There’s no beating around the bush – times are tough right now.  Trust me, I’m feeling it too.  I even went so far as to move across the city, just a few blocks from work, so I could actually afford to drive to work.  Fueling up my rocket is a bit easier now … a three minute drive rather than a half hour drive.

Everybody is feeling the pinch, and it’s no doubt that some of the biggest impact has been on the Real Estate industry.  It’s not surprising that overall real estate confidence is at an all-time low.

There may not be as many prospects out there as we’d like.  But they haven’t gone completely extinct.  The economy may have taken a nosedive (for lack of a better term), but there are still people looking for homes.

Before you get too depressed, I have a few tips to use what you’ve already got at your disposal, even better, to help you make it through.  I’ve got quite a bit to say so this will be in two parts.  Stay tuned though…because at the end of it, I’m going to give away a few freebies.  The boss isn’t looking, and I’m feeling generous.

Whether or not the economy is doing good or bad, it is essential to market your listings in every possible way (yes, I know you already know this!).  But here’s the thing…I don’t mean you have to spend thousands on some huge over-the-top marketing plan. You can get a whole lotta bang for your buck by starting right here at home with your Point2 Agent website and save some gas money without moving across town.

I’m sure many of you are already doing most of these things, but just in case…here is a refresher.  Starting with the most obvious, of course:

Send Your Listing on an All-Expense Paid Vacation: aka Syndication – I probably don’t need to explain this one, but as you can see <– I’m already packed.  Are you taking the opportunity to use the world’s largest syndication network that’s available right at your doorstep with your Point2 account? Not to break out the lame analogies – but it’s like putting your listing on the Point2 tour bus (or a cruise ship if that’s more your thing), and we’re taking it to all the hot spots – and it’s door-to-door service. All you have to do is show up prepared to get the most out of it – we do the rest of the work for you.  Pretty sweet deal, I’d say.  If you’re not onboard and ready to have your listing hit the hot spots for real estate, well then…I guess you could stay home.

Go on, Stand Out a Little: aka Spotlight Ads – Maybe it’s just me, but when I’m out in a crowd, I like to stand out.  I like attention and lots of it (I’m sure my co-workers would agree that I might have a big head at times).  Last week I attended a function where I knew everyone would be wearing black – so what did I do?  I wore white of course.

The same concept applies to your listing.  Why have your listing lumped in with thousands of other listings, when you can have it front and center for the same price as a white shirt?  $25 gets you premium placement on Point2Homes for a full month.

Did you know? Point2Homes received over a million visits last month, over one million unique visitors, and over 12 million pageviews.  With that large of a gathering – why wouldn’t you want to stand out?

I know these may seem obvious…but believe it or not, there’s several who aren’t doing any of these.  Anyway, this is getting long! I’ll stop here for now…but join me next time, and I’ll mention a few more things…and tell you how you can get some freebies.  I’m impatient though…and in the mood for sharing…so share with me some of the ways you’ve found ways to attract prospects.  Just for the heck of it, I may toss you a little something just for sharing!

During the month of July we ran a promotion for our Canadian members to win a free Apple iPad.  With the purchase of each Spotlight Ad for Point2Homes.com during the month of July, an entry was made into the draw for the iPad.

I’m pleased to announce that Karen Kenyon of Nanoose Bay, BC has been selected as our lucky winner.

Karen shares, “I have been very impressed with the Spotlight Ads, not only because they get your listing great exposure, but vendors love the feedback about the web views.  Spotlight Ads are the best value for your advertising dollars.”

Karen’s feedback echoes what many of our members feel when using Spotlight Ads as an integral part of their listing marketing.

Bummed out you didn’t win the iPad yourself?  Don’t be sad.  Because of the premium placement on Point2 Homes, your listings potentially received far more views than if you hadn’t used a Spotlight Ad.  You still win!

With Point2 Homes Spotlight Ads your listings appear at the forefront of millions of eyeballs, featured right front and center on one of the highest traffic consumer search sites for listings.  That exposure is a valuable boost to your listing marketing.

For more reasons why you should use Point2 Homes Spotlight Ads read this post.

Congratulations Karen on winning the Apple iPad!  I am sure you’ll have tons of fun with it and find it very useful for your real estate business.

Stay tuned for more great giveaways and promotions from Point2 in the future!

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?

**Contest is now closed.  Stay tuned for more great giveaways from Point2 Agent.**  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.

So, without further ado, the winner of our draw for one free Point2 Homes Spotlight Ad goes to Gigi Bonquin, one of our Premium members from the Philippines.

Gigi told us that her #1 tech gadget is her cell phone, which she simply cannot live without.  I am sure many of you would agree with Gigi,  judging by your comments.

Congratulations Gigi and thank you all for sharing your own thoughts with us.

Tell me: What is the #1 tech gadget you simply cannot live without in your real estate business?

Be specific.  Tell me what and even a bit of why.

All comments received until Sunday Feb 15 will go into a draw for one free Point2 Homes Spotlight Ad for a listing of your choice.  I’ll announce our winner on Tuesday.

UPDATE: Entries into the draw are now closed.  Feel free to leave your comment still, however, no further entries will be accepted for the Point2 Homes Spotlight Ad as of midnight Sunday.  Keep watching our blog to find out if you’re the winner.