Thursday, February 28, 2019
Uberizing Real Estate with Zillow Offers
[Note from editor: We publish a Weekly Transmission for Geek Estate Mastermind members that consists of long form articles covering the spectrum from shipping container co-living spaces to the battle for listing acquisition in the first iBuyer world war. Below is a preview of this month’s sample Transmission, which is delivered in full via email.]
FEBRUARY MONTHLY TRANSMISSION
BY DREW MEYERS
Originally Published: February 28th, 2019
My jaw dropped when I heard Rich Barton was taking the helm of Zillow again. After all, Spencer Rascoff is an unbelievable executive and the company is the category king, with 157 million monthly users.
Zillow roots run deep for me. Back in 2005, Rich Barton was the single biggest reason I pursued a job at Zillow without any knowledge of the business or the product. As a young whippersnapper looking to soak up anything and everything about tech, business, and management, his intelligence, confidence, and presence deeply inspired me.
The company faced few setbacks, aside from the layoffs in 2008. The consumer was our north star. Rich dreamed big, Spencer kept the pieces moving, and we followed. The transition from Rich to Spencer in 2010 was the right move. At the time, Zillow needed an operator to scale.
Now, it needs a bolt of lightning.
With Zillow Offers floundering and a clear path forward uncertain, Rich offers the company its best chance to innovate its way to growth. There’s nothing quite like a founder’s passion and credibility to right a swaying ship.
Accessing the full article: To receive the Monthly Transmission & Radar going forward, please ensure “Receive Monthly Radar/Transmission” is set to YES in your email settings. The full versions are NOT posted on the blog.
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Reminder: To receive the Monthly Transmission & Radar going forward, please ensure “Receive Monthly Radar/Transmission” is set to YES in your email settings. The full versions are NOT posted on the blog.
The post Uberizing Real Estate with Zillow Offers appeared first on GeekEstate Blog.
from theokbrowne digest https://geekestateblog.com/uberizing-real-estate-with-zillow-offers/
New agent? Let’s bust some myths about your new career
Today’s all about real estate myth busting – new agents, be sure to follow along.
Welcome to the real estate biz, new agent. You’re joining more than 1.3 million other professionals, at varying stages of their careers.
In fact, nearly 30 percent of agents in the U.S. have less than two years of experience (and the largest share of that group is age 45 to 54), according to the NAR, so you are in good company.
Your first few days in your new broker’s office will be an eye-opener. Some of your misconceptions about being a real estate agent will be corrected and you’ll hear conflicting advice on everything from how to generate leads to how best to construct your new website.
We’ve gathered some of the most common misconceptions new agents harbor and drag them into the glaring light of reality.
By the way, since the majority of real estate agents are female, we’ll be using the feminine pronoun throughout. (Sorry guys).
Real Estate Myth #1: Your broker is your boss
Reality: One of the hardest habits that new agents find hard to break free of is the “employee mentality.”
Sure, a handful of brokerages across the country hire agents as employees, but the vast majority of agents are independent contractors. They are, in reality, small business owners.
As an independent contractor, working under a broker’s license, your broker is not your boss. She cannot (according to the IRS):
- Direct and control your work
- Tell you where and when to work
- Dictate which tools you use or where to purchase supplies and services
- Limit your ability to seek out business opportunities
- Guarantee a regular wage amount
- Provide employee-type benefits, such as health insurance, vacation or sick pay or a pension plan.
As a small-business owner, you create your schedule, budget, marketing plan, health insurance and anything else required of the typical small business owner.
In other words, you are your own boss.
Real Estate Myth #2: My broker will provide me with leads
Reality: This one goes hand-in-hand with Real Estate Myth #1. Unless your broker is your employer, you can typically count out getting leads handed to you.
As a self-employed agent, you’ll need to drum up your own business and fill your own pipeline.
How to start?
- Get your real estate website up and running
- Offer to hold open other agents’ listings
- Learn additional real estate lead generation tips for new real estate agents
Real Estate Myth #3: Real estate agents are on-call 24/7
Reality: The NAR’s latest member survey finds that real estate agents work 40 hours a week. Now, that’s the average agent.
Those who make in excess of $100,000 per year tend to work more hours – about 50 hours a week, according to the NAR.
Once you become established, if you find yourself working 50 hours a week and not earning more than $100,000 a year, you’re not working smart. Consider asking one of the mega-agents to mentor you. Learn what they do with those extra 10 hours a week that’s bringing in the big bucks.
Typically, you’ll find that they automate many tasks, delegate others and they’re extremely organized.
Real Estate Myth #4: I don’t need a CRM, I’ll just use Post-it® notes.
Reality: Hey, those psychedelic-colored stick-ums are great memory prodders.
But they can only hold so much information. When it comes to storing the masses of information that good real estate leads generate, they fall short.
A CRM will help you to not only store this information but to organize, segment and laser-focus your communications.
Don’t cut corners when it comes to purchasing CRM software. It’ll only bit you on the hiney as you get deeper into the business.
Keep your leads and track activity across your site with LeadSites and our built-in CRM – free with every LeadSite. Learn more
Real Estate Myth #5: My friends, family and past clients are guaranteed future clients
Reality: NAR says that, in 2018, only 12 percent of homebuyers used an agent they’d worked with in the past.
This, despite 90 percent claiming they would use their agent again.
So, what happened between the deal’s closing and their need, again, for a real estate agent?
They forgot about you, most likely.
And, that’s the agent’s fault. There is a fortune to made from past clients, but that fortune lies in the follow-up.
More than one agent has found this out the hard way. When an acquaintance lists their home with another agent because he or she “forgot” you are in real estate, that’s your fault.
Spend time talking to your colleagues about their follow-up campaigns. Then, form your own. It is one of the most important tasks you’ll face in the real estate business and one that, sadly, so many other agents let fall through the cracks.
One of the biggest real estate myths that the public holds about real estate agents is that anyone can do your job. And, given a license, that’s probably true.
Succeeding as an agent, however, requires far more. And, that is our wish for you. Amazing, brilliant success.
Trying to optimize your website? Here’s how the top 10 real estate websites are getting traffic.
Still trying to decide on a logo? Here are some tips that can help:
The post New agent? Let’s bust some myths about your new career appeared first on Easy Agent Pro.
from theokbrowne digest https://www.easyagentpro.com/blog/real-estate-myth/
Wednesday, February 27, 2019
Tuesday, February 26, 2019
CompCurve uses raw MLS data to provide market insight
[Note from the editor: The “Master Showcase” highlights companies and news from member of the Geek Estate Mastermind. Today’s showcase: CompCurve]
CompCurve delivers business intelligence driven by MLS data for agents, teams and brokerages to provide unparalleled market insights. Customizable reports for specific markets allow for analyzing and comparing the book of any agent to competitors instantly. They make it easy to accomplish a broad array of tasks, including looking into transactions, creating compliant market claims, listing presentations and reverse prospecting lists.
Whether you plan to recruit, prospect or coach, CompCurve gives you insight that past generations could only dream of, enabling you to work smarter rather than harder.
What we like: Their wide range of dashboard features offer detailed breakdowns of every aspect of market date, ranking from agent and office rankings to the ability to export data to tools like Excel and compare office vs. market trends.
The post CompCurve uses raw MLS data to provide market insight appeared first on GeekEstate Blog.
from theokbrowne digest https://geekestateblog.com/compcurve-uses-raw-mls-data-to-provide-market-insight/
Your spring real estate listing descriptions (plus a free home staging guide)
You know the feeling – it sets in right about now. When you can’t stand the thought of one more snowflake, when your backyard looks like the Arctic tundra and all you want is a warm beach on which to thaw out your winter-weary body.
Guess what? Your homebuyers are feeling it too, especially if you sell real estate in some of the nation’s colder climes.
Use these longings to your seller’s benefit by spicing up your spring real estate listing descriptions. Let’s conjure up feelings of hot fun in the summertime.
Download the FREE guide – 38 dirt-cheap home staging ideas:
Use your words
According to a study published last summer at Realtor.com, summer listings that included the words “summer days” or “summer fun” were popular, especially in the Northeast.
“In Michigan . . . listings with these terms cost a whopping 36 percent more per square foot than real estate listing descriptions without them,” according to Nicolas Beto, analytic data analyst with realtor.com®.
If you list homes in California, however, avoid using these terms. The study found a 21 percent decrease in prices of real estate listing descriptions using them.
Instead, find a way to incorporate a reference to barbecuing. This goes for Arizona and Utah agents as well. The study finds that in Utah, listings that mention “barbecue” (or variants of the word) cost nearly 60 percent “more per square foot than the typical home” statewide. In Arizona, it’s 33 percent more.
The “largest listing price premiums,” however, went to listings that touted outdoor showers. Apparently, homes with this feature, and a listing description that highlights it, have nearly twice the listing price of homes without it.
Finally, backyard fireplaces and pits are popular features to mention. Especially in Indiana, North Carolina, California and Idaho.
We all know that adding a pool to a home doesn’t necessarily increase its value. We also know that in some regions, a home without a pool won’t be worth as much as nearby homes with one.
Although the study doesn’t mention Las Vegas, the city is the perfect example of this rule.
If most of the homes in the neighborhood have pools and your listing doesn’t, it will sell for less than nearby homes. Arizona, California, Florida and Hawaii have pretty much the same situation (at least in the warmer regions).
The phrase that pays here, at least according to realtor.com’s research, is “entertainer’s pools.” We kind of think that folks in Vegas and L.A. might be a bit confused by this term what will all the wealthy entertainers (celebs) who live in the area.
Be that as it may, it turns out that just the mere mention of a pool “adds value to a home,” in these areas, with “gains of at least 14% per square foot.”
Realtor.com’s study was conducted in May 2018, so balmy weather wasn’t exactly the norm over many of the regions surveyed. Which leads us to conclude that these are brilliant late-winter/early-spring listing description “keywords.”
Proudly showcase your listing with LeadSites – Learn more
Ignore the weather and stage to sell
It doesn’t do any good to talk-the-talk if the walk-the-walk of your listing description fails. Despite the polar vortex that may still be hanging around in your neck of the woods, stage the home as if it’s summer.
If you do your own staging, this will be a snap. Otherwise, you’ll have to either talk your sellers into hiring a stager or convince them to go shopping and stage it themselves.
Start at the front door by ditching the winter wreath for something more evocative of summer. We like this one at GrandinRoad.com and this sunflower pineapple wreath available at Etsy.
While you’re at the front door, how about a summery door mat? Amazon.com has a big selection of them. If the sellers have a boot tray out front, stick a couple of pairs of colorful flip-flops in it.
But, it’s the backyard that is of special interest to these summer-minded buyers. Especially on open house day, light up that fire pit or throw some fake shrimp or a faux lobster on the barbie, set the outdoor table with fake cocktails (patio cocktail glasses with water died with blue food coloring and cheesy umbrellas on the rim), some patio dining ware and you’re good to go.
Check out party supply stores and the craft section at Walmart (they have amazing fake fruit) for other ideas.
Pools are typically still buckled up tight, at least in cold climes, but you can stage the area by setting up outdoor seating and draping it with towels. Use a colorful, stand-up patio umbrella to keep the vignette from getting soaked.
Mentions of “pool” in your real estate listing descriptions, however, scores big points with buyers in Hawaii, Nevada, California and Arizona – all places where you won’t have to fake it. Ensure the pool is sparkling clean and staged to be the focal point of the backyard.
Wow – we don’t know about you, but all this talk about barbecuing and swimming pools has us counting the days until summer (or maybe looking for instant gratification with a trip to Hawaii).
Interested in an all-in-one digital marketing tool built for real estate professionals? See how LeadSites can help!
200 marketing ideas to supercharge your real estate business
The post Your spring real estate listing descriptions (plus a free home staging guide) appeared first on Easy Agent Pro.
from theokbrowne digest https://www.easyagentpro.com/blog/spring-real-estate-listing-descriptions/
Expert Interview: The Covenant of Quiet Enjoyment Explained
RENTCafe is bringing you a series of interviews that address the most common landlord-tenant legal matters. Our goal is to inform you of your options and to give you a sense of perspective and confidence when tackling these matters. There is quite a difference between ‘being home’ and ‘feeling at home’ where you live. Some people […]
The post Expert Interview: The Covenant of Quiet Enjoyment Explained appeared first on RENTCafé rental blog.
from theokbrowne digest https://www.rentcafe.com/blog/expert-interviews/quiet-enjoyment/
Expert Interview: The Covenant of Quiet Enjoyment Explained
RENTCafe is bringing you a series of interviews that address the most common landlord-tenant legal matters. Our goal is to inform you of your options and to give you a sense of perspective and confidence when tackling these matters. There is quite a difference between ‘being home’ and ‘feeling at home’ where you live. Some people […]
The post Expert Interview: The Covenant of Quiet Enjoyment Explained appeared first on RENTCafé rental blog.
from theokbrowne digest https://www.rentcafe.com/blog/expert-interviews/quiet-enjoyment/
Monday, February 25, 2019
When Is a Suburban Rental the Best Bet for You?
Historically, tenants associated the rental lifestyle with an apartment in an urban area. In the post-recession boom, millennials moved en masse to major metros as apartment construction reached record-high levels and homeownership declined. It seemed cities and renting were inextricably linked. While major metros remain an attractive option for younger people, cities are no longer […]
The post When Is a Suburban Rental the Best Bet for You? appeared first on RENTCafé rental blog.
from theokbrowne digest https://www.rentcafe.com/blog/apartment-search-2/when-is-a-suburban-rental-the-best-bet-for-you/
Sunday, February 24, 2019
Meet the Real Estate Tech Founder: Eric Tseng from PadScouts
In our latest real estate tech entrepreneur interview, we’re speaking with Eric Tseng from PadScouts.
Without further ado…
What do you do?
I am the Cofounder and CEO of PadScouts. We empower the industry’s top technology stack to maximize their sphere of influence and prioritize conversations.
What problem does your product/service solve?
When real estate professionals buy ads from Facebook or Google, they’re able to target specific audiences (i.e. interested in real estate, baby plans, specific demographics, etc.). But, they have no access to the marketing data profiles of individual people that the marketing companies possess. Now, with just a phone number or an email address of a contact, real estate professionals can know how marketing companies see their personal and professional contacts in PadScouts’ SOPHIE mobile app. We provide easy access to this data in their hands.
Video demo of their Sophie product:
What are you most excited about right now?
Letting real estate professionals learn about consumer data and how it can be implemented into their businesses. That’s why we’re providing our product free to anyone who wants to understand data. I learned quickly that a lot of real estate professionals don’t understand and, therefore, can’t picture how data can be used in their businesses. Now, there’s no excuse for not using it because our Starter tier is free forever. By giving our product away, I think it’s the best way we can learn together and create a truly meaningful product. There’s a big opportunity that exists for real estate professionals right now. With all the buzz around iBuyers and large technology companies threatening to take over the real estate industry, I’m long on the the agents’ advantage over their tech competitors. Real estate transactions are complex and can come with a lot of risk. Defusing that risk and stress by going through a trusted professional is still the simplest solution for consumers. If real estate professionals utilize the right tools to get in front of their sphere of influence before an iBuyer’s ad gets to them, they have the edge over the large tech entrants.
What’s next for you?
Continue to improve the product and to add more data that’s relevant to real estate professionals. Our goal is to receive enough feedback from professionals to create a truly valuable tool and to eventually use the data to create buyer/seller predictions. At PadScouts we wanted to provide a product that provides a lot of value first (easy access to data used by the top marketers in the world) and then start to work on our predictive models so that it will be even more useful for professionals in the future.
What’s a cause you’re passionate about and why?
I am passionate about serving my country. Prior to getting into the technology scene, I served six years in the U.S. Army and I continue to serve in the Army Reserves. I immigrated to the U.S. when I was very young and have always felt a debt a gratitude to it. It only felt right that I should serve, as a way to appreciate the opportunities that have been made available to me.
Thanks to Eric for sharing his story. If you’d like to connect, find him on LinkedIn here.
We’re constantly looking for great real estate tech entrepreneurs to feature. If that’s you, please read this post — then drop me a line (drew @ geekestatelabs dot com).
The post Meet the Real Estate Tech Founder: Eric Tseng from PadScouts appeared first on GeekEstate Blog.
from theokbrowne digest https://geekestateblog.com/meet-the-real-estate-tech-founder-eric-tseng-from-padscouts/
Thursday, February 21, 2019
Estated and Reonomy CEOs agree – data digitization, not standardization in the near future
In a recent live conference call, hosted by real estate publisher, Propmodo, a few forward thinking minds in property data gauged their predictions on future progress in data transparency and digital access in the real estate biz – anticipating progress, yet at varying speeds.
The two guest participants, Reonomy CEO Richard Sarkis and Estated CEO Joshua Fraser (disclosure: I work for him), discussed the data challenges being faced currently in the world of real estate technology in a 35 minute session moderated by Candyce Edelyn of PropelGrowth and Franco Fraudo of Propmodo
This call focused on the topic of data accessibility, one of 9 prevalent topics at the forefront of the built environment chosen by Propmodo as part of their 2019 Metatrend series, which includes special feature editorials, events and facilitated discussions.
Data accessibility focuses on how we get more data into the hands of those who need it.
Thanks to digitization and new players focusing on data aggregation, access is accelerating faster than ever. By continuing to focus on standardization, enhanced usability of the data once accessed will provide a new level of capabilities for companies who intend to make their mark in the largest asset class in the world.
While leading the charge at Estated, a public record aggregator, Fraser has learned a bit about the hurdles of collecting and processing the massive amounts of source data available across the U.S. He chuckles at the fact that some sources still send him CD-ROMs housing the data, painting a picture of the portion of manual data collection that still exists in this digitized world. Nevertheless, Fraser is confident that we are just a few years off from having this data fully aggregated and accessible, providing the foundational layer needed to support the next benchmark – standardization.
Both Sarkis and Fraser have their doubts about the likelihood of a real estate standard being implemented anytime soon, however, given how the industry operates.
Sarkis pointed out that there are companies making progress in pockets and in regions, but looking at a nationwide scale brings up too many questions around who is going to be responsible for driving adoption and implementation.
Candyce Edelyn also contributed a unique perspective to the conversation. Coming from a background in securities and trading, she referenced the implementation of a standard decades ago as a catalyst for a huge leap forward in that industry –– which was prompted not by a standardizing body, but by the largest companies coming together in order to make their businesses better, which included their bottom line.
So could the same approach work in the real estate market?
It’s not likely, due to a massive amount of privatization and a lack of financial incentive.
Lack of financial incentive
As demonstrated in the securities example above, change was made because it was in the best interest of corporations who could prompt and drive adoption. Sarkis makes the point that in real estate, there is still power in holding proprietary data and there is not yet enough of an incentive for these companies to relinquish it.
This is where we see the game of tug-of-war between a financial incentive for specific companies over the good of participants throughout the entire industry.
Edelyn drove the point home that transparency is essential to efficient markets and getting vendors and industry participants involved can be a reason for broad adoption of a standards body – and they have a lot to gain – given the potential for interoperability with the data. Success with standards implementation means that the data will no longer be held hostage in silos from one company to another and businesses will work better together, improve customer services, and ultimately cut costs if they can make better data-driven decisions.
Privatization
Associations such as the MLS and NAR are huge influencers that don’t have the same use cases for interoperability as other businesses in the industry.
The MLS is relied upon by brokers and agents for data, not in need of it. Though these organizations serve the industry, they are certainly not in a position to be severely influenced by industry shifts – they hold the power to cause these shifts. And though as Fraser points out, the number of MLS entities nationwide has significantly declined in recent years as they choose to work together and join together, they are still influential individual players that will have decision making power regarding the future of data standardization in real estate.
There are many reasons why standardization in the industry would be beneficial and businesses and associations like RESO are making strides because of this. The complexity of players involved, however, makes the project of standardization more like a puzzle than a board game – each piece that makes up the industry must come together, there is not one path to be taken for each player from start to finish. Where and how these players are going to come together is still to be determined.
Finding the right way to shape the benefit of a real estate data standards for each player involved is the magic key to what so many are craving for in this industry.
When and why do you think the tables will finally turn?
The post Estated and Reonomy CEOs agree – data digitization, not standardization in the near future appeared first on GeekEstate Blog.
from theokbrowne digest https://geekestateblog.com/estated-and-reonomy-ceos-agree-data-digitization-not-standardization-in-the-near-future/
Estated and Reonomy CEOs agree –– data digitization, not standardization in the near future
In a recent live conference call, hosted by real estate publisher, Propmodo, a few forward thinking minds in property data gauged their predictions on future progress in data transparency and digital access in the real estate biz – anticipating progress, yet at varying speeds.
The two guest participants, Reonomy CEO Richard Sarkis and Estated CEO Joshua Fraser (disclosure: I work for him), discussed the data challenges being faced currently in the world of real estate technology in a 35 minute session moderated by Candyce Edelyn of PropelGrowth and Franco Fraudo of Propmodo
This call focused on the topic of data accessibility, one of 9 prevalent topics at the forefront of the built environment chosen by Propmodo as part of their 2019 Metatrend series, which includes special feature editorials, events and facilitated discussions.
Data accessibility focuses on how we get more data into the hands of those who need it.
Thanks to digitization and new players focusing on data aggregation, access is accelerating faster than ever. By continuing to focus on standardization, enhanced usability of the data once accessed will provide a new level of capabilities for companies who intend to make their mark in the largest asset class in the world.
While leading the charge at Estated, a public record aggregator, Fraser has learned a bit about the hurdles of collecting and processing the massive amounts of source data available across the U.S. He chuckles at the fact that some sources still send him CD-ROMs housing the data, painting a picture of the portion of manual data collection that still exists in this digitized world. Nevertheless, Fraser is confident that we are just a few years off from having this data fully aggregated and accessible, providing the foundational layer needed to support the next benchmark –– standardization.
Both Sarkis and Fraser have their doubts about the likelihood of a real estate standard being implemented anytime soon, however, given how the industry operates.
Sarkis pointed out that there are companies making progress in pockets and in regions, but looking at a nationwide scale brings up too many questions around who is going to be responsible for driving adoption and implementation.
Candyce Edelyn also contributed a unique perspective to the conversation. Coming from a background in securities and trading, she referenced the implementation of a standard decades ago as a catalyst for a huge leap forward in that industry –– which was prompted not by a standardizing body, but by the largest companies coming together in order to make their businesses better, which included their bottom line.
So could the same approach work in the real estate market?
It’s not likely, due to a massive amount of privatization and a lack of financial incentive.
Lack of financial incentive
As demonstrated in the securities example above, change was made because it was in the best interest of corporations who could prompt and drive adoption. Sarkis makes the point that in real estate, there is still power in holding proprietary data and there is not yet enough of an incentive for these companies to relinquish it.
This is where we see the game of tug-of-war between a financial incentive for specific companies over the good of participants throughout the entire industry.
Edelyn drove the point home that transparency is essential to efficient markets and getting vendors and industry participants involved can be a reason for broad adoption of a standards body –– and they have a lot to gain –– given the potential for interoperability with the data. Success with standards implementation means that the data will no longer be held hostage in silos from one company to another and businesses will work better together, improve customer services, and ultimately cut costs if they can make better data-driven decisions.
Privatization
Associations such as the MLS and NAR are huge influencers that don’t have the same use cases for interoperability as other businesses in the industry.
The MLS is relied upon by brokers and agents for data, not in need of it. Though these organizations serve the industry, they are certainly not in a position to be severely influenced by industry shifts –– they hold the power to cause these shifts. And though as Fraser points out, the number of MLS entities nationwide has significantly declined in recent years as they choose to work together and join together, they are still influential individual players that will have decision making power regarding the future of data standardization in real estate.
There are many reasons why standardization in the industry would be beneficial and businesses and associations like RESO are making strides because of this. The complexity of players involved, however, makes the project of standardization more like a puzzle than a board game –– each piece that makes up the industry must come together, there is not one path to be taken for each player from start to finish. Where and how these players are going to come together is still to be determined.
Finding the right way to shape the benefit of a real estate data standards for each player involved is the magic key to what so many are craving for in this industry.
When and why do you think the tables will finally turn?
The post Estated and Reonomy CEOs agree –– data digitization, not standardization in the near future appeared first on GeekEstate Blog.
from theokbrowne digest https://geekestateblog.com/estated-and-reonomy-ceos-agree-data-digitization-not-standardization-in-the-near-future/
Appraisal AI is Using AI for Next Generation Pricing Models
[Note from editor: The “Mastermind Showcase” highlights companies and news from members of the Geek Estate Mastermind. Today’s showcase: Appraisal.ai]
Combining big data and artificial intelligence, Appraisal AI is working to create the most accurate Intelligent Valuation Models to increase transparency in real estate markets around the country.
Appraisal AI believes that technology is still underutilized when it comes to the real estate industry. Currently focusing on Single Family Residences, Appraisal AI looks forward to the day when families can make informed decisions about buying and selling without having to guess.
According to CEO and founder, Ritesh Bansal, “We tend to overestimate the short-term impact of technological change and underestimate its long-term impact. AI and Big Data will profoundly transform the real estate transaction process.”
Designed to learn and adapt, their models include data such as neighborhood information (including schools, taxes, crime, hospitals and more), geospatial data sets, social-economic data, spatial data and FEMA.
For more information on Appraisal AI’s work, products and vision, visit www.appraisal.ai.
The post Appraisal AI is Using AI for Next Generation Pricing Models appeared first on GeekEstate Blog.
from theokbrowne digest https://geekestateblog.com/appraisal-ai-is-using-ai-for-next-generation-pricing-models/
Real estate lead gen strategies for the sick-of-cold-calling agent
Download the free guide: Stop cold calling with these real estate lead gen strategies:
There comes a time in many small business owner’s lives when we hit a wall.
We think it probably happens more often to those folks who cold call to drum up business. Dialing for dollars is not only boring, it’s stressful.
Hey, if cold calling is working for you and it doesn’t bother you, don’t let us dissuade you. But for agents who are sick of the cold-call grind and want to switch it up (even if only for a while), we have a few alternative real estate lead gen strategies for you to try.
No, these real estate lead gen strategies aren’t groundbreaking. Heck, they aren’t even unconventional. But they are alternatives to picking up the phone to call someone you don’t know who probably doesn’t want to hear from you.
Better yet, some are even fun.
Dabble in divorcee real estate
OK, so this one isn’t fun (we’re saving those for last). It can be lucrative, however, and a much quicker lead generator than cold calling.
We went into this topic in detail back in December (find it here), but here’s a quick overview of what it takes to generate divorce listings.
If you like to gawk at train wrecks, are fascinated by other people’s problems and love a challenge this is the real estate niche for you.
You’ll need to be an ace communicator, work well under pressure, have the ability to remain impartial and posses an overabundance of tact and patience.
Rounding up the leads requires good, old fashioned real estate chops. Buying a list is probably the best way to hit the ground running, but there are other ways of finding divorcing couples.
Consider emailing local divorce attorneys asking for referrals. In some states, such as California, an attorney referral helps you avoid wasting time and resources trolling for clients while they’re under an Automatic Temporary Restraining Order (and not allowed to sell the home).
Or, consider running ads on Facebook or Google to drum up divorce real estate leads. Check out Tyler Zey’s examples here.
Death and real estate
Transform your mild-mannered, generalist real estate self into a probate real estate expert and rake in the bucks.
There is a learning curve to this niche, but one that is well worth it for the tenacious. I mean, how many probate agents are there in your town? It’s the learning curve required that makes this a wide-open niche.
Several companies offer classes and certifications. We’re not familiar with them so we can’t vouch for them, but here are a few we found:
- REWW Academy
- MTI Education
- Local Realtor® associations sometimes offer probate classes
Probate leads, like divorce leads, can come from a number of sources. These include:
- Buying them (ReboGateway is one company that investors talk a lot about, but there are others)
- Striking up referral relationships with probate attorneys. Investors claim this is a waste of time. One probate attorney online, however, begs to differ:
“I am a probate attorney (in Atlanta), and I refer to a few trusted realtors all the time- probably 1-2 sales per month.” He goes on to give a recipe for how to build a relationship with his colleagues.
Connect with leads at a moments notice with Texty, a feature of LeadSites. Easily build automated SMS and more – Learn more
“It’s all about relationships. Letters sent to me without an invitation to meet and form a relationship do absolutely get thrown in the trash all the time.”
Scouring court records is time consuming yet fruitful. PublicRecordCenter.com will let you know, with links if they exist, which counties in the country have online records. Otherwise, you’ll need to talk to the county clerk to find out how to access probate records.
Real estate marketing to absentee owners
This one is so easy, IF you plan on being consistent and persistent. The best way to go after these leads is by implementing and sticking to a direct mail campaign. Start it with a market update. This is valuable information for people who own investment property.
Then, follow up consistently with other valuable info. Send Just Listed/Sold postcards to show the absentee owner that there is real estate activity going on in the neighborhood. Send additional market updates monthly or quarterly. Snap a photo of the property and attach it to your market reports.
Get additional tips on real estate lead gen strategies for absentee owners here.
Farming by mail (with a little digital pizzazz thrown in)
Farming is a brilliant way to build name recognition, authority and a lead funnel. And, it doesn’t require picking up the phone.
Direct mail is your best friend when you farm and items to send run the gamut from postcards and letters to newsletters and market updates.
But, don’t stop with the direct mail campaign. Reinforce it with a digital backup, such as area-specific websites and Facebook pages.
Check out the benefits of this program with Tyler’s video “How to Rank on Google for Real Estate Neighborhoods You’re Farming.”
Social media real estate lead gen strategies
Use the time you spent cold calling to become fully engaged on Facebook, LinkedIn and any other social media platforms you use.
Write or curate content that is share-worthy, respond to comments, comment on other’s posts. Get ideas in our post “49 Facebook Posts for Real Estate Professionals,” read “Tips for a Stronger Facebook Presence” and learn why you should be rocking LinkedIn.
Ride the coattails of community events
Most larger cities and a multitude of smaller ones are home to a couple of community events each year. These are perfect real estate lead generation opportunities that don’t require picking up the phone or a lot of money.
Sure, you can hold your own event, by why not let someone else do the heavy lifting while you step in as a vendor?
Fun runs are typically well-attended and the organizers welcome volunteers and vendors. Rent a pop-up tent or canopy to provide welcome shade to runners/walkers and call it Sally Agent’s Beverage Station, or something like that.
As the participants stop by, hand them a branded bottle of water and a real estate brochure or something similar.
Or, consider sponsoring a local kids’ sports team. Offer to provide half-time snacks or jerseys in exchange for your banner being provided a prominent spot at games. The parents of these kids are more likely to be potential clients than some random person you might get to speak to on a cold call.
None of these real estate lead gen strategies will make you an overnight sensation. But choose one or two and vow to give it your all—to be consistent and persistent — for the rest of 2019 and you may just find you’ll never need to make another cold call.
Ready for a digital marketing platform that works as hard as you do? See how LeadSites makes real estate easy.
Looking for more lead gen ideas? Here are 53 ways to generate leads (and a secret lead gen tip you can’t afford to miss!)
The post Real estate lead gen strategies for the sick-of-cold-calling agent appeared first on Easy Agent Pro.
from theokbrowne digest https://www.easyagentpro.com/blog/real-estate-lead-gen-strategies-for-the-sick-of-cold-calling-agent/
Reasons for Hiring a Realtor to Find Rent in a Competitive Rental Market
Article written by Dani Vanderboegh from Homelight When people think ‘realtor’, they often think of the home-buying or home-selling process, but real estate agents do so much more, including help clients secure rentals in the best location at the best price. If you live in a largely rental-based market or are planning to move to one, a […]
The post Reasons for Hiring a Realtor to Find Rent in a Competitive Rental Market appeared first on RENTCafé rental blog.
from theokbrowne digest https://www.rentcafe.com/blog/apartment-search-2/hiring-a-realtor-to-find-your-rental-apartment/
Wednesday, February 20, 2019
TIC UNIT FOR SALE | 1222 1/2 N Hoover Street | $539,000
Charming Silver Lake Spanish with Views!
This Spanish residence has been beautifully remodeled with new hardwood and tile floors, brilliant light and architectural details throughout. The spacious layout is bright with high ceilings and freshly painted walls. There is a perfect little balcony to enjoy your morning coffee with a view of the Hollywood sign. The kitchen retains it’s charm with original cabinetry and built-ins, and has been tastefully updated with butcher block countertops, Spanish tile, new fixtures and new hardware. With original trim and 5 panel doors with period hardware, this home merges the old with the new and feels effortless and simple. Amenities include a laundry room at the rear of the unit, assigned off-street parking and newly landscaped front lawns with olive trees. This incredible location is central to Silver Lake Junction and Los Feliz Village and a block from The Kitchen, Dinosaur Coffee, Ma’am Sir and more. Easy access to the Metro, the 2 and 101 freeways.
This is a new TIC community in Silver Lake! TIC communities are rapidly emerging in LA. For more information on TIC ownership, see www.andysirkin.com. TIC units are a great option for 1st time homeowners or entry-level buyers. Financing available – with as little as 10% down thru Sterling Bank, Henry Jeanes, HJeanes@sterlingbank.com. Contact listing agent more more information or to view.
Intimate 4-unit community with low HOA dues. All 4 units in the community are available for sale.
1222 1/2 N. Hoover Street, Silver Lake
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Details:
- 122421/2 N Hoover Street
- 2 BED/ 1 BATH
- SQUARE FEET: 910 SQ/FT
- LIST PRICE: $535,000
- Off Street Parking
- HOA Dues $200/month
For more information, contact Listing Agent:
Liz McDonald, Broker
TRG Realty Company, Inc.
The Rental Girl Sales
323-313-5780 Cell
liz@therentalgirl.com
BRE #: 01449897
MORE FROM THE RENTAL GIRL ON TIC OWNERSHIP:
- Read more about TIC ownership HERE
- View all our current TIC offerings HERE
- View The Rental Girl’s current properties for sale HERE
- Visit Andy Sirkin’s website for more research on TIC sales HERE
(Andy is the TIC attorney who pioneered TIC sales in the early 80’s in San Fran. His website has a wealth of info on TIC ownership). - Interesting in purchasing a TIC? Contact an experienced TIC Realtor®
Elizabeth McDonald, Broker & TIC Specialist
liz@therentalgirl.com
TRG Realty Company, Inc.
The Rental Girl
323-313-5780 / Cell
BRE Lic #: 01449897
ABOUT THE RENTAL GIRL & HOW WE GOT INVOLVED WITH TIC:
The Rental Girl (therentalgirl.com) is a full service Real Estate brokerage specializing in residential leasing and sales. We have been serving renters and landlords since 2004. We work with thousands of Los Angeles renters each year, and many of these renters are qualified to buy, but can’t afford or find a home in a neighborhood they want to live. In 2016, a client of ours introduced us to TIC ownership and we saw immediately how many renters and entry level buyers in LA could benefit from a TIC market here. We met with Sterling Bank, who was working actively to pioneer a TIC market in LA, and other San Francisco vendors. And so began our research on TICs. Since then, we have helped bring many TIC units to the market, and we have many new TIC communities coming soon. With every new TIC building that hits the market, more renters, landlords and realtors are discovering TIC sales and the TIC movement is growing rapidly. We love to share our accumulated knowledge, and support our real estate colleagues, landlords and renters and the TIC community.
The post TIC UNIT FOR SALE | 1222 1/2 N Hoover Street | $539,000 appeared first on The Rental Girl Blog.
from theokbrowne digest https://rentinginla.com/tic-unit-for-sale-1222-1-2-n-hoover-street-539000/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=tic-unit-for-sale-1222-1-2-n-hoover-street-539000