Posted by Paul Adler on Thu, Jul 26, 2012 @ 01:39 PM
http://rismedia.com/2012-07-24/12-go-to-apps-for-real-estate-professionals/
[1]A few weeks ago, I wrote an article titled “Enough Already” that received a lot of great feedback from so many of you. My basic premise was that many people are spending so much time trying to learn the seemingly endless amount of new technologies that come out that they are not spending enough time actually growing their businesses.
To be clear, I am not anti-technology. I think there are tools out there that can be your best friend as an agent – if you make it a point to implement them. For this week’s article I have asked my good friend Jeff Lobb to give me his top 12 go-to apps for real estate professionals. Jeff is the VP of Technology & Innovation at Exit Realty Corp. Intl. He speaks to real estate agents all over North America on how to better use technology within their businesses and is an expert in the field.
Below are the 12 apps that Jeff recommends. My favorite by far is “CamScanner.” You will never have to go back to the office and fax or scan something again. Check it out – it is amazing! Enjoy.
Realtor.com - This is the go-to search app if you don’t have your own branded app, useful for both consumers and agents. Its mapping features are awesome and you can “draw” a circle around your desired neighborhood to find all the homes for sale within it. The app has competitor information so make sure that you utilize the “Send to Agent Feature.” Once its activated, all your clients home inquiries go directly to you.
Evernote – This app is the external brain for every busy professional. Checklists, photos, audio, shareable notebooks, document importing, and its cross-platform synching make managing your business a snap.
OpenHome Pro – This is an iPad only app. It has an incredible feature set for doing consumer open houses, broker opens and marketing homes to open house guests – and guests love completing mini surveys and registering on an iPad. It’s great for getting contact information.
iAnnotate – This is my favorite PDF app – take notes, sign contracts, highlight and take notes.
Pixeet 360 Tours – Free iPhone app but a lens kit is needed, which can be purchased at www.pixeet.com – create easy and free interactive 360 tours with built in Google maps and augmented reality. It’s gorgeous when played on an iPad. The Android app is coming soon.
BombBomb – Templated Video Emails with great tracking capabilities. This app is an extention of Bombbomb.com – amazing customer service.
Homesnap – Take a photo with your iPhone and instantly get public data, approximate value and info about any house with this free app. This app is an absolute game changer.
Zillow – Your clients are using this one and so should you. It includes prior sold information, mapping and agent information.
Flipboard – This is one of the favorites for busy people. You set up your account with all the social media streams and blogs that interest you and flipboard brings it all into a beautiful magazine format so you get all your info in ONE place.
CamScanner – Need to scan something on the road? Use this app to do it. Instantly turns the photo into an emailable pdf document – very useful and accurate.
Trulia Apps – Trulia is available for Droid & iPhone – but as of right now, Trulia Rentals and Trulia Agent are iPhone only. Trulia’s app suite is part of the arsenal. Trulia’s consumer app is a handy search tool with geo-locating features. It’s excellent with rentals – it geolocates all rentals in a particular location with pricing and listing info – and allows agents to access their Trulia Profiles and Lead Center for free from whereever they are. Never miss a free lead again.
Instagram – Photo-sharing at its best – with a basic photo editing feature set – this app instantly uploads to Facebook, Flickr, Twitter, 4Square and several other social networks.
My advice is to pick your top 5 and see the difference they make in your business!
Fop more information on Jeff Lobb, www.jlobb.com [2].
Jared James is the CEO and Founder of Jared James Enterprises, an internationally sought-after speaker and trainer. James built one of the fastest-growing real estate teams in the country, was inducted into the International Hall of Fame for one of the world’s largest real estate companies and wrote a best-selling book—all before the age of 28. As an acclaimed speaker, James keynotes events for major real estate organizations and conducts regular webinars and training for nationally known organizations like NAR, CRS, Yahoo Real Estate,Trulia and Zillow Academy and blogs regularly for RISMedia.
To stay in touch with Jared James, visit www.facebook.com/jaredjamestoday [3] and www.twitter.com/jaredjamestoday [4] or visit his website at www.jaredjamestoday.com[5].
Posted by Paul Adler on Wed, Jul 18, 2012 @ 02:53 PM
There’s been much evolution of thought during the decade-long-plus discussions to replace the Tappan Zee Bridge. Ambitious plans to overhaul the whole Interstate 287 corridor — principally by including rail or “bus rapid” transit with the new span — receded in October, when Gov. Andrew Cuomo unveiled plans for a scaled-back (and much cheaper) bridge, one designed to accommodate mass transit in the future but featuring neither bus-rapid transit nor rail at the start.
Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino has taken heat for changing his views on the project. His spokesman, Ned McCormack, told the Editorial Board that he doesn’t see Astorino’s opinion as changing, but rather “exercising due diligence.”
Astorino has applauded the governor for moving things forward, McCormack said, and “if the governor was in (Astorino’s) shoes, he’d be asking the same questions.”
As the plans for the bridge have dramatically changed, plenty of opinions on the project have evolved.
Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino
“My pledge to Gov. Cuomo is that I am ready to stand with him. I am willing to invest whatever political capital I can bring to getting a new bridge built. ... The first rule is that we must have a plan that is practical enough to actually get the bridge built. Commuter rail trains over the Tappan Zee would be great to have. But how realistic is it to add $6 billion to a $9 billion project, when we don’t have the first $9 billion?” — Astorino during a June 23, 2011, speech to the Manhattan Institute’s Forum on Replacing the Tappan Zee Bridge.
“He’s got to say, ‘Enough is enough. Put the pencils down and let’s build a bridge.’ ” — Astorino during a July 2011 news conference, where he called on Cuomo to move forward with a scaled-back bridge, engineering it so that rail or bus rapid transit could be added later.
“I’m concerned that, at this point, there is no money set aside for bus rapid transit off the bridge and that there (is no) design for light-rail for commerce and or for commuter rail to get people to and from (work).” — Astorino during an October 2011 Q&A with Westfaironline.com, after Cuomo’s scaled-back plan was revealed.
I don’t think it was an outlandish request to get some information before I have to vote on such a huge project.” — Astorino on July 9, 2012, as he, Rockland Executive C. Scott Vanderhoef and Putnam Executive MaryEllen Odell called for delaying a key vote on the project.
“We can do this in stages, but let’s make a commitment to do it and let’s do it, as opposed to let’s pretend we’re going to do it and never get it done, which is really the direction the state would be going in if we don’t make a commitment from day one.” — Astorino on July 11, 2012, explaining that he wanted assurances from Albany that mass transit would be part of plans for the new crossing.
Rockland County Executive C. Scott Vanderhoef
“I think the overriding theme … is that this is not about the bridge. It’s about mobility for the entire 287 corridor for both Rockland and Westchester.” — Vanderhoef in July 2007, calling for a comprehensive approach to the region’s bridge and mass transit challenges.
“You can’t just throw a bridge down there and say we’ll build the rest of it later.” — Vanderhoef in October 2011, after the Cuomo administration announced plans for a scaled-back Tappan Zee project, without immediate plans for bus rapid transit or rail.
“Government is renowned for changing the promises it makes for the future.” — Vanderhoef in December 2011, expressing skepticism about plans to build a “transit-ready” bridge now but only adding bus or rail later.
“(Vanderhoef) simply wanted to delay the vote because he felt he didn’t have the information that he needed to vote on this important issue. It’s a $5 billion project.” — Vanderhoef spokeswoman Sue Cerra, on July 6, 2012, after Vanderhoef, Astorino and Odell delayed a vote by the New York Metropolitan Transportation Council.
“Given the current information and the ongoing discussions, I think I would vote in favor of moving forward.” — Vanderhoef on July 11, 2012.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo
“You know what I say, ‘Build the bridge. Build the bridge.’ … I don’t want to hear why we can’t. I don’t want to hear about the problems. If that was the attitude, this state would never be this state.” — Cuomo in November 2011.
“If the county executives are each willing to write the state a check for $1 billion for construction and over $100 million for operating costs, we will move forward with (bus rapid transit). If not, the governor is committed to building a new Tappan Zee Bridge that ends a decade of delay and puts tens of thousands of New Yorkers back to work now.” — Cuomo spokesman Matthew Wing in December 2011.
“The new Tappan Zee Bridge will be built with a dedicated express bus lane (during the peak morning and evening hours).” —http://thenewtzb.ny.gov,the project’s website, and New York Thruway Authority spokesman Andrew O’Rourke, confirming an announcement by the governor’s staff on June 28, 2012.
“The new bridge will be built to last for at least 100 years, and include eight general traffic lanes as well as additional wider lanes that would accommodate a pedestrian-bike lane, emergency breakdown lanes and a dedicated bus lane.” — New York State Thruway Authority Executive Director Thomas Madison, in a July 11, 2012, letter to The New York Times.
“(We’re) starting a whole outreach program, to talk to the issues, even if we say, ‘We don’t know yet.’” — Cuomo to the Editorial Board June 29, 2012.
Business Council of Westchester President/CEO Marsha Gordon
“A crucial element of this east-west rail transit system is a direct connection between Orange and Rockland counties and Grand Central Terminal via the Metro-North Hudson Line. This new commuter rail system (represents) the best means to eliminate congestion and improve air quality along the I-287 corridor.” — Gordon, in a March 26, 2006, “Community View” co-written with Catherine Nowicki. The two served as co-chairs of the Westchester-Rockland Tappan Zee Futures Task Force.
“We need to think in a visionary way, and we have to forecast not what we need to build today but where we need to get tomorrow.” — Gordon in July 2007.
“The (Business Council of Westchester) stands behind Gov. Cuomo’s commitment to building a new Tappan Zee Bridge. … We agree that a bridge replacement, as presented, will provide a safe, structurally sound crossing with needed width, strength and components to accommodate all forms of mass transit for both the near- and long-term. The bold plans we have before us will get the bridge we need built today for the safety and security of our citizens and create tens of thousands of much needed jobs for our region.” — Gordon in January 2012.
Rockland Business Association President/CEO Al Samuels
“The business community of Rockland implores you to come up with a vision for tomorrow that includes a new bridge and commuter rail.” — Samuels in February 2008.
“Anyone who wants to add to the cost of that bridge is an obstructionist.” — Samuels in May 2012, responding to calls that mass transit should be part of the new bridge from the beginning.
“This bridge cannot be preserved in perpetuity. It must be replaced.” — Samuels in July 2012.
Journal News/LoHud.com Editorial Board
“With an eye on the emerging needs of east-west as well as north-south commuters, we think that two plans hold the most promise: either a commuter rail or bus rapid transit system stretching across the whole 30-mile corridor from Suffern to Port Chester, feeding into existing north-south rail links and crossing a new bridge.” — March 2008.
“The smartest (transit) options were Bus Rapid Transit or Commuter Rail. We got a little of both … the bus option may offer the flexibility — and least disruption to property owners — needed to create new transit stations along a tight I-287 corridor.” — September 2008.
“Mass transit needs to remain a part of the solution.” — October 2011.
“Gov. Andrew Cuomo has pledged a bridge design that will accommodate mass transit later. ... It’s too early to make that compromise. … Just like the first one, a new Tappan Zee Bridge can transform the region, if it can support smart growth. Cuomo should aim higher and seek funding for mass transit in tandem with the new bridge.” — January 2012.
“A true mass transit system — even bus rapid transit along Interstate 287 in Westchester and Rockland — would take years to plan. … The Cuomo administration should be talking more about how a transit system could be built, even if it’s much further down the line.” — July 2012.
Posted by Paul Adler on Wed, Jul 11, 2012 @ 11:21 AM
ROCKLAND COMMUNITY FOUNDATION WELCOMES PAUL ADLER TO ITS BOARD OF DIRECTORS
ROCKLAND COUNTY, NEW YORK - The Rockland Community Foundation is pleased to
announce that Paul Adler has joined its Board of Directors. Paul is a native of Rockland County,as well as a veteran commercial real estate and creative development professional.
"We're pleased to have Paul on our Board of Directors," says Rockland Community Foundation
President Patrick Byrne. "His extensive businesses and civic experience will provide great
guidance to help the Foundation grow, which in turn will support much needed programs."
Paul has been extremely active in the community over the years, as a member and officer of
numerous government, public, civic, charitable, and professional organizations. In honor of his
commitment to bettering the lives of Rockland County residents, in 2011 the Rockland
Development Council named him Philanthropist of the Year. Additionally, Paul received the
President's Award for Service to the Rockland Business Association at their 2012 Pinnacle
Awards ceremony.
Paul has already taken a very active role as a board member. He sums our mission succinctly:
"The name Rockland Community Foundation really says it all. Rockland is where we live &
work, community is what defines our quality of life and the Rockland Community needs a strong "foundation" to build a bright future."
To learn more about the Rockland Community Foundation and its programs, visit
www.rocklandgives.org
About the Rockland Community Foundation
The Rockland Community Foundation is a registered, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation governed by a local Board of Directors and an Advisory Board comprised of community leaders. The Foundation’s mission is to improve the quality of life for all people in Rockland County by increasing charitable giving and connecting donors to community needs which they care about most.
For information contact:
Susan Lynne
(845) 947-2868
slynne@rocklandgives.org
A community foundation offers donors many services and benefits by working with families,
individuals, attorneys and estate and financial planners to design gift plans that fit every economic situation. If you are interested in creating a fund and would like more information, please contact us at:
845-947-2868 or info@rocklandgives.org
The Rockland Community Foundation
P.O. Box 323, New City, NY 10956
845-947-2868
info@rocklandgives.org www.rocklandgives.org