions or reviews lets chat! What do you like, what dont you like? Was it easy to use?

demo tour: www.seetheproperty.com/1100

Your copy of "My Blue Goose"

Chris Drayer (FloorPlanOnline) — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 07:05:41 -0600

Ok, so I don't read printed materials often - But I heard a rumor that this book has some great info on cool trends in real etate marketing. It was just released on Nov 2nd - so hot off the press!

I would guess that it would fit in a fellow agents stocking - and since the market is a "bit slow" perhaps it has freed up some time for you to read. As of this morning, there are no reviews on Amazon.

From my friends email it sounds like a good cook book for todays market. I just ordered my copy.

Oh, Hi-Oh (a marketing view from a rental car)

Chris Drayer (FloorPlanOnline) — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 12:28:27 -0500

Apparently, it is customary to greet people in Columbus not with the traditional "Hi", "Hello" or "good morning" but rather with a firm "O, H" which if said in a booming full voice will elicit the window shattering "I, O" from everyone in the metro area.

The Ohio State University plays a big role in the youthfulness of the city. Being from Big XII Country, Ive not experienced this phenomenon before, but the proud locals of Columbus Ohio have reason to boat about their growing Capital City. As an Outsider I was expecting the traditional Midwest hospitality and kindness but was greatly impressed by the areas Amenities - both culinarilly (is this even a word?) and geographically.

From my temporary home for a week in the Bustling and quite clean downtown (I stayed at a hotel across from the convention center) I was with in short walking distance of no fewer than a dozen eating options. Being a fan of fine hand crafted Beer, I was pleased to sample the food and beverages at both the Elevator Brewery and Barleys Brewery (one block from my room). Most businesses were lively at all hours, but not overcrowded. Ample outdoor seating was available on every block as people enjoyed happy hour in the warm summer sun. Its clear this town has clearly worked to polish its image as part of its own marketing.

It was when I drove north that I was surprised to see thick forest with streams and rivers cutting thru the hillsides dotted with fine homes. It seemed the folks at Real Living HER (the local Realtors) had almost every listing I saw.

Its funny, I frequently talk about FloorPlanOnline to agents who don't get it. They don't see the need to spend money online and have not let go of newspaper and print ads or they believe TV is the way to go. (despite the fact that the avg buyer is in their young 30's and doesn't read the paper). Instead, Real Living HER has developed a whole new approach, combining and balancing every aspect of contemporary marketing in an approach they call "360 Marketing". Im very pleased to be working with HER agents now, and would strongly recommend their services.

By far the best point of my Columbus Trip, was shaking the hand of Active Rain Guru and HER agent Maureen McCabe. She was the first person to comment on my blog and I made my first comment on a blog ever on hers. Sadly, I still owe her a beer for showing me the light - Next time Maureen?

Sign of the Times (online marketing)

Chris Drayer (FloorPlanOnline) — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 09:45:17 -0500

Marketing the fact that you do virtual tours is ok - (I don't prefer the spinning ones) But it seems to me that including in your marketing pieces or presentation the fact that you do virtual tour...well... its a bit like the old hotels that advertise "Free HBO" or "Air Conditioned".

- Hotel guests today assume the Hampton Inn et all Have a/c these days. (isn't free wifi the same way now?) It just goes with out saying.

Home Sellers Believe you are already doing online marketing and that you are an expert at selling a home online. If you are not an expert online, its likely the client will be upset (or not your client!) as this is the standard. Its my belief that you should be doing MORE than the standard to remain competitive in this market.

MORE could mean you hire professional photographers, professional stagers, a landscape architect or an artist to paint a romantic rendering of the home (don't laugh, I see this frequently). These options can get expensive quickly, but may move the home and or land the listing if you show the homeowner what you will be doing for them. This is where the cost effectiveness of FloorPlanOnline helps set you and your listing apart from "free HBO" and "virtual tour". If you have not seen an FPO tour, it will knock your socks off (provided you are not wearing sandals with no socks). It is the "MORE"sellers and buyers are looking for today. The built in video with music is created by the FloorPlanOnline production department by hand for each $29 tour. The Craftsmanship and quality is unsurpassed for the money. Adding an Interactive FloorPlan ($59/listing) takes the tour from great to stunning.

www.seetheproperty.com/1100 is the unbranded demo tour. FloorPlanOnline will brand this tour with your info and make it live for your listing presentation for free. Now that is MORE that is worth showing your sellers.

Live in Chicago area this week: FloorPlanOnline

Chris Drayer (FloorPlanOnline) — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 09:05:20 -0500

FloorPlanOnlineis a national company that integrates real-estate floorplans with photos for a spectacular online tour. Service Providers collect the content or you may provide the content (photos and floorplans) while the production department does the photo editing and builds the tour.

No Setup, membership or software fee - just pay per listing.

As FloorPlanOnline's Marketing Director I am in Chicago for the next week and a half and still have availability for live (in person) or online / over the phone demonstrations for Top agents and Brokers.

Demo Tour Link: www.seetheproperty.com/1100

New vs Used - how to choose, how to market?

Chris Drayer (FloorPlanOnline) — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 18:48:28 -0500

Just around the corner from my home with its now dead flowers from Home Depot, (thanks april winter storm) there are "new" homes that have been on the market for well over a year (getting used by mother nature). Next door to it, sits a home with a car in the driveway and a for sale sign. (but not the builders for sale sign) The home that has been lived in the same period of time is generally not just used, its marketed much differently - or is it? I see the lack glossy brochures and my bias sees the lack of a floorplan in the resale home, but are there other major differences in the way its done?

I would guess people desire "new" more than used, just for the new home smell (or lack of bad smell?) and the feeling one gets from buying new - but there has to be more to it right?

Have you run into listings / buyers with this issue?

Cool Home Tour #5

Chris Drayer (FloorPlanOnline) — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 07:59:33 -0500

Got Green Acre?

This CA listing ranks high in cool factor for multiple reasons, including the almost too perfect rolling green hills our Service Provider captured in the photos, as well as the "green" solar panels that generate power. The place reminds me of the "happy cows come from California" adds Ive seen on TV - its just so photogenic!

This tour is the result of my active rain post Cool tour #4 - where I noted we did a dock at a Mo home. For this agent we included a Barn view / floorplan. To see, select "Change View" under the floorplan.

www.seetheproperty.com/13020

FloorPlanOnline does not require a contract and you dont buy software! So shoot me an email if you have a cool listing that might make the list!

Disclaimer: Im not a Realtor and not selling this home - its just cool marketing!

Do you have a Production Department / litter-box issue?

Chris Drayer (FloorPlanOnline) — Fri, 30 Mar 2007 07:51:29 -0500

Photo Editing is frequently skipped or can eat away at agents time - the photo you thought was perfect, has the cats litter-box right in the foreground, or in the bathroom mirror you can see your good looking elbow jutting into view. But Elbows and Litter-boxes don't sell homes...What to do - re-shoot the photo and bug the homeowner? Skip that photo on your online tour? Do nothing at all?

FloorPlanOnline offers the use of its production department at no extra charge on every order (even our $29 photo tour with movie). Photos are scrutinized for hue, brightness, color and yes... litter-boxes... to ensure a top quality finished product. Agents spend no time learning software, stitching photos or arranging a slide-show. Every order must pass Production Department Quality control before the agent signs off on the tour.

Your FloorPlanOnline Production Department comes with a No-Spin Virtual Tour with 30 big photos, movie set to music (you choose the song from our library) and the other tools you would expect such as Google Map/Satellite view, Burn to CD, Pre built flyer's etc.

Send FloorPlanOnline your FloorPlan sketch, rendering or photo of a blueprint and our Production department will create an interactive FloorPlanOnline. (Yes FPO charges more for the FloorPlan - but not as much as you think!)

Check out a tour @ www.SeeTheProperty.com/1100

Or Learn More at www.FloorPlanOnline.com

Cool Home Tour #3

Chris Drayer (FloorPlanOnline) — Thu, 22 Feb 2007 09:49:15 -0600

Wow. This home is nothing short of striking - It had to make my List of Cool Listing Tours. I would buy it, but I don't do windows - that and the 2.795 mill price tag...

My favorite part is the grand piano in the cool study - I'm a sucker for a good piano room. (but can only play one tune - how does that make sense?)

www.seetheproperty.com/10394

Disclaimer - I'm not an agent, and not selling this home. The growing list of Other Cool Tours Can be found on Active Rain at www.activerain.com/groups/floorplanonline

Listing Presentation- On Paper or Online?

Chris Drayer (FloorPlanOnline) — Sat, 10 Feb 2007 22:32:32 -0600

Agent Listing Presentations -

Are you looking for a way to differentiate yourself in your client listing presentations? FPO has some great tools for you to use. Just wait until you see how homeowner's react to them!

Go to http://www.floorplanonline.com and scroll down to the bottom of the screen and under "Resources" click on "Agent Resource Center" This area contains presentation materials for you to print or use on your computer that describes the benefits or our service to homeowners. Better yet.... Rather then tell them about our tours, show them one! Do you have a laptop? Why not show them the demo tour we've done for you or one of the actual tours we've done for you... It's easy..... Simply set up an account, log into your account, click on "Manage Orders" and the "View" under "Marketing Materials". Then click on "Download to PC/Burn CD" and you can either download the tour to an icon on your desktop or if you have a CD burner, burn the tour to a CD.

Castle Online?

Chris Drayer (FloorPlanOnline) — Tue, 06 Feb 2007 13:24:11 -0600

This may be the most "cool" listing Ive seen online, and wanted to share the tour with you.

Disclaimer: I'm not an agent, and I don't make a habit of sharing actual listings, but this place is worth seeing!

The view is great too! From the link click "walk thru".

www.seetheproperty.com/9819

I Hate "Virtual Tours"

Chris Drayer (FloorPlanOnline) — Mon, 05 Feb 2007 13:48:04 -0600

Look at that photo...is the tredmill melting? What shape are the windows? Is this place next to a light house?

I really Hate Virtual Tours. The way the spinning, distorted, fisheye, slow to load tours and even slide shows of 2 inch wide low rez photos make you think you are getting more than you do. Frequently you need a computer science degree to understand the tour navigation. Even Worse is the opposite - when its just a few photos in a slide show. If Agents are going to pay so much for so little or to make buyers sick, it should come with Dramamine and an airsick bag!

Yet we in the industry are forced to use this term, seemingly across the board as it is the only thing out there that people recognize for what we do - yet, at FPO we don't spin, don't distort, use clear big photos (and lots of them) and provide extra clear information - but its still a "Virtual Tour".

Agents now say "I don't do virtual tours, they make people sick" Then we say "yes, however this is different" "well are you a Virtual tour company or not?...Then it turns into an Abbot and Costello who's on first bit....

Thank goodness our tours virtually sell on their own! The idea of navigating a home with a floorplan as refrence and providing FloorPlans for comparison with isn't new, home builders have included this feature in marketing promotions since the dawn of time - What is new, is abandoning the spinning tour in favor of FloorPlanOnline next generation Virtual Tours.

So what I need, is a new term to replace Virtual Tour- and what you need, is to see for yourself:

-Spin Free Demo: http://www.seetheproperty.com/1100

Free Land Lures new Families

Chris Drayer (FloorPlanOnline) — Mon, 29 Jan 2007 09:13:11 -0600

The Kansas State Song "Home on the range" should now be edited to continue "where the deer and the buffalo roam (across your free land)"

While you may desire Free Land on the beach in sunny Florida, it might not be as easy to attain. In Kansas on the rolling prairie, you can get Free Land in over a dozen towns to build your home, and check it out on the web @ www.KansasFreeLand.com These towns are re-inventing themselvs online.

I browsed several of the town websites, a few making compelling arguments for serenity, nature and low cost of living and my favorite was Atwood KS . I favor Atwood due to the quality of the web site, and because I believe it is very close to nowhere. (Denver is about 200 miles from there, Kansas City over 300). Rural Kansas has had declining population for some time, and over the past 5 years this program has positively impacted towns across the state. Inquiries come in from all over the Nation, and according to the KC STAR even from Australia and Peru. One School reported 50 new families from the program.

Some city's even offer free utility hookups when you build on the land. The cost to build on the land varies, but 3 br 2 ba homes start just over 130k. Lets see, inexpensive, secluded and far away ...Perhaps this makes it a good fit for the mother inlaw...

www.floorplanonline.com

Art in the Woods

Chris Drayer (FloorPlanOnline) — Tue, 23 Jan 2007 07:52:50 -0600

The book a walk in the woods is a crack up. Place an out of work, down on his luck fat guy in the woods with a backpack full of Twinkies and tell him to walk 2200 miles north from GA to Maine....I love to explore different parts of our country, and this book does a great job of painting the picture along the AT. Bill Bryson is an artist, and Im looking for another book of his to get started on.

Another type of Artist, are the production guys at Floorplanonline (my work) they created this masterpiece "Home in the woods" while not art in book form, the production guys take data and photos and paint amazing portraits and stories about properties nationwide. A great way to edu-tain your buyers.

www.seetheproperty.com/9848

Cheers,