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SoCalCRS Blog

Blog by Jeff Dowler
Encinitas, California

An informational site for CRS members, and candidates for the CRS, in the Southern California CRS Chapter region. Members and non-members of the SoCalCRS Chapter are encouraged to ask questions, post comments and become active in our chapter.

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SoCalCRS Blog

Tech Tips - Voice Cloud

Dec. 5, 2008
Categorized in: Technology

Every now and then I come across a bit of technology that I really like, and want to share with other SoCalCRS members.

Voice Cloud is one such tech tool.

Voice Coud, as the name implies, is a tool that interfaces with your voice mail system. Voice Cloud will email you an MP3 recording of your voice mail so you don't have to check it but can listen in on your computer if you wish (and of course archive the recording).

Better yet, Voice Cloud will also transcribe your voice mail messsages (max of 1 minute will be transcribed) and email that to you as well. You NEVER have to check your voice mail, you get the email on your office/home PC or laptop OR - the big benefit for me - on your cell phone if you get email. There is nothing like reading a voice mailwith all the information you need and not having to pull over and stop, pull out a pen to take notes and write down a phone #. I have not checked my voice mail for 6 months now.

You can email lthe message (e.g., you get a call from escrow and want to share what they said with your buyers), archive it (Voice Cloud archives ALL transcribed message so you NEVER lose a message), put it in your transaction file for docuemntation puprposes, etc.

There are several different plans to choose from which are very affordable (I use the unlimited recordings and transcriptions level). Definitely worth chekcing out.

Written Instructions for Obtaining Your Website Log On ID and PASSWORD

Jun. 6, 2008
Categorized in: website
Here are the written instructions for how to obtain your LOGON ID and PASSWORD for the Southern California Chapter of the CRS website.

Watch the video

YOU MUST BE A CHAPTER MEMBER in order to obtain your logon information and to use the MEMBERS ONLY section of our website, one of the many benefits of being a SoCal CRS Member. The remainder of the website is open to all.

Here’s what to do.

 

  1. In the upper RIGHT hand corner of the Home Page you will see the Member sign-on box.
  2. Under the USER NAME and PASSWORD boxes, Click where it says CREATE ONE to create your account
  3. On the Registration page you will SELECT A USER NAME, and you will be asked to provide your 7-digit CRS membership number.
  4. You must include a VALID EMAIL ADDRESS for verification purposes
  5. Once you have entered the information, click SEND REGISTRATION
  6. You will receive an email with your user name (the one you selected) and a password chosen by the system
  7. NOTE: In the email there will be a verification linkyou must CLICK on the link to verify the email has been sent to the correct person/email address – you will not be able to logon until you complete this verification process

 After you receive the email and have clicked on the verification link you may login on the home page to access the MEMBERS ONLY features, using your USER NAME and the PASSWORD you were provided. You will be able to change your password to one you select after you have logged in for the first time.

 
Stay tuned for more information on how to use our Southern California CRS Chapter website. Stop by our SoCal CRS Blog for chapter updates as well.

Can You Help With Technology

Jan. 21, 2008
Categorized in: Technology
Tagged with: crs, technology
Council of Residential Specialists logoThis is a call for action from any members of the Southern California Chapter of CRS who would like to help our chapter in the area of technology.

As I mentioned in an earlier post, there are going to be some exciting changes made in our website, and our overall use of technology in 2008. The process has already started with our first video but I am well on the way with some more thoughts on what we can do for members, prospects, and even consumers.

If any of you have some thoughts or would like to get involved this year and help me with this task, that would be great. In addition to being Treasurer for 2008, I am the chair of the Technology Committee and would love to get your thoughts and participation. It could be a great way to share your ideas, learn some new things, and contribute to our Chapter. And perhaps you will decide to get further involved on the board for next year. Emily Link, our Past President, will be part of the team, and we look forward to having others be involved, too!

Please feel free to call me (760) 840-1360 or email me if you are interested.

And certainly please share any thoughts you have on how our website could be improved.

Technology and Southern California CRS

Dec. 23, 2007
Categorized in: Technology
Technology is rapidly changing the face of real estate, for consumers, and for agents.

But are YOU taking advantage of all that technology has to offer?

CRS 206 is a terrific course to give you an edge over your competitors in the use of technology -  to boost your business, streamline communications with consumers, market listings and much more.

Our Chapter is also committed to using technology to the fullest, and 2008 will bring a number of improvements to our website, operations, and communication to our membership. As Chair of the Technology Committee, we are planning some enhancements to our website that will benefit you, prospective members, and those who are working on their designation.

  • Our blog has been up and running for about a year and readership continues to grow - we are averaging about 100 readers per day now!
  • We will soon have a link via widget from our home page to this blog.
  • We have already added a video of the 2008 Officer Installation (if you have not seen the video on our site, you can visit it here)
  • You can expect more use of technology tools in the future
  • We are also hoping to add some e-learning experiences on a number of topics as well.
  • The Chapter is actively seeking more members, and we believe that technology will enable us to attract, and appeal to, a broader spectrum of members
Our goal is to improve communication, enhance your website experience, provide greater benefit to members, and encourage you to learn more about these tools and start to use them in your business if you are not already doing so.

We welcome your input on our website and how we can improve our services to you, our valued members.
HAVE A WONDERFUL HOLIDAY SEASON AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

CRS and Technology

Nov. 18, 2006
Categorized in: Classes
One of the great classes I took last year while finishing my designation was the technology course (CRS 206). While most agents, if not all, have a good general sense of how technology has changed in our business, many do not know what they SHOULD know to be effective, efficient and compete in this evolving marketplace.
 
I continue to be surprised at the number of agents who are not using technology the way they could to enable their business run more smoothly, to attract more clients, and to meet the needs of today’s Internet buyer and seller. NAR has conducted surveys yearly that continue to show an increase in the use of technology and the Internet by buyers and sellers…and it’s NOT just Gen-X and Y! So how are YOU going to compete effectively in this changing marketplace?
While no single course can give you the details of all that technology can do for you, the CRS 206 course DOES provide a terrific overview of what technology is available and how YOU can use it in your marketing and business operations – blogging, podcasts, Internet marketing, digital photography and virtual tours, text messaging, voice-over IP, 800# hotlines and broadcast messaging, cellular signage, and video are just a few options.

Buyers and sellers these days are knowledgeable about technology and will expect you to be as well – are you prepared?

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