TRANSPARENT REAL ESTATE (www.TransparentRE.com): Recent Comments

Comment on Why Twitter is Potentially a Mainstream Media Killer App

Pat Kitano — Fri, 16 May 2008 23:46:49 GMT

I should thank you Brian for having the foresight to understand how technology can improve your services. Public service should be thinking like this.

Comment on Why Twitter is Potentially a Mainstream Media Killer App

Brian Humphrey — Fri, 16 May 2008 23:20:03 GMT

Mr. Kitano,

Thanks for including the Los Angeles Fire Department among your roster of Twitter feeds. Like you, we see these technologies not as 'disruptive', but rather connective.

Please accept our best wishes for success in your many endeavors!

Respectfully Yours in Safety and Service,

Brian Humphrey
Firefighter/Specialist
Public Service Officer
Los Angeles Fire Department

Comment on What Active Rain should do now

Real Estate Marketing 2.0 — Fri, 16 May 2008 17:50:09 GMT

This is very a very interesting perspective, do you think that they'll hold onto their market share? or that they'll start to get eroded to larger platforms as realtor.com and others launch their own portals for realtors to start blogging from?

Comment on Why Twitter is Potentially a Mainstream Media Killer App

Rich Jacobson — Fri, 16 May 2008 19:10:55 GMT

Excellent analysis, Pat, especially as it relates to the News Services. It's at times difficult to see all the various potential uses of upstart platforms like Twitter. The applications tend to morph over time and become more apparent. The value for me is more B2B at this point, as opposed to generating consumer leads. It's not for the networking 'faint-of-heart' who want everything explained upfront. But for early adapters, there a lot of punch in only 140 characters!

Comment on Why Twitter is Potentially a Mainstream Media Killer App

Bo Buchanan — Fri, 16 May 2008 15:48:31 GMT

Pat, I had to agree with Tony on his blog. But you make an excellent point about Twitter being a neutral channel. That in and of itself is reason enough to engage. But, as Tony said - it seems more like the "Next STep" once you have created a following.

Comment on Why Twitter is Potentially a Mainstream Media Killer App

Bob Woods — Fri, 16 May 2008 13:58:28 GMT

Pat -

Could not agree more with you in your conclusions. I think it has the potential to be big, but like you, I'm of the "park it and wait" mentality.

For people who want to use it to generate business, Twitter is probably a bit too much like CB radio (I Love the 70's!) or chat rooms in the early days of AOL (I Love the 90's!).

Again, another great post.

Comment on REO / Foreclosure Online Resources

Scott Roemermann — Fri, 16 May 2008 00:58:09 GMT

Interesting that it's not well covered in the blogosphere. This is a stellar list though.

Comment on Why mainstream media should be developing online real estate magazines

Landflip — Thu, 15 May 2008 11:40:12 GMT

I think it is important to use several different means of advertising. There are some people that are stuck in their ways and do not use the internet and computer as they should. Others understand the importance of online communication and know how to use the tool to buy and sale properties.

Comment on REO / Foreclosure Online Resources

Orlando Foreclosure — Wed, 14 May 2008 13:55:21 GMT

The banks are still signing on a few new REO agents. I'm picking up more and more listings as time goes by and really enjoy working with REO's.

The biggest pain, believe it or not is working with buyers or agents that have absolutely no clue about the REO market. The banks are desperate to get the homes off their books and in most cases they discount the price to be lower than most other homes in the neighborhood. However, the banks won't take a 50% offer. Try and come in as close as possible to the listing price and everyone will be much happier and you'll find the transaction will go through much, much smoother with less headaches. You may even get an executed contract the same day you submit your offer and close in less time than a standard residential transaction.

Also, you have to understand that when you make offers on a bank owned home, you're dealing with employees - not homeowners. Employees are following their office protocol and don't feel the need to sell at a discounted rate. In fact, you can imagine their peformance will be measured by how close to the listing price they can get on each home.

Recently I added a page to my website: http://www.orlando-real-estate.biz/Orlando_REO_Properties/page_2023589.html to help buyers with questions about purchasing REO properties.

It's an easy process believe it or not, and if you're not already working with REO's, then you should be. There going to be around for the next couple of years and offer some of the best deals on the market for your clients.

Comment on REO / Foreclosure Online Resources

Jillayne Schlicke — Wed, 14 May 2008 13:28:15 GMT

If banks are selecting Realtors to list REOs based on how much business the Realtors refer to the RETAIL side of the bank, this is a violation of RESPA.