NY Houses 4 Sale

Local Queens Realtor Plays with the "Big Boys"

When I started to blog over a year and a half ago, I really had no direction, no idea what I was doing or where this would take me.  I have never declared to be the authoritative blog.  I don't go heavy into the politics of Real Estate and I steer clear of the heated discussions about Zillow, Redfin or any new technology.  I have never quoted anything Latin on my blog and I certainly do not air out my laundry on my blog. 

But I still blog.

I blog about my local area.  I stick to what I know and I know Queens Real Estate.  Sure there are agents who sell more and some that list more than I do.  But none of them blog.  I am almost the only Realtor that even has a blog, let alone blogs the way that I do.  There are blogs that talk about their listings and blogs that repeat what articles say word for word, like snipping them out of the newspaper.  But I feel that I have stood out. I am doing what no other Realtor or Company is doing.  So for right now, I shine. 

This past August, Ralph Roberts published a book "Foreclosures for Dummies" and believe it or not,  he added me as a contributor!  I was very flattered and so thrilled to get my complimentary book and I have read it from front to back.  My take?  Anyone who is looking to buy foreclosures should read this book.  Right now you can buy it in your local Barnes and Nobles book store or you can click right here to go directly to Amazon.com. 

More News:  Tomorrow , er Today, I will sitting on a panel for the LIBOR MLS TECH FAIR.  How cool is that?  I will be speaking at the sold out event with the "Big Boys".   Sitting with me will be Blog Tour Boys, Sellsius, Dan Green from The Mortgage Reports and Linda Davis from Eastern CT Real Estate Blog. 

Hopefully, after tomorrow I will begin breathing again and I will update you on the skinny about blogging, but for right now I am feel all hyped up and nervous.   

eeney meenie miney moe...

Friday Linking - just some of the articles that I read these past few days.  I am going to kick it off with ....

1.2 Million and Falling - by True Gotham

Why Do You Blog? -  by Zillow Blog

500 real estate blogs to watch - by Pittsburgh Homes Daily

BEST AND WORST real estate blogs - by RSSPieces

The Very Sad House - by miOaklandCounty

"The proof is in the puddin'" Range Pricing part 1,275! - by Bryant Tutas on Active Rain

"Why Have A Website At All?" - by The Real Estate Tomato

Thats it guys... Have a great weekend!!!

Showing some Love ----

Thought that I would just set the clock back and take a glance at some of the blogs - what and when they were started.  I like looking at how most blogs evolved and developed into something more than originally intended. 

Lets set the "Waaaayyyy Back Machine" and kick it off with:

Sellsiusrealestate.com - They started in January of 2006 and have, evolved into the everything rolled into one.  They always seem to be in the right place at the right time.  They have unveiled some pretty great articles.  They would be the guys who walk around all day with their cameras hoping to get that "scoop".  Their first post was about their listing service and Triple Play in Atlantic City.  These guys are not shy.  Now with their new hot look - Look out...

MOCO Real Estate News - Todd is an Arizona Realtor.  He started his blog in March of 2006.  He ventured out by wanting to give information regarding the Arizona Real Estate.  I think that he has remained on his path.  Todd recently has one of his posts "I am not a philosopher..." featured on the Carnival of Real Estate.

Seattle Rain City Guide - What can I say? This Blog started out with Dustin helping his wife Anna with her real estate.  The first post was March 2005.  It evolved and changed in so many ways - more than once.   This blog covers more than just real estate.  The group of contributors all well, um contribute - which makes this blog so unique. 

RealEstateUndressed - Larry, What a guy.  He is the guy who leaves me great comments.  RealEstateUndressed started in June 2006 - And now he  actually has three blogs to maintain.  MortgagesUndressed started in May 2006 - A fact I did not know until just now.  IssaquahUndressed the newest of the undressed - August 2006.

Future of Real Estate Marketing - by Joel Burslem.  His first article was about how the Real Estate has hit Crossroads, he is on top of real estate marketing.  regarding Oregon real estate market.  He was originally a communications marketer and made the leap into real estate.  Reading his biography he has traveled through all of Northeast Asia and settled in Portland Oregon just recently. 

The Real Estate Tomato - by Jim Cronin.  This blog is described by its owners as "Tomato is the unfinished fruit.  Ripe, round, red and attractive on the outside, but somewhat amorphous and liquidy on the inside; versatile and tasty; a symbol of growth and production and a projectile of disgust".  The Tomato vary from Marketing and Technology.  I find this blog informative and a good read.  I joined Active Rain because of Jim. 

BlueRoof - by Greg Tracy.  He is  Revolutionizing Utah Real Estate.  He started this blog in July 2006.  He has touched on many issues including Dual Agency, Zillow, Truila and pricing out your home.  A great blogger, as far as I am concerned. 

BloodHoundBlog - By Greg Swan.  He is just all over.  If he likes it - he will let you know.  If he hates it - he will let you know.  If he is not sure - HE WILL LET YOU KNOW.  Trust me.  He covers the Arizona area - and runs his firm out of his house.  He does not believe or practice OR participate in any Dual Agency - EVER! 

360 Digest - by Marlow Harris.  She loves Elvis.  I love Elvis - she blogs about Elvis - I read her blog.  I think among most bloggers - her blog might be one of the older ones.  She is also a blog moderator at Seattle Real Estate Professionals, as well as being a real estate agent/broker with Coldwell Banker - Bain in Seattle. 

The San Diego Home Blog - by Kris and Steve Berg.  Realtors in the California area.  I think that is just too cute when a husband and wife comment back and forth.  I seriously do.  I would love for my husband to learn how to turn the computer on - forget about blogging.  Seriously - this couple fit.  They started blogging in April 2006.  There are other contributors for the blog - but these two seem to do the bulk of blogging.  I enjoy reading their blogs - they are almost like sitting with them having a cup of coffee with them.   

Realtors - do you use the internet?

"When asked where they first learned about the home purchased, 24 percent of buyers identified the Internet, up strongly from 15 percent in 2004 and only 2 percent in 1997. Although most buyers use an agent to complete the transaction, 36 first learn about the home they buy from a real estate agent and 15 percent from yard signs; five other categories were 7 percent or less".  Home Buyer & Seller Survey 2006

The proof that people are using the internet to search for homes for sale is proven to me everyday.  In my office, on the average 85-90% of my calls for either homes for sale or apartments to rent come from some source on the internet.  It may be a paid site that we use or our own website, which generates about 70% of our leads of buyers or renters.    There is a shift beginning to take place here.  There are now more and more Seller's Calling my office because they see us prominently on the internet.  The ways of marketing is not from the local papers and the major publications, it is the Internet.    Sellers now use the internet to see who is advertising.   

So in addition to the normal questions you would ask a Realtor, think about adding these 10 new questions when interviewing an agent. 

1.)  How many hits do you get on your website a day, a month?

2.) Do you have a blog as well? 

3.)  Do you advertise on the internet?  Paid sites as well as free sites?

4.) Do you use pay per click?

5.) Do agents in your office have their OWN websites/blog?

6.)  Do the people who use your site, HAVE to register to view MY home?

7.)  When you get emails, what would you say is the NORMAL rate of responding is? 

8.)  Do ALL of you agents have email?

9.)  Do your agents on their own, advertise on the Internet?

10.) Are my open houses advertised on the internet as well? 

11.)  Do you have high rankings on the internet? 

This would be a good start.  I know for a fact alot of Realtors here in Queens NY, would have a hard time answering most or all the questions. 

Linkage, Linkage, Linkage

12 Myths to Claiming Bankruptcy -by Dumb Little Man

Seeing Redfin, As A Buyer - by Sellsius° Real Estate

Redfin 101 and the Debut of the Podcast - by The San Diego Home Blog

One tipe every real estate investor should know: 1031 Like kind exchange - by Atlanta 575 Real Estate

The Demise of 6% Commissions - by True Gotham

The 3 Steps To Converting Purchased Online Leads - by The Real Estate Tomato

You Chose the speed of rotation... - by Growabrain

Blogvertising: The Decision to Add Ads to Your Blog - by Future of Real Estate Marketing

Where to Put Your Listings Online - by Future of Real Estate Marketing

After The Inspection - by Geri Sonkin

Freeze! And drop your weapon! - by Bryant Tutas

The final Walk Through

As of Yesterday - September 11th - The Walk Through has said thier goodbyes.  Joyce Cohen, was an active contributer  and you can still read her blog at HuntGrunt, as well as Damon Darlin can still be read at Ny Times 

My top tens:

I have been blogging for a few months now and I have come across some great posts that I wanted to share. 

Zillowable, to coin a phrase  by SellsiusRealEstate

Top Ten Woman Real Estate Bloggers by SellsiusRealEstate

How did the industry get broken and how do we fix it  by Ardell, RainCityGuide

Interview with a Vampire: How Nick learned to knuckle under.  by Bloodhoundblog

Trulia dilemma… by 360digest

Perhaps a buyer’s perspective… by RainCityGuide

Buyer agency and Seller agency - two different roles. by NyHouses4Sale

Why Am I So Critical, tough, & impatient with loan officers? by Mortgagesundressed

e-Pro is a Tinfoil Badge by RealEstateTomato

Reply! Launches… And Falls Flat On Its Face by futureofrealestate

There will be more to come...