In March, I will be holding a free webinar as my answer to the economic stimulus.

Could you please answer my short questionnaire so I meet everyone’s training expectations?

NAR released their 2008 numbers in the report Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers. I have been getting this report for a few years and have kept track of how some of the statistics have changed.

One set of numbers that is intriiguing is what today's buyers wants to see when they are looking for properties. Of course the ubiquitous photo - thats is the fodder for many of post, but maps and the need for them went up. For a while maps were for directions, but now with GPS that need is going away. It seems now that consumers need more of the neighborhood information if they are not familiar with the area.

Google Maps can be personalized by creating your own annotated maps. Then share them with clients, family and friends.There is a directory of interactive content that you can add to Google Maps. Go to their website to learn more. How can this work for real estate?

Create a map with listings for showings, or properties for a CMA. Add place marks, shapes, photos descriptions and videos on the map. Use line tools to draw paths from one property to the other. Use the street view so they can see the actual house. You can make the map private and only those with the URL can view it. And don't forget Google earth. You can fly anywhere on earth and view images, maps, terrain, and buildings. Save the tour and share with others.Enjoy photo-realistic buildings, Swoop Navigation, Light and Shadow and Street View.

So, how do you build a map in seconds?  Identify locations of schools, recreations, etc for online visitors. In Google Docs, open an excel spreadsheet.

Insert a Gadget called Google Maps

Select the range of data from the excel spreadsheet to populate the addresses of the map.

Publish the map to its own web page or to a blog. Start connecting with prospective buyers with your knowledge of the area with the help of Google maps.

Going green? Trying to get a handle on all of your forms and paperwork? Want a centralized portal that all your associates can access?

David Drescher of VP Real Property Management, in New Jersey recently told me about a product that he uses called Drop.io. He created a drop.io account for members of the New Jersey Association of REALTORS. It contains many of the forms they regularly use and he even made some of them with fields so data can be typed right in on their computer.

Anyone can anomously add documents, comments, or fax / email them at no charge.  Drop.io is an easy to use, online file sharing service that provides users with a simple and private way to share images, video, audio, documents and other digital content through unique, user-created and controlled sharing points called 'drops.'

Drop.io is used by a wide range of users seeking a convenient and private method for sharing all types of digital content, ranging from families sharing photos of family get togethers to real estate companies using 'drops' as collaborative workspaces. In just two clicks, users are able to seamlessly create personal sharing points, upload content via web, e-mail, MMS, Facebook, and a Firefox extension. Of course the traditional phone and fax inputs still works. Files can then be shared with friends, family and colleagues through drop.io's various web, e-mail, MMS, twitter, iTunes and fax outputs.

Each 'drop' is non-searchable,  and non-networked, and does not require any type of account registration and can be password-protected and set to expire after a period of time.

Drop.io does not keep a directory of drops anywhere that can be searched or crawled directly by search engines.You can receive email notices every time a new piece of media is added to your drop. You can also customize a 'email messages when files are updated. The email includes a direct link to the file.

David Drescher owns constantcommission.com: They are managers of investment properties ranging from residential, Apartment buildings, shopping centers, and office buildings. When a Realtor refers a Landlord to us they pay the 10% of the property management fees every month for the life of the contract to that Realtor.