Better Homes And Gardens Real Estate builds an app for everyone.
I'm a RE/MAX agent, so it might seem surprising to hear me extol the virtues of another real estate franchise, but this is one I can't ignore. The Better Homes And Gardens Real Estate App for iPhone is simply one of the best real estate apps out there. Sure, there are plenty of useful ones, but nothing that personalizes the experience quite like this.
So, you're out looking at homes and you want to remember the details of each one? As they say, "There's an app for that."
Just whip out your iPhone and click on this app and you'll be prepared to make great use of your time. You can take snapshots of the home you're viewing, make an album out of it, rate it, take notes, categorize it, and even share the photos as you take them (to Facebook or send them as email). So far it just sounds like a fancy photo organizer, right?
Location, location, location services.
By utilizing the iPhone's GPS-based location services, this app tags the photos based on your location and then allows you to view neighborhood data in reference to this particular home. Check out home values (sales activity and price trends), community information (demographics, crime, housing stability, housing inventory, and work force data), school information (broken down by elementary, middle, high, adult, private, and Catholic), and find points of interest (eating and drinking, shopping, recreation, and banks). I toyed around with my zip code and found most of the information to be excellent (sometimes sources of data for apps seem shaky at best, but not with this app).
Consumer education and resources.
The two buttons at the bottom probably weren't going to be too exciting I thought. Just some bland basic info about remodeling and a few brief bits about some real estate education topics. I actually found them to be a well written resource of information that consumers want to know.
Excellent.
Well done Better Homes And Gardens Real Estate. Best part of it all, the app is absolutely free and available to anyone with an iPhone. I'll be recommending it to all my clients to use. Anything that helps make sense of all the data you're bombarded with while searching for a home is an excellent idea and I applaud them for creating this app. My assumption is that the other brokers are scrambling to get similar branded apps out to the market place. Until then, thanks Better Homes And Gardens Real Estate.
Virtual REbarcamp has arrived. If you're not even sure what REbarcamp is all about, I suggest you read Mike Mueller's post, "What the heck is an RE Beer Camp?" to get an idea of what's about to happen. This REbarcamp is a little bit different though. Instead of having to travel miles to the location, the location is anywhere you want it to be. It's, dare I say...virtual.
At 9AM Pacific Standard Time, the first ever Virtual REbarcamp will kick off with Jim Cronin's (RealEstateTomato) welcome and then the learning begins. With sessions ranging from "The Real Estate Office Of The Future" to "YouTube For Real Estate" to "LinkedIn - The Red Headed Step Child Of Social Media" to "Mortgage Blogging Success" - there is a topic for just about everyone. You can check the Virtual REbarcamp schedule to see what interests you. Registration is FREE.
I'll be attending today and look forward to seeing a) how the overall experience is, b) what I can learn, c) how this virtual experiment goes, and d) prepare myself for future REbarcamps (I'd like to do some presentations in the future to share some of the things I've learned).
What are you waiting for? Come and join in on the first ever Virtual REbarcamp!
That's right folks, this is a contest. I've enjoyed working with the cast for the last few weeks. Unfortunately (or fortunately as we would say as agents), Sally is a bit busy lately (showing Bob houses and getting Frank ready to find a new home), so she requested some help from me. We discussed it and thought it would be a lot more fun to let all the ActiveRain members have a crack at it.
P.S. I apologize that Tina seems to think that she's real and you're living in a virtual world - just let them keep thinking it, it doesn't hurt anyone.
The "Frank And Sally Explain Real Estate" Episode X Contest:
The idea - We want you to write a script explaining some basics of real estate. You can talk about contracts, buying, selling, inspections, staging...you name it. All we ask is that you keep the information non-state specific (ie, if you talk contracts, don't talk about Paragraph A.2.(b)(c).1.Q.) and that you don't continue any of the story-lines already begun in Episodes 1-3 (we are currently shooting several episodes so I don't want any story inconsistencies). The more it applies to overall real estate the better.
You can use two characters - So far, we've introduced Frank (first time home buyer), Sally (real estate agent), Bob (home buyer), and Tina (Sally's assistant). You may introduce a new character, but please include a brief description of who they are and what role they will play, so that we can locate an actor that fits the part. (Hint: There are many great roles still available. Lenders, sellers, escrow agents, inspectors...you get the idea.)
There is no limit on length - However, if you write a 50,000 word epic, I probably won't be able to finish the movie until 2057.
Write your script - Have a conversation. Don't just do a question and answer session. These are real people with real lives. Show that in your script. Your script should come in the form of a blog post. Please use the following format to write your script:
Ralph: Hello Sally, what are you working on today?
Sally: Not too much Ralph, just showing people how to format their scripts.
Post your entry on your ActiveRain blog by Midnight Pacific Time, November 30, 2009. Title your post "Episode X: Frank And Sally Explain Real Estate Contest" (you may add more after that, but it must contain that phrase first).
One (1) Grand Prize - Winner will be whisked away to Frank and Sally's home town for an all expense paid working vacation. There, you'll be on set as the latest episode is filmed and treated like a Hollywood mogul. Who knows, you might ever get to rub elbows with some of the town's elite. Once your episode has been filmed and edited, you will have full rights to the video (as will myself, Frank and Sally) to use as you please. Your video will be featured on my ActiveRain blog as well as RErockstar.com. This prize package is valued at 3,000 points.
Five (5) Runner-up Prizes - Five entrants will be selected as possible future scripts and considered for development deals. We will retain the right to shoot these films, but you will still maintain rights to your intellectual property. As compensation for our buying your scripts, you will be each be given 500 points. If your scripts do make it to the big screen, you will retain the same rights as the Grand Prize Winner, and be allowed to use the movies for your own use.
Judging.
The entries will be judged for creativity, factual real estate knowledge, ability of characters to interact with each other as well as the movie-viewing audience, and overall interest as a film. Judging will begin on December 1st, 2009, and the winner will be announced sometime within the following week by blog post and email. We have not formed a panel of judges just yet, but they will be announced in the next few days (if you're interested in judging, feel free to comment below).
As this is my first contest here on ActiveRain, I'm bound to have forgotten to mention something. If you notice something that isn't explained fully, don't be afraid to ask. Because of this situation Frank, Sally, and I reserve the rights to add to the rules. You will not be disqualified for breaking new rules, but you should be aware of the changes as the contest progresses - check back often.
Good luck everyone, we can't wait to read your scripts!
Thanks to her talk with Frank about the First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit last week, Sally has picked up a new client, Frank's brother Bob. Bob is looking to purchase a home soon, so he and Sally sit down to chat as Bob has a few questions about home buying. Sally explains some of the basics in the home buying process and soon they will be off looking at homes for Bob.
Bob has been generous enough to allow us to sit in on his interactions with Sally during the home buying process. Although all information passed between client and agent is covered by confidentiality, Bob doesn't mind us all listening in.
If you'd like to use this video, just click on the video and locate the "Embed" text box on that page. Select all of the text in this box (it is not automatic like many video sites), copy, and paste it into the HTML editor...that's all there is to it. All I ask is that you attribute it back to me and RErockstar.com.
Bob, Frank, and Sally are fictional characters who do not represent any persons living, dead, or animated. Sally is not technically licensed in any state other than the virtual world, but her real estate knowledge is based on Texas real estate (I taught her everything she knows).
Bob wears track suits a little too often, but he's just trying to be comfortable and ready for a quick jog whenever the mood strikes him. Sally wears the same color suit everyday, but we promise you they're clean.
National Association of Realtors® Convention - San Diego - November 13-16
The National Association of Realtors@ Convention (NARDiego) is upon us. I had no intention of going this year, but a few recent conversations with agents whose opinions I truly value, really got me thinking about it. Of course, there was a few huge issues in the way. First, you need to get a pass and they're not cheap. Second, there's travel involved (sometimes living in San Antonio makes me feel really far away from just about everything). And third, there's the incidental costs of hotels, food, and things like cabs to and from events.
It all adds up rather quickly. Because of that fact, I hadn't made plans to go. I'm doing well lately, but not well enough to throw down a pile of cash like that. I'm spending my money re-investing in myself and my business as well as doing the usual - paying the bills.
So, after a conversation on Twitter with Kelley Koehler (@housechick), I really started to think I was going to miss out. I think this year's convention will be an interesting one to say the least - just read my most recent post on AgentGenius to understand what I think we're preparing for in the coming years. So now I had the desire to go...but not the plans.
A pass.
After some thought, Kelley gave me a few ideas about how to acquire a pass. I didn't think it would work, but I've learned to trust Kelley (she's freaking smart that one!), and so I followed her plan. It worked. I've acquired a pass thanks to a good Samaritan I know via Twitter.
An idea.
If you happen to know Mariana Wagner (@mizzle), you might know of her strange fascination with the idea of arm-wrestling me. I don't know when it started, but we often joke about it on Twitter. Well, the idea popped up and I sent Mariana a message - "How much do you think people will pay to see us arm-wrestle?" It was half-joke and half-serious question. Mariana even offered to put up $50 of her own money for a different accomplishment if I can pull it off (more details on that if I make it).
So the idea grew in my head through the night. What if I could figure out a way to make it there? I thought about driving (which isn't easy considering my wife and I only have one car and she has a job and all that good stuff) - it will only take me 19 hours and 24 minutes according to Google. Not exactly the best idea.
And then there's flying, but that's expensive. So perhaps, the RE.net Arm-Wrestle Of The Second Century could bring in enough to pay for it. So here's the idea...
Can this really happen?
I'm taking donations. From agents and companies - whoever wants to contribute. By my estimation, my flights and hotel should run me about $1,200. That's a lot, but let's break it down - $10 from 120 people. Doesn't seem so bad now. The donations will be used to cover those costs and will allow the RE.net Arm-Wrestle Of The Second Century(Mizzle vs. RErockstar) to occur. If you're going to San Diego, you will get the invite to watch it take place live. If you're not going, you will be able to watch the video after we get back (of course it's going to be videotaped - and probably from a million angles).
All it takes is reaching the goal of $1,200.
But wait, there's more.
In the interest of incentives and feeling like I'm doing my part for good in the world, I've decided to once again involve Mothers Fighting For Others. If you've ever met Rocky Turner (@headmutha) you'll understand why her organization is my charity of choice. For every cent over my goal of $1,200, I'll donate it to Mothers Fighting For Others. And if for some reason, we don't reach my goal, the entire amount will be donated to Mothers Fighting For Others. It's a very short time (2 days maximum) to reach the goal, so no matter what happens it's a win-win situation.
So how about it, send me to NARDiego and help support Mothers Fighting For Others. And as an added bonus, I will be giving the top contributor (dollar-wise) a special gift from my collection of band memorabilia from my days as a rockstar. I have a few things in mind and they're all much better than just a CD or a poster (or something like that) - these are actual artifacts from my personal collection.
So what do you say? Am I going or not?
Think of all the things you'll gain: front row seats (or at least some video) to RE.net Arm-Wrestle Of The Second Century(Mizzle vs. RErockstar), potential contributions to Mothers Fighting For Others, more posts and reporting from me, and if you donate big time - a serious piece of rock and roll memorabilia. Just click the "Donate" link below and PayPal will take care of it from there.
Because of the nature of how I'm doing this, I don't think you'll be able to claim any tax deductions for this, but that's for you and your accountant to figure out.
In trying to come up with a simple breakdown of the First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit, I thought that video would be the answer. Since I've done a few for the previous tax credit, I wanted to find a new way to use video to explain it all. Enter Frank and Sally. In this video, Frank's agent Sally, helps him understand the basics of the First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit. In the future, Frank and Sally will be providing some much needed help to me, so that I might take some time off from blogging when they're able to pick up the slack.
If you'd like to use this video, just click on the video and locate the "Embed" text box on that page. Copy and paste...that's all there is to it. All I ask is that you attribute it back to me and RErockstar.com.
Frank and Sally are fictional characters who do not represent any persons living, dead, or animated. Sally is not technically licensed in any state other than the virtual world, but her real estate knowledge is based on Texas real estate (I taught her everything I know). Frank likes Metallica, but Sally is more of an easy-listening kind of gal.
You may remember me discussing some thoughts about the Realtors® Property Resource (RPR) the other day in "Will the Realtors® Property Resource (RPR) drive up the costs of referrals?" I was lucky enough to have been invited to attend the webinar in advance and didn't think it would be available until sometime after NARDiego, but it appears the Association has decided to let the cat out of the bag. Watch as Dale Stinton, CEO of the National Association of Realtors® lays out some of the basics of the Realtors® Property Resource (RPR) and explains just what you'll be able to do with it when it launches.
The RPR has generated a lot of talk in Realtor® blogging circles (although not much here at ActiveRain, which I thought was a bit disappointing) and whether it is a boom or a bust for the Association remains to be seen. It does look like powerful stuff based on the presentation and I can't wait to get my hands on it to take it for a tour.
Now that the webinar is available to all via realtor.org, I'm hoping to see some more comments and discussion about the implications of what NAR is doing with such a behemoth of a site. It will be interesting to watch to say the least.
My friend Luke hanging out with "Das Schnitzel" at Wurstfest 2009.
No, I didn't fly to Germany this weekend.
I've spent a lot of time in Germany in the course of my life. I was there before the Wall came down and have spent months at a time roaming from town to town while I was still a musician. I actually had designs on being a German teacher at one point in my life. I still speak and understand some of the language - enough to get me where I need to go.
I have a certain love for all things German. I guess it just rubbed off on me during my time over there. Some cities are so familiar to me I can point you in the right direction of my favorite restaurants, hotels, and venues. My love for all things German especially extends to two things: beer and sausage (or Wurst as they are called in German).
Wurstfest 2009 - New Braunfels, Texas
I didn't realize how much German influence there was in this part of the country until I moved here. New Braunfels, Texas is the home of Wurstfest, "A Salute To Sausage," billed as Oktoberfest - Texas Style. With tons of different vendors selling all sorts of different sausage, beers from Späten to Warsteiner (as well as local German-inspired favorite, Shiner), gifts (steins, lederhosen, hats, and more), and a typical round up of small town festival foods. Music continues throughout the day and night in several locations throughout the Landa Park grounds. No matter what, you'll have a good time.
This year seemed very packed compared to previous years I've gone and I wonder if the festival isn't growing too much for the size of it's location. Located along the banks of the Comal River in Landa Park, the Wustfest grounds may need expanding once again if attendance continues to climb. Started in 1961 (1967 was the first year it was held in Landa Park at the Wursthalle), the festival continues to attract people from around the world as well as locals and nearby residents. You can see the pride on people's faces as they walk through the festival grounds. It's a Texas thing that's deeply rooted in the beer halls of München (Munich).
Next year, come on down. Trink ein bisschen Bier and viel Spass machen. (Drink a little beer and have a lot of fun.) Wilkommen. We're glad you came.
If you have no idea what I'm talking about, let's get you up to speed first. Check out these articles (and the articles they reference) for some great information about the Realtors® Property Resource (RPR) and what it potentially means to your business. You might want to grab a few extra cups of coffee before you click - this is pretty heavy stuff and the analysis and information might require some serious caffeine.
(You're not alone if you feel a bit bombarded with a lot of information in one go. The RPR is big stuff and until it's fully released to be toyed with, I think I'll wait to truly pass judgment on it.)
RPR and your referral network.
We all strive to build a healthy referral network of Realtors® across the country. We make friends, comment on their blogs, chat with them about the latest issues...much like our clients getting to know us, we want these agents to trust us enough with their clients who are moving to our market areas.
Referrals are big business. There is a reason ActiveRain has a referral network link on "Your Home." I've seen referral fees swing from free to 50% (several ActiveRain referrals that I've seen come through the wire have been at 50% - no thanks). From what I've seen the typical amount is closer to 20-30% for a referring agent.
So how does the Realtor® Property Resource affect referrals?
It's just a theory of mine, but let's look at an example. I used to live in Philadelphia, PA. Since coming to ActiveRain, I've become friends with the Somers Team, Christopher and Stephanie, in Philadelphia. We often comment on each others blogs (they better comment on this one!) and I love talking to them because a) they're smart Realtors® and b) they remind me of my former home and the places I used to go in the city. I would gladly refer business to the two of them if a client in San Antonio wanted to move to Philadelphia. I would feel safe in knowing they'd do the best for my clients. That's what referrals are built on.
Let's say I have a San Antonio-based client that wants to move to Philadelphia. "Great," I tell them, "I'm from there and know some excellent agents that work in that specific neighborhood. Let me give them a call and have you speak with them." The connection is made and my client loves Christopher and Stephanie. We've got a referral on our hands. I speak with Chris and he agrees to pay me 25% when my client closes their transaction. We sign a referral agreement and everything works out wonderfully. The Somers search their local MLS for properties matching my client's needs, negotiate the contract, and handle the closing. I get a check for 25% from Chris and everyone is happy, including my client who received excellent care from The Somers Team.
* As a side note I would like to add that I have a specific policy of who I send referrals to and how much I would ask as a referral fee. All the numbers in this article are just there for arguments sake. I would work out any arrangements personally between myself and The Somers Team and this is no way implies that I feel Chris owes me 25% of anything.
So there are three basic (overly-simplified for the sake of this example) steps to what Christopher and Stephanie did for my client:
Find them a list of properties via their MLS
Make an offer on a home and negotiate the contract
Take the contract through to a successful closing
But wait...thanks to the Realtors® Property Resource (RPR) I can eliminate one of these three. With my client still in San Antonio, we can begin compiling a list of homes that they would like to see. Chris doesn't need to search his MLS for my client. In addition, I can provide my client with all sorts of data on the Philadelphia market and more specifically the neighborhood they are interested in. My client comes to Chris well informed and ready to make an offer.
In the past, we were paid referrals almost as a "thank you" more than anything else. We didn't do a ton of work to get that referral fee, just picked up the phone and called on one of our trusted friends (you do know the people you're sending referrals to I would hope). Now, with the Realtors® Property Resource, we can do some of the work before we even pick up the phone to speak with the local agent we're going to refer to.
So, following that logic, if I did little in the past and got paid 25% from Christopher and Stephanie, now that I've done part of the work for them, can't I then command a larger percentage referral fee? Perhaps I should charge them 40% from now on. Maybe even 50%.
Of course, I don't agree to that logic, but I bet plenty will. The "if I'm doing the work, I deserve a bigger cut" mentality will appear in no time after RPR is launched. We're all looking for ways to make more money, so why not right here under our noses?
My thinking follows more along the lines of yes, I will do research for my soon to be out of state client. Yes, I will pull properties from the Realtors® Property Resource for them to get a better understanding of their new local neighborhoods. Yes, I will refer that client to someone who I have built a trusting relationship with. No, I will not ask for a larger referral fee than I would have in the first place. Sure, I've done some more work than I used to, but the fact remains that the agent I referred the business to is a local expert and I am not.
I value the abilities of the Realtors® I refer to and asking them for a higher referral fee just because I ran some property searches (admit it, searching for property is pretty easy - it's getting down to the right house for the client that takes a bit more work) seems like a ridiculous idea. I won't let greed rule the day when it comes to the Realtors® Property Resource (RPR), but will use it to help clients be prepared for their possible move to a new location.
Stay tuned for more news on the Realtors® Property Resource as it becomes available. I am chomping at the bit to get my hands on it and mess around with it. Hear that NAR? I'm ready for some demo time.
3/4 Acre Lot In Georg Ranch Awaits Your Dream Home!
0.773 acres Vacant Land
offered at $94,500
Lot Size
0.773 acres
DESCRIPTION
Large wooded lot in Georg Ranch just waiting for your dream home. Mature treed (cedar and oak) lot is in well established area of community. Level/gently sloping home site with green area behind and gorgeous views to the front. The lot sits higher than street level so with a two story home, you'll have fantastic views of the surrounding area. Utilities are on site and the lot is partially cleared. Come take a look and see for yourself - imagine your new home today.
Disclaimer: ActiveRain Corp. does not necessarily endorse the real estate agents, loan officers and brokers listed on this site. These real estate profiles, blogs and blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. ActiveRain Corp. takes no responsibility for the content in these profiles, that are written by the members of this community.
Better Homes And Gardens Real Estate builds an app for everyone.
Posted by 
The Realtors® Property Resource is coming.
;)
;)
