So I will admit – I’m an Excel freak.  If there is a  project, workflow, or experiment to be made – you can bet that I have created an Excel sheet for it.  That being said – it does have it’s limitations and when I was faced with a recent predicament that even the almighty Google couldn’t accomplish I had to think outside the box and revisit my old friend Zoho.

Recently, one of  my agents and I were talking about the importance of proper pricing and what a seller actually “pays” and “nets” by overpricing their home.  That led me to create the below spreadsheet that based on a simple mortgage formula and summing up the monthly costs of ownership for a home-owner (mortgage, taxes, assessments, etc.)  Once  we have this number we can simply pull simple data using MLS info OR (my personal favorite – Agent Metrics from Terradatum) and plug in the numbers for DOM (days on market) and SP/OLP (sales price to Original List Price ratio).

So this was cool, and I have had a number of agent use this in their listing presentations to either 1. Get the price they want from the start or 2. Show what it has cost the seller already (if they have previously been listed).  It’s great info and really drives the point home – however I was stumped when an agent approached me and said, “I’d really like to embed this on my website so that I can drive traffic there from my farm.”

Take 1 = I fooled around with Excel and found that I could export it as a webpage (great) which I could then open with Notepad to see the HTML code (awesome).  However, this being a Microsoft based program – I soon found the problem in my ways when viewing this in Firefox:

Internet Explorer 5.0.1???

Take 2 = So I scrapped that idea and went the “cloud based” route and opened up a quick Google Doc.  Upload – Activate – Format – Share.  Got the code and placed it on my site.  Result = #fail  Where the sheet showed up fine, the functionality of the sheet was removed and the consumer could not take advantage of putting in their home value, taxes, assessments, etc. (NOTE – I am not saying that I didn’t overlook something, so if I mistaken – please leave my error in the comments section)

Take 3 = I have played around with the suite of solutions put together by Zoho.com off and on over the years.  I can’t tell you why i don’t use them more often other than the fact that I (like many) am a slave to Google.  So after logging into my Zoho Account – make my way over to Zoho Sheets – upload the document – and presto!  See the finished piece below.

Take a look at the functionality in this sheet – the consumer can actually fill in their information on their own and see the true value in correct pricing. Feel free to download and use with your clients – and as always, I’m open and eager for any suggestions on how I could make this better!

~ Matt

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of speaking to the Chicagoland Women’s Council of RealtorsR on the power of Social Media in the marketplace.  Originally titled, “Social Media – Do you Twitter?” I took a little creative liberty on myself and expaned the topic.

My thought behind not sticking to the initial topic was based around one simple thought:

-Twitter is not the silver bullet for real estate…

and there’s so much more that they should be doing-

Personally, I enjoy Twitter, but think most of the time it’s a bunch of noise unless you choose to follow the right people.  And so, my presentation focused on how they could truly embrace, utilize and build upon the tools that social media, networking, microblogging, and RSS could provide to an agent.  I worked on this presentation for almost 5 days, boiling it down to brass tacks, then expanding again, then editing.  At the end of the day, here is what I came up with.

- It is time to evolve with your clients’ needs and become a Real Estate Advisor

- Social Media is a fantastic tool that can serve as a communication/connection platform

- Social Networking as described by the movies of John Hughes

- Google Reader and RSS should serve to educate both you and your clients

- Microblogging and Twitter are communication tools to share your expertise

I truly believe that this is the start of something big… the breaking of shackles on an industry that is rooted in information guarding and old-guard salesmanship.  It’s time to break out and become something bigger, something new, something that will position yourself not only as an advocate and advisor of your clients, but as a gear in the overall machine towards recovery.

Below is the presentation that I used with some “web friendly” links thrown in for better understanding highlighted in BLUE.

Please email me for more information, to reuse this presentation, and as always, please share your comments below!

Chicago WCR Social Media Presentation

1. Is the site professional looking and allow you to personally brand yourself?
2. Does it allow multiple document formats?  (i.e. .doc, .xls, .pdf, etc.)
3. Does it allow the individual to share items both publically and privately?
4. Does it group/categorize the documents into a workable format?
5. Does it do a good job of search engine tagging for the individual?
6. Lastly, will it embed into a blog or website seamlessly and look sweeeeeet?

Lakeview Attached/Detached Dec. 2008

I’ve taken a look at a couple of other programs including Google Documents and Kadoo.com (who I have a conference call with this week to discuss a little further), but as of today, Scribd.com is top of my list.  Try it out for free and share any insight you might have with us here.

However, they have done a great job of increasing their overall view of the United States and the world by increasing their coverage map:

This is what their coverage looked like before and after the update:

Thanks to the guys over at www.GeekEstate.com (one of my all-time favorite Nerd Herd sites – see CHUCK) for keeping me posted as to their expansion. With international sites available now as well, this tool keeps getting cooler and cooler.

Don’t know about Google Street View? Check out an earlier post that I did here entitled Go Go Google Street View, or simply head over to Google Maps, put in a location and click on Street View.

- Dollinger

P.S.  Joel’s always throwing out great knowledge (and interesting tidbits of information as well) so you might want to follow him on Twitter if you “get Twitter”.  You can also find me there by checking out my Twitter Page here.

- Dollinger

I learned about Jott from Reggie over at My Tech Opinion, one of my all time favorite blogs to read for Real Estate Technology. The post that Reggie put together entitled Reggie Jott for Blackberry – The Secret To Speaking Your Emails is a great walk-through for how to use it, and some of the cautions to make sure it’s works correctly. In addition to Reggie’s post I would put out a couple of ideas for effective usage:

• Don’t upload your entire contact list. – I did my entire Gmail address book and it’s mass confusion.
• Simplify the names of those you’ll Jott alot. – My Dad’s name is Rex and I simply put him in as DAD. Makes it alot easier for the system to recognize.
• Put the Jott contact number in your Speed Dial. – If not your fumbling around looking for it.
• Friends with Foreign names (my friend’s name is Tsai – pronounced Sigh) should be simplified.
• If you’re using an earpiece, expect some confusion – The background noise tends to screw up the the names, not so much the actual text.
• #1 – Tell your friends to add JOTT.com to their safe sender’s list. I have a bunch of mine that have ended up in their SPAM folder.

Other than some small work-arounds, it’s a great program and should make things a little safer on the road for you.

Matt Dollinger

@properties

So let’s say… hypothetically of course… that you like reading about all of the following things:

• Real Estate Market Statistics
• The latest technology for your Blackberry
• Social Networking Media Developments
• Indie Rock Bands playing in Chicago
• Great Grilling Recipes
• Barack Obama
• Matt Dollinger I mean whatever your social identity is.
• And… WHAT YOUR COMPETITION IS DOING

Wanna know when there’s a GREAT article written, blog post, update or anything else on these topics? Try Google Reader and it’s delivered comprehensively to your email account daily, weekly or monthly FOR FREE. Easier than using Google Reader (and for different purposes), Google Alerts give you a simple way to monitor sports scores, the political campaign, your Social Identity, and research the competition.

Below are two videos that will show you EVERYTHING you need to know about setting up Google Alerts, Keywords, and delivery methods. Enjoy!

Matt Dollinger

Basic Using of Google Alerts

Using Google Alerts as Your Virtual Research Assistant

Where I believe that these represent many different types of elements that could be applied to the real estate industry and business 2.0 and as a whole, this is just a sampling of what’s truly out there.

Below is a list of blogs that I highly recommend. I have used some from the Inman Blog Network, some that I simply enjoy reading for ideas and insight, and have tried to categorize them for you. Also, I have included a short 30 second video at the end of this post on how to simply copy these URLs below and paste them into your Google Reader.

Technology – Blogs that focus on integrating the latest and greatest technology into the real estate business world.

Industry – The movers and the shakers of the real estate world are reported here, as well as a heft dose of opinion and heart.

Business 2.0 – These are the voices of the new business world. Who I look to for inspiration and insight.

*Technology*

Future of Real Estate Marketing

http://feeds.feedburner.com/TheFutureOfRealEstateMarketing

Geek Estate

http://feeds.feedburner.com/Geekestate

Transparent Real Estate

http://feeds.feedburner.com/TransparentRealEstatewwwtransparentrecom

My Tech Opinion

http://feeds.feedburner.com/TechnologyforRealEstate

Tech Crunch

http://www.google.com/ig/add?feedurl=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2FTechcrunch

*Industry*

4Realz

http://4realz.net/feed/

Agent Genius

http://agentgenius.com/?feed=rss2

1000Watt Blog

http://feeds.feedburner.com/typepad/1000wattblog

Inman

http://feeds.feedburner.com/InmanBlog

The Real Estate Tomato

http://feeds.feedburner.com/TheRealEstateTomato

Luxury Insights (The Institute for Luxury Home Marketing)

http://feeds.feedburner.com/typepad/ilhm/luxury_insights

The Future of Real Estate Technology

http://feeds.feedburner.com/TheFutureOfRealEstateTechnology?format=xml

*Business 2.0 Blogs*

1000Watt Blog

http://feeds.feedburner.com/typepad/1000wattblog

Seth Godin’s Blog

http://feeds.feedburner.com/typepad/sethsmainblog

Tim Sander’s Blog

http://feeds.feedburner.com/SandersSays

Malcolm Gladwell’s Blog

http://gladwell.typepad.com/gladwellcom/rss.xml

Fast Company’s Expert Blog

http://feeds.feedburner.com/fastcompany/experts?format=xml

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7HVm5rSNf0]

Good Luck and Happy Reading!

Matt Dollinger

]]> http://theyoufactor.com/2008/05/30/google-reader-part-2-recommended-industry-and-technology-blogs/feed/ 1 http://theyoufactor.com/2008/05/14/begin-your-blog-reading-behavior-with-google-reader/ http://theyoufactor.com/2008/05/14/begin-your-blog-reading-behavior-with-google-reader/#comments Thu, 15 May 2008 03:45:47 +0000 Matthew Dollinger http://mattdollinger.wordpress.com/?p=54

Read any real estate magazine, talk to any coach, or read any literature, and they will most surely say the same thing… “GET BLOGGING!” 

Where I have recommended this to a number of the agents that I work with, my first recommendation is to take your time, find your voice, and read some to find out what differentiates a blog from a good blog.  But with all of the blogs out there, how do you find time to read and manage them?

Once again… Google to the rescue!  Google has released another fantastic (and FREE) gadget to help you simplify your life and introduce you to the wonderful world of blog reading. 

Google Reader allows you to stay up to date and organize your favorite blogs, as well as access your updates on line anywhere.  Best of all, it simplifies your reading experience by giving you updated headlines so you can click through instead of logging on to multiple sites.  Here’s how it works…

 An easy way to add blogs to your Reader Subscriptions it to visit a particular blog and to click on their SUBSCRIBE Button which is usually indicated by a variation of the RSS icon.  This icon is the standard for RSS Feeds (Really Simple Syndication)  When you click on this icon you will probably see a button like this     .  If you do, simply click this button and it will automatically be added to your Google Reader.

If this button is not available, the site should offer an option that reads VIEW FEED XML.  Click this button, and a new page will populate.  Copy the web address from the top of the new page

(SAMPLE:  http://feeds.feedburner.com/TechnologyForRealEstate?format=xml - THE FEED ADDRESS IS DENOTED BY THE END LETTERS XML),

Go to your Google Reader Page, Click on the icon in the middle of the left hand column that reads ADD SUBSCRIPTION, and PASTE the the XML address into the space.  That’s it!  You’ve now manually subscribed to a blog’s feed.

Some Samples of what I feel are GREAT Blog formats:

www.mytechopinion.com

www.futureofrealestatetechnology.com

www.futureofrealestatemarketing.com

www.inman.com

www.1000wattblog.com

www.geekestate.com

If you’re considering writing a blog… take some time.  Find your voice.  Consider what your clients would actually like to read and then give it to them.  Don’t think that this is simply a way to prospect or “capture” leads (ughh)… If you want to capture anything, capture their attention, capture their readership, and become their true provider of knowledge and insight. 

A post by an individual named Marc Davison (who encouraged me to find MY voice and speak with it) is noted here http://www.1000wattblog.com/2008/05/the-masked-ball.html  While you’re at it, subscribe to their blog, comment on a couple of their insightful posts, and tell them you’re searching for the “You Factor” of your voice.

Matt Dollinger

@properties

Performance Coach

matthew.dollinger@gmail.com

Great Things Come from Google:
Here are the benefits of using the Google Calendar for you, your team, or your assistant

1. It’s easy to use.  Simply create a google account by going to the Google Calendar Page here.
2. Easy Quick Adding of events and synchronization with Outlook Calendar
3. View by week, month, or day in the customized viewing section
4. Invite others to view your calendar, set privacy settings, and set event reminders
5. Create different calendars for things in your life.  (i.e. prospecting, showings, personal)
6. Share your calendar with your team and allow them different levels of editing

TAKE A FULL TOUR OF THE PROGRAM BY CLICKING ON THIS LINK

Another great feature of Google Calendar is that it is not mobile supported for a variety of PDA’s and phones (including Blackberry) that are internet enabled.  This allows you to:

1. Activate reminders on your phone via a wireless sync (no cables, no nothing)
2. Update event information from your phone while you’re on-the-go
3. Allow your administrator to change your calendar while you’re out
4. Sync your Google Calendar with your Microsoft Outlook Calendar
5. Have full access to your schedule without paying the money to upgrade to exchange

Use this for showings, personal life, kids’ soccer games, etc…  you can share the calendar with anyone that has a Gmail Account.  After setting up your account and calendar online (by visiting the Google Calendar Site) there are even ways to have it sync to your PDA’s default calendaring program! 

• Blackberry Users — Go HERE – It’s FREE!
• PALM Users — There’s a third Party Software you have to buy if you don’t want to login via the Internet  Go HERE
• iPhone Users — There’s a third Party Software you have to buy if you don’t want to login via the internet Go HERE  (works with your Apple iCal as well)

Stop having to open your computer to find out what’s in your schedule.  Get connected today and (almost) never be late for another appointment.

- Matt