Real Estate Technology & Tools

Realtor Ben Townsend. I love modern home design especially now.            Modern Home Design: Sleek, Sustainable, and Timeless Living Spaces. Discover the essence of modern home design with our curated collection of cutting-edge architectural ideas. Transform your living space into a masterpiece of contemporary home aesthetics, blending minimalist elegance, smart functionality, and eco-friendly innovation. Our luxury home designs feature open floor plans, expansive glass windows, and premium materials like natural wood and steel, creating a seamless flow between indoor comfort and outdoor serenity. Looking for sustainable home solutions? We prioritize energy-efficient layouts, solar-ready rooftops, and smart home technology to elevate your lifestyle while reducing your carbon footprint... 03/24/2025

Most people know the benefits of Staging a home.  But what if the house is cluttered and needs to have things removed instead of added? Thanks to AI, now you can!I just tried this feature on  my new Matterport Pro3 camera and was amazed at how well it worked.I sold this home to them in 2001.  Now, it is time to sell it and move on.  He is in the process of packing, donating items and moving, so the home is definitely not ready to market or show.  However, it was a great opportunity to try this new feature "De-furnish".Here is what the home actually looks like:After you launch the interactive tour above, you should see these icons a the bottom of the screen.  Thanks to the "De-Furnish" feature, you can get a feel for what it will look like after all the boxes and furniture in gone.  Just... 03/22/2025

There’s no debating it; artificial intelligence (AI) is here, and it’s not going away anytime soon. We may very well be witnessing an evolution in technology that forever changes our lives, much like how the Internet did back in the 90s. While this may be an exciting concept to some, it is also a cause for concern and skepticism by others.No matter which side of the AI conversation you’re on, embracing the future rather than avoiding it will always be the smarter move. But how do successful businesses embrace something so controversial in a way that supports their efforts without alienating them from the AI opposition? By addressing the first and foremost concern related to AI use: is it taking away someone’s job? Therein lays the purpose of this article: to shift the AI conversation fr... 03/19/2025

After more than 24+ years in the Real Estate business and nearly 4000 Facebook friends", I hoped I would never be writing a blog like this......but here I am, heartbroken and hoping someone out there might have some advice or a contact that I haven't tried.Recently, my Facebook account was hacked. And not just my personal page, but my business pages as well that were linked to my personal account. These pages took years for me to build, nuture, and grow with past clients, sphere of influences, friends and family.  Lots of memories too!Whoever got into my account began posting inappropriate content, and I knew something was wrong almost immediately.  I wen through all the correct channels, I visited facebook.com/hacked, I submitted all the ID they requested and I followed every single st... 03/17/2025

The way real estate photography costs are calculated can vary significantly. Some providers focus on a per-photo price, while others consider the size of the property. This means that the final cost can be influenced by whether you're photographing a small apartment or a large family home. Additionally, the location of the property can also affect pricing, with identical properties potentially having different photography costs based on their state. The level of expertise of the photographer, whether an individual or a company, also plays a pivotal role.Key Factors Influencing Photography PricingA seasoned photographer with an impressive portfolio will likely charge more than someone just starting. Similarly, properties requiring many photos will naturally incur higher costs. Another fa... 03/16/2025

Enhancing Real Estate Photos: Essential Editing TechniquesReal estate photo editing is an absolute must in property marketing. By enhancing images, you can influence potential buyers' perceptions and engagement. Here are some key techniques to make your listings stand out.Retouching vs. Editing: Understanding the BasicsWhile the distinction between retouching and editing isn't crucial in practice, understanding the basics can be helpful. Retouching focuses on removing imperfections and modifying specific elements, while editing involves broader adjustments like exposure correction and color balancing. Both play a role in creating eye-catching property photos.Spot Removal: Cleaning Up Your ShotsOne of the most important techniques in real estate photo editing is spot removal. This method... 03/05/2025

Ever looked at a real estate listing and thought, "This place could look so much better without that clutter"? That's where item removal comes in. Think of it as digital decluttering – we're tidying up, but with pixels instead of a broom.The Nitty-Gritty of Digital DeclutteringNow, you might be thinking, "Can't I just use any old photo editing app?" Well, you could, but there's more to it than just erasing stuff willy-nilly. It's like trying to remove a stain from a shirt – do it wrong, and you might end up with a bigger mess. For instance, if you're not careful when removing a lamp from a bedside table, you might accidentally erase part of the table too. Oops!Tackling Common Editing HiccupsLet's talk about some bumps you might hit on the road to picture-perfect listings. Ever tried to ... 03/02/2025

Top 12 Apps for Homeowners and RentersMore than 77 percent of people own a smartphone.1 The average person checks their smartphone 46 times a day, with people under the age of 24 checking it an average of 74 times a day.1  We check it while we’re waiting in line and during our leisure time, whether we’re scrolling through social media, reading emails or getting up-to-date on the latest news. Smartphones are not only a useful tool for communication. With the following apps, you can get organized (whether you plan to buy or sell), save money, learn about the homes in your neighborhood and get inspired for your next renovation project.  If you are like 81 percent of people, you have your smartphone with you during most of your waking hours; let it help you stay organized and make your life... 02/28/2025

Dreaming of finding the one?🏡✨The first step to making it a reality is getting preapproved! 💵 It helps you understand your budget and shows sellers you’re ready to make a serious offer.Not sure where to start? I can connect you with one of my trusted mortgage loan officers to guide you every step of the way. Let’s make your dream home a reality!#thehelpfulagent #home #houseexpert #house #listreports #homeowner #househunting #realestate #a022725 #investment #realestateagent #realtor #dreamhome 02/28/2025

Why Having Strong Business Credit Is Crucial for Realtors (And How Alexa Business Coach Will Help You Build It)Alright, realtors—gather ‘round! I know you're busy running around, showing houses, sealing deals, and probably drinking one too many cups of coffee to stay awake (I mean, we’ve all been there). But what if I told you that there’s something extremely important that could take your real estate game to a whole new level?I’m talking about business credit. Yeah, I know—when you hear the word "credit," your brain probably starts to check out. But listen up, because having strong business credit is absolutely essential for anyone running a business, and if you're a realtor, it could be the key to unlocking massive opportunities.And before you think, “Okay, this sounds like a boring f... 02/26/2025

How to Use Your Business Credit to Finance Real Estate Deals (Without Selling Your Soul or Your Favorite Sneakers)Let’s face it: the key to growing your real estate business often boils down to one thing — capital. Whether you’re looking to buy your next property, renovate a fixer-upper, or even expand your team, financing is the name of the game. But here’s the problem: a lot of realtors rely on their personal credit to fund business activities, which can be risky, stressful, and, let’s be honest, pretty limiting.if you’re looking for guidance along the way, Alexa Business Coach is your go-to resource for making business credit work for you.But here's the good news: business credit is your secret weapon. By using your business credit, you can access funding that helps you grow without ... 02/25/2025

How Realtors Can Build Business Credit to Grow Their Real Estate Business (And Maybe Even Get a Pool in the Backyard)Alright, let’s be real for a second: real estate is one of the most rewarding yet complex industries to thrive in. Whether you’re flipping properties, helping clients buy their dream homes, or building a team of agents, business credit can make or break your success. If you're like many realtors, you might have been avoiding the topic, hoping it will fix itself. Spoiler alert: It won’t.But don’t worry. Building business credit doesn’t have to be intimidating, and guess what? It could actually be fun — or at least, it’s going to be worth it. And lucky for you, Alexa Business Coach is here to guide you through it with expert strategies that’ll help you level up your real es... 02/25/2025

Paint color can play a surprising role in the temperature and energy efficiency of your home.  It would be interesting to see some numbers here to see how much difference the color actually makes in temperature.  I do know that light colors just make a room appear brighter.  This temp thing is new to me.  It might be something to consider when selecting colors for specific rooms.Keeping sunrooms light and bright versus painting bedrooms or home theaters darker can create a balance between energy efficiency and comfort, as lighter colors help reflect sunlight and keep spaces cooler, while darker hues absorb heat and create a cozier atmosphere.What are your thoughts?#realestate #realestateagent #fhm225 #buying #selling #listreports #realestateexpert #financehub #homeowner 02/25/2025

AI: The New Wordsmith in Real EstateThe real estate industry is experiencing a significant shift, with AI taking center stage in crafting property descriptions. This technology promises to change how we present properties, offering improvements in quality, speed, and efficiency when generating listing content.NLP: The Engine Behind AI DescriptionsNatural Language Processing (NLP) is the cornerstone of AI's impact on property descriptions. This technology allows computers to understand and generate text that sounds natural and appealing. Real estate agents can now analyze vast amounts of data to create descriptions that appeals to potential buyers. Tools like Reonomy, Zillow, and Rex are already using this technology to automate various aspects of property marketing.Harnessing ChatGPT fo... 02/25/2025

The US Copyright Office has clarified that AI-generated content can receive copyright protection if a human substantially contributes to or modifies it.The update, “Copyright and Artificial Intelligence, Part 2: Copyrightability,” reinforces the principle that human creativity remains central to copyright law but reassures businesses that AI-generated content, including branding and media, can still be protected under intellectual property laws.The report follows controversies, such as rescinding copyright protection for Kris Kashtanova’s AI-assisted graphic novel. It confirms that copyright applies only when a human demonstrates sufficient creative control.Works qualify if they incorporate human-authored content, significantly modify AI outputs, or include expressive human contribution... 02/24/2025

Understanding Business Credit: A Guide for RealtorsIn the fast-paced world of real estate, maintaining a healthy financial profile is essential for business growth and stability. While most realtors focus on their personal credit scores, business credit plays a significant role in the financial health of your real estate practice. Whether you're looking to secure loans, manage business expenses, or expand your operations, understanding how business credit works can give you a competitive edge. See our Free Guide.What is Business Credit?Business credit is essentially the ability of your company to borrow money or obtain goods and services based on the company's creditworthiness. Unlike personal credit, which evaluates an individual’s ability to repay debt, business credit looks at the fi... 02/13/2025

   Virtual staging has transcended its initial skepticism to become a vital tool in real estate marketing, propelled by AI's advancements. This blog post delves into the nuances of two leading platforms, Virtual Staging AI and AI HomeDesign, providing a thorough comparison to guide real estate agents in choosing the most suitable service. While both platforms use AI to help agents with their listings, they differ significantly in user experience, pricing, and additional features.User-Friendly Platforms: Accessibility and ConvenienceThe ease of use is a critical factor in selecting a virtual staging service. Both Virtual Staging AI and AI HomeDesign boast user-friendly interfaces, allowing agents to upload photos and choose designs with ease. However, AI HomeDesign requires users to crea... 02/12/2025

(This was news to  me so I thought it was worthy to share. )Disclosure...No AI was harmed in the publication of this article.  I did use chat gpt to produce this image and has to convert it to a file type that AR would allow.  (just saying)Definition and history:  JPEG.  Developed in 1992 by the Joint Photographic Experts Group.  It is now considered the standard file type for use in digital photography.  Smaller image size with highest quality possible  -Images are quicker to load, share or down load.-Supports the complete color spectrum.- Minimum post production work is required.  - Does not support animation.  PNG.  Developed in 1995 as an alternative to GIF.  Portable Network Graphics.  originally called PING but that name never caught.  The basic rule is that PNG is best for graphi... 02/06/2025

How Realtors Can Use NAR’s Realtor Property Resource (RPR) Website to Price Homes More EffectivelyFor real estate professionals looking to take their pricing strategy to the next level, leveraging the right tools is essential. One of the most powerful tools available to realtors is the Realtor Property Resource (RPR), a comprehensive platform provided by the National Association of Realtors (NAR). RPR is a member-exclusive website that offers a wealth of data, analytics, and reporting tools that can help Realtors price homes accurately, track market trends, and make informed decisions.In this section, we’ll break down how Realtors can use the RPR platform to price homes more effectively.What is RPR?RPR is a data-driven platform designed specifically for Realtors. It offers access to a v... 02/10/2025

The Future of Real Estate: How Technology Will Transform the Industry in 2025 As of 2025, technology is rapidly changing the way real estate professionals operate. From AI-powered tools to virtual property tours, the industry is evolving at a fast pace, and those who adapt will be positioned for success. Whether you're an agent, broker, or real estate investor, staying ahead of technological trends is crucial for maximizing efficiency, improving client experiences, and staying competitive.Let’s dive into the top technology trends that will shape the future of real estate in 2025 and beyond.AI and Machine Learning: Smarter, Faster DecisionsArtificial intelligence (AI) is already transforming many industries, and real estate is no exception. By 2025, AI and machine learning will be a key ... 01/30/2025