BING Announces partnership – 2010 is the year for local search

Microsoft’s popular new search engine, Bing, announced recently that they will team up with Localeze to power some of Microsoft’s local business listings. Localeze is a business listing service, where you can register your verified business for inclusion in their directory.

Localeze stores a variety of information about listed business, that can appear on Bing’s local business search results. It costs nothing for a business to register themselves with Localeze, and as Bing begins to integrate the Localeze database into it’s search results, businesses can get increased search engine exposure.

What’s so hot about “local” searching lately?

The search engine world is changing. There is a bog push this year for local search results. People using search engines want their results to favor results that are geographically significant to them. And the best way for global search engines such as Google, Bing and Yahoo to get this local business information is to team up with companies like Localeze, who specialize in the collection AND verification of local businesses. In addition to Bing, Localeze has already partnered with with other search heavy-hitters such as Google Maps®, Yahoo Local® and Yellowpages.com®

So is this good for the Real Estate Agent?

In one word, “YES”.  The Real Estate process is certainly a local transaction.  Hyper local content has favored the Real Estate Agent.  So anything that focuses around your community is good.  This is just another way to bring local search to you.  When a buyer or seller searches the Internet they typically look for an Agent or a home around a hyper local search i.e.; “Real Estate Agent Irvine CA” or “Homes in Dallas Texas”.  Real Estate fits perfectly in this situation and as the search goes more local the real estate agent will hopefully gain a bit more foot hold over the larger competitors or even the portals like REALTOR.com.

No guarantees

Now, it all sounds too easy, right? List yourself in Localeze for free and get better search engine placement. Well, not really. Your Localeze registration can help improve your exposure in localized searches, but certainly does not guarantee anything. But, since it’s free, it’s a no-brainer.

So what are you waiting for? Click here to register your business today!

RE/Advantage builds and maintains Internet solutions for the Real Estate Industry.  Our flagship products; Agent Central Max, Board Central, and IDX 3.0 all deliver powerful tools to the Real Estate Professional.

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RE/Advantage Customer Spotlight

John Baughman

Sales Associate for Florida REO List in Palm Beach County, FL

*****

RE/Advantage recently developed a new website for REO specialist, John Baughman, in Palm Beach County Florida.  John has been in the Real Estate business for 10 years now.  He belongs to the Regional MLS in Folrida primarily selling homes that have been foreclosed in St. Lucie, Martin, Palm Beach, Broward and the Miami Dade areas.  John currently has 56 active listings and has closed over 50 listings since January 1, 2010!

When potential clients contact John about his REO services he is now able to direct them to his website for more information on foreclosed properties in the area.  When asked how his website has increased his lead generation he replied, “Yes, it has allowed me to expose my foreclosure listings without limitations!” John also mentioned, now that he is marketing his REO list properly that he has seen an increase in sales because of the exposure he currently has with his website and IDX solution.  John also uses newspaper ads as well as the South Florida Homes Guide to market his listings.

Past clients of John Baughman were able to search for listings with the integrated, IDX 3.0, listing search tool that is integrated into his site and then receive updated auto listing updates when a new property was submitted to the RMLS that matched their search results.

John hopes to continually growing his REO database and streamlining the purchase process by offering more detailed information and ability to present offers online.

Looking to find a warm escape from the winter weather, check out all the professional Real Estate services John Baughman has to offer!

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Breaking down the walls in Social Networking

By now, most of you have heard the buzz about Facebook, blogging, You Tube, Twitter and Active Rain.  I am always curious to hear from real estate agents and brokers whether they have seen any increase in business as a result of social networking.  Also, have you seen any increase in the amount of visitors to your Web site?

There are so many new ways to brand yourself and to engage in the social networking blitz.  I am finding that some agents and brokers that I speak to seem like they are overwhelmed and just do not know where to start or have time to really research and harness the power of these and other applications.

I have compiled a list of some common questions and concerns that I have received from agents over the last few months.  Do you recognize some of these or have similar issues?

Some of the questions and comments I receive about blogging:

• How do I set up a blog?
• What do I write about?
• How often do I have to update my blog?
• Is it OK to take content from another source and copy it to my blog?

Here are some of the Facebook comments and questions that I receive:

• Do I make my profile about my business or should I make it personal?
• Do I add other agents and brokers as friends?
• Facebook is for kids and I do not see any value in it.
• I am concerned about my privacy
• I do not have time
• I am bombarded with all the games and other applications on Facebook.
• Will I develop new business relationships through Facebook?

Questions and comments about the overall effect on increasing visitors to my main Web site:

• My Web site does not get traffic. Will my social networking presence increase the number of visitors to my site?
• Will blogging and social networking help me rank better in search engines?
• I have tried blogging and dabbled with Facebook and see no increase in business?
• Are my time and efforts better focused on just buying Ad words in Google?
• Should I hire one of those “Search Engine Optimization Companies” to enhance my rankings?
  

Many of your questions and comments about the social networking frenzy are valid concerns and comments.  I can tell you first hand, that practice makes perfect in the new world of social networking.  Yes, I have seen many real estate agents and brokers thrive with Facebook, Twitter, You Tube, and Active Rain!!! Oh YES, and even blogging. There can be many reasons why your efforts have not paid dividends.

My post is to open some dialogue with you to discuss some of these issues.  Feel free to comment and I will do my best to answer your questions and give you the best advice that has helped so many of our clients.

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Firefox 3.6 is here!

It’s here -  Firefox 3.6 has been publicly released for users.

This is great news for Internet users with the recent news of Microsoft’s Internet Explorer being hacked and Google almost leaving China as a result.

Featured 3.6 Features

New and improved features include:

Personas
If you ever wanted to personalize Firefox Personas are the way to do it.  Firefox has over 35,000 themes to choose from. Want to spice up your browser start here with the Persona page.

Stability
Updates most always fix bugs and this one is no different.  Other changes include the way add-ons interact with Firefox and improved JavaScript performance, overall browser responsiveness, and start-up time.

Speed
I always thought Firefox was much faster than IE, especially with JavaScript intense pages.  3.6  also include updates and changes to the JavaScript engine for even increased performance.

Some other features include:

• Available in more than 70 languages – get your local version.
• Protection from out-of-date plugins to keep users safer as they browse.
• Open, native video can now be displayed full screen and supports poster frames.
• The ability for web developers to indicate that scripts should run asynchronously to speed up page load times.
• Continued support for downloadable web fonts using the new WOFF font format.
• Support for new CSS attributes such as gradients, background sizing, and pointer events.
• Support for new DOM and HTML5 specifications including the Drag & Drop API and the File API, which allow for more interactive web pages.
• Changes to how third-party software can integrate with Firefox in order to prevent crashes.

Firefox 3.6  is built on Mozilla’s Gecko 1.9.2 web rendering platform, which has been under development since early 2009 and contains many improvements for web developers, add-on developers, and users. This version is also faster and more responsive than previous versions and has been optimized to run on small device operating systems such as Maemo.

You can find Firefox at the Mozilla site

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Defining the Agent’s Website; Part 2

What makes a GREAT Agent Website?

As promised here is my second post on Defining an Agent’s Website.  Before I get into all the technical aspects of a website for a REALTOR, I first want to talk about in general what makes a Great website in terms of what elements should every agent look for in designing a website.

1: Data

Let’s face it, most agents websites are about tracking buyers and sellers and most Internet prospects come to your website to see listings.  So in terms of data I am specifically talking about listings.  According to the 2008 National Association of REALTORS® Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, 87% of all home buyers used the Internet as an information source*.  These people most likely come to your site to find a home.  So how can we present good data?

1. IDX – The Internet Data Exchange is a fast, legal and reliable way to put your MLS on your website.  IDX is a preferred method because and IDX search is branded to your website.  Unlike linking to REALTOR.com or your local MLS’s website where your prospects are then bombarded by your competitors, an IDX search keep the entire visit safe on your website.
2. Listing Feeds – Listing feeds are files your MLS can send you that contain your active listings.  They are convenient when you do not want the entire MLS on your website and do not want to key every listing into your website yourself.
3. Manual Listings – You can also enter listings your self, but choose a web developer who offers a robust Listing Maintenance application.

Perhaps the most important thing about data is that is needs to be accurate.  No one wants old or inaccurate listings. It is not only unprofessional but also a liability.

2: Call to Action

A good Real Estate website will have multiple call to action forms and not just rely on a few of them, have just a generic contact form, or worse yet email links.  I think we all have seen forms.  They are those web pages where you fill out information and then click on the “submit” button.  They are so important because they pre-qualify a lead.  When someone fills out a “Relocation” request and takes the time to give you some specific information you automatically can move that lead from a cold to warm.  Today’s web viewer does no want to spend a lot of time hunting around, but having different forms spread across your site you are allowing your buyers/sellers to react.  Some people will be drawn to a “Dream Home” form while others a “CMA” form.  All of these stir a different response to each kind of buyer or seller.  And since you can ask different questions on every form, you can further qualify a lead.  For example if someone was serious bout a CMA but would not provide you with some basic information like his name, email address,  what type of home and the year it was built do you really want to be chasing this lead down or at the very least you now know this lead is less qualified.  I must rather have 5 warm leads than 25 cold ones.

3: Navigation

Generation X and beyond are impatient web surfers and do not like to wait or spend time trying to find things.  Your navigation should be clean and clear.  The important items should be at the top on a vertical navigation and on the left for a horizontal.  If you have not figured it out, listings are your most important asset so give them the visibility they need.

4:  IDX

No website should be without an IDX solution.  Bringing your MLS to your website and being able to brand it, is a key factor in a successful website.  Most home buyers come to your website to search for homes.  If you do not have the inventory you do not have the lead.  Sending them off to your MLS or REALTOR.com is not an answer as you lose the branding and have a very good chance of losing the lead.  Because today’s home buyers wants instant access, adding a IDX search to your website it very important.

5:  Tools and Management

I know there are a lot of web developers and free website building tools out there but do yourself a favor and pick one that specializes in the Real Estate Industry.  You need to have more than a website, you need to have a management and marketing solution that has at least these features;

1. Support for IDX
2. A CMS System
3. Lead Management
4. Listing Management
5. Document Management
6. Friendly URL’s
7. For Brokers, Agent Support

This is your livelihood and I do not think sacrificing on that should be an option.  You can find free websites that are real estate specific and there are plenty of really good companies that specialize in Real Estate web design. Weather you pick a free one like Agent Producer, a template site like REALTOR.com or a professional agent website design firm, pick one who you feel can provide you with the best range of services in the budget you set up.  Make the +/- list for a smart decision.

My next post will detail on how to build a good SEO community page to use in your Agent website.

If you missed Defining the Agent’s Website; Part 1 you can read it here.

*(Source: 2008 National Association of REALTORS® Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers.)

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Internet Data Exchange Revisited

Internet Data Exchange Revisited

To achieve results when marketing your Web site,  you need the proper tools and branding to fit all the pieces of the puzzle.  Adding Internet Data Exchange or to some Broker Reciprocity to your site can help you in many ways.

In my monthly seminars, I ask the audience; “Do they have IDX on their real estate Web site(s)?”.  Many of these agents and brokers look at me in a puzzled way as they do not even know what IDX is.

In a nutshell IDX (Internet Data Exchange) allows agents and brokers to market properties other than their own on their site. It provides the agent or broker the ability to brand themselves as the source of the listing information and can literally take the web visitor’s property search from hundreds to even thousands of properties to search by. Adding IDX to your existing Web site is a great way to jumpstart your business. If you have a web site and are just adding a link for visitors to search on your broker’s web site or a MLS site, you may be losing a lot of business as the visitor is no longer on your site and worse yet you are exposing them to your competitors.

RE/Advantage has successfully developed IDX solutions for many brokers and agents on a national level. We are proud to say as a result with feedback and valuable insight from many REALTORS and MLSs such as The New Jersey Multiple listings service under the direction of Tina Griffin our solution has helped many Agents and Brokers leverage their MLS data.

IDX Solution Features:

• Leads from web visitors go directly to you
• User friendly MLS search framed within your site
• Property Mapping
• Custom URL searching
• Your visitors can sign up to receive email notifications
• Visitors can save favorite listings and searches
• Lead capture forms
• Display your listings first in a search for prominent exposure
• Create your own specific customizable urls to specific areas for a search
• Listing statistics
• Mortgage calculator
• and more…

While there are many IDX solution providers, we believe our IDX solution has been noted through the industry as user-friendly and robust search solution with features making it easier for your web visitors to view listings.

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