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Mobile Video Is Here!!!
0Alright, so I’m playing my favorite game, “Words With Friends”, and since I don’t have the paid version on my phone, I get the annoying pop ads like I’m sure many of you do. However, the other day, my phone started making noise. Now, typically I just look away, do whatever until I can hit the continue button and proceed with my game, but this time my phone started playing a Starburst commerical! This was a little bit harder to ignore, and definitely got my attention as I raced to turn down the volume!
Take a look at the screen shot…there is a timer that won’t let you skip the commercial until the ad is finished:
So why/how does this apply to real estate? With marketing going hyperlocal/hypersocial, you may (in the near future) be able to run a quick slide show video of all of your properties based on mobile location! I’m not saying that everyone playing “Words With Friends” will start buying houses from you, but think if Zillow or Trulia implements this type of advertising!
If you want to learn more for yourself, check out http://mobile.vdopia.com/ for more info…they’re the ones that made that ad!
Move Over Facebook…Google Came To Fight
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Over the last day or so, I’ve read a ton about Google+ and figured it was another sorry attempt for Google attempting to break into the social media realm. After all, Google Wave was a flop, and I don’t know anyone using Google Buzz on any regular sort of basis. However, I’ve done my research on the Google+ Project, and consider me “SOLD”!
So you’re probably saying to yourself: “What is Google+ and why do I need to be part of another social network?”
Answer: It’s not another social network, it’s the internet becoming social. Everything you search on Google, use your Google account (e.g. YouTube, Gmail, Picasa, etc.) for, or do on your Android phone will be connected with your “social network”. You’ll no longer need to log in to Facebook or Twitter. You’ll have instant sharing, instant advice, instant everything, and your privacy settings look ridiculously easy.
So let’s dive in and see what this means for the real estate industry!
Google Circles:
You share different things with different people. But sharing the right stuff with the right people shouldn’t be a hassle. Circles makes it easy to put your friends from Saturday night in one circle, your parents in another, and your boss in a circle by himself, just like real life.
Real Estate Translation: Google Circles makes it easy to share only the stuff you want with your “Circle” of clients and colleagues, while you can keep your crazy bachelor party pics to your college friends.
Google Sparks:
Remember when your Grandpa used to cut articles out of the paper and send them to you? That was nice. That’s kind of what Sparks does: looks for videos and articles it thinks you’ll like, so when you’re free, there’s always something to watch, read, and share. Grandpa would approve.
Real Estate Translation: Share real estate news with your clients and all of your circles. Anything you +1 (which is the same thing as “like” on Facebook) will show up like an interactive newspaper for people within your network. This can make you seem like the local expert and remind that long lost cousin that you’re in real estate, and not to call the agent on the sign.
Google Hangouts:
Bumping into friends while you’re out and about is one of the best parts of going out and about. With Hangouts, the unplanned meet-up comes to the web for the first time. Let buddies know you’re hanging out and see who drops by for a face-to-face-to-face chat. Until we perfect teleportation, it’s the next best thing.
Real Estate Translation: BE ACCESSIBLE! I’m sure that Google will have an embed option or widget that you can place on your website, allowing your crazy Aunt Helen to “Hangout” with you for a minute, and ask you if it’s the right time to sell.
Instant Upload:
Taking photos is fun. Sharing photos is fun. Getting photos off your phone and on to the web is pretty much the opposite of fun. That’s why we created Instant Upload: so that from now on, your photos upload themselves. You don’t even have to say ‘cheese’.
Real Estate Translation: Can you imagine having a real estate photo gallery shared with everyone you know? = SWEET! 
The possibilities are endless here…Guess That Price, Before And After Pics, Client Sold Photos, etc…Use It!
Google Huddle:
Texting is great, but not when you’re trying get six different people to decide on a movie. Huddle takes care of it by turning all those different conversations into one simple group chat, so everyone gets on the same page long before thumbs get sore.
Real Estate Translation: This one is actually my favorite for Brokers like myself. Group text to all agents…FINALLY! For agents, how about coordinating a closing with the LO, other agent, both sets of clients, and the title company. Imagine when they add the document signing & share capability…MUHAHA!
Right now this whole thing is a beta/invite only service, but make sure you visit www.google.com/+ to get on the waitlist!
Social Video and Easy Blogging!
0So in our last episode of RealTechTV, we discussed using a few new social video sharing apps (for your phone) and platforms that…well, completely rock!
The first we reviewed is SocialCam..check out the demo here:
I love the instant gratification and simplicity that SocialCam brings to the table. You may think to yourself, I can already share to YouTube…but this goes beyond that! With SocialCam, you can publish straight to your niche Tumblr or Posterous blog…think “Deal of The Day” for foreclosures. Be your brand and create your online web show/presence now!
The next that we briefly discussed was Viddy…
Viddy brings a very similar taste and feel to the scene, much like that of SocialCam. The major benefit of Viddy is the ability to edit and add effects/music tracks to your video. However, it currently doesn’t support posting to microblogs like Tumblr or Posterous.
So if you rock a Facebook Fanpage primarily, Viddy may be the way to go, but for the time being I’m sticking with Social Cam. Tumblr is my favorite for micro/niche blogging, and the possibilities are endless. You can blog about an HOA, foreclosures, short sales, dog parks, luxury homes, and more, while never needing to actually write anything. Most consumers don’t really care what you have to say anyway, they just want to see the home NOW!
Saving Money…The Easy Way
0With gas prices ever increasing, and the average trips for Realtors not decreasing, I recently found myself spending $80-$90/fill up vs. the usual $60. Multiply that be 5-7 fill ups/month, and it can become a major burden on a real estate agent in a slump or experiencing a slow market. I recently came across GasBuddy.com and can honestly say it will save me $100′s this year. With the first two weeks of using it, I’ve saved over $20, just by driving one more exit down the highway, or a mile past my usual gas station. I’m not saying driving 20 miles out of the way to save a buck (I hope we all know that doesn’t work), but I’ve been using the Android app, and frequently save $3-7/fill up. That’s huge!!! While they do have apps, even if you don’t have a phone with an app (which by now you should), you can visit their website directly.
They’ve almost made it into a self promoting social game too! By offering a $250 gas cards in drawings for those that win points (you get them by updating prices as you see them), I find myself “giving back” more often than not!
Check it out!
-Ty
Lead “Video” Follow Up
01 year ago
Editors Note:
The audio in my example video is off because I was recording what I was playing for you…this won’t happen in your videos!
Photaf For Real Estate
0So many real estate agents are still using virtual tours to impress clients. While I believe this is more of an impressive listing tool, I don’t think the average buyer is going to browse each room of every house. With that being said, I have sold two homes because of virtual tours to clients that never even saw the inside of the home…so, they do work! These tours aren’t going to carry mush SEO unless you upload them to YouTube and tag them correctly (that’s what isNowListed is for , but they do carry a certain level of klout to potential buyers and sellers.
Rather than pay upwards of $30/month to have virtual tours created, download an App to your Android phone called Photaf. There is a free and paid version (allows for HD and more options) that allow you to capture a 360 degree panoramic image, and upload it to their site (free). They even have an embed button, so you can post it on your Facebook or blog, like I did above. I rushed it a little, hence the “ghosting”. Don’t worry iPhone users, there’s an App for that! Try Panorama 360 (I think)…I’m not sure about all of the features, but I think it is very similar!
Capture Buyers Using Video
0Rather than getting lost in the sea of emails that potential clients receive from agents while trying to search for homes online, set yourself above the crowd. Don’t be afraid to get personal! Send potential buyers browsing your real estate site a personalized video (mention their name) and explain all the benefits and services your provide. You will instantly stand out as “That Realtor that sent them a video”. So set the bar higher and make yourself stand out!
Save Up To $700 On Your New iPad 2!
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So if you’re like me, you’re about to go wait in line for the new iPad 2 (maybe you’re already in line)! But rather than buy the 3g model, save yourself $130 bucks and a monthly fee of $20-$50, by using your iPhone or Android as a WiFi hotspot. This will allow you to connect your brand new iPad to your phone’s internet connection If you’re not already doing using your phone as a WiFi hotspot, you can do this on the iPhone by “Jailbreaking” it, or “Rooting” your Android phone. This isn’t the easiest thing to do, but it also it’s as hard as it sounds.
If you’re on the iPhone, you can find instructions HERE
If you’re on an Android, you can find instructions HERE (find and select your phone model and click Android Development)
There is a great deal of reading involved, but if you’re looking to save $200-700/year it’s certainly worth the couple hours it may take you.
Make sure you carry your phone charger, or buy an extended battery though, as this will burn through your battery pretty quick!
My disclaimer: I’ve done this to all 4 of my Android phones and 3 iPhones without major issue. If you don’t know what you’re doing, DO NOT FLASH A CUSTOM ROM! This can brick your device and void your warranty. If you have an older device, I would recommend trying your skills on that first!
The iPad2 Is Coming (Super Soon!)
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If you haven’t already heard, the next generation iPad aka the iPad 2 was just announced today and looks to be everything the first generation was not.
It’s coming out much sooner than expected, with a March 11th ship and in store date. Hopefully, like the first generation, it won’t be limited to Apple stores, but will show up at Best Buy and others on the same day.
As expected it has a faster processor, which most users won’t notice immediately, but will if you do any sort of multitasking (or at least what Apple considers multitasking).
The new iPad will be running an upgraded iOS 4.3, which only has a few upgrades, not worth mentioning. 
Some of the cooler features make it slimmer by 33%, and quite a bit lighter. I have to admit, while laying on the couch, the old one did get a bit heavy after 20 minutes or so of holding it in the air, so consider this one a plus. It will also feature a larger more powerful speaker so you can blow the socks off your clients while giving them a listing presentation!
As seen in the photo on the right, the new iPad has a screen cover. It will be magnetic clamped to the iPad and bring your iPad out of sleep when opened, and back to sleep when closed. I have to admit, I like this feature. I wouldn’t necessarily choose pink, but I have an original iPad with an Apple case, and while it does a good job of protecting the tablet and it’s super low profile, it loses some of cool or wow factor with the case on. I’m hoping this maintains that.
After reading above, you may be thinking: “So not much has changed, why should I buy one?” Because this one has cameras! This was the one major feature lacking in the first generation model, and with video being the biggest hype in real estate and elsewhere, the newest model delivers!
The iPad 2 features a front facing camera for video chat like Skype, and the rear camera takes 720P HD video. I don’t envision many real estate agents using this for much photography, but it could be useful for still video recording, as the new iPad will have the ability to download iMovie for the iPad, Apple’s fantastic video editor.
So don’t wait, go get in line at your nearest retailer…probably now Video is the future of real estate, and the future is now! This “magical” little device will make it that much easier to deliver mind blowing presentations and communicate via video with clients. I envision our industry changing to accommodate showing buyers homes while they sit on their living room couch, and then doing a walk-thru of their top three choices.
