All Forum Posts by: Michelle Minch

Thanks, Kevin. I'll check it out!

Clients really like the novelty of signing on an iPad. They think I am Geek-Chic :o) Most people are used to signing an electronic pad for credit card transactions. Plus I am able to email them a copy right then and there. People seem to like the convenience and immediacy. I can also accept credit card payments right from my iPad and iPhone and everyone loves that.

I've heard of SugarSync, but haven't had a chance to look at it Luis. Your recommendation makes me think I should check it out sooner rather than later. Thanks!

Thanks for the tip about Cloudon, Brendan. I will check it out. Levi, I agree that an iPad cannot replace a standard computer (yet, anyway), but I am finding more and more uses for mine.

I've been using an app called Skitch to draw on an make notes on photos of homes I am bidding on. I can indicate the size of the mantle, for instance, or circle a defect in a photo to remind myself that it needs to be repaired. Skitch syncs to Evernote, so I can email the photos with notations to the homeowners or the contractor. Very useful and easy to keep notes on several houses well organized.

I've had my iPad for a few months now, so I'm still discovering apps that make my work life easier. Here's my favorites:

(Some are paid, some are free)

+QuickOffice
+DropBox (syncs with Dropbox on all my devices)
+Skype (great for video conferencing)
+GasBuddy (finds the cheapest gas with location)
+MapQuest (GPS with voice commands)
+Evernote (syncs with Evernote on all my devices)
+EasySign (document signing)
+GoPayment from Intuit (accept credit card payments anywhere)
HandyLevel (digital "bubble" level)
Measures (snap a photo of any item, room or building, then add measurements.

What are your favorite iPad apps?

I recently attended (and helped coordinate) the second Real Estate Staging Association International Conference in Las Vegas. We held it at the Treasure Island Resort & Casino. I have to say, I was resistant, at first, to holding our conference at the TI, but I became a convert once I saw what a great job they did for us. Plus, the rooms were recently upgraded so they are quite nice. We sold out our event at 350 attendees. The TI can accomodate up to about 650 I think. The cost to attend was $350-$450 pp depending on your status and most meals were provided including a very nice awards banquet.

People will find the money to attend if they feel they are going to learn a lot or propel their business forward. Its an investment in growing your business.

Las Vegas is definitely one of the least expensive places to hold a conference, for both hotels & air fare. It is also somewhat centrally located, easy to get to and many people like the idea of going to Vegas for nightlife, shows, casinos, etc. Plus they have a massive foreclosure market if anyone's interested.

With our conference we found the best mix of speakers to be presenters with solid hands on information on how to build your business, a speaker or two on how to run or expand your business, a motivational speaker or two and a celebrity, either from within the industry or a TV or film celeb. Panel of Experts where attendees get to ask questions are always popular. Websites, SEO and social media are big topics. Attendees really get turned off if they feel they are being sold something (book, CD, class) during the presentation. Attendees have spent money to hear the speaker; they should have to spend more money to get the speaker's information. That's what vendor booths and tables are for. If you can get enough vendors and sponsors, it will help off set some of the costs to make the event less expensive.

I would suggest 2.5 days based on our experience. A networking/no-host-bar event the first evening, a day each of speakers on the 2 additional days. Each speaker gets 1 hour with 15 minute breaks in between.

A problem with break-out sessions is you must repeat each one several times to make sure every one has a chance to attend all the sessions they want to hear.

Contact me if you want more info.

I agree with Christina. Buyers who are looking at homes during the holidays are serious about finding a home. I've seen many homes receive offers on Christmas eve. One of the Realtors I work with (who has been in the business for 40 years) says she is very busy showing houses between Christmas and New Years, and has even shown houses on Christmas Day!

Hi James. Welcome to Bigger Pockets. I'm new here too. I look forward to reading your posts.

I'm not a real estate agent, I'm a professional home stager who has staged many $1M plus properties. I work very closely with the listing agents to help market the property as part of my service (and no, I don't get a cut of the commission, although I wouldn't say no if offered :o) Here's what I've seen that works when marketing a $1M+ home:

*invest in professional photographs. 80-90% of home buyers are starting their home search on the internet. If your photos don't WOW, your listing will be dismissed with the click of the mouse.

*Use a service like VFlyer.com or RealBird.com to create flyers and virtual tour. Part of their service is to syndicate your listing to 20 or 30 real estate sites like Zillow, Movato, RedFin, etc.

*Join your local Association of Realtors and make a pitch at their weekly Brokers' Caravan meeting. Hold an open house on the Caravan day and serve a catered buffet lunch from a nice restaurant. Nothing gets real estate agents in the door like free food. Do this during the first week the home is on the MLS.

*Hold multiple open houses for the public. It is not likely that the home will sell from an open house, but why take a chance that you will miss a potential buyer. Also, it makes it easier for other agents to send their clients to see the home.

*Make the home easy to show. Use a lock box. Many agents will not show a home if the showing instructions are too difficult or restrictive.

*And of course, have the home professionally staged by an experienced home stager. [SHAMELESS PLUG REMOVED BY ADMIN]

I use a Nikon D40 camera body and a Nikon 14-24mm f2.8 AFS lens.The D40 is adequate, but the lens is killer. It was very expensive, but worth every penny because of the quality of the photographs. It is paramount that MLS and marketing photos are superb and eye-catching, and that is what I provide for my home staging clients.That all important first impression is now made on the internet where its been estimated 90% of home buyers start their search for their new home.

Every home we stage is a custom project and every home is different. I don't have one-size-fits-all pricing. I go to each home and prepare an estimate tailored to that home and situation.