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Review: Tools for Work – Epson WorkForce 845

December 8, 2011 By 5 Comments

An Epson rep sent me an email a few weeks back asking me if I would like to have a free printer in exchange of a review. Not a bad deal, I thought, I get to test drive (and keep) one of their latest model and write about it at the same time. Which it kinda takes care of two things at once, since:

  1. My other printer is about 3 years old. – Still good, just a little *on the slow side*, due to old age.
    And
  2. I need to create blog content.

So, it seems like a win-win situation

I just took it out of the box and thought it would take me a while to set it all up. Alas it did not. It took me merely 6 minutes to get the whole thing running. Yes, I timed it.

And here are my thoughts about it: [Read more...]

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[Video] My First Tutorial: How to use the buyer’s portal

December 1, 2011 By 1 Comment

So, after countless of times promising myself I would sit down and create a simple tutorial on How to Use the Client’s Portal, I finally got to it!

I found this really cool way to make video-tutorials with Screenr.com, impressively easy to use. Hey, you could impress your clients and friends too ;)

And here it is…

Useful tips on how to view, classify and organize listings by emails.

If you like it, share the love.

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New Zoocasa Application for Yahoo! Canada

September 6, 2010 By 1 Comment

It has been two years since we last wrote about Zoocasa. Back then, they were just starting out and I do believe they were still on Beta. A lot has changed since then.

Zoocasa

It turns out that Zoocasa, owned by Rogers Communications, developed iPhone app (home search on your phone? great!) AND now Yahoo! Canada has teamed up with Zoocasa as their Real Estate Home Search. They have just launched a new application that lets users do home searches directly from their yahoo.ca home page.

Now the more than 17 million Canadians who visit Yahoo! every month will be able to search for a new home, research local neighbourhoods and receive updates about properties that fit their personal profile, all through the Zoocasa.com application on their Yahoo.ca homepage. Combining real-time listing information and mapping technology, Zoocasa.com allows users to personalize their search experience and discover community, demographic and lifestyle information to help them choose the right home.
[ Source: Finantial Post. Read More ]

The site grew in popularity, but their affiliation with a powerful search engine such as Yahoo! Canada definitely puts them in the major leagues. Now there’s talk about brokerages like Re/Max, Century 21 an Royal LePage looking for alternative sites, such as Zoocasa, to advertise their listings, since they feel that Realtor.ca is lacking some important features:

“Realtor.ca isn’t as technologically advanced as its competitors, lacking information that prospective home buyers like, such as demographic data, school zones and average prices for neighbourhoods.” [ The Globe and Mail . Read more ]

And we second that opinion.

If the joint venture of Yahoo! Canada/Zoocasa and the major brokerage firms succeeds, realtors will now have our own Canadian version of Zillow. Pretty interesting to say the least. Not to mention the different options for online exposure to all home sellers, having a mix of Realtors.ca, Google maps Real Estate (also gaining popularity with home searches) and the already existing listing sites like micasa.ca.

Other articles:

Yahoo! nouvelle application immobilière: Yahoo! annonce le lancement d’une application en partenariat avec Zoocasa, un site Internet canadien dédié à l’immobilier.

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Our Brand-Spanking New Facebook Page

February 5, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Finally I got around to making a Facebook Fanpage for the Blog. It has been on my mind since last November, and I must admit: I didn’t have a clue how to make one. But miracles do happen, and last week I belatedly uncovered the Facebook Fanpage Mystery. Now, it’s just figuring out what to do with it. I’m still pondering over that last one. Suggestions are, as always, gratefully appreciated.


You might think that having a blog is already enough work. And you’re right.
What I am hoping here is that -unlike the blog- the Facebook page will be self-supported. Of course, with the help of all the lovely fans!

I invite you to join. Yes, you. I know you have a Facebook account, and don’t pretend you don’t.
Let’s get the discussions going, comments and links to Real Estate related topics. It’s up to you.

And oh, before I forget…I’ve change the Facebook sidebar link to point to the page itself and not my profile anymore. Just in case you missed this post.

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Google Maps the Next Real Estate Search Engine?

January 15, 2010 By 7 Comments

I guess it was just a matter of time before Google decided to monetize on the home search queries. A lot of real estate related websites are now using google maps (in the form of a plugin) as part of their listings, and so far is working out just fine.
Google Map -Real Estate
I’ve noticed more and more properties appearing on google maps – or  Google Real Estate 2.0 as they are calling it- since this last summer, and the last time I checked there were a lot of listings from the west  coast of the US. But slowly is moving into Canadian territory. More and more Canadian cities are listing their properties online with google base. Agents and brokers are able to upload their listings via google base or RSS (I have yet to check into it). I was surprise to see that not many brokers/agencies listed from Montreal, there are 2 main websites getting most of the hits from google real estate map searches.

Will they compete with the MLS®, Realtor® website?
Compete, most probably. But they are neither a broker nor a MLS system, according to their disclaimer. The complete answer and explanation is found in their FAQ for Real Estate Agents and Brokers:

“Is Google a broker? A national MLS?

We’re neither. Our role is to connect users as quickly as possible with the information they need. People come to us looking for all kinds of information, including housing listings, comparable pricing, and how to find an agent or broker in their area. In all cases, we want to deliver these users to the industry experts who can provide the most useful answers.”

Well, as long as they don’t start crawling the MLS the Realtors.ca database -without permission- they will be lawsuit free. It makes me wonder if, say, 5 years from now, Google Maps -Real Estate 2.0 will be more popular than our Realtor’s site. We’ll have to wait and see.

What do you think?

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McGill Immobilier is now Video Blogging!

May 5, 2009 By 3 Comments

I haven’t checked out my broker’s website in about a week, yesterday while browsing the new properties I noticed the very new addition to the site: McGill Real Estate Blog, it’s actually a Video Blog. and so far, Patrice has added 4 videos where different topics regarding the real estate market in Montreal.
This one I found it interesting, it discusses repossessed properties and the foreclosure market in Montreal.

Enjoy!

Les reprises de finances – Est-ce vraiment de bonnes affaires ?
(REAL ESTATE- Bank Owned house would be a good deal?)

“Premièrement, il faudrait voir les statistiques exactes, mais je sais qu’on est à des lunes du nombre des reprises de finance des États Unis & loin de la balance du Canada.

Ici les banques ne sont pas prises avec des quantités de propriétés invendables. Elles sont à but lucratif elles vont essayer d’avoir le prix du marché.”

I’ve added my comment on this video, if you like the information, voice your opinion by leaving them a little comment.
Welcome McGill Immobilier to the Blogosphere!

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This Blog is Getting International Recognition

March 24, 2009 By 7 Comments

I wanted to share a little something with you…
Last Saturday I had the opportunity to talk about the blog and the use of social media with a radio station in Venezuela. Some of you may know, I was born and raised there (that would explain a lot all my grammar errors, eh?), so many of my contacts online are also from down south.

It was through a blogger-friend (thank you Croncho!) that I got referred to the radio station La Mega, to be interviewed with AnaIrene and Nacarid from La Makina on the subject of: How is the social media benefiting your business?
We had a great exchange of ideas and I was asked many questions regarding the way I use the web 2.0 (blog, facebook, twitter, etc..) to market myself and my services. As well as the different types of information we provide on this blog.

I was surprised to hear that not many people in my industry have been using (or being interviewed for using) social media. But even more surprised than me, they were astonished at the fact that here in Canada we’re a little behind (the Real Estate Industry) with the use of technology, web and social media to enhance our client communication and build new relationships. After all, we’re a developed country, n’est pas? I really hope that will change soon.
In any case, I took the liberty to record the interview, and will need to get the permission  first to publish it. But if I do, unfortunately it will be all in Spanish. Sorry in advance for those who: No Habla Español :)

It was a fantastic experience to be talking live in a radio show, about the two subjects that I’m very passionate about: Technology and Real Estate.

UPDATE (March 26,2009):
The program has released the interview in podcast version. The program is a little long and they talk about technology, you can find my interview almost at the end of the program itself. Here is the link. Again, is En Español.

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