Thought you might be interested in two interesting survey results.  One from Harris Poll shows real estate agents have "hardly any prestige at all."  Another from Time Magazine shows that we are in the top tier of those happy with our job.  So apparently even though no one thinks highly of us, we think highly of ourselves. 

Thought I'd pass on a tip I found at agentsonline.net.  Instead taking listing photos with a wide-angle lens, check out a university developed free demo program called "autostitch".  This program creates 2D panoramic photos by taking a series of shots and "stitching" them together.  The really cool thing is that you don't have to be careful about how you overlap the photos, or the sequence - it automatically finds the overlap points and seamlessly puts them together.  I did a test by taking several shots of my living room and throwing them into autostitch.  The result was fantastic -much better than I could have done with a wide-angle shot.  Here's the link for more info and to download:

http://tinyurl.com/5xa4o

Note that the author says you can use photos created by the demo version as long as you acknowledge the use of Autostitch.  You can also purchase commercial software that incorporates the technology.

There was a post awhile back about the value of designations.  I had said I was going to take the ABR class, and just finished it today.  I must admit I could easily have passed the test without sitting through the class (took all of 15 minutes to get through 50 multi-choice questions).  However, I did get a great deal out of the class itself, primarily due to the instructor who passed on a number of his buyer presentation and marketing ideas, as well as impressing on us the level of liabilities we take on with our clients and how to protect ourselves.  The instructor, Curtis Hall, co-authored the ABR course.  I highly recommend his class if you have a chance to take it. 

OK, I've got to let off a little steam.  I've been trying to write some blog posts for my site, keeping them as original as I can.  Now, reviewing home sale statistics from the local MLS is not terribly original, but at least I try to interject my own opinion on the numbers.  Imagine my surprise when I browse through the blog postings on point2homes and see my housing commentary copied by another REALTOR(c) team, word for word with a new title!  Not even a reference to my post, which was just a few posts down from theirs on the same page.  I left my own comment on their blog and sent them email notifying them of my displeasure about the rip-off.  They later delete the post, but no acknowledgment or apology. 

Browsing their other posts shows that they regularly post entire copies of articles from other sources.  I'm sure they do this to appear more knowledgeable to prospective clients, get better search rankings, and to get placed as featured agents on the point2home site.   They are not alone in this practice.  I'ts frustrating for me when I take time to write my own articles.  All's fair in love and Real Estate?

Another 4^th of July has come on gone.  I’m normally not a fireworks fan, mainly because I’m averse to fighting traffic and crowds to see them.  Last year was one of the better years since we were at our resort cottage in Idaho, and saw fireworks around the lake from a pontoon boat – no hassle to get there.  Fireworks were “OK”, but the experience was great.

 

So this year, we are stuck at home in Tempe, AZ in 115+ degree heat.  My 15yr old son comes to me and asks to go see some fireworks with his friends.  I inwardly groan due to my crowd phobia.  He appeals to my wife who agrees to take him to one of the largest and crowded shows in the area at Tempe Town Lake park.  I summon up my fatherly instincts and go along with the plan.

 

Fortunately, the city offered free bus service to the event from a nearby parking lot.  We pick up my son’s friends and drive to the bus stop expecting to fight for a parking spot since we are leaving a bit late to avoid the worst heat.  Pleasantly surprised, we find the lot almost deserted and an empty bus waiting for us.  After a short ride we arrive in downtown Tempe and walk to the park.  Lots of people, but we find a nice spot to view the display and unfold our chairs for the duration.  People watching and listening to music are the main activities until show time 3 hours away with occasional walking breaks for food and exercise. 

 

The show is mainly sponsored by a local television station with bands and kids activities.  My son and friends quickly make a run for it and disappear into the throng until show time.

 

I must admit that I passed some time checking my email on my cell phone.  Wouldn’t you know, I had a few registrations from my P2 webpage!

 

The actual fireworks show is the best I’ve ever seen.  Most of the local city shows are limited in budget, so you are lucky to see two or three rockets go up at once until the finale.  Tempe went all out shooting the rockets from a nearby bridge, constantly bursting from multiple launches and patterns.  Excellent!  Even the cars on a nearby major freeway were slowing down to watch - fortunately without an accident, at least that we could see.

 

Afterwards, we deal with the dreaded “crowd” again and make our way back to the bus stop.  This time we are not so lucky and it’s standing room only all the way back.  Not too bad considering the convenience factor.  We drop the friends off and head home. 

 

All in all, not a bad 4^th.

There was a recent post about whether to call a new lead from your website, or just put them on drip.  Myself and most others recommended calling right away and do drip.  I should have taken my own advice.  I got a registration with phone number yesterday around 12pm, and put off calling.  I tried last night with no answer, then again late this afternoon.  She said "Oh, I got a Realtor yesterday afternoon".  Ouch!  That hurt.  If I had called right after getting the notice, I probably would have been her Realtor.  Lesson learned.

I recently had a client ask if particular areas of town are safe.  Some areas of town are obviously more inclined to "incidents" than others.  They are looking for a condo for their daughter that will be attending the local university.  We found a nice condo, but located in an area of concern to the parents.  I can understand their concern for her safety.  But should I offer an opinion on relative safety of different areas, or just direct them to local police website crime statistics?  I don't want to be perceived to be steering them to certain areas, or provide inaccurate information.  I played it safe and gave them the crime web links and MLS census demographic data.  What would you do?

I just discovered a nifty use of a new Google feature called My Maps.  This allows you to create an interactive annotated map of any area.  You can put icons at various locations and enter descriptive text and photos for each.  I created one for a buyer client showing the locations we were going to see during our outing.  Gives a great overview of the home locations relative to each other, and in this case proximity to ASU where their daughter would be attending.  Here's a link to the map I created.   I'm sure there are even more creative ways to use this, such as creating a map of your listings including photos and descriptions.