I should point out that I thought the article was great, however I disagree with “Best Practice #2″.  I think it is your job to do some investigative research and to obtain as much info as you can about a prospect, go above and beyond where other agents don’t…this will set you apart from the rest.  I do this all the time and have never had anyone get on the defensive or be upset about it, most people are surprised, but thankful when you go the extra step…just be sure you have something of value to provide them with and not just call to pitch a sale.

Aside from that best practice, I agree with everything else in the article.  Check it out.  Enjoy!

6 Best Practices for Online Leads

* Note:  the links below will not work…I do not have a softRealty account setup for AuntBrenda.com

There are 2 approaches your developer can take with building your JavaScript logic:

Option 1:  JavaScript logic could dynamically update the iFrame src path.

Option 2:  JavaScript logic could build a new website Url and redirect to the new Url address with the selected search criteria.

I will leave it to your developer’s discretion on which option makes the most sense to implement. Regardless, both options will follow the same rules which are as follows:

Option 1: Base Address in iFrame src is: http://idx.softrealty.com/YourSite’sName/start/

Option 2: Base Address in browser url is: http://www.YourSite.com

Displaying Specific Property Page

1. Modify Base Address:
a. Option 1: Replace /start/ with /Details/ListingNumber=3684786;SourceName=FMLS
i. Example: http://idx.softrealty.com/auntbrenda/Details/ListingNumber=3684786;SourceName=FMLS
b. Option 2: Append the following to Base Address: /?Details/ListingNumber=3684786;SourceName=FMLS
i. Example: http://www.auntbrenda.com/?Details/ListingNumber=3684786;SourceName=FMLS
c. SourceName values can be GAMLS or FMLS.

Displaying Custom Search Results

2. Modify Base Address:
a. Option 1: Replace /start/ with /search/ and Search Criteria appended.
i. Example: http://idx.softrealty.com/auntbrenda/Search/
b. Option 2: Append /?search/ and Search Criteria to Base Address.
i. Example: http://www.auntbrenda.com/?Search/
3. Append Search Criteria to modified Base Address:
a. Apply Search Criteria using the following formats:
i. Search/CriteriaA=Value1;CriteriaB=Value2,Value3/
ii. Examples:
1.  http://idx.softrealty.com/atlantahomequest/Search/Cities=Atlanta,Suwanee,Duluth;ListPriceMin=300000/
2. http://www.auntbrenda.com/?Search/Cities=Atlanta,Suwanee,Duluth;ListPriceMin=300000/

iii. Notes:
1. Search Criteria can be applied in any order.
2. Multiple [Criteria=Value] Pairs are separated by semi-colons (;).
a. Examples: Cities;HasBasement;ListPriceMin
3. Some Criteria known as Selected Location Filters can support multiple Values.
a. Examples: Cities=Duluth,Atlanta,Suwanee;PostalCodes=30518,30341,30096
4. General Search Options support specifying a min and max range.
a. Min/Max Examples:
i. Min Only: Search/ListPriceMin=300000
ii. Max Only: Search/ListPriceMax=800000
iii. Both: Search/ListPriceMin=300000;ListPriceMax=800000
5. Valid Values for the Search Criteria can be found in the drop down boxes on the Search Page
6. List of Valid Search Criteria are listed below:

Valid Search Criteria:

Selected Location Filters (Supports multiple values):

Addresses (string)
Cities (string)
PostalCodes (string)
Counties (string)
Subdivisions (string)
ElementarySchools (string)
MiddleSchools (string)
HighSchools (string)
ListingNumbers (string)

General Search Options:

ListPriceMin (int)
ListPriceMax (int)
BedroomsMin (int)
BedroomsMax (int)
BathsFullMin (int)
BathsHalfMin (int)
BathsHalfMax (int)
YearBuiltMin (int)
YearBuiltMax (int)
LotSizeMin (int)
LotSizeMax (int)

Property Features:
GarageSize (0,1,2,3,Carport)
HasBasement (true/false)
HasGolf (true/false)
HasSwimTennis (true/false)
HasPool (true/false)
HasLake (true/false)
HasFence (true/false)
HasMasterOnMain (true/false)
ShowListingsWithPhotosOnly (true/false)

NOTE: To test various Search Criteria, your developer can use the link called “Link to this Page” and click the “Go” Button to see study how the query was built. This link is found on both the Search and Details pages.

Pictured below are screenshots illustrating the proximity alert feature:

They are also starting to come out with beta software to do GPS tours…when you drive by a POI, it starts an MP3 with info on that POI. 

Think about how this technolgoy could be used in real estate.  IVR systems like VoicePad, could soon be replaced by a GPS recording!  Your featured listings, a client’s gateway, etc. could become POIs downloadable from your website.  When the POI is downloaded from the internet into your GPS advertising/information is also downloaded on a voice file with that POI. 

Read more here.

xobni is free and provides the following features:  lightning fast email search, email analytics, navigate your inbox by people, your personal assistant, threaded conversations, quick attachement discovery, and phone number extraction from emails.

I can’t say enough good things about this product, the only negative I noticed is that I’m not as concerned with keeping my email organized, but then again I don’t need to!  I find it most useful when I’m trying to locate an email that contained a file sent to someone (or yourself), with xobni all you need to do is type in the person’s name or email address and you can easily find the attached file that you sent or someone sent to you.

Here’s a screenshot of xobni in use

:

I edited the screenshot using Jing Project.

The professionally designed newsletter will contain helpful hints and tips, new and innovative products and projects, and periodic money-saving coupons at Lowe’s.

Each e-newsletter comes with the following features to help you personalize your message.

* Monthly tips on selling, buying and moving
* Information to educate your clients about innovative home products and projects around the home that yield a high return
* Important home maintenance tips
* Periodic Project Starter Coupons for special savings at Lowe’s
* Include a direct link to your website and profile as well as the ability to have clients contact you directly via your e-mail

Fulton County GIS
Website: wms.co.fulton.ga.us

1. Click on Tax Parcel Queries
2. Enter the Address (Tip…do not include “street, lane, drive, etc.”)
3. Select the “Address” radial button
4. Click on “Map” (Note there are other options as well that are useful to check out)
5. Check the boxes next to “Elevation Contours and Elevation Labels”
6. Under the Arial Photos section, check the box next to “2007 Arial Photos”
7. Click on the Refresh button. This is the circular arrows next to the word “Layers” at the top of the menu.

Jing Project
Website: www.jingproject.com

1. Download Jing Project for Windows or Mac
2. Click on Run
3. Click Run Again after files load
4. You may also be prompted to download MS .NET Framwork…proceed with this process. If during the download it gives an error message, just click OK and continue.
5. Once the down load is completed (this will take a little while), the Jing Program will automatically come up. Click “I accept” then click on “Install”.
6. Click Finish
7. Go onto the internet and the Yellow Jing Ball will automatically attach at the top of the screen.
8. Click on the yellow ball. It will then ask you to set up hosting. Hosting is free for the duration of the project (a date yet to be determined). Fill in the required forms with your name and email address, etc.

Capturing an Image with Jing Project

1. Hover over the Yellow Jing Ball.
2. Click on the Capture crosshairs – first icon to the left
3. Select the area you want to capture. Note, while you are selecting the area, the size of the selection will also be shown.
4. Click on the “image icon” in the lower left corner
5. Click on either the “Save” or “Copy” button at the bottom of the image.
6. If Copy is selected, this image can be pasted directly into an email, Word or Publisher document. Just place the cursor where you want to paste the image, right click and select Paste.

Editing Tools:

· Arrows
· Text
· Outline
· Highlight
· Color

Related Posts:

How to Create, Produce and Share Screen-Shots and Videos From Your Computer
Great Web Resource for Real Estate Agents: Fulton County GIS

1). Log into fmls.com with your fmls user name and password

2). Once logged in, click FMLSWeb button on the left-hand side of the page

3). Select Agent Elections (if you’re an agent) and Company Elections and Agents Elections (If you’re a Broker)

4). Information displays in the middle of the screen now. Scroll down the page to:

Change Agent Elections – Select FMLSWeb Approved Data Vendor – the third option

5). Agree and accept the Terms of Use

6). Find and Select softRealty from the approved data vendor softRealty

We will be notified via email of your selection. You will also received a copy

IF YOU DON’T SEE THE FMLSWEB BUTTON:
This means that you (and you’re Broker, if you’re an Agent) are not yet a participant in the FMLSweb program and you must first participate in order to be able to display FMLS property listing content on your web site. Please see the Qualifying Broker of your company for information as to his or her policy on Broker Reciprocity/IDX and participation in the FMLSweb program. If the qualifying Broker is not familiar with FMLS Broker Reciprocity/IDX and/or participation in the FMLSweb program, please have them (only) contact the FMLS Data Services Department at 678-904-0446. This means contact your broker or qualifying broker to see about participating in their IDX program in order for you to have and FMLSWeb button under your fmls.com login.

You can use Jing Project to capture a screen-shot like the one below and add arrows and text (even stick figured people) to get a point across.

(click on image to enlarge)

…or use it to create video.

You can even share your computer screen with someone while you give them a tutorial!!!

Jing Project is free and Realtors can use this technology in a variety of ways…what are you waiting for, download Jing Project today!

Animoto allows for FREE production of short 30 sec duration videos like the one featured above or you can produce much longer videos with an All-Access Pass for just $30/year…that’s right…a year, finally something for Realtors that isn’t $30 a month! To receive $5 off your All-Access Pass enter the promotional code. “vjbqnlyr” You can also pay per video for just $3 a video. Give it a try…you’ll get hooked!