Building a Real Estate site by Lyte

**Lyte** · 08-29-2006, 02:25 PM

Okay y'all... here goes...

I've my real estate license so it's about time I put together my own website vs. using my Broker's website.

I could build this bad boy from scratch but... ugh!

There are a LOT of sites offering to build a real estate site for you but... sheesh... they're expensive! So, I'm off to find a template that I could change and expand to my own particular needs.

I Googled "real estate" templates and here's what I got...

BigWebmaster - This is the first site I saw this weird pricing between $60 or $2000 for each template. Huh?! If you read the FAQ section you'll see that they offer an "Exclusive" pricing which isn't exactly exclusive! What it means is that if you pay the big money you get to be the LAST person who buys that template. How's that exclusive?! If a thousand people bought the template before you, it's hardly one of a kind!

Nothing jumped out at me like... "I love it!" But I did like the following...

Flash Site Template 9947 - I think it needs more photos but it does have a very cool, natural looking color. The one down side is that it's Flash and as many of you know, Flash sucks if you have a slow connection and/or don't have Flash software. Hmm!

Full Package Template 7643 - This one is pretty cool and I like the fact that it has different sections broken out already: Mortgage Info, Market Analysis, etc..etc... This one is a bit more expensive than the other at $72.00

Full Package Template 6414 - Nice, but a little busy looking.

StevesTemplates - This is the point at which we realize that a lot of the different template sites are actually selling the same templates! The only difference really is a few dollars plus or minus.

SmartWebby Sorry but, yawn!

Let's jump on over to Template Monster! I dig this site because as you pass your cursor over the image it enlarges so you can see the template better without having to click on it!

Note too, they have the templates clearly marked at "Flash Site" or "Full Package." The Full Package ones are COOL because they come with extra pages (8 - 12) for things like a banner, business cards and a pop up. They also have Flash so we have to be aware of that when people are browsing our site.

Website Template #6796 - Hmm... I'm liking this one! It too has different sections already broken out: Mortgage Rates, Renovate, Moving Tips...etc...etc... And,it also has tabs built in at the top. This makes navigation easy for the user. I'm liking the color too. We want someting that's calm, cool and easy on the eyes. We do not want a site that scream at you with 10 different colors! <-- That would be annoying!

It's very important to consider what mood you're trying to instill in your customer. Buying/Selling a home is a very emotional process! It can be fun but also a very stressful and nail biting event! So, for this site we want people to feel as though having me as their agent is going to make the process easy and stress free!

Also, remember the design of your site doesn't just generate emotions in your visitor but it also reflects on the owner of the site! If my site had very loud, bright colors and lots of flashing graphics... what message would that send?? Ick!

Website Template #3508 Nice but a little busy... lots of stuff going on! We could remedy this by deleting some of the sections. We'll keep this one in the "Maybe" section.

Well, that's enough to consider and type for now! Phew! In the next couple of days I'm going to decide on a template and a domain name!

Thanks for reading!

Lyte

**Lyte** · 09-11-2006, 07:46 PM

No... no... I've not forgotten about our project! I've not picked a template yet cuz I've been putting together 'bout $750 worth of other real estate stuff I have to have. Business cards, intro cards, key card, lock boxes, MLS classes, gotta join this club... gotta join that org... meet these people... meet that group... phew! And, I thought just taking the classes was time consuming! lol

Anyway, I've made Friday is my "drop dead date" for picking template and starting back again on our lil project!

Lyte

**Lyte** · 09-22-2006, 06:10 PM

Okay, slight change in plans y'all!

I met with my Broker today and found out our parent company (Century 21) has something that will put up a site in a matter of minutes. I think it also intergrates a script that will add new listings.

So... I don't know how far their software goes. I'm going to try it out tonight and report back!

Lyte

firestorm · 09-22-2006, 10:04 PM

cheater

...hope it works, that would help out a lot of real estate people

dr911 · 09-22-2006, 10:59 PM

Hey Lyte,

When you get your site up & running........could you share the linkwith us, also....if you need any "PR" work for your site....PM me !!

**Lyte** · 09-22-2006, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by firestorm

cheater

...

Bah! lol Fear not, I've lots of other sites that need putting together and I don't have a template wizard to help me!

I'm actually glad I went this route because there are several laws about what information agents/realtors are required to have on their site. Using C21's "Website Builder Wizard" puts all the necessary info where it belongs. There's no chance of messing up and getting into trouble!

Despite being a template wizard/builder it still needs content and several scripts. Ones that allow people to search the listings, the MLS (multiple listing service), apply for financing, etc...etc... And, it needs other tweeking! The template doesn't center and I want to add more buttons. So, there's still work to be done!

Here's where it's at right now.... Sachse Realty. I'm not sure there's much to review at the point but feel free to comment anyway!

I'm not worried about PR because the site is intended for local folks and/or for people to peep after I've given them a business card. So, I'm not looking for backlinks but thanks anyway Doc!

Lyte

firestorm · 09-23-2006, 09:06 AM

, looks pretty good. Not too much to comment on as you said. To center it are you gonna use tables or CSS?

**Lyte** · 09-25-2006, 09:18 PM

Tables or CSS... hmm... whatever FrontPage will make forme!

Right now I'm working on adding some content and then find some listing software!

FireStorm found this really kewl open source real-estate software... Open-Realty

Lyte

**Lyte** · 09-25-2006, 10:21 PM

I need help on this one... I just wanna be clear!

The directions say to DL and unzip the Open-Realty 2.0 and then upload it to the root directory.

How do I know if I'm using WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get)? And frankly, I never quite understood what WYSIWYG is!

I guess number # has me a lil confused. Anyone have some insight?!

Thanks!

Lyte

firestorm · 09-26-2006, 06:42 AM

Frontpage is WYSIWYG. Anytype fo graphical program for coding. Notepad for instance isn't. Just take the listing folder, unzip it, and upload all the contents to something like, sachserealty.com/listings. The home directory for the listing will now be where you just put it. I think that's what you are asking, if not let me know, I'll try to help when I get back from school.

**Lyte** · 09-26-2006, 07:57 AM

Thanks! Yeah, that's what I'm asking!

I unzipped the folder in my work harddrive and there's like 444 files! Isn't there some way to upload the folder to Sachse Realty and unzipped it there?? I forget!

And what do you think the process should be if I need to have seperate listings for Regular Listings, New Homes and or... any other type? Do I need to upload it three times?

Thanks!

Lyte

firestorm · 09-26-2006, 07:26 PM

umm, you can upload either way. I'd just use SmartFTP and upload the all the files with one drag and drop

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Not sure which would be better, I guess trial and error will have to work

.

**Lyte** · 09-26-2006, 08:17 PM

Okay, but now... do you think I have to upload it for each seperate set of listings?

Lyte

firestorm · 09-27-2006, 04:46 PM

I don't really get what your askin'

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Where is the link to where you uploaded all the files. I'll be able to answer your question better that way

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**Lyte** · 09-27-2006, 10:36 PM

Well, I guess I'm trying to figure out is this software will accommodate different types of listings.

Ya know what, I think I answered my question. I peeped his demo...

http://www.open-realty.org/demo/

And see how he has different catagories... homes, land, rentals, commercial, etc... When you click on homes, it says "... search class 22" but now if you his land it says "... search class 0" So the software will allow me to differentiate between different types listings.

Did I explain it better that time?

Lyte

firestorm · 09-28-2006, 08:59 PM

yup

. So where did you install it?

fjanusas · 11-09-2006, 03:25 PM

Did you get this installed and running? If not I have installed this software before and I can be of help to you if you need it, its fairly simple and straight forward! also what server are you going to be hosting this on? Windows or Linux?

**Lyte** · 11-09-2006, 08:53 PM

Well, here's the funny thing... (read: not so funny) ... Century 21 has this system where they can auto load your listings onto your site. Two problems... one, you have be logged into the MLS, which I'm not (yet) and two, I don't have any listings (yet), so this particular project is on hold... for now.

Lyte