Technology for Real Estate

Blue Ridge GA Real Estate is pleased to welcome guest blogger Jeff Norman.  Today, Jeff shares with us his perspectives on the important role of techonology in real estate. 

Jeff Norman is a writer based in New York City. He is a guest blogger for My Dog Ate My Blog and writes on online colleges and universities for Guide to Online Schools.


Technology for Real Estate


When many people envision the idea of a career in real estate, they might foresee a broker or agent needing a skill set similar to that of an Avon Lady. A smile, perkiness, and a willingness to trek from door to door in pursuit of sales is definitely an admirable assemblage of assets. But to today's real estate community, a fresh and souped-up array of technologically savvy abilities in not only favorable—it's downright mandatory. The Internet and its myriad whiz-bang-glam features polarize those unfamiliar with the Web; like a powerful magnet, they can either attract your optimism, or repel you into an anti-tech stupor. Hopefully this article encourages you to lean toward the latter response and embrace how new technology can shore up your real estate repertoire.

First of all, you're strongly advised to get a Gmail account as your primary business e-mail. Yes, Gmail, not Yahoo or the like. Google's electronic messaging service stands out for its flexibility and diversity of assets, such as calendar and task functions. What is more, Gmail allows its users to ease the maintenance and accessing of their database of clientele. And every e-mail sent from Gmail includes the sent address as well as a customizable sign-off—the perfect way to sustain recognition of your personal brand and styling.

For pictures, there is really no better internet system right now than Picasa. Simply put, Picasa makes picture management (essential for anyone in the real estate industry looking to achieve expertise) fun and easy. It has never been simpler to create sophisticated albums that can be geotagged and coordinated with what's on your desktop. Want to beef up your real estate acumen? Consider Picasa obligatory.

And now (drumroll, please), two words that strike fear into the hearts of anyone afraid of the real power possible with the Internet: social networking. Here are two more words to give trepidatious readers even more terror: Facebook and Twitter. Now that the big bad words are out in the air, we implore you not to apprehend these tools. Simply put, maintaining an active Facebook and Twitter page for your real estate affairs is one of the smartest ideas you can implement to immediately impact your success, from listing to escrow. Tweet often, and stock your Facebook page regularly with pictures not only of your properties, but also of yourself and your staff. Users online want to feel connected to the people of their networks, and they reward those who show an Avon-Lady grin or two online with increased attention.

Lastly, here are a few blogs that build off of the tips we've supplied to you here, and will keep your technological savvy well-spiced and up-to-date. Real Estate Technology features a consistent stream of quick yet cogent, counsel-filled postings that you can implement into your office right here, right now. And Geek Estate makes good on its promise to field relevant info for real estate people who want to harness technology's best.

We hope, after reading this, you're a member of that latter group!



This North Georgia Real Estate blog is hosted by Gayle Barton of BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY Georgia Properties located in the quaint mountain town of Blue Ridge, GA. Please feel free to call (866-413-1781) or drop me an email gaylebarton@inbox.com if I can assist you with buying or selling Blue Ridge GA real estate.

Guest writer - J. Byron Wyndham, Real Estate Attorney, blogs on “Short Sales”

Blue Ridge Georgia Real Estate is pleased to welcome guest blogger and local real estate attorney J. Byron Wyndham.  Today, Byron shares with us his perspectives on understanding the secret side of short sales.

Short Sales...Continued


We are seeing more and more “short sales” in recent transactions. With many homes being “underwater” (the outstanding mortgage is more than the home value) in order to sell the house, the owners are asking lenders to accept less than the outstanding loan balance to release the house from the lien of the loan.

The “catch” ? Many owners don’t realize that just because the lender agrees to accept less than the loan balance to release the lien, that does NOT relieve the owner (the maker under the Note) from the obligation to repay the balance of the loan. The lender may file suit against the owner/seller for the balance of the loan that was not paid at the short sale.

The owners may also not understand that their credit can be adversely affected by the short sale. Usually, by the time the seller/owner has requested the short sale, they have missed several payments and have accrued late charges. This will appear on their credit report. But the seller may think that by doing a short sale, at least the stigma of a foreclosure has been avoided. However, in a short sale situation, the lender may “write off” the loan. This write off will appear on the credit report as a negative credit factor.

What options does a seller have? The seller can request that the lender agree to accept the short sale balance in full satisfaction of the loan and that it be marked “paid in full” on the credit report. This will avoid the actions noted above. However, the lender is NOT required to agree to these terms. It is an affirmative request to avoid the negative affects of the short sale. Though the Lender does not have to agree to this, many lenders are trying to avoid foreclosures and having more real estate on their books. In order to have a smaller loss than what would happen in the case of a foreclosure, the Lender might agree to this scenario.

The bottom line-it doesn’t hurt to ask. All they can do is say No! But if they say Yes, the seller can realize the full benefits of a short sale. JBW



For more information about short sales or other real estate related matters, please visit his website or email him at jbwyndham@tds.net


J. Byron Wyndham
2460 E. First St. Suite B-6
Blue Ridge, GA 30513
706.258.6222






This North Georgia Real Estate blog is hosted by
Gayle Barton of BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY Georgia Properties  located in the quaint mountain town of Blue Ridge, GA.

Please feel free to call (866-413-1781) or drop me an email gaylebarton@tds.net if I can assist you with buying or selling your mountain home or property.