Podcast Coming to AZ Real Estate Blogging Network!

Isn’t Technology great? I think so with the help of David Lopez, owner of Pezaudio.com.

Today was my first venture with Pezaudio and setting up a Podcast for AZ Real Estate Networking and paving the way for other AZREBN bloggers!

David Lopez has accepted an offer to join AZREBN as a regular contributor/writer sharing his expertise with audio broadcasting. David has a long history with audio technology and I will leave that for you to hear on this podcast interview below…

ARMLS Tech Fair - Come Find Me!

For those of you that enjoy the technology as much as I do and know how important technology is a must have in the Real Estate business. You probably don’t want to miss the ARMLS Tech Fair this week, Thursday & Friday, August 21-22, 2008.

I’ve been ask to join some fine local Phoenix professional bloggers, Jay Thompson and Jonathan Dalton to share some insight on blogging and networking.  I will be there representing the AZ Real Estate Blogging Netwowrk that I founded in April of 2008.  Jonathan is the owner/author of the new blog, NEWARMLS.com where you can find more details about the fair and information pertaining to the newly launched Flex MLS platform.

Jay Thompson, Broker/Owner of Thompson’s Realty and is a veteran blogger here in the Phoenix metro area. Jay also joins me as a contributor to AZ Real Estate Blogging Network blog.  His expertise and knowledge far exceeds most bloggers here in the Valley of the Sun. You could say Jay is the ‘Grand Daddy’ of Phoenix bloggers. Of course, he has been called various nicknames just in the brief year that I’ve known Jay. I invite you to google, ’sexy phoenix realtor’ and see who shows up numero uno!

You will be able to find Jay, Jonathan and myself at the Diverse Solutions vendor booth. DS will be there demonstrating and showing their fantastic product that is an IDX search product with additonal features.

If you would like to see how Diverse Solutions has been implemented on my personal website and Arizona Real Estate blog, you can find the MLS IDX search page at my Phoenix Arizona Real Estate Homes weblog.

The Tech Fair will bring together leading vendors with up-to-the minute technology designed for the real estate industry.  This two day event will give the vendors the opportunity to show off their products all under one roof.

The vendors are prepared to answer your questions, concerns and curiosities about products you might be considering that will enhance your business.

The fair will be held on Thursday and Friday, August 21-22 and will be held at Monterra at Westworld, 16601 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale, AZ from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm.

Be sure to stop by the Diverse Solutions booth and say, “hi” and check out AZ Real Estate Blogging Network.

There will be ongoing instructions and demonstrations on how Diverse Solutions works and you will be able to see it live on our websites.

Other vendors that will be attending are HomeQuest, 1parkplace, HomePages, Market Leader, SuccessWebSystems, iHomeFinder, TrackRE Technology, MarketLinx - AgentAchieve, Pocket Real Estate, Cyberhomes, VoicePad and more…

Be sure to bring a business card as there is going to be a drawing for a portable GPS each day!!

Looking forward to seeing you,

Candace Robinson

AZREBN Founder/Member

www.AZRealEstateBlogs.com

www.PhoenixArizonaRealEstateHomes.com

iPhone! What Is It Good For?

As many of you know, I won an iPhone from PropertyQube a while back, when I helped PropertyQube attract more new customers by growing my own PropertyQube network…sort of a win-win.  I’ve had my iPhone for roughly a month now, and thought now would be an excellent time to post on my findings thus far.

First, I must say I have no other SmartPhone to compare an iPhone too.  I am coming from a Motorola Razr as a mobile phone, so I don’t know how it compares to a Blackberry or Treo from personal experience.  If you are looking for such a comparison, I might suggest you visit My Tech Opinion.  Particularly read the comments if you are with Verizon or TMobile customer and can’t see yourself switching.

The Good

As far as the iPhone goes, I absolutely love it.  I can Twitter great.  I can update my location on Brightkite.  I can take some pretty decent photos, and post them to my personal blog: My Side Door via the WordPress App.  I can take notes via typing or voice recording on EverNote, and then view/listen to those notes later from my desktop PC (that’s great for when you have a blogging idea when you are out and about and don’t want to forget it!).  Of course I can read/send email, read/update my calendar, and read/update my contacts all real time, as if I were sitting at my desktop, thanks to the integration between iPhone and Microsoft Exchange (if you aren’t managing your business email/calendar/contacts via Microsoft Exchange, we’ll talk later about the HUGE boat you are missing).

Naturally, I can text message people, and place and send calls, but what phone can’t do that.  Being a movie buff, I like the BoxOffice application that tells me what’s playing and when at Desert Ridge or the Cine Capri.  On more than one occasion, I’ve used the integrated Google Maps feature to chat with a client about where we are going next, or help a lost soul find their way.  Many people enjoy the free internet radio service Pandora.  I honestly haven’t used it much, but my limited use has been favorable.  The iPhone is also an ipod, which I enjoy on my 4 hour bicycle rides.  It’s also ideal for watching video podcasts, like GeekBrief.TV.  Facebook, Pownce, Loopt, and Jott all have iPhone apps, for those that are heavy into those sites.  Facebook is the only one I use, but honestly, I’m not a big Facebook user, which is a mistake I know I need to correct.  So far, a Flickr app is missing.

I also use the application SportsTap to keep track of the Diamondbacks (when basketball starts up, that will include the Suns).  My kids play a number of free games when they are able to pry the iPhone from my hands.  Tap Tap and Moonlight Mahjong are their favorites.

Finally, many websites have iPhone or mobile web support.  FlexMLS’s mobile website is: wireless.flexmls.com.  Other sites that have iPhone support (like my blog, Brightkite, or ESPN), tend to notice that an iPhone is browsing them, and then switch into a simpler display mode.

The Bad

So, what’s not great about the iPhone?  The most important thing to me is the quality of the 3G network in my neck of the woods (North Scottsdale).  It’s horrible.  To combat this, I’ve turned off 3G unless I’m some place other than my home, office, Starbucks, or any other location north of Frank Lloyd Wright and East of Loop 101.  The regular Edge network is fast enough, and has better coverage.

With 3G turned off, that also helps the next major shortcoming: battery life.  I have an iLuv docking station at my office, and then a Belkin TuneBase FM for my car, which means it’s actually on a charger most of the time.  During a recent Diamondbacks game, however, I was able to nearly deplete the battery with some fairly heavy usage in just 3 hours via twittering, browsing, texting, and taking some photos.  At the time I was sitting next to a Blackberry user, and he had a similar experience, however.  Speaking of taking photos…that’s the fastest way to kill the battery.  I left it on camera mode this last Saturday morning and drained the battery in 2 hours.

My final gripe is with Starbucks and AT&T.  Starbucks decided to allow 2 hours of free wifi per day for its customers.  “GREAT!” I screamed, as wifi is even faster than 3G.  But here’s the catch.  You have to log in to the system when you arrive at Starbucks (via Safari), a process that is very time consuming, but 50% of the time doesn’t seem to work.  Then, if your session expires, which it seems to do very quickly, you have to log in again.  This might not be a big deal on a PC, where Firefox remembers your userid/password, but on the iPhone, I’m required to start over from scratch each time.  It’s a big enough hassle that I’ve completely stopped bothering.  I’m griping about it, because Starbucks has this arrangement via AT&T, and AT&T sells the iPhone.  The system should transparent when I’m on my iPhone at a Starbucks, and there shouldn’t be a 2 hr time limit for AT&T customers.  Stop requiring logins AT&T & Starbucks!

I’m not going to complain about the lack of copy/paste or SMS messaging (this is me not complaining).  The former is odd, while the latter I wouldn’t use much anyway.  I will complain about the speed of the text entry on some blogs/websites.  I have no idea why, but for example, when typing into the reply box on Trulia Voices, the iPhone goes into brain freeze mode, and typing speed is limited to 1 character per second…or maybe slower.  The lack of flash support can be frustrating as well.

Keeping it from getting ugly

If you decide to get an iPhone, you will almost certainly decide to get a protective case of some sort.   Lately I’ve been a bit fumble fingered around the iPhone, so it’s been nice that it’s protected.  I feel fortunate to have lucked into buying a Griffon Elan Form 3G after scouring the shelves of the Apple Store for 30 minutes.  This is a hard case with a leather outer, so it’s comfortable to the touch, while being protective.  Most people that have held my case, and have the silicon gel cases prefer my case.  Another ok buy was the Apple clear anti-glare shield for the screen.  Judging by the condition of this screen protector, I’m glad I have it.  However, it seems to scratch somewhat easily, leading me to considering the Zagg InvisibleShield here in a month or two, as that shield is not supposed to scratch and has a lifetime warranty.

Should you get an iPhone?

That’s a tough question.  The 16GB version is $399.  The unlimited voice, data, and texting plan is $140/month (or so) plus tax.  It’s undoubtedly the most expensive mobile phone solution there is.  For those that love their Treo for it’s lockbox access, that alone could be a deal breaker.  For Blackberry users, I can’t find a compelling reason to want a Blackberry, aside from the keyboard, and honestly, I’ve gotten quite a bit better at using the touch screen for a keyboard.  The first time I used it I thought it was impossible.  Now it’s a breeze.

Win Flip Mino Video Camera

I highly recommend that if you are looking to get some great new FREE Themes for your wordpress blog, then you might want to take a look at ChiQ’s blog. WPThemeDesigner is also hosting their second contest and after just a few things on a checklist on the first contest I was able to win a Premium Theme for myself (undecided what or who will get it). Check out the next contest she is doing, Win a FLIP Mino Video.. I have three for my family and we use them all the time! You have just as good a chance as anyone else.. Also, take note of the great tips ChiQ gives on bring traffic to your blog, what a concept, ‘hold a contest’…hmmmm… See the contest rules below:

Contest: Win Flip Mino Video Camera!

Once again wordpressthemedesigner.com brings to you another exciting contest! Get a chance to win the trendiest gadget that has been rocking the blogging world - the Flip Mino Video Camera. This contest is graciously sponsored by the best Affiliate Network in the planet, Market Leverage.

How to Join:

Step 1: Subscribe to the Feed - click here! *compulsory

Step 2: Blog About This Contest *compulsory

(a) Copy and Paste Contest Details >> click here for html code <<

(b) optional: add a paragraph or two containing any of the ff suggested topics: (1) why you think wpthemedesigner.com rocks! (2) why you think marketleverage.com is the best affiliate network in the planet (3) why you want to win this contest.

Total: 10 points

Additional Points

Sign-up for Market Leverage under WPTD. If you have not joined Market Leverage yet, then joining this contest would be the most opportune time to do so. Besides, you get a higher chance of winning this contest. What could be better than that, huh? Click Here, you will be automatically redirected to the sign-up page. I will be able to verify it, so no worries.

Bonus: 5 points

Contest Prizes

1st Place - Flip Mino Video Camera
2nd place - $100 ML Reward
3rd place - $50 ML Reward

Contest Ends on August 17, 2008. Each point counts as your name being put down once in a randomizer using random.org

Are Your Listings Picture Perfect?

Here is a great read in the REALTOR® magazine this month on perfecting your photographs on your listings.

Put an end to boring or unflattering property photos. Here are six quick fixes to common photo challenges.

By Melissa Dittmann Tracey | July 2008

Buyers today want to see photos, and lots of them. But if the snapshots you’re taking of your listings are unflattering, lack detail, or are simply too boring, you could actually be doing a disservice.

To get more eyes on your listings, you’ve got to make sure your photos are showing off properties to their fullest. Photographer Barbara Lane offers photography tips and illustrations for real estate practitioners in her book How to Photograph Interiors When You Barely Know How to Work a Camera (Barbara Lane Photography, 2007). Here’s how she solves the trickiest photo challenges: read more

AccessU2 Global Property Info..

What is going to be next? What an amazing idea to check out. With technology moving as fast as the iphone, palm treos and blackberry and texting at it’s all time popularity, why not access information from the very tool everyone seems to be carrying?

AccessU2 Global Property Info based in Colorado has just launched a great idea for brokers, agents and companies to share information and photos via SMS and your mobile phones for buyers!  AccessU2 Property Info

To read more click here