Clean Slate » Vlog

We Agree to Disagree – REBarCamp New York (#rebcny)

Wendy Forsythe — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 20:41:54 +0000

Last week, a few hundred industry professionals gathered to spend a day of learning, networking and debating at REBarCamp New York. There were lots of great ideas and much to be said for the caliber of people in attendance.

We are not known to be a shy breed in real estate, and certainly are not bashful in sharing our opinions. Some hot topics from the day included:

RPR (NAR’s Realtor Property Resource)
The role of MLS’s
Brokerage of the Future
Social Media
Market Data

One consistency that I observed in every room, regardless of the topic being discussed, is that we couldn’t seem to agree.

Is RPR good or bad?
Should MLS’s stay or go?
Will brokerage of the future be big or boutique? Bricks and mortar or virtual?
How does social media build business?
Is data the new knowledge differentiator?

One thing I’m confident of is that even though the answers may not be clear and consensus is fleeting, the debates are healthy and ones we must continue having.

Thanks to all the organizers of REBarCamp New York (#rebcny) and Inman Connect (#icny) for giving us all the opportunity and venue to exchange our thoughts and learn from one another. This type of collaboration is beneficial for us all and for those we serve as real estate professionals.

Here’s to 2010 and challenging the status quo.

BarCamp Wrap Video

Sherry Chris — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 12:14:59 +0000

BarCamp veterans and newbies talk about 2010 at event held in NYC.

Matt Rand One on One: Observations of a BarCamp First Timer

Sherry Chris — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 12:13:29 +0000

Managing Partner, Better Homes and Gardens Rand Realty talks about why he came, what he learned, whether he would attend again and the one thing he will do differently when he goes home.

Brokerage of the Future

Sherry Chris — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 12:12:05 +0000

Presentation Moderated by Wendy Forsythe, VP Broker Services, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate. Lively audience debate and insight on what the brokerage of the future will look like.

Social Media: How Much Time Do You Spend a Day?

Sherry Chris — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 12:10:49 +0000

Industry professionals give insight into their social media time spend.

Social Media and Business

Sherry Chris — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 12:09:59 +0000

How do you use social media to gain prospects and make sales? Specifics on how people harness the power of social media for business.

Key Technologies for 2010

Sherry Chris — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 12:08:57 +0000

One Technology you could not live without, in 2010. Commentary compiled on which technologies the BarCamp attendees see as mission critical tools.

2010: How it’s Shaping Up

Sherry Chris — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 12:07:57 +0000

What people see so far this year, how January is shaping up, December demand spillover and early signs of the year ahead.

2010: What to Focus On

Sherry Chris — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 12:06:07 +0000

Agents and industry professionals talk about what they’ll focus on to improve business in 2010.

Client Relationships – Before and After the Transaction

Camilla Sullivan — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 21:56:03 +0000

One of the fundamentals emerging as part of our next generation brokerage discussion, is the need for the agent and broker to think of the relationship they have with a buyer or seller, not only during the transaction, not just in a passive follow up campaign after a house is sold, but as part of brand conditioning long before there is a business relationship.

Our strategy at Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate has been to begin that relationship in an intimate way online, connecting with the consumer through lifestyle communications – all the things that our brand actually stands for, but proving them out with the sort of compelling content that results in repeated, extended web visits, and the creation of an impression that we stand for a lot more than real estate.

Additionally, we hear from our brokers their challenge to continue that kind of 360 degree brand approach especially when the communication is left to a third party – namely the agent. The better tools, strategies and air cover the agent has from the brand (the franchisor) the more likely a consistent impression will be conveyed.

One of the requests we had heard repeatedly was to provide fool proof and aesthetically engaging home staging videos so agents don’t have to navigate the tough conversation about what they need to change with a home owner …but rather it can be done in a ‘TV’ like way, through the voice of an expert. This preserves the integrity of the relationship between agent and client through the provision of clear and defined, educational content about how to properly list and present their home to the public.

We continue to invest in this strategy and have great plans on this front for 2010. To see what I mean, take a look at this behind the scenes video.

How are you creating momentum online long before you meet your client?