Facebook App for iPad for Real Estate Agents

Facebook finally released an app for the iPad in the App store — and so far I really enjoy it!

It is set up in a similar fashion to the twitter for iPad app, which I enjoy more than the regular website. It makes conversations easier to follow!

One thing I really like is the availability to “like” comments on posts, not just the posts themselves, like on the iPhone app.

One thing I *don’t* like is that so far I haven’t been able to tag people in posts to reply back to them. Hopefully this is just a temporary thing, since this is one of the big things I love about facebook in general.

I just tested chat, and that works. It looks like a text message conversation on an iPhone rather than chat — you don’t see real time when people are typing. You have to check your chat area up in the left hand corner for responses, from what I can tell.

It is great for real estate agents who have iPads to be able to use them more effectively to communicate with clients, family, and friends.

Have you tried it? Are there issues you have trouble with? What modifications do you think we will see rather quickly?

Facebook Dangers in Buying a House

You’re a Towson homebuyer, and you’re very excited about the house you saw yesterday.

You post on facebook about how you think you may have found the house of your dreams.

20 people comment, congratulating you.

Two happen to be friends with the seller’s listing agent.

That person (the seller’s listing agent) sees their comments.

You, Mr. Towson Homebuyer have just lost your negotiating power with the seller, because the seller now knows just how badly you want the house.

What many people don’t understand about Facebook and other social networking sites, is that what you may think is private can end up not being so. Whatever you put out there, even if just for your “friends”‘ or “family” can end up in someone’s hands that you didn’t intend. Many times it won’t affect you, but in situations such as buying or selling a house, it truly can.

So when you see that house of your dreams, try to keep it in or call your friends until you’ve settled, and the house is yours. It will be even more exciting then — and it will be YOURS!

For more advice and professional service buying a Towson house, contact me. I’d be thrilled to help!

Lenders Using Facebook and Twitter for Borrower Information

Lenders are using Facebook and Twitter, plus other social media sites, to find borrower information to decide on whether they will provide them with funding.

It doesn’t appear to be happening widely in the home mortgage world yet, and lenders must be very careful not to violate the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

As the Huffington Post reports,

RapLeaf said its analyses were not used for credit decisions. Lending Club said it does use information from social networks–but “only to confirm people’s identities and minimize fraud.”

This may be true, but if you lose your job and put it on Facebook, they can find that. Keep in mind, though, that if your circumstances change from the time you apply to the time you close, (i.e. you lose your job), you must notify your bank immediately, because you will not want to be committing mortgage fraud — unintentionally or not.

What this shows is that any information you put out on social media networking sites can be seen anywhere. Even if your privacy settings are high, some of your information can still be viewed. Always be careful what you put on Facebook and other sites. Be careful!

Real Estate Agent Social Media Networking Presentation for Women’s Council of Realtors in Baltimore

Thursday was a wonderful day — great weather, great people, and I had a blast presenting at the Greater Baltimore Board of Realtors (GBBR) to the Women’s Council of Realtors (WCR) on social media networking for real estate agents.

I was asked to present based on my experience and success using social media to enhance my Towson real estate business.

The four networks I discussed were Facebook, ActiveRain, Linkedin, and Twitter.

Although I also actively participate on Trulia and Zillow, I only had 20 minutes to present! On May 21, 2009, I have been asked to present a follow up because there was so much interest from the Baltimore realtors.

I met some fantastic people, and enjoyed speaking with many of the attendees afterwards. I am looking forward to the next presentation, and will also be teaching another 1.5 CE credit course on the same topic for GBBR on May 28, 2009.