New Marketing Information!

A Snapshot Into The Future

The following videos highlight recent advances in technology and science. With ever faster development life cycles these products and ideas will be available soon than we think.

DaVinci (Microsoft Surface Physics Illustrator) from Razorfish - Emerging Experiences on Vimeo. <a href="http://video.msn.com/?mkt=en-GB&playlist=videoByUuids:uuids:a517b260-bb6b-48b9-87ac-8e2743a28ec5&showPlaylist=true&from=shared" target="_new" title="Future Vision Montage">Video: Future Vision Montage</a>

Google Search - Users Beware

Google is stretching the limits and boundaries of ad targeting by allowing advertisers to place their web ads in accordance to a users specific search preferences, information that is gathered about you and stored in the Google archives. This is a bit like the wolf guarding the hen-house but Google is assuring consumers that 'sensitive' information will not be made available to advertisers, and users can even 'opt out' of the data sharing system. Read more.

Purchasing a Hands-Free Device

Consumers who have never shopped for a hands-free device before can find the experience overwhelming. Depending on style and technology, the items range from $10 to $500.  So what exactly should you be looking for?  First and foremost, the experts recommend devices with good sound quality. If you end up getting a wireless device, also consider battery life.

"It's definitely fair to say you get what you pay for. The higher price you pay, the better the sound quality and battery life," said Andrew Steinmetz of Best Buy.  If you're looking for a cheap buy, at Best Buy, you can find them for as little as $10.49. The inexpensive devices are variations of hard-wired headsets, with one or two earplugs and a plastic microphone that rests near your chin.  The sound quality of these devices can be poor, with the mic often picking up background noise making it hard for the person on the other end to hear you.

The next step up is the Bluetooth. It's the industry standard for wireless technology. The most important thing to know about Bluetooth is your cell phone must be compatible.  Most newer phones are, but older cell phones might not work with it.  Bluetooth devices range in price from around $35 to the high-end Jawbone device that sells for $129. Both devices touts noise shields, which cancels out background noise.  If you don't like the idea of one of those pieces dangling off your ear, there are other options. Including a clip-on device that attaches to your visor. It costs between $35 and $119.  Many cars now come with speakerphones or you can have them installed for around $500.  The car system allows drivers to hear callers through the car's speakers.  Because of the law deadline fast approaching, stores are expecting a run-on hands free devices.

Who Feeds Trulia, Google, Yahoo & MSM?

FIFO does, generally. First In, First Out.

Background: The big four search engines are ground zero for home buyers starting their search for a new home. According to CAR, today over 65% of new home buyers start the home buying process online and of those that do, 85%+ start with Google, Yahoo and MSN.

Who feeds the search engine with the property information? In most cases it is the first site that features your property information such as the MLS, Realtor.com, your company website, vFlyer.com, Postlets.com, etc.

Sites such as Trulia, Google, yahoo, MSN, have "Webbots" that scour the Internet each day updating their computers, and your listing information will be grabbed as well.

At Issue: All too often your search results will reveal your property has missing or erroneous information. The good news is you will most likely have direct control over the information "pushed" to these sites, but it can take some detective work to find which source requires the changes.

Helpful tip: Within a week of listing your property, conduct a search on Google, Yahoo and MSN and find your listing. Review the search result source carefully to make sure your property is featured the way you wish. You may notice that Trulia and Zillow have the highest search results for your property since these sites are very popular with the major search engines.

If you need to fix the search results, click through to the originating website to determine who is feeding the presenting site. Generally it will be the first site you entered your new listing property information to.

To learn more, about this and other new marketing tools and strategies generating NOW business for real estate professionals, contact Shawn at (760) 271-8584 or Bev at (619) 246-6715.