Virginia Varela, Hoboken REALTOR® Obtains e-PRO Certification To Provide Consumers with State-of-the-Art Services

For Immediate Release
Virginia Varela, Hoboken REALTOR® Obtains e-PRO Certification To Provide Consumers with State-of-the-Art Services
Contact: Virginia Varela,
Tel: (551) 358-8375
E-mail: Virginia@VirginiaVarela.com


Monday, July 27, 2009 - As more and more consumers begin their search for real
estate-related information on the Internet, it is critical that real estate professionals stay on top of the latest technology for the benefit of consumers and real estate practitioners alike. The e-PRO Technology Certification Program fills that need.


Realizing the importance of technology training, the National Association of
REALTORS® (NAR) created a comprehensive Technology Certification course in 2000.
And now that course, e-PRO , has been completely updated to include information on
Social Media and Web 2.0 aspects that is, and will continue, to change the real estate business.

"The real estate industry has undergone a fundamental change over the past five
years," Virginia Varela said. "Today, more than 85% of all buyers and sellers begin their search online. As an e-PRO certified specialist with over 15 years in on-line marketing, web and graphic design, I have the unique knowledge and skills needed to provide my clients with the information they need and the customer service they demand."

The all new e-PRO certification course -- the only technology certification program
offered by NAR -- is designed to prepare real estate professionals to make the most of Internet technology and to identify, evaluate, and impliment new Internet business
models. The elite group of course graduates represents only four percent of all
REALTORS in the country including Virginia Varela.


The e-PRO certification course is an educational program unlike any other professional certification or designation course available, comprehensive and interactive. It is specifically designed to provide real estate professionals with the technology tools needed to assist consumers in the purchase or sale of a home.


The exclusive e-PRO certification course is presented entirely online and certifies real estate agents and brokers as Internet professionals. The course is designed to help REALTORS stay at the leading edge of technology and identify, evaluate and
implement new Internet business models.


Once completed, the e-PRO certified real estate professional joins the ranks of a
special community of highly skilled and continuously trained professionals who provide high quality and innovative online-based real estate services. Consumers can identify the e-PRO through the exclusive e-PRO Internet Professional logo.
Both the content and the delivery platform were created by the San Diego-based
technology company InternetCrusade®. Graduates use the skills they've acquired to
provide clients information on properties for sale, lo communities, and the local real estate market.

For more information, e-mail Virginia Varela at virginia@virginiavarela.com or call
(551)358-8375.

Al Fresco Dining in Jersey City

What's better then dining out in Jersey City? Why, it's dining al fresco in Chilltown.

When you're feeling like you want to stay local and enjoy the beautiful weather in this up and coming town, here is a list of my favorite Jersey City restaurants with sidewalk, rooftop, or garden seating:


Amelia's Bistro
187 Warren St
Jersey City, NJ, 07302
201-332-2200

Lovely and intimate ambience makes this restaurant a great place for a romantic date. Good food, good service, and a friendly staff, this is a place many locals frequent especially during the warm days for an al fresco experience. The website is a little slow but mentions "Amelia's on Wheels" which offers high-end catering.



Azucar
495 Washington Boulevard
Jersey City, NJ, 07302
(201) 222-0090

Though the bar service and Mojitos are nothing to brag about, this restaurant has lovely sidewalk seating for a fun al fresco experience. Having a second level cigar lounge with bar and live Latin bands on weekends, Azucar is one of the more unique dining establishments in the area. Located across from the Newport/Pavonia PATH station and near the Lightrail Stop, you might want to call before arriving as at times they require reservations.


Bistro La Source
85 Morris Street
Jersey City, NJ 07302
(201) 209-1717

Very nice restaurant in Paulus Hook known for its delicious brunch menu. With relaxed but nice decor and good customer service, this place is definitely a keeper.



Embankment Restaurant
234 10th Street
Jersey City, NJ, 07302
(201) 222-6115

Chic restaurant in the Hamilton Park neighborhood is known for its delicious brunch menu but very high prices. Though the decor is said to be better then its food, there is lovely al fresco dining on warmer days.


Madame Claude Cafe
364 1/2 4th St
Jersey City, NJ, 07302
201-876-8800

This quaint French restaurant is a BYOB with good food and great crepes, both savory and sweet. Bring enough cash with you as they don't accept credit cards and the ATMs are not walking-distance. On the corner or 4th & Brunswick, this is a good location for brunch and limited al fresco dining in the warmer months.


Skinner’s Loft
146 Newark Avenue
Jersey City, NJ
(201) 915-0600

Warm and welcoming location with a nice selection of small plates, dinners, and wines, this lovely place is just blocks from the Grove Street PATH station. The first level has the bar and small tables if you're in a casual mood. The second level has a more formal, yet initmate atmosphere, and yes, on the warmer days there is a lovely little rooftop for dining al fresco!

How to Make Your Website Wireless Device Friendly!

With the Average Joe turning more and more to their smart phones, Ipods, PDAs and other wireless devices for instant information it is imperative that your website is "WAP" friendly.

What is the simplest way to keep your website WAP friendly? Well....keep it simple.

1. Although Flash is cool and looks great on your desktop or laptap, most wireless devices cannot read Flash. Websites designed entirely in Flash are INVISIBLE on a WAP device, therefore by all means use Flash as a banner or ad, but understand it will not appear on most wireless devices.

2. Use MOSTLY text and a few graphics nicely organized in a simple table, ESPECIALLY FOR YOUR LISTINGS! The more complicated a table, the more scrolling the web surfer will have to do, and it may confuse and frustrate your audience.

3. Use text AND graphics instead of just one large image or image map on your webpages, and make sure your images are less than 72 DPI each, so that your website loads quickly.

4. Use text links as hyperlinks, and place them at the bottom of your website. Mouse-over images are fine, but a web surfer wants to be able to read your buttons, menus, and navigation, not squint and guess if they're going to the correct web page.

REMEMBER, wireless devices are smaller than PCs, MACs, and laptaps, and still don't have all of their functions. A simple, useful, and well-organized web site will look good and load quickly on either a wireless device or a computer. Good web design is good web design!

Check out both desktop and mobile versions of websites from your computer AND wireless device and note the differences.
Either way, you easily find all the information the website has to offer.

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Virginia Varela is an New Jersey Licensed Real Estate Agent in Hoboken New Jersey. She has over 15 years experience as a web and graphic designer and received her Web Master Certification from New Jersey Institute of Technology.