The Malibu Real Estate Blog

Seeing that there were over 1000 page views on the blog today I’m going to break a story that I was trying to hold off on. I’ve got a new listing in Malibu, maybe, one of the nicest homes ever to be offered on the market. I’m working on the website now but will show a pic below. Here’s the news…The listing was given to myself and David Findley of Partners Trust because we absolutely understand, no, live, breathe, eat, and preach the real estate marketing revolution that is taking place online. We have 20-30 “new school” ideas, web marketing methods, and social media tools that separate us from the Realtorsaurus types mentioned here. One tool is Twitter. Not going to reveal too much here but if you want to watch what we will be doing, I’m going to invite you right now to follow the listing @villacascata. Watch, learn, and understand how Twitter is more than just a few words about what kind of coffee you are drinking.

Heading out on caravan right now. I’ll be posting thoughts on some of the Malibu homes for sale that I see. There are a few beach homes on Las Tunas and Carbon Beach that should be interesting. The blue box to the right is the live feed where you can follow me on Twitter.

Let’s face it, technology has drastically changed the way buyers search for real estate. Information is power. The serious buyer will use a multiple of tools to find a home, research value, and monitor price reductions. Used correctly, these tools will enable the buyer to be efficient, educated, and ready to buy when the time is right. Here are a few tech tools you should know about.

• Listing Book- This is what we call an automated “Drip” program that will send morning  MLS updates to a clients email. It also give clients full access to our MLS so you really can search like an agent would. If you are a computer/info junkie like me you likely wake up in the morning and get a quick dose of info for the day. My routine is to check email, look at any changes to all Malibu listings, read the Drudge report, and check weather and surf reports. People interested in real estate need to have a morning update that includes seeing all new listings and price reductions within the market they are interested in. The smart buyer these days targets a house, does the research, then sits back and waits for that morning update that says “$500,000 price drop” then goes after the property. This program enables the buyer to become aware of new listings or price changes within  minutes of the change . Email me if you’d like to sign up for this info. Click the contact tab above and tell me price  range ,type of home you need, and email and you’ll be signed up. You can even search for Malibu REO, bank owned, short pays, or probate sales.
• Blogs like this!-The point of this blog is to convey information to people that want to know about Malibu Malibu Real Estate. Real estate agents for the most part  area addicted to gossip and usually know important background information about a home. I may post an article about a great deal or best buy because I know that the owners are getting a divorce and have already purchased separate homes.  When I’m out on caravan this is the type of recon and info I gather  to make articles for the blog.
• RSS FEED-Instead of checking the blog randomly, why not get notified when there is a new post? That’s what an RSS feed is all about. I write a post about a huge price reduction, publish it, then you get an email alert about the new post. Again, using technology to quickly get info. subscribe to my RSS feed! If you have no clue what an RSS feed is click here for a quick video.
• Twittter- I’m using this tool to send out live updates about the Malibu Real Estate scene. If I get word of a price reduction or smoking deal on the beach I’ll send out a “Tweat” about it. Those that  follow me on  Twitter get the updates within seconds of them happening. See the little blue box to the right? That’s my Twitter Feed and where you can click to follow.

Bottom line…..use technology to get ahead of the curve instead of behind it.

I decided to sign up for twitter today to see if I like using it as a real estate tool.  The plan is to post instant news updates the second I hear about it. Every Monday my brokerage has it’s office meetings and lot’s of valuable information comes out of it. We discuss what the best deals on the market are, what amazing new listings are on the market, and what houses can be had at considerable discount. The Twitter app will allow me to post it to this blog and subscribers the the second it happens! I’m also going to do several live twitter posts as I roam from house to house on Thursday’s Caravan. 

I should have the plug-in installed later today so please check it out this week and let me know what you think!

Update! 9:30 pm….. I installed the Twitter app and can now post to the plugin on the right directly from my Blackberry! Check out the blog every Thursday while I post updates about homes seen on caravan and what I consider good buys in Malibu.