Get A Grip Audio Solutions
www.GetAGripAudio.com

Providing voice over services for listing slideshows, testimonials, on-hold messaging, and more, Get A Grip Audio Solutions can put your voice wherever you want it to be heard.  Offering special pricing and packages to the Point2 community, they are also an affordable option.

Check them out today!

The Apple iPad has been available in Canada now for a couple months and no doubt, as was in the US, many real estate professionals are looking at the various options to see if it will work well for their business needs.

In fact, since the iPad was released in the US back in April, there has been a lot written about using this device for real estate.  So, I’m not going to reinvent the wheel and write about it here.  Instead, I’ve created a collection of links to some of these articles, tips, tricks, and lists of apps that might be able to help you put the iPad to good use in your real estate business.

• 10 iPad for Real Estate Tips & Apps
• iThink iNeed iPad for Real Estate
• The iPad and Real Estate: What You Need to Know
• iPad for Realtors – Part 1: Apps – It Will Be How They Find You
• iPad for Realtors – Part 2: Facebook and Google
• 5 Ways iPad Will Reinvent Real Estate for Agents in the Next 5 Years
• Is iPad a real estate tool or toy? (requires INMAN News membership)
• Apple iPad for Real Estate Agents

There are probably many more blog posts and articles about using the iPad for real estate that I have missed, so feel free to share any that you’ve come across by adding the links in the comments below.

I know that I’ve learned a lot about the Apple iPad from these other real estate specific experts.  Where before I had my doubts about the iPad being useful for business, after actually seeing and playing with an iPad I can definitely see the potential for use in real estate.   (Also, it’s great for playing games!)

I haven’t personally spoken to any real estate agents using an iPad, so I’d love to hear your feedback about how you’re using your iPad for your business.  What Apps are you using?  What do you find works great?  What doesn’t?

Don’t have an iPad yet?  Well, if you’re in Canada, we have good news for you.  You still have a week to be entered into a draw to win a brand new Apple iPad (16GB Wi-Fi + 3G) during our special promotion.  All you have to do is purchase a Spotlight Ad for Point2 Homes before July 31 (that’s just 5 more days, folks!) and you’ll be automatically entered into the draw.  Full promotion details can be found here.

I am going to do my best to address one of the most asked questions:

What is the difference between a Syndication Dashboard and Point2 Agent?

The answer? It’s simple.

I’m not going to go into grave detail, but I’ll give you a quick lowdown.

Syndication Dashboard

If your MLS has signed up for Syndication with Point2, you will receive an invitation for a Syndication Dashboard. You’re not obligated to use it, but let me tell you – if you don’t, you’re missing out on some of the best exposure for your listings. Your listings are sent to us via a data feed from your MLS and distributed through the largest Syndication network on the planet. Meaning, they are being placed on some of the highest trafficked real estate search websites. Most importantly they are reaching the eyes of your potential buyers.  And what’s more – it’s totally FREE.

No, we do not have any control over your listing, nor do we own it. Your listing is your listing. All we do is deliver it for you. Think of us as a big tourist bus, giving you a free ride and stopping by some of the hottest attractions.  And if for whatever reason you don’t want to syndicate your listings (which would be kind of crazy, don’t you think?!), well – it’s your listing, you have control, and you can opt out. 

But what if Syndication isn’t enough? What if you want more? What if you want a complete website to accompany your listings online? What if you want to see exactly who your prospects are, what they are looking for, and how they found you? Wouldn’t it be nice to pinpoint your customer’s wants, and easily and affectively send them targeting messaging based on those wants?

Point2 Agent

That’s where Point2 Agent comes into play. Not only do you get the syndication, but you get a ton of tools to build that presence right were consumers are spending the majority of their time – online.  While the Syndication Dashboard gives you access to some very basic reports – it’s nothing like the detailed reports you receive about your prospects and more through a Point2 Agent Account.  Not only that, but if your MLS has signed up with Point2, your listings are imported directly into your Point2 Agent account – meaning you can spend more time with your clients, and less time adding listings to your account.

A Point2 Agent account starts at $19.99 per month and you get to try it out for 3 months free. We don’t ask for a credit card until you’ve completed your trial, there are no obligations, and we’re not really into contracts – meaning, you can cancel at anytime on the monthly plan. If you’ve received a Syndication Dashboard from your MLS, you can upgrade to a Point2 Agent account at anytime.  A Point2 Agent Account has 3 levels of membership – each one with even more features available.  You can see them right here.

I didn’t go into the entire comparison of features, because I would be here all day – and so would you (and you have real estate to sell!).

Want to know more?  Just click right here to download a handy little comparison chart.

I hope this answers some of your questions.  And, well, if it didn’t…give me some credit – it’s Monday morning, and I got a little too much sun on the weekend!

Sometimes we forget to realize that we stare at this stuff all day, every day.  So, naturally we think it’s pretty simple.  But for anyone that is seeing their Syndication Dashboard or Point2 Agent account for the very first time – it can be overwhelming, this I know (remember…I’m the one still struggling to use something as easy as Twitter!).  We’re working on simplifying things over here, and any of your questions can always be addressed by our Customer Care Team.  I can tell you – they are a lot more alert than I am on a Monday!

Have a great week!

Losing sleep over the listing brochures that need creating?

Wishing all that paperwork would all just go away, so that you can focus on your clients?

Now it can!  Our Alliance Member Program spotlight falls on an experienced Virtual Assistant company:

RealSupport, Inc.

Providing a plethora of services for the real estate professional, RealSupport, Inc. also has extensive experience working with Point2 Agent, including listing coordination and marketing, lead maintenance, blogging support, seller reports, web design, and presentation development.

Working as a one-time, part-time, or ongoing provider, RealSupport, Inc. can help you spend less time in the office and more time with customers or on the beach!

In the meantime, I wanted to share with everyone a few key reasons why Point2 IDX should be the solution for you, and this should also help answer a lot of the questions we’ve been getting since we first mentioned IDX was coming.

Why choose Point2 IDX?

We are committed to providing an IDX solution that just won’t quit.  With an industry-leading uptime commitment, you can feel assured that your IDX solution will be available to your prospective clients when they want and need it.

Point2 IDX includes an optional listings-mapping feature, called MapTracks.  MapTracks is an awesome tool to enhance your IDX search with proven results.  MapTracks generates on average 25% more leads than using only form-based searches.With MapTracks, your listings are mapped out and visitors can click on a listing shown for more details.  Visitors can also use MapTracks to view other local amenities such as schools, parks, restaurants, etc.  Give your website visitors the option of how they want to find listings with either a map-based search or a form-based search.

Don’t chance having potential clients fall through the cracks.  Point2 IDX is completely integrated with your existing prospect management tools from Point2.  Any prospect contact information is sent right into the prospect management area of your Point2 account and is clearly identified as coming from Point2 IDX.  Having all your contacts managed from one place means you can effectively market to these ones without missing a beat.

We don’t require you to sign up for Point2 IDX for a specified length of time.  Use Point2 IDX for as long as you like, and if you need to, for any reason at all, you can cancel at any time.

If you have any questions or concerns about your Point2 IDX solution, our Customer Care Team is fully-trained and ready to provide answers and assistance with anything you could possibly need.

There you have it.  Just a few quick reasons why you should use Point2 IDX.  This is just a teaser of what Point2 IDX has to offer.

Don’t forget, you can still fill out our IDX Interest Form and we’ll contact you personally once IDX becomes available.  Get your name on the list here: http://agent.point2.com/features/IDX.asp