John D Ambrogio

In this video, hear John Sable, Active Web, Boulder CO, discuss the web 2.0 environment and the way it affects how transferees search for properties. Hear how google has become even more important to the way people search.

John D Ambrogio

Dave Collins, Onboard , discusses statistical data and how that affects consumer lifestyle search in the real estate process. Hear him discuss how it drives people relocating to Chicago or relocating from Chicago in their search process.

John D Ambrogio

Or a twit?  Twittee?  Not sure of the proper name here.  HOWEVER, the point is if you’re relocating into our out of Chicago you really should ask your agent if they’re promoting your listing via social networking — Facebook (yes, my agents get leads on in, and the savvy ones post their listings and open houses there); syndicating your video tours to www.youtube.com; using Linked In (by feeding blog posts about your listings there) and finally - TWITTER.

It takes awhile to get over the self-importance one must place on themselves to write micro-blogs and send them to their “followers.”  However, the truth is - 11% of online American use Twitter,  according to a research report conducted by Pew Internet & American Life Project in December and released today. The number in November was 9%. In may it was 6%.  I wish my stock portfolio was showing those increases since May.

Someday we’ll chat about the really weird ones lik Hulu and Veoh.  By the time I write about those, they’ll probably me mainstream as well.

Kate Santo

John D’Ambrogio, Sharon Michnay and Pam O’Connor, veteran industry leaders in relocation and real estate (D’Ambrogio and O’Connor live in the Chicago area), were recently interviewed in RIS media for an article “Opening the Door to New Possibilities in 2009 and Beyond “ in which they commented on the changing face of real estate and relocation in a web 2.0 age.

D’Ambrogio on “google” - The first thing someone will do is Google us,” says D’Ambrogio, “so it is crucial to have a robust, content-rich website and ‘own’ that first Google results page. We tell our agents that they’ve been interviewed long before they’ve gotten the opportunity for that initial meeting with the client.”

Michnay on “blogging” - “It’s fun to read the blogs,” says Michnay. “It allows you to see the personality of the agents or executives, and that’s really the best way to build a relationship with the consumer during that phase and become the person they want to talk to and view properties with.”

And O’Connor on “customer care”  - “If you can get companies to utilize the customer care or corporate services departments, this generates more leads and allows agents to help their clients and not have to use their time to go out and prospect. It’s the ideal fit.”

To read the entire article, Click Here

“Opening the Door to New Possibilities in 2009 and Beyond “

John D Ambrogio

Inman News recently held their latest Real Estate Connect in New York City producing a lot of valuable information and quality lessons that we can all start to implement. In the coming week I will be posting some of the videos that I find most constructive and look forward to your input and thoughts as well.

How Internet Culture is Changing the U.S.

John D Ambrogio

My friend and colleague Dave Collins shared some eye-opening insight with his recent  blog post entitle “Imagine if you will” in which he discusses the not-so-imaginary concept of “lifestyle searching” in which the tail doesn’t quite wag the dog the way a typical search for Chicago real estate might pan out.

While there is obvious logic in basing your search upon price/size/etc. his point (which certainly will ring true for transferees) is that, even when guided by relocation counselors and co-workers, many transferees truly don’t know the areas they might want to focus on.  It’s ironic that he compares the “olden days” of the 80s as an approach we in the new millennium should be focusing on.

I look forward to reading beyond his teaser introduction blog post on this subject!  Since Dave represents onboard I have the sneaking suspicion we will hear a lot of good information about lifestyle search/mashing/and letting the lifestyle drive the search!

John D Ambrogio

Want to hear my opinion on technology and how it needs to be applied to real estate listings? Watch this video in which I discuss the importance of technology in the promotion of real estate listings. I discuss IPWs (individual property websites), mobile-enabled sites, uploading listings to social networking sites and blogging on listings.

What is your opinion?

If having trouble viewing, this video can also be viewed here.

John D Ambrogio

We are truly living in exponential times - Please click on this video  and think about a few of the facts presented!

Is there a market for relocation in Chicago Did you know that if you’re one in a million in China, you’re one in 1340 in the US?

Is there a market for relocation?

The labor department estimates that today’s kids will have 10-14 jobs under their belt by the time they’re 38! Why?  Technology’s growth, for one thing.  Consider that for students enrolled in a four year tech school - a full half of their education will be outdated before they graduate!

In the five minutes it takes you to watch a video on mtv - 67 babies will be born in the US; 274 in China; 295 in India…and 700,000 songs were illegally downloaded.

I think it’s time to buy some investment property!

Enjoy this Video!

John D Ambrogio

What should you look for when relocating? Obviously one of most important choices is your agent. A good “marriage” of client and agent is essential. But how do you do that? Most Chicago real estate companies have a relocation team that helps make that decision based on a phone or email consultation.

What about the back-end support that your agent will provide? Here are a few of the elements you should look for in your Chicago real estate company, whether you are looking for a home or selling your home
Consider their technology. Find a leader in marketing technology. Here is a sample of programs and support systems that you should look for:

A website that incorporates features that home buyers love, such as:
• Integrated map search
• Map local businesses and institutions with lifestyle mapping
• Save searches and receive email alerts
• Search quickly without registration

The website should also be able to viewed on mobile devices so you can call up listings while walking through the neighborhoods looking at properties. In addition, each listing should have its own website and has its own unique web address displayed on the ‘For Sale’ sign

All listings should be professionally photographed and quickly and automatically distributed to many different portal websites.  Ask you agent if they employ a comprehensive Search Engine Optimization program including adwords, keywords, metatags, blogs, and social networking ensuring that your listings are coming up first in web searches

In addition, make sure you agent has access to an ecommerce manager who can work with them on social networking, “eblast” programs & blogging to help you promote your listing if you’re going to be selling your property.

In Chicago’s competitive real estate market, make sure you have a relocation deparemant and agent that work for you!

John D Ambrogio

Many of us use LinkedIn and various other social networking sites because we hear it everywhere that we need to but do we really understand the value of it? Here’s a quick insight into LinkedIn to get you started.