Posted by Scott (PCB-FL) on April 01, 2004 at 17:55:18:
Q and all other responders,
I want to thank all of you for your advice (though I know this is just going to Q). While I am focusing on my first deals, I don’t want to step out into the street without looking both ways first. I do eventually want to go REI full time, and I want an organized office to go with that. I plan to start with all the necessities and modify to suit my tastes as I go.
Thanks again.
Scott (PCB-FL)
Seeking Home Office Advice - Posted by Scott (PCB-FL)
Posted by Scott (PCB-FL) on April 01, 2004 at 12:31:21:
Hello to all,
I am a newbie and am looking for some advice on setting up a good (efficient) home office. I have just about all the hardware I think I need, but wanted to hear advice from others. I would appreciate general advice on management software and phone services, but here are some specific questions I have.
Has anyone had great success with WINFAX or some other program for phone/answering machine/fax applications?
Do most of you rely mostly on a cell phone?
What’s the best way to keep a good contacts list (software, filing system, etc.)?
For those high-tech investors out there…did you build your own web pages? If so, what software did you use? If not, how did you do it and what is the cost?
Please share any other home office set-up or management techniques that you have found great success with.
Thanks in advance,
Scott (PCB-FL)
Re: Seeking Home Office Advice - Posted by Yves
Posted by Yves on April 02, 2004 at 03:13:51:
First of all I would like to say Good Luck.
And don’t let the details stop you from starting.
Cell Phone is always on, try to return messages
timely.
I use Voicecom Recruiter
which offer email fax and 800
I use a flexible case from office max
for docs, stays in the car
I use a digital camera to take shots of homes
I have cards that I print myself with
a mypublisher software from Fry’s
makes cards, flyers, business letterhead ect.
Since I added my website to my cards and
signs it has increased the number of people
who contact me.
Any local college could help you out with a
webmaster. Students charge $100 to $300
than $40 and hour low scale. graphics extra
There is problably a webmaster or two on this site.
Thirdsphere and newebhost are great hosting sites.
I like the freedom of setting up my own
webpage. I’m not a techy so I use an all in one
solution.
try this site don’t purchase anything just check out the ease of making a professional site.
design a few temporary sites with no html needed. Takes about 15 minutes.
http://vital.unlimitedprofits.com/index.phpszPageFileName=products
My best assets are couple of title agents
that help me with property profiles.
Easy Up
Re: Seeking Home Office Advice - Posted by Qinvestor
Posted by Qinvestor on April 01, 2004 at 15:58:29:
Hey Scott,
Also another thing to add to jim’s idea is not to forget to out fit your vehicle.
I have a mobile desk with me, and all the necessary paperwork already inside my car ready to go. I can be forgetful at times. For example on my way out one time I left and renturned to my house 5 times in a row, the neighbors thought I was nuts…or going down that way.
Things that are not necessary for beginners but are sure allot of help if you’re on the road -
PDA’s, mini recorder-hey it beats trying to drive – look – and scribble at the same time, and of course the investor’s universal key - crowbar & a flash light.
Re: Seeking Home Office Advice - Posted by Jim FL
Posted by Jim FL on April 01, 2004 at 15:24:59:
Scott,
Welcome to REI.
Sounds like you are gung-ho, and that is good.
Frankly, setting up your office is a somewhat personal thing, since everyone works differently.
I’d concentrate more on how you are going to make money, and let the small details like office set up happen as you work.
Now, with that said, I’ll try to respond to your questions and see where we land.
You asked:
“Has anyone had great success with WINFAX or some other program for phone/answering machine/fax applications?”
REPLY:
Yes, sort of. I do have an e-fax account which I give to folks who are going to fax me long or many page documents, at an unspecified time. This allows the fax to get sent to me via e-mail, and then printed/stored on my computer.
I don’t use that to send faxes though.
I would recommend getting a simple easy to use plain paper fax. They are cheap enough these days, less than $50 in some locations. Seek one that recognizes ‘distinctive ring’.
Then, spend a couple bucks, really, like $10/mo or some silly number, for a second phone number, on your regular phone line. This will be a number with a ‘special’ or ‘distinctive ring’, that only your fax machine responds to.
This way local folks can fax you, at anytime, and you can send faxes at will.
Simple and easy to use.
That is how I do things anyway.
Next you asked:
“Do most of you rely mostly on a cell phone?”
REPLY:
I do rely on a cell phone. In fact, we all have them, my whole family, and anyone I work with. I forward my main line to it when out, most times, and carry it 24/7.
Next you asked:
“What’s the best way to keep a good contacts list (software, filing system, etc.)?”
REPLY:
Well, now we have stumbled onto one of my admitted weaknesses. I try to be organized, and am in most things. However, my contacts are not. I’ve been trying to learn to use ACT, and outlook, since I have gadgets all over the place.
However, I still rely heavily on clip boards, labeled for different things, hanging around my office.
This allows info to be organized, as well as in my face, and easy to reference.
A bulletin board for your office is a wise choice as well.
Next you asked:
“For those high-tech investors out there…did you build your own web pages? If so, what software did you use? If not, how did you do it and what is the cost?”
REPLY:
As someone else suggested, if you have never built a website, get someone else to do it. It can be learned. I’ve done it, with several, so it can be done, because I am slow when it comes to publishing skills.
However, with every single website I have, a pro eventually was called in to make them cleaner, nicer, and work better. There are enough under employed computer folks out there, that getting a website built is cheap enough.
I don’t think having a nice flashy website makes or breaks an REI business though, unless your marketing features it…which it should not, in my opinion.
Lastly you said:
“Please share any other home office set-up or management techniques that you have found great success with.”
REPLY:
The best advice I can give, is to keep things simple and easy to find in a flash.
I’ve been a full timer for a while now.
I could very well afford a nice LARGE office, perhaps even an assistant or two, in a commercial building.
I still prefer to keep my office small, and in my home.
I like to work here, and with the limited space, I’m forced to remain organized.
Besides, rolling around my small office in my desk chair to grab whatever info I need is a plus…especially when working the phones.
Speaking of which, one other tip.
If you decide to market heavy, and use the phone a lot to take calls from sellers/buyers/other REI’s, get yourself a headset and cordless phone for the office.
When its nice outside (all the time here by the way), I really enjoy being able to sit on my screen room, and have my phone(cordless with headset) and wireless PDA handy for web access.
It sure is nice to sit outside, relaxing, and working at the same time.
Not too many jobs allow this kind of thing, so make your work space yours…that is the BESt advice I can think to give.
Take care, and enjoy the journey,
Jim FL
P.S. After you develop more business, of course you will add to your office needs. I currently have 8 phone numbers working in one way or another within my home. (we run more than one business from my home.)
Re: Seeking Home Office Advice - Posted by Randy (SD)
Posted by Randy (SD) on April 01, 2004 at 14:25:31:
I use WinFax 10.0 for fax applications (version 10.0 no longer has the answering machine feature, earlier versions do)
I use Act for a contact database, integrates seamlessly with WinFax and outlook also has its own internal e-mail application.
I use QuickBooks pro for a financial recordkeeping, mortgages and liens and general accounts receivable/payable.
Yes a cell phone is beneficial and I recommend Verizon wireless. IMHO do not to choose AT&T they are losing 750,000 customers a month to Verizon…
Regarding a web site, I wouldn’t make that a priority. There’s plenty of time for something like that when you have a few properties to market.
Re: Seeking Home Office Advice - Posted by anon
Posted by anon on April 01, 2004 at 13:57:58:
Do not build your own web page. It’ll look dumb. Pay some Nerd 200-250 dollars