Finally the embedding feature for Google Maps has gone live as of Aug 21, 2007. Clicking the “link to this page” option on the top right of the map will give you an embed code like in the video below to place into any blog or Web site that supports it. There’s also an advanced option set to change the size from small, medium, large, or custom. Take a look at the Google Map I embedded below of Las Vegas. My map is the same as the map on google and I can zoom in and out and even move the map around inside it’s window. Below is a short video showing you how to get to the embed code.

Also notice that there is a button called “Get Directions : to here” so when another agent or client clicks that button it then prompts them to give the starting address and shows them full written directions and a map to get to your listing.
Feel free to try it below.

View Larger Map

Credit:CNET Networks

-Real Estate Technology Blog

If you are one of the many real estate professionals that does not currently own your own website or even your own web space this tip is for you.

In the real estate profession it is getting more and more important for you to own a domain name. A domain name is simply the name that comes after www. and before .com. It is even more important for you to own www.yourname.com, now I understand that there are some people with very common names like “John Smith” and your ship has already sailed. For others buying your domain name even if you do not plan on using it right now needs to be priority number one.

There are really no excuses not to buy a domain because right now from GoDaddy.com they are less than $10 for an entire year.

Just remember that because you don’t want a website right now doesn’t mean that you will not want one next year. So be prepared and own yourname.com also go ahead and buy every smart witty clever domain name you can think of because someday there going to be worth big $$money$$

Domain Buying Tips
-Buy your domain name without hosting if your don’t want a website right now
-Buy your domains .com .net .info & .org
-Buy your name in all forms (ex. MatthewRains.com & MattRains.com)
-If your name is taken use “online” or “web” on the end (ex. MattRainsWeb.com)
-Go ahead and buy creative names so you can sell them later.
-Have Fun!!

-Real Estate Technology Blog

We have found a great tool that lets you create your own online picture galleries for FREE! This is a great tool to use to help market your listings and adds a lot to your presentations. You can use an online picture gallery to send in e-mails, use on your website or even use them as your virtual tours.

Click the link below to watch us create a Professional Online Picture Gallery in less than 5 minutes like the one here.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH

Download this software FREE from JAlbum
-Real Estate Technology Blog

Hi,

I am always excited to see what new type of technology Realtor Magazine is writing about. In this months issue (Aug 2007) they go over a lot about the importance of a web blog and using video in your marketing tool kit.

The article titled “Building Community with a Blog” located on page 38 is a very good start and reference to how blogs can be used in real estate and the benefits of using a blog.

The next tech article I reviewed was probably the best one I’ve seen yet. The article “Motion, sound builds brands” on page 22 refers to the importance of having some type of video support for your marketing tool kit. They really address the areas video can be used from commercials to websites and even the popular virtual tours. The importance of these types of videos are why we started teaching agents to make their own virtual tours in the first place. I just wish everyone knew how easy it was to capture, edit and publish videos for use in real estate.

Well, as you probably already know Realtor Magazine is a very good source to find ideas for marketing and selling your listings with the latest forms of technology. So next time you get Realtor Magazine at your office make sure to pick it up and see what is new in real estate.

-Real Estate Technology Blog

Hi,

This weeks technology highlight is the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX30S.

At right under $250.00 this digital camera is a MUST for every Real Estate Professional. The reason I chose this camera as this weeks highlight is because this 7.2 megapixel camera has a 28mm wide angle lens and tons of features! What else can we ask for? In the pictures below you can see the difference between a 28mm camera and a 35mm camera.

This picture was taken with a 35mm Digital Camera

This picture was taken with the Panasonic DMC-FX30 28mm Digital Camera

Notice in the picture above how the 28mm wide angle lens makes the room look much larger. The room in the above pictures is 11′x11′ so the wide angle lens really helps make the room feel much larger.

If you are in the market for a new camera, my advice to you is look at this camera FIRST! Second, don’t let the kid at Best Buy or Circuit City talk you into the mega pixel hype and big zoom lenses. In real estate we don’t need mega pixels and we don’t need giant zoom lenses. Just get a 28mm lens camera with as many functions as you can and remember, Optical Zoom is true zoom and Digital Zoom is worthless.

-Real Estate Technology Blog

Hi,

I just wanted to welcome all the Real Estate Professionals that are reading this blog. The idea for this blog is to give weekly tips and tricks to keep you on the cutting edge of real estate technology. There are hundreds of ways to make your daily life easier using real estate technology. I just want to make sure you can learn & apply them to your daily business. If at any time you have a question about real estate technology please feel free to e-mail us.

-Real Estate Technology Blog