Q: Pick Me? I don't get that part.
A: We want your input in the development of HomeNet Café. Rather than build it in “isolation” we realize the value in letting everyday people, like you, participate in making a great tool. So we are opening HomeNet Café to few select people to try it out and tell us what to do. As progress is made, we’ll let more and more people in. In geeky software speak; this is called an “Invitation Only Private Beta”.
So, If you want us to pick you to be a part of our invitation only, Private Beta, enter your email address into the “Pick Me!” text field. When we’re ready, you’ll get an invitation. Then keep an close watch on your Inbox!
Q: I don't want strangers knowing my personal business. Is this safe?
A: Yes. We like our privacy too, and respect yours. The default setting for your HomeNet Café account is “closed” and not viewable by anyone. We don’t let the search engines see, or “crawl” your information either. You have complete control over your accounts privacy settings, and we will never re-sell your personal information to third party companies. ( Link to privacy policy )
A: Yes. You can pick just the people you want, like the real estate agent you already know, to be able to see some or all of your account information, that’s what we call a “Preferred Professional”. You can add people you know to your HomeNet Cafe “Network of People” one at a time, or make use of your existing address book and easily add a whole bunch at once. It’s up to you.
Q: I heard that HomeNet Café knows where I am. Is it Spyware?
A: No. Your account only knows what you tell it. HomeNet Café’s location aware Recommendation Engine uses your zip code, supplied by you, as a filter of sorts. That way, the people, places and services you want are all close by, no need to sort through the ones too far away.
Q: How much does it cost to become a member?
A: It’s free. In our Private Beta, there are zero costs for Consumers or real estate Professionals to become members, and no credit card information is required at sign-up. Home services Vendors are being given a limited time reduction in fees for new business leads, too. Know that when we finish with the Private Beta, we will offer a Pro version that will cost money, but basic membership for Consumers and Professionals will always be free.
Q: If it’s free, then how do you make money?
A: We’re in business with you. When you succeed, so do we. All members, Consumers, Professionals and Vendors, work together as a team. HomeNet Café has been built from the ground up to provide all its members the tools to do business, make important home purchasing decisions, communicate, and form lasting connections.
As David Allen says; “Get things done!”
Q: When you say “Consumers”, to whom are you referring?
A: We mean HomeNet Café members who currently own their own home, are in the process of buying their first home or are relocating to a new area. They are all “Consumers”. We are not trying to be rude; it’s just a common term for people who aren’t real estate agents, or home service providers.
Q: What if I am buying a house, but my real estate agent isn’t a HomeNet Café member?
A: No problem. You both are welcome here. The next time you talk or write to your agent, tell them to add their email address to the “Pick Me!” text field and we’ll send them an invitation. After they sign-up, they’ll invite you.
Q: What if I don’t own a home and I am not going to buy one? Will I be able to use HomeNet Café?
A: Absolutely, but just not at this moment. Our Private Beta is focused on homeowners or people about to buy a home, who already have a real estate agent they like. We want to get feedback on how to make HomeNet Café the best it can be first. When we are ready, people who rent apartments can become members and benefit just as much as homeowners do now.
Q: When you say “Professionals”, to whom are you referring?
A: We mean HomeNet Café members who are REALTORS®, or independent real estate agents and brokers. Professionals are experienced loan officers and mortgage industry experts too. We consider “Professionals” to be people dedicated to serving their customers and meeting their every need when it comes to such an important financial investment – their home.
Q: Is HomeNet Café just another social network?
A: No. HomeNet Café features some powerful, business class social networking tools, but is not “Myspace for real estate” in anyway. Your account can be configured to apply real world business rules to what was once a static list of customer contact information and home service vendors. A tremendous time savings is just one benefit from bringing all the people involved in a real estate transaction together in one “place”, your HomeNet Café “Network of People”.
Q: Do my customers and favorite vendors have to pay?
A: No. In our Private Beta, there are zero costs for Consumers and real estate Professionals; no credit card information is required. You can add as many of your customers, past and present, as you want. You can send invitations to all your favorite home service providers, lenders, anyone with whom you know to be an excellent team player. Know that when we finish with the Private Beta, we will offer a Pro version that will cost money, but basic membership for Consumers and Professionals will always be free.
If you have always thought there was a better way of doing things than handing out that printed vendor list to your customers, you were right!
Q: Is HomeNet Café a replacement for my MLS?
A: No. Your MLS is a home listing provider, organizing that information for its members. HomeNet Café is for people, first and foremost. Your MLS and HomeNet Café account are complimentary to one another, and we have lots of integration of the two in the works. If you have a need to better combine your listings with your customer’s contact information, use the “feedback” area in your account. We’d love to here from you!
Q: I am a real estate broker, can I use HomeNet Cafe?
A: Yes. HomeNet Café can be the center point for your brokerage, with your account being made up of your company employees, your team forming the core of your “Network of People”. For very large corporations and regional offices, HomeNet Café branded memberships can expand and adapt to meet your needs. Please write to sales@homenetcafe.com for more information.
Q: I am a mortgage broker, can I use HomeNet Café?
A: Yes. You already work closely with real estate agents, you have the common goal of best serving the homeowner. HomeNet Café membership provides you with the tools to do even more, in less time, resulting in higher customer satisfaction. Participating in a “Network of People” is the key to securely sharing data and aggregating common tasks. Your dedication to serving the financial needs of the first time buyer can extend and benefit an unlimited number of people at HomeNet Café through “friend of a friend” referrals.
Q: When you say “Vendors”? To whom are you referring?
A: We mean HomeNet Café members who are high quality home service providers including General Contractors, Heating and Air Conditioning specialists,Electricians, Home Inspectors, Landscapers, Movers, Painters, Pest Inspectors and Plumbers. We’ll be adding many more categories of goods and services soon. If you are participating in a real estate transaction as a service vendor, you are a HomeNet Café Vendor.
Q: I already have an advertisement in the phone book, why should I be a HomeNet Café Vendor?
A: Better results, by far. As a member of HomeNet Café, you are brought to the attention of homeowners and first time buyers actively purchasing other services as part of the real estate transaction. Membership makes your company or services an easy “two mouse click” addition to that transaction. HomeNet Café’s location aware Recommendation Engine ensures that real estate agents, with whom you already work with, increase awareness of your services to as many of their customers as possible.
Q: How much does it cost to be a HomeNet Café Vendor?
A: During our Private Beta, the fees normally associated with leads and referrals have been drastically reduced. Unprecedented opportunites are available to you by signing up and participating now. For more information about costs, please write to sales@homenetcafe.com and find out how HomeNet Café can provide you with an order of a magnitude more value than any phone book or search engine advertisement.
A: No. Strict security measures and a dedication to user privacy will not allow for you to “play two parts” so to speak. HomeNet Café membership works best when you declare only one profession. You are welcome to membership as a Professional or a trusted Vendor - but are discouraged from “gaming the system” and trying to be both. Ultimately, HomeNet Café’s powerful communication tools will make your skills as a handyman known to all in your “Network of People”, even though your are signed up as a real estate Professional.
Q: I am already a HomeNet Café member. Can I invite my fellow Vendors in other trades to join?
A: Yes, in the form of a recommendation. Vendor accounts do not contain the
means to send formal invitations, but you are strongly encouraged to bring other
high quality home service providers to the attention of the person who invited
you, know as your “Preferred Professional”. Throughout your account you’ll see
“Recommend a Service Provider” links.
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