Top 10 Most Popular Articles of July

What were agents and brokers reading in July, that most summery of summer months? Judging by our monthly list of RE Technology's most popular articles, it was seasonally appropriate fare, like a 'Friday Freebie' on summer open house marketing strategies (see article #4).

Our readers also dove head first into articles on generating more leads (#1), building up your network, strengthening your brand online (#6). Already planning for autumn? Our look at Realtor.com's new school search figure should do the trick! Check it out below at #7, and then take a nice, leisurely stroll through the rest of this list.

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1. Steal this Idea! How to Generate 300 Leads with Cloud CMA
It's no secret that the key to your success in real estate is how quickly you can generate seller leads. But how do you do that? While there isn't just one road to success, we had the opportunity to interview a local Orange County agent who has it figured out. Since getting into the business in 2011, Ray Fernandez has sold over 150 homes, made $135 million in sales, and has generated over 300 leads using Cloud CMA! So, how did he do it? Here are the four things Ray focuses on so he can generate more seller leads.

2. Tired of Your MLS's Clunky Interface? Here's How to Give It an Instant Makeover
MLS systems aren't exactly known for having the prettiest of interfaces, or the most intuitive, or the... well, you get the point. MLS software has a long way to go before it wins any design awards. But that's okay, because there's an easy way to bypass all the blah dished up by your typical MLS, thanks to this app.

3. 10 Things You Probably Didn't Know Google Could Do for You
Did you know that Google is much more than just a search engine? It is also a highly complex math calculator, a real-time currency converter, a sophisticated multi-lingual translator, a digital dictation machine and more. In fact, Google has so many hidden talents built into its search bar, these five may be only scratching the surface of what Google search can do for you. Here are five things that you can do with Google search shortcuts that you may not know about, but may save you an enormous amount of time.

4. Friday Freebie: 10 Creative Ways to Market Your Open Houses This Summer
Looking for way to prop up lackluster open house attendance this summer? Consider trading your standard appetizer spread for some barbecue and let the tempting smell of grilling meat draw people in. Or if that's not your speed, park an ice cream truck outside of your listing and attract people with the promise of cold summer treats. Those are just two ideas from a new guide that's yours to download for free. Read on to learn more!

5. 10 Must-Have Business Relationships for Realtors
Building a network of relevant professionals will help you when asked questions that fall beyond your scope, and can bring an influx of opportunities and referrals for your business. By building relationships with business partners, they can help your business and advocate your services when questions fall beyond their scope. So who should make up that network of professionals? Here are 10 business relationships every real estate pro should have:

6. The 'Dos' and 'Don'ts' of building your online real estate brand
From Facebook, Twitter and Yelp to hosting fees and domain decisions, building an online brand is a daunting task. Before you dive into the hot new channel with low ROI or begin paying for a website you don't have time to maintain, take a few steps back. Here are our top "dos" and "don'ts" for real estate agents hoping to build a robust online brand.

7. Realtor.com Launches New 'Search by School' Feature
The home search process just got easier for families with school-age children. Realtor.com recently released a new feature that allows consumers (and their agents) to search for properties within the zoning boundaries of specific schools.

8. How to Get into Your Leads' Phone Contacts (and Stay There)
Ever had a great initial chat with a potential new client, but left feeling unsure if you'd ever hear from them again? If you're not sure how to follow up after a promising appointment or impromptu meeting, follow these three quick tactics to ensure you stay on their radar.

9. 3 Must-Have RPR Reports for Farming
RPR reports are the perfect icebreaker for canvassing agents who need an "in" with potential sellers. No need to carry the printouts with you. With RPR's app in hand, agents can easily retrieve saved reports, such as the Market Activity Report, or within mere seconds, create and send an RPR Property or Neighborhood Report—anytime and from anywhere. And because your name, brokerage and contact information are included in every report, the homeowner has a takeaway he/she can refer to later.

10. Why You Should Replace the Word 'Beautiful' in Real Estate Listings
This article is about expanding your lexicon to include more evocative language in your real estate listings (without complicating the description), so you don't feel obliged to carpet-bomb your web copy with adjectives like beautiful, attractive, or stunning. By expanding your lexicon, I believe you can accomplish two things: 1) Make your listing descriptions different from your competitors, and 2) Evoke feelings in your readers that will stay with them throughout the home buying process. Let's try a few words that might be more evocative than beautiful.