Can you guys give me some feedback on my first real estate website?

[panda]

Hi everyone. I was wondering if you guys can give me some feedback on my first real estate website. Currently I run a product based ecommerce company for the past 5 years. Although it pays for the mortgage, puts food on the table, and supports for my family's lifestyle, I still itch for a real estate career in addition to what i am doing now.  I believe that 10 years, it was the best time to start a .com business. Today in 2011, I believe that it is one best times to start a real estate business whether it be on the transaction side or buying and holding for cash flow.

My website domain is:http://www.homesofjohnscreek.com

and still in its beta phase as i am still working on the idx integration. One of the things that inspired me about Irvine Housing Blog five years ago was that the site had potential of connecting a community of 200,000 people. I think that my vision for this site, more than trying to monetize is trying to connect a community of 76,000 people in Johns Creek. That is what was cool about IHB in 2006 - 2009, as it was more than just a Irvine real estate portal. Local residents helped each other in investment ideas, best places to shop for certain things, great places to vacation, and school information. At one point, the site had become a community of friends who enjoyed each other's company.

Then IHB became a brokerage and dropped the forum all together. Some people have been hurt through the forums so I am debating if i should have a forum or not for my site.

I would really appreciate your feed back. The website is still not finished yet and is in work in progess so you guys can see how it progresses.

Couple of question for all of you:

1. IHB now ranks #1 for the search term "Irvine Homes" in the google search engine. I want to congratulate Irvine Renter and Zovall for accomplishing this. Do you guys think that IHB would have more successful had they not dropped the forums?

2. What was your impression of the IHB forum. What aspects of the forum was positive / negative?

3. Question for Trojan and IR2: I am thinking about allocating about 15 - 20 hours a week including weekends to get my feet wet on my Real estate biz. I have not made a single tansaction yet 

Can you guys share with me when and how you made your first transaction? I am interested to know how you guys first got started.

Thanks.
Panda

 

[irvinerealtor]

Hello Panda, 
The site looks great and good for you for setting everything up.  I'm sure you'll do well.

I do have one question:

Your statement above,
"I am thinking about allocating about 15 - 20 hours a week including weekends to get my feet wet on my Real estate biz. I have not made a single tansaction yet."

seems to be at odds with the note on your website,

"2. Find a good real estate agent.
You know, of course, that you can buy a home without a real estate agent working with you, right? Just like you can row your own canoe into the Amazon on a day trip scouting for treasure - entirely possible, just not exactly recommended. The good news is, there are so many people out there with real estate licenses that you're bound to run into somebody with one. The bad news is that most of them do this as a side job. Since your money and the place where you lay your head down at night are not "side-job subjects," be sure your agent knows their marketplace, knows the neighborhoods you want to be in...

What is your response when a potential client asks you about that?

-IR2