August 27th, 2010

Weekly Roundup

By Michael Groysman, Marketing Intern

• Online ad spending reaches an all time high (via inman News):

“Businesses may boost spending on all forms of advertising by just 5 percent next year, but online advertising is expected to post double-digit growth, thanks to a surge in local and targeted advertising, analytics and consulting firm Borrell Associates projects.”

• The ease at which your information can be stolen (via Gawker):

“Though it seems like the inventor’s “Farraday Cage Sleeve” may work to protect your card, there’s no indication as to whether the sleeve might just irreparably harm it. All I know is if someone can just walk by me pointing a beam at my wallet and go on a shopping spree, I’ll keep my boring old swiping cards thank you very much.”

• A simple and smart way for real estate brokers to attract an audience (via Future of Real Estate Marketing):

“They understand people require something deeper than sexy images of domiciles to stimulate decision making. So they taped market trends printed from their MLS right on their storefront window for everyone to read.”

• An interesting look at niche markets (via AgentGenius):

“The age of niche marketing in real estate continuing to spread is no surprise. What challenges me is that as someone who has consistently had success in price points across a township or a county, how would I stay competitive with those passing out donuts to 14 chosen condo owners in one development? The answer was actually simple. I had to find more efficient ways to serve those niches and maintain a brand in the areas I want to do business.”

• A personal look at how CEOs should react to political questions (via Redfin):

“It’s a good ethic for building an organization. But it also turns you into a sheep. History is filled with folks who never spoke out against discrimination, genocide, slavery, totalitarianism or environmental degradation because they didn’t want to lose their job or upset their neighbors. Our ethical obligations to our organization won’t always square with our moral obligations as a person. This is why each of us has a separate moral life.”

Tags: home sales data, online ad spending, real estate data, real estate niche marketing, using real estate data.

August 16th, 2010

A Look at the Top Real Estate Websites

By Jackie Berg, Marketing Specialist

Market research firm Experian Hitwise periodically releases a report on the top real estate websites based on a sample of 10 million U.S. Internet users. It also looks at websites that have entered and left the top 100 real estate websites, most popular search terms, traffic/visit duration analysis, and fast movers who have experienced great growth.

Onboard Informatics is proud to provide content services to 7 of the top 20 real estate websites in the United States.

Here are the top 10 sites with market share for July 2010:

1. Realtor.com (5.72%)
2. Yahoo! Real Estate (4.45%)
3. Zillow (3.94%)
4. Trulia.com (2.96%)
5. Rent.com (2.84%)
6. ZipRealty (2.43%)
7. MSN Real Estate (2.18%)
8. Homes.com (1.97%)
9. Apartment Guide (1.75%)
10. RE/MAX Real Estate (1.40%)

One highlight is that almost 30% of all visits to real estate sites were on the top 10 sites.

Click here to read the full report.

Tags: Experian Hitwise, Hitwise real estate report, Onboard clients, real estate market leaders, top real estate websites, top real estate websites by market share.

August 13th, 2010

Weekly Roundup

By Michael Groysman, Marketing Intern

We had some server issues last week, and we were not able to bring you any interesting articles – so here is a double dose of the Weekly Roundup.

Enjoy.

• Happy 50th Birthday to the space shuttle Echo-1, the father of all modern satellite communications (via Gizmodo):

“Today we celebrate the 50th anniversary of Echo 1, history’s first passive satellite. NASA’s Echo mission began rather poorly. A test launch had exploded so brightly, so spectacularly, that it prompted frightened calls up and down the entire eastern seaboard.”

• Problems with legalizing jailbroken iPhones (via CNET):

“The jailbreak for the iPhone released over the weekend may have exposed a flaw in the iPhone’s mobile Safari browser. Unlike previous jailbreaks, which required the iPhone to be connected to a computer to run the software update, the latest jailbreak, posted by the iPhone Dev Team at Jailbreakme.com, is accomplished via the Safari browser loaded on the device.”

• Teleconferencing and its impact on businesses travel (via Chicago Tribune):

“Technology has made many things easy. We record TV shows and fast-forward through commercials. We listen to far-flung radio broadcasts live on our telephones. And we meet face to face with clients and staff members from thousands of miles away.”

• A look at why fewer new homes are being built (via Bubble Meter):

“It is a long and slow decline. Housing prices were simply unsustainable. National housing bubble coverage, with special attention to the Washington, DC area housing bubble.”

• How can we bring quality jobs back to the United States (via Redfin Blog):

“Grove argues that Silicon Valley can’t create jobs because we out-source most of our manufacturing abroad. His startling political opinion is that the goal of our government’s economic policy should be to maximize profitable employment, not just total corporate profit.”

• Another depressing, but important mortgage story (via Bloodhound Blog):

“Unfortunately, even Congress — that bastion of liberalism and home of the bailout — is tiring of pouring good money after bad into the two mortgage giants that have been sucking up all the mortgages — good and bad — that private industry is willing to create. To paraphrase one-time third party Presidential candidate, Ross Perot: That giant sucking sound you hear is taxpayer money subsidizing home mortgages.”

• Sales from Realogy Corp and its franchisees lead transactions in the rankings (via RISMedia):

“Sales professionals affiliated with Realogy Corporation or its franchisees represent 41% of the nation’s Top 400 residential real estate agents and teams based on sales volume and transaction sides, according to the fifth annual rankings report published by The Wall Street Journal/REAL Trends.”

Tags: construction, jailbroken iPhones, mortgage woes, Realogy, Redfin.

August 6th, 2010

Where is the Real Estate Market Going?

By Jackie Berg, Marketing Specialist

With conflicting recovery vs. recession headlines flooding the media on the daily, it’s not surprising that even the most confident analysts butt heads on what’s coming down the pike. Onboard is often called on by spectators of real estate to speak about what’s in store for the market.

So I asked a [sort of] simple question of our staff: In 20 words or less, where is the real estate market going?

Here are a couple of answers from our office where all eyes are on this hot button – analyzing foreclosure indexes, taking the pulse of national brokerages, and also the occasional few who are just smart alecs. Leave a comment and let us know: what are your 20 words?

Tags: future of real estate, real estate market, where is the real estate market going.

August 4th, 2010

A Sad Goodbye

By Stacey Ret, Director of Marketing

It’s a sad time for many people in the real estate world. Yesterday, Joseph Ferrara, passed away from cancer, and although we were not close, it is never easy to see anyone, especially someone so well respected and genuinely liked, leave us.

Whether or not you had the opportunity to meet Joe, he really was “one of the good ones.” Thoughtful, creative, ambitious and smart, he always had a moment to say hi, give you a big hug hello and spend a few minutes with you.

On behalf of Onboard Informatics, our thoughts and prayers go out to his family, friends and the real estate community.

http://www.joe-ferrara.com/rest-in-peace-joe/

Tags: Joseph Ferrara.

July 30th, 2010

Weekly Roundup

By Michael Groysman, Marketing Intern

• The utilization of mobile devices and QR codes for real estate listings (via Inman News):

“Real estate marketing is getting ever more mobile, but one of the most effective tools an agent has is still that iconic, printed yard sign. For those agents interested in directing potential clients from printed materials to the ever-ubiquitous smart phones in their hands, startups specializing in QR (Quick Response) codes are springing up.”

• An interesting utilization of the iPad (via Geek Estate blog):

“SignMyPad is a new iPad app that lets you sign and fill out pdfs right from your iPad. If you’re like me, you chafe every time you need to print out a form, fill it out and sign it, scan it, then discard the original printed version. While there are much larger and more established companies such as Docusign, SignMyPad takes a different approach. Instead of a computer generated signature, with SignMyPad you literally sign with your finger.”

• How simple things can improve your internet marketing and also customer relations (via Agent Genius):

“How often do you go into a listing appointment and talk about how slick your internet marketing is?  When you’re trying to impress a potential client and prove to them that your listing package is the best thing to come around since Al Gore invented the internet, it’s easy to talk about listing feeds, show a video or two, and perhaps even show off your site statistics or how well you rank for Google keywords.  All of that is great, but as more agents become better connected themselves, it’s time to start thinking about ways to keep yourself a cut above the rest.”

• A look at the marketing of HTC and how it can be implemented in real estate (via 1000watt):

“You may know HTC as the object of a lot of smart phone industry buzz. What you may also know is that their phones – Evo, Aria, Eris and Incredible – are taking this industry by storm. They’re kicking Nokia’s nuts and threatening Apple’s attempt to corner the market. How is that happening? I decided to do a little checking. Seems they’re doing a lot right. More on that below. It also made me think it would be instructive to pull this brand through a cosmic wormhole and ask the question…”

• And a fun one for everyone: the future of clothing production and design (via Gizmodo):

“Fashion site Ecouterre has an article on the 3D printed clothes phenomenom, and the museum of Modern Art is exhibiting the Dutch designer Freedom of Creation’s works already. It’s not just the lure of having clothes that fit properly that’s appealing for designers—3D printing also helps cut down on labor costs and could be seen as reducing waste.”

Tags: HTC marketing, internet marketing, mobile devices and QR codes, SignMyPad.

July 23rd, 2010

Weekly Roundup

By Michael Groysman, Marketing Intern

• An interesting look at the rising value of information (via RISMedia):

“In today’s business world, content is most definitely king. But it’s not enough to just have great content—it’s about how you distribute that content and how quickly you can get it to your intended audience. The real estate industry is no different.”

• Revamped Google images and the potential it has for real estate (via 1000Watt):

“Google launched a revamp of their Google Images search this week. The service has been a remarkable catalog of the web’s visual information since 2001 and now indexes over 10 billion images. But as of now, it’s even cooler.”

• A look at some of the most creative and interesting business cards (via Agent Genius):

“Many of these cards are no more than two colors, are the standard rectangle, yet they are well outside of the box of the normal business cards and most of theses cost the same or less than what you’re currently paying, given the advent of ordering online. If you’re not creative, hire a designer, they’re not super expensive for business cards. If you are creative, you’ll get your inspirational juices flowing with these pictures below.”

• Possibility for a new real estate tax by 2013 (via Bubble Meter):

“Apparently, ObamaCare contains a new tax on real estate. It only affects ‘the rich.’ However, given enough time and inflation, it may start affecting middle class Americans, much like the AMT.”

• An interesting comparison of Facebook and Google (via Future of Real Estate Marketing):

“One of my favorite sessions at Real Estate Connect SF was a panel answering the question: Is Facebook bigger than Google?”

Tags: 2013 real estate tax, content is king, creative business cards, Facebook vs. Google, new Google images.

July 21st, 2010

Active Web Partners with Onboard Informatics

By Stacey Ret, Director of Marketing

Onboard Informatics, the premier data services provider to top-tier real estate, media and technology companies, and Active Website, the  interactive technology firm being The Active Enterprise Network, has partnered to provide customizable market and neighborhood data for each of The Enterprise Network’s valued members.

The Enterprise Network is one of Onboard’s Value Added Resellers, which gives members access to the highest quality data sets and technology on the market. The partnership is focused on developing customizable products to fit the exact needs of the members, enabling them to stay ahead of consumer expectations.

Onboard’s data will be implemented directly into each Network member’s community and property details pages, while adhering to their individual branding guidelines. Network members have the option to choose from a robust combination of four packages, which include School and Community Data, Great Schools Ratings and Review, Points of Interest Data, and Recent Homes Sales/Valuation and Property Trending. Onboard’s highly sought after data, combined with Active Website’s web design expertise, provides end users with the critical market information and tools needed to make an informed decision when purchasing a home.

“We’re very excited about releasing this product to our clients as an added benefit of membership. Utilizing Onboard’s market data and providing customers relevant information about their area of interest is an important step for improving the user experience. By increasing the stickiness of our sites with rich community content, the broker will become the authoritative source and a trusted point of reference for area expertise,” states Ori Staub, Managing Partner at Active Website.

“We are thrilled to have The Active Enterprise Network as part of our Value-Added Reseller Program; a  network that clearly understands the value of providing industry leading content for their end users,” states Marc Siden, CEO of Onboard Informatics. “Implementation of data points such as school information and points of interest can significantly separate Network members from others in this highly competitive marketplace.”

About Onboard Informatics
Since 2001, Onboard Informatics has provided comprehensive local, regional and national real estate data solutions, powerful web tools and web services to some of the most innovative companies in real estate, publishing, and technology.  Onboard delivers seamless integration of real estate property listings, community, school, neighborhood, geographic and demographic information and, transforms the complexity of data into meaningful solutions; supporting clients in achieving business objectives on web and mobile platforms.  Privately held since its founding, Onboard is located in the heart of the world’s financial center in the Wall Street area of New York City.  For more information about Onboard Informatics or to request a demo, visit www.onboardinformatics.com.

About Active Website
Active Website is a Colorado-based company specializing in web design and development. Founded in 1998, the company has rapidly become an industry leader with major clients including Ebby Halliday Realtors, The Group, Inc., Helen Adams Realty, The Kentwood Companies, LandVest, Inc., Milestone Realty Consultants, N.T. Callaway Real Estate Brokers, LLC, Windermere Tri-Cities Real Estate, Wright Kingdom Real Estate, Residential Properties Ltd., Charles Reinhart Company Realtors, Smith & Associates Real Estate, The Danberry Company, Skogman Realty, Turpin Real Estate, Santa Fe Realty Partners, as well as several new members to be announced soon.

About The Enterprise Network
The Active Enterprise Network is a union of independent real estate companies across the nation that share information and strategy, as well as a unified technology platform that is revolutionizing the industry.  The Enterprise Network does not accept national brands, but each company that joins The Enterprise Network gains the tools and buying power of a larger corporation, without sacrificing their independence and personal voice Because The Network works with only one company per marketplace, this exclusivity allows for open collaboration and sharing of information within The Network, free from any conflict of interest. The goal for members under The Enterprise Network umbrella is to address the technology demands that are emerging in today’s changing real estate market. Together, Enterprise Network members can make the best decisions concerning implementation of systems and solutions, ultimately leveraging everyone to higher levels of business.

# # #

Onboard Informatics Contact:
Stacey Ret, Director, Marketing
Onboard Informatics
sret@onboardinformatics.com
646-747-4395

Active Website Media Contact:
Amanda Stephan, Marketing Coordinator
Active Website, LLC
amanda@activewebsite.com
303-396-0106

Tags: Active Website, Onboard Informatics and Active Web, press releases.

July 16th, 2010

Weekly Roundup

By Michael Groysman, Marketing Intern

• Group of high profile Google and Bing engineers embark to change the news (via TechCrunch):

“Delivering news digitally in a personalized manner is a nut many a startup – as well as many established Internet companies and publishers – are desperately trying to crack.”

• Tips to create personal wealth, 8 things that can help you (via Real Blogging):

“Affluence begins with an affluent state of mind. One of the best ways to stand out as a luxury real estate marketing professional is to hold the vision of a vibrant economic future, yours in particular. View the present marketplace as a place of opportunity rather than focus on the reality as presented to us by the media and other naysayers.  What is true is that some luxury homes are selling in most upper tier marketplaces.”

• Highlights from the San Fransisco Inman real estate convention (via Future Of Real Estate Marketing):

“by the way – these are just SOME of the highlights – there were WAY more speakers and great content than listed below!”

• Home sellers cutting prices (via Bubble Meter):

“That heady buzz from the home buyer tax credit is now turning into a grinding headache, as home sellers realize their very temporary, government-induced catbird seat has now fallen back to earth.”

July 15th, 2010

CNN/Money’s Best Places to Live 2010

By Jackie Berg, Marketing Specialist

The results are in for yet another annual collaboration between Onboard Informatics and CNN/Money to cast light on terrific cities with growing job rates, great schools, safe neighborhoods, and plenty of activities for residents. This year’s Best Places to Live feature looks at top small cities (as opposed to 2009′s list of small towns with strong economies).

With over 100 miles of trails and an unemployment rate of just 5.1%, Eden Prairie in Minnesota fit the bill for this year's top small town.

Our data team worked closely with CNN to provide housing, financial, quality of life and other data for the filters they selected to produce the most concise and accurate information possible.

To start, all U.S. cities with populations of 50,000-300,000 were considered. Places with a median family income of over 200% or less than 85% of the state median were excluded, as were towns with a white population of over 95%. From there, the top 100 towns were decided after screening out retirement communities, towns with significant job loss, poor education systems and high crime scores.

We then worked with CNN/Money on the ranking of the top towns based on housing affordability, school quality, arts and leisure, safety, health care, diversity, and other points in our extensive set of quality of life content sets.

CNN/Money also released lists for top earning towns, most affordable homes, quickest commute times, best weather (hottest and coldest cities), and youngest cities. Users can also search for nearby cities to see which nearby towns made the grade. Dive deeper into the heart of the community right on the article, where Gowalla business reviews and comments from Facebook are integrated.

Congratulations to this year’s list of top cities!

Tags: America's best small cities, Best Places, Best Places to Live 2010, CNNMoney.