20 realtor only tips: How to Buy the Dell Mini 10v for $170.
- 09/30/09 03:07 AM
Dell Mini 10v refurbished for as low as $170 shipped.
I absolutely LOVE my Dell Mini 10v. I can't tell you how many I have bought for gifts, or for friends etc. So finally I'm going to just write out the steps to get one, so I don't need to be the one buying it for everyone.
Why do I love it? It is 2.5 pounds. It is fast, and even does video/youtube. Built in wireless. 92% keyboard (better than the Mini 12 keyboard actually). The charger is tiny like a cell charger. It lasts 3 hours on a regular … (24 comments)
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20 realtor only tips: YouMail.com should be called YouWOW!
- 09/18/09 02:05 AM
This is a MUST HAVE. So Don't think "Will I" instead think "How do I sign up?"
(This is not a paid advertisement, though I should get paid.)
YouMail.com Rocks. It is like the ShamWOW of the world of voicemail.
(This is not a paid advertisement, though I should get paid.)
YouMail.com does two main things. One for free and one for $7 a mo.
(Before I get started, the basics of Youmail is you have your unanswered calls forward to Youmail's special number, so it acts as your voicemail)
1) FREE:
Customized voicemails PER incoming caller ID number. So you … (99 comments)
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20 realtor only tips: How Twitter SAVED Me $80
- 06/16/09 04:38 AM
The new search engine... TWITTER!
Yep. People don't think of Twitter as a search engine.
What is wrong with Google? It has everything?
The problem... it has everything!
Twitter is REAL TIME. So it shows you recent and updated news and information. I used it yesterday to save $80. I needed a coupon code. I did a search for Dell Outlet Coupon Code on Google and for 1,000 results, all with expired coupons. I logged into my twitter account and did a general search for Dell Outlet Coupon and saved $80!
Easy as that!
Try it for everything from Victoria … (10 comments)
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20 realtor only tips: How to Live Chat and Instant Message 101
- 02/06/09 06:38 AM
Ok, once I find myself giving people alacarte instructions, it is time for a blog post!
I want to talk about using Instant Messaging (IM) in your business. No longer is it the time wasting child's toy of the past. Now it is a virtual office business tool that more customers expect and respect.
Now you can:
Virtual office. Why be a cubical away, if you can be 1 click away, but across town? Get multiple agents within one company to join IM. Get your lender, closing company on IM. I've been on the phone (or another IM window) with a … (18 comments)
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20 realtor only tips: New Favorite Camera? Samsung 24mm? 28mm vs 24mm vs 23mm
- 01/30/09 02:45 AM
Update 9-1-09: The NV24 is now getting harder to fine on Amazon for $150 refurbished. Also look at the prices on the Samsung HZ10W 10MP, which is just as wide at 24mm, but it is a bigger camera (probably sharper). It might even be cheaper than the NV24. Also Canon is coming out with a 24mm. Kinda the best of all worlds below (sharp and wide and small). But should be like $300.
So I have written a ton about my favorite camera the Kodak v570 and v705. No other camera came close. Here is a link to other reviews and … (17 comments)
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20 realtor only tips: ATTN: NoVa Realtors. Free New Tools.
- 01/21/09 06:05 PM
I've told many agents directly about some new free offerings at FranklyMLS.com, but I thought I'd blog about them to make sure everyone knows. FranklyMLS.com receives over 5,000 unique visitors a day. Why aren't you a part of it?
1) Join the LIVE REALTOR CHAT PAGE and answer MLS questions from buyers (with no agents). 13 have joined so far. (more info)
One agent yesterday spoke to "several" buyers, and 2 agents yesterday set up appointments with buyers. All it requires is either a AOLIM account or Gtalk. Recommended only for techie agents (you probably qualify if you are reading blogs).
… (9 comments)
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20 realtor only tips: SPAM, FRIEND OR BUSINESS? EMAIL HEADERS, WHY THEY MATTER.
- 07/28/08 05:56 PM
Repost: I finally got to meet Missy Caulk at INMAN connect and she was telling me about her favorite post of mine. Somehow it got lost by ActiveRain, but I was able to resurrect it! Here it goes... (feel free to REBLOG this one, this is really something that should be spread around) Only 5% of Realtors have their Headers in the correct format. Are you part of the 5% or the 95%? Don't think your email headers matter? How about when a customer can't tell if you are a President of company or customer support for a trash company!! Look … (15 comments)
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20 realtor only tips: Kodak v570, v705: How To Buy it. Still #1 Best P&S Real Estate Camera & Required Accessories
- 05/21/08 04:13 PM
Updated 10-22-08
Stop thinking about what camera to buy. As of Oct 2008, The #1 best Point and Shoot camera is still the Kodak v570 (or the sister v705). See my review from 1-07.
Brief summary:
1) It is the widest point and shoot camera with 23mm. (The lower the number the better.) Compare the 23mm to a standard point and shoot camera (35mm) with the image on the right.
(note counterintuitively the bigger "SLR" cameras that advertise 18mm, unless they say "full frame" and cost $3,000, they actually are only 28mm)
2) The Kodak v570/v705 offers an in-camera amazing 3 … (70 comments)
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20 realtor only tips: This Post was Transcribed for 50 cents.
- 05/20/08 10:17 AM
This blog post was transcribed for $1!
How excited am I right now?
I’m heading to sleep and I’m using pen and paper to write this post. Sure I could use a laptop, but with all the IMs, twittering, Youtube, and Outlook (which checks email every 4 minutes) I get a whole bunch of nothing (blogging) done.
So the handwriting idea was great... but then I could never find a moment or 20 to write it out.
So how will I find time to type this all out?
Well the idea for transcribing handwritten posts came up at a recent … (13 comments)
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20 realtor only tips: Shoot Like a Pro! Photo Class March 29th 08
- 03/18/08 11:46 AM
Advanced photo techniques class!
Official promo:
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PHOTOGRAPHY Shoot and Use Software Like a Pro Friday, March 28 from 10am-Noon
NVAR Herndon Center NVAR is hosting a photography workshop taught by former National Geographic published photographer, Frank Borges LLosa, whose photos have been in over 40 publications worldwide. The workshop will cover: wide angle photography, photo correction with free software, online photo sharing, how to make a website for each home you sell, MRIS's new 30 photo system and buyer-agent photo albums. *Free to NVAR Members with one house photo or MLS Listing with photo(s). To register please e-mail registrations@realtorschool.com. Don't forget to include … (1 comments)
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20 realtor only tips: Paying for Junk Hauling? STOP! Free on Craigslist!
- 12/20/07 12:52 PM
So you have a client with a house full of JUNK?
You've considered calling one of those 1-800-PAY-US-TO-HAUL-YOUR-JUNK places?
No need! Try this...
My mother is selling her 25 year rental. The garage was FULL of crap. A pack rat to say the least.
Instead of calling a hauling place, I took at hour to drag it all into the driveway. Then I took detailed photos of each item. Using PicasaWeb, I was able to make an online photo album in minutes. (see my album, I removed things as they were taken)
Then I went to Craigslist and posted in their FREE section: > 50 FREE Items Including … (39 comments)
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20 realtor only tips: HOW TO: ActiveRain SET UP. Account & 1st Post in 10 Minutes
- 10/29/07 02:24 AM
People don't like to read, so here is a 10 minute video on how to set up an ActiveRain account and how to post your first blog post. When you do join, please use THIS LINK TO JOIN AND SIGN UP NOW FOR ACTIVE RAIN (opens in new window, I get extra "points if you use that special link.) SIGN UP NOW FOR ACTIVE RAIN FOR FREE … (4 comments)
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20 realtor only tips: Attn: NVAR members: Frankly in 2008ly. Petition for the Board.
- 07/30/07 03:22 PM
UPDATE 8-20-07 Out of the 227 names that I got, 201 were card carrying NVAR members, so I'm on the ballot! Thanks! GET FRANK ON THE BALLOT for 2008!
This is specifically for Realtors that are members of NVAR, the Northern Virginia Association of Realtors.
I am trying to get on the ballot to be considered for the 2008 NVAR Board of Directors, and I need your help! Again, this isn't a vote for me, this is just to get on the ballot.
I need to get 200 names in 2 weeks from NVAR members (must be NVAR members)!!
This isn't easy for those … (12 comments)
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20 realtor only tips: Forwarding emails from Gmail to your cell phone
- 06/02/07 05:47 AM
My favorite blog that I mail to people daily is Spam, Friend or Business? Email Headers, Why They Matter.
So make you become part of the elite 5% that knows how to properly format your email headers!
Sidenote: If you like this blog, make sure to click on "Subscribe to Blog" on the upper right.
This blog will go into how you can forward your Gmail emails to your cell phone and some advanced tricks.
Most people don't realize it, but your cell phone has an email address. For Verizon the format is YourNumber@Vtext.com so it would look like this 7035551212@vtext.com
Even if … (7 comments)
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20 realtor only tips: MLS Photo Collages & other Photoshop adjustments
- 05/08/07 12:41 AM
So this house started with a great image taken by the homeowner. I pulled it into photoshop and added the following:
1) Saturation & Lightened it up
2) Sharpen setting
3) Inserted 3 photos with white drop shadow (see 5 examples)
By default most websites duplicating the MLS (Realtor.com) will only show 1 photo by default. By putting up a collage, the home buyer can see within a second that it is spacious inside and they have a pool in the backyard. Sometimes I also put in the remarks "Ask your agent for the 30 additional photos."
As a buyer, which would you prefer?
Also you can … (41 comments)
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20 realtor only tips: Email Shortcuts, Etiquette, & Abbreviations= Save Time (ST).
- 03/10/07 05:55 AM
Ok, this is in partly for my agents to make my life just a few minutes more efficient. This stuff adds up quickly with 100 emails a day.
1) Have professional looking headers. Only 5% of Realtors do this right!
Spam, Friend or Business? Email Headers, Why They Matter.
2) Use a subject line!
Seems obvious but so many people forget. The problem is two fold.
First you have a higher chance of spam filters trashing it.
Secondly, you are making it harder to read on a cell phone that might only show the subject line, It wastes time figuring out … (29 comments)
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20 realtor only tips: Buyer Agent Photo Albums. Otherwise they forget!
- 02/12/07 02:47 PM
Are you a buyer's agent that shows clients homes?
Are your clients' brains fried after looking at 10 homes?
Well, take your digital camera (get the Kodak v570 wide angle camera for under $200) and set your camera to the LOWEST resolution. When you are in the place start firing away like a mad man. Put it on motor drive if you can, and turn OFF the flash (faster photos). If you know how to change your ISO put it to 1600.
The point of these photos isn't to be pretty, but to be fast. Many look like this:
Start with an exterior photo of … (30 comments)
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20 realtor only tips: Your VoiceMail Should Say "Press 1 to Skip this message"
- 02/04/07 12:12 AM
Ok, everyone here talks about how busy we are and how important time is.
What about the time of our clients?
Lets start with: What does your voicemail say?
Is it long winded and polite? Maybe mentions a website or how you are honored by referrals. Maybe it is even in two languages? But does your voicemail give the person an option to skip all your sweetness and get to the damn beep?
Every carrier has a different number. Verizon is * or #, Sprint is 1 etc. So call your phone from another phone and try pressing 1. If that doesn't get … (34 comments)
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20 realtor only tips: Save Hours: Switchboard.com The ONLY Route Finder.
- 02/03/07 12:43 AM
I mention Switchboard.com in my posting about GPS with traffic but it deserve a separate shout out. This is the holy grail of route creation for BUYER AGENTS.
This is a secret tip that I normally just give to my Realtors.
Only one website will give you a "fastest route" search. Switchboard.com .
Just last week most of the other mapping website launched "add location" options for mutli-stop routing (google, yahoo mapquest) but none will re-sort for fastest route. I know some software will do that, but who wants software. (please let me know if you know of other sites, I … (13 comments)
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20 realtor only tips: v570, Ultra-Wide-Angle Point & Shoot 23mm $200/ + 2Hr Free Class
- 01/25/07 04:18 PM
Update 7-1-08 How to buy the v570
I was initially just going to respond to Your Camera Already Has a Wide Angle Lens By Aaron, but then I decided to do more research and make a larger post. Aaron's photos are great and I do agree that most point and shoots have a stitching software, but it isn't that easy. Yes easy if you have somebody showing you how to do it, but not easy out of the gate, and you know how impatient Realtors are... (and stagers)
I personally use a ultra wide angle lens on a SLR (or Digital … (83 comments)
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