vow

For the real estate agent, it is crucial that your clients, and potential clients, be able to utilize the Internet to access real estate listings. Buyers’ first contact will usually be with the Internet - to your site. You want it to outshine the competition. Home buyers want the search for a new home to be relatively simple, and they want to be able to view many listings.

The successful real estate agent will allow their clients to view listings online by providing MLS listings through the use of a Virtual Office Web or VOW page. Basically, when a user visits your site, they will be given two options: register as a new user or log in as an existing user. A new user is required to enter basic contact information and the criteria for his first saved search. Upon registration completion, the new user becomes a “registered user” and is notified via email with instructions on how to activate and access the new account. You (the “Site Administrator") will also receive an email notifying you of the new registered user’s contact information and the details of his/her first search.

Once a registered user returns to your site and logs in, they are given a number of options for searching for a home. They can provide detailed criteria for home listings, save the searches, save favorite homes, and manage their profiles. It helps the new home shopper stay in control of their options by providing a valued service, free, and nurturing their desire to not only return to your site, but to contact you when they locate a listing that meets their needs. As new listings surface that fit the criteria the home buyer has outlined, the registered users will receive emails notifying them of the listing and providing a link directly to the MLS search listings. The home listing data is loaded via a direct data download from the MLS/IDX provider into a local database on a scheduled basis.

Registered VOW Users Screen Navigation Options

Perform Search: users can narrow search through specific home criteria, request information, view map, schedule a property showing, and much more.

Save New Search: users can save any searches, specified by specific search criteria, conducted for further reference.

Review Saved Searches: allows the user to return to formerly saved searches. It also lets users modify saved search criteria and delete saved searches.

Review Saved Homes: displays the users selected homes saved. Homes are presented in rows with the date saved, when information was requested, home details, and thumbnail on home. A link to the MLS listing is provided as well.

Featured Homes: featured homes which belong to the realtor are presented in much the same way as in the “Perform Search” mode.

Mortgage Calculator: allows users to perform basic principal, interest, tax, and insurance, or PITI, payment calculations.

Contact Us: registered users can email you directly. Fields are provided for the sender’s name, phone number, and email address in addition to space for a detailed message.

Log Out: a safe way for registered users to log out of the active session.

Edit Profile: registered users can modify their name, email address, phone numbers, and address. Anytime a profile is edited, you will be notified of the modifications.

Change Password: allows users to edit password information.

Site Administrator (the Realtor) Screen Navigation Options

As the administrator of the site, you will have access to a multitude of useful resources to help make your job easier. For instance, after logging in to the administrator section, you will be able to “search MLS listings” for homes with specific criteria. You will be able to add, edit, or delete virtual tour URL addresses and MLS listing numbers. This is a huge advantage to potential home buyers who want to see as much as possible before viewing the home in person. You will also be in control of the MLS numbers included on your “featured listings” page.

Fields for “new buyer” and “edit buyer” allow you to initiate contact with a new registered user and modify contact information for existing registered users. You can edit your own profile, as well, and change your password. Perhaps the most useful tools for the administrator are the “lead requests” and “send mass email” pages. The “lead requests” will display rows of the lead requests generated which includes the date initiated and contact information for the potential buyer.

Sign-up email and text allows you to customize text that is sent via email and that is displayed on the web page after a user registered into the site. The templates for these can be modified to fit your needs. You can even set it up so that whenever a potential homebuyer emails you to request information on a property an autoresponse is sent immediately.

The many options available to you allow you to completely personalize your site. It puts the reins in your hands, allowing you to customize your responses and provide an unparalleled service to your home buyers—so your web site is working even when you are not.

Log in: log in to the administrator section.

Change Password: change password to protect the security of your site.

MLS Search: perform your own searches.

Virtual Tours: add, edit, and delete virtual tours.

Featured Listings: add, edit, and delete information to be included.

New Buyers: provides information on new buyers.

Edit Buyers: edit buyers’ personal information.

Edit Profile: modify your personal and professional profile.

Lead Requests: displays rows of lead requests with contact information provided.

Send Mass Email: template allowing you to contact all buyers on your list.

Sign-up Email: Customize emails sent to each buyer.

Autoresponder: customizes emails sent in response to property inquiries.

Update Profile: update your own personal and professional profile.

Template Editor: edit any templates you use.

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