Happy New Year – Something Fun and Something Cool

The New Year is here. 2012! Really? I remember when i was 12!!! 2012 was like the future! We would have spaceships and robots and I would never have to do laundry again! Well, the future is here. And although we don’t drive space ships for transportation and have robots who do our laundry, it’s a pretty good life. My mom shared a couple things with me today and I thought it would be fun to share them with you as well.

Guy in a hospital.

My dad is an automobile mechanic from way back in the day. He is the handy man-extraordinaire. He is Tim "the Toolman" Taylor and has all the scars and hospital bills to prove it! My mom sent this picture and I swear I thought it was my dad! I finally saw it wasn't my father (no scars on the knees)!!! LOL

Now here is something unique. A rainstorm like no other. Wait till you hear the thunder. It’s pretty cool.

RainStorm by Choir

Get the Latest Social Media Tools through Real Estate Marketing


Get the latest social media tools through Real Estate Marketing.Get the Latest Social Media Tools through Real Estate Marketing

Real estate marketing holds a breathtaking technological future. This transformation is from the very first social sites with whose features keep on advancing. Facebook is one of these sites embracing this type of market technology. This offers a fresh look at the modern thrilling technology space. This technology provides you with the hot new tools and services used in social media.

 

These tools cover a range of view such as the tools for pictures, video and audio. There are also those that measure and track results. Blogging tools are as well enhanced in addition to various social media apparatus.

Focusing on the developments for pictures, video and screen capture are the Cinches, DailyBooth, Screenr and Instagrams. Clinches provide easy audio recording both through the phone and web. They as well allow sharing of audio messages with friends and followers. The DailyBooth allows fast and simplified uploading of pictures in social networks. This allows people know you better which increases your chances of getting more transactions.


With the Screenr services, you easily create screen videos with audio for free. This is most applicable in Facebook for those who teach people on how to do things online. Screenr also allows recording, pausing and fast posting of the video and comments. The Instagrams are very addictive applications that allow free sharing of photos. They also allow adding comments and likes on other photos.
Finally, if you label them they add SEO back to your website.

The new tools for measuring and tracking results include the Argyle Social, the Sysomos, Postling and the TwentyFeet. The Argyle Social allows sharing great content in social media. This shortens the URLs incorporated with suite of measures for the impact of the shares. The Sysomos keeps an eye on social media conversations such as in Facebook and Twitter. They have loads of features and are convenient to use reducing the monitoring time by far.

The TwentyFeet tool is a simple profile platform with a very simple set up. They have an admirable interface and low affordable yearly payments. They allow keeping watch of many accounts at a go with their logo presenting beautiful nature. To have multiple social media channels on one interface, use the Postling features. This offers email notifications right when comments are made on a page. Postling also present the comments in clear strands allowing conversation permanence.

The Storify and Posterous are among the content management tools. The Storify are incredible gears that cumulate and curate web content. These are great for product launches and events. Posterous allows posting of over twenty social media channels via email. It enhances distribution of videos, blog posts and photos all through the network.

Among the blogging tools are the Apture and OnlyWire. The Apture enhances emphasis of visitors sharing on the social media. It as an attractive drop down bar that makes sharing easy. It also allows searching of related content inclusive of images and videos. The OnlyWire tool allows submitting blog posts automatically to over forty two top sites. This allows fast and simple creation of links back to your blog improving you social rank.

 The Quora is the other social media tool that promotes real estate marketing. Recommended by online marketing strategists, the Quora allows online question and answer in social media. This enhances learning and interaction of people universally.

Cyber Monday – November 28th

Cyber Monday, November 28th, 2011 - Shop Til You DropCyber Monday – November 28th

What is Cyber Monday? Cyber Monday has been dubbed such in 2005. It is the immediate Monday following Thanksgiving. It became so named because retailers begain to notice that online sales increased the Monday after thanksginving and became the highest sales day in 2010.

Benefits:

  • No crowd hassles. Point and Click
  • Great Deals
  • New deals

You can get even better deals if you wait till after Cyber Monday on certain items. So be aware that there will continue to be sales all season long.

Here are some tips for shopping online today.

1. Use Good Judgment

This is one time it’s not only acceptable but preferable to judge a book by its cover. Carefully choose which Web sites you shop from, sticking to trustful major retailers that are reputable. If a Web site looks sketchy, it is most likely is unreliable. And most likely, major reputable retailers like Amazon, Walmart or Target are offering the same sale, if not a better deal.

2. Ensure Your Safety

While shopping, ensure the area is safe and conducted over a secure connection. It’s better to shop privately at home where you know the connection is secure, rather than at the library or coffee shop or even and especially, at work, where a third party can retrieve your personal information.

3. Watch What You Click On

Do not click on any links from e-mails or on social networking Web sites, especially if they offer a free gift card or electronic device, as they are more likely scams. If you cannot find the deal using a simple Google search, it’s a fake.

4. Take Precautions

Before you even begin scouring the web for deals, ensure your computer software, browser and all essential security tools (spam filters, anti-virus, anti-spyware and a secure firewall) are in place and up-to-date.

5. Double Check Security Measures

When checking out an order from an online shopping Web site, always make sure the merchant has a Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) Web certificate. Look for the “s” in the hyperlink address (page begins with “https://” instead of http://) for ensured security.

6. Return Policies

Beforehand, familiarize yourself with the Web site’s return and exchange policies, if you think there is even a slight chance of returning an item. Also, check out the company’s shipping offers, which might be complimentary as many Web sites are offering free shipping for the holidays.

7. Keep Receipts

Gone are the days of keeping old receipts in a shoebox to collect dust. Nowadays, you can file all of your receipts online easily, to ensure you get what you purchased for the correct price.

8. Use a Credit Card

The Better Business Bureau suggests that all online shoppers use a credit card rather than wire transfers or other means, as they can be tracked. Also, many credit cards have protection against fraud, which credit card users can benefit from. Your debit card proabaly does not.

Cats and Kittens. Not real estate technology related…but cool.

Simon’s Cat

This guy who does these super cool videos always really hits the target when he creates. It’s so cool because I have two cats who are just like the new kitten and Simon’s cat. I love how he really knows the cats. He completely captures the reality of them in his videos.

I have two cats like that right now. My Max is about a year old and his new sister is now about 4 months. Max is a huge kitty. When he was younger he used to come into my office and would sleep in his bed on my desk. Well then summer and Maya came. Max spent a lot more time outside, and Maya (who was 6 weeks at the time, began to sleep in the bed on the desk. Now when Max comes into the office to sleep, Maya gets all frustrated and goes and crawls in with him. She doesn’t care how much room she gets, she just likes to sleep on him.

Simon's Cat YouTube Videos - Videos for Cat Lovers

You can buy books by Simon too now. It’s funny because I used to think Simon was the cat!!

Winter Does Not Have to Affect the Showing Ability of Your Home

Use winter to showcase your home and sell more quickly!Typically spring and summer are the active months for selling your home. It shows the best with all the plants and trees in full bloom and really showcases your landscape. Getting into late fall and winter is a whole new game. Those lush beautiful trees are bare, the plants have all turned brown and the grass is just dried out and brown.

Here are some thoughts, tips and recommendations for Selling in the Off-Season:

For Thought:

  • Chances are that folks who are looking in this time-frame are serious buyers.
  • Less competition during this time. There are fewer homes on the market.
  • Tech Savvy Buyers are on the lookout for homes year-round
  • New Tech-Tools allow the buyer to receive emails automatically when new homes go on the market. Yours could be one of them!!

To Help:

  • Provide summer photos of your home as well so buyers can see the full picture.
  • Decorate inside for the seasons (Autumn – Winter).
  • Take the time you used to spend outside and ORGANIZE for maximum appeal.
  • Showcase winter warmth with a fire, scented candles and warm decorations.

When it Snows:

    • Be sure you shovel all walks and paths
    • De-ice paths and the driveway
    • Plow or snowblow the entire driveway to showcase the amount of parking space available
    • Make sure outside lights work
    • Take pictures on days when your home looks especially nice (immediately after a snow fall, when there is horfrost or when the leaves are all colorful and on the trees)

You can showcase your home all winter long. Take pictures to show potential buyers.

    Interest rates remain low. There are buyers out there. Don’t let the winter blahs discouarge you. Use this season and these interest rates to your advantage. Now is the time to buy and there ARE buyers out there. Create an inviting home and your buyers will see why you fell in love with your home!

Mountain Biker Pummeled by Antelope!

Mountain Biker Pummeled by Antelope in South Africa Race!

Every day we sit in our office or take clients out to look at houses. Maybe we go to bank for a closing or to a new home for a pre-listing. But on our down-time, we can do anything! What are your hobbies? Wine? Gardening? Mountain Climbing? Mountain Biking? Sometimes getting out is just what we need. Go live life! Have an adventure!

I wanted to share the adventure that this Mountain Biking Dude had. This biker, taking part in a race in Albert Falls Dam, South Africa, is pummeled by an antelope!! You gotta see it! I mean what are the odds!?

Until next time,
Your Favorite REVA
Kathy

Kathy Goldman
REVA Online
…where “location” finally doesn’t matter!
www.REVAonline.com
www.Facebook.com/AskAREVA
www.Twitter.com/kathygoldman
www.LinkedIn.com/in/kmgoldman
Get your FREE WordPress Blog Here

More from Tech Savvy REVA
Showcase your Home Tours on YouTube Like a Professional. | Assistance for Agents
Tips for Posting Real Estate Listings On YouTube | Assistance for Agents
Is Your Social Networking Successful | Assistance for Agents

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Simon’s Cat Double Trouble – Good for a Monday Morning Laugh

Simon's Cat Double Trouble. Simon's Cat gets a Buddy!As some of you may know I adopted another new kitten. We got her from the Waukesha County Humane Society and she is a blast. We also have two other cats. One is 18 mo. the other is 2 1/2. It’s funny how they all interact. Sammi, the oldest, just chooses to ignore the kitten. She is not mean at all. Just ignores her. Max, our 18 mo. old, still thinks he is a kitten and plays with her. That is actually pretty funny because Max is about 15 in. tall and all muscle.  It’s pretty funny. Here is a video I took of them wrestling:  Max and Maya Kitty Wrestling.

The reason I mention my kitties is because there is a guy out there on YouTube who has been publishing videos about cats for several years now. It is so funny because he really “gets” cats. Their attitude, their demeanor and everything! He takes normal kitty situations and makes them into cartoons. They are hilarious and I thought, well with it being Monday and all, i would share!

Simon really understands the cats and how they act. I am telling you I have seen every one!

Until next time,
Your Favorite REVA
Kathy

Kathy Goldman
REVA Online
…where “location” finally doesn’t matter!
www.REVAonline.com
www.Facebook.com/AskAREVA
www.Twitter.com/kathygoldman
www.LinkedIn.com/in/kmgoldman
Get your FREE WordPress Blog Here

More from Tech Savvy REVA
Showcase your Home Tours on YouTube Like a Professional. | Assistance for Agents
Tips for Posting Real Estate Listings On YouTube | Assistance for Agents
Is Your Social Networking Successful | Assistance for Agents

More from Tech Savvy REVA
Personalize Your Blog Post – Great Ways to Do It! | Assistance for Agents
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3 Steps to Easy Video for Real Estate

Did you know that according to Realtor.com, only about .8% of Realtors are actually using video marketing for their business? It’s not even 8%…it is POINT 8 percent!!! Plus, consider that almost 90% of people are now using the internet for real estate based searches! Wouldn’t it only make sense that you should be part of that cutting edge .8% as a part of your real estate marketing strategy? You can learn these 3 Steps to Easy Video For Real Estate from Assistance for Agents. As a professional real estate agent, laearning this is paramount to your listing coordination.

However, embracing change is not always easy to do, and many real estate professionals are still relying on traditional marketing methods even though the future of real estate is online. Therefore, by listing with us you can rest assured that we will make video marketing a priority to ensure you gain top exposure and receive the fastest and best offers possible on your home.

Video Cameras for Real Estate. Take videos with your camera and get on youtube. Beat the other .8% who do this.Three cameras that rank high for use with Real Estate are:

Flip Video MinoHD Camcorder, 60 Minutes (Black)
Flip Video Ultra Series Camcorder, 60-Minutes (Black)

Aiptek A-HD+ 1080P High Definition Camcorder (Silver)

Each of these cameras may have their own benefits and drawbacks, but essentially they are all great! They are also inexpensive so you can afford to do this!

Step 1: Creating Video Content

The first step in preparing video content for your listing will be to create a virtual tour of the entire property. Be sure to highlight all the perks and benefits of the home and the surrounding neighborhood as well. Neighborhood videos do well on YouTube.

Additionally, include information about your school district(s), local businesses, as well as other recreational activities. Feel free to share any other ideas you may like to include as a part of the marketing strategy as well. This is your time to promote the home, location and amenities.

Until next time,
Your Favorite REVA
Kathy

Kathy Goldman
REVA Online
…where “location” finally doesn’t matter!
www.REVAonline.com
www.Facebook.com/AskAREVA
www.Twitter.com/kathygoldman
www.LinkedIn.com/in/kmgoldman
Get your FREE WordPress Blog Here

More from Tech Savvy REVA
Showcase your Home Tours on YouTube Like a Professional. | Assistance for Agents
Tips for Posting Real Estate Listings On YouTube | Assistance for Agents
Is Your Social Networking Successful | Assistance for Agents

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Minnesota Humor – Yeah Baby!

Although I live in Wisconsin now, I was raised in Minnesota. If you are not familiar, Minnesota has a humorous trio of natives that we love to tell jokes about. Ole and Lena (they are married) and Sven, their friend. Over the years there have been many, many jokes about the odd trio. Here is one I just heard and thought I would share. They are a very clean, down-home style joke that you could even tell your kids! Even better if you do it with a Norwegian accent!

Enjoy!

Ole and Lena provide great Minnesota Humor. Their jokes are even better with a Norwegian Accent!A hooded robber burst into a Minnesota bank and forced the tellers to load  a sack full of cash.  On his way out the door, one brave customer  grabbed the hood and pulled it off, revealing the robber’s face. The robber  shot the customer without a moment’s hesitation.

  The robber then looked around the bank and noticed one of the tellers looking  straight at him. The robber instantly shot him also.  Everyone in the  bank, by now very scared, stared at the floor in silence.

  The robber yelled, “Well, did anyone else see my face?”

  There are a few moments of utter silence in which everyone was plainly too  afraid to speak.

 Then, one old Minnesotan named Ole tentatively raised his  hand and said, “My wife got a pretty good look at you.”

Tee Hee!

Until next time,
Your Favorite REVA
Kathy

Kathy Goldman

REVA Online

…where “location” finally doesn’t matter!

www.REVAonline.com

www.Facebook.com/AskAREVA

www.Twitter.com/kathygoldman

www.LinkedIn.com/in/kmgoldman

Get your FREE WordPress Blog Here

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Back to School Investing Opportunities

For many, back to school means classes, textbooks and homework. Others see it as a drain on their pocketbook. As an investor, what does back to school mean to you?

Back to school season brings a whole new opportunity to real estate investors, particularly in college towns. College students represent a huge opportunity for residual monthly income. Every college student needs a place to live, and not all of them are able (or willing) to live in the dorms.

To take advantage of this opportunity, keep an eye on the properties in the big college towns. Don’t limit yourself to towns near you; you will be limiting your income potential as well. Hire a property management firm to handle all of your non-local properties; that’s what they are for!

Once you’ve found a property that fits your needs, don’t forget to check the local market. Has the property been consistently rented in the past? What is its going rental rate? Does the potential income outweigh the expenses?

If you’re looking for a great monthly income source, providing homes to college students is a great opportunity. Check out some properties now, and get them ready for the next back to school season!

Find cheap houses for sale at Realnet. Our agents can also offer advice on choosing the best investment properties for your portfolio!