What kind of content is available to me?

HouseLogic.com helps consumers maintain, enhance, and protect the value of their homes. To that end, it offers advice and guidance on such topics as which home improvements return the greatest value at resale, how to take advantage of tax credits for making your home more energy efficient, and how to build vibrant communities.

Why can I only select 5 articles at a time for my communications?

More than 5 articles would create a very long list that wouldn’t be visually appealing. In addition, long lists of content can be overwhelming to readers.

How do I add an article to my e-newsletter, website, or blog?

After you make your article selections in the system, you’ll be asked what format you want to receive them in. If you choose the e-newsletter or the website and blog module, just copy and paste the provided HTML code into your e-newsletter, website, or blog. The module will be 565 pixels wide. Its height varies by how many articles you choose, though you’re limited to 5. (Keep in mind: The module isn’t a newsletter or website; it’s a widget you can insert into your e-newsletter.) If you choose Word-compatible handout or plain text, you’ll receive a .zip file containing one Word or text file—without images—for each article you select.

What if I don’t have a newsletter or website to add this content to?

You can download a text-only version of the approved content, which you can provide to clients and customers as handouts or as part of mailings. (Remember to download the content through the REALTOR® Content Resource to avoid any copyright infringement issues.) Alternatively, you might want to consider developing an online marketing presence. Visit REALTOR®Benefits to learn about vendors who can help you with your online marketing.

What’s the best way to use the free content available through the REALTORS® Content Resource?

The content is intended for you to use in your e-newsletters, websites, and blogs (or as handouts) to supplement your client and customer marketing communications. Geared to homeowners, the content is ideal for keeping you top of mind as a trusted adviser between home sale transactions. That’s key, considering that nearly one-third of a REALTOR’s® business comes from past client referrals, according to a recent NAR Member Profile.

How do I avoid any copyright infringement issues?

Please abide by our Reprint Rights Policy. The policy stipulates that HouseLogic content may not be edited, changed, or manipulated in any way, and must include proper attribution to HouseLogic—including a link back to HouseLogic.com—and to the original author. For more details and prohibitions on imagery use, please read the policy.

Why is there a limit to the number of articles I can select at a time?

You can come back to the REALTOR® Content Resource as often as you like to pick articles to share with your clients and customers. Each time, you may share up to 5 articles. For some format types, such as blogs, websites, and e-newsletters, including more than five articles isn’t visually appealing.

Is there a charge for using the REALTOR® Content Resource?

Nope, it’s FREE! Using and sharing the articles available through the REALTOR® Content Resource in your consumer communications (blog, website, social media, email, e-newsletter, handout) is a FREE benefit of your NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®’ membership. 

What kind of content is available to me through the REALTOR® Content Resource?

You’ll find hundreds of original, authoritative articles on such topics as home improvement, maintenance, finance, taxes, insurance, and community issues. There are even articles on homebuying and selling. The articles come from HouseLogic.com, NAR’s award-winning homeownership site, and are written by premier journalists who regularly cover the home industry, personal finance, taxes, and real estate.  

Why can I only share one article at a time via Facebook and Twitter?

You can post multiple items from Facebook and Twitter. But Facebook and Twitter are meant to showcase short, quick bits of information to your network to spur conversation, which is the reason you can post one article at a time.

How do I add an article to my website, blog, or e-newsletter?

After you make your article selections, you’ll be asked what format you want use to share them. If you choose the website, blog, or e-newsletter option, just click the “Copy Code” button to copy the provided HTML article source code. Then you can paste the code into your website, blog, or e-newsletter. The resulting content module will be 565 pixels wide, so make sure you have enough space in your website, blog, or e-newsletter to accommodate it. Its height varies by how many articles you choose, though you’re limited to five.

Please keep in mind: The code isn’t an e-newsletter, blog, or website; it’s a content module you can insert into an existing website, blog, or e-newsletter. You may want to consult your webmaster to help you add the source code to your website, blog, or e-newsletter.

What if I don’t have a website, blog, or e-newsletter to add this content to?

That’s OK. You can share this free content with consumers in other easy ways. For instance, you can download a Microsoft Word version of the articles, which you can provide to clients and customers as handouts or as part of mailings. Or if you have Facebook and Twitter accounts, you can easily share articles with your network directly from the REALTOR® Content Resource.

Alternatively, you might want to consider developing an online marketing presence. Visit REALTOR® Benefits to learn about vendors who can help you with your online marketing.

Will visitors have to leave my site to view these articles?

Nope. The code you add to your website or blog will display article titles, summaries, and a small thumbnail image. When consumers click the article title, they’ll launch a new, smaller window with the full article. Your website or blog will remain open on their computer screen. When they close the article window, your blog or website will still be visible.

What if I don’t have an e-newsletter or website to add this content to?

That's OK. You can share this free content with consumers in other easy ways. You can download a Microsoft Word version of articles, which you can provide to clients and customers as handouts or as part of mailings. (Remember to download the content through the REALTOR® Content Resource to avoid any copyright infringement issues.)

Or if you have Facebook and Twitter accounts, you can easily share articles with your network directly from the REALTOR® Content Resource.

Alternatively, you might want to consider developing an online marketing presence. Visit REALTOR®Benefits to learn about vendors who can help you with your online marketing.

What if I want to share articles via Facebook, Twitter, or email?

You can! The REALTOR® Content Resource now lets you share articles with your social network quickly and easily right from the site. Click the Facebook or Twitter icon next to the article you’ve selected, for instance, and you’ll be prompted to log in to Facebook or Twitter to share it. That’s it. If you haven’t already, register with Facebook or Twitter for a free account so you can start sharing homeownership articles with your network today.

If you want to share an article by email, just click the email icon next to the article. The REALTOR® Content Resource will display a pop-up box. Just enter your name and email, the recipient’s name and email, a message, retype the spam filter word, and you’re done.

Do I need to be logged in to Facebook or Twitter to share an article?

No. When you click the Facebook or Twitter icon next to the article you want to share, Facebook and Twitter will automatically prompt you to log in before you share. If you don’t already have a free Facebook or Twitter account, you’ll need to register first to share articles via social media.

If you share an article via email, the REALTOR® Content Resource will provide you a pop-up box. Just enter your name and email, the recipient’s name and email, a message, retype the spam filter word, and you’re done.

How long does it take for posts to display on Facebook or Twitter?

Typically, posts display almost instantly. Occasionally, it can take up to a half hour for a new post to display on Facebook or Twitter. Try refreshing your Facebook and Twitter pages to see if that forces the update.

How do I know if my client or customer got the email I sent from the REALTOR® Content Resource?

When you select email as your method for sharing an article, you’ll receive a pop-up confirmation, indicating that your article has been sent to and shared with the person you indicated. 

I clicked the “Copy Code” button. Now what? Where did the code go?

The code is saved and ready to be pasted into your website or blog. Just navigate to your website or blog and hit paste in the area where you want to add the REALTOR® Content Resource articles. You’ll need a space that’s 565 pixels wide to accommodate the article titles, summaries, and thumbnail image that the code represents. If you’re comfortable working in HTML you can change the dimensions. Or you can contact your webmaster.

How do I avoid any copyright infringement issues?

To avoid any copyright infringement issues, please abide by our Reprint Rights Policy. The Reprint Rights Policy, as is typical of any online publication, stipulates that HouseLogic content may not be edited, changed, or manipulated in any way, and must include proper attribution to both HouseLogic.com and the article’s author. For more details, and prohibitions on imagery use, please read the policy.

How do I search for articles?

You have several easy ways to search for articles to share with consumers: 1) by theme or 2) by keyword.

1. Searching by theme is a great option if you want to share a collection or package of articles on a particular topic, such as Energy Tax Credits or Fall Maintenance, with consumers. Plus you don’t need to take time to pick articles individually. We’ve done that for you.

2. If you want to select the particular articles you want to use, just type your subject into the “Search by Keyword” field.

How often is new content added?

The HouseLogic writers are busy producing high-quality content weekly. Check back often at the REALTOR® Content Resource for additions.

I used to search by “Collections.” Where did they go?

The same great collections of content you’re accustomed to are still available at the REALTOR® Content Resource. Those “Collections” are now called “Themes.” Themes refer to groupings or packages of articles on a particular topic, such as Appliance Buying Guides or Successful Homebuying. The REALTOR® Content Resource now lets you choose how you want to search for articles: “Browse by Theme” to search for a prepackaged selection of articles based on a theme, or “Search by Keyword” to choose articles individually.

How are other REALTORS® sharing information from the REALTOR® Content Resource with their clients and customers?

All the sharing methods--Facebook, Twitter, email, blog, website, e-newsletter, and handout--fit different needs. If you do a lot of open houses, you might opt for printable handouts of articles. If you have a big social network, you might prefer to share articles via Facebook and Twitter. If your market loves to read your e-newsletter or blog, that’s probably a great spot for the articles.

What if I get an error message from Facebook or Twitter?

If you get an error message from either site, try your post again. If you continue to have problems, please Contact Us online or call us directly at 800-874-6500.

How do I find the HTML in my website or blog?

Most website or blog tools allow you to work in a text editor to make changes. Also, there’s usually an HTML tab that allows you to view that code and manually alter it. If you aren’t comfortable working with HTML, contact your webmaster.

What is a Zip file and do I need special software?

A Zip file is a way to transfer large files of data quickly over the Internet. You shouldn’t need special software as Zip files are an industry standard.

What if I want to change the dimensions of the content module that appears in my blog or website?

Simply paste the content source code into the HTML view. You can then go back through the design view to visually alter the width and height dimensions. If you’re comfortable with HTML, you can do it directly within the code window. Or you can ask your webmaster to do it for you.

What’s the best way to share REALTOR® Content Resource articles with my clients?

There are four easy ways to share, depending on your preferred method for communicating with your clients and customers. You can share articles via 1) your blog or website; 2) Facebook, Twitter, or email; 3) your e-newsletter; or 4) as a handout. Feel free to use one method or all four to share content.

To help you make your decision, consider how you communicate with your clients and customers and how they prefer to receive information from you. To see an example of how the articles might look for each option, click the “See a Sample” link on the “Choose How to Share” page.

Why can’t I download the Word handout?

If you don’t have Microsoft Word on your computer, you may encounter problems downloading the handouts. Also, based on NAR member feedback, we no longer offer text file downloads.

What’s the best way to use the free content available through the REALTOR® Content Resource?

You're busy. So we know it’s tough to find time to develop original, regular content for your communications vehicles. The REALTOR® Content Resource takes care of that for you. The original articles on homeownership topics, buying, and selling are available to use in your:

• Website

• Blog

• E-newsletter

• Social media channels

• Email

• Printable handouts

The content is ideal for keeping you top of mind as a trusted adviser between home sale transactions. That’s key, considering that nearly one-third of a REALTOR®'s business comes from past client referrals, according to a recent NAR Member Profile.

Can I add HTML code to my e-newsletter?

You can if it’s an HTML-based e-newsletter. Embedding HTML for REALTOR® Content Resource articles is a bit advanced compared with adding articles to your blog or website. Check with your provider to see if they have any support documentation or can help you. Keep in mind that you can’t add the HTML to your Outlook or other email system; you need an e-newsletter template.

Why would I want to download articles as printable handouts?

As much as there’s a need for sharing content online, there’s a lot to be said for giving a client or prospect something tangible, like a handout. By downloading articles from the REALTOR® Content Resource in Word, you can share handouts at open houses and other in-person events.

Some REALTORS® even create booklets of handouts based on a theme. For instance, you could give first-time buyers a handy booklet of articles like "7 Steps to Take Before Buying a New Home," "8 Tips for Finding Your New Home," and "7 Tips to a Stress-Free Home Closing." Or you could create a booklet of articles, such as "Delinquent HOA Fees: How to Collect," "Should Your HOA Manage Itself or Hire a Professional Manager?" and "Building a Rooftop Community Garden," relevant to residents in your homeowners association.

You can also add your own branding to the article handouts you generate from the REALTOR® Content Resource. There’s a spot at the top of the document for your logo, etc.

Why can’t I find the articles I just downloaded as Word handouts?

When you request multiple printable handouts of articles from the REALTOR® Content Resource, you’ll receive them as a Zip file. A window will open on your screen asking you to save or open the files. Choose which you’d prefer.

Then you’ll be prompted to extract the files to one of your computer folders. Once you select where you want to save them and hit save, you’ll find each Word document, named by the article title, in the appropriate computer folder.

Why does the Facebook “Share” button post REALTOR® Content Resource articles to my personal Facebook page instead of my Facebook business page?

Facebook business pages, like group and fan pages, are tied to your personal Facebook account and the email you used to create your personal account. So any articles you “Share” will post, by default, to your personal wall.
 
Facebook is working to develop third-party “Share” buttons that will let users post to business, group, and fan pages. In the meantime, to share REALTOR® Content Resource articles via your Facebook business page, copy and paste the article URLs directly into your business page.