Homegain Coming On Strong!

(this was the only picture I got of Max at The Masters, the no-camera rule and crowds made it impossible, then the battery died as we were trying this at the rented house. It turned out awful -- but I thought I would put it up anyway -- it has sort of a weird effect)

I've been sworn to secrecy and threatened by a Max Attack if I reveal the new Homegain changes -- I was fortunate enough to have Louis call me today for a sneak preview of some changes at Homegain. I almost signed up on the spot.

I'll say this -- I believe the Homegain users will love the changes and potential users will be impressed. I was impressed. Mostly what impresses me, in spite of past bad experiences with lead sales gimmicks, is the true transparency Louis is providing through the Homegain model -- it makes no apologies for the model's purpose and users aren't tricked by the old bait and switch game. It's a clear connection between consumer and agent.

Agents who want a ready-made format for online marketing and lead generation are going to love the improved features -- some may even decide they don't need a website. I'm too much of a control freak to go that far, but for agents who don't want to bother with creating an online presence and marketing network, Homegain is a good way to quickly plug in and set up-- and the cost is very reasonable, maybe even less than a good website provider charges dpending on how fancy of a website you buy.

I feel like I should say something negative to provide balance but I really can't -- anything I can think of that would not appeal to someone like me who enjoys setting up my own network and lead system is already answered -- Then it's not for me, it's for those unlike me. For any seller and buyer who doesn't want to connect with an agent, it's already answered -- Then go somewhere where you aren't connected with an agent. It's pretty simple -- it's for agents who want it or need it and for buyers and sellers who want it or need it.

I can't wait to see the responses and all future developments. In my estimation, Homegain is going in the right direction.

Warning! Adult content

It takes a minute to upload. This was sent to me by an old colleauge in the mental health field.

TheWoodSpider

While the world crumbles, the stock market rises

The dow is up about 200, I'm getting leads and referrals left and right. Something's in the air.

Pat Kitano's Homegain Article: Hype or Results?

Pat Kitano wrote an article on Transparent Real Estate that proposes a question about image among real estate sites and uses Homegain as an example -- basically stating that Homegain is image-challenged due to negative association with web 1.0 lead generation companies.

There may be some truth to this, but Pat also recognizes Homegain's recent efforts aimed at utilizing web 2.0 functions. Louis at Homegain has the same ideas I do about web 2.0 regarding utility. It's one thing to create a web 2.0 "image" through language and marketing efforts designed to portray "cutting edge", and it's another thing to assess the utility of new ideas and functions as a business like Homegain should. There is too much hype and not enough show already among self-proclaimed web 2.0 players.

As a matter of fact, I'd be disappointed in Louis and Homegain if they went the "image" route just for the sake of image. I sort of admire the cautious, bottom-line approach of a serious business that says we will use what we think works  best for our company. Image without substance is enough of a problem without all companies prostituting themselves to the image-johns. I do agree, that image is important as long as the image truthfully portrays the substance.

Here's an image: a company that is dedicated to authenticity and consumer usefulness and satisfaction, maintaining profitability and the willingness to innovate. Novel idea.

Never should buzzwords and image cloud the issue of what's real. It seems like most consumers would be hip to hype by now, but the hype always works for awhile. It won't be long before there is a shakeout in RE sites and a separation of hype and substance. I think image is more than buzz, it's something tangible that companies build through results over a period of time -- it becomes the soul of the company. Does Homegain have a substantive business soul? I think it does. I've been impressed with the down-to-earth movement Louis is leading with the company. I've cringed a few times when he  beats up on Zillow a little too much -- I want to say "fugeddiboutit" (did I spell that write New Yorkers?) -- Zillow will either prove substantive and profitable or they won't. Plus, there's room for everybody and the business models are different.

The image opportunity I see for Homegain is the lead company innovator that moves beyond the first generation, learns from the mistakes made and becomes the quailty place for agents who are looking for an already-built site for managing online business -- and a place for consumers to hook up with agents. Call the tools and methods 1.0, 1.25., 1.5, 1.87 or whatever, if it works and seems like a good short and long-term strategy with no unintended consequences, then go for it.

I think what some people are looking for is the web 2.0 mindset -- are you one of us? Do you speak our language? Do you fit in our community? Are you politically, web 2.o correct? God forbid you be a free thinker and play outside the community guidelines or show any reactionary signs, holding on to old methods we abhor and don't approve of?

Louis might have to take a course in web 2.0 culture so he can speak the language and wear the right clothes and get in on the right community. I would teach you Louis, but I don't have it down myself. I'm still a lonely free-thinker that talks like a redneck and acts like a "bare-footed ragamuffin irreverant toward the 'truth' " (I forget where I heard that, but I'm paraphrasing). It's funny how the "new" online quickly becomes the status quo.

I'm just picking and having fun. I don't associate all these ideas to Pat's article, it just made me think of things I observe in online interactions in relation to "image".

It's all good, and we're all going somewhere, even if we don't yet know where.

Free Blogging Advice: Don't blog about Zoroastrians who grow beets in Kansas!

That is if you are a real estate blogger. I give credit to Mary -- http://www.rsspieces.com/wake-up-real-estate-bloggers-there-is-no-money-in-the-long-tail-of-search-for-niche-blogs-so-stop-chasing-it#comments

Other topics to avoid:

Eskimo lovemaking techniques
Blue raincoats
China's agriculture policies
Why smoking is so uncool
Jeremiah Wright's secret gumbo recipe
Why Ryan Seacrest is so short
Pubs to avoid in South Africa
Logical positivism as a means to sexual fulfillment
Why databases are useless to simians
Google search as a way to find God

Remember, a real estate blog should be about real estate, long tails are for big rats. :)