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Create Listing Videos Quickly and Easily

Video gets viewership!Are you using video to enhance your listings?  The internet is powered by video these days and if you haven't jumped on the video bandwagon, you are missing out on a huge advantage over your competition.

By 2014, most experts are predicting that 90 percent of all web traffic will be devoted to video, writes Bernice Ross, real estate coach and author.  "YouTube alone garners 4 billion video views every day with the average viewer staying online for 26 minutes. The bottom line is that using video to market your listings is rapidly becoming as important as having photos on the MLS." she says.

She offers these suggestions for creating listing videos quickly and simply with your smartphone or computer:

Ptch
Ptch (pronounced "pitch") combines photos and video from your phone or media from social networks, like Facebook and Instagram.  You can add captions, music and special effects.

"This iPhone app is very easy to use." says Ross.  "It only took me about ten minutes from the time I went to the app store, downloaded the app, and made my first video. (Please note, this was not an actual video, but a slide show with music that looks like a video, much like many of the virtual tour companies provide.)"

Keynote or Power Point

Keynote and Power Point programs offer more creative flexibility, but since you are building each slide with animation and text, it takes more time.

YouTube

YouTube also has a video editor in which you can combine videos, shorten clips, add text and music and special effects.  They also have an area called Creator Hub with numerous tools to help you "supercharge your content". 

Using video on your website and in your listings should be part of your marketing strategy.

Read: Video Brings Power to Your Website

 




Posted on April 10, 2013 09:20:26 by Blog Author IPTV.Boyz
Blog Categories Posted in Technology And YOU
http://www.brokeriptv.com/create-listing-videos-quickly-and-easily
 
Spring Clean Those Passwords

It's Time to Change Your PasswordsIt's time to do a little spring cleaning on your online accounts. 

"Change your passwords right now!" says Anick Jesdanun in a Denver Post article.

"Rarely does a week go by without news of another hacking incident and although there's no way to completely eliminate threats, minimizing them will go a long way. One of the best things you can do is to make sure your password is strong."

Tips to Creating a Strong Password

1: Length:  Longer passwords are harder to guess.  Experts recommend 8 characters, but 14 or even more is better says Jesdanun.  (Some websites put limits on it, however.)

2: Mix-it-up: use a combination of upper and lower case, letters, numbers and symbols. "Some services won't let you do all of that, but try to vary it as much as you can. For instance "PaSsWoRd!43" is far better than "password43." he says.

3:  Substitute symbols for characters:  Use the number 0 instead of an O or use a $ instead of an S.

4:  Avoid anything easy to guess:  Don't use family names, your address, pet names, special dates... anything that can be found online (think: Facebook).  You could use a variation of the above as part of a more complex password, though.

5:  Don't re-use passwords:  Never use the same password twice on any site that has your credit card or banking information on it, or if it allows the hacker to post as you.

For variation, you could use a specific string of characters on more than one site and use part of the site's name at the beginning or end.

"Whatever system you adopt," says Jesdanun, "it's good to change your password - and system - from time to time. And if there's reason to believe your password might have been compromised, change it immediately."

Read more at The Denver Post

 




Posted on March 20, 2013 06:40:02 by Blog Author IPTV.Boyz
Blog Categories Posted in Technology And YOU
http://www.brokeriptv.com/spring-clean-those-passwords
 
Listing Tips: What to Say

House ListingHow do you capture your audience in a few words?  "The right turn of a phrase can make a big difference in how fast your home sells, says Melinda Fulmer for MSN Real Estate News.

"The right description can get the home a second look; the wrong one can sour buyers on the property in a matter of seconds." she says. "So choose those words wisely."  

What to Say in Your Listing

Amenities:  Describe all the "extras" that might not be obvious in picturesAn oversized garage, great views, or added privacy should be noted in the description.   

"If a community has great amenities such as a neighborhood pool or nearby walking or biking trails, mention them." says Fulmer.  "If the elementary school is a short walk away, that should be featured prominently and ditto for perks such as short commutes or proximity to highly desirable restaurants and shops."

Lifestyle:  "A home is a place where they will create memories." says Fulmer, "So give them a hint about what those memories might be."  How will they enjoy the home and its features? Suggestions include; "Relax with a glass of wine on the custom deck overlooking the well landscaped backyard" or "entertain friends in the gourmet kitchen."  

Be a Name Dropper:  Does the home have a customized kitchen?  Fulmer suggests making sure you point out features and brands that buyers covet, such as expensive appliances and upgrades.

Buyers Trends:  "I try to hit [buyers'] hot buttons," says Julie Johnson of BHG David Winans & Associates in Dallas. "I give as many details or facts about a property as I can." Point out that the home has a new roof, walk-in closets, and a fully finished basement.

Hold the Fluff:  Use descriptive words sparingly and don't exaggerate.  "A Canadian study conducted more than a decade ago - but to which agents still refer - found that homes described as "beautiful" sold for 5% more than those in "move-in condition," says Fulmer. "Likewise, homes that were described as "beautiful" or "gorgeous" sold 15% faster."   

Use Spell Check:  Nothing is worse than bad grammar and misspelled words.   "And be careful with abbreviations that people might not understand." says Johnson.  "While agents might use "WBF" as an abbreviation for wood-burning fireplace, many home shoppers would have no idea what that means and therefore can't be swayed by it."

Be Motivating:  Motivate the buyer to come see the home before it's too late.  Phrases such as "priced to sell" and "great deal" might be the key to fueling more interest.

Remember to use the biggest selling points in the first couple of lines to engage the reader.

What You Don't Say can't Hurt:  Don't feel the need to point out cosmetic flaws. Buyers will discover a home's quirky floor plan or tiny garage once they visit. For some it will be a deal breaker; for others, maybe not, suggests Fulmer.

"Likewise, don't use words such as "as-is," "fixer" or "handyman's special." Buyers reading "as-is" in a listing will often imagine the property to be in far worse condition than it is." she says. "Some euphemisms such as "adorable," "quaint" or "cozy" merely emphasize a negative quality, such as lack of space. Let the square footage speak for itself."

Read more at MSN Real Estate

 




Posted on March 18, 2013 14:34:58 by Blog Author IPTV.Boyz
Blog Categories Posted in Technology And YOU
http://www.brokeriptv.com/listing-tips-what-to-say
 
Best Real Estate Apps

The Top Real Estate AppsReal estate apps accounted for 9 percent of all app usage during the second quarter of 2012, according to Onavo Insights, a company that tracks mobile application traffic.

The top real estate apps for searches, listed by percentage of use are:

1.       Zillow- 38% of users

2.       Realtor.com - 20%

3.       Craigslist - 17%

4.       Trulia - 14%

5.       Redfin - 6%

6.       Homes.com - 2%

7.       Zip Realty - 1%

More and more homebuyers rely on these apps to search for homes.  These sites offer comprehensive listing data which may include open houses, sale and tax histories, estimated values, rent estimates and data on nearby homes. Information may also include links to realtors, lenders and a mortgage calculator.  At Zillow, information also is available for homes not on the market and homes for sale by owners.

Read more at The Denver Post

 




Posted on March 13, 2013 12:02:27 by Blog Author IPTV.Boyz http://www.brokeriptv.com/best-real-estate-apps
 
Advice: Dont Take the First Offer

Neon Real Estate SignThe housing market in Denver is a seller's market.  Buyers are challenged to find a good home at a good price and they jump on new listings.  A seller might find themselves in the position of receiving an offer on the first day the house is listed and feeling pressured to take it.

Slow down! suggests Bernice Ross for Inman News. "Due to a lack of understanding about the power of marketing, many sellers leave thousands of dollars on the negotiation table because they accept an offer that comes in on the first day. For sellers to net the most money, a better approach is to set up an auction environment where the buyers actually bid against each other."

Set a Deadline for Offers

When you list the house, Ross suggests you actively market it for one week before accepting any offers. Add language in the listing that you won't accept any offers until a specific date. This gives you time to get the word out across multiple listing sites and search for the perfect buyer.

It's good for the buyer too.  It gives the buyer time to really look at the listing and even consult a contractor if necessary.  Allowing this extra time means you have a buyer who is committed to the property and usually ensures a smooth closing transaction.

Read more at Inman News.

Creative Commons License photo credit: griffithchris




Posted on March 07, 2013 12:30:53 by Blog Author IPTV.Boyz
Blog Categories Posted in Technology And YOU
http://www.brokeriptv.com/advice-dont-take-the-first-offer