Archive for the ‘Technology’ Category

Video: PMZ Mobile on the iPhone

December 3rd, 2009

Many of you are already using this, but many are not. We put together this brief tutorial to navigate our exclusive iPhone application.

PMZ Mobile offers a FREE mobile app, exclusively for the iPhone! This easy to use application is the companion you need for your home search. Check out the video below to find out more:

For more information, visit www.pmz.com/iphone

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Property Detail Flyer – UPDATED!

August 5th, 2009

new-flyer

Yesterday, we rolled out the new version of the PMZ Property Detail Flyer. This update adds several features that our clients have been asking for: the ability to get driving directions to the property, local amenities around subject property and information on local area schools and community organizations.

Driving Directions

driving-directionsJust type in your current location into the box, click ‘Go’ and a new window complete with information about the property, a map and turn-by-turn directions appear.  If you’re a MyPMZ client, we’ve made this even easier by pre-loading your current address automatically into the driving directions box.

Nearby Amenities

nearby-amenities

Now you can view what is around a property you are interested in.  We’ve preloaded 8 buttons that include:  Gas Stations, Restaurants, Grocery Stores, Retail Outlets, Gyms, Libraries, Schools and Movie Theatres. Clicking on any one of those buttons will put place marks on the map with more detailed information.  You can also use the search box on the map to find even more nearby amenities not listed.

School and Area Information

area-informationNow finding nearby schools and city information is easier.  PMZ agents have collected a vast database of city and educational level resources to further assist our clients in making the right move. Links are provided to the organization, city, county and school websites when available.

We hope you enjoy this new enhanced version of our flyer page.  Please let us know in the comments about any thoughts, concerns or suggestions you may have! View a property flyer right now: 2505 Albatross Drive, Modesto, CA 95355.

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PMZ’s iPhone App Shines!

July 29th, 2009

PMZ iPhone App screenshot1000 Watt Consulting (the folks who rated PMZ.com in the top ten websites in the United States) are taking a close look at the real estate brokerage community’s mobile initiatives. This time, specifically, iPhone applications. We were given some kind words from Brian Boero, one of the owners of the national real estate consulting firm, in regards to our own iPhone App, PMZ.

“This is perhaps my favorite app of all. It was built by an in-house developer at a brokerage in California’s Central Valley.

PMZ is doing a lot right online (They were one of our Top Ten Brokerage Websites in America last year) and belie anyone who thinks brokers can’t seize some technology mojo on their own.”

Read the full review here»

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Cool Tool: Translate your Documents with Google

July 10th, 2009

Google Document Translate

Well, a lot of tech savvy users are probably asking themselves, “So what? Google has had translation support forever now?” –Well, not like this.

Now you can upload files (DOC, PDF, TXT, HTML, XLS) to Google’s translation engine, it will read the file for you and spit out a web page with the translated document on it.

It think that’s pretty cool! I think this could be of some help to our agents.

Check out Google document translation here »

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April 2009 Sold Vs. Pending

May 15th, 2009

Number of For sale homes is below the Sold and Pending Sales, according to the numbers provided by Trendgraphix.

The charts and tables provided by Trendgraphix, inc were compiled using the following criteria:
Published May 2009
Location : Modesto S of Briggsmore E/McHenry (20104)
Number of Homes For Sale vs. Sold
Price Range: $0 – No Limit
SQFT Range: 0 – No Limit
Single Family Homes – Bank Owned Homes (REO)

It is true! According the local Metrolist, the number of listed homes for sale (REO properties), was less than the number of sold homes and pending sales.
As seen below, the number of for sale homes decreased to 38 homes compared to 53 the month of March and 65 homes in the month of February; a steady declined in REO homes for sale, three months in a row!

April 2009 For Sale vs. Sold Chart
1 year 15 months
Apr 08 Apr 09 % Change Feb 08 Apr 09 % Change
For Sale 107 38 -64.5% 104 38 -63.5%
Sold 40 50 25% 15 50 233.3%
Pended 58 46 -20.7% 31 46 48.4%

Next, the average price per square foot; the chart represents the price range of the homes that closed escrow for the month of April, indicating in this case $83 per square foot, a slight decrease from $86 in the month of March.

April 2009 Average Price per Square Foot Chart
1 year 15 months
Apr 08 Apr 09 % Change Feb 08 Apr 09 % Change
Avg. Sq. Ft. Price 120 83 -30.4% 132 83 -36.7%

Continuing, the chart sold vs. list price %; out-of-town or relocation buyers can assist them in making their investment decision, the percentage element helps identify where the market activity is the strongest.

In our case, of the homes that sold (REO); the chart shows 38 days is the average number of days the sold homes were on the market for. In addition, it continues by displaying that the accepted offers were averaging about 0% above the listing price.

April2009 Sold vs List Price % Chart
1 year 15 months
Apr 08 Apr 09 % Change Feb 08 Apr 09 % Change
Avg. Days on Market 36 38 5.6% 40 38 -5%
Sold/List Diff. % 97 100 3.1% 97 100 3.1%

The average price (in $,000), helps determine whether the market is a buyer or seller market.

Generally, if the listing price and the average sold price are the closest, the area has a healthiest market. If the average sold price is below the average listing price, and falling, the market is moving toward a buyers’ market. If the average sold price trend is above the listing price, the market is moving toward a sellers’ market.

From our chart, we can see that the average sold price (REO), finished above the listed price at $126,000 for the month of April.

april 2009 Average Price (In $,000)
1 year 15 months
Apr 08 Apr 09 % Change Feb 08 Apr 09 % Change
Avg. Active Price 183 112 -38.8% 194 112 -42.3%
Avg. Sold Price 177 126 -42.3% 181 126 -30.4%

Months of inventory, also helps determine whether we are moving into a buyer or seller market. Six months of inventory is typically considered as the mid-point, more than six months of inventory indicates a buyer’s market.

So, what is the chart telling us? Well here it is, if we had no more bank homes added to the market, we would be out of homes in less than a month.

April 2009 Months of Inventory
1 year 15 months
Apr 08 Apr 09 % Change Feb 08 Apr 09 % Change
Months of Inventory (Closed Sales) 2.7 0.8 -70.4% 6.9 0.8 -88.4%
For additional information on the charts above, or should you like information about a different area; do not hesitate in calling.
TO VIEW LAST MONTH

TO VIEW OTHER MONTHS

All reports presented are based on data supplied by Metrolist MLS. Metrolist MLS does not guarantee or is in anyway responsible for its accuracy. Data maintained by Metrolist MLS may not reflect all real estate activities in the market. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

Always Grateful,

Daniel Valencia, Realtor
(209) 988-7055

Modesto Metrolist MLS Logo

Equal Housing Opportunity Logo

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Realtors: ‘What is Twitter?’ In plain English

April 2nd, 2009

Lately, I’ve been asked by many Realtor®s and others, ‘What exactly is Twitter?’ Here is a quick video to explain!

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When computers fight back!

April 1st, 2009

I know there is a lot of hustle and bustle around the ‘internets’ today about the April Fool’s worm, Conflicker.c, that has already infected MILLIONS of computers and was supposed to activate today turning the infected machines into remote drones.

So far, nothing has happened.  Since I know you are oh so disappointed, here are some clips of computers attacking people. Yippeee!

Thanks to @BlogBoy2 for the videos!

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Using Technology for Social Networking

April 1st, 2009

I recently spoke with our Stockton PMZ Residential Real Estate agents about how to leverage social networking to expand their sphere of influence. I was inspired by this article on Newsweek.com entitled, “Can Facebook Save the Real Estate Market?” by Daniel McGinn.

In the article, McGinn mentions stories of real estate professionals leveraging Facebook’s social networking tools to  ‘win friends and influence people.’ There are many other sites online that allow you to connect with others in similar ways. Sites such as: Twitter, ActiveRain, LinkedIn, GetSatisfaction, etc. (MySpace is left off of this list intentionally). Some common ways to leverage social networking sites are listed below:

  • Status Updates
    Almost every successful social networking website has a way for it’s members to let their friends and followers know what they are up to RIGHT NOW.  Most also log a history of peoples past status updates, allowing you to take a personal look at someones current situation without feeling like you’re being intrusive.
  • Bulletins and Sharing
    If your social networking site allows you to post a bulletin or share links or other media with friends, take advantage of that!  Post interesting articles you read.  If you maintain a blog, every time you write a new post you should consider getting the word out through your social network.  It adds credibility to your name.
  • Groups and Networks
    Many social networking sites allow their users to break off into factions that share common interests.  Some sites call them Groups, some call them Networks.  At any rate, becoming an avid contributor to networks and/or groups that you belong to will also lend credibility to your name.
  • Events
    Post your open houses, educational seminars, or other community events on your social networks.  Your followers will see these events and even if they can’t attend, they will still recognize you as being active in your community.

Always remember that content is king.  Providing unique insight and relevant information will not only rank you higher in search results, but will also show your sphere of influence how connected and knowledgeable you are.

It’s FREE advertising.

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