REW website ordered! Ideas? What first?

Ryan Ward · 08:05 AM

I just ordered my website and I have not even received it yet and my head is spinning with delight. I would love to here some ideas. I currently have my homemade website (made in MS Publisher) at www.ryanwardrealestate.com. Something that I have been doing is to keep my virtual tours within my site as the FMLS allows generic virtual tour links. This has placed potential buyers directly on my website where they have access to my contact info plus landed them at my site. I don't know if I can keep doing that with my new site, but, I would love to here some ideas from others that have generated leads with unique ideas from your sites.

coastal · 10-20-2006, 07:24 AM

Quote:

I have been doing is to keep my virtual tours within my site as the FMLS allows generic virtual tour links. This has placed potential buyers directly on my website where they have access to my contact info

Is that legal? If they have access to your contact info it is not genaric.

I thought of doing the same thing but was pretty sure I would get in trouble for it.

Please someone else give your input. If I can do the same legally I certainly would like to.

Ryan Ward · 10-20-2006, 08:03 AM

Before I did this I called the FMLS and was told that I could. I just did a check in the rules and regs and it appears that you may be right. I may have to rethink this. This is what it says:

Virtual Tours must include only property information and may not contain any branding or self-promotion or links that take a viewer away from the original tour. Virtual tours that do not comply with FMLS rules will be removed and you will be notified by e-mail. Please refer to FMLS Rules and Regulations, Rule #12, for details.

I had not thought of this being a problem before. I guess it would have been better to check the rules and regs instead of just calling and aking someone. I guess you could still create a link in your site, but remove any links and my contact info. As transparant as our system is for buyers to obtain information freely, I guess I didn't see why it would be wrong to promote your own listings this way. In any event, I am not one to want to start a big fight about it so unless I can come up with a different way, I will have to go back to the traditional and boring VT. I saw one today that was a movie that came up in WMP and played a short video with audio about the property. At least it's not common.

coastal · 10-20-2006, 09:14 AM

If you want your own virtual tours on your site to be branded I believe it is fine. It's when you post them on the MLS with your contact info that it becomes a problem.

It's a little like have pictures of your for sale sign in the window in your MLS Photos. Not supposed to do it.

I did however create my own virtual tour company site and hosting for my virtual tours. It is in no way connected to my real estate sales sites. It allows me to keep track of how many people are viewing them. I can tell my sellers X number of people viewed their virtual tour that week. I can also see which of my competitors sites are using my MLS delivered virtual tour data.

judyo · 10-20-2006, 09:53 AM

One thing I've done to enhance REW's listings is use a little html in the listing description area to allow people to go to a calculator or the school search page for the particular town the listing appears in. You could also link to a map. I think REW is working on some of these links to be built in but I don't think it's ready yet.

webmaster · 10-20-2006, 11:35 AM

I am not sure if this is what you are referring to, but in the listings manager, there is a spot where you can enter the URL to a virtual tour and it will open in a new window

Ramia · 10-20-2006, 11:45 AM

Hello there
you have a nice website, I think you should have a map with your listing.
Maybe more information about the area is always helpfull!

Ryan Ward · 10-20-2006, 12:13 PM

Yes that is what I am referring to. As an agent, you can place the url for the virtual tour directly in the add/edit menu when you input listing photos. I put a url that linked to my website where I had a virtual tour....here is the url: http://www.ryanwardrealestate.com/in...463vthome.html
The problem as I understand, and it may be different for other mls's, is that it takes people away from there original search and onto my website. The FMLS says you can't advertise like this.The same way you can't have a picture of your yard sign or something like that in your regular photos. I thought it was brilliant - that should have been the first indication it would not work! Ramia, thank you for the compliment, but REW is putting together a new site for me right now. I can't wait.

judyo · 10-20-2006, 12:20 PM

That is one link you can use but I also add links in my listing description using html in the description (since it isn't the same kind of editor as the rest of the cms).

Fort Lauderdale · 10-20-2006, 12:39 PM

Quote:

in the listings manager, there is a spot where you can enter the URL to a virtual tour and it will open in a new window

Here is an example...http://www.johnsabia.com/details.php?mid=10
It took me time to realize that was there.

john

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