Jose's Blog

Active Rain BONUS Points

Barbara Gregus (Exit Realty of Albuquerque) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 19:01:28 -0500

This might be a lazy questions but how do you acquire BONUS points through Active Rain?

I know that's not what AR is all about but I've noticed some people with incredible Bonus points yet I have no idea how it works. Your advise and suggestions are greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance!!!

Scary Company Names

Barbara Gregus (Exit Realty of Albuquerque) — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 13:49:30 -0500

I'm sure everyone gets occasional recruiting emails or letters asking to go in for your confidential interview. I recently received one myself and was interested in what people thought of the company name. So not to offend anyone who might work for this company, I'll change it slightly but you'll get my point.

The company name was based around a race/culture with Realty at the end. So for example, I am of latin descent (and think this is why I was being recruited) and this company uses a name including the word LATINO REALTY. I thought that was kind of edgy being that if LATINO was switched with WHITE, it would be shot down in a second. Likewise you switch LATINO with and race or culture and it can be near offensive to some people. Furthermore, the recruiting material was geared towards advertising primarily towards Latino's.

Maybe I'm not looking at this from the right point of view but I feel it would be discouraging as a client to us a company using a specific race/culture in it's name and advertising if I was not part of that same group.

What does everyone think and any other examples?

Best CMS (content management systems) / Drip Campaigns

Barbara Gregus (Exit Realty of Albuquerque) — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 20:54:52 -0600

I've been looking at purchasing a content management system and have yet to settle on one. I currently use Outlook and am doing OK with this but want something geared towards keeping in touch with Real Estate clients and their needs. I'd like to be able to see my clients, their needs, last time we spoke, next time I need to contact and so on. I've been thinking about Top Producer, Active Agent, and Advantage Xi.

Furthermore, I like to keep in touch with all past clients and also people who both are looking down the line for a home and other prospects. I like the idea of a drip campaign, providing I have control over what is sent to make it client specific.

I'm looking for suggestions. Does anyone know of a system that does both of the above. If not, I'm open to individual solutions for each. Who do you use and why?

Thanks in advance for your response!

ACTIVERAIN! Why did you move your logo and member numbers?

Barbara Gregus (Exit Realty of Albuquerque) — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 00:48:38 -0500

AR, I took so much pride in designing my little blog image Header. It's not all that but hey, I obviously took time to do it. You know what I mean, the image with my company logo on top of this blog with the words "Hola &

Bienvenidos". I even made an nice little spot to showcase your ActiveRain Logo and kept colors that would let my visitors easily read how many members there are and how many there are online.

Is this a permanent thing and should I get back to the drawing board. Is this just something that's happening to me and just a fluke individual problem? Did I not get or miss the email stating such changes. Please oh please let me know! :)

Who are the Best IDX Providers?

Barbara Gregus (Exit Realty of Albuquerque) — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 22:22:25 -0600

I'm looking into a new IDX provider. I want more than just a basic search for visiting clients. I'd like it to be both aesthetically pleasing (maybe interactive maps, etc) and also have the capability to have guests register and save homes they like, and sign up to receive homes through email, i.e. lead capture. I to would also like to track such searches and be able to see who signed up and what they are looking for.

Who do you suggest and why?

e-ink! How will this change Realtor Flyers?

Barbara Gregus (Exit Realty of Albuquerque) — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 02:05:51 -0500

I saw this interesting cover for Esquire Magazine which uses e-ink. Basically it jazzes up the way paper advertisement is by adding some electronics to it. Obviously this is just the beginning of something bigger to come but it is really interesting to see how one piece of technology will trickle down to hundreds of different business.

I believe this cover is a little thicker than your standard cover but like memory cards, this will likely become thinner and thinner every few months.

Can you imagine the day we all have our TAKE ONE flyer's using e-ink. By then we might have multiple photo sideshow's, mapping options, and who knows, maybe it will be a wi-fi, or evdo connected flyer that can instantly contact us.

The future is just around the corner! Check out the video.

Eucalyptus for your home!

Barbara Gregus (Exit Realty of Albuquerque) — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 00:54:19 -0500

Eucalyptus leaves have several useful functions for your home and I always keep some handy. I personally like having it around for the nice clean smell but there are several other uses for it.

Eucalyptus is great for aromatherapy which can be a great little touch for those selling there homes. Also, did you know that Eucalyptus is a great bug repellent. In a New England Journal of medicine report, Eucalyptus oil repelled mosquito bites for 120.1 minutes. You can also hang Eucalyptus leaves next to windows for a great fly repellent. Do you have any pets? You can place Eucalyptus leaves under your dog or cat beds as both a insect repellent and a also to keep their beds smelling great.

Go to your fresh flower shops and buy it on its own. It's a great way to add some green, keep those little critters away and and a great fresh sent!

Let me help you waste MORE time! ;)

Barbara Gregus (Exit Realty of Albuquerque) — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 02:48:14 -0500

Who's been fired from a job? Luckily I haven't... but I ran across this website of plenty of people who did. It's probably just another portal to more time wasted but don't blame me for any addictions. Some scandalous stories sure to keep you interested. Check it and let me know what ya'll think! The website is called SimplyFired. com

This is for all us AR latenighters who just can't fall asleep~

Thanks for NOT being an understanding client!

Barbara Gregus (Exit Realty of Albuquerque) — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 02:00:04 -0500

I helped a client purchase his first home and delivered keys last week. He was always a little difficult when it came to requests and the way he would speak to me but more so when it came to getting the mortgage broker all the appropriate documents needed to get him to the closing table.

We finally got closing approval after 2 extensions and my client conveniently went on vacation for a week. How perfect. 7 days later we closed but we had troubles as far as funding is concerned. As we are all aware, Houston was hit by natural disasters and this just happens to be where he was getting his money. The people working for the bank down in Houston grabbed all their files from their unusable and storm ridden office and moved to a hotel room that had electricity. All this just to get their clients approved.

It took about 5 days after our closing date to get funding. I kept him updated to the reason behind the delays which of course was out of everyone's hands. Last week I go out of my way to pick up the keys from title and deliver them from work. His remark:

"it only took you a week to get me keys"

Thanks...

Obama or McCain? Who will help Real Estate and Realtors?

Barbara Gregus (Exit Realty of Albuquerque) — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 16:54:37 -0500

Yes, as much as everyone keeps pressuring me to make a decision, I'm really not sure who I'll be voting for. To be honest, I wish I could have a fresh set of candidates to choose from but that's not going to happen so I guess I'll have to choose the best of what's out their.

We work in an industry that holds a strong foundation for our Nations success and I feel this issue could really impact our economy. I'm concerned about several issues (Oil Prices, Environment, Security, Relations, etc) but I'd like to know what people think in regards to which candidate will help our housing markets and us Realtors.

Why can't Realtors take pictures?

Barbara Gregus (Exit Realty of Albuquerque) — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 00:31:09 -0500

With the accessibility and ease of technology, why is it that Realtors still add listings to the MLS without at least 1 photo? I know, it can be requested that we do not add photo's to the MLS but I've NEVER been asked this personally by a client. Is it a case of laziness or forgetfulness? Wouldn't they want to impress their clients by showing all they have done including taking photo's?

Now, what about those of us who do take photo's. Congrats!....but wait, why oh why do some Realtors take the pictures they do? Hey, I'm not a photographer but I always insist on taking clean well lit pictures. Why? So that the 80% plus buyers who begin their home search on-line get the best idea of the home I'm listing. Every time I log in to search for homes, I'll get images that are extremely blurred, taken in the dark, of a corner of a wall, of the cat in the house, half filled by the Realtors finger, multiple shots of exactly the same thing, or yesterday, one of the blue sky which had a caption saying "beatiful New Mexico skies". LOL, oh my gosh, that was too funny to handle, if your going to take a scenic shot, by all means feel free to do so, but please make it relavent to the home.

Seriously, most the clients I work with will immediately skip a home if there is no photo and that statement in itself should be reason enough to take a reasonably, viewable, relevant photo!

6 Candidates: Whats your vote, why?

Barbara Gregus (Exit Realty of Albuquerque) — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 17:18:48 -0500

I know the majority of people are going to vote between Obama and McCain, but if you don't know there are several other canditates to look at when making your choice this November. Like I've stated in previous blogs, I'm not all too happy with my choices and hate the liberal and conservative extremes. There are plenty of us out there who might find a common ground within both parties but our system really isn't set up for a strong third party. With my dissatisfaction, I'm thinking about choosing one of the other 4 candidates. I guess if you really want change you have to submit your vote saying such.

I know that many people will say I'm going to throw my vote away but maybe if enough people vote for a 3rd party, we'll one day have a choice other than Democrat or Republican.

Here is a link to follow if you want to see all off the candidates websites. Check out www.votesmart.org and click on the candidates. I've already linked it to the appropriate spot.

Anyone going another route with there presidential choice or do you feel pretty good about McCain and Obama?

Pros Ranch Market Albuquerque

Barbara Gregus (Exit Realty of Albuquerque) — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 14:23:28 -0500

If your looking for a great place to eat and shop then Pros Ranch Market is a great place for you. Pros Ranch market features a variety of different departments including a hot foods, produce, bakery, meat market, groceries, and a tortilleria.

The "Cocina" or "Kitchen" serves delicious ready to eat Mexican and Latin American dishes. You can get fresh soups, tacos, steaks, enchiladas and more. Sit down and eat right inside. Great drinks include "aguas frescas" or "fresh waters" which include drinks like watermelon, cantaloupe, strawberry, horchata, pineapple, and more. Plus you can even get fresh veggie drinks made to order.

Their grocery store has a variety of departments. Fresh meats and and sea foods, vegetables and fruits, plus you can get your every day needs you'd find at any other grocery store. They have a huge tortilleria making fresh tortillas and tamale masa. Have a sweet tooth? The bakery will impress anyone with delicious cakes, flans, sweet breads and cookies. Grab a quick treat or buy for a special occasion.

I make my way there anytime I'm in the area just to get a fresh Agua de Horchata drink, a taco, and slice of flan for dessert.

Location: 4201 Central Avenue NW, Albuquerque, NM 87105

Tel: (505) 833-1765

Anyone want to get into PRINTING MONEY with me?

Barbara Gregus (Exit Realty of Albuquerque) — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 23:39:37 -0500

Is that the message we are receiving from our leaders. When we run into financial problems, when companies and consumers are irresponsible, hey, no worries, we'll just print MORE money!!!

I really don't like the idea of inflation and I definitely don't believe by producing more money we'll solve our problems. I won't pretend, or have you believe that I have the solutions to our problems but like solving a multiple choice problem in college, usually there are a few that stick out as bad ideas, and I feel this is definitely one of them.

It's not getting any easier out their in our industry and I don't see this helping! Hey, I have an idea though, if you're a little sort on cash let's just print some more. Why should we be responsible human beings when there are cool machines out there that that make more $$$$.

Who says money doesn't grow on trees?!?!

What do you think of IncredibleAgents.com?

Barbara Gregus (Exit Realty of Albuquerque) — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 20:00:58 -0600

I came across this website (www.incredibleagents.com) last year and just happened to run into it again while surfing the web. What do people think about this site?

I assume they get money by charging the real estate agent to pay to maintain there profile. If this is the case, a negative feature of this website would be the inability to respond to any feedback (especially negative) that is left by past clients or random users without paying into it.

I don't have any feedback nor have I signed up personally but saw many agents with bad feedback that had not responded. I assume they don't even know this exists. I guess I'll just keep on everyones good side! :)

What does the community think?