Useful Real Estate Related Web Sites, Tools & Resources - Which Can Be Added To Your Web Site
I'll list here every other day my three top choices for each category! These are my personal observations and you are invited to add your favorites in the comments section below. Please don't be shy and share what works for you and how (because we got to move this pile of real estate - LOL)...
Here are the most useful (in my humble opinion) real estate related web sites, tools and resources geared towards real estate professionals in the Tri-State Area (NY, CT, NJ)... and some are also usable for any other US location - listed by type:
#3 School Research Tools
NY State School Report Cards
New York State generated statistics tool covering every single school district. It can be easily added to your web site's school research page via plain text or graphics link. Nothing to sign up for and completely free. My #1 choice for it's detailed and unbiased statistics and information.
National Center For Education Statistics
National education web site covering every single school district in the country, including public schools, private schools and colleges, as well as public libraries. Can easily be imbedded in or linked to your school research page via a plain text or graphics link. Easy to use and very comprehensive information. Also completely free.
School Matters
Another very good and detailed national school research site allowing parents and other interested parties to grade and comment on their local schools. Searchers can find and read these comments as well. Covers almost all schools in the nation. Can be linked to your school research page on your site via a simple text or graphics link. Good free of charge information.
#2 IDX Solutions
http://wpmls.rapmls.com
This "no cost" public IDX solution is only available to members of the Westchester Putnam MLS and can be personalized, edited and/or "branded" to some limited extend from their personal MLS back office panels. Many local MLS companies offer their members similar solutions which they can incorporate into their realty web sites. Some of them are free while others require a small monthly fee. While most of them are not as sophisticated as the other IDX solutions listed below they do represent in most cases cost effective and workable solutions. The public WPMLS IDX is pretty darn good and resembles the fully featured professional MLS search solution used by all area agents. However the search results are edited and do not dispense information meant for agents only.
http://www.wolfnet.com
In my opinion one of the best IDX solutions for the money. Can be custom tailored to fit the expectations of today's Internet home shopper. WolfNet offers a variety of IDX solutions, from simple search boxes to it's flagship MapTracks search tool which defines user friendliness and will help you convert more of your web site visitors into valued customers. You can also add property search utilities and client management tools to make your website the best source of listing data for your customers. Point2 offers all of Wolfnet's IDX solutions as pay-as-you-go add ons to their already outstanding web site solutions at flat montly rates. Wolfnet charges a set up fee and they offer monthly as well as annual payment plans for their services.
http://www.idxbroker.com
IDX broker is one of the oldest and most successful IDX providers and provides an entire suite of custom tailored IDX solutions. Some of them are geared towards the individual agent or broker web site and others are designed for multi-office franchises. Their solutions also offer Wordpress plug ins, iPad MLS search apps, simplified and detailed map searches, and powerful lead capture features, and more, all at flat monthly rates. There is a set up fee, which is at times discounted, and the resulting IDX can be seamlessly integrated with your current web site. Note that EVERY account comes with a MyAgent iPhone/iPad Agent or Office + Agent code(s). This allows you to embed MLS map search into your clients' iPhones, iPod Touch, or iPad.
#1 Real Estate Web Sites:
http://agent.point2.com
Comprehensive, customizable, very flexible, cost effective, template based real estate web site solution with industry leading built in marketing and syndication tools. Ideal if you want an instant and inexpensive realty web site that delivers. Offers three levels - standard, professional and premium - all with unlimited listings / photo storage. Great back office with a wide range of features and outstanding lead / prospect / client handling. Can be turned into a fully customized web site by the tech savvy agent... or even better by a professional web designer.
http://www.z57.com
This template based real estate web site solution offers a good variety of nicely designed themes but is a little bit more expensive and requires some set up help from the provider. It has in general good syndication and marketing capabilities with some "pay as you go" upgrades available. However, it offers less content pages, only a very limited number of customizable pages, less tools and listings / photo storage. Can be somewhat customized by a computer savvy individual or web designer. Good back office capabilities with a very basic lead / prospect / client handling system.
http://www.blueroof360.com
This fully customizable realty web site platform offers an outstanding built in map based property listings search but cannot be set up without the help of the provider and a skilled web designer. The somewhat difficult and confusing page editor allows you to add an unlimited amount of custom pages. The "CoolIris" listings player is a fun trinket that may amuse your searchers for quite a while. The back office is very basic but simple to operate and allows for lead / prospect and client handling. Likely the most attractive but also the most expensive solution.
Please feel free to explore them and add your comments below. Thanks in advance for your thoughts. In a couple of days I'll post my top three choices for virtual tour marketing tools.
Comments(3)