Personal landing pages are becoming all the rage for real estate professionals. Services like DooID.com allow you to launch your personal landing page in just a few minutes. Once it’s active, modern-day technology allows your personal landing page to be virtually maintenance-free, pulling content from sources that you regularly use.
As you build your personal landing page, think about the kind of personal connection you want to make with your clients. Tell them about yourself: your hobbies, your family, your favorite restaurant, your favorite movie. Doing so allows your clients a peek behind the proverbial curtain – a look at the person behind the sign – so they see you as someone they can relate to.
These days, we’re connected to the world through multiple channels; your personal landing page can be a virtual contact list for you, linking your clients to you via Facebook, Linked In, Twitter, and email, as well as your office and cell phone numbers and office address. Each different point of contact allows you more opportunities to grow your list of clientele.
By setting up a personal domain (e.g. yourname.com), you appear more professional. It’s easier to build and maintain your “official” brand, linking to the companies and services that you personally trust. Your listings have a place here as well, staying updated through the services you setup at the start.
With a little thought and planning, your Personal Landing Page can become a powerful tool. By giving your past and present clients a way to stay in touch, you’re also growing your business and building a reputation as someone they like and trust!
There are more that 750 million people on Facebook. However, not every user has a full understanding of some of Facebook’s everyday terminology. Not understanding these key terms will leave users confused and nervous about navigating the Facebook platform. Use our glossary to help find your way as you explore the world of Facebook:
News Feed – Also known as the “Home page”. Facebook defines the News Feed as “the center column of your home page – a constantly updated list of stories from people and Pages that you follow on Facebook”. The News Feed includes friend’s and page’s photos, text updates, outside links to favorite articles, videos, etc. The only person who can see your News Feed is you!
Profile – The Profile allows the user to enter information about themselves, such as their birthday, where they are from, favorite movies, books, place of employment, etc. This information is all voluntary, but Facebook does require your full name and birthday. Your profile represents who you are, and, as stated in the Terms of Service, cannot be used for commercial gain.
Page – Pages, also referred to as “Fan Pages”, allow brands, celebrities, organizations and other entities to have a presence on Facebook. Pages are visible and searchable to the public. Any Facebook user can connect with a Page by clicking the “Like” button. If you “Like” a Page, you will then receive updates from the Page in your News Feed (or Home Page).
Wall – Every Profile and Page has a Wall. The Wall is a space where you or a Page share content with your friends or Fans. Friends and Page Fans also have the ability to post and share content on your Wall, unless you change this setting in your Privacy Settings. Posting on the Wall is one of the most popular forms of communication in Facebook.
Like – You can “Like” just about anything if it’s on Facebook! Clicking “Like” can connect you to a Page’s content. You can also “Like” specific pieces of content from your friends and Pages. Doing this allows you to stay connected to that piece of content’s particular conversation.
Status –“What’s on your mind?” Facebook asks this in the “Update Status” box on the News Feed and Profile of every user when logged in to the system. By updating your current status, you can start a conversation with your Friends about what you’re doing. By sharing a status, it will appear on your Profile and in the News Feed of your Friends. The, your friends can “Like” or leave a comment on your status, which can turn into a fun conversation.
According to the California Department of Consumer Affairs, the number one disagreement between landlords and tenants comes after the tenant vacates the property. The most common subject of that disagreement? Refund of the security deposit.
California law allows landlords to use a tenant’s security deposit for one of four things:
- Unpaid rent.
- Cleaning – but only to return the unit to the condition the property was in upon move-in.
- Repair of damages caused by the tenant or the tenant’s guests beyond normal wear and tear.
- And – only if the lease or rental agreement specifically stipulates – for restoration or replacement of furniture, furnishings, or other items (e.g. keys) beyond normal wear and tear.
Under California law, within 21 calendar days of the tenant’s vacancy, the landlord must send a full refund of the security deposit or provide an itemized statement of deductions from the security deposit with a refund for the remainder. Furthermore, the landlord must also provide copies of receipts (or good-faith estimates) for any repairs or cleaning necessary to bring the rental property back to the “original” move-in condition. All supporting documentation must describe the work, time spent, and hourly rate (the hourly rate must be reasonable). If estimates were provided initially, a tally of the final costs and any amount remaining should be sent to the tenant within 14 calendar days.
If a former tenant disputes the charges, the most prudent course of action is to review objectively and respond quickly. A steady flow of communication goes a long way. Know what the law allows and doesn’t allow, and you’ll avoid unnecessary disagreements.
For more information about this and other landlord/tenant subjects, visit the California Department of Consumer Affairs website at http://www.dca.ca.gov.
Many owners have made a commitment to reducing their carbon footprint, whether it’s through local source or conservation. But Bank of America’s intent to build a 52-story “eco-building” in Times Square strongly suggests that green building is now seen by big business as more than just image-friendly – it’s fiscally friendly, too.
The U.S. Green Building Council estimates that 10% of all new commercial construction received their Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification in 2010. A recent study of commercial property sales identified a commitment to green “redevelopment” by developers like Hines and the Durst Organization, as well as a contingent of real estate investment trusts (REITs). These groups have purchased partially-vacant or distressed commercial properties and renovated them to be green. The primary intent is to help the environment through lower emissions, and reduced usage of resources, but there is a real hard-money difference for such a venture. On average, the building owner can increase rents by about 3%; likewise, an increase of about 8% in a post-renovation appraisal isn’t too shabby, either!
At their eco-conscious corporate headquarters in Cambridge, MA., biotech firm Genzyme sees a 42% reduction in energy costs and a 34% reduction in water consumption over a “typical” commercial space. With green initiatives on the table at companies like IBM, Chase, and Johnson Controls, the trend is catching on in business.
As green goes mainstream, consumers will see the availability of more environmentally-friendly options. Likewise, developers will enjoy an improvement in their image – and their bottom line.
