20 Ways to Touch Your Database This Year!

Don’t lose another opportunity to touch your database this year. Trying figure out how to keep your database thriving? Use these great holidays as a chance to stay in front of your clients all year long!

Call AnotherMe Virtual Assistants today to find out how we can help you with marketing!

New Year’s Day – January 1st, 2018                    Independence Day – July 4th, 2018 

Valentine’s Day – February 14th, 2018               Halloween – October 31st, 2018 

Daylight Savings – March 11th, 2018                   Thanksgiving – November 22nd, 2018 

Memorial Day – May 28th, 2018                           Christmas – December 25th, 2018 

Tired of the traditional holiday postcards & emails? Here are a few interesting  and fun holidays that your clients will enjoy! Get specific- if you have a client who loves beer, send them something funny they will relate to and remember. Not creative? Let AnotherMe help you design a postcard/email!

National Margarita Day – Feb. 22nd, 2018          National Dog Day – August 26th, 2018

Pi Day – March 14th, 2018                                     Drink Beer Day – Sept. 28th, 2018 

Earth Day – April 22nd, 2018                                  Make a Difference Day – Oct. 27th, 2018

Cinco De Mayo – May 5th, 2018                            Veteran’s Day – November 11th, 2018

National Donut Day – June 1st, 2018                  Small Business Saturday – Nov. 24th, 2018

National Ice Cream Day – July 15th, 2018              Ugly Sweater Day – December 21st, 2018

Want more holiday ideas? Check out http://www.holidayscalendar.com/

What are you waiting for? Your clients want to hear from you!

Don’t have the time? Call today!

Realtors Beware – Sellers Are Watching and Listening! 

With today’s technology advancements, there are many ways to keep an eye on your home while your away. However, many sellers are using new technology to listen in on buyers while their home is being shown. If you search for hidden cameras on Amazon.com, I am sure you will be stunned at the variety of options there are. From phone chargers to picture frames, it’s safe to say you are possibly being watched during your next showing!

Here are a few ways to tell if there are cameras in the home you are showing to your clients:

1. Use a RF detector.

These detection devices are pretty neat! They can pick up on active recording devices in a home. AKA, if you are being watched or recorded in real time, this device will know! They run around $100 and you can easily purchase one on Amazon. Keep in mind, if there is a recording device that runs off of a SD card instead of Wi-Fi, it won’t pick that device up.

2. Use your eyes!

This is one of your easiest options. A lot of homeowners have devices that stand out in plain sight or they are very obvious. Keep this in mind when showing that perfect house to your buyer and remind them to take the negotiation conversation outside!

3. Use a flashlight

Most of us have flashlights on our phones and they are a great way to look for cameras as well. Turn your flashlight on and pan around the house with it. You’ll be looking for a reflection. If you find one, you may have just found a hidden camera lens.

So, your best bet to protect your buyers interest when showing homes is to keep quiet when you are inside! You never know if you are being watched. Remind your clients to keep their comments to themselves when they are looking around and once you’re outside, let the comments flow!

Top 5 Reasons Realtors® should recommend Simplisafe!

Here at AnotherME our clients and their customers are very important to us and that includes your safety!                                                      Recently, we’ve been hearing amazing reviews about the company SimpliSafe and their DIY Home Security System. With even more bells and whistles than the top security companies out there, SimpliSafe is a product we highly recommend to our clients and here are the top five reasons why!  

1. No Contracts

With SimpliSafe, you are not locked in to a contract. You have the option to cancel your $14.99 monthly subscription to their 24/7 Home Security Monitoring at any time! Plus, they are so confident you’ll love your new DIY Security System, they will give you a full refund including return shipping within the first 60 days if you don’t!

2. Easy Setup

Unlike the security system industry competitors, SimpliSafe comes in a box shipped directly to your home for you to set up in minutes! That’s right, no annoying appointments with pushy salesmen, no tools and no stress! All you have to do is open the box, plug in the base station, mount the sensors and you are ready to protect your home!

3. 24/7 Alarm System Monitoring

With your monthly subscription, your home is protected around the clock! When a sensor detects a possible break-in, your system will sound off and alert SimpliSafe’s 24/7 Security Monitoring Center. Unless you cancel the alarm when the security specialist calls you, the police will be sent to your home right away!

4. Top Notch Technology

From water sensors that alert you of potential leaks to freeze sensors that tell you when your homes temperature has dropped below 41 degrees, you choose to protect your home in any way imaginable! You can also control your system from your phone, your computer, or a key fob! SimpliSafe products auto-update, work on wi-fi and the batteries hardly ever need to be replaced. The sensors are even pet-friendly; you seriously can’t go wrong with a system like this!

5. A la Carte Components

While you can choose from their pre-built packages ranging from basic ($229) to the all-inclusive “Haven” package ($489), you have the option to customize your own system! You’re required to have the base station and the wireless keypad and from there it’s up to you to add the features you want and need. Whether you have a tiny house or a mansion, SimpliSafe’s Build a System option is perfect for you! 

To learn more about the SimpliSafe DIY Home Security System, check out their website for reviews and more details at https://simplisafe.com/

Top 5 Reasons We Recommend MileIQ!

At AnotherME, we’re always looking out for busy real estate agents and their expenses. With MileIQ, it is now easier than ever to track your mileage to and from appointments. This app is a game changer for real estate agents. We know that you are always on the go and you need to track those miles! Here are the top 5 reasons why you should download MileIQ (https://www.mileiq.com/invite/DZFFD) smartphone today:

1. Tax Deductions!
While MileIQ tracks your miles to and from showings, it is creating a record perfect for tax deductions! No more worrying about writing down the miles, your mileage is automatically recorded for you into a secure cloud that is ready for your accountant.

2. Price!
MileIQ has a few pricing options. While there is a free plan with 40 trips per month, you’re going to want to pay the minimal monthly cost for their premium plan! You get unlimited trips and it cost the same as one of those fancy coffees except it’s monthly! And don’t forget, you get to write it off on your taxes too!

3. Simplicity!
Once you have the app setup, it is so simple! Taking your kid to soccer practice? Swipe left on the trip and mark it as a personal errand. Headed to a closing? Swipe left and it is in now in your tax deductible business category. Categorizing your trips will take you less than 30 seconds!

4. It runs in the background!
Not only does MileIQ take up very little space on your phone, it runs in the background! There is no need to worry about starting up the tracker every time you get in your car. Just make sure you have your GPS on & let MileIQ do the work!

5. Easy Customization!
MileIQ is tailored to fit every individual’s needs. Use the category customization feature to your advantage and you’ll have your very own organized record of every trip you’ve taken. Whether you’re headed to the office or meeting a client for lunch, the more you customize MileIQ, the easier your life will be!

It’s time to get organized and stop guesstimating your mileage! At AnotherME, we highly suggest this app to our clients!

To download MileIQ for free on your Android or iPhone, go to https://www.mileiq.com/invite/KECHL and start tracking your miles today!

You Know What Happens to Minnows, Don’t You? They Get Eaten…

Bigger Fish Can Gobble Up Your Business

Why are so many Realtors refusing to launch their businesses into the future by making a commitment to Social Media? Why are you content to swim with the “small fry”when the opportunity to promote your brand and generate leads is right in front of you? Don’t you realize the longer you wait, the further behind in the technology you get? And guess what? Your competition is gaining strength and getting hungrier for new business and you know what happens to minnows, don’t you? They get eaten…

The good news is it’s not too late to get started! AnotherMe can help you move in the right direction! Have you thought about adding blogging to your Social Media presence on the web? Do you have a website that needs the cobwebs removed, but not sure where to start? Well, pay attention because here comes the good stuff!

You want to put your best foot forward and Starting Out Right is crucial. You don’t want to put a brand new, shiny blog on a tired looking website, right? For a one time fee of $250, AnotherME’s web strategists will work with you to “throw out the old and bring in the new!” First, let’s get you set up with WordPress, a dynamite blogging platform providing the latest plugins and widgets so visitors will “feel the love” and you’ll get the most bang for your bucks! While we’re at it, let’s add new profiles to the most popular networks such as Trulia, ActiveRain, Facebook and Twitter, plus link it all together to draw peak interest to your website! Sounds good, doesn’t it?

Of course, if you already have a great looking site then skip the revamp and move on to our Starter Package for $225 a month. What do you think about 6 posts per month? Do your homework and find this is a great value on the market today! Includes all the important stuff…keywords, great SEO culminating in new readership and return visitors! Four of the posts are 250-word, hyperlocal writings (specific to your area) and the other two would be a Market Report and Statistics Summary offering your readers a snapshot of what’s happening right now in their neck of the woods!

If you want the Starter Package on steroids, choose the Advanced Package for just $325 per month. Imagine 4 250-word hyperlocal posts and 4 local market updates (displayed in charts/graphs) grabbing your visitor’s attention and giving them information others in the industry don’t have.

Of course, nothing is set in stone and we can customize a package for your every need! The initial consultation is FREE so what do you have to lose? Call me, tell me what your thoughts are and I know we can help you. But, please, if you don’t work with me, work with someone in order to get your website presence brought into the 21st Century. Your future in real estate depends on it and I want to see you succeed!

Patty Keller
AnotherME
770.414.9393

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Real Estate Listings…Do You Wonder What To Say and How To Say It?

As Realtors®, you’re in the business of getting new listings and that’s a good thing, but sometimes composing those real estate listings for the MLS or for print advertising can leave us stumped on what to say. I mean, how many different ways can you describe a property? For example, have you ever racked your brain for a different way to say “luxurious”?

With that in mind, I’ve put together some words and phrases that will help you to get your creative juices flowing.

Words:
Comfortable, upscale, prestigious, unique, distinct, original, paradise, remodeled, authentic, spectacular, eclectic, colorful, textured, elaborate, peaceful, stylish,  magnificent, stunning, sparkling, secluded,  versatile, timeless, enchanting, exquisite, cozy, revitalized, refined, modern, flair, dynamic, impeccable, irresistible, affluent, substantial, tasteful, towering, tranquil, inexpensive,  rare, unsurpassed, retreat, historic, outstanding, inviting, oversized, sensible, dynamic, comfy, charming, beautiful, lovely, elite, classy, imaginative, coordinated.

Phrases:
Beauty and function,  stylish and practical, endless possibilities, contemporary charm, vibrant colors, smart design, southern comfort, hidden treasure, exceptional quality, convenient location, old-fashioned style, budget-smart, nostalgic flair, custom built, charm factor 10, bright and cheerful, fit for a king, picture perfect.

It’s a good idea as well to create some phrases that describe the area such as low maintenance, convenient to shopping, close to downtown, low maintenance, easy highway access, public transportation within walking distance.

Remember, stay within the Fair Housing Act guidelines and don’t use words or phrases that discriminate based upon or make reference to race/color, religion, national origin, familial status, gender or handicap.

Photo courtesy of  Casey Serin

Social Networking + Real Estate Industry = Big Change!

I honestly think the Real Estate business should be the Poster Child for change!   Quick –  what are 4-5 big changes you can think of right now?

We’ve seen changes to Contracts, Marketing, MLS’s, Brokerages, Short Sales, Mortgages, Associations, websites, and of course “the market!”   And Social Media has been a big part of that change!

Over the last 2 years, I’ve heard so many real estate professionals say things like; “I don’t have time for Social Networking”, “How can you get business from social media sites?”, or “I have a website, why do I need a Facebook business page?”

However… in just the past 6 months, I’ve been to 2 REbarCamp’s and a RainCamp and attendance is up!  Agents and Brokers have realized since the downturn in the industry they must use their offline real estate marketing skills through social media online.  Now, real estate pros are building their brand and generating interest in their listings though the use of online platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, ActiveRain, Trulia and Zillow. Interest is growing, Realtors® are finally recognizing the value of this new way of doing business!

So if you’ve been dabbling with Social Media and trying to understand how to implement Social Networking into your business, consider this:

• If you’re a numbers person, the statistics are staggering.

• If you’re a people person, it’s the easiest and fastest way to network with folks right in your community or across the US.

• If you’re budget conscious, it’s free!  That’s F-R-E-E!

• If you’re technology challenged, it’s much easier than you think!

The following video was created by Erik Qualman of Socialnomics in late 2009, so imagine what the numbers will be for 2010!

What are you doing to keep up with the rate of change?

In 2011, make a resolution to get on board and get started with this new way of doing business!  Call AnotherME to find how we can take you from zero to hero with Social Media.

Photo Image – TheLogoRunner.com