In 2005, the search for the perfect neighborhood took a backseat to simply finding a home.  In terms of new developments and new builds, "waiting lists" and "lottery systems" were common phrases.  For resales, same-day offers (sometimes in the double digits) was common-place.  In many cases, homes were selling so rapidly there wasn't even time to list them online (or even a need to do so).

Given the recent rise in volume of homes, the search for the perfect neighborhood or community is not paramount, but a definite sought after luxury for today's buyer.

INFORMATION SOUGHT AFTER
-- Census Data (crime, demographics, schools, etc) - The typical information any buyer would want to know.
-- Maps - Overlay of Neighborhood Data with Maps - Both topographical, satelite, and traditional street name views are available.
-- Google Street View - Be a "fly on the wall" and get a first person view of the "street" and immediate neighborhood on which a target property resides.
-- Agents owning a neighborhood - showcase and sponsorship of neighborhoods and zip codes for increased impressions on consumer websites.

CONSUMER SITES
Each of the following sites allow for neighborhood search capabilities combined with advanced map and view technology.
--> eppraisal.com - Allows for both a map view with street, aerial, and hybrid views, as well as a 3-dimensional "bird's eye" views.  "City Snapshots" (also when searching by zip code) is a service that allows consumers to browse: recent sales, market insights, schools, lifestyles, employment and find a real estate professional.
--> Trulia.com - 2-D, 3-D maps and now street view is common-place; along with "Stats & Trends" for a target zip code or city (market trends, homes for sale, schools, community info, Trulia Voices "feed" w/ Q&A on target community, and text box to get advice or ask questions).
--> RealEstate.com - Provides Street View capabilities combined with aerial views.
--> Zillow.com - Provides aerial maps of the surrounding areas including 3-dimensional "bird's eye" views. Zindex, their home valuation index, is the median Zestimate valuation for a given geographic area on a given day.
--> CyberHomes.com - Offers all of the previous viewing options plus icons embedded in the view application for information including points of interest and various other noteworthy local information.

AGENTS' WEBSITES
--> NeighborhoodScout - Allows for searches for senior communities, best schools, luxury communities, etc.  Incorporates various views as well as a host of neighborhood statistical information such as housing value range, school quality, crime rates, and much more.

CONCLUSIONS
From the comfort of the consumer's home, Neighborhood search has expanded, serving equal importance (if not more), than the sea of listings on the market.  Given Neighborhood Data, Earth / Sattelite Images of Neighborhoods, and even street view to examine "upkeep" by residents in a neighborhood (or lack their of given Home Owners Associations commonly needing to step up...consumers are becoming more savvy in researching neighborhood data on their own time.

We had the pleasure of interviewing Sandra Sims, a recent REAL ESTATE WEBOGRAPHER™ (REW™) certificant.

Sandra is a Virtual Assistant (VA) involved in the Real Estate Industry for 20+ years. She is REPA certified and pursued the REW program in order to be able to offer more services to her clients so that they may use their valuable time doing what they do best - bringing in new business. She found her answer in REW.

We took a few moments to ask some questions on her thoughts of the program.

1) What is your background?

I have been in the Real Estate Industry for over 20 years. I started out working for several Property Management companies handling leasing of properties, doing administrative duties along with becoming an Office Manager. I have become NAR REPA (Real Estate Professional Assistant) certified which is a National Association of Realtors designation along with having extensive experience with real estate operations specializing in property management. I enjoy what I do and it enables me to spend time with my family.

2) Why did you undertake the REAL ESTATE WEBOGRAPHER™ (REW™) certification?

Megan Barber of Barber Virtual Assisting Solutions suggested that I take this course since she had just completed it herself and said that it would help all of us Real Estate Professional Assistants. I am proud that I now have my REAL ESTATE WEBOGRAPHERS™ certification. I took this course to further my education and to be able to offer more services as a Real Estate Virtual Assistant. I own my own business and feel that continued education of technologies is of up most importance in keeping up with the constant changes.

3) Which course (or courses) did you find the most value in?

In the REW course I learned so many different programs and feel that all were very valuable to me and my business and I highly recommend this program to help keep pace with the changing technology of today!

4) In what ways will you utilize the technologies you learned in the REW™ certification to enhance your career or business?

The course has allowed me to be able to offer more services to Real Estate Professionals and there businesses along with offering more as a virtual assistant to small businesses too! This will give my clients the opportunity to hand off to me their day to day tasks which lets them have more time to increase their business and close more deals.

5) How long did it take you to complete the certification and what are your impressions of the online experience?

It took me several weeks to complete this course due to my not having time to complete it all at once. But I enjoyed being able to take it on my own time which allowed me to work it in between my not so busy times!

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Thanks Sandra and all the Best!

Avondale, AZ – April 23, 2008- The National Institute of Webographers, owner of the REAL ESTATE WEBOGRAPHER™(REW) program, announced today that it has reached an agreement with InternetCrusade’s RealTown.comreal estate portal to offer RealTown’s 75,000 members access to Webographers 12 Real Estate Technology courses.

“We are extremely pleased with the opportunity to work with RealTown.com.  RealTown is a vibrant community of members sharing best practices across the digital divide.  Webographers.com looks to further compliment continuous and educational learning opportunities already made available RealTown members", says Marc Grayson, President of National Institute of Webographers.

“The REAL ESTATE WEBOGRAPHER™ program is an excellent addition to our RealTown Approved Vendor program,” said Saul Klein, President and CEO of InternetCrusade. “REW curriculum is a benefit-rich, follow-up program for individuals wanting to enhance their real estate technology competency. As an advocate of technology-awareness training for real estate professionals, the National Institute of Webographers showcases exemplary products to best compliment curriculum rooted upon technology awareness and adoption by real estate professionals. 

To receive special discounts on the the REAL ESTATE WEBOGRAPHER™program, simply go to the RealTown.com site and visit the "Education" tab or the "Store" tab OR look for the Webographers.com logos and banners.

We had the pleasure of interviewing Kathy Goldman, a recent REAL ESTATE WEBOGRAPHER™ (REW™) certificant.

Kathy is a Virtual Assistant (VA) involved in the Real Estate Industry for over 14 years.  She currently owns and operates her own business, REVAonline.  REVA Online provides the admin and technology expertise Realtors® need to take their Real Estate business to the next level. They take over the behind-the-scenes administrative tasks to allow the RE professional to concentrate on what they do best — listing and selling properties!

We took a few moments to ask some questions on her thoughts of the program.

1) What is your background?

I have 4+ years as a virtual Real Estate Assistant and 10+ years of in-house real estate experience. I am familiar with many website hosts and their products as well as lead generation tools and website content and maintenance. I have a team of experts trained to support the various tools and services that help integrate and streamline my client’s businesses. We provide website support and maintenance, website content, single property websites, lead management, post card campaigns, Virtual Tours and more!

2) Why did you undertake the REAL ESTATE WEBOGRAPHER™ (REW™) certification?

I believe that you should never stop learning. Although most of the information covered in this course was review, there were many things that I was able to take from the course as well. I prefer to stay on top of the game by taking courses and vendor training when the opportunity arises.

3) Which course (or courses) did you find the most value in?

I though the whole course was a great “package” offering insight and training into many areas Realtors® may not have know about. This is just a great all-around insight into tools and services that agents can utilize to streamline their business.

4) In what ways will you utilize the technologies you learned in the REW certification to enhance your career or business?

I will apply these techniques daily in the support of my clients. My clients look to me to be on the cutting edge of technology and to find ways to make their businesses better and thereby enhancing their client relations and their marketing opportunities.

5) How long did it take you to complete the certification and what are your impressions of the online experience?

I may not be indicative of the average person taking the courses. I used all the days, but that was due to my own time limitations. The course is somewhat lengthy, but covered all the topics necessary. Once in with the online instructor, the time flew by quickly and the courses were easy to understand. This is definitely a series I would recommend to my clients!

—

Thanks Kathy and all the Best!

The National Institute of Webographers, owner of the REAL ESTATE WEBOGRAPHER™ (REW) certification and ZipForm, the leading provider of Electronic Forms software have teamed up to provide a hefty discount towards enrollment of the REW™ certification; exclusive to ZipForm subscribers.

The REW certification is the ideal training for new agents looking to enter the market and build their online reputation as well as seasoned agents looking to sharpen their online-technology skills and offer more to their clients.

If you have been putting off your technology awareness training for the right time, that time is now!

Discount for ZipForm Subscribers Ends 04/16/2008

One interesting thing about Web 2.0 is the enhancement of communication between real estate professional and consumers, establashing transparent dialogue that is also of interest to other potential clients.

When we think of communication such as blogs & email, this communication is asyncronous. This means it's not in real-time and dialogue occurs when you can get to it. In Web 2.0, realtime or syncronous communication is the next unchartered wave of the Web 2.0 ocean.

Chat tools could be effective as real-time communications, but there exists a problem of agents (or their assistants) being tied to a computer to chat in real-time.

WEBINARS & ONLINE MEETINGS
Many of you agents and brokers have attended a webinar to listen in on a new product your thinking of purchasing, or have attended a webinar for training of a product you have purchased.

(a) Use by Agents / Brokers
Given realtime communication, agents / brokers could hold online meetings w/ prospective buyers and sellers in their own marketplace. From a Web 2.0 perspective, online meetings still keep that "buffer" consumers enjoy online of not meeting someone in-person until they are ready to conduct business. These meetings could be "scheduled" during evenings when prospective clients can "sit in" from the comfort of their own home.

(b) What to Discuss
Listing Presentations and knowledge on the current market would play into such online presentations. You'd be surprised that you likely have all materials handy to create, for example, a Powerpoint presentation. You could have a series of online meetings targeted to niche consumers, i.e. "First Time HomeBuyers".

(c) Who'd Attend
Besides the agent and prospective consumers, mortgage brokers and even previous clients who can bring "testimonials" to the table, are ideas of who could attend. Having an assistant on hand to take notes, write down questions of consumers where time outside the meeting is required, is also a smart idea. As with any "meeting", a single person such as the agent or broker, must keep things moving and not let anyone person dominate the dialogue.

(d) Marketing Your Online Meetings
Besides your agent website and blog, direct marketing can be used where it makes sense. Consider holding informational webinars for the niche "First-time Home Buyers". You may want to develop flyers and target apartment complexes in your direct marketing, advertising your online meetings and webinars.

(e) Online Meeting Software
Tools like Yugma and Gotomeeting are great tools to assist in sharing your desktop w/ consumers, but also scheduling and pre-registering invites given different packages from such vendors.

In conclusion, Web 2.0 is about creating a dialogue with your current and prospective clients. Realtime chat is of great challenge. Online Meetings are a "scheduled" chat, can be visually stimulating, and inclusive of many prospects when done properly.

We had the pleasure of interviewing Ekemma Mmeje, a recent REAL ESTATE WEBOGRAPHER™ (REW™) certificant.

Ekemma is a Virtual Assistant (VA) working out of Silver Spring, MD. Having been approached several times by many RE professionals looking for help creating and maintaining an online web-presence, Ekemma seeked out the knowledge to broaden her own RE technology skill set, and improve her value as a VA. She found her answer in REW.

We took a few moments to ask some questions on her thoughts of the program.

1) What Is Your Background?

I have over 5 years of experience working as an office Administrator. I decided to offer my services as a virtual assistant, to help small businesses and busy professionals who are faced with day-to-day administrative challenges to meet their business objectives. As a Virtual Assistant, I enjoy having some time to myself as well as practicing my profession. I currently run my own business, Xpertva serivces, and can be reached at xpertva@yahoo.com, or by at phone 301.943.6096.

2) Why did you undertake the REAL ESETATE WEBOGRAPHER™ (REW)?

I have been approached several times by real estate professionals to assist them with their office management and to also help them create a solid web presence. Because of this, I decided to take this certification to help me broaden my knowledge base in this area.

3) Which Course Did You Find The Most Value In?

The courses that I find the most value in include the following: Online Transaction Management (OTM), Mobile Technology, Electronic Forms (covering MLS, IDX, VOW and ILD Technologies).

4) In What Ways Will You Use The Technologies You Learnt To Enhance Your Career Or Business?

I will use the technologies that I have learnt to assist real estate professionals in their business. I will support their online transactions, create and maintain a web presence and help improve their office management. This will give them more time to interact with their clients, generate more leads, and close more sales.

5) How long did it take you to complete the certification and what are your impressions of the online experience?

It took me 3 days to complete the course and it was very interesting and educative. I have more insights now with the latest technologies in online real estate technologies.

—

Thanks Ekemma and all the Best!

This year the government has decided that the best way to keep us out of recession (or at least, one of the best ways) is to give us each back some "extra" money during tax season. I say "extra", because really they are just giving us back money that is actually ours to begin with, but that's besides the point...

So this year, some of us will receive $300 checks during tax season, and for some lucky people $600 or even more! The thinking behind this blessing is that each person who files their taxes and receives their check will take that money and spend it on something. This is sort of a round-about way for the government to bail out all the failing businesses (who make up the economy) by asking us to spend our "free money".

Well, what should you spend it on? I'm sure if you are anything like me, you have a nice long list. The car needs brakes, the yard needs landscaping, etc, etc. Are these the "right" things to spend your return on? Well, that's debatable. These are certainly responsibilities that need attention (especially those car brakes, wouldn't go too long with those squealing - just because they drown out the kids doesn't mean that's a good thing!). But these things will always need attention. I like to refer to these items as "return-less". In other words, although necessary expenditures, you won't MAKE any MONEY from them, and they are probably not going to MAKE you SUCCESSFUL.

However, there is also a realm many people forget about - education. Education is not only the key to success, but it also the key to keeping a sharp mind. Additional education can NEVER hurt, especially in a troubled market such as Real Estate. Even my real estate agent friend is taking classes and certs (and trust me, if she is, than EVERYONE should be).

When you decide where to educate, consider the REAL ESTATE WEBOGRAPHER (REW) - the RE certification that teaches you how to create an all-inclusive web-presence that truly hands you the tools you can use to build or drastically improve your career in terms of income AND success. Sign-up now!

The National Institute of Webographers is proud to announce a partnership with VANetworking; offering the REAL ESTATE WEBOGRAPHER™ (REW)  for both regular members and VAInsiders at VA Networking. For additional details about this special offer, please click here.

VA Networking is the largest online Virtual Assistant Networking Association business network available for aspiring and successful Virtual Assistants and Virtual Achievers to share, learn and succeed. To become a member costs nothing, and the site contains various information about what a VA is and the benefits of becoming one. Also available are a host of services to aid VA's including discounts on popular technologies and certifications as well opportunities to share information with the thousands of VA members and networking opportunities.

With 8,000+ members and growing, VAnetworking discovered a group of VAs ready to kick things up a notch looking for something a little more “exclusive,” a “total package” designed for the discriminating VA who hasn’t got the time to shop the forums for the best deal. For those members, VA Networking has responded by offering an exclusive membership referred to as VAInsiders. For a comparison of the extras available as a VAInsider, please visit here.

At the completion of course materials for the REAL ESTATE WEBOGRAPHER certification, candidates adhere to (initial) the REW Commitment Document. 

Within their first year, REW certificants commit to implementing or administering at least 1 web-centric, real estate technology - whether for themselves (agents, brokers) or for their clients (assistants).  Certificants provide proof of implementing or adminstering a technology via the Technology Proof Form.

Recently, we had an REW professional, Marie Martinez, go above and beyond in her implementation of web-based real estate technologies, per her completion of the Technology Proof Form.  Marie didn't just show proof of one web-based online technology, but FIVE!  Click each technology below (individual components of her fax to Webographers) as inclusive proof of implementing and administering real estate technology.   

- Broker Website - Maintaining a broker's website.  See website here. 

- Virtual Tour - See the actual tour here. 

- Single-property Website - using postlets.com

- Online Classifieds - syndication of a listing on craigslists.

- Direct Marketing - eNewsletter of the listing using constant contact.

The REAL ESTATE WEBOGRAPHER certification is not just about learning the value-proposition of today's foremost real estate technologies--but having the commitment to adopt and implement real estate technologies.