Webisode 1 – Virtual Marketing Tools
With unusual and unique times ahead, it’s important to embrace change with open arms. Now, many businesses are improving their online presence to maintain success. So what does this mean for real estate agents? Two of RE/MAX Metro’s experts came together to talk about the virtual tools available for agents!
Staying Social in the City while Social Distancing!
|
As people continue moving towards a semi-normal way of living, the city has begun to open itself up again. So where can people go to enjoy the city and get a little bit of social interaction while maintaining social distancing? Keep reading to find out!
|
 |
RESTAURANTSAll over the city, restaurants are starting to open back up for dine-in business. Although there are still some guidelines to follow, many restaurants have outside or limited inside seating. Tropez St. Pete, located in the downtown area, offers plates from around the world. They’re opened for limited hours with a reduced maximum inside occupancy and outdoor seating. The Avenue Eat + Drink, also located downtown, has some of the best burgers in the city and is a great place to hang out. In Pass-A-Grille, Grace Restaurant is available for reservations to ensure a safe eating experience. Even beyond these examples are countless other restaurants in the city, ready for dine-in and fun!
|
ParksFeeling stuffed up? St. Petersburg has plenty of parks to visit and is a great way to get some fresh air. Vinoy Park, which is located on the water in the downtown area, is a wonderful example. With bike paths, lots of grass, cool sand, and volleyball courts, there’s something for everyone! Plus, it’s a great place to bring the pups. There are many other parks open across the city, so be sure to find one near you!
|
 |
 |
BeachesSt. Pete is known for its beautiful beaches and warm, balmy weather. With Summer right around the corner, there’s no better time to visit the beach and enjoy the sea! All up and down the West coast of the St. Petersburg area is opened for beach visits – so long as its visitors carry out the necessary precautions to stay safe. Head out to the beach for some sunshine and vitamin D!
|
|
It’s important to continue practicing health protocols and social distancing while going out and about. But, if possible, keep looking for some fun ways to enjoy the city and get a little socialization in!
|
Best Places to Live near St. Petersburg
A lot of people are moving to the area we live in and if you’re reading this article you might just be one of them, or at least someone looking to relocate from one area within the area to another. The different neighborhoods and cities around St. Petersburg fit together like puzzle pieces, each a little bit different from the others but when you understand how it all fits together you realize just how unique this area is, especially given that is is a peninsula, but packs everything from world-class beaches to a modern downtown with historic buildings from generations ago just down the road.
The appeal to this area is more than what is here though, it’s the combination of elements that bring everyone together and create a certain vibe. Everyone from artists to business people and everyone in between has their place in St. Pete, depending on the neighborhood. This article will talk about places to live near St. Petersburg because most of these are not technically in St. Pete but closely surrounding areas and cities.
St. Pete Beach
Who doesn’t want to live closer to the beach? In 2019 St. Pete Beach was rated #4 on Trip Advisor as Best Beach in the entire US maintaining its usual spot among the top 5 as it has in past years. I would say that being in the top 5 routinely is something to be proud of. St. Pete Beach is a combination of small hotels that have been around for decades as well as huge 5-star resorts located directly on the beach.
What you notice right away is how different St. Pete Beach is from St. Petersburg. It is literally a whole different city – Both in municipality and vibe. You’ll notice many people that live here seem to be on permanent vacation with locals hanging out regularly at the local beach bars and restaurants. Things just move a bit slower here and no one seems to mind. Are you ready to move to St. Pete Beach yet? For a little more convincing, take a Virtual Tour of a recently listed property and envision your future!
Gulfport
Similar to St. Pete Beach, Gulfport is its own city separate from St. Pete. What was once a small fishing village has turned into an artsy town with a local feel. The downtown area consists of restaurants, bars, art shops, and a variety of other establishments. There are many people that take pride in the fact that they live in this funky town. I think that saying from Portland “Keep Portland Weird” would also apply to Gulfport.
It’s a bit of a weird city with some residents that fit right in. If you want a glimpse into the local’s lifestyle be sure to check out their local Facebook group.
If you’re looking to live somewhere with a small-town vibe Gulfport may be perfect for you. This waterfront town has plenty to keep you occupied but if that’s not enough the beaches and St. Pete are only a short drive away. If this sounds exciting, take a virtual tour of our recently listed properties in Gulfport.
Downtown St. Pete
It is amazing how rapidly this city has changed over recent years. Everyone wants to live downtown but unfortunately, not everyone can afford it, as the demand for both rental and residential property has skyrocketed. Wherever you decide to live downtown, you won’t have to go too far. DTSP (Downtown St. Pete) is all packed into about 1 square mile. The area surrounding Beach Drive is going to be by far the most expensive, but since it’s all so condensed, it makes sense to live a little bit further away to get more value.
If you’re looking to be right in the action then Downtown is for you. There are pre-existing homes as well as plenty of new construction in the works. Ready to see what the fuss is all about? Take a virtual tour of 6020 SShore Boulevard, one of our recent listings on a tremendous property located in the heart of Downtown St. Pete.
Tierra Verde
Located just off the southern tip of Pinellas County exists the tropical paradise known as Tierra Verde. The series of islands and mangroves is a great choice for people that love the island lifestyle without being completely disconnected from the mainland. Tierra Verde is considered to be part of the unincorporated locations in Pinellas County which means services default to the county rather than the city.
If you live in Tierra Verde, you have to embrace the boating lifestyle. Since residents live on a series of islands, there are many homes that are located directly on the water with their own private docks. Even if you don’t want to deal with the maintenance of a boat or you find a home that isn’t on the water, you can still experience the salt life. Ready to take a closer look with a Virtual Tour?
Treasure Island
Featuring a little over 3 miles of gorgeous white sandy beaches along the Gulf Coast, Treasure Island has a laid back atmosphere and truly is a local treasure that gives you a peaceful lifestyle, yet you’ll still have convenient access to all the spots that make Pinellas great.
The Treasure Island neighborhoods feature many mansions, condos, and there’s definitely the “wow factor” when you tell people you live in Treasure Island. Need to know what the excitement is? Take a Virtual Tour of a tremendous Treasure Island property that we recently listed.
Despite its wide appeal and neighboring tourist destinations, Treasure Island is a quiet area compared to the bordering towns. If living in a luxurious area surrounded by some of the hottest destinations in Pinellas interests you, check out our
Tips on Working at Home from RE/MAX
|
Unusual times call for unique measures! Because so many people are now working from home, RE/MAX has stepped up to help out. Are you looking for some tips on staying productive and increasing your success? Keep reading to find out what RE/MAX has to offer!
|
 |
SELLING A HOME DURING UNUSUAL TIMESThe business world has been functioning a little differently recently. But the RE/MAX blog post, “Selling a Home During Unusual Times,” offers some tips on how to combat the change. The post talks about productivity, perseverance, preparation, and other tools for making the final sale. Click HERE to read the article and find out more about making a sale during tricky times.
|
5 WAYS TO STAY PRODUCTIVE WHILE WORKING FROM HOMEStruggling to keep your motivation? RE/MAX has some great suggestions to help you up your productivity. From staying organized to dressing the part, “5 Ways to Stay Productive While Working from Home,” offers great tools to keep you motivated and successful. If you’d like to learn more, click HERE to read the article!
|
 |
 |
100% VIRTUAL TRANSACTION: HOW TO NAVIGATE FROM LEAD TO CLOSENot all agents are well versed in completely online real estate deals. If you’re looking for some fresh tips on how to improve your virtual success, read the post, “How to Navigate from Lead to Close.” The article discusses some ideas on how to get through a transaction completely without leaving the comfort of your home. Click HERE to read more about good business online!
|
|
With RE/MAX comes a vast archive of tips and tricks to navigate through the real estate world. Even though difficult times might come, RE/MAX is ready to offer help and support you in your business. If you’d like to learn more about RE/MAX or read more blogs, visit https://news.remax.com/.
|
This Week’s Top Listings: Ready for Your Virtual Tour?
Virtual tours have been a hot-button topic for Real Estate Agents over the last few years and given the current state of affairs, an even bigger topic now. Whenever they were mentioned, the standard questions would follow: Is it necessary? Will it make my home sell quicker? How much does it cost? Do buyers even look at these things? Which platform do I go with?
With today’s technology, homebuyers can view properties in great detail, without ever leaving the comfort or safety of their current home. If you’re looking at houses with virtual tours, you’ll get an even more detailed view of the homes that are for sale – inside and out. And many Metro Agents can conduct a virtual private tour at a time that is convenient for you, allowing you to walk through a home with a licensed agent from virtually anywhere.
How to Take a Virtual Tour
On offersbymetro.com, you’ll find great listings with a variety of imagery and virtual tours available for review, thanks to today’s technology.
When you take a virtual tour, you’ll “walk-through” properties in one of two ways:
- A step-by-step, 360-degree virtual tour that is navigable along the path recommended by the realtor
- A prerecorded video tour of the home
Both of these options provide a great way to learn more about homes on the market and get details, so the time spent talking with your agent is the most valuable as possible. Ready to get started? Tour a property today at www.offersbymetro.com
Virtual Real Estate Tours are Safe and Simple
These are unprecedented times, but know that Metro Agents, has the strength and stability to help you navigate any kind of real estate market – including today’s. Contact us if you have any questions or if any of our experienced team members can help.
Work out without going out!
|
It’s easy to feel restless when you spend most of your time at home. The solution? At-home workouts! Try using any of these three platforms to up your fitness while hanging out around the house. There are many different ways to expand your knowledge and learn new techniques – and a lot of great options are free! Keep reading to find out more about them.
|
 |
CentrWant to work on your superhero physique? Marvel’s Thor actor Chris Hemsworth created the fitness app Centr to help people realize that goal. Although this option is not a free one, Centr has the teachings from world-renowned fitness experts, chefs, and trainers. The app provides full-length workout videos for users to follow and features visuals on how to execute the movements. Yoga teachings are also available! Plus, Centr helps you cultivate a meal plan to help you eat healthy food that you’ll actually enjoy. Centr also has a 7-day free trial before you fully commit.
|
Tik TokA quick and free way to find some good workout routines is through the popular app Tik Tok. This platform is home to countless workout and cooking videos with step-by-step visuals. Videos are usually less than a minute long and provide guidelines for how many of each workout to do. Additionally, cooking videos normally provide similar information for you to make some delicious meals and snacks! These short videos help you get the information you need quickly and efficiently. There are plenty of other kinds of videos on Tik Tok, so search hard to find the right users for you!
|
 |
 |
YouTubeA similar concept to Tik Tok is the classic video sharing site, YouTube. Like Tik Tok, YouTube has countless videos that cover just about every topic you could think of. YouTube has many fitness channels with workout routines for everyone. Also, YouTube is a wonderful place to find great recipes and learn cooking techniques. Look for a YouTuber who best suits you and get fit!
|
|
There are plenty of different ways to work on fitness. If you’re stuck at home and need a good way to burn off some steam, try any of these options! Find out what works for you and have fun with it.
|
How to Zoom like a Pro!
|
All over the world, video calls are quickly becoming a huge part of business. Technology makes it possible for people to stay connected without having to leave the comfort and safety of their own homes! Platforms like Zoom serve as a great tool to support people in their work. For real estate professionals, becoming proficient in video calls can bring your online business to a new level of efficiency. So where should you start? Keep reading to find out!
|
 |
UP YOUR AUDIOGood audio is one of the most important components of a video call. Without being heard clearly, your message will be incredibly difficult to get across. Plus, people are more inclined to listen to something if it sounds audibly pleasing. For this reason, it might be a good idea to step up your audio game with an external microphone. There are quite a few out there for less than $20, too! If you’re not wanting to spend money, though, you can move towards better audio by eliminating background noise. Try stepping away from your A/C unit, the television, or anything else that generates distracting noise. Also, make sure to speak into your microphone and stay next to it. This will make a huge difference in your sound!
|
LOOK INTO LIGHTINGAnother important piece to a successful video call has to do with the visuals. Not everyone can afford a fancy camera for their Zoom call, and luckily, you don’t need one to get a good video! A great thing to focus on is lighting. If possible, try to position yourself so that light falls directly onto your face. When the light source comes from behind you or from the side, your face becomes dark and difficult to see. Try sitting in front of a window or lamp to illuminate your face easily. Or, if you have a little extra to spend on production quality, look into getting a nice webcam or camera.
|
 |
 |
BETTER BACKGROUNDAs real estate agents know, presentation matters. Before you jump on your Zoom call, take a look at what your camera will display. Then, if your background is looking a little disorganized or messy, just take a moment to straighten it up. You could also take it a step further and look for ways to make your background look extra nice. Throw blankets, candles, paintings – anything soft and not distracting! Then, if you’re planning on sharing your screen during a Zoom call, try the same tricks! Make sure to remove anything from your desktop that you rather someone not see.
|
|
If you’re still unsure about the look and sound of your video, ask a friend to get on a call with you! An extra pair of eyes and ears on your video might be able to help you straighten everything out. Find out what works, what doesn’t, and have fun on your Zoom call!
|
Restaurants with Take-Out in St. Petersburg!
|
Are you stuck at home and tired of cooking? St. Petersburg has plenty of local restaurants available for takeout or delivery! If you’re looking to try something new or spice up your meals, we have some great suggestions for you. Keep reading to find out more!
|
 |
GRATZZI ITALIAN GRILLEDowntown St. Petersburg, Florida, is home to some of the best restaurants around. Gratzzi Italian Grille maintains that reputation by holding the title of the ‘Best Italian Restaurant in St. Petersburg!’ Opened Monday through Sunday from 4 P.M. to 8 P.M., Gratzzi Italian Grille is available for pick up and Bite Squad (limited menu). Take all the class from Gratzzi to the comfort and safety of your home to enjoy delicious, authentic Italian cuisine!
|
THE PESKY PELICANGet a taste of St. Louis from your dining table when you order out the Pesky Pelican Brew Pub! Located on the West side of St. Petersburg, the Pesky Pelican has burgers, wings, pizza, smoked meats, and more. The full menu is available for take-out and UberEats. The Pesky Pelican is also looking to support the community by selling basic necessities to those who need it. Order out the Pesky Pelican for awesome, local food!
|
 |
 |
THE GALLEYAs another one of Downtown St. Pete’s local restaurants, The Galley has worked to roll with the punches and continue serving their incredible food! Opened from 11:30 A.M. to 3 P.M., The Galley is available for take-out with 25% off everything. Their extensive menu includes brunch, apps, mains, desserts, and vegetarian options. Plus, the complete menu is available for pickup or delivery. Call to place your order!
|
|
Of course, St. Petersburg, Florida has countless local restaurants that offer take-out. Continue supporting your local business and look for ways to enjoy your time at home! And if food is the best way for you to do it, we got you covered. Let us know what else you’d like to know about St. Petersburg and it’s wonderful businesses!
Click below to visit their sites! |
RE/MAX Metro Real Estate Agents Go Virtual to Keep Coronavirus from Cooling the Market
Our main focus is maintaining safe, healthy, and transparent real estate transactions during this unprecedented time. We’ve worked diligently over the past few weeks to eliminate in-person contact with homeowners and shift our agents into a remote environment. While these steps are necessary, it has not impacted our ability to service our clients.
As part of our commitment to our clients, we’re providing a multitude of options to connect with you at this time; whether through online video conferencing, conducting a virtual tour of your home, utilizing secure online document signature services — whatever it takes, we’re here to help and provide the same level of service and care you’ve come to expect from RE/MAX Metro.
COVID-19 and our Housing Market
With mortgage interest rates are nearing all-time lows, for-sale homes of every style are abundant, but there’s one problem: touring houses and legal proceedings around when you’re ready to buy. It’s no secret that COVID-19 (coronavirus) has started taking a toll on Florida’s real estate industry. With parents and kids staying home, most retail stores closed, and people told to stay at home except for essential errands—the coronavirus has already dramatically changed life as most Floridians know it.
Now it’s expected to turn the typically busy spring home-buying season on its head as well – fewer homes on the market, no availability to show homes, longer closing times, and plenty of unanticipated delays in the coming weeks.
This is why we are presenting Offers by Metro
What is it?
Offers by Metro is the future of the online real estate industry. Powered by RE/MAX Metro, it provides buyers and sellers with a virtual real-estate auction platform to experience all of your options with extreme transparency.
Our industry-leading Real Estate Auction Marketplace allows home sellers and buyers to effortlessly connect via the internet with an expert who will walk them through all of their options; whether looking at homes through virtual tours, setting up a private tour, purchasing a home or selling your home to iBuyers.
What can you do with Offers by Metro?
How do I check it out?
Easy. Visit www.offersbymetro.com to learn more about the capabilities that we’re able to offer virtually during this unprecedented time. Need to speak to an agent? We’re always standing by to help however you need – contact us.
Business Tips: Signatories
|
Correctly executed contracts are the key to successful transactions. Attorney Kurt S. Gleeson, outside counsel for RE/MAX Metro agents, sat with Managing Broker Tracey Strube to discuss the in’s and out’s of contract and document signatories. Click the video below to get more information on signatories in the real estate world!
|
|
|
