April 2005 Newsletter

America is the land of opportunity.  Everyone can become a taxpayer.

ADVANCED ACCESS Offers FREE VIP PASS for
NAR's Midyear Expo in Washington, D.C.

Thousands of real estate professionals will meet in Washington D.C., May 11-13, 2005 for the National Association of REALTORS® Midyear Legislative Meetings and Trade Expo.  The Expo will be held at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, D.C.

You are cordially invited to attend the 2004 NAR Midyear Trade Expo - FREE OF CHARGE, compliments of your friends at ADVANCED ACCESS.This VIP Invitation entitles you to free admission to the REALTORS® Midyear Trade Expo where you will discover the latest innovations in real estate products and services.  The Expo brings the industry's most technologically advanced products, ideas, and applications to you.  Do not miss out on the opportunity to learn about new tools and techniques that will keep you one step ahead of your competition. 

If you're planning to attend the meetings and Expo this year, be sure to stop by and visit us - we'll be in Booth #812.  Several of our sales representatives will be exhibiting at the show and we always enjoy meeting and getting to know our clients at these events. 

Here's how to get your free pass to the Expo:  Simply print out the VIP Invitation, fill it out and FAX it back to NAR at the designated fax number.  Or, you can register on-site by bringing your completed invitation to the Registration Desk located at the Marriott's lower level. 

And, as a special bonus, if you introduce us to someone who purchases one of our products, we will present you with a FREE GIFT, and we will add a month of hosting to your contract with us.

Looking forward to seeing you at the show!

NEW Virtual Assistants Added to ADVANCED ACCESS VA Network

In January we unveiled our official ADVANCED ACCESS Virtual Assistant Network, to provide you with a resource for expert assistance to help you with administrative tasks so you can focus on selling real estate.  Since then we have added several new Virtual Assistants to our resource page, and we invite you to review them at your convenience.

We asked our current Virtual Assistants about their experiences working with ADVANCED ACCESS clients, and thought you might benefit from some of their responses.  Our Virtual Assistants have been able to help ADVANCED ACCESS clients in many ways, including:  

  1. Improving the overall look of the website - changing style design, coordinating the look and feel of all the pages, adding graphics and slideshows
  2. Website assessment, recommendations on changes and add-ons needed to maximize Internet presence
  3. Regular website maintenance
  4. Listing coordination - adding listings to websites, Realtor.com, MLS, enhancing listing descriptions, enhancing photos, visual tours, creating flyers and postcards
  5. Researching and adding IDX links
  6. Lead Management - responding to leads, adding to spreadsheet and campaigns
  7. Writing custom website content
  8. Developing an overall marketing plan and budget
  9. Creating marketing materials to promote your business and website
  10. Search engine optimization
  11. Recommending other services available through ADVANCED ACCESS
  12. Recommending and evaluating products/services from other companies such as HouseValues, e-neighborhood, etc.

Marilyn A. Bennett, from EVS, says the key to a successful VA relationship is communication.  "I always make a connection via telephone to discuss my client's thoughts for improving their websites.  Once we have had a discussion, I email my contract and I start my preliminary research for neighborhood links, and other links to create "stickiness" to keep the consumer coming back.  I am diligent about being prompt, and communication is key.  I request feedback from my clients during the process.  I want my professional endeavors to be just as rewarding to my clients as they are for me."

As Kathy Goughenour, of the Goughenour Group, says, "Why waste time learning marketing and the details of enhancing and maintaining your website?  Real estate marketing and ADVANCED ACCESS website enhancement is my specialty.  When you work with me, you add a real estate marketing expert to your team. "  

Mary Salewske, from On Demand Business Services, suggests "...that every REALTOR® try to find a VA that is a good fit for them.  Using a VA will help their business run much smoother and they will find they have more time to be out selling houses instead of sitting behind their computer, which will in turn lead to being more productive in their business."

When you use the services of a qualified Virtual Assistant, you will save yourself time, and the result will be a marketing plan tailored specifically to your goals and budget. 

Each Virtual Assistant on the list was screened and interviewed by our ADVANCED ACCESS staff to confirm they were experienced in the real estate industry and knowledgeable in our Classic PackageTM 3.0 product.  Referrals were forwarded to us by a variety of ADVANCED ACCESS clients, and after an extensive review process, we created our official Virtual Assistant Network.  The costs for our Virtual Assistants vary, and each has different skills and specialties, so feel free to give them a call to find your perfect match.

Please note that although we have made every effort to screen each candidate carefully, ADVANCED ACCESS cannot make any guarantees regarding the Virtual Assistants listed above, and cannot be held responsible for the outcome.   We recommend that you contact several Virtual Assistants to find the one who "fits" your personality and business style the best.  Our goal is to help you make your website the best it can be, and we hope our Virtual Assistant Network will be a valuable resource for you in the process.  The Key to Your Success - is Our Service.   

AA Marks 2 Year Anniversary with On Board LLC

ADVANCED ACCESS recently acknowledged our two-year anniversary of our partnership with OnBoard LLC.   During that time, our two firms have partnered to provide valuable real estate-related data and content to our growing roster of approximately 30,000 ADVANCED ACCESS clients.

OnBoard LLC works with clients across the real estate industry to integrate community, school, neighborhood, home sales and other information tools with their consumer and professional Internet products.

Currently, OnBoard provides in-depth school and community information to ADVANCED ACCESS which we in turn provide to you as part of our Classic Package 3.0™ Website program. The comprehensive School Information allows visitors to view virtually all public and private K-12 school data and compare information about any school in the country. The Community Profile Information provides demographic and environmental information, including age demographic, environmental evaluation, wealth and crime statistics, and much more. The enhancement also includes free lead generation forms.

"ADVANCED ACCESS is pleased and excited about our current working relationship with OnBoard, and looks to the future success of our current partnership with much anticipation," stated Justin LaJoie, Director of Technology for ADVANCED ACCESS. "School information remains a key factor to consumers who make home-buying decisions based on the educational resources available in a certain area, and the services that OnBoard provide certainly complement our client's Websites, and the natural fit continues to be a valuable benefit to all of our clients."

 "Real estate professionals today want high-quality, easy-to-access data, information and other content on their Websites," said Marc Siden, CEO of OnBoard LLC. "We are proud to work with ADVANCED ACCESS to provide their clients with a single-source solution that meets the needs of information-hungry consumers while providing real estate professionals with the tools to attract and convert customer leads."

ADVANCED ACCESS Finalizes Agreement
With Oregon Association Of REALTORS® (OAR)

ADVANCED ACCESS is happy to announce that we have finalized an agreement with the Oregon Association of REALTORS® (OAR).  The Affinity Program Agreement designates ADVANCED ACCESS as the preferred provider of Website services to more than 14,000 OAR members statewide.  The Oregon Association of REALTORS® is the twenty-fifth largest State Association in the country and the agreement now establishes formal strategic partnerships for ADVANCED ACCESS with a total of six State REALTOR® Associations throughout the country. 

In addition, ADVANCED ACCESS currently holds agreements with three of the top five largest statewide REALTOR® Associations in the United States.  Current "preferred provider" agreements are in place with the Florida Association of REALTORS®; the Illinois Association of REALTORS®; REBR (Real Estate Business Resources) a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Kansas Association of REALTORS®; the New York State Association of REALTORS®, and the North Carolina Association of REALTORS®. 

Jenny Pakula, Deputy CEO and Assistant General Counsel for the Oregon Association of REALTORS® stated, "We are looking forward to a successful partnership with ADVANCED ACCESS and are pleased with the quality and quantity of products they have to offer our members."

"This agreement marks the sixth state REALTOR® Association with which we have entered into a formal agreement, and we feel very privileged that the leadership of the Oregon Association of REALTORS® has recognized ADVANCED ACCESS as a preferred provider of Website technology products," stated Mark Gilmore, Vice President of Affinity Programs for ADVANCED ACCESS. 

The Oregon Association of REALTORS® (OAR) was established in 1932 to organize the real estate profession in Oregon.  Today, the Association is the REALTORS®' real estate business advocate, a force for education and a legislative advocate for free enterprise and private property rights in Oregon.

Oregon REALTORS® serves more than 14,000 members in thirty-one Member Boards/Associations.  The Association's core purpose is to advance the ability of Oregon REALTORS® to practice the real estate profession in an ethical, profitable and successful manner. 

REALTORS® Tsunami Fund Raised More than $1.5 Million

REALTORS®' generosity will help rebuild homes-and lives-for tsunami survivors.  REALTORS® and friends have contributed more than $1.5 million for the REALTOR® Tsunami Relief Project, a drive that will help more than 1,000 of the 25,000 families displaced by the December 26 tsunami move from temporary camps to more permanent housing.  By the end of February, nearly 6,500 individuals, associations, and companies had contributed to the fund, helping best a $1 million goal NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® President Al Mansell had set January 18.  

Mansell says contributions are still coming in, even though the association formally ended the effort February 28.  Based on calls and e-mails to NAR, he says, he expects donations even through April, noting "Our members have responded beyond expectations."

One hundred percent of the contributions to the REALTOR® Tsunami Relief Project will be used to help Habitat for Humanity International build transitional or "core" houses for those who survived the tsunami. The rebuilding money has been designated for India, the Sumatra region of Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.

ADVANCED ACCESS is proud to be a part of the Tsunami Relief Project along with our valued clients. 

Calling All Websites - Calling All Websites...

ATTENTION ALL FLORIDA ASSOCIATION OF REALTOR® (FAR) WEBSITES!

All ADVANCED ACCESS clients who are also members of the Florida Association of REALTORS® are reminded about this year's 7th Annual Florida Realtor Magazine/Florida Real Estate Headlines Website Contest.  The annual event has opened nominations, and ALL entries must be received on or before WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1ST, 2005.  Categories include either the Sales Associate Category or the Real Estate Company Category.  The contest's panel of distinguished judges will pick 10 winning Websites in each category based on content, value to the users, ease of use and mechanisms for effective lead generation.

To enter your Website TODAY, you only need to e-mail the Internet address of the Website, together with the name, company and phone number to:

FLRealtor@far.org

All entries need to specify whether they are entering in the Sales Associate Category or the Real Estate Company Category.  Winners receive two round-trip airline tickets (restrictions apply) to anywhere in the continental United States and are profiled in a future issue of Florida Realtor Magazine.

Questions? Contact Doug Damerst, Editor-in-Chief for Florida Realtor Magazine, at (407) 438-1400, Ext. #2322, or be e-mail at FLRealtor@far.org.

ADVANCED ACCESS Promotes Upcoming e-PRO® Events With InternetCrusade®

ADVANCED ACCESS and InternetCrusade® -- an industry leader in electronic publishing, e-Mail solutions, web hosting and training - is taking this opportunity to remind our many clients that ADVANCED ACCESS  has been named as one of its recommended vendors for website development to its 60,000 plus customers and clients.

In keeping with this special relationship, the staff here at ADVANCED ACCESS wanted to remind real estate professionals that they will be hosting educational events throughout the country during the upcoming year, and two of those special stops will be held in the Southern California area on Monday and Tuesday, April 25th and 26th.

"The biggest differentiator in today's highly competitive website development industry is customer service, said Saul Klein, President of InternetCrusade. "Over the years, ADVANCED ACCESS has demonstrated a consistent ability to provide outstanding service to their clients. That is why we are proud to recommend them to our e-PRO graduates." 

The two FREE 90-minute technology programs are entitled "e-PRO Workshop."  Many new e-PRO students are referrals from existing e-PROs, and not only will attendees learn about e-PRO, the only Technology Certification Program approved by the National Association of REALTORS® and offered entirely online, but they will also pick up some valuable technology tips that will help them increase their earning power immediately.

In California, the on-line e-PRO course is approved for 12-hours of continuing education credit.  e-PRO is also recognized for elective credit in the designation requirements for CRS (Certified Residential Specialist), ABR (Accredited Buyer Representative), and CIPS (Certified International Property Specialist). 

They will be offering those who attend a $60 discount for signing up at the event for the online e-PRO course ($359 value).  All existing e-PROs (and those currently enrolled in the course) who attend and bring a guest will receive an e-PRO pin ($25 value) 

Here are the locations, dates, and times of the events.... 

Date: Monday, April 25th, 2005                   
Time: 10:30 am to 12:00 pm
Location: Pacific Southwest Association of REALTORS®
Address: 880 Canarios Court, Chula Vista, CA 91910
To register simply visit ePROworkshop.InternetCrusade.com
Or call toll free 1-866-ePRONAR (1-866-377-6627)

Date: Tuesday, April 26th, 2005                   
Time: 10:30 am to 12:00 pm
Location: Pacific West Association of REALTORS®
Address: 702 Town and Country Rd., Orange, CA  92868
To register simply visit ePROworkshop.InternetCrusade.com
Or call toll free 1-866-ePRONAR (1-866-377-6627)

And even if you can't make it yourself, please spread the word about the event to all your friends and associates, and remember to attend an e-PRO session when they visit your part of the country.  Flyers for your office are available online at Calendar.InternetCrusade.com


Featured Employee of the month - Lori Zarate

This month we are featuring Lori Zarate from our Promotions Department.  Lori has been with ADVANCED ACCESS for nearly two years and started out in sales.  Her sales skills and efficiency were quickly recognized and she was promoted to her current position of Sales Manager.

Lori grew up in southern California and was very active in swimming, tennis, and skating.  She studied piano, dance and French.  Lori attended Fullerton College, taking classes in subjects such as photography, small business management, and marine biology, to name a few.  Her business background was re-creating accounts for shareholders at a Mutual Funds company doing research.

While raising three children, Lori enjoyed working as a fitness instructor for several athletic clubs.  She headed a program for water therapy for sports injuries and coached swim team and diving.  Her days were filled with aerobics, private lessons and training coaches and instructors in resistance training in the water.

Lori commented, "I wanted a change and found my way to ADVANCED ACCESS. With no sales experience but good communication skills I began to learn about the product I was selling. I enjoyed the challenge and the energy of sales immediately. Having the drive and the desire to reach the goals I set for myself each day keeps me moving forward and learning more about my job and myself." 

Lori continues to stay active in scuba diving, swimming, windsurfing, and walking. She also enjoys photography and art in many forms. Lori considers her greatest joys to be her children Amanda, Jacqueline and Alexander, who continue to amaze her and fill her life with enthusiasm.  She and her children enjoy music, sports, conversation and a lot of time at the beach.   

We're proud to have Lori Zarate on the ADVANCED ACCESS team of knowledgeable and enthusiastic professionals.

On the Lighter Side:  A bit of tax humor, to take the sting out of the recent Income Tax payment deadline.

A fool and his money are soon parted.
The rest of us wait until income tax time.

Q. What's the definition of a good tax accountant? 
A. Someone who has a loophole named after him.

A businessman on his deathbed called his friend and said, "Bob, I want you to promise me that when I die you will have my remains cremated."    Bob agreed to take of his friend's request and asked "What do you want me to do with your ashes?"  The businessman said, "Just put them in an envelope and mail them to the Internal Revenue Service and write on the envelope, 'Now you have everything.'"
 

March 2005  |  Back to Main Page  |  May 2005

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