One of the most beneficial characteristics of browsers is to provide a way to store a list of your favorite sites. The result is called a bookmarks file in Netscape, your Favorites directories in Internet Explorer, and will contain the URL's of these places.

Your bookmarks file is an excellent resource for keeping track of the places you visit that you want to remember. For example, let's say that you come across a wonderful site, dedicated to home repair. It has forums for professionals to ask questions, a how-to section for members to give advice, and a "Related businesses" place for companies to advertise. In short, it's a tremendous resource that can provide benefits year-round for when your customers ask for links to this subject.

If you add this site, it will show up in your bookmarks file or Favorites directory. You now have an easy one-step means to find it in the future.

Consider another example. Let's say that you are on the lookout for homebuyers in Florida. During one search, you notice a result for investment properties in the SouthEast.

Perhaps today you won't need this resource, but who's to say that tomorrow won't bring in a homebuyer who wants to invest in your neck of the woods? If you bookmark the site while it's right in front of you, you'll have that location available when you need it in the future.

What about related Real Estate Professional resources? Maybe your area of concentration is Residential Homes in a particular county. Do you know a complimentary Realtor who deals with the commercial properties, such offices, malls, restaurants etc. in this area? If so, you can bookmark these related sites as you come across them, and exchange information. When that investment Real Estate Professional comes across Residential resources while searching for commercial properties, the favor could be returned.

Bookmark files are indeed very useful.

Creating a bookmarks file is easy. The steps vary from browser to browser, but the essence remains the same.

Bookmarks can be gathered and sorted into folders. Each folder can contain the resources that relate to it.

You could add the following folders into your bookmarks file. As your requirements increase, add the new sections.

• Resources
• Mortgage
• Home Listings
• Community Web Sites

Folders are added by going to your bookmarks file and editing it. You would then click on the "Add folder" command, and type in the folder name (such as Tools or Resources or Investment properties etc.)

Once you have your bookmarks structure laid out, you can start your surfing with confidence. Each time you come across a site that would benefit you, just add it to your bookmarks. At the end of every Internet searching session, edit your bookmarks and move each site into its proper folder. Voila! You can now go back to every usable site in the future by simply highlighting the entry. Everything is structured and organized, and you won't have one humongous long list to tackle.

It will save you time in the future. And in this industry, time is money.

Published: September 23, 1998

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Editor's Note: This article reflects the opinions of Barbara Ling only and not necessarily the views of this or any other publication, organization or Website owner.