Technology Terms Go Mainstream

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“handyman special”

“Crowdsourcing,” “mouseover,” “big data,” “redirect” and “e-reader” can now be found in the latest edition of the Oxford English Dictionary. Other new terms such as “fiscal cliff”, “pay day loan” and “handyman special” also made the cut. If any of these sound unfamiliar, full definitions are below:

crowdsourcing, n.
The practice of obtaining information or services by soliciting input from a large number of people, typically via the Internet and often without offering compensation.

mouseover, n.
The action of moving the pointer on to an element of a graphical user interface or web page; an event (esp. a visual change) triggered by this.

e-reader, n.
A hand-held electronic device used for reading e-books or other text in digital form, esp. one intended primarily for this use; (also occas.) an application designed for this purpose.

pay day loan n.
Chiefly U.S. a type of small, short-term loan at a high rate of interest, typically used by borrowers to cover expenses while awaiting their next wages.

fiscal cliff, n.
A situation in which a particular set of financial factors causes or threatens sudden and severe economic decline.

big data n.
Computing (also with capital initials) data of a very large size, typically to the extent that its manipulation and management present significant logistical challenges; (also) the branch of computing involving such data.

handyman special n.
Something, esp. a house, which is in need of repair or renovation and is therefore offered for sale at a reduced price; a ‘fixer-upper’.

How to Remove Unnecessary or Unwanted Personal Data Online

The rise of social networks, smartphones, and consumer reviews means a lot more of data about “you” is now online. Maybe you created a Myspace account before Facebook came around. Maybe you want your blog to be the first thing that comes up when your name is typed.

Whatever scenario you find yourself in, Account Killer gives step by step instructions on how to clean up old accounts and data. The website also grades how hard it is to remove your data. Give it a try.

account-killer

iOS7 – Coming to an iPhone Near You

On Apple mobile devices, iPad and iPhone, the operating system is called iOS. The current version is iOS6 but Apple just announced iOS7 – which is a complete overall. The video below was played during the Apple press event this morning. We recommend starting the video at the 1:45 mark to skip the flowery visionary fluff.

Patent Trolls Are BAD for Real Estate & the Economy

Troll Under BridgeThis week the White House Press Office announced that President Obama is appointing a task force to tackle the growing problems surrounding high tech patent issues.A report on Patent Assertion and U.S. Innovation cites that of the less than 2,500 patent cases filed in 2006, 19% of them were filed by Patent Assertion Entities (PAEs), also called patent trolls.That’s a not very nice name for persons or entities who aggressively pursue alleged patent infringers, even though they themselves have no intention of manufacturing or using the patented invention. Patent trolls often purchase a patent from a bankrupt company or a patent owner who has lost interest. By 2011 patent trolls accounted for 45% of 3,700 patent cases. In 2012, the case number grew to over 4,700, with 62% filed by PAEs.

Real estate practitioners are heavily invested in the use of patented technology. We assume that the entities who provide those technologies have thoroughly investigated the patents. In 2009, NAR and Move.com settled with a patent troll, CIVIX, on a patent based on Internet search techniques used on Realtor.com. In 2011, NAR brokered a settlement with CIVIX for $7.5M, on that same patent, for a suit filed against MLSs, Realtor Associations, MLS vendors, Brokers and Agents. The settlement broke down to $9.06 per Subscribers nationwide.

Patents are good things because they reward innovation and create jobs. Estimates set the cost of patent trolls on US companies in 2011 at over $29 billion. The recent Smart Phone Patent Wars have left some companies spending more of patent ligation than on research and development. In the end, we’re all hurt, because, in addition to stifling innovation and job creation, all those expenses get passed on in the costs of goods and services.

Exciting Things Happening at ARMLS

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ARMLS headquarters Tempe

With sales volume nearing a record high, there’s a chance you’ve missed some of the things happening at ARMLS.

Sales Year Over Year
Sales were up 11.8% in May 2013 compared to May 2012. May’s figure (9,436) is the highest since June 2011, when sales hit a record 11,125, the highest sales figure of the decade. You can find more market stats in the June Issue of STAT.

Billing shut-offs are coming
While this is not exciting to anyone, we don’t want to see Subscribers lose access to flexmls and the lockbox system for nonpayment of annual Subscriber fees. Go to http://www.armls.com/payfees, log in and you’ll see an open order if you have yet to pay.

G. William James coming to Phoenix for a special ARMLS event
He’s one of the leading training professionals for handheld computing and mobile technology in the United States for real estate and we’re hosting him on June 24 & 25. On each day G. William will present two sessions – Mobile Technology Solutions & The Google Universe Workshop. This event will sell out. See full event details or register now.

Attack of the Real Estate Photo Drones?

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Photo courtesy SkyCam USA

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Photo drone being used to take real estate photos

Just when you’ve mastered your smartphone to take listing photos, a new technology is springing up in MLSs across the country – flying photo drones (see more drone real estate photos here, scroll down after the jump). Unlike drones being used in the military, these are small GPS / radio controlled helicopter style drones, missiles not included.

Many come with specialized software to aide in photo taking “Our muticopters are GPS Enabled with position hold and fly to way point ability all viewable on a 3D map with preflight planning and mission simulation via Google Earth. With altitude, speed, distance and other relevant data,” says SkyCam USA, a leading real estate photo drone company.

The FAA and local police departments are taking notice. Privacy advocates are also up in arms. The LAPD recently released a statement warning real estate agents on the use of drones:

“We are just trying to inform the public to ensure that before hiring these companies to operate these aircraft in federal airspace, that they are abiding by the federal regulations to ensure safety,” said police Sgt. George Gonzalez.”

What do you think of aerial drone photos? Would they benefit Buyers and Sellers?

Phoenix’s Future and Pretzel Logic

A recent article in Business Insider, fortified with data from Case Schiller now owned by Corelogic, named Phoenix as #11 among the 15 cities expected to have the worst housing markets for the next five years. It further went on to name the 14 best housing markets for the next five years, and included Tucson and Yuma. The inclusion of Phoenix among the worst strains credulity, and perhaps was arrived at using some dark and sinister pretzel logic.

Pretzel logicOther data regarding Phoenix points in a different direction. The Bureau of Labor Statistics in March ranked Phoenix as 19th among unemployment figures for large metropolitan areas. The May issue of STAT cited a 50.53% rise from the bottom in the average sales price, and a 58.82% increase from the bottomed out median sales price, These are among the best pricing recovery statistics nationally. Data supplied by The Information Market, considered by some to be the gold standard for local publicly recorded real estate data, tracks a declining trend line of foreclosures pending since its high of 50,568 in November 2009 to 9,424 in April. Steep declines in foreclosures pending reflect a return to normalcy and a dilution of the influence of distressed properties on the real estate market. Recently Phoenix was named No. 8 among America’s fastest growing cities.

Is Phoenix among the cities cited to have the worst housing markets over the next five years? . . . nope, we’re just not buying it. What’s your take on Phoenix metro over the next five years?

Why Do You Keep Screaming at Me? REAL ESTATE and CAPS

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ON THE INTERNET, TYPING IN ALL CAPITAL LETTERS IS CONSIDERED SCREAMING OR YELLING. IT IS ALSO VERY HARD TO READ. THE WAY CONSUMERS VIEW LISTINGS HAS CHANGED. AN OLD CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING TRICK WAS TO USE CAPS TO HIGHLIGHT IMPORTANT FEATURES, AND THIS CARRIED OVER TO PUBLIC REMARKS. THE IDEA OF STANDING OUT WITH CAPS MAY NO LONGER BE EFFECTIVE. WHAT ARE YOU THOUGHTS?

HERE ARE SOME COMMON PRECONCEPTIONS PEOPLE HAVE WHEN THEY ENCOUNTER MESSAGES IN ALL CAPS:

  1. THE WRITER IS YELLING AT THEM.
  2. THE WRITER IS ANGRY.
  3. THE WRITER IS TRYING TO DEMAND ATTENTION.
  4. THE WRITER HAS A LACK OF SKILL WITH TECHNOLOGY.

CAPS ON THE INTERNET ARE ASSOCIATED WITH NEGATIVITY:

BAD-REVIEW-CAPS
(YELP REVIEW)

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