Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Why me?-Why now?-Why not?

?


No email.



No internet.



Limited phone service.



For almost two days at the WRA Winter Convention in Lac du Flambeau, WI.



Diogenes got nothing on me.



After spending the past two days wandering around the conference with my laptop open, looking every bit the beggar I was, I made it to my email. I had been able to make a couple of phone calls during the interim, including one from the front desk at the hotel with Obeo president Glade Jones which disconnected for no reason, so everything was OK.



I was even able to hook up the WRA staff with signals on their laptops, but no signal for Steve.



Interesting what happens when you can't see what is going on. Or read. Or hear.



The bad winter weather goes to worse and your company president misses a connection from Utah on the way to a REMAX agency in Madison, WI event with one of your largest clients, the broker and 120 of his best agents. Glade sent me an email, of course. The weather was bad enough to send him home to Salt Lake City.



I also got an email from Jonathan Nicholas, Obeo sales VP, who was also on his way to Madison-to the same event. When he got there-I know he had planned to be-he wrote me an email that HIS email got stuck in a server in La-La land.



Well, you see, this is why Glade was going to Wisconsin because we hadn't heard from Jonathan, who was out there doing the national-travelling Obeo thing with our other clients.



So far, so good. I managed to get enough of a phone signal to call John Murray, our Madison photographer at the event who told me he had arrived at the event alone.



Okay.



Meanwhile, business continues as usual in the background. WAY-background. Of course , questions I could normally answer, things I would usually do remain undone. It is a darn good thing I set up an out-of-office auto reply. I wonder if it went anywhere, or if anyone read it.

Tours, photographers, later, rental cars , now, uploads, Ruth, when, refunds, Dennis, adjustments, Melynda, hotels, how, return receipts, flights, John, downloads, Kennedy, hot wings, -21 below, why.



Finally, two signal bars on the screen while I am kneeling in the lobby at a coffee table .



It's Bill Gates' world, we just work in it.


Amen.

Obeoman

steven.stearns@obeo.com

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Eating the Elephant 2.0 bites at a time

All I can say is WoW!
Who is THAT Hungry?
Most Realtors are - or should be, or are gonna be really fast, this year.
There are those meandering and grazing in the bloggosphere that are having a hard time stepping up to their new diet.

You might say to those people:

-you are crabby and just don't like that other Realtors got the hot stuff first;
-you might be getting crabbier because other Realtors got their first and are having seconds already;
-and fuming at the fact that you are stuck because you do not want to admit it is time to stop being late for dinner and do not know here to start.

(Boy, haven't we all been THERE...)

The simple fact is that this hard market requires soft skills: blogging, social networking and being in on line communities.

Being engaged, not on auto-pilot, auto-answer, I-can-get-a-program-bot-to-scribe-me-up-some-content kind of coasting mode.
The shakedown is still shaking: if Realtors-yes, Realtors- do not engage and get up to their earlobes in what is going on-well, who wants to eat?
Realtor Pros remain. Why? Likely because they ARE engaged, nimble and are not afraid to change their work mode as quickly at their day-old socks.

Getting started eating this elephant? EASY!:

Read, comment and learn in the forum of a on line community.
Then, set up a blog and make it real-about you , your neighborhood, what YOU know about real estate.
Expand your Rolodex network into a social network - ask around, you might even get a friend to invite you in!

Just don't sit there - grab a plate and get on line!
Dessert is gonna be really, really good!

Obeoman
steven.stearns@obeo.com

Monday, January 14, 2008

The New Marketplace: Hard Knowledge for Soft Skills


Free and Open to All Wisconsin Realtors:
The New Marketplace: Hard Knowledge for Soft Skills
Blogging, Social Networking and On Line Communities

January 29th, 2008
1:30-3:30 PM
Madison, WI 53711
Find out what they are, where they are and who is in them-(and why you should be, too!)
Learn about blogging: Be the local real estate expert on your community.
Tips on social networks: GenX, GenY and Millenials want you to be their friend.
How to live in an on line community: Sharing and giving away information,
idea farming and e-tiquette.
________________________________________________
Presented by Steven Stearns/Obeo Real Estate Marketing Consultant-Eastern WI
Blogger: “Real Estate is Crazy”
On line community senior member: www.wannanetwork.com
On line community active member: www.activerain.com www.facebook.com
Please call 262-325-8687 or email steven.stearns@obeo.com to RSVP
(Door prizes, refreshments, fun!)
Give me a call and I will see you there!
Steve

Wednesday, January 9, 2008

Realtors wanna have FUN!

And Obeo...the experts in buyer behavior...invites them to play!

EXCLUSIVE TO REMAX FOR A LIMITED TIME-THROUGH JANUARY 21st!

Obeo StyleDesigner and Obeo HomeSite take virtual tours to next level.


Don’t like the exterior paint you’re viewing on line?



Obeo StyleDesigner changes it with just the pick of a color
-and a click of your mouse!


Interiors- change carpet, hardwood, linoleum to tile floors-or swap counter tops.


..and change paint color on walls and trim-just pick and click!


Obeo HomeSite has all the great features and tools of an Obeo virtual tour in a freshly designed, easy-to-use format.


The new tool bar lets you choose what you want do as you mouse over the icons:


View a full-screen tour, email the tour, print brochures or schedule a showing

-just a few of all the Obeo options.

and The Home Theater feature


...is a great way for buyers to dream their way into their new home!


Obeo HomeSite goes active January 21st nationally- with no price increase.

Add on the Obeo StyleDesigner - the first two scenes $39.95.

Each additional scene is $19.95.

LINKS:



Contact your Obeo Consultant:

Minnesota and Western Wisconsin


kiki.wanshura@obeo.com
612.599.5642

Eastern Wisconsin


steven.stearns@obeo.com
262-325-8687

Obeo Customer Service, Orders and Tech Support
800.729.6236


Thursday, January 3, 2008

HELP-Dian Hymer Needs Bone Marrow

Some of you may know Dian, an Inman News writer and Coldwell Banker Top Producer.
Bloggers are reaching out the help her-Please read on:
Inman News writer and Coldwell Banker top producer Dian Hymer is a friend of the industry who needs our help.
Suffering from cancer, she needs a bone marrow transplant.
An initial run of the National Marrow Donor Program registry showed no matches.
You may be a match and registering for the program is simple.
Joel Burslem from futureofrealestatemarketing.com is asking
this be posted at your blog, if you have one.
Thanks - and let's keep Dian and her family and friends in our thoughts and prayers.
Steve

Monday, December 31, 2007

2007 is fading fast...Let's have a great 2008!



...2007...who knew, who could tell?


Who would have told if they had known?


If we would have known, what would have we learned?


How would have we grown?


...well, we probably wouldn't have appreciated all the fun -

if we knew it was coming.


Think of the new year as a surprise party every day.


That's my resolution.


Thanks for stopping by - I'll keep it crazy and real in 2008.


Steve


Obeoman

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

12 Days of Christmas for Realtors

(Urban Outfitters is selling a Charlie Brown Christmas tree.)
Twelve days of Christmas for Realtors:
12 ARMs a-justing;
11 lovely Listings;
10 Bankers Begging;
9 Leads a-calling;
8 Maids a-cleaning;
7 percent Commission;
6 working Websites;
5 golden Offers;
4 Calling Centers;
3 day Weekend;
2 Points at closing
...and a closing and a sale per week!
Happy Holidays to all - and to all a GREAT NEW YEAR!
Obeoman

Monday, December 3, 2007

Real Estate Video is NOT the consumer choice.

I hope this real estate video works...hope the lighting is ok...it costs a lot...
where does it go?...who is seeing it?...does this really work?


(clipart courtesy of clipartheaven.com)

Sellsius offers up a late serving of turkey with a video from Brian Copeland , a Realtor in Nashville. (His blog, Nashville and Beyond, has decent content and some pretty funny and fun things things to know about the area.)

Even though the market forces have virtual tours as the leading form of RE marketing-over a million buyers a month visit Obeo-once more we have to hear how RE web video is the way to go.

My reply at Sellsius:

Brian,

Virtual tours are the most widely used form of web RE marketing; this is what the consumer wants because this is where the consumer money is being spent.

Video tours do not work for most listings because:

-Video tours are not aggregated or distributed effectively on the web.
-Video tours lack visual quality: most RE video is poor to average.
-Video tours are not cost effective for most listings.

Obeoman
steven.stearns@obeo.com

Virtual tours are the leading form of marketing properties on the web:
Sellers list with Realtors who sell,and Realtors who sell are using millions-perhaps billions, worldwide - virtual tours to market listings.

Because it is cost and labor intensive, RE web video remains a niche tool for luxury listings, unique locations and as a marketing tool for funny, charismatic or extremely dynamic Relators or agencies.

By the way, keep an eye on the blog here - in the coming weeks, Obeo will be showing you why virtual tours are and will remain the best way to market any property on line or anywhere. How buyers love virtual tours, and sellers love them, too.

Buyers want to own their home when they see it on line.

Obeo will help them do that, and more.


I gotta go sell something!

Obeoman

steven.stearns@obeo.com

Monday, November 12, 2007

Top 12 Real Estate Predictions for 2008




TOP 12 REAL ESTATE PREDICTIONS FOR 2008:

1.) Google corporate jets will feature scrolling AdSense banners on their sides, or tow signs behind them as they fly over beaches.

By the way, you won't need a crystal ball for your sellers

with

Obeo HomeSite and Obeo StyleDesigner.

(Available after January 21st)

2.) Redfin will give away Snoopy Catch-'Em kits to each lister, with free linkbait.

3.) ActiveRain will provide free umbrellas to each Realtor at its site to protect them from getting soaked by falling prices.

4.) Pat Kitano at Transparent RE will move into a new glass headquarters in Pomona, CA. To stimulate the local economy and discourage the proverbial rock throwing, Pat will hire displaced mortgage brokers to police the grounds for any other offending projectiles.

5.) RISMedia’s Annual Leadership Conference will undergo a format change, a cross between Big Brother and Survivor. Hosted by David Hasselhoff, it will only be available by satellite subscription service.

6.) Zillow will use street teams to meme their brand and have street team members carry bells and buckets to enhance cash flow.

7.) The crew at Sellsius, inspired by their successful '08 nationwide blogging tour, will form a Band of Bloggers - like Brian Setzer's, only bigger and more verbose-and go on tour to over 1,500 real estate brokerages, playing at lunchtime in the parking lot.

8.) Inman TV will host a reality series of the Sellsius tour, partnering with Teresa Boardman to vlog and blog the performances.

9.) Trulia Voices, not to be outdone, will go out on a choral tour featuring songs with lyrics based on answers to questions posted at the site. Performance MP3s will be posted free at their site and will also be available as ring tones.

10.) NAR CEO Dale Stinton will go on a consumer-based diet including non-fat technology commodities.

11.) Upstart on line real estate community Wannanetwork will be bought by Donald Trump and leased to AT&T, forming a worldwide network of networks.

12.) Obeo and Krispy-Kreme form a strategic alliance to enhance delivery of its donut-on-a-stick incentive to all eligible-and hungry-Realtors attending their sales presentations.

Obeoair is at NAR this week, so check us out or email me for details!

...what we got, you want!

Obeoman

steven.stearns@obeo.com

Friday, October 26, 2007

Greetings, Earthling...take me to your Neighbors!

(Photo borrowed from futuro-house.net)
Intergalactic market?
Imagine the cost of the relo!
Actually, it's one of only about a hundred surviving, (give or take a few),
futuristic pre-fab plastic reinforced homes imagined and materialized by Finnish architect Matti Suuronen in 1968, mostly for use as a camping retreat or holiday home.
It could be easily transported by helicopter or shipped on a truck, sleeps eight, has a full bathroom and central fireplace, and great views, - depending on where you are dropped off.
And get this - the reason it didn't take off was due to high oil prices in the 70s...
Huh.
With oil prices topping 90.00 a barrel this week,
no doubt it would have an out-of-this-world price tag.
(BTW, I think pink flamingos were invented in
the U.S. in Leominster, Massachusetts-the good ol' USA!)
It's Friday, so watch this Futuro video mix from YouTube and
celebrate the past in the future!
Love Your Neighbor -Pink or Green!
Obeoman

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Let's All Help In California!

(Borrowed from UK Times)

We all know about home, family and what they mean.

Click here to donate to the American Red Cross

And, let's hold them close in our thoughts and prayers -

the victims, the firefighters and their families.

Obeoman

steven.stearns@obeo.com


3 REAL Reasons to Blog and 10 Wesbsite MUST HAVES-FREE!

cartoon from www.weblogcartoons.com

Cartoon by Dave Walker. Find more cartoons you can freely re-use on your blog at We Blog Cartoons.



Okay gang - we are all faced with the MONSTER OF TECHNOLOGY-AUUUUUUUUUUGH!

But here are some more great tips on why blogging and social media work and I can give you three real results that my blogging has produced:

-Blogging has gotten me in touch with Realtors and brokers who are too busy to return a phone call. I looked for their blogs and commented then got engaged in their on line conversation, widening my network.

-Blogging has added value to my company's' name as I have on line relationships with opinion leaders, leading bloggers and early tech adopters-allowing them to create buzz for us about what we have coming-interested?

-Most importantly, blogging has created professional relationships for me - especially at Wannanetwork where Obeo will soon be featured for the value we add to the community-and that will continue to grow!

Call me on Jaxtr or wire me back - and get ready for Wisconsin Blogger Meet-Up! You can come to meet and talk with other bloggers about what works for them! Of course, fun is on the agenda as well...

TEN FREE WEBSITE TIPS THAT WORK!
-Be the local expert on the community and how great it is to live there;


-A deep search program, so readers and viewers can get the info they want;


-Interactive Mapping, so visitors can see where they want to be;


-Compelling and relevant visual content -start with the BEST PHOTOS;


-Now, click here for the rest of these FREE website tips from Jonathan Nicholas of Obeo, my boss and Senior VP of marketing and sales.
And
Sell Happy!
Obeoman

Monday, October 22, 2007

CALLING ALL WISCONSIN BLOGGERS, OR WANNABEBLOGGERS!


...or wannabebloggers!
I am working on a blogger meet-up - date in November to be determined -
-location likely to be in Ft. Atkinson, between Madison and Milwaukee;
-anyone who is currently blogging or wants to learn about blogging;
-Agents, brokers, independents,-ALL ARE WELCOME!
The idea is to get together, talk the blog,
have a nosh and maybe bend an elbow and make a friend or two!
If you are interested, leave a comment or email me directly at
Let's get together and have some fun!
Obeoman


Thursday, October 18, 2007

Break out , Stand out AND MAKE IT HAPPEN!...

(Photo borrowed from Ontario Archives)

In China, if you are one in a million, there are 1,300 of you.

Today, we are going to talk about why you milk the cow, get the cream and

how this keeps you moooovin' in the market.

Where to start?

Break out!

Of the old marketing habits. Remember, this market moves so fast, you have to ! Take a look at what you are doing and turn it upside down and shake it out!

Review your budget today and put your money where the consumer is: Better put most of it into your website, virtual tours and if you do use print, make sure you have your website featured prominently in your newspaper ad. Eight out of ten buyers are looking online for their home - realign you budget to reflect that reality! Use some of that money to make sure you can get and send email from where you are and capture client information for leads.

Standout!

Redo your biz card: so they are consistent and high quality. CD business cards with your listings on them? A great way to replace the old biz cards - and keep the Internet empowered consumer engaged.

Renew your information, news and industry education: Be an E PRO - run, do not walk to this Realtor designation! Remember, you have to be ready for the on line consumer and they are going to prefer the E Pro because that's basically where they learn, look and live with their information - on line! YOu should be reading Inman News and RISMedia every day - delivered to your email and for FREE!

And again-Get your BLOG on, and join an online community: Get started by reading blogs! Remember, a blog is a conversation you have with the readers. Respond to blogs-anyone who has one is dying for a comment! Join a community like activerain.com or wannanetwork.com - post in the forums, ask questions and learn from your peers. This is the leading edge of the future, and those who choose not to participate in social media do so at their own risk.

NOW, MAKE IT HAPPEN!

Watch this REMAX realtor Powerpoint - all the reasons and everything you need to know is right here!

Well, call me on my jaxtr at the top of the page if you have any questions, and I will get back to you!

Shake it up and have fun!

Obeoman

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Want Cream? Milk the Cow !!!

(Free Cash Cow ! - found at istockphotodotcom)

Okay, ReMax North Central and all other Realtors: for the next couple of days, the blog here will offer a summary of great ways to get your marketing program moving - all crazy and most for FREE!

Start out knowing if you want the cream, ya gotta milk the cow:

-8 out of 10 buyers are on line;

-10-12 months-the amount of time people spend looking on line when they are getting ready to move;

-Right now - 2 hours from now-the amount of time the empowered Internet consumer will expect to hear from you, the Realtor when they find you on line.

-Realtors are Number One - with the Internet consumer - 80% of on line consumers will use the first real estate professional they talk to

Be ready for the empowered Internet consumer:

First, get your listings online at Obeo: 1 million visitors a month can't be beat - the first-class on line statistical reporting and photos you can keep using! -And don't forget to link your own website to Obeo for maximum traffic!

Second, distribute your tours on free sites using postlets : create a flyer with your great Obeo photos and spread the word about your listings at these other key sites for FREE:

backpage.com
craigslist
edgeio
Google Base
HotPads
LiveDeal
Oodle
Propsmart
Trulia
Vast

Third, start blogging and be the neighborhood expert: for free at blogger.com .

Blogging is how you tell your buyers about where you live, the fun you have there, who else lives there, where they can live around where you are and why they should buy a home there. Blogging is a conversation - so talk to these people in your blog like neighbors over the fence about what is going on where you live - after all, they will be your neighbors.

Fourth, get in an online community and get engaged : like activerain or wannanetwork. You'll find other Realtors at these sites, ideas for your blog and better yet, buyers and sellers looking for information from Realtors!

Get another bucket-this one is full - and check back tomorrow and the day after for more FREE marketing tools and ways to make the market happen for YOU!

Obeoman

steven.stearns@obeo.com











Friday, October 12, 2007

NO CRAZY-BAD PICTURES, PUH-LEASE!

Sellers hate them!
Buyers like them even less...
So, why do bad real estate pictures end up on the web when they drive sellers to the brink of hysteria and buyers to nausea, and onto the next mediocre batch of images?
Why are there are millions of bad RE photos populating sites that pretend they are actually attracting buyers with good pictures?
Probably because most people think
the picture is "good enough".
Now, think about that statement.
Then, think about really adding value for clients.
What makes a great RE photo?
(Please, let's not argue about good photos- this is your house we are selling!)
Great RE photos must be technically excellent,
with clear, sharp, crisply focus, not tilted, properly exposed with even lighting and no backflash.
Great RE photos highlight the key feature(s) of the room for the buyer, whether it is a bay window, stone fireplace, fantastic decorating and staging or an awesome view.
Great RE photos invite the buyer into the home,
are composed and taken from an angle the room would normally be viewed at.
Who makes a great RE photo, one that makes the Seller smile and the Buyer stick to the on line tour ?
If you don't know who, just call us at Obeo.
We will go out of our way to do it right-
because that's what it takes to make the Sellers smile
and the Buyers buy!
Stay focused!
Obeoman



Wednesday, October 10, 2007

RE-ally RICH!: Chinese RE Developer Tops in Billionaire Boom !


From just over the dateline and into tomorrow:


Yang Huiyan (right) and her (LUCKY!) husband at their wedding.

(photo borrowed from the Mangalorean)


...she is worth 16.2 billion and is an OSU grad-

not a bad start for someone who is only 26.

Once more, real estate is Number 1!


and speaking of rich chicks- no sexism intended - if you work for REMAX in Wisconsin, you can get an edge on your RE earnings by going to the:

Rich Chicks: Financial Planning for Women


in Brookfield, WI Oct. 16th.


This is just one of over 15 breakout sessions with great ideas for powerful listing presentations, balancing your life and blogging for your business.

Of course, if you can't make up your mind, here is an easy choice:

Technology: Cash Cow or Mad Cow



Obeos' Jonathan Nicholas will be speaking at lunch.
(a star with REMAX, now on our team helping all Realtors)
Jonathan will be there at North Central to make sure you know how to:
meet the consumer expectations, capture the clients,
and help you:
All for now - pass the steak sauce, please...
Obeoman
steven.stearns@obeo.com

Monday, October 8, 2007

Real Estate is still Number 1!


...a total no-brainer and a great idea to share with everyone!

Anyway, on with the Monday Mashup:

REAL ESTATE IS STILL KING:
Nice little piece from the Birmingham Business Journal - according to a survey by the Guidant Financial Group, the majority of those folks holding money and looking towards their retirement saw real estate as a secure and worthy investment - despite the obvious market issues right now.

There are always peaks and valleys, but if you connect all the high points, the curve still goes up. Tell that to your lookie-loos on Sunday!

...c'mon, get your blog on - watch this:
And since we are all counting on the value of homes, why not add to your value as an agent by being more 2.0? Get started by watching Eric Hersman of Realty Thoughts at Inman TV. Blogging, social networking, being in online communities for Realtors, like Wannanetwork or activerain - all can lead to offline connections that can help you grow your sales. Eight out of ten consumers are online - where are you on that "X"?

...still on the fence? Don't think that all this webby stuff will work for you? :
Better read the Reno Realty Blog by Diane Cohn - she dishes on what is up with real estate in her neck of the woods, how the professional Realtors won't starve and says her blog is helping - so they are spreading the word with blogging classes.

As for me, I am working on a blogger meet-up sometime in the next three weeks for bloggers in Madison and Milwaukee- if you wanna come, just call me or drop me a line!

Obeoman
steven.stearns@obeo.com

Friday, October 5, 2007

Google ranks top snack for Realtors

-coming in at #1 out of 1,830,000!








(Less sweet, I think...)



...but if Realtors like donuts this much,


...BUYERS LOVE PHOTOS!

1,000 pictures are worth 1,000 leads-sink your teeth into this over at RIS Media.

The fact: as long as they are good photos, make sure:

as many photos of your listing on line as possible.

(This is where Obeo comes in, obviously.)


and in other sweet news, uberblogger Teresa Boardman is at the top of a list of 25 most influential bloggers in 2007 at Inman News.



And deservedly so - she is a "real" blogger who is not afraid to share what she knows about her community and real estate. She is open and receptive to other bloggers and their ideas. And she has a great sense of humor, too.



The list reads like a Whos' Who of Blogging with too many names to drop

- here, anyway.

Laugh and sell !

Obeoman

steven.stearns@obeo.com

Wednesday, October 3, 2007

We all need a little magic....

...maybe this video explains the current real estate market!

Enjoy!

Obeoman

steven.stearns@obeo.com

Saturday, September 29, 2007

Breakfast with The Blogfather...(almost)....

As I was staring at my breakfast while watching Inman TV this a.m.,
first I realized I really need to cut down on the fatty stuff.
Then I listened to the Blogfather.
He has a deal no one in real estate can refuse.
Dustin Luther talks about why and how he got started blogging
and his energy is incredible.
And why knowing where to find information is more important
than having it all in one place.
Why it's important to have a conversation that lets the ideas flow.
I will never see sausages the same way...
I gotta go mow the lawn.
It's really better if I burp outside, anyway.
Obeoman