Ubertor Real Estate Blog

The real estate market is slowing across North America… maybe it is time to look into the internet and see what you learn. Check out events in June, July or August - or come see Gary Vaynerchuk in Seattle for some video training.

Next on our techy interviews is Rebecca Bollwitt aka Miss604.com. Rebecca has been blogging about Vancouver since 2004 on Miss604.com, podcasting RadioZoom since 2005 and is a co-host of The Crazy Canucks Podcast. You can find Rebecca live blogging at social media conferences around BC, walking around Stanley Park or hopefully at a local hockey game.

(see the last techy interview here)

Q1. When you search for real estate, where do you look? (online; where? offline; where?)
A1. Online, Craigslist, local apartment listing websites

Q2. What do you look for in a Realtor?
A2. I would look for someone who has my best interest in mind, knowing several local realtors who are bloggers I would definitely start there.

Q3. Do you look for real estate on Craigslist?
A3. Yes

Q4. When you see a real estate listing with no pictures, what do you do?
A4. I usually look it up on Google Maps or Google the name of the building to see if there are photos somewhere else on the web.

Q5. If you were a Realtor, what would you do different than any other Realtor you have seen?
A5. I’d have to say that keeping a blog is a great idea and as I mentioned, I would actually be more inclined to work with someone who is active in the social media community. It shows a level of transparency, allows them to have discussions with readers, visitors, potential clients and peers and builds up trust.

Check out this week’s Ubertor Site of the Week (SOW)…

Site of the Week - Ianwatt.ca from Bryan on Vimeo.

The client service team over at Ubertor.com has begun promoting the Ubertor Site of the Week. The Site of the Week is a way to shine light on Ubertor clients that have been maximizing their websites to promote their business. These clients have been utilizing the tools built into the system to deliver “kick-butt” rankings on Google, Yahoo, and MSN, stunning visuals, and overall a great resource for their clients and visitors.

The very first Site of the Week winner is Mr.Ian Watt at www.ianwatt.ca. Alexa rank of 2,439,403 What is Alexa Rank?

Ian Watt focuses on selling Downtown Vancouver Condos. Ian has built a niche specific website to market all condos in Downtown Vancouver - a great and powerful way to show-off his skills and expertise for this area!

If you feel your Ubertor websites deserves recognition, and want to be our next Site of the Week, feel free to contact us here.

Ubertor client Kris Berg has started writing for Inman News. From their press release:

Inman News also recently strengthened its editorial team with the addition of two new columnists, Kris Berg and Teresa Boardman, and will soon announce other new columnists.

Congratulations Kris!!

h/t: 4realz

Cathie Cline, an Ubertor client, has updated her website to have a new look and feel. It looks like the work was done by Sweet Pea Creative and it looks great. This is another example of how you don’t have to live within a website template anymore and how you can have your own look and feel. If you want to do that, check out our Approved Vendors for some design assistance. Check her new site out here

I have always pushed Realtors to become more tech savy. Not only as a way to learn about more efficient ways of working but also as a way to keep them up to speed with the tools that are coming at them.

Another huge benefit of being tech savy is the bonus of meeting tech savy people. Why is it a bonus? Tech savy people buy real estate in a much more efficient way than not so tech savy people. Take me for example, when I want to purchase a home I do almost all of the research myself. Then when I’m ready to take the next step I contact my Realtor and get the process running. Notice, that I do all of the leg work. I drive myself around the neighbourhood, I attend the open houses myself and I ask the questions that I’m interested in asking. So when it comes time to take the next step and put in an offer, my Realtor has very little left to do except deal with the paper work, advise on pricing and help make the potential transaction smooth.

A non tech savy person, will call a Realtor and have that Realtor drive them all over the place, looking at listings, talking about neighbourhood and discussing the potential of putting in an offer on something.

The difference is in the time spent. Dealing with more tech savy clients minimizes your time spent doing a deal. So why not focus on the tech savy community?

I have asked a few colleagues of mine some real estate questions in hopes that it will give you an idea of how they think when it comes to real estate.

Here is the first interview:

Currently, Daniel is the CEO at Carrie & Danielle, Inc. a Board Advisor at Tagga Media and a Director at Lypp.ca. You can see his whole profile at Linkedin or you can check out his blog.

Q1. When you search for real estate, where do you look? (online; where? offline; where?)
A1. Online, usually at mls.ca, sometimes on the Sotheby’s site; offline by walking through neighbourhoods

Q2. What do you look for in a Realtor?
A2. Reputation, track record of selling similar properties, avoids meaningless realtor jargon and cliches.

Q3. How did you pick your Realtor when you sold your home?
A3. Recommendation from a friend.

Q4. Do you look for real estate on Craigslist?
A4. No.

Q5. When you see a real estate listing with no pictures, what do you do?
A5. Ignore the listing.

Q6. If you were a Realtor, what would you do different than any other Realtor you have seen?
A6. Admit that generally realtors are unlikely to have profound insights into the market / broader economic conditions, and be honest: who knows where markets are heading, but generally it’s always smarter to buy real estate rather than sit on the sidelines.

Here is an example of a realtor using video within their Ubertor website. This video was filmed using the $150 Flip Video Camera and is powered by Vimeo HD. This is using the new Ubertor feature that allows you to load video to your website!! What a great way to show a property.

Alice Chan - Listings from Alice Chan on Vimeo.

Interested in learning about video? Reachd.com is running a very special video training session in Seattle on June 28th 2008.

Here are 5 reasons to make it to Seattle:

1. Check out Zillow’s beautiful downtown Seattle offices
2. Spend 2 hours learning about video
3. Get a FREE Flip Video Camera
4. Meet the famous Gary Varynerchuk
5. Get a FREE copy of Gary’s new book

Complete details and registration here. There are only 20 seats available. Sign up early.

Want to learn about who Gary is and what he has done? What this below video:

Now within your Ubertor website you can add video to your listings and have it syndicated to YouTube.com and Vimeo.com. Not only does it go to these powerful video websites to help expose your listing but it updates the E-Flyer that is automatically built into each of your listings.

Now when you add your E-Flyer to Craigslist.org it will show your photos, property description as well as any videos that you have added. Here is an example of a rental listing in the Ubertor system that is using video and the E-Flyer.
(here is the same example on Craigslist.org)

For Rent: Vancouver 1 Bedroom 1 Bedroom 388 Drake Street Vancouver V6B 6A8 »map »more details Bedrooms:  1 Bathrooms (full):  1 Price:  $1,095 per month Availability:  2008-06-02 Interior SQ. FT.:  1260 Garage:  none Queen Size Bed is plush and brand new! Bedroom is fully furnished with linens, pillows and comforters. 11 Foot Celings and tall windows ensure you have lots of natural light. Large contemporary desk for work/study. Big closet and dresser drawers for easy organization of your clothing. Bookshelf abuts desk for easy reach to all your books. Videos 388 Drake Street, Yaletown, Vancouver : Governors Towers One Bedroom for Rent 388 Drake Street, Yaletown, Vancouver : Governors Towers Private Courtyard Gardens 388 Drake Street, Yaletown, Vancouver : Governors Towers Fitness Center 388 Drake Street, Yaletown, Vancouver : Governors Towers Swimming Pool Description Grand One Bedroom for rent in a spacious designer 2 Bedroom Yaletown Condo. Don't get trapped in a miniature shared condo! This is spacious 2 bedroom Yaletown Condo. When comparing look at total square footage not bedrooms. You'll find most 2 bedrooms are under 900 SQ/FT. This one is 1260 SQ/FT with super tall 11 foot ceilings! You will feel a sense of space and freedom here. 388 Drake Street is at the corner of Pacific and Drake in the true Yaletown. Your can enjoy an un-obstructed view of calm waters of the False Creek Ocean fed water. Watch rowers and boats sail by or people watch the strollers, bikers and bladers of the Sea Wall. David Lam park is the huge park and playing field that protect this view corridor. One block in either direction you will find groceries at Urban Fare Gourmet Market or Choices Organic Grocers. There is also a Costco within walking distance. Being in Yaletown you are in the epicenter of some of the Vancouver's choice restaurants, lounges and bars. This rental is for a private bedroom in a 2 bedroom shared downtown Vancouver water front condo. I live in the other bedroom. I am looking for a single roommate. Sorry, no couples. The entire condo was completely gutted and built up with top of the line materials, appliances and designed with a comfortable theme. Inside you will find stainless steel appliances a 6X14 Foot Granite Kitchen Island with a party sink. The kitchen is fully equipped with everything you need for cooking and eating. The fridge is extra large, stainless steel and had french doors for east. Your half is larger than most condo's full size fridge. All the furniture was carefully chosen for its functional and aesthetic features. The antique dining table is made from 300 year old reclaimed wood. Juxtaposed to the table you will find super comfortable modern Herman Miller Aeron Chairs. I do work from home; so during the day I will occupy the table and desk with my assistant. We do computer work; so are relatively quiet. We are packed up with table cleared by 5pm; Monday to Friday. Dark hardwood floors throughout all the rooms. There is a super comfy sofa with a 42 Hi-Def LCD and a Apple Mini that powers it. Sound is 5.1 THX. I live and work in the condo and are seeking a mature neighborly roommate who wants a quiet, peaceful home to live, chill and study. You should have full-time work or school. No couch potatoes please. Should be clean and tidy as I keep the place immaculate. * No Smoking. * No Pets. * No Parties. * No Drugs. !!!-Rent Reduction during Building Window Refurbishment of $25/week-!!! Summer Only Rate is $1150/per month; 3 Month Minimum. ($1050/refurb/month) or One Year lease available @ $945/month. ($845/refurb/month). Interested? Please fill out the application form: http://www.whistlerdeluxerentals.com/ApplicationForm.ubr Rental Details Features Included in Rent: - High-Speed Novus 30MB Fiber Optic Link. Private WI-FI Network. - Cable TV. - Electricity. (Please be reasonable and turn off items not in use) - Toilet Paper. - In-suite Front Load Washer and Condensation Dryer. - Laundry Detergent. - Heat. Amenities - 24/7 Concierge and Security. - Swimming Pool for laps (dedicated lanes) and enjoyment. - 8 Person Multi-Jetted in ground Hot Tub. - Cedar Wood Sauna for 9 people. - Private Gym with; Bosu Balls, free weights, bench and a universal gym. - Get your Cardio on with the new Treadmill, Elliptical, StairMaster, Concept Rower or Bike. - Party/Meeting Room on the second floor to hold private engagements. - Have a picnic or read in the grass of your gated Courtyard Garden Park for private use. Whistler Cay Suites for Rent Email:  info@whistlerdeluxerentals.com Michael Stephenson

Easy Virtual Flyers by Ubertor. Build your own in 3 minutes!