This discussion right here about Realtor PAC money. The post is good; the comments are better.Embracing and engaging spirited, vital debate is crucial to maintaining trust, credibility – and relevance.* I never thought I’d write that title, but here we are.
Browsing Category RE Blogs
1600+ real estate blogs
Searchable from one place.If you’re looking for real estate information, the REMBEX is a brilliant place to start. Thanks, Todd for keeping up with it.
A little competition is healthy
And the prizes can’t be beat.Those prizes being a firm handshake, a pat on the back perhaps and the ever-lasting glory that comes from winning a Blog Brawl.For those of you reading who have 30 seconds to spare, I’d appreciate your submission at the Virginia Association of Realtors’ blog. Just type in realcentralva.com, click submit and then bask in the satisfaction of helping me achieve the afore-mentioned ever-lasting glory.Candidly, I’m quite proud that our state Realtor Association is reaching out to the next generation of members. So, thanks.Go here to submit realcentralva.com.
What a difference six months make (in blogging)
I’m at the Virginia Association of Realtors’ conference this week, and that’s why I haven’t been responding to the comments (sorry!). I’ve been talking about blogging quite a bit in the hallways, and the single greatest “thing” I’ve noticed is this – Since the last conference, the conversation has shifted from “What’s a Blog?” to “How do we deal with them?” How-to, liability, branding, advertising versus journalism.I’m going to be speaking at the Charlottesville Association of Realtors meeting about blogging next month, and to a Northern Virginia Board of Directors soon about “how to deal with blogs” – the shift in acceptance is, quite frankly, amazing.
Speaking in New York City this week
I sat on a similar panel last fall in San Francisco and am privileged and honored to speak again.The panel is titled “Blogging, a Fresh Take on Client Prospecting” with Pat Kitano, Johnathan Butler and Frances Flynn Thorsen. The best part of going to Inman is the chance to connect and reconnect with others in the real estate world.My secret for “getting clients” through blogging?… Be consistent, honest, transparent and provide the best local real estate information…. Is there anything in particular that would cause you to contact a Realtor because of his or her blog?
Three years of blogging
It’s humbling and a bit embarrassing to look back to my first posts on 4 January 2005, on a vastly different (and inferior, non-open-source) blogging platform – but it was a good place to start.I’d like to think I and this site have grown, matured, tried new things and failed and learned in the process…. Its evolution has been one marked by rapid change, persistence, patience and a dedication to providing the absolute best local analysis of the Charlottesville area real estate market – targeted at buyers, sellers, real estate voyeurs and fellow real estate professionals.I remain passionate and committed to the real estate industry and my clients, and this blog is a big reason for that…. Thank you.Take a quick look at the search traffic for “real estate blog” -A quick look at the Internet Archive shows parts of the evolution.October 18 2005June 30 2006 (one of my favorites, as it shows a hidden “river” showing itself in the City of Charlottesville)February 1 2007 – Sold comps matter lessMuch has changed in three years – there are many more real estate bloggers than there were three years ago. Having been one of the first real estate bloggers gives me a unique perspective, and one thing is constantly being reinforced – being first matters not one damn bit unless you provide consistently high quality content and constantly innovate to meet and stay ahead of consumers’ and readers’ expectations.Blogging has become easier; the threshold for entry is very low – and that is good and bad…. Thank you to the real estate bloggers I have met, on and offline, to the local media who have been so receptive to seeking me out occasionally, to the readers and commenters and to the clients I have gained.I am grateful for your time, your knowledge and for the opportunity to know you, and look forward to another year of writing, analyzing and interacting with readers, clients and friends on and off line.
The NAR Gateway – Preliminary report released
The Gateway facilitates multi-lingual access to real property information.2.Information available to participants and subscribers is: comprehensive timely relevant accurate objective secure formatted so it can be annotated, supplemented or corrected by other participants or subscribers whose contributions will be acknowledged and electronically “fingerprinted” “official” information (i.e., data available from recognized authoritative sources); “factual content” (i.e., data and comments provided by listing brokers); and enhancements and corrections offered by otherparticipants and subscribers information enhancements, updates and corrections made by others will be performed on identical platforms participants and subscribers can provide direct, immediate feedback to listing brokers3.Service providers can offer participants access, value-added tools, and other enhancements to real property information, at prices determined by the service provider. Participants can choose whether they will input / access real property information directly through the Gateway or through the service provider of their choice.4.Participants cooperate with each other in the manner anticipated by Article 3 of the Code of Ethics.5.Participants have the opportunity, but will not be required, to offer compensation for cooperative services.6.Access to information is subject to participants agreeing to arbitrate contractual disputes with other participants.7.Participants can register their buyer-clients, including their real property search criteria.Participation and access1.Participants are real estate broker-principals, firms comprised of real estate broker-principals, licensed and certified real estate appraisers, real estate appraisal firms, and property management firms.2.Subscribers are non-principal brokers, sales licensees, and licensed and certified real estate appraisers affiliated with participants and may, as a matter of local option, also include participants’ affiliated unlicensed administrative and clerical staff, personal assistants, and individuals seeking licensure or certification as real estate appraisers, provided that any such individual is under the direct supervision of a participant or a participant’s licensed designee.3.Vendors authorized by participants to develop/deliver enhanced data products to those participants have access, subject to appropriate license agreements.Operational issues1.The Gateway is an NAR-owned subsidiary governed by real estate broker-principals…. It does not subsidize or underwrite unrelated activities or operations, including associations of REALTORS® at any level.3.The Gateway exists for the benefit of the community of real estate professionals.4.There is a standardized data structure which can incorporate local customization and content.5.The Gateway employs streamlined, consistent business rules applied on a universal basis.6.The Gateway has authority to contract with local and regional service providers for administrative services (e.g. arbitration, rules enforcement, billing, training, technical support, and other functions).Implications for Existing MLSs1. The Gateway is a data repository supporting multiple service providers’ front end user interfaces, including the Gateway’s interface2.Service providers establish / enforce rules consistent with the business rules established by the Gateway.3.Existing MLSs – are encouraged, but not required to, participate in the Gateway.4.Participating MLSs / service providers supply data (including listing information) to the -Gateway and may provide front-end, value-added tools, and other enhancements to participants.