Computer Shortcuts That Save You Time - 07/31/08 01:16 AM
Here are some computer shortcuts I use all the time
Ctrl + P -- Print what your looking at quickly rather than having to click on the print icon or click on File, Print
Ctrl + S -- Saves your document quickly.  I do this frequently especially if I am working on large document or powerpoint files -- in the event of a program error, computer crash or simply the loss of power -- i don't have to work on re-creating the file
Ctrl C - Copies the selected text
Ctrl V - Pastes the previously copied image or text to where you … (6 comments)

Using your Buyers as a Farm to create leads and transactions! - 07/30/08 11:02 PM
Everyone wants to become a listing agent and that is their priority but I like to think Buyers are valuable to and can lead to listings.
What are the characteristics of your Buyer -- they want a __ bedroom, __ bathroom, __ square foot home in a particular neighborhood.  Take the physical characteristics to your data source.  Title Companies are great at this and get your farm -- it may only be fifty records or hundreds, regardless -- it is a very defined targeted farm.
Your job should be to put a letter together that says, "Hello my name is ___ … (5 comments)

The faster you respond to inquires results in higher commissions - 07/30/08 04:01 PM
How many of you return your voice mail messages quickly?
How may of you do the same with email inquiries?  It used to be acceptable to return emails the day after or once a day.  Now you have to respond nearly instantly to meet the needs of the consumer.
The California Association of Realtors (CAR) did a survey and they found that 23% of consumers expect an instant response and another 21% of the consumers expected a return email within thirty (30) minutes!
It has been demonstrated that returning emails instantly will result in the perception of great customer service and … (8 comments)

Your email address tells a story to buyers and sellers - 07/30/08 03:31 PM
Most successful real estate professionals have a website but DON'T use it with their email address.
They have made the investment in getting a consumer facing "billboard" on the Internet where 85% of the buyers and sellers are looking for information.  A good first step.  They integrate IDX MLS search tools, featured listings, buyer tips, seller tips, community and school information -- but let's look at their email address.
I repeatedly see agents using gmail, hotmail, yahoo or even their internet host domains they use to access the internet like aol, earthlink, msn, att, sbc, the cable companies.
It isn't very … (11 comments)

A unique approach to farming - 07/29/08 03:28 AM
Non-Owner Occupied Investment property farms
Do you have a relationship with your title insurance representative?  Ask them for a non-owner OUT-of-STATE farm.
A post card campaign, a letter campaign, an email campaign -- all can be very useful to those owners of properties in your market area that live out of state.  They don't know the value of their home.  They don't see listings or open houses in the neighborhood.  They don't know what is going on in the community and they don't see the listing signs of the top agents in the community.
For all they know, if you communicate … (4 comments)

How to document a computer problem or share a computer screen image - 07/29/08 02:53 AM
Have you ever run into a problem with your computer that happened to bring up an error message? You then start writing it all down so you can call your computer consultant or friend.
I'm sure you have and you're really lucky if you've never had to deal with it. When that happens, wouldn't it be nice if you could just capture that error message and send it to someone else to see if they could help you figure out what's wrong?
It would save you a lot of time -- right?  How many of you remember using the Print Screen … (0 comments)

Computer Shortcut Tip -- Select it all - 07/29/08 02:41 AM
Shortcut to select it all.
Have you ever wanted to highlight a complete document or page all at once, instead of dragging your mouse all the way from the bottom to the top of the page just so you can copy and paste it somewhere else? If it's two pages or more, it can become redundant to use your mouse for all of the text. Even then, sometimes your finger slips off the mouse and you have to start all over again anyway.
There are two ways you can do this.
1)  The first is going to the Edit menu in whatever … (8 comments)

Outlook User -- Backing up your emails, calendars and contacts - 07/28/08 08:59 PM
I recently heard that 43% of computer users will LOSE their data.  They aren't backing up their computers or using a backup software product that they don't know how to use the system to restore their files.
I recommend two important steps.
1)  For those of you that are backing up your data -- congratulations, however, make sure you try to restore some of the files so you know how in the event you need to.
2)  Outlook stores your data in .pst files and NOT typically found in the MyDocuments folder.  I personally copy MyDocuments to other drives -- exact … (7 comments)

Listen to Videos of Successful Agents, Brokers, Trainers and Coaches for free - 07/28/08 08:12 PM
Over 50% of agents have broadband connection now and video is a valuable tool to take advantage of.  Not only for marketing the home but for you to increase your knowledge of systems and techniques that work.
Go to CKGTV and look at the interviews they have done with agents that actually produce.
Click on the Channels tab at the top and click on Special Features and you will find some excellent short videos especially John Tucillo, economist, previously with NAR.  He gives you his take on the market and where we are going.
Make it a profitable day!  Scott Hoen
… (5 comments)

Another free and valuable reminder service using phone and email - 07/28/08 05:15 PM
Many of you have heard of or use JOTT as a tool in your business.
If you want a simple, easy to use reminder service -- ReQall is for you.  Call a toll free number and add a reminder and the system will email the reminder to you.
Simply go to their site ReQall.com or call the toll free number provided.
It is easy to call and add a comment or reminder that will be sent to your email box and then you can handle that reminder any way you want.  I personally tag it in outlook and set the date for … (2 comments)

Use Home Valuations as a farming tool - 07/28/08 04:32 PM
It is has been demonstrated that the consumers are on the Internet searching for information about their neighborhood and their homes.  They want to know how much the house sold for down the street, they pick up flyer's in the sign boxes to see what the house is selling for, they attend open houses to see where their neighbor is moving or simply to find out what they are selling it for.  You see, all these consumers know their home and what they think the perceived value is but they don't know their neighbors or the competition.
They want to know … (4 comments)

Real Estate News You Can Use - 07/28/08 04:23 PM
One thing the Internet offers us is information overload.  Rather than searching for information via Google for vendors or data or articles you can use within your market -- sign up for daily newsletters that you can really use.  Scan through the push email that comes to you every day -- simply click to read the article or delete and the email is gone and waiting for the next day.  Looking for information for a farming piece or a newsletter or something to simply email out to your clients and stay engaged to your past clients and your prospects.
Inman News … (8 comments)

Free report, charts and graphs of property data for Short Sale and BPO submissions. - 07/25/08 08:05 PM
Are you looking for ways to help with your Broker Price Opinions you do or simply to add valuable data for your short sale presentations?  Check this out -- a little difficult to get to and I will show you another way as well.
First go to Cyberhomes.com

Enter in the address your looking to do a report on.
Once the address appears with the estimated values - you will see the word "Report: above the data -- click on report and it will prompt you to sign up -- no more than a name and email address because they … (3 comments)

Best Kept Secret to Saving Money! - 07/25/08 06:15 PM

Check out the website called ecPurchasing.com.  The only way you can access the site is to sign up for FREE and list your Fidelity Title, Chicago Title, Ticor Title, Security Union Title or Alamo Title sales rep as the referring party.
The site can save you instantly up to 20% on your cell phone with the larger more popular carriers.  You can save money on FEX, UPS and delivery services.  You can save money on office supplies.  Fidelity National Financial allows their clients to take advantage of their corporate pruchasing power and you as a real estate professional can benefit … (10 comments)

Get an accurate, quick quote for title insurance over the Internet - 07/17/08 12:05 AM
Get a title insurance quote instantly at Title.com.  The site will show you what title insurance company and what the rate is for the purchase or refinance transaction.  Easy tool to use to get the quote when you needed 24/7
Make it a profitable day!
Scott Hoen
… (0 comments)

Use rDesk within your SoCal MLS system for a great CMA and Buyers Tour - 07/16/08 11:41 PM
SoCal MLS Association members are fortunate to be able to access the rDesk platform as part of their membership fees they pay for.
SoCal MLS member should really check out the FREE powerful CMA, Buyers Tour and IDX solution they can incorporate within their technology marketing plan to stand apart from other agents in the market.  Many purchase the eNeighborhoods version while this version is just as good and FREE as part of your dues.
It is one of those hidden golden nuggets that you should take advantage of.  rDesk IDX is a great mapping tool with aerial imagery that you … (2 comments)

Free conference call website with no catch = very useful tool - 07/15/08 02:47 AM
You can try FreeConference.com very easily.  Sign up for free and there is no cost to use the site for conference calls other than the telephone number you call is a long distance call but with cell phones today that isn't an issue.
You can use it just for the phone conferencing capability or you can show your desktop with someone or simply present a PowerPoint presentation with a web conference call.
It can save you time and money -- sign up and check it out -- no hooks, no catches
Make it a profitable day!
Scott Hoen
… (6 comments)

Can your past customers find you after years since their last transaction? - 07/15/08 12:47 AM
I found a great tool for Real Estate Professionals to use that will assure your past clients, friends and contacts can find you.  Many real estate professionals move from one Company to another to another and you might not have databased your clients or told your clients how to find you.
The best way to avoid this problem in the future is to have your own domain and email address associated with the domain but for those that use the Brokers email addresses provided -- use this tool
GoFindMeOnline.com  -- You can sign up and pay about a dollar a day … (5 comments)

Take advantage of valuable and free content for your real estate website - 07/14/08 03:30 AM
Consumers want to know the value of their home.  They want to know what did the house sell for down the street.  They want to know how much is the house listed for but they don't want to call or speak with an agent.  Over 85% of the consumers are turning to the Internet for this type of information to do their research prior to contacting an agent.
Zillow, Trulia and Cyberhomes have become important tools for consumers to access regarding their real estate research in buying, selling or simply tracking the value of their home and what is happening in … (4 comments)

Get your real estate property listings on AOL? - 07/13/08 05:28 PM
How do you get your MLS listings on America Online (AOL)?
Check with your MLS Association to find out if they are sending your listings to http://www.Cyberhomes.com.  Cyberhomes posts your listings on thier website for consumers to have open access without having to register to find your listing.
The great thing about this is that Cyberhomes promotes the Broker and the Listing Agent so you get the referral or ability to connect with the consumer at NO charge.  Unlike other sites, Cyberhomes.com does NOT charge the Broker or Agent to display their information on the stie.  Make sure you have your … (2 comments)

 
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Scott Hoen

Scott Hoen, MBA e-Pro

Yorba Linda, CA

More about me…

First American Title Company

Address: 2 First American Way, Santa Ana, CA, 92707

Office Phone: (714) 250-5014

Cell Phone: (714) 270-9607

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