I am Jeff

I was introduced to a product called StickyBits today (thanks to Brian at 1000Watt) that I think could become a major part of Real Estate marketing plans across the globe very quickly. Of course, I thought the same thing about QR codes back when they were first introduced and they never really took off.  But, I think there’s still potential.

The thing about StickyBits that I think is game changing, is the ability to add “bits” of information to the item you’re tagging.

How do you tag an item?

It’s easy.  You just find any product with a barcode or QR code (or download and create your own barcodes on StickyBits.com) and using the free iPhone or Android app, scan it.  StickyBits then prompts you to add your bits to the scanned item.  Bits can be pictures, video, audio, and text.

So how’s this work for Real Estate?

Here’s what I’m thinking…  You create a barcode and build it into your listing flyer and stick it on your sign rider with a simple sentence instructing people to download the StickyBits app and scan the barcode for additional information. Then you scan it (to claim it as yours) and add the following bits:

• Pictures – above and beyond what you’ve got in the MLS listing. Find the little interesting things about the property, and document them.
• Video – A quick introduction video. A walkthrough of the home. Run around the backyard. Walk around out in the street. Maybe even a quick neighborhood tour?
• Floor plans – If you have access to them.  Why not? You can upload PDF’s from the website.
• Notes of interest – leave notes about the property you think people would find interesting. These can be recorded audio notes, or text based comments.

Check out the quick example I whipped up today showcasing the M Realty office in Portland.

From there, when someone else scans the barcode to get the additional information, you get a notification.  You can even see the persons profile info, unless they choose to make the scan “private”.  What a cool lead capture device!  Strike up a conversation with the person on Twitter or Facebook (StickyBits uses Facebook Connect as their primary login) and see what happens. Plus, anyone who scans your item can also leave bits of their own. Maybe pictures they took, questions about the property, or feedback on your list price. That part could get a little tricky, but if you monitor what is being added and respond appropriately, you’ll be fine.

That’s probably just the tip of the iceberg for all the cool stuff you can use this tool for. In fact, I just ordered some new business cards with a barcode that takes the scanner to “more info about me”. The applications are almost limitless!

So, what do you think? Does this one have “sticking” power?

I recently shared my thoughts on uses for the iPad in Real Estate.  So, some would say this post could be titled Favorite iPhone and iPad applications for Real Estate. But, even though the iPad in all it’s sexiness can use the same applications, it still lacks a major component for some of these apps to work.  A camera.  So, until the iPad starts shipping with a web cam built in, like suggested here, I’m focusing on the iPhone, specifically the 3GS.

So, without further adieu here they are (random order/links are iTunes links):

ColorChange – $2.99 – Clients say “this room could look great, if the walls were red”.  Whip out your phone, take a picture of the room and show them what it would look like.  While not always perfect, if you take a decent photo, with good color separation to begin with, the results usually turn out just fine.

Dragon Dictation – Free – I am continually impressed by this one.  You speak, it converts your words into text that can then be emailed, sent as a text message, or copied to the clipboard and pasted into other text input fields.

Evernote – Free – Jot down notes, take pictures, or record audio.  Linked up with the desktop application on your Mac or PC, it’s a great tool for when you’re out previewing homes (you do that right?) When you get back to the office, the information is ready and waiting on your office computer.

TrueHDR – $1.99 – Take better pictures with your 3GS.  Allows for combining two pictures, so you can take an image that has light and dark areas, and convert that into something that closely resembles how we see it vs. how the camera sees it.

AutoStitch – ?? – One of my favorite photo applications. Create panoramic images with ease!  AutoStitch lets you take multiple images, which it then stitches together into a single pano image and saves into your photo gallery.  Note* as of today, this app is no longer in the app store on iTunes.  There are other similar apps, but I have not tested them.

Sketches2 – $4.99 – Take a photo, draw or write on it. Circle an item that needs attention.  Draw an arrow showing which direction you’re facing. Send a snapshot of a map, with a note on it.  It’s a great tool for doing these kind of things.

ScanR Business Center – $24.99+ – This is a pretty powerful little app. Scan a document in (as a searchable PDF), then email, print (to a fax) or fax it. The document is then also stored online for retrieval later if needed.  Requires subscription for faxing ($5 month or $30 year).

Navigon MyRegion – $24.99 – Don’t get lost when you’re out touring with clients, get turn by turn GPS navigation with voice announcements.  Note* There are several regions available. Make sure you choose the one you need, or the full version for $80 if you need the whole US.

Yelp – Free – If you’re showing off a home and the client asks “are there any good restaurants in the neighborhood?” you can help, using Yelp. Just click the “nearby” icon, choose the category you’re after, and the map will display the results “nearby”. Funny how that works huh?

Camera – Free – Yep, the standard Camera app that comes pre-loaded on your phone.  Obviously, many of the above application would not work if there were no camera.  But, even without the other apps, the Camera can be an invaluable tool for Real Estate agents.  While not meant for taking listing photos to use in the MLS listings (although many of you do), they are great for other online purposes (think showing something interesting about the home on Facebook or Twitter as a subtle way of showing off your listing).  Plus, the Camera app allows you to take video.  Again an invaluable tool.

So, that pretty much wraps up my top 10 iPhone apps for use in Real Estate. I’m sure there are others that I’m either blatantly missing, or just haven’t gotten around to trying yet.  So, if you have a favorite that isn’t listed here, feel free to leave a comment.

The act of using Photoshop for “touching up” photos of your listings is nothing new to most people that have been around for a while.  Ethical? Unethical? Maybe both, depending on the person.  Personally, I don’t have a problem with adjusting the lighting, but anything beyond that I believe is questionable.  If there’s something you don’t want to be in the picture, move it.  If you can’t, and it’s pertinent to the condition of the house (think holes in sheetrock) then it probably needs to stay in the picture to show a fair representation of the property.

So, with that being said, check out this new feature of Photoshop CS5 called “Content Aware Fill”:

I was an intern at a photo restoration company back in 1995, when Photoshop came on like 20 floppy disks, and the computers could barely run it with their 12mb of RAM. I would have KILLED for a tool like this. The hours upon hours it would have saved me…

Fast forward 15 years to today. It’s now easier than ever to alter photos. In fact, it’s so easy a REALTOR can do it! If they have access to Photoshop CS5. That doesn’t mean that they SHOULD do it, but I have a feeling there may be some people that abuse this feature.

Your thoughts?