I was introduced to the new Google Voice service by other bloggers here on Active Rain - thanks for the heads up.  Already having had a Grand Central account (purchased by Google) that had been practically mothballed, I logged into try out the new services available.  If you don't have an account yet, you can sign up on the waiting list for an "invitation" at voice.google.com.

For those unfamiliar, Google Voice allows you to select a new, local phone number for free (local area code being key for real estate pros).  This number can be used as your "gateway" phone number for your web-based business. 

From this new number, you can assign multiple phones for your office, home, mobile, and even other members of your real estate team to receive calls.  If you want all 5 to ring at once, no problem.  The first person to answer takes the call.  If someone goes on vacation, simply log in, uncheck their phone, and they're off the "hotline" until they get back.  This is all free.

Along with this basic service, there are also custom voicemail settings, text transcription of voicemail (which I'm still not sold on), call screening, custom greetings, caller ID, and online calling widgets (place a button on your web site to call you directly).  Did I mention this is all - free?

Since you can select how the caller ID shows up (see above), do you take calls from your Google Voice number and assign a distinct ringtone to notify you that this is a new web lead?  Or, do you allow the caller's phone number to show up on your phone so that you can identify their area code right away or call them back if needed?  You can go back and track all calls on the Google Voice account online, either way, so there's no loss of data, just a short-term response difference.

The one paid feature I've looked into so far is picking a new number.  Google gives you the first number for free, so pick it well.  You can buy a new one for $10, which is cheap for a business line.  However, most of the numbers are not very attractive, it seems that most business-like phone numbers have been sold off elsewhere.

As usual, Google does not disappoint.  The phones are ringing, voicemail and tracking are working fine, and I enjoy hearing my "New Lead" ringtone every time it goes off.  I do wish they had a schedule, where I could send the calls to voicemail after 10 pm, as does my wife.  It would also be great to be able to port your current phone number over to Google Voice, but that's not yet available.  I know, beggars can't be choosers...but we can be beggars.

I'm just left wondering, when will the day come that all of my wonderful free Google services will show up with a big fat monthly bill? 

Sam DeBord
Seattle Homes and Seattle Condos For Sale at SeattleHome.com and SeattleCondo.com
Assoc. Broker, RE/MAX Connected, Seattle
(206) 658-3225