Thursday, April 19, 2012 How to Access SPIN II on a MacBook Pro or MacBook Airby Tom Bushey on Thu, Apr, 19, 2012 08:41 PM
 This blog post is for the agents that freqent my blog... so if you're a consumer, please bear with me. Quite some time ago, I posted about using my MacBook Pro in Real Estate...
Based on the number of hits the post gets each week about using a Macintosh computer in real estate, I seem to be regularly posting updates to it and I thought I would post another update today.
We are almost complete in not needing to access a Windows computer for real estate here in Alberta.
One of the issues for real estate agents and real estate lawyers that use the Alberta Land Titles Office website to verify download title and title encumbrance documents is that it is that this particular government website is limited to using MS Internet Explorer 5.5 or above on Windows (or a really, really old version of MS Internet Explorer or a really, really old version of the Mac OS. Don't believe me? Try accessing it from any other web browser on any computer. Here's the url - SPIN. Accessing Alberta Land...Wednesday, February 29, 2012 How to Use WEBForms on a Macintosh MacBook Pro or MacBook Airby Tom Bushey on Wed, Feb, 29, 2012 09:46 PM This blog post is for the agents that freqent my blog... so if you're a consumer, please bear with me. Quite some time ago, I posted about using my MacBook Pro in Real Estate...
Based on the number of hits the post gets each week about using a Macintosh computer in real estate, I thought I should post an update to it.
My comments at the time of the post were, "You cannot access WEBForms on RealtorLink via Safari." Well that's correct, and it's not quite so true at the same time.
Based on the current operating system OS X 10.7.3 (also known as Lion) the system comes complete with a most advanced web browser - Safari. The current version is 5.1.3. Unfortunately, the required Adobe Acrobat Reader Plugin (or the Adobe Acrobat Plugin) does not work with this browser - STILL - eventhough Adobe promised an upgrade to their plug-in for 2011. In fact, the web browser has been automatically downloaded to users of the last operating system OS X Snow Leopard (10.6). The issue was two-fold:... Friday, January 13, 2012 Using an iPad in Real Estate? Some Useful Appsby Tom Bushey on Fri, Jan, 13, 2012 09:41 PM  If You're Using an iPad in Real Estate - Here are some Apps that you should consider...
These are some of the applications that I have found useful - some of which other agents have yet to discover...
PDF Expert 3 for iPad - This App is wonderful to use our PDF forms that are available on WebForms. (Make sure you get the iPad version because the iPhone version doesn't have all the same features.) But you do need to download all the forms and save them to your iPad (see SugarSync for a great program/App). Then, you can type in the various annotation boxes, add signatures and initials, customize the standard wording, etc. If you have a stylus, the signatures look like real ones instead of just having you client use their fingertip. (Locally, we still don't accept click for signature applications like Docusign). When you go to send this document, just tell it to flatten the document right within the App. (Somehow it has doesn't follow Adobe's protection scheme to prevent this). The purpose... Monday, January 9, 2012 Free Real Estate Apps to Ramp Up Your Home Search...by Tom Bushey on Mon, Jan, 9, 2012 03:09 PM  Free Real Estate Apps to Ramp Up Your Home Search!
Modern technology has given us wonderful tools that can make our lives easier in so many ways and real estate is no different.
Most people know they can search the Calgary MLS® System on the website of their favourite REALTOR®, however you have more power at your fingertips and on your iPhone, iPad or even an Android Smartphone than you probably realized! Here is some info on a very cool, free application that once installed, combines real time GPS capability from your Smartphone with the Calgary MLS® System, allowing you to search thousands of listings while on the move: quickly, easily and instantly!
What’s so unique about this?
If you're a serious home buyer, it brings an entirely new dimension to looking for your new home. Once activated, the system uses GPS technology to create a map showing you all current listings within a 1 kilometre radius of your current location.
See a home you like... Thursday, December 1, 2011 "Upgrades" to REALTOR.ca enhance, improve and simplify the user experienceby Tom Bushey on Thu, Dec, 1, 2011 01:21 PM It's so great when the national aggregator of the home listing data from the various MLS® Systems gets updated to include a few of the advanced features that we've had on our website since as far back as I can remember! When I reviewed the changes yesterday, I honestly didn't see these changes because they are expected on every agent's home listing website. Aren't they?
Too bad that REALTOR.ca directs you to call the Listing Agent, and their office, for viewings and more information. Shame on them - what bad advise for the vast majority of buyers! But then again, REALTOR.ca has always been nothing more than an advertising vehicle for the Listing Agents and not the properties they have listed for sale. It's not about selling homes, it's about selling agents!
Ottawa, ON – December 1, 2011 – Earlier this week, a new version of REALTOR.ca was released. This version introduces exciting new features and tools that allow users to customize REALTOR.ca... Sunday, November 27, 2011 Home Automationby Tom Bushey on Sun, Nov, 27, 2011 11:07 AM The use of technology and automation in the home can help create living spaces that are convenient and energy efficient, that minimize the potential for accidents, and result in a house that is able to adapt to life's changes. Home automation provides many benefits to people with physical, sensory and mental disabilities, allowing them to live more independently. This article describes systems and devices that can control elements of your home environment such as, lighting, appliances, telephones, home security and mechanical entry and safety systems.
Source: CMHC - Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Publications and Reports
 About Real Estate Professional Tom Bushey:Tom Bushey is an experienced Associate Broker and REALTOR® with Real Estate Professionals Inc. in Calgary, Alberta. He's passionate about family, friends, technology and specializes in northwest Calgary condos and prestige homes. He welcomes... Friday, November 25, 2011 Where Buyers First Learn About The Homes They Buyby Tom Bushey on Fri, Nov, 25, 2011 12:00 AM
In the December edition of the National Association of Realtors newsletter, there is an interesting article about home buyers. It said:
When buyers were asked where they first learned about the home they purchased:
- 40 percent said the Internet
- 35 percent from their real estate agent
- 11 percent a yard sign
- 6 percent from a friend, neighbour or relative
- 5 percent home builders
- 2 percent a print or newspaper ad
- 2 percent directly from the seller
- and less than 1 percent from a home book or magazine.
I tell my sellers all the time – it’s all about the Internet these days. Newspapers, flyers, postcards, home books and magazines for marketing homes is... dead - dead - dead.
REALTORS® can only access real estate listings through the Internet; 88% of homebuyers use the Internet to search for homes; and of those homebuyers, 91% use a REALTOR® to purchase a home.
Getting exceptional professional photography, the very best advertising copy... Friday, November 18, 2011 Ensuring the Accurate Measurement of Condominiums - a new Board Policyby Tom Bushey on Fri, Nov, 18, 2011 12:56 PM The registered size of a condominium property is the only legally recognized size measurement for condominiums in Alberta under the Condominium Property Act. The Calgary Real Estate Board Co-operative (CREB®) has determined that this means it's important to ensure the accurate reporting of this legal measurement for both new and resale condominium properties listed on the Calgary MLS® System database.
On November 3, the Board of Directors of CREB® (on behalf of the board's membership) passed a motion to allow the total floor area field in the condominium database to be auto-populated with the information entered in the registered size field of the MLS® System database. This registered size will be automatically be uploaded to agents' premium websites and also the aggregator of the over 110 MLS® Systems in Canada, Realtor.ca (formerly mls.ca), and will automatically show what is included in the remarks section of every condominium listing. The public, and real estate... Monday, November 7, 2011 We Have Moved Over to an iPhone from a BlackBerry...by Tom Bushey on Mon, Nov, 7, 2011 05:30 PM After having been an avid BlackBerry user for over 10 years and after a lot of trepidation, I decided to make the change to an iPhone from the BlackBerry Bold 9900. Both are great phones and PDAs. Being an early adopter of technology, making a decision to change was not easy eventhough we have been an Apple technology user for over 20 years. There were a number of considerations really. They included:
- The number of applications being made for the iPhone and just how many real estate related applications were not being written for the BlackBerry. I had been using a few on my BlackBerry Bold 9700, but when I updated to their newest SmartPhone (the Bold 9900), few of these applications were compatable with BlackBerry OS7. And how long would it be before a signature app for wet signing PDFs was launched for the BlackBerry's touchscreen?
- Being able to synch my contacts and calendars wirelessly with my computer. This is something that I had tried a year ago with my Mac and my BlackBerry...
Friday, August 12, 2011 What Do I Need for My MacBook Pro (or MacBook Air) to Work with MLXchange?by Tom Bushey on Fri, Aug, 12, 2011 08:28 PM This blog post is for the agents that freqent my blog... so if you're a consumer, please bear with me. What Do I Need for My MacBook Pro (or MacBook Air) to Work with MLXchange?
I am often asked this question and see it as a search popping up at least once a month in my Google Analytics account...
So many local agents are so entirely frustrated with not being able to use their pricey tablet PDA like an iPad or a BlackBerry Playbook for an end-to-end solution for their real estate businesses. When those shiny new toys first came out, I played with them too. But before I purchased either, I quickly saw that I'd only be adding another tool to my arsenal of real estate tools instead of replacing one with a more functional one. So until an acceptable tablet PC comes out, I stay with my trusty MacBook Pro.
As a techie, I have been using Apple Computer products for the better part of 25 years (starting with a Mac Plus) and have always found them reliable and extremely cost effective.... Thursday, August 11, 2011 4 Keys to Paperless Real Estate Transactionsby Tom Bushey on Thu, Aug, 11, 2011 09:55 PM  Save time, money and provide better customer service
An article on Inman News today had 4 tips for going paperless in real estate:
Although it’s an expense to go paperless, in a 25-person office at one transaction per agent a brokerage can save almost $20,000 a year in printing, gas and document storage costs, she said. And that’s not counting the extra time agents gain when they give over to technology the drudgery involved with [multiple] data entry, copying and faxing.
That frees the agent up to provide what’s most important - better customer service... “It’s giving you time to be that relationship-builder in your business … (to) get back into the business of real estate.”
Going paperless doesn’t mean agents should print out a document, fill it out, scan it and email it. “Paperless” does not mean simply using less paper... [although that's a start.]
Here are the four points they made:
Monday, May 9, 2011 REALTORS® Don't Buy An iPad Without Doing Your Homework!by Tom Bushey on Mon, May, 9, 2011 07:53 PM iPads are Perfect for Real Estate! - it depends...
I've seen an awful lot of real estate agents and REALTORS® buying iPads without knowing what they can do - or more importantly - what they can't do!
This video outlines the pros and cons of the iPad and covers the basics that all real estate practitioners should consider before they make their purchase.
-
MLXchange doesn't work on an iPad - so you can't prepare Market Analyses on it or get an idea on competing homes or local area house values. You can't search for properties on our MAIN application.
-
FUSION MLS doesn't work on an iPad - so the new interface for MLXchange won't work.
-
Alberta Land Titles (SPIN2) - does not work - so you can't get an owner's name or a check of encumbrances that could have a significant impact on a properties value. So you shouldn't list a home for sale or write an offer to purchase without going back to a desktop PC with Microsoft Windows.
-
WEBforms doesn't work on an iPad - so you can't... Monday, January 24, 2011 An On-Line Floor Plan is Worth A 1000 Wordsby Tom Bushey on Mon, Jan, 24, 2011 05:17 PM When I first bought my first home in Calgary some 15 years ago, real estate Agents relied on printed MLS® System catalogues which were printed every week and were the size of telephone books.
At that time, most Agents caravanned new listings each week and called potential Buyers when a property came on the market which could possibly fit their needs. Otherwise, consumers would have to wait for a newspaper advertisement or a for sale sign to go up in the neighbourhood. Then they would have to call the Seller’s Agent to see the home. The gatekeeper of the information was the real estate Agent. And every Agent worked for the Seller!
Today, things are different. Very different!
Firstly, Buyers are best served by contracting with their own Agent that works exclusively for them - the Buyer - prior to viewing homes.
Secondly, a real estate Agent's value is no longer in being the gatekeeper of information - it's in the interpretation of the information and raw... |
Subscribe with RSS Reader
