I haven’t worked for the wireless companies since 2002 but the  eight years I did spend with the likes of AT&T Wireless and others  before becoming a real estate agent  certainly created the foundation for my love of all things wireless.

The Blackberry Bold is currently my choice for a Smart phone so I am very excited about the upgraded OS just announced by Blackberry.

While I update my phone via the desktop method (takes a little over an hour) I thought I would contribute a post about some available software updates and a sneak peak at a new device on the horizon.

The Blackberry Bold gets “Bolder”….Finally.

This update was much awaited and leaked some time ago. Those brave enough to upgrade early went through their trials but finally it’s available to the rest of us.

For ease I list below the highlights of what the update will offer Bold users. Each link will not only describe the enhancement but will also reveal to you some of my favorite  sources to learn about wireless trends and news.

• Visual Voicemail is the biggest enhancement to the Blackberry Bold.
• Manual selection between 2G and 3G.
• General enhancements and updates to the Blackberry OS.

Just Some Trouble Updating Blackberry Bold Operating System

I did have trouble updating via the wireless method. I tried this twice and both times received a notice that there were no updates available. That’s ok,  because I recommend updating your  software via the desktop method while your phone is attached via a USB cable.  This way, there are no chances of you running out of power in the middle of the session, and you can backup your handset in the process which is always a good idea. Don’t forget to activate the Visual Voice mail feature with AT&T either online or by calling customer service.

UPDATE:  If you choose to use the Visual Voice Mail service you will lose your existing mailbox in the conversion and will no longer have access to your traditional mailbox. So if you choose to go with Visual Voice Mail you will need to clear your current mailbox and make sure you can afford to lose what you have in there now.

Updates for the Storm on the Horizon and an Itouch Rumor Too!

Finally, as the masses just learn about this new OS there are already leaked versions of  5.0.0.190 which includes enhancements for other Blackberry devices such as the Tour and Storm including threaded SMS. Keep an eye out for these updates to continue to roll out as well as new devices being offered.

I am also monitoring the rumored Itouch coming in September as a possible secondary device I would carry that could  replace my camera, ipod, flip/vid cam, and possibly my home phone.

The Itouch is rumored to have the following updates:

• Addition of a Camera and Video Camera.
• 64 MB Memory, enough for me to move all my music with space for occasional pictures and videos.
• Enhanced Wifi and Skype compatibility. Say good bye to my home phone? We will see about that one.

Ok, it’s time to run. The update has finished and like your typical gadget geek I MUST  try out the new phone. I particularly interested to see ow the visual voice mail will enhance my business and save me time.  I may report back with my opinions. In the meantime catch me on twitter at @toptechagent.

I am excited to announce that I will be attending this years RetechSouth Technology Conference this Friday the 20th in Atlanta Georgia. You can Look forward to some posts from me on tips and tricks I learned, stories about people I met and networked with, and maybe even some mobile updates using My Facebook  and Twitter.

If you want to Meet Up with me at the REtechSouth Conference the best way would be to DM @toptechagent or emails work well on my blackberry at scott@toptechagent.com.

Have a question you want to me to take to the conference give me a holler.

Maybe you should be listening to the 6 Advisors you already have.

In times of crisis I believe there is tremendous opportunity to grow. It’s our choice to either fail or succeed. As valuable as books, seminars, and systems are in helping a real estate agent focus on productivity, the main ingredient to your success is YOU!

There are many great resources for real estate agents on how to “Tackle Tough Times” in the shifting real estate market.  In the end, without understanding how your thoughts shape your values and hence your choices you will never achieve your highest productivity level.

Were you aware that there are 6 Advisors in your mind that drive your thoughts, values and choices you make? Some of these advisers may be holding you back from success or a fulfilled life. And there could be other advisers that you should listen more to.

I didn’t know any of this either until I met Julie Fuimano at Nurturing your Success. I am so impressed with what I have learned so far (And I have a long way to go by the way) that I  had to share her with you.

Now I am not qualified to describe the 6 Advisors Program in detail so I won’t try. . Suffice it to say that since I have recently entered into her productivity coaching program you may hear more about it as the days go by. I expect by the time I am finished I will have changed for the positive.

If this intrigues you and are ready to make a change in your personal and business life check out her website.  You can even take a free 6 Advisors Assesment or purchase her book. She publishes many articles too that offer guidance and solutions.

Please tell her I referred you!

So far, my experience with the Top Producer solution is more like “panning for gold. Ok, so the results may not sound extraordinary just yet. I sent 100 Just Sold Cards and received one lead. The lead was conveniently dropped into my Top Producer Lead Manager where I automatically set up an action plan.

In a few mouse clicks I produced a very nice Home Market Report for the interested seller.

So only one lead..But a good one! The inquiry was from a person who:

• Took the time to sit down at the computer,
• Go to the website and use the offer/tracking code.
• Fill out their information.

Since the code was matched to the property address I captured their name and address automatically. In this situation, the email was bogus but that was ok. I know exactly who made the inquiry.This is something that isn’t possible with other postcard solutions. Now, I was able to research the property and it’s history. I could make my contact when I was ready with all of the necessary info to best help my prospect.

To sum things up: I am agreeable with less leads..as long as they are good leads. I think anybody searching for sales data in their neighborhood is a good lead.

Wish me success, the listing appointment is next week.

I have often thought I was burning money throughout my real estate career on wasteful print advertising and marketing.

Before now, all of the solutions were pretty much the same and only varied by price and quality. In the past I have used a handful of solutions which would automate the process of sending just listed and just sold cards to surrounding homes of my listed properties.

With little response rate, and the costs so high, I am eager to cut this marketing expense and shift those dollars to something that was working for me. I am getting more responses from my real estate blog.

In a timely fashion, I was happy to learn that Top Producer had come out with their new Just Listed and Just Sold solution that in my opinion could generate a higher response rate. (That’s Leads Folks..Leads turn to sales).

The Top Producer Just Listed and Just Sold Postcard is different because it offers the recipient an offer code and instructions to receive real time sales data for comparable homes. When they enter their information and offer code you get the lead.

This offer and response method may prove to be the key difference needed to obtain a higher response rate. This could just be the solution that could dowse out the flames and save some of these wasted marketing dollars.

What I really like is that the lead comes sourced automatically in your Top Producer Database where you can easily launch a prospecting plan including delegating tasks to your team.

Summarized, here are some details regarding the Top Producer Just Listed and Just Sold Solution:

• Automated postcard campaign for your just listed and just sold properties.
• Select from 100-1000 cards to addresses around the property.
• Postcards direct the consumer to www.featuredhomeprice.com and to enter a offer code from the postcard to see more information about the listing.
• Consumers responding get more information about the listed property and are offered a Market Snapshot.
• The agent can see who responds and can track their response rate.

So far I see the main benefits of the Top Producer Just Listed and Just Sold Postcards as:

• Its automatic so it’s easy.
• It is cost competitive with existing solutions and I believe it will have a higher response rate.
• The service adds value to your seller clients and provides valuable information.
• Price includes the mailing list where postcards are sent to

In order to take advantage of this technology solution from Top Producer you will need to have a Top Producer 8i account and a Top Connector license. To order either of these please contact me at 888-447-9651 or click Order Top Producer.

Member Safety Alert

From a nearby association: A Maryland REALTOR® who has had a suspicious phone call has been advised by New Jersey police that this caller, identifying himself as Steven Barnett (also uses the name Steven Bennett) is targeting female real estate agents in MD and VA and that she should not meet with him if requested to do so. Right now his pattern is to make appointments with real estate agents and then call and cancel them. The police say that the caller fantasizes about getting a real estate agent alone in a vacant house and performing sexual acts on her. The police also say that he probably doesn’t have the means to leave his current area in NJ, but there is no sense taking chances. When this man calls, his pattern is to say he can go to 425 K and works for the railroad. In actuality, he rides a bike and hangs out near the railroad but doesn’t work for them.

We would like our members to be safe rather than sorry. In 2007, a Maryland REALTOR® was murdered in a vacant home he was preparing for a showing. Here are 5 tips which can be easily and immediately applied.

Safety Tips to Apply EVERY Day

 

1. Do not meet any unknown person at an unoccupied property. Meet in your office first, making a copy of their driver’s license and documenting appropriate information first.
2. Always carry a cell phone, and keep it charged.
3. When holding an open house, make sure you do a tour of the property first and note escape routes for yourself. Also, do not allow any means of non-detected entry by others, such as unlocked back doors or unlocked entries into basements.
4. Do not park your vehicle where it can be blocked in.

Use the buddy system whenever possible. When going on an appointment, always let another person know when and where you are going, and give them a time you will check in with them.

Don’t worry, my ego is recovering from artificial inflation…

He went on to say that if anybody would talk with me they would realize how skilled I was.

I was flattered to hear these compliments, but it’s not like me not to have a point of disagreement for arguments sake…Especially with Mark

So Let’s start where we agree:

I AM VERY SMART. However, according to Mark I am only “SMARTER” than most people he knows. So, in truth, if he hangs around a bunch of dunces then it may not be such a compliment after all!

All kidding aside, I know that he really meant what he said. We worked together for many years in the Wireless World, andd has referred me real estate business on more than one occasion. Thanks Mark!

Mark is also right, in the fact that by TALKING with people I will attract more people to do business with me.

This is very true in any sales or service job. The more people you talk to, the more business you will do. Your audience gets to judge your knowledge on your topic and decide if they want to be in relationship with you.

I realize that when Mark said “talk” he meant voice to voice communications. I agree with him that this is a very effective way to judge ones knowledge and attitude. A real estate agent must be prepared to communicate effectively with their voice. This includes:

• Negotiate verbally through the whole transaction
• Communicate the truth when the truth hurts.
• Advise their client through a maze of decisions.
• Describe and Market Property

Blogging is another way of “talking” with your current sphere of influence or your future prospect. This is the difference between a real estate blog, and a real estate website.

• A real estate blog gives me the chance to “talk” with more people, including ones I have never met before.
• Because I write the content on current, local, and relevant topics my readers can judge if I am smart enough for them.
• My blog gives the readers a chance to talk back through commenting and social networking.
• I am happy to talk voice to voice of course, that’s why I have a 24 Hour Communications Center directing my calls to the appropriate place. 888-447-9651

Putting these major points aside, I think the number one reason I need a blog is:

Real Estate Blogging Works. I have already started working for people who have found me through my blog. This means I work with people who would not have found me any other way.

So, my blog works for me, it brings me business. And Mark, you cant’ say I don’t need that!

Thanks Mark for the inspiration for this article. Lunch on me next time.

In other words: Web 2.0, Blogging, Video Blogging, and Productivity Solutions that will save you time and money.

In the March Issue of Realtor Magazine a decent article was written about Real Estate 2.0 and even highlighted The Real Estate Tomato, the blogging coaching and consulting company that I work with. (Shameless Promotion Admitted)

The article gives you insight on Blogs, Wiki’s, Mash Ups, Social Networks, and Video. They discuss Networking 2.0 and provide some cautions as well. Check it out, but when you have questions just give me a call.