I am in Orlando for the 63rd International Builders Show which promises to be one of the largest industry trade shows ever with over 100,00 plus attendees. I remembered to bring my comfortable shoes as this year’s show covers well over a mile of exhibits. Despite an hour and a half wait for my rental car, I arrived at the show excited to see what new and innovative exhibits will be on display this year.

I was fortunate to run across a favorite provider of cabinet knobs , Knob Depot. I say they are my favorite because with two little girls at home , my wife is subject to makeover fever. Knob Depot’s selection , prices and customer service are unmatched and as they say , “if momma ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy.” From decorative drawer pulls to glass knobs , their selection is only trumped by their customer service. After meeting with Jim Woods , owner of Knob Depot, I understand why. Jim and his team are passionate about delivering the kind of value that makes his clients customers for life.

What would you do with 77 Sq Ft?  Apparently, you have enough room for a shower, hot plate, sink, and bed.  I’ve heard of location, location, location many times from realtors but how can you live full time in 77 Sq. Ft?  The place also has no heating or AC.  Sounds like a place I’d like to spend the rest of my life!

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Just wanted to say congrats to the Poling Team, their Raleigh Real Estate Blog was featured on a CNBC segment about the way many realtors are now using the internet to sell homes and generate buyer leads. The Poling Team put a Podcast on their blog, and also at our urging put it on You Tube… Not only has it garnered them traffic and leads but it also got them featured on national TV…Thanks To Dave Schebell for the camera work.

Watch Now:

 Poling Team ON CNBC: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

CNBC recently did a report on the real estate video market and mentioned one of our realtors in their story.  In fact, they displayed the video that we filmed for them and helped them optimize it on youtube.  He’s loaded three video’s in the past three months and 800+ people have viewed these three properties.  How important is that from a competitive stand point?  In recent posts, I mentioned the importance of video search and realtors willing to adapt to this new technology will stand to be more competitive in the market.  Do me a favor and search the video engines for properties in your area and tell me how many real estate agents are using this for a marketing tool.  Chances are, the agents that are using this are in the top 5% in transaction sales.  It just proves that you have to do everything to stay on top or atleast attempt to get there.

Zillow a site We love, has begun to develop an open API to share data on 67 Million Homes.
Zillow I think has one of the coolest interfaces for viewing home values, and with an open API web designers and online real estate marketers  have the ability to incorporate the data and cool graphics into their blog or website making for a cool experience for both buyers and sellers researching online. (78% of consumers start their search online)
Here are a couple examples of it in Use:

At Yahoo:

Real Estate Home Value

Zillow result

When we visit Real Estate offices, I’m often amazed at the lack of resources realtors use for their online presence.  Just by navigating the web, realtors would be better in tune with what’s going on.  Most of your marketing focus should be online and there are a few trends going on for 2007 that you must look into.
1. Real Estate Blog:  Just the purest form of Viral Marketing and another web property that you can put your listings on.  I won’t give away everything but you really have no idea how important a blog can be to a realtor….hint….$$$

2. Real Estate Video Advertising:  Why did google buy youtube for 1.6 billion….because video is important and 54% of online users watch video

3. Local Search: If 81% of a Real Estate search is started online, where are you?  What’s your local presence?

I wouldn’t try and tell any realtor what to do.  What I do try is to educate realtors on what’s the best form of marketing for their geographical location.  I wouldn’t expect everyone to get a blog, shoot video’s and concentrate on local search, but I can only hope that  a lot of realtors will investigate this more thoroughly.

Recently I sat down with Keith Boutwell VP of Sales at Real Estate Blog Marketing and asked him a few questions about the value of a real estate blog, blog marketing and the effects on both local search and branding in the blogosphere.

Have a Listen.

 Real Estate Blog and Local Search [3:18m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

As a Real Estate Agent you obviously have your clients best interest in mind. Are you sure you’re doing everything possible to showcase a property? Video Search is taking over and with more people adapting to and embracing this technology, it’s time that all realtors explore video search.

Fact: 54% of online users watch video online

Fact: Online Video is less expensive than TV
Fact: Realtors that use video in their marketing campaign will come out on top

We’ve already established how important a blog is for a realtor. A Real Estate blog acts as a hub and establishes your online presence when fully optimized. If I were selling someone’s property I would need to have the following online:

1. Real Estate Website
2. Optimized Real Estate Blog

3. Video of the Property to broadcast locally and nationally

If 82% of a real estate search is started online and 54% of online users watch video this should make sense. Embrace it, it’s here to stay.

With housing across the country slowing down it’s essential that agents in hot markets keep up on their marketing.  Where are the most affordable suburbs in the Untited States?  It’s extremely important that you raise your family in an area that will allow you to prosper.  The following list will help you with your search.  “Affordable Suburbs”  If you need any information on Real Estate in your area, do a google blog search and you’ll find what you’re looking for.  One of our clients is a featured realtor on that page.  Note the “Related Blogs” on the top of the page.  The only way for you to grow your business online as an agent is to reach people in everyway possible.  Where do you show up when millions of people across the country do a search on a blog search engine?  It may be time to take Blog Marketing a bit more serious before it’s too late.

Fixed rates on 30 year loans last week dropped to their lowest rate in ten months and now average 6.15%. American homebuyers have rfeacted by applying to refinance at a rate faster than any week since early 2005. This certainly does not qualify as a boom, but all the signs are there for the trend of lower mortgages to continue. Certain analysts on Wall Street are predicting that rates will go as low as 5.75%. Good news for the housing market. And a great time for realtors to get in front of a new audience of buyers by instigating a blog marketing campaign.