Dropbox, a cross-platform file-syncing tool, has now made it’s way to the iPhone and iPod touch, complete with offline file viewing for professionals who need access to files on the run. This will be a wonderful advancement for the real estate industry to use for documents and listing information.

Once installed on your device, Dropbox for iPhone provides access to all your Dropbox files, allows you to view any file supported by your iPhone (including documents, photos, music, and video), uploads any photo or video you’ve taken on your device to your Dropbox account, and lets you save any file as a favorite for offline viewing. If you want to share a file in your Dropbox with someone else, the application can generate an email with a link directly to the file.

I tested this on my iPhone last night with a sellers price change form and it worked fantastic. I can see how this will really be a benefit to Realtors who are already taking advantage to forms online. You can use it for sharing photos, forwarding a disclosure form, or line side to a prospective purchaser, and many, many other ways to go green and paperless.

Dropbox is revolutionizing the way that people think about and access their files. In particular, they make it easy to securely share files with other people, sync them across multiple computers, access them from anywhere, and keep them safe.

Drop Box has been featured in publications like the New York Times and TechCrunch, and have won awards from places like PC Magazine.

As you discover new ways for Realtors, and real estate ancillary businesses to use this program, send me your thoughts to share with others. I can see Dropbox for the iPhone being a great collaboration here for title companies, mortgage, and home inspectors, as well as appraisers and Realtors.

Worried about security? Dropbox uses secure servers. Put your files into your Dropbox on one computer, and they’ll be instantly available on any of your other computers that you’ve installed Dropbox on (Windows, Mac, and Linux too!) Because a copy of your files are stored on Dropbox’s secure servers, you can also access them from any computer or mobile device using the Dropbox website.

Well, I need to go organize my fies on my desktop, so I can start using this great new program on my iPhone today, while on the run.

“Expect the Best” Mike

 REALTORS, Who Get It, Resent Those Who Don’t Get It!

Over the years I have heard it all, however, in today’s market our challenges, pet peeves, and complaints amongst our peers have changed.  Here’s 10 items I can think of right off the top of my head that continue to grind away at others and myself, that I communicate with on a daily basis. I’m sure you could add more
to this list, I encourage you to do so.

Please note, that this is a constructive, reasonable list of what I feel would benefit our industry if improved upon.

1. Setting up a showing and finding out it’s pending, but the agent is waiting to see if it closes. (Waste of everyone’s time, usually a short sale with bank involved)

2. Listings indicating key box, only to find out it’s a combo box (Should be outlawed, all should be electronic)

3. Receiving offers on regular homes for sale at low-ball prices (These are not bank foreclosures and short sale homes).

4. Getting offers with low deposits or that say deposit upon acceptance (not worth the paper it’s written on)

5. Listings having no pictures or just a few. (All listings should have a minimum of 12)

6. Agents not using the Doc Box - Forms on-line system because they haven’t learned how to use it yet. (Eliminates paperwork and saves time)

7. Showing instructions on line-side says text me at ##### for showings; and you don’t get a response for 2 days. (The best technology is the technology you use.)

8. You email feedback to an agent on your showing of their listing, they don’t read their email, and so they call you for feedback. (Hello, read your email)

9. You email agents to schedule showings and never hear from them. (Because they don’t read their email or get email on Blackberry or iPhone to respond quickly)

10. Getting a call from the neighbors that your listing that was shown by a co-op agent was left unlocked or lights were left on. (Usually at night, right after you have settled in for the night.)

You may be saying: this comes with the territory.  Maybe it does, and yes, people make mistakes. However, we have much work ahead of us to get everyone going in the same direction for new standards of practice and professionalism in our industry and going green. What are your thoughts?

“Expect the Best” Mike

Google has plenty to offer any Realtor looking to get property exposure, save time, prospect, organize, and not spend any money doing it.  Here are a few of my favorites:

Google Base is a place where you can easily submit all your listings, which you can make searchable on Google (if your content isn't online yet, you can put it there). Here’s an example of a Goggle Base ad you can run for 14 days Free. When it expires, just renew it for another 14 days.

• Monitoring a developing news story
• Keeping current on a competitor or industry
• Tracking an event, sports team or hobby

Matt Bowler recently received the Realtor of the Year Award from the Greater Lansing Association of Realtors.  After reading what he has said below about what the citizens of Lansing Michigan have to be thankful for, as we approach Thanksgiving, I can see why my son was such a successful President during his term of office, for our association. His mother and I are blessed and give thanks daily for having had such a great experience, watching all our children grow.  Congratulations on each of your achievements Matt.

Here’s what Matt wrote that should make anyone want to buy a house in the greater Lansing area:

·         Our Community is bursting with Opportunities and Possibilities.

·         93 % of greater Lansing’s work force is WORKING!

·         Over 4700 properties have SOLD year to date with Local REALTORS®

·         There has NEVER been a better time to invest in Real Estate.

·         The largest selection of homes in years is a major benefit for the Buyers.

·         Interest rates are remaining VERY favorable.

·         Low income and first-time Home Buyer programs are available.

·         The Dream of Home Ownership is the fabric of our culture.

·         Programs are in place to help homeowners keep their homes.

·         $6 Million Federal Boost Set Aside for Lansing Neighborhoods

·         Our performing arts and cultural centers are alive and well and growing.

·         We are Green with outdoor sports, excellent parks and nature centers.

·         Our Museums are wonderful family time opportunities.

·         CATA was awarded #ONE public transportation in North America

·         Lansing is the only region in the world with two new auto plants.

·         The most technologically advanced plants in the world are producing  some of the hottest and best   vehicles in the country.

·         GM owns an additional 700+ acres in Delta Township for the future.

·         GM has the potential and opportunities to be a world leader again.

·         The State of Michigan Government is in our front yard.

·         Michigan State University is a community treasure and world leader.

·         The Spartans beat U of M this year and are going to a choice bowl game.

·         Cooley Law School is the largest law school in the country.

·         Sparrow Health Systems is growing, building and healing at a record pace.

·         Ingham Regional recently constructed a state-of-the-art Heart Center.

·         Our Community has become a model leader in Health Care.

·         Technology and Biotechnology companies are expanding in greater Lansing.

·         Major Insurance companies (headquarters) are expanding.

·         We have the largest cluster of Insurance companies in the country.

·         Financial Leaders and Service growth is occurring all over the region.

·         People are still transferring every day into our area from around the country.

·         Lansing was awarded “top ten” best tasting water in America.

·         Community support and fundraising remain very high.  We Care!

·         We have proactive and enthusiastic Leaders in Regional Development.

·         The Capital Area is one of Michigan’s growth trend communities and is     

      an important player in Michigan’s economic recovery. 

·         Lansing is receiving national attention for being VERY affordable.

·         Greater Lansing is an excellent place to live, to raise a family, and to work.

·         www.capitalgainsmedia.com is an excellent local resource for good news.

·         I’m Thankful for Greater Lansing ~ Are You?  

Matthew M. Bowler

Happy Thanksgiving to You and Your Families, Mike

Mike Bowler Sr. ePRO, CRB, GRI, SRES
Coldwell Banker Hubbell Briarwood
1020 S. Creyts Road, Lansing, MI 48917
Phone: 517-492-3400 Fax: 888-832-6203
email: Mike@MikeBowler.com 
Website for Clients: MikeBowler.com
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