Realty World Northern California & Nevada

What is the single most requested feature consumers want when shopping online?

Without a doubt… MORE PHOTOGRAPHS! Yes, consumers want to see as much as they can about a product they are interested in. People are drawn to what appeals their senses… and pictures do it! Personally, when I search the Internet for something, I want to see every nuance, all the detail of what I’m looking for — front, back, side angles — you name it. I want to be as familiar with that product as possible. Having a visual of it brings about comfort because I feel that I know what to initially expect.

So, let’s take home listings for example. I ocassionally peruse various sites, and I can’t even begin to tell you how many times I’ve come across listings — and unfortunately, there have been more than a few — that have no photos at all, or only one. I’m amazed at how many listings aren’t flooded with photos, since that’s what grasps a propsect’s interest. I won’t even read the property descriptions that have no photos… I pass them right by. And the listings with only one lonely photo… “what are they trying to hide?” is typically the first question that runs through my mind. And the worst is when the photo is not even the front of the house; it’s a partial photo of the backyard fence with an old non-functioning bird fountain sitting on a grassy area next to a tree. I still wonder what the front of the house looks like… hmmm.

I move on and my eye catches a variety of homes for different reasons. I click on this one, then that one… I notice the only time I spend actually reading the property description is when there are lots of photos for me to see. Maybe the front of the house wasn’t so nice, but the master bedroom was huge! I marvel at the photos of rooms with great color schemes, the kitchen cabinetry, and well-manicured yards that own bright colorful shrubs. Sometimes I find myself getting excited over a specific home, all because of the photos that are posted in the listing, and I’m not even in the market for a home! Go figure…

I think people are afraid to show the rooms of their homes that are unattractive. Perhaps they have ugly carpeting with high traffic stains that are nearly impossible to get out. Or there is outdated paneling in the living room that they’ve tried to paint over, but it just made it look worse. Maybe they never had the funds to update their kitchen appliances, or light fixtures… or maybe, just maybe having a clean house simply wasn’t a daily routine. I still say, “Take the photos!” Why? Because not everyone looking for a home is looking at what’s in the home (i.e., furniture, window coverings, pictures, etc.). Some want to see other features like the spaciousness of each room, what kind of view/lighting comes through the windows, or how big the backyard is. There are different reasons that different people want something and it doesn’t always have to be the most luxurious, beautiful home on the face of the planet. Something that is unappealing to one person may be just right for someone else? I mean, take a good look at couples walking down the street someday — perfect example!

That’s just the way I see it. You may see it another way, and I’d like to hear about it. What do you think? If you have an opinion, let me know.

There you are online… in search of a home, a neighborhood, or maybe a park down the street. Maybe you’ve just got a new job and you are in search of the future place for which will soon be called “home”. Maybe you are tired of your neighborhood for what it is or what it has become and you are in search of another. Maybe you are having a little fun searching for that perfect dream home in that perfect dream location off the Napali Coast of Kauai. Regardless to the scenario you find yourself searching for, you have inevitably come across a “virtual tour”. Some day maybe not so in the distant future, the “virtual tour” may provide a different experience from the one you are commonly used to.

The people at Microsoft Live Labs have created Photosynth.

Photosynth is a product that was just released from a two year beta program, that allows you to upload photos and the program will “synth” the photos together, virtually stitching the photos together reconstructing a 3D model of the place.

The process is extremely simple. Go to the Photosynth website and signup for an account. After you have done you will be prompted to download and install the Photosynth application. The process and interface to synth photos is very simple. Add a title and description then upload your images. It’s that simple.

Photosynth gives you the power to take the way we view the world, photograph it, and then synth it for others to view in a virtual 3D environment. I guess the only question is… where will you go for your first synth?

For those of you who may frown on the idea of wearing a name badge or career apparel – think twice. While attending a seminar yesterday, my colleague, Cheryl, and I went to a nearby deli to pick up a sandwich. As we entered, I mentioned to Cheryl that she had on her new black with silver logo Realty World jacket on… I said, “You watch, someday you’ll be at a store not even realizing you have that jacket on and someone will stop to ask you questions about real estate.” I remarked on how many times that had happened to me over the years (even in the days when career apparel was constructed of less than desirable material and no style whatsoever). When I have been approached, I’ve explained that I am a member of Corporate Staff but would be happy to connect them with one of our brokers or agents. We both chuckled about how many times we have heard another colleague, Dennis, talk about “off-the-chart-statistics” on the likelihood of such a conversation happening.

I had actually forgotten that I was wearing my Realty World name badge. No more than 45 seconds had passed since walking into the deli when I was approached by a woman standing in line. She proceeded to greet me with a cheerful, “Hi, do you specialize in mobile homes? I’m looking for one in the Pleasanton to Castro Valley area and want a family park, not a retirement park.” I immediately responded as a generally do saying, “I’m actually a corporate staff member, but I happen to be at a Realty World seminar today and know a broker who is attending. He has agents who specialize in that very market!” I reached in my purse and gave her two of my business cards — one to keep, the other to write her name, phone number and email on. I told her I would have a Realty World agent contact her to which she seemed very grateful for. As we left, I laughed and turned to Cheryl with a, “See….I told you!”

So, for those of you who have refrained from wearing career apparel and have, therefore, never experienced the opportunity for business simply due to a logo on a shirt or jacket… try it! I have no doubt you will be happy that you did, and I bet you find yourself buying more shirts after a couple of potential clients ask you about real estate!

Have you encountered an experience similar to this? Do you think the chances of meeting potential clients is higher based on wearing a name badge or apparel that’s representative of YOUR company? Share your story…