DotLoop Blog

Do you know what a div is?

A what?

Exactly.

You probably think I'm lying, but computers aren't magical. They are just language and microchips. But you don't care. Nor should you - you're too busy getting your work done. Here at DotLoop, we understand that, which is why we create tools to simplify your lives, not add complexity to an already complex world.

As Google points out in the video below, most people don't know how the Internet works, but most people nonetheless use the Internet.



Most people don't know how their car works, either (something about internal combustion), but they drive one every day.

Your clients don't necessarily know how real estate works; they just want their house sold.

Folks just want things to work. At DotLoop, we get that, which is why we are constantly tweaking and updating our site to make it more efficient, more robust, and more useful.

Look for some changes next week and enjoy your holiday weekend.

For the record, a browser is software used to render the Internet onto your computer screen. Think of it as a window into the web. Google, by contrast, is a web site that helps you search the Internet. It's a search engine, not a browser.

Easy, right?

This economy is a strange, fickle little creature, and it may be years before we see an upswing.

At least, that's what Jeremy Grantham's predicting. This fabled recovery, he says, will not happen in 2010, but around 2016.

You know - the future.

Of course, he may be just another Economic Nostradamus and might be completely wrong about his "seven lean years" prediction. This downturn, after all, may last even longer.

Our economy is only as fickle as we are, though - we've been impatiently waiting for a recovery for the last three years.  Now that it's lasting longer than we had anticipated, it seems a good idea to start thinking long-term about changes we can all make to wade through this economy tsunami.

Here are three areas you, as an agent, can start to cutback on to wade through this recession.

Office Supplies
Between the manila folders, costly ink cartridges, and burdensome storage cabinets (which take up precious office space), the cost of business has always been a bit on the high side.

With today's technology, however, you can run a completely paperless office, saving you space, waste, and haste. DotLoop's paperless online transaction system, for example, means you'll never have to worry about costly paper fees (or paper cuts) again.

Fuel
How much time are you spending stuck in traffic? How much money are you wasting on gas? Fuel costs add up and can eat into your revenue faster than you think. With more cars on the road today than ever before, even a quick trip downtown can waste hours and gallons.

Luckily, with e-mail, eSign, and eFax services so readily available, you can save your gas for when you really need it - to get to the closing table.

Advertising
There are only so many channels agents use to get their name out there; unfortunately, most are not only out-dated, but downright costly.

With free services like Facebook and Twitter allowing you to be your own brand manager (and more easily and effectively connect with your audience) why would anyone still use a billboard or bus stop bench to get the word out?

These are just three areas you can curb your spending to survive this wave of slumped sales. I'm sure you can think of even more.

And hey, even if this economy come back swinging again soon, think about how much more efficient, effective, and economic you will be as an agent.

Consider yourselves warned.

As The Wall Street Journal reports, that "professional card" offer you received in the mail last week may give your ego a boost, but not without first raiding your wallet.

With issuing offers of such cards up 256% from last year, you may be asking yourself: has everyone become a small-business owner over night?

Hardly. Thanks to the new CARD (Credit Card Accountability and Responsibility and Disclosure) Act of 2009, card issuers can no longer jack up your rates or ding you with inactivity fees.

Such consumer protections are not covered for small-business cards, though. So, now, not only can your dog receive a credit card, he can also be a small business owner, too.

They keep finding the loopholes.

Chase spokeswoman Laura Rossi says that only small-business owners should be receiving these cards and that "mailings for small-business cards have not spiked but have remained relatively consistent."

Apparently, a 256% increase is not a spike. "Professional", huh?

So, if when they ask you 'what's in your wallet?' let them know: cash.

If you're an agent working today, then you already know the importance of a good web presence.

What you may not know, however, is what constitutes 'good'.

If you have a website, take a look at this list to make sure you're not falling victim to technology. After all, having a megaphone is one thing; using it wisely is another.

1. I'm #1! I'm #1!

Does your website scream #1 anything? Stop it. Sure, you may be the number one agent in your market, and you may have famous clients. But your potential clients don't care. They only want to make sure that you will help them find a home or sell their existing home.

Who's the focus here anyway: your ego or the client?

2. Music.

Just...just don't play music in the background. The quickest way to lose a potential customer is to automatically play music when they log into your site.

3. Poor Picture Quality.

If you have listings on your site (which you should), be aware that the quality of the photos reflects the quality of the agent who took them (that is, you, even if an intern took them). If you have grainy images taken from your 2 mega pixel camera to show off a home, I will be clicking the red X on the top of my browser and will continue shopping for a competent agent.

4. Misspelled Words.

The descriptions are just as important as the pictures when listing a home. And glaring misspellings give a potential client the same vibe as grainy pictures - this agent doesn't care. With dictionary.com a free service, there should be no reason you should have misspelled words on your page.

5. Glamour Shot Photos.

If your picture is more than five years old, you need to replace it. And don't wear your blouse with shoulder pads in your new picture, either. Clients do not want to be surprised when they meet you. They want to be sure that you are genuine, not Photoshopped.

Of course, easy navigation, informative content, and an ability to contact you are all very important, too. And, if you're a DotLoop user, you can let them know that they will be able to negotiate more easily and quickly.

Websites, like a home, need to be maintained.

Are you maintaining yours?

Here at DotLoop, we're always tweaking our system to make it as efficient and stream-lined as possible.

But did you know how many clicks it takes to get to the finish line of a negotiation?

Mr. Owl knows.

To send a contract to a client, it takes 3 clicks.

For the client to sign the contract, it takes 2 clicks.

To add a new form to an offer, it takes 2 clicks.

To send a signed offer to the other agent, it takes 2 clicks.

And to get the bank to complete a short sale in under 60 days?

Well, I never made it without biting.

To see for yourself how many clicks it takes to create a paperless real estate transaction, visit DotLoop today and check out our Sample Contract to preview the system.