Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

I`ve been listening to the podcasts for a while and figured it was time to get in here and start chatting it up! Although extra time seems to be in short supply after starting my business. Being a sole proprietor and wearing all hats is definately overwhelming.

 

I do Virtual Tours for real estate and came to it by being a real estate agent myself and seeing a need and opportunity that could be accomplished with minimal start up costs.

 

I guess you could say I`m a casualty of the declining real estate market and that my expertise is with the real estate aspect of virtual tours and the photography aspect had to be learned.

 

Here`s a sample of my work just for good measure: www.onestoptours.com/media.asp?tid=1565

 

It`s good to be here and I hope to be contributing soon!

Nice to meet you. I`m pretty new here myself , just been chatting for almost a week now.

Welcome to the site.

AdsMaster

welcome to both of you!

 

let me know if i can personally provide any help/advice. and there are many others here (many much smarter!) who will likely chime in, too.

 

remember, tough markets like the phoenix real estate market create screaming needs for businesses and consumers. look around and LISTEN!

 

rich

A couple of suggestions....contact a couple of title companies, maybe one of the ones that you worked with in the past and see if you can partner up with them - - they may offset some of the cost.  Another thought...send out postcards to the owners of currently active listings that don`t have a virtual tour.  (If the title company can put their name on it you might get away with a nice card for very inexpensive - - I don`t know how RESPA applies here)  Provide them statistics of how important professional pics and virtual tours are.  I can`t imagine there aren`t stats at how many consumers DONT look at a house simply based on the pictures.  They will encourage their agent to order the Tour.  It is a fact that agents need to put out $$ to get these houses marketed properly.  I know it is tough when things are tight but it is a reality.

 

Like Craig said, price is the ultimate factor but pics and tours help A TON and I believe are critical! 

 

Good luck to you.  Next listing I will call you and give your name/number to my mom/real estate partner!