Bloggers often universally praise their craft and encourage others to do so with evangelical zeal.

Is blogging a good thing? I’d say it depends on why you blog. There are a lot of good reasons to blog. For example, Mitch Ribak advocates blogging as a means of staying in touch with existing customers.

There are many reasons, however, NOT to blog.

This is the case against blogging for business:

I know that blogging against blogging is a bit like dancing against architecture but here are some questions to ask before you start blogging:

1. Are you a Realtor or a writer?

The concept of Realtors as bloggers reminds me of the cliché of waiters as actors. “I don’t really sell houses; I am working on my screen play.” Unless you like writing, don’t bother.

2. Who cares?

Potential customers want to see listings, find out what their homes are worth, know how many houses you sold in the last year and what your commission rate might be. Of less interest to consumers when selecting a Realtor probably is Continue reading this post

Welcome to world of online marketing. Everybody’s doing it! I recognized that Web 2.0 had legs when I watched a model leverage a Myspace profile into a TV show. I choose to wrangle the herd by blogging.

While I’ve had some success, it didn’t come easy. Many real estate agents and mortgage originators believe that blogging is the “little purple pill”, prescribed to cure all their marketing woes. Others subscribe to business models like HomeGain, in hopes that it has the “magic tonic”.

I believe that real estate agents should have marketing systems to generate enough interest to meet their annual business goals. I think you should use the Millionaire Real Estate Agent model. That model, perfected by Gary Keller, is, without reservation, the finest way to market a real estate practice to would-be buyers and sellers.

It’s simple. You’ll close one transaction for every twelve “mets” you have in your database. If you’re practicing the principle of “buying brain cells”, through systematic multi-media marketing, you can Continue reading this post

Firstly, I want to thank the many of you who have emailed me and thanked me for my blog entries.

I try to only write things that I feel will help you become either a better real estate agent or broker. The Internet can be a huge money pit if you don’t know how to use it properly.

Believe me; I have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars perfecting what we do here at Tropical Realty in Melbourne, Florida.

Now to my main point.

I have received this question several times over the past few weeks: “What do I do with all the leads I get that have no phone numbers?”

I figure I should probably set the record straight. Each time I get the question I cringe at the thought of these real estate agents throwing their money down the drain.

My immediate reaction is always, “What do you think you should do with them?” Of course I usually say that to myself so I don’t hurt their feelings. Continue reading this post

Seven years after sending a potential Annapolis, MD client a proposal to help him sell his home, Mona LaCovey received a call to get started with the transaction!

Here’s how the story goes:

In 2000 Mr. Chatterton started planning to sell his home. He began his search for a real estate agent online, opting to use HomeGain’s Find a Realtor® service.

Mona LaCovey responded to Mr. Chatterton with a personalized proposal outlining her services and addressing his needs and questions.

Although Mr. Chatterton decided to not sell his home then, with his retirement in 2007, he remembered Mona and called her up. Continue reading this post

A decade ago, technology had very little to do with a Realtor’s® business. Today, however, technology is essential to an agent or broker’s success.

How does one go about choosing the right technology tools?

Without over-paying for the latest trendy gadget, below is a list of 10 devices that all 21st century real estate professionals should use. Based on feedback from HomeGain agents, these devices will help increase your business’ effectiveness, efficiency and competitiveness.

Top 10 Technology Tools for REALTORS®

1. Website

Website is one of the most important marketing tools an agent can have. It’s not just a way to tell potential homebuyers and sellers who you are and what you offer, but it essential for lead generation. How so? If you set up a form on our site, most likely on your home page, the more motivated consumers will provide you with their contact information. And voila, you have a new lead. Set up auto-responder emails to thank a person for visiting your site, give your contact info, and tell them a realistic amount of time when they should expect a return call or email from you. Continue reading this post