Mobile Websites ARE better for Agents than Apps

Real Estate agents looking to take advantage of the growing numbers of mobile buyers will find a website optimized for their market area will be better than an app.

While recognized national franchise brands such as Century 21, Weichert or RE/MAX at the corporate level could appeal to an existing customer base with apps, the same is not true for Brokers and Agents.

Brokers and Agents that rely on buyers finding their services through search engines may attract more prospects if they have a well-designed mobile website that can be easily used by people searching the internet through via smartphone.

By taking advantage of the buyers need for instant access, mobile websites clearly lead the way because they are mobile optimized – meaning you can run a Google search and your results will be mobile website. The same is not true of an app because search engines like Google cannot index it (find the app through the Internet). Imagine a buyer driving through your market area and doing a search on their mobile device. You are going to be the one they find!

RE/Advantage builds optimized mobile websites for REALTORS.  You can find more information on mobile Real Estate websites here.

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Facebook is now the Number 2 video site on the internet

For the first time, Facebook surpassed Yahoo to make it the second most popular video site on the internet for Jul 2012. According to ComScore, Facebook had just over 53 million unique video viewers in July, beating Yahoo’s 48 million by a small margin. They all have a long way to go to catch-up to Google’s 157 million unique viewers – nearly triple that of Facebook.

What isn’t discussed is where the video content originates. While you maybe on your Facebook page viewing a video someone posted, is that video just embedded from Youtube? Admittedly, watching a video directly on Youtube is a much nicer experience.

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Infographics – The Future of Marketing?

First let me define infographics for you — they are graphic visual representations of  information, data or knowledge. These graphics present complex information quickly and clearly, such as in signs, maps, journalism, technical writing, and education. With an information graphic, businesses can develop and communicate concepts using a single symbol to process information.

We’ve taken this trend to mind…and figured why not make some for REALTORS®! Below is one of MANY infographics we will begin to spread throughout our blog and social networking sites. If you have any idea for an infographic that would help with your internet marketing – let us know!

Click Me for the Full Picture!

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Lead Stream – Lead Management at its Best!

As part of our continuing efforts to improve lead management, RE/Advantage has introduced its newest product called Lead Stream.

Lead Stream allows the office administrator to set up an agent roster and configure it to auto stream leads to the agents.  When a lead is generated through the site, the lead will be sent to the first agent in the queue.  The Agent will have a pre-set time to accept that lead. If the agent does not respond within a specified period of time the lead will be redirected to the next agent in the queue.  All office leads and IDX leads will be sent to the agents with the name and contact information of the Web visitor as well as clickable MLS ID that will direct the agent to all property information. The Agent will then click an accept link to acknowledged they have received the new lead. The office administrator will be notified that the lead was accepted.

All leads are HOT! Lead Stream will greatly improve customer response time and lead management. Have questions – let us know!

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10 Things to Remember as the Housing Market Recovers

Re-posted from an article on realtor.org, immediate past NAR president Ron Phipps had a few things to say to real estate professionals who survived the housing market over the past several years:

1. The economy cannot recover without housing.
2. Everyone needs shelter, but not everyone needs to own their shelter.
3. High home ownership rates are important but they must be sustainable.
4. Home prices go up and go DOWN.
5. The process of purchasing /financing a home is more complicated.
6. Sound underwriting of mortgages is critical.
7. Home equity should not be used for ordinary living expenses.
8. Financial reserves for family, companies, and countries are necessary.
9. Homeowners confidence in the economy is directly related the value of their own homes.
10. The economy is global.

It is important that we learn from history – what item in the list above do YOU think is the most important?

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Keep your client informed when you’re running late – with a TWIST

I just read about this cool new startup – Twist.

So you’re setting up a meeting with a client. With Twist, you enter the meeting start time and your client’s contact information.  Before the meeting, Twist will remind you when to leave to arrive on time. As you approach your meeting time, Twist, with your permission, will keep your contact informed about your estimated arrival time, taking into account things such as current traffic conditions and your actual departure time. It will send text messages to your client in real-time, without you having to take your eyes off the road.

Sadly, it’s only available for the iPhone and iPad at this time. If you have an iPhone and try this app out (or are already using it), it’s love to hear how it works for you.

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