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Internet security issue that threatens your home office

In today's edition of the online New York Times, was an article that outlined a serious security problem on the Internet that could effect you. If exploited, you could be redirected to a phishing site that mimics the bank or merchant URL that you typed into your browser - and that could cost you plenty if you give out any personal information.

There are no reports of phishing crews exploiting this problem as yet and Internet service providers are rushing to plug the potential leaks. But it could take some of them months to correct the problem.

You can read the whole NY Times article here.

Later in the article, the author mentions that using OpenDNS as your domain name server can eliminate the problem. OpenDNS is free and there are easy instructions on how to install it on your computer or home/small office (SOHO) network.

I installed it on our network this morning and it took less than ten minutes. Not much of a time investment for peace of mind.

That OpenDNS logo at the top of the page is active. If you install OpenDNS and come back to this page, it will tell you that you are using OpenDNS. Same if your provider or workplace has OpenDNS installed. If the button says "Use OpenDNS - Get Started," click the button and get started! (or just click here)

While researching OpenDNS, I discovered that it is also useful for speeding up your broadband connection. On my network, I have noticed no change in speed the first time I loaded a website after installing OpenDNS. But subsequent loadings seemed to complete 25% to 50% faster. Cool!

Read David Pogue's New York Times article on speeding up your broadband connection with OpenDNS here.

Great RE branding video

This video wasn't designed to sell a single house. The Realtor® that produced it obviously intended it to appeal to both buyers and sellers to promote her services as the "go to" agent in her market area.

First, I want to say I really like the concept and execution was great! So to everyone involved in the project, "Nice job!"

What I would do to make it even better would be to create a YouTube account for the Realtor® where the info box could contain a more promotional pitch with keywords that would more likely be entered by visitors looking for keywords.

Ms. Waddell has a tiny link on her website that says "Youtube clip." The video itself should be embedded on her website, even if that means building her own website around the video and linking back to her listings site. That would create some Google-friendly backlinks and would feature the video that really deserves to be showcased.

One more thing… that URL for the listings website (http://mwaddell.4222000.com/). What's with the 4222000 domain? It's not only butt-ugly, but is also meaningless to both search engines and potential visitors.

Bad market? Someone's doing something!

Are you working in a bad market? Are Real Estate sales slow in your area?

What can you do to turn your market around?

There are bright spots in bad market just like there are dark spots in good ones. But how do you get the word out. One group or Realtors® in the Kentucky Bluegrass has taken matters into their own hands. The Lexington Board of Realtors (L-BAR) has produced a video that has been used on local broadcast (ran in CBS Sunday Morning local slot this morning) and cable television to inform homeowners in their market area that it may not be a bad time to buy or sell a home after all.

Here is L-BAR's video on YouTube:

This video should act as inspiration to those sweating out a local real estate market downturn. Although the L-BAR video is a professional production, you can produce video carrying a similar message for your area using one of the many tools available to you.

Market downturns come into existence when a critical mass of consumers overestimate the effects of a market disrupting event or series of events. Market upturns begin when confidence in the markets returns. Most stimulus measures are designed to restore that confidence by creating an event that causes a positive effect - even a small positive effect can build confidence out of proportion to the event.

The L-BAR video has tremendous success potential if it's member Realtors® believe it's message and use their energy to spread the word. Taking action is the key. When was the last time you heard of someone whose success could be attributed to waiting around for something to happen?

The Lexington Area Realtors® have taken a very positive step toward improving the market conditions in the Bluegrass. What are you waiting for?

What can you do?

Output a PowerPoint presentation to video using Camtasia, use Real Estate Shows, QuickTime or Windows Movie Maker. The point is to not sit around waiting for the market to turn around. Take matters into your own hands and become even a small catalyst in the recovery of your local market.

The Business of the Short Sale Business

How to Build a $300,000 Pre-Foreclosure Business image One of the primary goals of the Association Of Real Estate Investment Professionals (AREIP.org) is to bring fresh new approaches to real estate investing from new voices with great new ideas.

There are a lot of seminars, courses and books on the subject of foreclosure and short sales. Many of them just rehash old ideas. There is nothing wrong with that. Sometimes an established idea or method presented in a new way will resonate with a new group of investors.

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