I am often asked what kind of computer I use/recommend.  For years I was a dedicated PC/Windows user and I have owned at least 15 laptops and netbooks over the past 20 years, from IBM Thinkpads (my first IBM Thinkpad cost me over $7,000) to many Dell Notebooks, Sonys, Toshibas, HPs and the list goes on and on.  Most recently I enjoyed a short stint with one of the Samsung Netbooks which gave me small form factor for traveling with great battery life but came at the cost of performance and speed.  Well for the past 6 months I have enjoyed an entirely new computing experience and that is using a MacBook Pro from Apple.  The primary reason I was drawn to the Macbook was my positive experience with the iPhone.  I bought my first iPhone the day it came out (June 27th 2007) and I have owned every new model and never been so impressed with a mobile phone (or mini computer for that matter).  Based on this positive experience I thought I would like to try the MacBook for my next laptop, the problem was as many of you, I was afraid there would be too many Windows programs I would need to run so for a year or so I just couldn’t make the leap.  Then I was on a flight and sat next to a gentleman using a MacBook and he was running Windows XP on it…..hmmm I asked him about it and he said there were still a couple of programs he runs in Windows but loved the MacBook and Mac OS for 90% of what he does so he installed Windows on his MacBook using a built-n technology on the MacBooks called “Bootcamp“.  He let me play around with his MacBook on that flight and I was hooked.  So for the past 6 months or so I have been using the MacBook Pro 13″ and I got to say it’s been everything I hoped it would be and more.  I find myself using Windows very rarely now but if need be I can boot into Windows XP or I recently I installed Parallels desktop for Mac and then loaded Windows 7.  So now I can be using the Mac and just pop open Parallels and run a Windows program (mls access with ie explorer etc) right within the MAC OS and it is very fast.  Awhile back I shot short Tech Tip video (edited on a Mac by the way, super easy) describing the MacBook running Windows I thought I’d share.

written by Max \\ tags: MacBook Pro, Parallels, Windows 7

If you use Craigslist.org you need to watch this video.  Many agents are using ads on Craigslist that are not really relevant to what consumers are searching for.  For example go to the real estate section on Craigslist in your local market and type in “has the market stabilized” or “price trends” or MLS stats” or “market update” think like a consumer not like a Realtor.  What do consumers want to know most right now?  In many cases they simply want to know that is it safe to buy.  Many people are sitting on the fence waiting for the “bottom” of the market do you have a system that automatically updates consumers and educates them on relevant market data that comes directly from your MLS 24 hrs a day 7 days a week?  If not you may want to look into “Market Snapshot” from Realtor.com and Top Producer.  This system delivers accurate MLS data on the market conditions direct from your MLS to the consumer (from you) and allows you to generate a consistent lead flow by offering this info to customers on sites like Craigslist, Facebook, Twitter, your website etc.  Watch this video for tips on setting this up on Craigslist.

written by Max \\ tags: craigslist, has the market stabilized, market snapshot, mlstrends, price trends