PropertyADD Newshttp://www.propertyadd.com/News from PropertyADDSat, 31 Jul 2010 15:32:16 GMT<![CDATA[June's Most Popular Modern Estate Agent Blog Posts]]>The top 5 most widely read Modern Estate Agent blog posts for June.

Here is a quick run down of the top 5 most popular posts from the Modern Estate Agent blog for June.

1) Gaining an unfair advantage on Rightmove
How some of the biggest agents are breaking Rightmove's rules, raising the profile of their own website in the process.

2) Idiot's guide to Facebook for estate agents
Paul Anthony from PropertyPal.com guest blogs on how estate agents can set up a Facebook presence.

3) Personal estate agents, child of our times
Industry pioneer Kevin Hollinrake, MD of Hunters Property Group and Co-Founder of Vizzihome, guest blogs on why he feels the personal estate agent model is THE industry growth area.

4) Estate agency goings on
Zoople announce a brand awareness campaign, just as "Rightmove" becomes a more popular search term on Google than "property".

5) Improving your estate agent boards
Ideas for improving the value of estate agent for sale boards.

The most popular posts from previous months can be found at:
http://www.squidoo.com/modernestateagent]]>http://www.propertyadd.com/--10031contact@propertyadd.comSun, 11 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT<![CDATA[Google Launches Property Search in the UK]]>Google have announced the much anticipated launch of their property search function.

Last week, Google announced the long anticipated property search function as part of the Google Maps product.

This is something we have referred to in previous company news articles, when we announced our data feed to Google Base in July 2009 and commented on the progress of Google in the Australian property market a few months later.

Now, UK home-hunters can start to see how it might work for them at http://maps.google.co.uk/realestate.



Despite our leading the way with feeds to Google Base, we're a little surprised by the immediate commitment from Google to back up their announcement. Until talking to a new client yesterday, we weren't expecting an immediate impact on the portal market from Google's announcements. However, they alerted us to the fact that Google are already beginning to integrate property results with their main search results, as well as advertising the new service heavily with Google AdWords.

This progress is the topic of today's Modern Estate Agent blog and shows the importance of being able to feed self-branded property listings that generate traffic for our customers' own websites, rather than via property portals such as Zoopla.



Please contact us if you would like to discuss using PropertyADD to market your properties more widely, including to Google.]]>http://www.propertyadd.com/--10030contact@propertyadd.comTue, 22 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMT<![CDATA[May's Most Popular Modern Estate Agent Blog Posts]]>A quick run down of the most widely read posts for May.

Here is a quick run down of the top 5 most popular posts from the Modern Estate Agent blog for May.

1) No Google Property yet then
Following James Bacon's talk at the PPS show in Birmingham, confirmation that we're going to have to wait a little longer before any news of a Google Property portal in the UK.

2) Rightmove Desktop - and the point is?
A look at the newly released Rightmove iPad app.

3) Are blogs worth the time and effort?
100 posts on, more concrete proof that blogging is a valuable marketing tool.

4) Improving your listings on Rightmove
Guest blog from Rightmove's Tim Muir on how estate agents can maximise the leads their Rightmove advertising delivers.

5) The trials and tribulations of recommending services
Claire Hose of move management company, MoveMinder, guest blogs on what estate agents must consider when offering referrals.

The most popular posts from previous months can be found at:
http://www.squidoo.com/modernestateagent]]>http://www.propertyadd.com/--10029contact@propertyadd.comMon, 14 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMT<![CDATA[PropertyADD Improvements Round-Up]]>Summary of the most recent improvements and additions to the PropertyADD system.

As ever, we continue to regularly update and improve the PropertyADD software for our customers. Here are just a few of the innovations to make it into the system over recent updates:

• Outlook calendar integration, in addition to the Google Calendar integration announced prevously.

• The ability to run an accurate pre-valuation applicant match based on an owner's expectation of marketing price.

• Support for businesses operating multiple brands within a single system, to handle franchises and customers running separate sales and lettings, new homes or prestige divisions.

• Functionality to power an applicant login area on your website, in addition to the vendor/landlord login areas previously available.

• A quick branch property browser, with filters and thumbnails.

Outlook diary integrationBrowse properties by thumbnail

• New activity summary screens for a quick single view of progress for properties and contacts.

• Several improvements to the PDF property particulars, which are winning a number of plaudits from customers.]]>http://www.propertyadd.com/--10032contact@propertyadd.comMon, 14 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMT<![CDATA[April's Most Popular Modern Estate Agent Blog Posts]]>A quick run down of the most widely read posts from last month.

Here is a quick run down of the top 5 most popular posts from the Modern Estate Agent blog last month.

1) Logo and colour choices for a start-up estate agency
A quick look at colour psychology and how start-up estate agents can use different colours to reinforce their branding.

2) Trending property portal brands
The truth behind the claims that the top property portals make on brand recognition.

3) The value of measuring estate agency KPIs
Training expert, Julian O'Dell guest blogs on the importance of estate agents using key performance indicators.

4) Why estate agents are problem solvers
A refreshing way to look at your business in order to better identify the questions your business is the answer to.

5) The value of an estate agency USP
Ideas on possible niches and USPs for estate agents.

The most popular posts from previous months can be found at:
http://www.squidoo.com/modernestateagent]]>http://www.propertyadd.com/--10028contact@propertyadd.comTue, 4 May 2010 00:00:00 GMT<![CDATA[Franchise Customer Wins Recognition]]>HomeXperts named best franchise under £10,000 by FranchiseSales.com magazine.

We're delighted to announce that one of PropertyADD's customers, personal estate agency franchise HomeXperts, has been named best franchise under £10,000 by FranchiseSales.com magazine.
HomeXperts Estate Agency Franchise

HomeXperts use a custom branded version of PropertyADD, an option available to franchises on any package, or customers using PropertyADD Plus. This helps them deliver the professional image that every good franchise needs.

Branded Estate Agents Software


Managing Director, Sussanne Chambers, told us:

As the fastest growing property franchise in the UK it has been important for us to partner with the right software providers to enable our franchisees to trade efficiently and effectively. The branded PropertyADD software has given us the professional image we require and the service and training we have received for the setup of each of our franchisees has been superb. Many thanks for your help.

A (rather large) scanned copy of the article is available here.

Congratulations to Sussanne, Brandon and the team from all at PropertyADD!]]>http://www.propertyadd.com/--10027contact@propertyadd.comTue, 6 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT<![CDATA[March's Most Popular Modern Estate Agent Blog Posts]]>A quick run down of the most widely read posts from last month.

Here is a quick run down of the top 5 most popular posts from the Modern Estate Agent blog last month.

1) Turning private sellers into valuations
Letting agents have been using local classifieds as a source of leads for years. Isn't it time sales agents started doing the same to fight back against for-sale-by-owner websites?

2) Why estate agents should use elevated photography in property marketing
How elevated mast photography can help agents overcome awkward to take photos, better illustrate a property plot and offer something that little bit different.

3) A good example of an estate agent canvassing leaflet
Difficult to get right, but an important part of an estate agent's marketing toolset, I analyse an impressive canvassing leaflet received this month.

4) Why you should mystery shop your applicant qualification process
Agency trainer Julian O'Dell explains how mystery shopping your branch staff can improve performance levels by measuring your application qualification process against his list of 22 key points.

5) 27 things the public want from the perfect estate agent
Extracted from an interesting conversation thread on the Money Saving Expert website forums, I list 27 things the public want from their perfect estate agent.

The most popular posts from previous months can be found at:
http://www.squidoo.com/modernestateagent]]>http://www.propertyadd.com/--10026contact@propertyadd.comThu, 1 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT<![CDATA[Partnership with Mintlocation Portal Announced]]>PropertyADD are pleased to announce an exclusive free introductory offer for customers looking to list their properties on the Mintlocation property portal.

We have this week agreed an exclusive deal with the up-and-coming property portal, Mintlocation.com. All PropretyADD customers are entitled to a no-obligation 6 month trial subscription at zero cost.

As usual, all properties will be fed to the portal automatically each evening, with absolutely no additional effort required.

Mintlocation.com property portal

Further information, along with a sign-up form, is available on the Mintlocation website here.]]>http://www.propertyadd.com/--10025contact@propertyadd.comWed, 31 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT<![CDATA[10 Industry Experts Predict The Future]]>Martin Smith joins nine others in LuvTheCity interview on the future of estate agents and the internet.

PropertyADD Director Martin Smith joined nine other industry experts to respond to LuvTheCity.com's questions on the future of estate agents and the internet.

Other contributors included:
  • Sarah Beeny, TV personality and owner of controversial private seller website Tepilo
  • Rosalind Renshaw, editor of Estate Agent Today
  • Duncan Dunlop, MD at Oodle
  • Angus Edy, Director of respected estate agency Movello

You can read the full article here.

]]>http://www.propertyadd.com/--10024contact@propertyadd.comMon, 15 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT<![CDATA[SQM Magazine Publish Director's SEO Improvement Article]]>PropertyADD Director Martin Smith has feature article published in industry journal SQM Magazine.

Back in early January, after publishing similar content on the Modern Estate Agent blog, we were approached by SQM Magazine and invited to write an article on how estate agents could improve their company's SEO and online profile.

That article appears in the February issue of the magazine and Matt Hull of DDGM has kindly sent us a PDF copy to include here.

Click the image below to read it!

]]>http://www.propertyadd.com/--10023contact@propertyadd.comWed, 3 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT<![CDATA[February's Most Popular Modern Estate Agent Blog Posts]]>A quick run down of the most widely read posts from last month.

Here is a quick run down of the top 5 most popular posts from the Modern Estate Agent blog last month.

1) The trick to gaining quality instructions
Julian O'Dell offers some thoughts on improving valuation meetings by swapping features for benefits.

2) 9 faults and fixes for an estate agent canvassing letter
Critique of a recent Cubitt & West canvassing letter.

3) Tips for estate agents looking to take better photos
Professional photographer Peter Lincoln offers tips on how estate agents can take more enticing marketing photos.

4) Uncovering the free tools that property portals offer estate agents
Selwyn Lim of Mouseprice.com describes some of the free productivity tools that property portals make available to estate agents.

5) ASBOrometer: the essential house-hunter tool for the iPhone?
A light hearted look at an iPhone app that made some waves!

The most popular posts from previous months can be found at:
http://www.squidoo.com/modernestateagent]]>http://www.propertyadd.com/--10022contact@propertyadd.comMon, 1 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT<![CDATA[Website Landing Pages to Improve Rightmove Featured Agent Advert Responses]]>How Inspire Estates are using a powerful interactive landing page with their Rightmove Featured Agent advert.

Many estate agents will have been approached by Rightmove with the offer of a Featured Agent advert by now.
Rightmove Featured Agent Advert
It's a powerful way to display your brand in an eye-catching position for property searches in your key local areas.

The big news is that for the first time, Rightmove is pushing traffic through to your company website in a pop-up window.

Like any online marketing, once you've managed to entice the visitor to click on your advert (bright and strong block colours seem to be having the most impact), you need to convince them that you offer the solution they have been looking for. In this case, that you are the best agent to choose in that area.

If you just send them to your home page, your sales message risks losing focus - and they will probably have to click again to find out about your brand and USP.

Forcing visitors to hunt around is a sure-fire way of losing them.

However, if you provide a custom 'landing page' which focuses your sales message specifically to the advert they have just clicked through, the potential for success increases massively.

When you are paying a substantial monthly fee to advertise and the audience is so well targeted, it would be a waste not to.

We discussed this with Inspire Estates when they signed up to advertise their brand on Pound Hill search results pages, suggesting using our photo slider technology to provide an interactive sales point slider.

The landing page continues the strong branding of the advert and conveys the top 6 reasons for choosing Inspire ahead of the local competition, with a solid call-to-action at the end.

We've always maintained that the main job of an estate agent's website is to win new business. This combination of advert and landing page is a good example of how that can be achieved.

It will be interesting to monitor how well Rightmove's new service performs and we hope to have some statistics to share in a future post on the Modern Estate Agent blog.

To discuss adding something similar to your website, please give us a call.]]>http://www.propertyadd.com/--10021contact@propertyadd.comThu, 11 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT<![CDATA[Google Property Portal Edges Closer. Is your Estate Agency Software Ready?]]>Google starts integrating its property listings in search results.

Google property portal offering has been quietly improving ever since we first offered a Google Base feed from PropertyADD back in July 2009.

The latest blog posting from Google Australia announces that they are now integrating their property listings with Google Maps search results - rather than forcing visitors to use the 'Real Estate' filter hidden away under the 'More' button.

How much longer before the listings start appearing in normal Google searches too we wonder?



Read the blog article from Google here.

Take a look at the promo video Google put together for their Australian launch:



Make no mistake, sooner or later Google intends to become a big player in the UK too. Your estate agency software should already be capable of feeding your properties to Google to make sure your business is ready to take advantage.

2009 was the year that Zoopla shook up the UK property portal world more than ever. Will 2010 see Google turn it up a notch?

Call us today on 0845 399 2394 to discuss switching your agency to PropertyADD.

Update: 03/12/2009 - There's lots of rumblings in the press today and the rumour is that we can expect Google's property portal to launch in the UK during Q1 2010.

Daily Telegraph
FT
Daily Mail

Rightmove's share price initially dropped almost 10% on the news.

Reuters

Update: 16/06/2010 - Google have finally released their property map search in the UK!

]]>http://www.propertyadd.com/--10020contact@propertyadd.comFri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT<![CDATA[Features Added in the Latest PropertyADD Update]]>Google Calendar and Twitter integration, property warning indicators, email address verification, internationalisation and much more!

Here at PropertyADD, you'll know by now that we are committed to constantly developing and evolving our estate agency software. As part of the latest update, a wide array of new features have been added. The highlights include:

• A Branch Portfolio Manager tool with intelligent property performance warning indicators.

• New Marketing Status and Performance Indicators screens in the property module, with traffic light style icons for ease of use.



• Google Calendar integration for staff diaries.

• Email address verification for contact records.

• Introduction of our new Clever Website Technology for improved search engine friendliness.

• Point of interest matching for proximity based searches (transport links, schools, etc.).

• Tweet this property Twitter integration.

• Internationalisation to allow marketing of properties in multiple countries, currencies and languages.

• And much much more!

If you are interested in seeing how PropertyADD can help improve life at your estate agency, call us today on 0845 388 2394.]]>http://www.propertyadd.com/--10019contact@propertyadd.comMon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT<![CDATA[Live Chat Software for Estate Agents]]>Integrating live chat technology into your estate agency website makes your business more contactable.

Matt Cousins from Inspire Estates - long time customers and development partners - gave us a call a couple of weeks ago. He'd seen an example of live chat software on the website of well respected agency Green & Co and wanted to have a go at integrating it into their own site.

We agreed that it was an idea with potential and, as you may have noticed, have now integrated it into the PropertyADD website as well.

Try the link below to start a live chat with us now and see how well it works for yourself.


Talk to us about our estate agency software online!


It took some time to find the right supplier for the technology, but we were very impressed with UK based Click4Assistance and, following an evaluation period, we have now agreed to act as resellers for them. This allows us to offer all customers the ability to add live chat options to their websites at very competitive prices.

For Inspire Estates, not only is there now a handy call to action at the bottom of the online particulars for each property, we're also going to be adding a similar links into their PDF brochures - and possibly their email footers too.

For those people who have jobs that make it very difficult to discuss properties on the phone during office hours, it offers a great alternative way to get in touch.

The easier you make it for your customers to talk to you, the better!]]>http://www.propertyadd.com/--10017contact@propertyadd.comThu, 10 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT<![CDATA[New Property Portals Added to PropertyADD]]>The latest upgrade of PropertyADD brings a number of new and exciting features!

As always, we have strived hard to add a number of new and useful features to PropertyADD in the latest regular upgrade.

• Maps can now be embedded in your property brochures.
• Feeds to www.home.co.uk and Google Base property portals are now supported.
• A walkthrough of property summary details when matching face-to-face with your applicants and tenants now exists. You can batch produce the brochures in PDF format afterwards too. (Plus only)
• Your PropertyADD system can now be locked down via IP so that access is only possible from known computers and locations.

A number of other tweaks make our estate agency software ever easier and friendlier to use as well.

Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions. We're always happy to help.]]>http://www.propertyadd.com/--10016contact@propertyadd.comMon, 13 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT<![CDATA[IE8 Support Added]]>Microsoft's latest version of Internet Explorer is now supported.

Microsoft have now begun automatically rolling out version 8 of Internet Explorer to all PCs running Windows XP or Windows Vista, as part of Windows Update.

We have completed our testing of the system using the new browser and are now happy to add support for it officially. Users who were previously making use of 'compatability view' in order to use PropertyADD with an early version of IE8 should now switch that off.

You can find out more information on the changes included with IE8 here.]]>http://www.propertyadd.com/--10015contact@propertyadd.comFri, 10 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT<![CDATA[Property Management Software Module Released]]>PropertyADD now contains a full lettings management tool.

We are pleased to announce that the latest version of PropertyADD builds on the existing lettings functionality by adding a full property management software module.

The functionality includes:

  • Tenancy records to allow storage of full tenancy information, including deposits and joint tenant details

  • Automatic production of standard documents and letters

  • A double entry financial system, including statement production

  • Encrypted storage of contact bank details

  • A maintenance issue tracking system and landlord preferred supplier listings

  • An inventory tool

  • A tenant referencing tracker and automatic creation of reference request letters

  • Utility provider and meter reading information

  • Property insurance details

  • Next of kin details


View the full PropertyADD feature list here.

If you are interested in reducing costs and complexity by running both your sales and lettings departments from a single system, please call us today on 0845 388 2394 to see how PropertyADD can help you.]]>http://www.propertyadd.com/--10012contact@propertyadd.comSun, 23 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT<![CDATA[PropertyADD Match Launched - Free Estate Agency Software]]>Free entry-level version of PropertyADD is launched

We are forever looking for ways that we can offer the estate agency world something a little different and we realise that times are tough, with agents looking to both cut costs and find efficiencies.

We are therefore pleased to announce that we are releasing a new version of PropertyADD specifically for estate agents who just need the basics, but need them done well.

All of the essential applicant matching benefits from our main versions are available, including the ability to send marketing materials via email and to mobile phones using SMS and MMS (picture) messages.

What's more, we're releasing and hosting the product as a FREE service.

See further information on our free estate agency software.]]>http://www.propertyadd.com/--10006contact@propertyadd.comSun, 28 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT<![CDATA[PDF Templates Added]]>Automatically generating PDF property brochures

PDF files became the de facto standard for sending documents electronically some time ago. Whether emailling property particulars to potential applicants or supplying print ready brochures to your digital printing bureau, PDF is the easy way for estate agents to go.

We've added two new features to PropertyADD to make producing PDF documents as simple as possible.

Firstly, it is now possible to create your own PDF templates through the admin area. You choose the page size, add the items you wish to appear and sequence them as necessary. It's a simple process, yet you retain full control over the page layout.

Secondly, you assign a PDF template against each property. A one-click process then merges the property data into the PDF template and produces your brochure in seconds.

There's no need to buy Adobe® Acrobat® and it's another brilliant time saver.]]>http://www.propertyadd.com/--10004contact@propertyadd.comThu, 1 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT<![CDATA[100% Uptime]]>PropertyADD achieves 100% uptime for the past year

At PropertyADD, we recognise that investing in an estate agency software service accessed over the Internet for the first time can be a concern for those who are used to physically installing software on the PCs in their office.

We fully understand that reliability is everything to our business. That's why we invest heavily in our hosting infrastructure - and use active monitoring tools to ensure that our service is available.

Third party statistics prove that PropertyADD had 100% uptime between March 2007 and March 2008.

We hope that this helps to reassure you that your business is safe in our hands!]]>http://www.propertyadd.com/--10003contact@propertyadd.comMon, 31 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT<![CDATA[EPC Charts Added]]>Easily produce EPC charts for property particulars and your website!

In order to prepare for the introduction of the delayed HIP regulations, PropertyADD now boasts full and integrated support for EPC chart production.

From the 1st of August 2007 owners of four bedroom and larger properties in England and Wales will need to arrange for a Home Information Pack to be prepared before putting their homes up for sale. Smaller properties are expected to be subject to the same rules shortly afterwards, as the number of accredited energy assessors increases.

A key element of the HIP is the Energy Performance Certificate which must be the first document in the pack after the index.

The two graphs from the EPC (energy efficiency rating and environmental impact rating) must be included in the property particulars. The government has also encouraged the display the EPC ratings on agency websites.

Energy Performance Certificate Asset Ratings

No matter what happens regarding HIPS, with PropertyADD you can at least feel 100% prepared]]>http://www.propertyadd.com/--10008contact@propertyadd.comTue, 6 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT<![CDATA[Location Mapping Added]]>Help your applicants pinpoint each property!

The latest release of PropertyADD now includes location mapping for your properties, powered by Microsoft® MapPoint®.

You choose whether you want to make a map available on a property-by-property basis, with full integration into both the PropertyADD software itself (for staff to use if necessary) and the property details on your website.

Save your applicants the trouble of running a post code through an online mapping website and give them with the facts they need at their fingertips. It's another thing that your vendors will appreciate too - proving that your estate agency is willing to go the extra mile. ]]>http://www.propertyadd.com/--10009contact@propertyadd.comThu, 4 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT<![CDATA[UK Postcode Searching Introduced]]>Creating contact and property records just got a whole lot easier!

As of the latest release, PropertyADD now includes integrated postcoding - saving you time and money and improving your customer service.

Your staff can now find an address based solely on its postcode, or add a missing postcode based on a part address. It's as simple as picking from a dropdown list of available options.

Potential applicants and vendors will appreciate the ease of adding themselves to your database through your website and embarrassing addressing mistakes will become a thing of the past.]]>http://www.propertyadd.com/--10010contact@propertyadd.comMon, 1 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT<![CDATA[Appointment Directions Added]]>Making life easier for your applicants

The latest version of PropertyADD includes a much requested feature - directions to properties on all calendar appointment confirmation emails.

Utilising Microsoft® MapPoint®, your applicants can now see the property on the map using your website - and then get turn-by-turn directions on how to get there!]]>http://www.propertyadd.com/--10007contact@propertyadd.comTue, 31 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT