Property ManagementNew Online Listing Software Debuts
For many brokers and agents, taking the time to upload listings is a chore.
Either the proprietary MLS system has an outdated DOS-like interface, or the
agents are simply too busy to be bothered to memorize the proprietary codes.
Out of frustration, some agents simply forward the listing information on the
MLSs and let them worry about it. Then to make matters worse, most MLS systems
aren"t configured to allow brokers to put only their own listings on their Web
sites. The MLS systems are generally proprietary and geared only for uploading
information to the MLS and nowhere else. Many MLS systems don"t offer Internet
access at all.
Wouldn"t it be easier for everyone if brokers and agents could just put
their listings on the Web?
That"s what Image Publishing thought when it designed its new software, RealTools Listing Manager,
version 1.1. Originally designed for MLS upload, the company quickly changed
gears and is marketing instead to brokers. RealTools Listing Manager will allow
real estate agencies to professionally present and maintain listings on their
own Web site through their Web browser.
"Existing MLS databases can be adapted to work with this program for MLS
use," explains Terry Cora, general manager of Image Publishing. "Originally the
program was designed to use an MLS database directly, but there were concerns
about who owns the database, so we went instead to develop a simple Web browser
interface to duplicate the MLS efforts to display on a client"s own Web site."
"This allows visitors to go to the Realtor"s web site to view their listings
without going off site," says Cora. "If I went to ABC Realty, they may redirect
me through a deep link to another site where I have the opportunity to see
ABC"s competition in that geographical area. This program keeps the visitor on
your site."
Geared toward to small, medium, and large agencies, the software is powerful
enough to handle large databases, yet simple enough to use so that multiple
agents can easily maintain their own listings.
According to Brigitte Patton, director of Internet marketing, "If you’re not
displaying your listings, you"re missing out on making a connection with a
lot of potential buyers and sellers. Computer literate buyers looking for
someone to work with are going check out your site to get a feel for your
organization. They will look at the properties you are listing and try to
find an agent that fits them. Computer literate sellers are going to check
out your site to see how effective you will be in listing their property."
"Professionally presenting your listings on your web site makes a great
impression and is a very useful tool. It allows access to your property
information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week," adds Patton.
Listing Manager 1.1 allows for property listings, including photos, to be
easily entered and displayed on virtually any web site. The software is
customized for each agency"s specific geographic location and allows
searches of specific areas by price, county, municipality and school
district. Listing information is stored in database format with the listing
agent"s information automatically appended to it.
Listings that match a visitors search criteria are then displayed on an
attractive web page with complete information, photo, listing agent"s
information and listing agent"s photo. The program allows for multiple
users, so each agent can maintain their own listings. When they log onto the
program, their specific agent information is automatically associated with
any listing they add. Listings can later be edited or deleted from the
listing database. An administration feature allows for an administrator to
add/edit/delete agents using the program.
Also included in the cost of the program is RealTools Mortgage Calculator
and Pre-qualification program. Visitors can access these pages, enter
specific information and determine their monthly payments or what most
lenders would loan based on their current financial situation.
Priced at $269.00 (USD), Listing Manager 1.1 offers an affordable means for
agencies to present and maintain listings directly from their web site.
Pricing includes complete installation via remote access, technical support
and customization to the specific geographic location.
In addition, Image Publishing offers a 30 day free demo of the program,
installed and customized on the purchasers web site. The program will quit
working after 30 days unless the program is purchased," says Terry Cora,
general manager of Image Publishing. "You are 100% satisfied before you ever
pay a cent." A working demo is also available.
What about duplicate uploading? No way around that, says Cora. "Because of
problems with proprietary MLS programs, the agent will have to deal with that
until those are addressed and straightened out."
What about competition? "There are other programs that do similar things but
they are more expensive and complicated to use, and have slight variations. A
number of Web sites can do virtually the same thing, but you are uploading your
listings to a clearinghouse for free and in other cases there are charges to
that. Your risk is handing off sales leads because your leads can also see
competitive agency"s information."
"The goal is an affordable package that works really well and allows any
realty agency to maintain listings on their own site."
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