A Real Estate Discussion Blog

Inman Blogger's Connect - Beer For Bloggers - Save The Date

If you are signed up to attend the Inman Blogger's Connect 2008 in New York, then be sure to mark your calendars for the Beer For Bloggers event sponsored by Zillow.com on January 8th, the night before the conference begins. 

Come enjoy drinks on us while mingling with fellow Bloggers at the Heartland Brewery (also know as the Chophouse) from 6pm-8pm. 

The Brewery is close to the Marriott, the conference hotel, located at 127 West 43rd Street (between 6th and Broadway) near Times Square. 

Looking forward to seeing you all there!  We had a great time at the first Beer For Bloggers event in San Francisco and I am sure this second event will be even better.   I'll post more details as they become available.

sponsored by:     

The question has been asked many times, is Web 2.0 helping people make money?  I wanted to share a process I went through this week with a dentist.  Hopefully from this experience, you can relate it to your business as a real estate professional. 

My mom has given me many great things in this world, but unfortunately I also inherited her bad teeth.  My huge sweet tooth doesn't help either.  But I recently woke up one morning only to realize that I had cracked a tooth.  I called up dentist to make an appointment and found out that they no longer accept my dental insurance.  I needed to find a new dentist and fast.

Step 1- Logged on to http://www.deltadental.com/ to find a service provider in my area on my plan.

Step 2- Opened another browser window and typed in http://www.yelp.com/.  Searched dentists in zip code 60622. 

Step 3- Looked at the dentist list on Yelp to see which ones have the most reviews and the best reviews.  I want to know exactly what other people are saying, not what dentists are saying about themselves!  I narrowed it down to one dentist who had 33 positive reviews.  This dentist had also taken the time to enhance his listing on Yelp (which is free) to include pictures of his facilities and had written a review of himself with a message as to what he is all about.  I liked that he was familiar enough with technology to do this.  Signaled to me that he would also be up on technology as it related to dental care.

Step 4- Cross checked dentist with website from Step 1.  Bingo!  We have a match.  I filled out the new patient request form on the dentist's website site (I found the URL on Yelp) and someone from his office calls me within the hour. 

Good news for the dentist - I need a crown.  Bad news for me - I need a crown. 

Today people are placing so much value on what the general public is saying- maybe even more so than what the experts say and certainly more than what the service providers themselves are saying!  When I need to buy a new electric toothbrush, I read the user reviews on Amazon.  When I go on a trip, I read the user reviews on TripAdvisor.  When I eat at a new restaurant, I read the user reviews on Yelp.

You need make sure you at least have a presence on sites like Yelp and then work to build a good reputation. 

Some homework for the holidays- If you are good agent and think your past clients will say good things about you (if you answer no to this, you have bigger problems to worry about than web 2.0) why don't you send them an email and ask them for their endorsement on a site like Yelp.  If you provided stellar service, I am sure your clients would be happy to spend a few minutes doing something that can help you gain more business. 

Once you have this reputation built, you can make statements like this on a listing presentation-  "Past clients have been very satisfied with my service. If you would like to hear from them for yourself, simply look me up on Yelp and you'll see exactly what they had to say." 

Building a reputation is so important in the online world we live in today.  As people move around the country and not know who to ask for referrals for professional service providers, they rely on sites like Yelp to get referrals from their online peers.  It is important that you are well-represented as the public is going through these decision making processes. 

They have faced on the music charts, red carpets and in the box offices.  And now this holiday they are battling it out the department store perfume counter.  Britney, Paris, and JLo.

I could do some research and give you exact numbers as to the amount of perfume each pop tart has sold, but this is a real estate blog.  So let's just agree that it is a lot, and instead, take the numbers to the turf and examine the homes that perfume has helped build!

Britney - Now I know that some of you are thinking, it doesn't even look like the girl wears deodorant, let alone perfume!  Regardless of whether she wears her own product or not, someone is buying it and allowing Britney to live in some fabulous real estate.  Brit-Brit is dividing her time between the home she owns at 12094 Summit Circle in Beverly Hills and the one she rents on Ramirez Canyon Road in Malibu - a girl can't just have one mansion y'all.  Funny thing about her home is that it is currently on the market for $7,495,000.  However back in April Britney was trying to sell this same home, ended up reducing it to $7,200,000 before ultimately pulling it off the market.  Zillow's Zestimate shows the property valued $4,719,681.  Our smart algorithms must have been able to account for the trashing Britney has probably done to the place.   

Paris - The paparazzi attention Paris got during her jail stint was just too much for her neighbors and they begged her to relocate.  Paris eventually did, citing that she needed something with more security on the premise.  So now she calls 3340 Clerendon Road in the Mulholland Estate in LA's Sherman Oaks home, for which she reported paid $5,900,000.  Interestingly you would think a billionaire heiress would just whip out her checkbook at the closing table.  But she chose to leverage her money and take out a $4,720,000 loan on the home, careful to avoid PMI by putting 20% down.  Even more strange, the home has been posted for sale on Zillow for 36 days now.  Maybe her latest perfume sales haven't performed as projected, and she is having trouble making the payments?  Doubt it.  The list price of the home is $6,250,000.  If anyone out there knows of any other homes that can appreciate $350,000 in two months, please email me.  That is one expensive case of buyer's remorse. 

And finally we have JLo.  The expectant mother is getting ready to settle into her new role in her and Marc's North Shore estate in Brookville on Long Island.  Apparently perfume sales have been very good for Mrs. Lopez as she has been pouring millions into renovating the property which Marc Anthony bought in 2000 for $3,700,000.  "Money is absolutely no object," a JLo mole tells In Touch Weekly.  Marc and Jenn have had a $75,000 antique crib and customized linens imported from France for their new addition. Painted angels and a state-of-the-art video monitoring system will equipped the nursery.

I am sure these pop tarts have millions of dollars in other real estate around the world and I am sure they are selling a lot of perfume.  But instead of wasting my time and looking it all up, I am going to declare J Lo the winner of this Turf War.  She wins simply for reasons of pure sanity and is the least annoying of the three to read about in the tabloids right now.  Enjoy your reign J Lo!  

Turf Wars Part 1 - Kayne and 50 Cent - From Record Battles to Turf Wars

Below is part one of a three part series on The Etiquette Of How We Communicate.  For the forward to this series, please visit this post. 

Part 1 - The Potential Conundrum of Communication Technologies

Part 2 - Dressing For Success, Your "Package" Must to Communicate Well, Too!

Table Manners: It's More Than Not Talking With Your Mouth Full

From the arrival of the appetizer through the final cup of coffee, your behavior at the lunch or dinner table when eating with clients or colleagues will leave an impression -- so make it a great one!

The business meal is still the most common way for professionals to entertain. Have you checked your table manners lately?

The following guidelines will guarantee gracious table manners and dining etiquette --whether you are dining at a four-star restaurant or in a hotel banquet room:

Dos

• Make reservations and honor them
• Treat your server with respect -- address the person by name if requested, otherwise use "waiter,""waitress," "sir" or "ma'am."
• Pay attention to what your waiter or waitress looks like so you can recognize him or her later.
• Catch his or her eye or use a discreet wave of the fingers to request service.
• Use a utensil rather than your fingers even with foods you eat by hand at home. Cut French fries, bacon and any food with a bone.
• Use the edge of the plate to twirl pasta, not a spoon.
• Tuck paper trash -- empty sugar packs, plastic cup from creamer, wrapper for the straw under the rim of your plate or on the edge of the saucer or butter plate.
• Expect to pay the bill if you are the host/inviter.

Don'ts

• Call the waiter or waitress "Honey," "Sweetie," "Dear," "Garçon," or "Boy."
• Snap your fingers to get his or her attention.
• Ever cut bread or rolls. Break off and butter one piece at a time.
• Don't clean your plate. It's okay to leave the parsley, carrot curls or other garnish.
• Don't salt and pepper your food before tasting it.
• Don't turn your wine glass upside down if you do not want wine. Either say "no thank you," shake your head, or put your fingertips over the rim.
• Do not blow on your beverage to cool it.
• Don't ask for a "doggy bag."

Place Settings Can Be Perplexing

The most commonly used place setting in the United States is based on the idea that you work your way through the utensils, from the outermost one to the innermost one on both sides.

Here are three guidelines to steer you safely through the maze:

1) Napkin Niceties- The napkin should go on your lap once everyone has been seated. If it is a large napkin, fold it in half. If you leave the table briefly mid-meal, the napkin is placed on your chair. At the end of the meal, put your napkin on the table, to the left of your plate.

2) Managing Silverware- Confused about which item is yours? Here's an easy way to remember: The word "left has four letters, so does the word "fork." The word "right" has five letters, so do the words "knife" and "spoon." This is a great way to remember that the fork is on your left, and the knife and spoon are set to your right. If you are eating American style (switching the fork to your right hand after cutting), cut two to three pieces at a time. If you are eating Continental style (keeping the fork in your left hand), cut one piece at a time. Put your silverware on the plate while chewing, not on the table, and never wave it around.

3) Bread Plate Basics- I'm sure that most of us have looked at what we thought was our bread plate, only to find our neighbor using it. Here's the rule: Eat to your left, drink to your right. Any food dish to the left is yours, and any glass to the right is yours. If your neighbor has used your bread plate, don't embarrass him or her. Quietly ask the waiter for another.

Learning to navigate the three primary areas of work-related communication smoothly -- communication technologies, professional appearance and dining etiquette -- can prevent any embarrassing social gaffes or missteps, which ultimately could make or break a business relationship and even prevent one from starting.

Marjorie Brody, CSP, CPAE, CMC, PCC, is an author, sought-after public speaker, and coach to Fortune 1,000 executives. She is a global authority in helping successful business leaders identify and enhance their strategies and skills for career success. Marjorie's commentary on workplace/career issues is regularly featured on TV and radio shows, and in newspapers and magazines. Marjorie has had the privilege of serving diverse clients such as Microsoft, Pfizer, New York Life Insurance Company, Johnson & Johnson, The Institute of Internal Auditors, Society for Human Resource Management, Executive Women International, and GlaxoSmithKline. To contact Marjorie or book her as a speaker, trainer or coach, call 800-726-7936, or visit http://www.marjoriebrody.com/ for more information.

Below is part one of a three part series on The Etiquette Of How We Communicate.  For the forward to this series, please visit this post. 

Part 1 - The Potential Conundrum of Communication Technologies

The Etiquette of How We Communicate

Your "Package" Must to Communicate Well, Too!

Dressing for success is hardly a new concept. Most business professionals recognize that the expression, "You don't get a second chance to make a first impression" is true. The simple fact is that in and out of the business world, people are judged on their appearance.

The clothing you wear can have an adverse affect on the message you communicate. It doesn't matter how eloquent your verbal and vocal communications are, if your visual element is lacking, your messages does not accomplish its intent.

Women can wear the following as traditional "Business Professional" attire:

• Suits - (pants or skirts)
• Silk blouses
• Scarves that pick up colors from the suits
• Knee-highs/stockings
• Closed-toe shoes
• Jewelry than enhances - not detracts from - the outfit
• Leather briefcase or handbag - stick to basic colors
• All weather coat
• Black, brown, or burgundy briefcase or laptop case

Basic "Business Professional" wardrobe options for men are:

• Suits                 
• Ties
• Oxford-cloth shirt
• Lace-up shoes -- but not sneakers!
• Leather briefcase or laptop bag

Exactly What Does "Business Casual" Mean?

Instituting dress policies that are business casual without defining what this term means is a problem in many industries. A neat, clean, conservative and well-groomed businesslike appearance applies when a business casual standard is in place.

There are three levels of business casual clothing, that, depending on the client, location and nature of the meeting or event, professionals need to remember - Classic, Smart and Resort.

Classic Casual wardrobe options for women include blazers, skirts, dress pants, trouser socks or knee-highs and closed-toe shoes. Men would also wear jackets over nice dress slacks, and lace-up shoes or loafers.

Smart Casual options for women include sweater sets, slacks, skirts, and always stockings with closed-toe flats or pumps. If company policy allows sandals (not flip-flops), do not wear stockings. For men, Smart Casual means golf shirts, khakis with a belt, and lace-up shoes or loafers.

Resort Casual clothing for women would be sleeveless cotton blouses, sweaters, cotton pants or capris, silk shorts, sandals or flats. Their male counterparts can wear golf shirts, short-sleeve cotton shirts, cotton shorts with a belt, sandals, or loafers. Socks and stockings are not required.

Appropriate business casual attire usually does not include the following "dress down" or "weekend wear" options, although much depends on the company culture:

• Jeans (of any color)
• Leggings
• T-shirts
• Bare midriffs (low-cut garments, front or back)
• Any kind of workout clothes, running or gym shoes, sneakers or sandals
• Hats, caps
• Ripped or tattered clothing
• Extremely tight-fitting blouses, short skirts or other suggestive clothing

The image presented internally, or to clients -- whether in their office or yours -- is of utmost importance. If you are in doubt about whether a garment is appropriate, it's probably not.

Mrjorie Brody, CSP, CPAE, CMC, PCC, is an author, sought-after public speaker, and coach to Fortune 1,000 executives. She is a global authority in helping successful business leaders identify and enhance their strategies and skills for career success. Marjorie's commentary on workplace/career issues is regularly featured on TV and radio shows, and in newspapers and magazines. Marjorie has had the privilege of serving diverse clients such as Microsoft, Pfizer, New York Life Insurance Company, Johnson & Johnson, The Institute of Internal Auditors, Society for Human Resource Management, Executive Women International, and GlaxoSmithKline. To contact Marjorie or book her as a speaker, trainer or coach, call 800-726-7936, or visit http://www.marjoriebrody.com/ for more information.

Below is part one of a three part series on The Etiquette Of How We Communicate.  For the forward to this series, please visit this post. 

Part 1 - communication technologies(iPods, cell phones, e-mail, voice mail and speakerphone)

Part 2 - professional appearance (wardrobe and grooming)

Part 3 - dining etiquette (table manners and other aspects of navigating a business meal)

The Etiquette of How We Communicate

by Marjorie Brody, CSP, CPAE Speaker Hall of Fame

The Potential Conundrum of Communication Technologies

•·iPods - Although Apple's online store features several humorous iPod etiquette tips (i.e. "remove both earbuds: during a job interview, taking your driver's test, when your sweetie calls" and to leave the earbuds in "when your boss calls"), this hippest technology medium really can cause some problems on the job. Just because you need to have the latest techno toys, don't let them jeopardize a promising career - leave them in the car or at home! (unless your job or work culture allows them - i.e. graphic designers, or web site developers).

•·Cell phones - They shouldn't be used in public areas (restaurants, movies, concerts, buses, trains, airplanes), or during business meetings (always put them on vibrate). Don't disrupt the service you are performing to take a call - that's just plain rude and makes the person with you feel unworthy of your time and attention. The same goes for taking pictures and text messaging - don't do it on company time.

•·Pagers/beepers - Unless your job duties require you to leave them on, always put pagers and beepers on vibrate.

•· E-mails - Remember, this communication medium is never private (long after you "delete" them any tech support staffer can easily retrieve them from your computer's hard drive). Also, always check spellings, keep them concise, use subject lines and refrain from capital letters.

•· Faxes -- When faxing to hotels with your client's information, cover up names and other confidential information -- or don't use this method at all for proprietary details. Never assume your important fax went through ... a quick call or e-mail is wise to ensure receipt.

•· Speaker phone -- Only use this feature for a conference call, and then always identify everyone on the call for the person or persons on the other end. People who use speaker phone to check messages and make/take daily calls are seen as arrogant.

•· Voice mail -- Keep your own message short, and change it regularly so people know when/how to reach you. Always say your name and number slowly at the beginning and end of messages.

•·Telephone - Keep a smile on your face and nothing in your mouth - no gum or food- when answering. Never put someone on hold unless you ask if it's OK. Then, don't let the person linger, forced to listen to your "on-hold" message or music for too long.

This series addresses three business-related areas of manners to remember when it comes to communicating: communication technologies(iPods, cell phones, e-mail, voice mail and speakerphone); professional appearance (wardrobe and grooming); and dining etiquette (table manners and other aspects of navigating a business meal).

Marjorie Brody, CSP, CPAE, CMC, PCC, is an author, sought-after public speaker, and coach to Fortune 1,000 executives. She is a global authority in helping successful business leaders identify and enhance their strategies and skills for career success. Marjorie's commentary on workplace/career issues is regularly featured on TV and radio shows, and in newspapers and magazines. Marjorie has had the privilege of serving diverse clients such as Microsoft, Pfizer, New York Life Insurance Company, Johnson & Johnson, The Institute of Internal Auditors, Society for Human Resource Management, Executive Women International, and GlaxoSmithKline. To contact Marjorie or book her as a speaker, trainer or coach, call 800-726-7936, or visit http://www.marjoriebrody.com/ for more information.

In an effort to communicate more effectively in public forums, I recently worked with speaking professional Marjorie Brody, a nationally recognized trainer to many Fortune 1000 companies. 

I benefited greatly from her coaching and advice and thought it would be great if she would extend some of her knowledge to my friends at Active Rain.  I asked her to do a guest commentary on my blog, to which she graciously agreed, offering a three part series on The Etiquette of How We Communicate, including the forward below.  Enjoy!

The Etiquette of How We Communicate

by Marjorie Brody, CSP, CPAE Speaker Hall of Fame

Business etiquette in the 1960s and ‘70s closely mirrored the social etiquette that most Baby Boomers learned growing up. It was based on the principles of logic, kindness and efficiency -- back in the day of men being expected to hold doors for their female counterparts and less women in the workplace.

With increasing numbers of Generation X'ers and Y'ers calling the shots in lower and middle management roles, more female professionals, and constant advances in business technologies, and more Millennials entering the workforce, the old ways of looking at business behavior just won't cut it anymore.

There's no denying that people realize it makes good business sense to have proper business etiquette. But, just because Americans are seemingly aware of the importance of professionalism in the workplace, doesn't mean we practice what we preach. Every day I hear more horror stories about business deals gone bad, clients lost, promotions squandered - all due to poor business manners and other etiquette gaffes.

Although not rocket science or technically exciting, common courtesies do make a difference in our daily communications, affecting the relationships we create and the impressions we make.

This feature will address three business-related areas of manners to remember when it comes to communicating:

Part 1 - communication technologies(iPods, cell phones, e-mail, voice mail and speakerphone)

Part 2 - professional appearance (wardrobe and grooming)

Part 3 - dining etiquette (table manners and other aspects of navigating a business meal)

Marjorie Brody, CSP, CPAE, CMC, PCC, is an author, sought-after public speaker, and coach to Fortune 1,000 executives. She is a global authority in helping successful business leaders identify and enhance their strategies and skills for career success. Marjorie's commentary on workplace/career issues is regularly featured on TV and radio shows, and in newspapers and magazines. Marjorie has had the privilege of serving diverse clients such as Microsoft, Pfizer, New York Life Insurance Company, Johnson & Johnson, The Institute of Internal Auditors, Society for Human Resource Management, Executive Women International, and GlaxoSmithKline. To contact Marjorie or book her as a speaker, trainer or coach, call 800-726-7936, or visit http://www.marjoriebrody.com/ for more information.

Today RIS Media ran an article entitled The Top 9 Things Customers Don't Care About.  The list was pretty on target.  But I thought what would make it more helpful is comments about each statement from a real, live Gen Yer, who this year went through the process of hiring a Listing Agent- ME!  RIS Media's list is below.  Followed by my comments. 

The Top 9 Things Customers Don't Care About:

9. How good you are at what you do. They only care about how good you are at who you are and how you can help them get what they want.   [SB] I DO care about how good you are.  Obviously I want to hire a GOOD agent.  However, I will not decide how good you by you telling me.  I will decide based on how I feel about you when I meet you and what other people say about you.  The 'other' people's opinions on you will not come from a testimonial sheet you bring in.  I will read what people are saying about you, unsolicited, on message boards or any 2.0 site that I can find. 

8. Your education, your certifications or your designations. They only care about how what you know can help make their lives more enjoyable, simple and prosperous. [SB] I have been seeing these designations for 10 years now and still have absolutely no idea what they mean.  If you can show me how your designation now affords you some skill that others without it may not have, then mention it.  The only designation that means something to be when I see it is EPro.  From this my guess would be that you are somehow more Internet savvy than others, which means you will be more likely to communicate with me via email, my communication method of choice. 

7. Your brand. They only care that the experience of doing business with you is sensational. [SB] I go 50/50 on this one.  Initially I lean towards a national brand because I think a larger corporation is going to have more Internet partnerships in place and more resources.  But I could be sold by someone under an independent label, if their marketing plan was stellar.

6. You saying you have great service. They only care about getting great service. [SB]  You don't have to tell me about your great service.  I will already know what type of service you provide the minute I send a request for more information.  After I do that, you have about an hour to show me your 'great service'.  If you call me the next day, no service statement in the world is going to convince me otherwise.

5. How much you charge. They care about getting value for their money. [SB] This is true, to a certain degree.  You will have an opportunity to present to me, tell me your plan and tell me your rates.  If I think you are the best and will get my home sold the fastest, commission is irrelevant.  If I like two people equally as good, I will probably go with the lower commission.  So two points here, 1) Be the best and 2) At least be in the ball park of commissions your market is baring.

4. How you feel today. They care about feeling good themselves and having a positive day. [SB] Not saying you don't earn your commission, but at the end of the day, that is still a large chunk of change out of my pocket.  If I am paying someone that much money, it is going to be about me, me, me! 

3. Why you can't do something. They only care about fast, easy solutions. [SB] However you deal with me, is how I assume you are dealing with other agents.  If you tell me you can't do something, I am going to assume that you are telling other agents you can't make things work for them, which doesn't get my house sold.

2. How long you've been in business. They only care about how you can solve their problems under today's conditions. [SB] This is very true, especially because how homes are marketed has evolved so much over the last few years. 

1. How cool or slick your marketing looks. They care about how your product or service can save them time, relieve them of pain, help their family or put money in their bank account. [SB] 100% true.  Show me all the cool and unique ways you are going to market my home.  Show me the back-end systems that are in place where I can get information about what is going on with my home at all times.  Regularly show me Internet statistics as to how my home is performing online and how you are adjusting the plan based on these facts.  I need to hear from you regularly, even if you have nothing to tell me.  Once a week minimum. 

Picture courtesy of www.brandchannel.com

A few weeks ago I blogged about Zillow releasing 2007 Q3 Quarterly Real Estate Market Reports.  For 'spreadsheet people', you could spend a lot of time going through the excel document and drilling down into thousands of local numbers.

Luckily for us more 'visual people'.  A senior developer at Zillow was able to put the Guitar Hero game down long enough to create this very cool interactive map that color codes trends across the US. 

Check it out here. 

There is now one less place to upload your listings for free.  Last week the Edgeio, an online listing service, made the decision to cease operations. 

The company had raised $5 Million since its inception in 2005, which apparently didn't buy them enough time to tum a profit. 

What lessons can be learned from this unfortunate fate?  For one thing, while listings are valuable content, it takes a whole lot more than listings to build a profitable and highly-trafficked real estate website. 

As a Zillow employee, I often get asked, 'what makes you different than the other real estate websites out there'.  Of course there are a number of talking points here.  For example, we have all homes online, not just ones for sale.  Zestimates are unique content that keep people coming back to the site.  We have gotten tremendous press and have greatly benefited consumer word-of-mouth marketing. 

But Zillow didn't build its business purely around listings.  This isn't considered original content anymore.  Zillow built an audience base of over 4,000,000 monthly visitors with very few listings on the site.  Of course, today we are allowing Realtors to upload their listings for free and the listing count is rising.  We know that people what to see this content and we know Realtors want to get their listings in front of this audience, which can only catapult traffic numbers from here. 

But today it takes something more than just listings to build a top ranked website.  This is true even from an individual Realtor website.  Listings of course are something you want to have on your site.  But these days, almost all websites have this functionality.  What type of unique, original content can you add to your site to get visitors to your website and keep them coming back again and again?