Dear CyberAgent user,

With the National Budget behind us it’s now time to focus on our own budgets. I don’t know about you but it’s been a while that I don’t spell my budget with a “B” but with a “b”. Unexpected costs like proposed fees for the Gauteng toll roads and an unexpected fuel increase is not helping a lot.

This month we address two questions that we receive on a regular basis regarding CyberAgent;

• How do I view my stats?
  
• What is the benefits of CyberAgent Anywhere for the real estate agent?

CyberAgent clients who have websites with us now have the advantage of social media icons. The social media icons works like a gravitational force that drives the viewer's traffic to your websites and blogs and is purely a marketing tool. This can greatly improve your property exposure. A website browser can click on “like” and this page link will then be viewed on this persons Facebook or Twitter profile for anyone to view. Social media icons is a “web 2.01” trend so start using it!

It’s quite an adventure for buyers to house hunt these days. While the Internet has made it easy for consumers to find homes and research the real estate market, there is still some valuable information that can only come from really digging for it. Features and benefits; why would a buyer want to purchase one home over another or at the very least generate enough interest to make the call and cross the threshold for a tour? Read more in Chris Griffith: Benefits and value to real estate buyers

Until next month!
The editor

Firstly you will need to go to www.cyberagent.co.za/main.gp

You will then need to log into the system with your username and password (please contact support for these details)

Once logged in you have a multitude of options available to you, here are a few of the most common items you can use

Property counts for properties on sale, rent etc.:
Under the “Web Statistics” heading, click on “Summary”. Then you are presented with numerous options. To begin with, tick “property”. Then at the bottom, select the time range you desire. You can adjust this according to what you are looking for very simply. Once done you can click on “Back To Menu” at the bottom

Property Views:
Under the “Web Statistics” heading, click on “Property Views”. You can then either specify a property’s internet reference number, or a 3rd party reference number (for the agencies that feed to us). You can get the counts for all your properties by using the tick box to the right of the one you need to use. If you are unsure, try the first box. Then click on “Request” and you will have each properties reference number and then how many times it was viewed (YTD = year to date). Click on “Admin Menu” to get back to the root menu

Internet Enquiries:
Under the “Various Enquiries” heading, click on “Property Enquiries”. This will automatically show you the enquiries from the websites for the current month. You can also adjust the time range using the date selectors. Once done click on “Back to main page” at the top

There are many other items to select from. Should you need assistance with any of these – please contact our support desk

I would like to start off by saying with this by saying that having you own account would benefit you primarily in the fact of portability. You can access your own data from any internet access location. If you have a cell phone with a nice size screen, you can access the web page, and do anything you need to wherever you are.

Imagine, Friday at five thirty, a client calls and complains that the selling price is too low in the internet. You can then easily go to the listing and make the change, and do a "Website Update", and within minutes the problem is resolved

The next point is the ease of finding what you are looking for. Instead of having all the agencies data (clients and properties) only your own data will show. This shorter list makes it much quicker to look up information, such as the reference number someone quoted for more info

You will be able to maintain your Canvassing data in a better fashion, as you will be the one in control. From there you can create the property and client data ready for the website advertising

I'm sure that you will find that access to this kind of portability and convenience is well worth your while.

In short:

• An easy to use interface
  
• You will have your own interface
  
• Maintains buyer and seller contact information
  
• Tracks prospecting activity
  
• Manages general office tasks
  
• Calculate bond costs and payments
  
• Reporting like Window listings, Detailed Property listings and more
  
• Reporting on contacts (buyers and sellers)
  
• Sharing of properties amongst other agents within the agency
  
• Improve time management
  
• Increased productivity and revenue generation
  
• And most importantly, backup of data
  

Our websites now have social media icons.

This can greatly improve your property exposure as a website browser can click on like, and this page link will then be viewed on this persons Facebook profile for anyone to view.

Other social media linked include Twitter, MySpace, LinkedIn and a large variety more.

Updating to Private Property (PP) through CyberAgent Anywhere

We now have an interface in CyberAgent Anywhere, where you as an agent or agency can select listings to upload to the PP website.

This interface is only available if you have registered with PP and have supplied us with your credentials as supplied by PP.

The interface is relatively simple to use...

Online Slideshow

Gives you the option of selecting the criteria of properties that you want to display eg. price range and area in a display window. You can also change the time interval for the slideshow to update. Note that you have to be connected to the Internet for this slideshow to run. The look and feel of the slideshow can be customised to blend in with your corporate identity.

Cost
Setup: R500-00 Excl Vat
Monthly: R100 Excl Vat

Contact Johan for more information about the slideshow at webmaster@cyberprop.com

A question we receive on a regular basis is how I can optimize my website for search engines.

If you have a huge budget the answer is straight forward, make use of a SEO consultant. Unfortunately with the economy and the fall in the real estate industry this option is only for a hand full of real estate offices.

A real estate agent put this question straight to Google and got the following video in response;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRjRCg1_cbk&feature=player_embedded

Now we’ve heard from Google on how to climb search engine rankings without breaking the bank. Part of Google’s advice was to give people strong reasons to link to your real estate website, as more links means a more authoritative page. But how do you go about doing this, exactly? This part we will focus on in March newsletter.

Do not hesitate to contact me should you have any questions

Johan
webmaster@cyberprop.com

Build 3.100.1498 is now available. Please make sure that you are running on this version.

We’ve just moved over to a ticket system. If you communicate by email nobody can say that they didn’t receive the email nor the call. Furthermore you will now get a dedicated person plus a ticket number for reference purposes. Maryna also receives a copy of support emails and will check on outstanding items every afternoon.

We must just bring it under your attention that you must allow us at least 24 hours for a response. It’s not always possible to attend to request straight away.

Q&A Section:

I can’t seem to update my website

Answer: There reason was that the “not on internet box” was ticked. If you want to update a property to the Internet make sure that this box is not ticked

I can't find one or more of my listings in the IOLProperty search results?

There can be a number of reasons for this:

· Check that you are not performing you property search with the "Listed" paramater set to the default "In Last 90 Days". If so, change it to "Any Time".

· The listing is too old. For sale properties older than 12 months and rental properties older than 6 months are not shown in property searches. If they are still available, you can re-include them in our property searches by changing the property's status back to For Sale/To Let in the listing admin page.

· We haven't updated your listing data since you added your listing. Updates happen on average every 48 hours. There is a paid option to increase the update frequency to daily - Contact us for details.

· We couldn't match the suburb name you used in your listing. This could be because either it is too vague (like 'Central', 'City'), contains a typo or is not a suburb we use (e.g. using a block of flats or a small development's name as the suburb name). On the listing admin page, set the listings filter to properties matching suburb "Unknown" to view those listings. You can then manually change to the correct suburb.

· The listing is missing contact details

If, on the other hand, you can see a listing in the main property searches, but can't see it in your listing admin page, it will be because the property is listed with a different set of contact details (e.g. your office administrator or a second agent for that listing).

How do I resize a picture?

1. Right Click on the picture and go to down to the “Open with” Item.
   
2. Choose “Microsoft Office Picture Manager”
   
3. At the top click on “Edit Pictures”
   
4. On the right of the screen choose “Resize”
   
5. Select the “Predefined width and height” radio Box and choose “email large” the click Ok.
   
6. Then save the resized image to a location where you’ll be able to find it.

Why do I get validation errors?

You get these errors just as a warning to say that some of the properties that you have loaded are missing some information. Such as an incorrect location or missing agent to name but a few. It is a just a warning, There isn’t anything wrong with your system. Its just alerting you to the fact that something needs to be updated on that specific property for it to feed through to the websites.

How do I install CyberAgent on a client and server machine?

When Installing CyberAgent, there are two options. You can install it as a server machine, this will be the Computer that will store your CyberAgent data. There will only be one CyberAgent server per office. The second option will be a client machine, this is usually a secondary workstation that will connect to the server machine over a network. You will find these options when working through the CyberAgent setup. Please “Tick” the relevant tick boxes when asked. Once the setup is done please contact support for help with you local network settings so that machines are linked to each other correctly.

How do I backup and Restore Data?

On the server machine please go to the following directory c:\CyberAgent. Once there you should find a folder named “cagentv3”. This folder is what contains your data. To make a backup all you need to do is make a copy of this folder and store it to a secure location, whether it is another network machine, removable storage device or perhaps a recordable cd/dvd. Your data can then be recovered from this source.

Should you experience any problems or have any questions, please contact our support desk on 011 955 9100 or email Support@cyberprop.com

Our domain renewal procedure:

A domain needs to be renewed on an annual (yearly) basis.

We do domain renewals on a month to month basis. A domain name comes up for renewal the month it was registered in.

Our registrar will inform us of all domain renewals every month for that specific month. We then log this on a schedule and will invoice each client accordingly. At the end of that month we pay our registrar for the renewals of that month

I found the following article which I want to share with all of you.

How To Choose And Use Money-Making Domain Names By Stephen Raitt...

Should you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me at dillon@cyberprop.com or
011 955 9100

Dillon Gray
Domain & Email desk

A number of significant market developments are reshaping the real estate agency landscape. Most notably, legislation has irrevocably changed the rules of the game, while the drive towards greater professionalism has significantly raised the bar, and a tougher market requires innovative new approaches and a renewed focus on specialisation. Simultaneously, technology is creating a whole new playing field, which is also becoming increasingly globalised...

Click Here for printable .pdf file

Website Stats as at end January 2011

*Please note these values were the last stats received, and are kept primarily as  indicators

We provide you with FREE training session in the following areas;

• Gauteng (Daily)
  
• Kwazulu Natal (Monthly)
  
• Western Cape (Monthly)
  
• Garden Route (Quarterly)
  
• Eastern Cape (Twice yearly)
  
• Free State (Twice yearly)
• Mpumalanga (Twice yearly)

During these training sessions more information will also be provided on:

• CyberAgent Anywhere (online module)
  
• CMA SAPTG (online module)
  
• New developments in CyberAgent
  
• The Ad Generator in CyberAgent
  
• General questions on CyberAgent Desktop and Anywhere

Gauteng

A warm welcome to all new Agencies January 2011:

We trust that by now you are well aware of what CyberAgent can do for you. If you need any assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us at support@cyberprop.com or phone us at: +27 (0)11 955-9100 or 086 112- 9237

To the editor 1

Any progress on NQF qualifications? Is there any way that an agent of 30 years can avoid doing the NQF 4 or NQF 5?

Christine

From the editor:
Thank you for your email Christine. Unfortunately there is no exemption. The only exemption is for the PDE. You can read more on http://www.eaab.org.za/

To the editor 2

Suspention of EAAB CEO

Dear Sir

With all due respect with her reference to the"whiteness of the industry"

Does this lady realise that agents are not paid a cent and get commission only?

Who will pay the salaries of the people she is wanting to flood the industry with?

Regards
Lesley

Send your viewpoints to news@cyberprop.com

It was unanimously agreed by the Board of the Estate Agency Affairs Board that the CEO, Mrs. Nomonde Mapetla, immediately be placed on special leave to afford the Board the opportunity to undertake a comprehensive investigation into possible operational and governance irregularities that might have occurred within the EAAB.

It is envisaged that Mrs. Mapetla will be on special leave for some four weeks to facilitate the investigation as well as to minimise any potential prejudice that might otherwise be occasioned to both the CEO and the organisation. It remains in the interest of the Board to ensure that all parties who might be involved in the investigative process are fully protected. The outcome of the investigation will be communicated to all stakeholders in due course. During this period Mr. Nikita Sigaba has been appointed as Acting Chief Executive Officer by the Board. Mr. Sigaba will be assisted by Mr. Clive Ashpol.

The Board wishes to emphasise that this matter is in no way connected to the recent investigations undertaken into the activities of Wendy Machanik Property Holdings. Contrary to speculation the matter is, furthermore, in no way related to any current investigations of estate agency enterprises or practitioners. It is to be underscored, in this respect, that it was resolved by the Board as early as January this year to ensure that that the public were kept fully apprised, from time to time, regarding the EAAB investigations into, particularly, the Wendy Machanik matter.

The Board wishes to stress its commitment to a zero tolerance approach where non-compliance by estate agents is concerned. The Board remains determined to continue to protect the public interest in accordance with its statutory mandate.

Mr. Thami Bolani, the Chairman of the Board reiterated that, “As a statutory regulator it is of the utmost importance that we should continue to promote faith and trust in the estate agency industry. This can readily be accomplished by implementing active steps to ensure strict compliance by all of our stakeholders. The EAAB, far from being reactive, will continue to adopt a proactive stance when dealing with matters of this nature. The Board is confident that, in so doing, it will effectively discharge its statutory mandate.”

Please be advised that:

In August 2008, the FICA was amended to provide that accountable institutions must register with the FIC "within the prescribed period and in the prescribed manner".

The period and manner have now been prescribed i.t.o. an amendment to the Money Laundering & Terrorist Financing Control Regulations (copy herewith).

All existing accountable institutions, which include estate agents, must register between 1 December 2010 and 1 March 2011. Anyone who opens a new business which is an accountable institution must register within 90 days of opening the business.

Registration must be done electronically through the FIC website (www.fic.gov.za). There is no registration fee, and no licence will be issued.

Note that "accountable institutitons" refers to the Agency and not the individual Agent. ALL agencies are accountable institutions.

For copies of additional flyers from FIC clarifying the process and addressing queries please view the following:

FICA Update for Estate Agents
Compulsory Registration Requirements
Important Notice to Estate Agents

The Financial Intelligence Centre can be contacted on:
Tel +27 860 FIC FIC (0860 342 342)
Fax +27 12 641 6439
http://www.fic.gov.za

REGULATIONS CONCERNING INTERNS
Gov Gazette Vol 516 – 4.6.2008 – No 31125

I continue to be surprised about the number of phone calls I receive asking me about Candidate agents [now called Interns] and what they can and cannot do.

I am also amazed about the number of people who still challenge me on the new qualifications saying that they do not believe they are going to happen. In this regard I have attached the regulations. I suggest that every Principal prints them out and keeps them handy.

* Interns must disclose in all printed matter [other than advertisements in the press] that they are in fact interns: [this means Business Cards]

* Interns must act under the active supervision and control of his/her principal or an estate agent who has continuously held a valid fidelity fund certificate for a period of not less than three years:

* Must not hold themselves out as full status estate agents:

* Must not complete or draft documentation relating to any transaction [such as a sole mandate, sale agreement or lease agreement] unless in the presence of his/her Principal or an estate agent who has continuously held a valid fidelity fund certificate for a period of not less than three years: This agent must certify that the documentation has been completed in his/her presence.

* This is an updated change!

JILL CORFIELD
S.A.'s No One
Real Estate Trainer
083 324 3434

Most changes to Google’s ranking algorithms go unnoticed by the wider web, but a recent change targeting duplicate content has some industry commentators warning of significant shifts in rankings.

Google’s Matt Cutts described the change as a targeted one. “Slightly over two percent of queries change in some way, but less than half a percent of search results change enough that someone might really notice,” he wrote. “The net effect is that searchers are more likely to see the sites that wrote the original content rather than a site that scraped or copied the original site’s content.”

While Cutts description is of a minor change, search engine marketing firm Greenlight says some of its clients are seeing “collateral damage” from the change.

“Greenlight advises businesses that have recently lost rankings to identify their affected pages and then search Google for some short snippets of text from the pages, encapsulated in quotes,” the company says. “If the page does not rank first, or at all, that is a strong signal the problem could be duplicate content-related.”

Hopefully this update won’t affect your website, but even if your rankings haven’t changed, this is a good reminder to check how well your site ranks for the keywords you are targeting on a regular basis.

By Alice Allan

2010 saw the South African property sector having to face a range of situations and factors that called for adjustments on a scale seldom experienced before in this sector, said Bill Rawson, Chairman of Rawson Properties, in a recent end of year summary.

“Even leaving out many of the less important changes of 2010, we can look back on a year in which estate agents were forced to adapt to many new situations,” said Rawson...

It’s quite an adventure for buyers to house hunt these days. While the Internet has made it easy for consumers to find homes and research the real estate market, there is still some valuable information that can only come from really digging for it.

Features and benefits; why would a buyer want to purchase one home over another or at the very least generate enough interest to make the call and cross the threshold for a tour?

Pieter had a stroke and we wish him all the best for a speedy recovery

The CyberAgent team