Two More Blogs That Are Worthwhile Reading…

I posted a previous blog entry on blogs and sites that I like.  Here are two more cool blogs relating to real estate:

http://realestatemarketing.wordpress.com/
I like the non-technical approach that this blog owner has and the focus on realtors. The fact that blog regularly discusses applying popular web 2.0 functionality in a manner that drives business is encouraging.

http://develisland.wordpress.com/
A great startup technical blog looking at alternative spatial methods for displaying realty information. The geek in me gives this site a definitive "two thumbs up".

Though not specific to real estate sales, this was my favorite real estate blog posting for the week

Real Estate Blogs and Sites

Since putting up our prelaunch site, we have had many emails and followup conversations with interested customers. Thank you for your emails and kind words of encouragement.

"What do I read in terms of real estate?" seems to be a very common question. My day starts between 3:30-4am, of which I dedicate the first hour to 90 minutes reading a few technical blogs (if interested, blogs like Raymond Chen, Rick Segal, Guy Kawasaki, Mini-Microsoft, and Robert Scoble) and the following attention-grabbing things going on with real estate:

REAL ESTATE BLOGS

http://houseblogger.typepad.com/
Houseblogger is a great marketing blog for real estate agents. I'm not an agent nor do I play one on TV so I've learned an incredible amount from this real estate marketing expert

http://walkthrough.nytimes.com/
Though very New York focused, I love reading this blog. It is the New York times after all. And, if the quote is true that every needs to live in Manhatten at least once in their life, this blog will at least let you "live there" vicariously.

http://www.twincitiesrealestateblog.com/
This blog is a shining example of providing information and building a community around one's real estate business

REAL ESTATE SITES WITH WONDERFUL FEATURES

In order to understand the real estate space, I've likely been to more than 1000 real estate websites over the past 6 months (or at least it feels like more than a thousand). Language and location were not limiting factors. There really are some sites out there for customers…the below list is only a tiny fraction of the sites that had interesting features. The listed are in no particular order and, be forewarned, some of the sites are completely awesome in every way but others have a particular feature that I noted.

http://www.c21bj.com/
This site from China displays Chinese real estate at its finest.

http://homes.newsday.com/newsday/index_quicksrch.jhtml
This site is Long Island, New York focused. I like that they have school report cards, crime statistics, etc. integrated as part of their search results.

http://www.mybuddyshouse.com/
This is a rentals focused webpage… but I absolutely love the look and feel as well as the maps. This is one of the pages that I like to use as a great example of the level of quality that is available right now to the public interested in homes.

http://www.ired.com/asia/japan.htm
This site is actually more of a directory site that a real estate site per se (and not one of those Adsense filled sites either). Clearly compiled with a loving hand, I've only linked to the Japan page, the worldwide link is http://www.ired.com/int/. I particular like the playful cultural information and that the site does an effective job at preparing users for sites that are in different languages.

http://www.umbriangarden.com/
This Italian website has what I would expect from a quality real estate site in Italy. I also like that they have a US office with a US telephone number, operate in a number of languages, and have cultural information about the areas within which their properties are located.

http://www.slowtrav.com/france/planning/real_estate.htm
Though not a real estate site per se, this site has boatloads of helpful about the overall process of buying real estate in France and specific easy-to-understand helpful tidbits of information for the foreign buyer.

http://www.realestatelatino.com
One of the growing number of professional websites for the spanish speaking market in the US. They have a broad range of information and are working to build a community with their forums…nice.

http://www.realcrete.com/
They provide fairly comprehensive information about the purchase process, building proceduress and building specifications. This is sooo important for foreign buyers

http://realestate-tokyo.com/
A broad range of information for foreign buyers in Japan is presented on this site. Information include things as varied as schools lists and emergency telephone numbers. This is a very nice information packed site.

What real estate sites do you find interesting and why?