Real Estate: building a community site

homeowners' association wants IN. ideas?

[rcjordan]

spin-off from [webmasterworld.com]

>the homeowners's association of a large waterfront subdivision asked if they could somehow be IN the website we have advertising the properties still for sale.

Well, I'm sure going to let them. I figure this has viral advertising written all over it. I've just registered the somewhat unique, one-word name as a domain name.

Using templates and scripts I already have at hand, I'm planning to allow the hospitality assoc. to maintain their own events calendar and newsletter. Any other experiences or ideas out there? I'd like to hear them.

[toolman]

I've used phpWebSite very effectively for Agents who want to maintain a "Community Portal". The only problem is getting an agent to keep up with it. If they work the url into their Direct Mail marketing and TV ads, the portal will soon pay off. It makes them look very sharp.

[rcjordan]

I've got the 'How' pretty well nailed down. I'm using a customized version of HomeFree to control (read: force) the template, headers, footers, file types, number of files, and disk allocation. It also tells me, as admin, when they last visited to update.

They've mentioned that some would like a tour of their homes. I'm not keen on that. I'm also not going to get into protective covenants and such, since they'd be forgotten if an amendment was made.

Have you done something like this for the "Ranch" or elsewhere? See any pitfalls other than keeping them updating it?

[toolman]

>>>>tour of their homes

Send the ipix guys out there...I don't know how the poor dudes make any money they do it so cheap.

Otherwise let them post the pix themselves. There's nothing like waiting for a page full of 1600x1200 "fresh out of the camera" pictures to download while you go play a round of golf. ;)

[rcjordan]

>ipix

No ipix guys here... we're in the sticks.

>nothing like waiting for a page full of 1600x1200 "fresh out of the camera" pictures

That's another reason I went with HomeFree, admin sets the max individual file size allowed.

[toolman]

>>>admin sets the max individual file size

Nothing like explaining that the pictures won't upload because they are too big and they need to reduce the size down to 320x240 max and give it a jpeg compression of about 45%....it's been my experience that you get the same look you get from your dog...."I trust you but I don't understand a thing you say to me".

The only fix for this obvious usability problem is to use ImageMagick or GD and reduce the pictures for them automatically on the server.

[mivox]

Offer to do it for them for a smallish fee, and set up a preset in your compression program to automatically handle the default output of their camera... I know Debabelizer used to have a great batch processing function.

[rcjordan]

>Nothing like explaining that the pictures won't upload
>Offer to do it for them for a smallish fee

Eeeewwwww! Not even for a largish fee. Homefree will send them one of RC's warm and fuzzy error messages.

But I do like the idea of handling resizing/reducing pix automatically, as I have other applications where it might come in handy (involves the MLS, all the local listings, and broker reciprocity, TM). Point me at it.

<added>
Got it: [imagemagick.org]

[toolman]

[tangledhelix.com...]

This oughta burn a few brain cells, rc...get yer thinkin' cap on.

[rcjordan]

>the MLS, all the local listings

Thinkin' as fast as I can, TM. Thanks!