From Margaret Galecki, Coldwell Banker Townside REALTORS(R):

We've got fresh faces and new ideas at Coldwell Banker Townside.  Our marketing team is on board to help the agents at Coldwell Banker Townside with advertising their listings and marketing their strengths as real estate agents.

Samantha Lambert joins our marketing department with a degree from Radford University in Marketing with an emphasis in Graphic Design and Advertising.  Samantha is also an avid hiker and scuba-diver and is a trained EMT with the Blacksburg Volunteer Rescue Squad. 

Katie Biondo, a Virginia Tech graduate, has a degree in Fine Art, and worked as the Managing Editor of Design for the Virginia Tech student newspaper, the Collegiate TImes, before joining the marketing team at Coldwell Banker Townside.

We also added a new administrative assistant, Pam Stephenson.  Pam is trained as a paralegal, interior designer, and was once a licensed real estate agent in North Carolina.  Pam's variety of skills and her pleasant manner have been a great addition to our staff.

Kellie Shaver, our receptionist, joined our staff in the spring of 2011. Kellie has a degree in Communications from Radford University and is currently pursuing her Master's degree in Sport Management.

We are very lucky to have such a talented group of individuals to support the agents at Coldwell Banker Townside.

Coldwell Banker Townside has one purpose in mind - to help people buy and sell real estate. To accomplish this mission we've invested in the most relevant online tools and resources, advanced marketing strategies, and education. But what we're most proud of is our people, and we'd like you to meet them.

Coldwell Banker Townside specializes in in Blacksburg, Christiansburg, Roanoke, and Salem, Virginia real estate and homes and national and global relocation services to the Blacksburg, Virginia and Roanoke, Virginia areas. You're invited to check out the CBT blog, Keepin' It Real Estate, visit Coldwell Banker Townside, REALTORS (R) on Facebook, and see more of Coldwell Banker Townside on Handshake 2.0.

Download the Coldwell Banker Townside App in the iTunes App Store or in the Android Market.

Coldwell Banker Townside REALTORS is a client of Handshake Media, Incorporated, the parent company of Handshake 2.0.

The original Parametric Tree was created using Wolfram's Mathematica by Alex Edelman and appeared on Handshake 2.0 in 2009.  We love sharing this 2010 post again - Alex's parametric tree decorated for the holidays for client Coldwell Banker Townside, REALTORS(R) by Kelsey Sarles!

Seasons greetings and best wishes for a wonderful 2012 from from Coldwell Banker Townside, REALTORS and Handshake 2.0!

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You're invited to view all the parametric images on Handshake 2.0.

Coldwell Banker Townside specializes in in Blacksburg, Christiansburg, Roanoke, and Salem, Virginia real estate and homes and national and global relocation services to the Blacksburg, Virginia and Roanoke, Virginia areas. You're invited to check out the CBT blog, Keepin' It Real Estate, visit Coldwell Banker Townside, REALTORS (R) on Facebook, and see more of Coldwell Banker Townside on Handshake 2.0.

Download the Coldwell Banker Townside App in the iTunes App Store or in the Android Market.

Coldwell Banker Townside REALTORS is a client of Handshake Media, Incorporated, the parent company of Handshake 2.0.

"Top Producer" is by Kelsey Sarles for Coldwell Banker Townside, REALTORS (R).

Coldwell Banker Townside specializes in in Blacksburg, Christiansburg, Roanoke, and Salem, Virginia real estate and homes and national and global relocation services to the Blacksburg, Virginia and Roanoke, Virginia areas. You're invited to check out the CBT blog, Keepin' It Real Estate, visit Coldwell Banker Townside, REALTORS (R) on Facebook, and see more of Coldwell Banker Townside on Handshake 2.0.

Download the Coldwell Banker Townside App in the iTunes App Store or in the Android Market.

Read more from Margaret Galecki on Handshake 2.0 and view more from Kelsey Sarles on Handshake 2.0.

Coldwell Banker Townside REALTORS is a client of Handshake Media, Incorporated, the parent company of Handshake 2.0.

A version of this post by Katie Biondo first appeared on Keepin' It Real Estate.  We thank you client, Coldwell Banker Townside REALTORS(R), for the shout out! 

Smart phones are always on, always with us and always connected. A recent study by Google Mobile Marketing revealed that consumers are becoming more dependent on their smartphones each day. Users browse their smartphone while using other forms of media and would even give up chocolate to keep using their smartphones! Smartphones have also made users more savvy. An astonishing 79% of people use their smartphone to help with shopping. Smartphones help people find a retailer, compare prices, get coupons, read reviews and search store inventory. 74% of users made a purchase based on a smartphone search.

These mobile shopping habitats = big spending. Most of this shopping is done in the consumers' own backyards. A surprising 95% of people use their smartphones to look for local information. Mobile ads help draw attention to smartphone users. Nine out of 10 mobile users have taken action thanks to a smartphone search. Mobile ads work:  82% of people notice mobile ads and either visit, make a purchase or call the business.

Coldwell Banker Townside has joined the smartphone generation by offering our own mobile app. We are the first and only real estate company in the area to develop a mobile app, thanks to our developers at Handshake Media. You can download the mobile app on your smartphone (Android or iPhone) and get connected with our company and agents while searching through contact information and listings. Join the mobile movement and download our app today!

Coldwell Banker Townside, REALTORS (R) is a client of Handshake Media, Incorporated, the parent company of Handshake 2.0. The Coldwell Banker Townside App is a Handshake(R) mobile application from Handshake Media.

Every week I stand up in front of 20 or more real estate agents and share my insights about the market, detail updates about changes in real estate law or contracts, and give pep talks about being the best you can be in the real estate profession.  I would consider myself a “mini” public speaker.

As a sales manager, I have chosen not to sell real estate so that I am not competing with my agents.  Though I don't do a personal "pitch," I frequently have opportunities to promote the company and the agents in small, casual groups and when meeting with prospective agents.  I get to talk about our agents, the Coldwell Banker Townside reputation, the value of our full-time marketing department, our mobile app, and our company video. I usually get several minutes, sometimes longer, to develop rapport and tell (sell) the whole story.

As one of the sponsors of a recent evening's Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce, Virginia, Business After Hours event, I had the opportunity to speak to the members for a brief moment about our sponsorship.  Thankfully, I did manage to say my name, Margaret Galecki, and that I was the general manager of Coldwell Banker Townside. I smiled when I spoke of the rain clouds subsiding and the food being wonderful. I even managed to give a momentary tribute to the agents (thanks to the Go Blue! Team), who helped sponsor the event by serving adult beverages to members.  However, as I lay in bed the next morning waiting for the alarm to ring, I rewrote my speech...

At the very least, I should have mentioned that we are a full service real estate firm with offices in Blacksburg and Roanoke, Virginia. I should have introduced the fine agents who helped serve: Susanna Lilly,  Allen Cowley, and Dennis Smith. I should have at least mentioned the availability of top real estate professionals and their willingness and desire to help with all real estate needs.  I should have invited members to call or to visit our website and I could have done all that in under 30 seconds.

At the risk of giving unsolicited advice, as a representative of a business, may I suggest you NOT wait until the morning after to have your 30-second pitch ready to deliver.

You're invited to read more from Margaret Galecki on Handshake 2.0 and to download the Coldwell Banker Townside App for the iPhone in the iTunes App Store or in the Android Market.

Margaret Galecki is a client columnist for Handshake 2.0. Coldwell Banker Townside, REALTORS (R) is a client of Handshake Media, Incorporated, the parent company of Handshake 2.0.  The Coldwell Banker Townside App is a Handshake(R) mobile application from Handshake Media.

From Margaret Galecki:

Years ago, I was standing in the line at the gas station waiting to pay for my gas.  The line wasn’t very long so I was avidly reading the headlines of the tabloids to make sure I could finish them before it was my turn to pay.  The line moved quickly and I joked with the cashier that she was too fast - I didn’t have time to find out what was really going on in the world.  She nodded in agreement and we had a “moment” sharing the outrageousness of the “what people will publish.”  I read one headline out to her: “Alien Baby Raised by Chimps.”  Her smile disappeared, her eyes narrowed, she leaned towards me earnestly and said, “Oh, but that one is TRUE!”

Also in the real estate world, we have to be careful of what we publish knowing that the information we share may be read and believed!  With the voluminous amount of real estate statistics available, I would caution a seller or potential seller to beware of national or aggregate local data and statistics. 

Real estate data is most often represented by statistics dealing with what has been already been sold. Whereas "sold" statistics may help in some respects in understanding the market in the immediate past, an agent can help a seller wade through all of the information to understand the current market conditions and competition even more. 

Average sale prices for the last six months in Blacksburg, Christiansburg and Radford, Virginia vary by as much as $70,000 for a single family home, so it is very important to be specific in analyzing a particular market. Unlike tabloid-like information available to the masses, your agent has exclusive access to data that can tell you at what price most properties in your neighborhood or community are being offered, what price most buyers are likely to offer, and how long it will take before you are likely to get an offer.

You're invited to read more from Margaret Galecki on Handshake 2.0 and to download the Coldwell Banker Townside App for the iPhone in the iTunes App Store or in the Android Market.

Margaret Galecki is a client columnist for Handshake 2.0.  Coldwell Banker Townside, REALTORS (R) is a client of Handshake Media, Incorporated, the parent company of Handshake 2.0.

From Margaret Galecki, Coldwell Banker, Townside, REALTORS(R):

But it's even better than that... Hey, Mom, I'm on YouTube!

As a business person, I've been trying to figure out the best way to launch our new video. Aren't the rules of social media to give something of value without asking for business in return? Am I supposed to be subtle and hope you embrace the charm of the video and not remind you that we are trying to engage you with our personality so that ultimately when you need a real estate agency, you'll think of Coldwell Banker Townside? Or do I pummel you with the obvious and remind you how important video is on the Internet today (over 40% of the content online is now video) and that the use of video in the real estate market is important to consumers (73% of homeowners are more likely to list with a REALTOR offering to do a video)?  Will I miss the best impact of the video if I Ieave out the national Coldwell Banker tagline, "We never stop moving," to help remind you we're "moving" with technology in real time? (We've got a mobile app, too!)

I'll just say I'm proud of our agents, and our marketing team, Kelsey Sarles and Caroline Laski, for putting together this video. We have updated our website and I'm hoping this video will entice you to take a look to see what we're about.  We do have a more streamlined look to our website and we've put a home search feature on the home page that quickly accesses real estate listings in the New River Valley and Roanoke, Virginia.  You can also see our new listings, price changes, and weekly open houses with one click.

But again, the fun stuff is our new Coldwell Banker Townside video featuring owners Bill Gearhart and Anne Lee Stevens, yours truly, and many of the agents in our Blacksburg and Roanoke offices. Hope you enjoy.

You're invited to read more from Margaret Galecki on Handshake 2.0 and to download the Coldwell Banker Townside App for the iPhone in the iTunes App Store or in the Android Market.

Margaret Galecki is a client columnist for Handshake 2.0.  Coldwell Banker Townside, REALTORS (R) is a client of Handshake Media, Incorporated, the parent company of Handshake 2.0.

We asked TORC Technologies to share with Handshake 2.0's audience more about the story we learned first from Montgomery County, VA Economic Development and TORC's Media Center. David Cutter kindly replied:

In early 2010 Dr. Dennis Hong, Director of Robotics and Mechanisms Lab (RoMeLa) at Virginia Tech, was tasked with upgrading his “phase 1” prototype dune-buggy and nonvisual interfaces for the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) Blind Driver Challenge, and putting blind drivers in a real, road-ready vehicle. Because of the way the nonvisual interfaces (DriveGrip and SpeedStrip) work, the equivalent of an autonomous vehicle was required.
 
To accomplish this in such an aggressive timeframe, and remain focused on improving the novel devices used to communicate with the blind driver, Dr. Hong made the decision to leverage TORC’s off-the-shelf mobile robotics platform – the ByWire XGV. This “modified Ford Escape” was then topped off with TORC’s PowerHub modules which are used to distribute power to all of the added sensors, computers, and the nonvisual devices added to the system. A custom version of TORC’s AutonoNav (autonomous navigation system) was used to process the environment and make driving decisions.
 
In a typical autonomous vehicle, these decisions would be fed back into the vehicle’s control systems to carry out the actual driving behaviors. Here is what makes this project so unique: Instead of driving the blind person around autonomously, the whole point of the Challenge was to let the blind person make active decisions and have full control over driving the vehicle. This is why communicating through the nonvisual interfaces was so critical for the project’s success.
 
This is a perfect example of why using TORC products makes sense – it allows the researchers to proceed full steam ahead on their technological innovations and not “reinvent the wheel” by building custom, one-off robotic systems which can eat up a majority of a project’s time and engineering resources. TORC is extremely proud to have its products and engineering support used in such a visionary project led by the Dr. Hong, NFB and Virginia Tech.

TORC Technologies was featured on the Today Show.

This edition of the Tech Showcase on Handshake 2.0 is sponsored by Coldwell Banker Townside, REALTORS (R), is a full service real estate agency specializing in Blacksburg, Christiansburg, Roanoke, and Salem, Virginia real estate and homes.  You're invited to download the Coldwell Banker Townside App, check out the CBT blog, Keepin' It Real Estate, visit Coldwell Banker Townside, REALTORS (R) on Facebook, and see more of Coldwell Banker Townside on Handshake 2.0. 

Coldwell Banker Townside REALTORS is a client of Handshake Media, Incorporated, parent company of Handshake 2.0.

Margaret Galecki, General Manager of the Blacksburg, Virginia office of Coldwell Banker Townside, REALTORS, was featured in "The Real Estate App" by Rachel Garrity in the March, 2011 issue of Valley Business FRONT.

Photo credit: Rachel Garrity

Valley Business FRONT is the monthly magazine for in-depth business news in the Roanoke Valley and the New River Valley of Virginia. You're invited to read moreFRONT and to follow Valley Business FRONT on Twitter, @vbFRONT.

Coldwell Banker Townside, REALTORS is a sponsor of the first meeting of the Network of Women Mobile Application Developers in Blacksburg, Virginia.

You can read posts by Margaret Galecki on Handshake 2.0.

The Coldwell Banker Townside App is a Your Handshake(R) App, a Handshake(R) brand mobile application from Handshake Media, Incorporated.

Download the Coldwell Banker Townside App for the iPhone in the iTunes App Store

Download the Coldwell Banker Townside App for the Android in the Android Market

Coldwell Banker Townside, REALTORS (R) is a client of Handshake Media, Incorporated, the parent company of Handshake 2.0.

In Valley Business FRONT, that is.  Margaret Galecki, General Manager of the Blacksburg, Virginia office of Coldwell Banker Townside REALTORS, is featured in "The Real Estate App" by Rachel Garrity in the March, 2011 issue of Valley Business FRONT.  You can "turn" to page 30 and read the story online.

The Coldwell Banker Townside App is a Your Handshake(TM) App, a Handshake(TM) brand mobile application from Handshake Media, Incorporated. 

Download the Coldwell Banker Townside App for the iPhone in the iTunes App Store
Download the Coldwell Banker Townside App for the Android in the Android Market

Coldwell Banker Townside, REALTORS (R), is a full service real estate agency specializing in Blacksburg, Christiansburg, Roanoke, and Salem, Virginia real estate and homes.  You're invited to check out the CBTownside blog, Keepin' It Real Estate, visit Coldwell Banker Townside, REALTORS (R) on Facebook, follow Coldwell Banker Townside on Twitter, and learn more about Coldwell Banker Townside on Handshake 2.0. 

You're invited to read posts by Margaret Galecki on Handshake 2.0.

Coldwell Banker Townside, REALTORS (R) is a client of Handshake Media, Incorporated, the parent company of Handshake 2.0.

The Coldwell Banker Townside App is a Your Handshake(TM) App from the line of Handshake(TM) mobile applications developed by Handshake Media, Incorporated.