Do you use IGoogle?

I use IGoogle for my home page on Google and love it. Today on Twitter, I posted that I had just added Twitter to my IGoogle page.  IGoogle is a personal home page that you set up for your personal use.

Like all Google Apps it is FREE. 

The first step is to go to Gmail and get a free email account. If you don't want to use it for email that is OK, but it is the door into all the other free Google apps. For example: I use Missy@MissyCaulk.com for my email so all I do is forward all my emails from caulk.missy@gmail.com into my Outlook account which is Missy@MissyCaulk.com.  So I am only managing one email account.

After you get your GMail address,  you go to your setting page and add all the apps you want to that Google provides. This is where you set up your GoogleDocs. Google Calendar, Google Alerts etc....

This list on the left is how I have cutomized my IGoogle Home Page. There are literally hundreds of applications created for IGoogle, so personalize it and make it your own.

When I want to search on Google it is set up to go to my IGoogle Home Page.

 

Here is a screen shot of my home page on iGoogle. I used SnagIt to capture it. All the apps on my home page are on the left column as this snap shot is only part of my page. (The left column is a new feature).

You can see, I bring in Twitter, my Google Feedreader for all the blogs I subscribe to, all the AgentGenius posts, my to do list, Google Maps, Dictionary, YouTube, Digg, and even one of my RockYou Listings. My Google Calendar sync's with my Outlook Calendar, and Blackberry. It is all in front of me all day as I work.

Leave questions below in the comment section. Like all things Google offers this is is easy to set up.

 

Everyday it seems there are new terms and new tools in Web 2.0.  To me I find reblogging simply smashing. 

See if you really understand the concept you might think so too. 

Recently I posted about Cancer Awareness month and requested it be reblogged.  I was thinking about the old stand by...you know the email that goes around the world.  Jokes, Pictures, subscriptions and Newsletters..

If you take a look at the post it has been reblogged 8 times..I've seen it on 3 blogs from outside the rain..an incredible message spread throughout the world

My subscribers read it..and so did theirs..there is probably a good chance..someone else reblogged it and they possibly do not subscribe to me at all.  Interesting right?

8 reblogs and 3 times on someone else's outside blog.  I found that profound...just like a chain letter..you never know where it ends up...does it matter..after all I get the credit..and so do you..by reblogging!

Let's talk Google Alerts-Yes I got 11 google alerts from that one particular post.  The best part was it was not all in one day..people found the post and reblogged it at their leisure and lucky me..it has been in my google alerts every day for the past 4 days.  I hate spiders but those creepy crawlers can crawl all over my words anytime....and by offering the ability to reblog...they crawl each and every time. 

Now some would still argue that they do not like someone else using their work..but to possibly be found in someone else's city..or in places you never expect..your subscribers..their subscribers...in your searches in theirs and what about their google alerts..your name...their alerts...

11 Google Alerts for one post, heck I got 2 in one day!

When I think of reblogging...I think repeat, revive, relive, replenish, reprise...I could go on and on..I said it before and I will say it again...Yeah Baby...you can reblog mine anytime!

Are You Convinced Yet?  

Now thats power...the power of Activerain! The great real estate industry community!

I'm amazed at some of the photographs I see in our MLS.  I went to school for photography and worked in the industry for many years.  I thought I'd share a few tips on photographing the outside of a house.  The following are samples pulled from our MLS last year for a lecture I did.  Yes these were the lead photos on listings... they are examples of what not to do.

With so many people looking at houses online, you do not want to scare the buyers away with your photos.   Outfocus, Improper exposure, camera not level, houses cut off, showing udesirable elements.... These houses didn't have a chance!!

Yes there are better camera's for real estate than others, but it really doesn't make a difference what camera you use if you don't take advantage of their full potential.  Here are some basic tip to photographing a house:

1. Level the camera and make sure the house looks level in the photograph
2. Crop out unwanted items from the photograph...The first photo shows mostly road.  It gives the viewer the sense that the house is on a busy road.  Theres no reason the agent couldnt have gotten closer and cropped out most of the road and the houses to either side.
3. Try to only get the subject house in the photo(not always possible)
4. Make sure your photo is in focus
5. Make sure your photo is properly exposed
6. Show the entire house
7. Stop the car before you take the photo (thats a joke but sometimes you have to wonder)
8. Always try to photograph the house with full sunlight on the front and blue sky in the back.  Preferably you take a shot from the front either slightly to the left or right.  You want the side of the house bing about a quarter of the shot and preferrably in shadow. (gives depth to the house) Avoid shooting straight on.
   

One of my hard fast rules is number 8.  I keep going back until I can acheive that shot.  Its not always possible but at least try.  Theres a couple of reasons why its important.  First the architects spend a lot of time giving the house shadow lines to give depth and create interest.  You need full sun to take advantage of the design.  Secondly, your eye always follows contrast.  When your on a page of photos the human eye will naturally go to the photo with the most contrast.

EXAMPLE 1

   

This was a stand alone condo in the same complex.  The first photo was from a listing agent that was on the market the same time I was.  The second one was mine.  I sold mine for 15k more and in half the time.  I believe the quality of the photos had a lot to do with it.

EXAMPLE 2

  

Same house.  The first shot was from the listing agent prior to me.  The second shot was mine after the property expired and I picked up the listing.  Shot one looks like a dull gray day and you notice the empty lot next door.  I had buyers tell me they by passed this listing the first time but they took a second look with the new photography of the house.  I sold this home in 30 days after it expired previously.

Other Examples

   

   

   

Houses photographed in full sunlight are cheery they create a happy feeling.  Avoild the dull grey days and pay attention to the details.  Hope this helps.  If there is more interest I will do more on photographing real estate.  Good Luck!!

Photos of Listing 1- Property Website

Photos of Listing 2- Property Website