BUYER'S GUIDE: Cool Tools

• Respond fast with text
  Don’t keep potential buyers waiting for information. Provide a one-word code on For Sale signs that passersby can dial to receive a text message on their cell phone with price, home features, open house dates, and your contact information. You’re instantly notified, and the prospects’ phone number is captured. House4Cell’s rates begin at $29.99 per month for three listings. After the first 10 inquiries, there’s a fee of 20 cents per inquiry. Cellit LLC, Phoenix; 800/790-6597; www.house4cell.com.
  
• No more helium hassles
  If your company requires balloons on open house signs, you know how cumbersome it can be to work with helium. This reusable wire balloon holder gives the appearance that the balloon is floating. The Stand A Balloon fits into any corrugated open house sign and holds 11-inch to 17-inch balloons. $27.50 for a package of 12, volume pricing available. Stand A Balloon, Houston; 832/693-6912; www.standaballoon.com.
  
• Business-building blogs
  Showcase your company’s collective expertise and connect with your community via a blog. BloggingSystems offers a customized multiauthor brokerage blog that includes property mapping tools, local news, e-mail subscriptions for new-home listings, and links to practitioners’ individual blogs. Training, technical support, design, Web hosting, and marketing are included. Start-up costs begin at $2,500 plus a monthly fee of $500 or more. Individual practitioner blogs are free. BloggingSystems LLC, Princeton, N.J.; 800/985-2564; www.bloggingsystems.com.
  
  Prices are the manufacturers' suggested retail prices at the time of publication and are subject to change. NAR doesn't evaluate or endorse these products and isn't responsible for changes in company information.