Real estate technology leader Move, Inc. brings the home search experience to television with the new REALTOR.COM TV Channel in collaboration with RealBizMedia. The addition of this TV Channel will make Realtor.com the first company to deliver a real estate search experience on the three screens consumers use most: computer, mobile and TV. This three screen convergence will allow agents to reach home buyers on a highly geo-targeted level changing real estate much in the same way mobile devices have. The new Realtor.com Channel will launch in the second half of 2012 and bring millions of property listings into U.S. homes starting with the Cox cable network. The Realtor.com Channel will connect viewers and agents with just a few clicks of a remote.

Check out these highlights:

• 55 Million U.S. households have VOD access
• 75% access VOD programming monthly
• 8 hours average viewing per month
• 77% of all VOD content viewed is Free programming

The Press Release is below for your information. I will be meeting with REALTOR.com at MidYear this week to obtain additional information on this exciting new program and many other updates from IDX, syndication of listings and other new innovations for our industry. Stay tuned.

NEW REALTOR.COM^® TV CHANNEL TO REACH 55 MILLION HOUSEHOLDS

Online Real Estate Giant Adds Video on Demand to Search Experience with RealBizMedia

CAMPBELL, Calif. – (May 14, 2012) – Realtor.com operator, Move, Inc. (NASDAQ: MOVE), the leader in online real estate, and RealBizMedia, the leading provider of rich media content delivery for the real estate industry, today announced an agreement to launch the Realtor.com Channel powered by the Home Tour Network, part of the RealBizMedia’s group.

The new Realtor.com Channel will launch in the second half of 2012 and bring millions of property listings into 55 million U.S. homes starting with the Cox cable network.  In doing so, Realtor.com will be the first company to deliver a real estate search experience on the three screens consumers use most: computer, mobile and TV.  Executives are discussing plans to expand the channel into other networks.

“Realtor.com is continually improving the real estate search experience with emerging technologies to make it easier for millions of people connect with real estate professionals ready to help them find the home that’s right for their family,” said Steve Berkowitz, Move’s chief executive officer. “With ‘for-sale’ inventories down across the nation, having convenient, fast and fun search options, along with the partnership of a professional agent, is important. When the Realtor.com Channel has launched, regardless of where you are or what you’re doing, Realtor.com will be with you.”

The Realtor.com Channel will be a powerful way for real estate agents to reach home buyers on a highly geo-targeted level. Based on location, property listings on the Realtor.com Channel will be displayed by price range delivered by the Home Tour Network and include high quality photo-based videos and descriptions provided by agents. With just a few clicks of the remote, viewers can instantly connect with agents for information.

“We’re excited to be teaming up with Realtor.com on this new venture that will help millions of people find what we hope becomes their piece of the American Dream – a home,” said Steve Marques, CEO of RealBizMedia. “Our experience in launching our propriety video platform positions RealBizMedia to leverage both organizations’ assets and provide home buyers and folks simply interested in checking out the local market with a new way to discover real estate and connect with real estate experts across the country.”

Only Realtor.com listings – the freshest and most accurate collection of real estate listings available – will appear on the new Realtor.com Channel. All listings on Realtor.com are sent to the site directly from more than 850 MLSs across the nation.  Approximately 85 percent of the listings on Realtor.com are updated every 15 minutes by the MLSs with the remainder updated every one to 24 hours.

Today’s VOD platform makes it possible for millions of potential buyers who subscribe to cable television to discover for-sale listings as part of their entertainment viewing experience. With the rapid adoption of technologies that enable seamless navigation between TV to internet content, Realtor.com is now positioned to create even richer experiences and more opportunities for consumers, agents and advertisers to connect conveniently and on demand.

An exclusive media program will soon be developed for general advertisers interested in reaching millions of cable subscribers across the nation through the Realtor.com Channel.  The financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

“Expect the Best” Mike 

 ABOUT MOVE, INC.

Move, Inc. (NASDAQ:MOVE) is the leader in online real estate and operator of REALTOR.com®, the official website of the National Association of REALTORS®; Move.com, a leading destination for new homes and rental listings, moving, home and garden, and home finance; ListHub, the leading syndicator of real estate listings; Moving.com; SeniorHousingNet; SocialBios; and TOP PRODUCER Systems. Move, Inc.. is based in Campbell, California.

ABOUT REALBIZMEDIA

RealBizMedia formerly known as RealBiz360 is the leading provider of rich media and image content delivery for the real estate industry. RealbizMedia is focused on providing both integrated and interactive solutions for the seamless creation of High Resolution Media tours and videos for web, wireless, and with its minority interest partner Next One Interactive, television distribution.

SOURCE Move, Inc.

Contact:            Jennifer DuBois 805.557.8037 Jennifer.Dubois@move.com

                        Julie Reynolds 805.557.3080 Julie.Reynolds@move.com

Well, I just completed another 4 year required cycle of the NAR Code of Ethics Course

All REALTORS are required to complete ethics training of not less than 2 hours, 30 min. of instructional time within four-year cycle. The training must meet specific learning objectives and criteria established by the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of REALTORS.

The current four-year cycle will end Dec. 31, 2012. Training may be completed through local REALTOR® associations or through another method, such as home study, correspondence, classroom courses, or online courses as I just took from my livingroom coach at home.

I thought it was a great refresher and did not go in or come out of it over confident. In fact, as a result of not testing lately, I missed a few questions on the final exam for not selecting “all that apply” I thought that was demeaning, for about 2 minutes.

Here’s some of the highlights you’ll find by taking this required course for all NAR members.

• History of the Code of Ethics
• Key concepts of the Preamble
• The Golden Rule as one of the Code’s foundations
• A list of the Code’s major categories
• The structure of the Code and its supporting materials 
• A list of the Articles of the Code and common complaints
• Key concepts of several of the Articles
• Much, much more

Don’t wait until the end of the year to complete this. As Saint Nike says: “Do It Now” 30 minutes a day for a week will finish it for you.

On another note:

I plan to attend the Mid Year NAR Convention soon and look forward to seeing many old friends in addition to my hit list of Expo visit below:

• Clareity Security
• CoreLogic
• REALTOR.com
• Supra
• Instanet Solutions
• ListHub
• REALTOR Content Resource 
• ZipLogix
• REALTOR Property Resources

These nine companies are leaders in our industry when it comes to innovation and technology. I believe it’s important to go out of my way for additional information and an opportunity to meet some of the key people responsible for these wonderful REALTOR programs. There will be others I will come across also while making my rounds, but this is my agenda.

“Expect the Best” Mike

“Expect the Best” Mike

The first thing every REALTOR needs to do is have access to Realtor.org with their username, password and NRDS ID#  You can get the NRDS ID# here. Even if you have forgotten how to sign in, NAR will send you the goods to reset your username and password. I find this to be the number one question from real estate agents in class when we discuss the benefits of Realtor.org. How do I get my password? What’s a NRDS ID used for? Make this a number one priority and keep your NRDS ID# with you. Here’s a thought: Save it on your Smart Phone in your Evernote App

OK, now that you’ve found the basic Realtor.org …………..I’m going to convert you over to the brand new benefit from NAR. It’s called My.Realtor.Org. This recently redesigned site for REALTORS is designed to keep it simple, customizing topics to your taste and interest, and providing even more tools that will help your business. It’s easy to setup to your interests and has plenty of information for you to share with clients and customers on buying and selling a home, the latest news or legal issues affecting our industry. Send me a Tweet at @MIrealestate if you have questions, comments or feedback.

Note all the Blue tabs across the top that offer an array of topics. NAR has so much to offer, I cannot begin to cover it here. I suggest you take step one: register, login, and review the site. What a great resource for REALTORS, wouldn’t you agree?

“Expect the Best” Mike

Your Profile and How You’re Being Rated as a REALTOR

Tools for Real Estate Agents in 2012

Hot Tips for Coldwell Banker Agents (This Could Be Any Franchise or Company)

Hopefully some of these ideas and tips will drive you to action and help you improve your career in 2012. Feel free to contact me on Twitter @MIrealestate or drop me a note.

“Expect the Best” Mike

I’ve read a few Blog posts recently about the ePRO Certification Program that totally surprised me that early adopters of innovation and technology would speak out against a course and certification that lays down the groundwork for successful marketing to today’s e-consumer. Going by numbers, I had a class of twenty two in Farmington Hills, MI last week, and 95% attendee’s rated the course excellent and 5% rated it good. I think, I’ll measure our progress by the agents that take the class versus the opinion makers online. Maybe some of the early adopters, who are always talking about raising the bar, should step up to the plate and help promote attendance vs. being Monday morning quarterbacks. Here’s why:

The e-PRO course will expand your real estate technology skills and help you connect with consumers online via social media, email marketing, and web site promotion. Will it help your business? I think it could, but you still need to be savvy in pricing homes correctly, know your market, and give great customer service. Back to the flipside, agents who fail to learn how to communicate with today’s e-consumer will continue to lose market share and opportunity for growth.

Realtors are beginning to understand that the real estate industry is being transformed and re-invented right before our eyes, at lightning speed. Whether you are an experienced agent or just starting out, you need to know how to build your business and how to stay abreast of the latest trends. Training and education is vital to success in the real estate business to effectively deal with the trends and the shifts in the market, and position ourselves for the future.

The “Day One” live classroom option for the first day of the two-day e-PRO® certification program sets the pace for real estate agents to start outlining a plan of action.  Live courses allow you to gain valuable personal attention and network with other agents wanting to learn more about online real estate marketing and technology. The real beauty is making connections with other classmates who will become part of your new network to gain a wealth of education.

So, he classroom setting also allows you to ask both your instructor and fellow classmates questions regarding online real estate marketing tactics and the business possibilities they afford. Below is a short outline of day one. These topics cover more than technology and innovation or shinny new objects, they go into great detail on the “Why” of having an Internet marketing plan.

• Trends in online real estate marketing and technology
• Connecting with today’s consumer online
• Creating an online presence
• Reputation management and measurement
• Intellectual rights and ethics on the Web
• REALTOR® Code of Ethics
• Social media hazards
• Overview of e-PRO® Tool belt

The two-day e-PRO® course teaches you to:

• Make the most of today’s social media technologies, techniques and best practices
• Implement powerful real estate email marketing and electronic marketing initiatives
• Employ efficient e-office strategies
• Work effectively with rich media technologies
• Identify tools that fit your budget, resources and capabilities
• Create on online presence, and understand the importance of real estate web site promotion

Here’s a short Video Clip on Why I think ePRO is something every REALTOR should take advantage of, and I look forward to seeing you in one of my “Day One” Live sessions.

“Expect the Best” Mike

So, now that that’s out of the way, let’s talk about my highlights from Gen Blue. As you can see the photo below consist of Google, YouTube, R&D from the New York Times, the New Wave Group, and a campaign that zeros in on why a house should be a home. Everyone who attended these sessions were in awe by the quality of speakers, the energy in the room, and the focus on using these tools and systems to aid our clients to make the best decisions in home ownership. The innovation, technology, and professionalism of today’s REALTOR play a key role for the future of our industry.

I have always been a huge fan of Google, used most of their tools, and jumped right on board as soon as Google+ was made available.  As an early adopter of Google Plus, I was totally surprised and shocked when Chris Brogan popped in a few paragraphs about my Google Profile and online activities early this year, in his Book titled “Google+ for Business” That was surprise number one.

Surprise number two came last week at the Generation Blue when Lee Jones, Head of Media Solutions, Google, Inc. Used my Google Profile and YouTube Video as an example on the “Big Screen” of the General Session. I was totally humbled that the man who provide integrated media recommendations across Google’s product suite and evangelize’s Google’s latest search, social, local, mobile and video products, would be using me as an example. Damn, Chris Brogan is going to have a tough time beating this one. All kidding aside, I wish to thank Chris Brogan for including me in his book, Lee Jones for saying all those nice things about my profile and video, David Marine for surprising me, Jim Gillespie for the shout out afterwards, and Linda Aaron for the photo below. 2012 has been a confidence builder indeed.

One of my Favorite Breakout sessions was conducted by Stefanie Hahn, education director for Coldwell Banker Hearthside, REALTORS® in Collegeville, Pa. I encourage all real estate broker, owners, and agents to visit Stefanie’s site linked to her name above.  As you can see by the topics on the photo below, this breakout session was loaded with content. Every REALTOR can learn something new here.

I am not known for long posts, so I will cut the rest of this post short and come back later for the balance of the goods I think you’ll enjoy and learn from. I just want to end by saying thank you to the this wonderful group, I had the honor and opportunity to work with while I was at Generation Blue.  Now, here’s the deal. The list I have included gives you, as an agent, manager, broker, or peer some of the best in the industry to follow, if you have not started already.  They are the cream of the crop when it comes to social media, video, Blogging, tech tools, and most important, being a great REALTOR in your career. You want to raise the bar? Follow the Coldwell Banker 2012 Social Squad on Twitter:  

Christophe Choo @Christophechoo
Colby Culbertson @colbyculbertson
David Marine @David_Marine
Debra Trappen @Debra11
Dylan Keunig @DylantheRealtor
Julia Stander @juliastander
Linda Aaron @Skynnard
Lindsay Listanski @LListanski/@Coldwellbnkr
Matthew Case @MattCase
Matthew Rathbun @mattrathbun
Michael Ackerman @m_ackerman
Mike Bowler @Mirealestate
Sean Carpenter @SeanCarp

“Expect the Best” Mike 

• Visit Google Search and type in “Google Alerts” You’ll find a wealth of information
• Visit Google Search and type in “Google Profile” This will take you to the set up.
• Go to YouTube and search both Alerts and Profile and watch some videos
• Contact me on Twitter @MIrealestate

 
Google Alerts

Google Profile

“Expect the Best” Mike

Klout describes influence as the ability to drive action, or other words persuade others to share a Blog post, listen to a song or recommend something you suggest through Social Media. Sites include Twitter, Facebook, Google, YouTube and many others.

One thing I have discovered about Klout is that it shows me others who have a common interest in topics of interest. It also gives me some guidance on my strong points and weak points for social media platforms I may be subscribed to. This way, I have an opportunity to take action on those sites to improve my visibility, activity, and participation. It’s called keeping score.

As business owners, REALTORS, or anyone else wanting to develop influence online, Klout will be a key program for you to use as a measuring device of keeping score. Yes, I failed to mention, you do have a “Klout Score” based on all the activities above, plus some.

Go check Klout out and join up, you never know when your next customer might ask you…………..What’s your Klout Score?

Why 2012 is the Year for Klout

“Expect the Best” Mike