Tag Archives: information

gHomes Update #2

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Bright Water SchoolAbout a week ago, Google made an update to google maps (gmaps) which caused errors to my gHomes MLS Search (built on top of gmaps).

I finally found some time to get around to making updates to my coding so that my MLS search would work. In the process, I’ve streamlined the data conversion process, so that it now only takes me a few minutes a day (if that) to update the MLS. While the MLS search is not nearly as smooth as I’d like, I still think it is one of the most interesting ways to search the homes that are currently on the market.

The current version searches all the homes listed in the City of Seattle. I’m in the process of adding additional Cities and neighborhoods. I’d also like to add “sold” information, but that will also take some time. If you are interested in seeing where I’m going, check out:

http://raincityguide.com/ghomes

Put Yourself in Google’s Shoes

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Fixing the NetI found an excellent post where the author discusses the two methods for showing up high in Google search results. I agree with his conclusion that providing good content is a better (and more long lasting) approach than any attempt to “trick” the search engines. As a matter of fact, I would call that the guiding philosophy of this website. “Provide good content, and they will come!”

If you are thinking of starting a business-related website or blog, and you want to attract lots of hits to your website (why wouldn’t you?) I recommend reading this article:

Put Yourself in Google’s Shoes

The content based approach avoids all this hassle. You provide information rich pages which is what Mr Google and his searchers want. You join the synergy. Google is working for you, not trying to foil your latest trick.

Call for Guest Bloggers

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I had a brainstorming session with a mortgage broker this afternoon and we discussed all kinds of potential uses for generating leads on the web. I mentioned that I would be interested in having guest bloggers on my site who could give opinions on their particular area of expertise. Considering I haven’t held back in giving mortgage advice, I should at least let mortgage brokers get a word or two in.

My plan is to give a forum for real estate experts (mortgage brokers, title company representatives, contractors, etc.) to post articles (“blog entries”) on a semi-regular basis. If you fit into the “real estate” industry and would be interested in posting an article every once in a while, then email me with some of your ideas and I’ll create a username/password so that you can begin.

My requirements for posting articles are simple:

1) Post informative articles. Post that simply advertise your service won’t cut it. For example, from mortgage brokers I would like to see articles that are about current events or explanations (in plain english) of mortgage terms. Like why did the long-term interest rates go down right after the Feds recently raised the prime interest rates a quarter of a point? (I’ve got lots of other ideas, if you need some, just ask me!)

2) Work in the Seattle Area.

The main benefit of blogging on my site is that you can get increased exposure without having to build a blog of your own. (I’m starting to generate a significant amount of traffic and the site is only two months old!) Maybe you’ll find that you like blogging so much, you’ll start your own at some point in the future. Either way, you are welcome to test out the technology on my site if you are willing to add good content!

About Rain City Real Estate Guide

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Anna Luther's Sold SignHopefully you’ve noticed that this blog is not your typical real estate web site. I’ll try to answer some of the more typical questions I get here:

What is a blog?
Blog is short for “web log” and essentially, blogs started out as on-line journals. There is no fundamental difference between a blog and a website except that blogs are designed to be updated on a regular basis, whereas a typical website is not as easy to update.

Why did I forgo my website in favor of a blog?
I’ve always wanted a way to interact more and provide more timely information to my clients. The blog gives me a simple and effective medium with which to interact with you.

Another great feature of my blog is that it can be syndicated over RSS… Rather than describe this process, the end result is that you can read updates from my site directly on your “my yahoo” or “my msn” page (among MANY other RSS readers!). To add my site simply click on either of the two links:

  • add to My Yahoo!
  • my msn

Who writes on this blog?
All the entries are written by someone on my real estate team. You might have noticed that many of the blog entries are written by Dustin. Dustin is my husband and a vital part of the team. Dustin is also famous for using the “royal I” when blogging on this site. He feels no compulsion about writing things from my perspective and we’ve been married long enough that I can’t seem to stop him. 🙂

What am I trying to accomplish with this site?
There are two markets I focus on with this site: Buyers and Sellers!

For buyers, I will continue to add current information about the local real estate market and local neighborhoods so that someone who is moving to seattle will find this website informative enough that they will contact me when they are looking for an agent in the Seattle area.

For sellers, I will continue to post information about current home values and community news so that you will consider contacting me when you are looking to sell your home in the Seattle area.

Is there something else you’d like to see on this website? Just leave a comment and I’ll see what I can do!

About Me

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[UPDATE: The only piece of contact information in this post that is still relevant is my mobile phone number: (206) 251-3821. Everything else has changed in the past two years including my email: anna@raincityguide.com.]

A full-time Real Estate Agent with a keen attention to detail, I provide unparalleled service to both buyers and sellers in the North Seattle area. I’ve been fortunate enough to work with a variety of remarkable homes where my team members have been able to hone our Photoshop and brochure making skills.

Education and Training
As with many real estate agents, I took a circular route into the business, but now that I’m here, I couldn’t imagine working in any other field. Originally from Russia, I earned a degree in Chemical Engineering from the Urals State Technical University. Not really an engineer at heart, I worked for a while as a model and actress in Moscow before moving to the United States. Here in the U.S., I earned a Master Certificates in both Business Administration and Marketing from U.C. Berkeley. I worked for a while for a dot com before I found my passion of working with people in the real estate business.
[photopress:Dustin_and_Anna_on_greenlake.jpg,thumb,alignleft]
Professional Summary
Having decided to specialize in Ballard, I’ve found that tremendous reception to the services I provide. My goal is to always go above-and-beyond thereby earning lifelong clients.
One way I keep my clients happy is through my tremendously talented staff that excels at designing brochures, postcards, newsletters, etc. I also work closely with a professional photographer who photographs all of my homes. In addition, I have staff with extensive graphical-information systems (GIS) experience that ensures that my market analysis information is top-of-the-line.
From the overwhelmingly positive feedback I get from clients, I’m confident I’m excelling at synthesizing available technology with a personal touch. To find out how good a real estate agent can be, contact me!

Contact Information

email: anna@annaluther.com
mobile: (206) 251-3821
office phone: (206) 407-1000
office fax: (206) 407-1010

Anna Luther
Keller Williams North Seattle
12535 15th Avenue N.E.
Seattle, WA 98125

Testimonials

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[photopress:Aeri_and_Mari.jpg,thumb,alignright]Have you done business with me? I would really like to get some testimonials added to my site, but rather than do the traditional thing of writing them myself, I’m hoping that my clients and business associates will take the time to write their own. If you are interested, this is the place to do that!

None the less, I thought I would start off with one testimonial, just to get the ball rolling:

I was so glad that Anna took the time to walk us through the entire buying process. I have already recommended her to many of my friends! — Olga