New Real Estate Appraisal Site needed! $350 [Archive]

Shap

11-09-2003, 01:46 PM

(Admin code added by Palmer - Y5970837)

Hey everyone, I'm back for my template now as promised

Web Design Assessment

Company name: Real Values, LLC
Company profile: We are a new RESIDENTIAL appraisal company based in Phoenix, Arizona. Our mission is to provide an experience usually un-seen in the appraisal industry, fast turn around times, quality work, fair prices, and a reassurance that work will be completed on time to the lender.
Domain name: www.4realvalues.com
What is the scope of this project?: New site
Who is the intended audience?: Intended audience, will probably be made up of about 90% Local and Out of state Lenders, the other 10% is home owners. Age/sex & location will vary
Mood or tone?: Professional, wow factor, techo/cutting edge, bold... Professional design is critical
Color psychology?: Based of logo, un-restrictive about colors used, but must look sharp and clean.
Any dynamic elements?: Contact form, simple news script where I can access via web to update, Appraisal request form. Leave space somewhere on the homepage for later client log in!
Who are your main competitors?: All appraisers in Arizona that cover MARICOPA county.
What resources can you provide?: Logo, pictures if needed, documents, mailto: script for appraisal request (if needed), Content. You have full rights to use any content (not images) from www.shapiroappraisal.com (its my dads company)
Web sites you like: http://my.countrywide.com/ (the clean cutting edge look) http://www.designoutpost.com/forums/?showt...opic=1693&st=15 (http://www.designoutpost.com/forums/?showtopic=1693&st=15) (I liked the top of POD's design). More to come........

Scope of work: Homepage and a content page.

Homepage: I know I want a big or decent sized hi-rez image of something to do with real estate, as you see on more and more new sites. Besides that its whatever your imagination can come up with.

Inside Page: For all the content pages besides the homepage.

EXTRAS:: Feel free to use, DHTML, Flash or whatever else you like to give an impact. If your good with flash, thats a plus, I was thinking of having something THIS (http://www.templatemonster.com/screenshots/2800/2812-ih.html) on my home page, except obviously relate the images and text to real estate. If your NOT good with flash, DONT WORRY that is just an extra, the winner will be picked on over all template design!

THIS CONTEST WILL END NOVEMBER 24th (2 Weeks)

If you have ANY other questions ask away, otherwise good luck! :tup:

Shap

11-09-2003, 02:09 PM

This might help...

<img src='http://4realvalues.com/images/realvalues_border.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image' />

OR

<img src='http://4realvalues.com/images/realvalues_solid.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image' />

here is the .PSD files for them

http://4realvalues.com/images/realvalues_border.psd
http://4realvalues.com/images/realvalues_solid.psd

Resize, or do whatever you need to help fit your design! ;)

Luc

11-09-2003, 05:51 PM

Hi! I'm in to this contest too :)

Shap

11-10-2003, 10:23 AM

</div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Luc @ Nov 9 2003, 07:51 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> Hi! I'm in to this contest too :) [/b][/quote]
Great!

I've been searching for real estate sites I like... Don't know what it is, but seems the real estate industry is lacking in quality sites, so as soon as I find some more I like I'll post them.

motiveX

11-10-2003, 10:33 AM

So wait, you need 8 pages done? So basically a full website redesign?

I was confused by that aspect of your post.

Maybe it is being tired.

:sick:

Shap

11-10-2003, 10:39 AM

</div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (xteriormotive @ Nov 10 2003, 12:33 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> So wait, you need 8 pages done? So basically a full website redesign?

I was confused by that aspect of your post.

Maybe it is being tired.

:sick: [/b][/quote]
Or It could be the way I posted it?

There is NO redesign, its a FULL NEW DESIGN for Real Values, LLC. (no existing design)

Palmer

11-10-2003, 10:50 AM

So you are asking for a complete web site for $350?

We've changed the definition of a template so to better educate the contest holders on what a template is. A template is not an 8 page web site it is a 1 or 2 page design and any additional pages would be at an additional fee to be worked out after the contest with the designer.

Please refer to this thread for more information...
http://www.designoutpost.com/forums/?showtopic=1585

Would you like to go for 2 pages instead or deposit more prize money?

Shap

11-10-2003, 11:02 AM

oh I see...... I guess we'll just go with a home page, plus an inside page. If I feel satisfied with that for $350 then I can work it out with the winner if I want more.

motiveX

11-10-2003, 11:40 AM

For example, an 8 page site design from someone could cost anywhere from $1,000 to $2,000 quite easily.

Anything else would simply be robbery or unreasonable.

;)

Palmer

11-10-2003, 11:51 AM

That sounds good Shap. Let the designing begin! :tup:

graphxguy

11-11-2003, 02:08 PM

My first try. The links on the left are rollovers. Text including your mission, ideals,
history, etc. would go in the large white space in the middle.

Looking forward to your feedback.

Thanks.

Shap

11-11-2003, 03:53 PM

Hi graphxguy

Thanks for the entry. The design just doesnt do it for me though. I'm looking for a cutting edge look, that is will be on top of all my competitors. The images on top are not bad, the colors and logo just dont fit.

Thanks again.. Look forward to seeing more entries.

hheine

11-11-2003, 08:03 PM

</div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Shap @ Nov 11 2003, 05:53 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> Hi graphxguy

Thanks for the entry. The design just doesnt do it for me though. I'm looking for a cutting edge look, that is will be on top of all my competitors. The images on top are not bad, the colors and logo just dont fit.

Thanks again.. Look forward to seeing more entries. [/b][/quote]
Please, provide some URLs (links) from your competitors.

Shap

11-11-2003, 08:15 PM

Unfortunately most all the appraiser web sites I have seen are really bad. I did a GOOGLE (http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=appraisal+company) search for appraisal company (http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=appraisal+company) but they are all amateur compared to the work I've seen here (try not to laugh). I'm putting together a list of of real estate related sites I like for you guys as we speak.

*edit: Here are some links to other appraisers sites across the US. They are about the best I could find.(dont use this list as a reference as how to design my site, as I'm looking for a higher quality design then them)

http://www.oklahoma-service.com/
http://appraisers.alamode.com/dfwappraiser...p?IntroPlayed=1 (http://appraisers.alamode.com/dfwappraiser/Default.asp?IntroPlayed=1)
http://www.barefootappraisal.com/about.html
http://www.longappraisal.com/ -not bad
http://www.nerdahlappraisal.com/ -not bad
http://www.quantumappraisal.com/ -not bad
http://www.yorkappraisal.com/

To find other appraisers sites:
htt://www.appraisers.com

pod

11-12-2003, 07:26 AM

Hi I will make a my entry as soon as possible.
Thanks

Shap

11-12-2003, 09:23 AM

Look forward to seeing it!

For everyone...

I saw a previous contest for a commercial related real estate site HERE (http://www.designoutpost.com/forums/?showtopic=1693&hl=real%20estate&st=15) If you click there you'll see 4 entries I liked, for each one, I'll explain what I liked.

POD: Your design, I loved the header part, how you intergrated the logo into the image, along with the curve on the image, makes it much more appealing then a straight line :tup: Also liked the :: in front of the links, adds a little style.

Huhhso: Again, I liked the top part of the page, along with the big "for sale sign" image in the middle left.

Luc: Your design has a nice modern theme to it, cool text choice, and liked the links bar.

Tim: Nice and bright, but easy to stare at! Like the dotted line work around the news, and featured property. Overall great layout.

Hopefully this gives some insight to more of what I'm looking for. :unsure:

hairyiguana

11-12-2003, 05:14 PM

Hows this looking so far?

hheine

11-12-2003, 06:55 PM

I liked it, hairy !

elements

11-13-2003, 04:13 AM

Hi Shap,
just wanted to let you know that I have something in the works, and should have it posted here within the next 24 hours. These cutting-edge, corporate sites take a while to build, ya know ;)

Thanks!

Shap

11-13-2003, 08:38 AM

hairyiguana: So far so good!! Looks pretty nice! The only thing I was thinking is the image is SO large there might not be enough room for text below, but your the designer, I'd keep going at it :tup:

Elements & everyone else, dont worry it's not a rush to get your design in first, as long as you make the deadline.

motiveX

11-13-2003, 12:04 PM

</div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Shap @ Nov 13 2003, 12:38 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> hairyiguana: So far so good!! Looks pretty nice! The only thing I was thinking is the image is SO large there might not be enough room for text below, but your the designer, I'd keep going at it :tup:

Elements & everyone else, dont worry it's not a rush to get your design in first, as long as you make the deadline. [/b][/quote]
That header is only 262 pixels tall...are there specific specs you want to maintain?

I assume 800 X 600, but is vertical scrolling an issue or not?

I just ask, cause I tend to not design the common header/footer layout for my entries and didn't want to jump in if this is what you were expecting.

THanks
Sean

Shap

11-13-2003, 01:11 PM

</div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (xteriormotive @ Nov 13 2003, 02:04 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> </div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Shap @ Nov 13 2003, 12:38 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> hairyiguana: So far so good!! Looks pretty nice! The only thing I was thinking is the image is SO large there might not be enough room for text below, but your the designer, I'd keep going at it :tup:

Elements & everyone else, dont worry it's not a rush to get your design in first, as long as you make the deadline. [/b][/quote]
That header is only 262 pixels tall...are there specific specs you want to maintain?

I assume 800 X 600, but is vertical scrolling an issue or not?

I just ask, cause I tend to not design the common header/footer layout for my entries and didn't want to jump in if this is what you were expecting.

THanks
Sean [/b][/quote]
Nope not an issue, as long as it will fit 800x600 I'll be happy

elements

11-14-2003, 04:12 AM

</div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Shap @ Nov 13 2003, 11:38 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>Elements & everyone else, dont worry it's not a rush to get your design in first, as long as you make the deadline.[/b][/quote]
Thanks, Shap.
No real rush here :)
Just had some spare time and was very interested by this contest.
I'll take some more time though and post something within the next day or two.

pod

11-14-2003, 05:02 AM

Hi Shap ,
Here is my entry I am looking forward hear from you ,
http://www.podmultimedia.com/realvalues.html

Shap

11-14-2003, 07:51 AM

Hi POD

Nice entry. Couple of things. We only do residential appraisals (homes) and no commercial, the main graphics you used would give the impression of our company doing commercial work. If I was to change it, here is what I would change. Graphics, with something relating to houses, the line styles I would make more straight edge or use dots or something, drop the shadows, and add another color to it, so its not black greyand white. Also I would make everything connected, compared to space between everything, for example, I would integrate the links bar and big image together somehow. I do like the layout of it and the link bar is pretty nice :)

keep up the good work!!!

elements

11-14-2003, 07:57 AM

Agh, who needs sleep?
Felt like finishing off my first rough...I hope you like it as much as I do :)

<img src='http://www.dilicious.ca/outpost/rv_layout_v1.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image' />

I went for the look I felt you were trying to portray, clean & corporate.
I look forward to your feedback.

Thanks.

Shap

11-14-2003, 08:04 AM

haha I'll try to get this to you before you go to sleep ;)

Very nice! The layout looks great, I like the overall style of design, love the little arrows on the right by "why choose real values" and like the header! I would like to see it in another color though, or change some of the blue to a different color. It all looks great :tup: but is pretty aqua for me...

thats the only thing I can think of is different colors in it or different colors all around. I like blue, but more a fan of something darker I guess. sweet design all you guys are incredibly talented!

elements

11-14-2003, 08:14 AM

But...they say soft blues are relaxing... :o

lol, thanks for the feedback (and getting it to me before I headed to bed).
I hear you, and I'll play around with the colours tomorrow, I'm sure I can come up with a combo you'd like. Glad to hear you like the general scheme of it though :)

Thanks again,
Till tomorrow.

G'Night!

pod

11-15-2003, 11:49 AM

Hi Shap ,
Thanks for feeddback they were wery helpfull and Here is my 2nd entry
I am looking forward for hear from you.
Thanks

motiveX

11-15-2003, 12:27 PM

I plan on working on something for this tomorrow or Monday.

:)

Luc

11-16-2003, 09:02 PM

Nice one pod! I always see those 4 dots in your design :D
Good job though!

motiveX

11-16-2003, 11:52 PM

Here was my idea...

http://www.placidminds.com/estate/test.html

Shap

11-17-2003, 08:15 AM

Hi guys

Pod & xteriormotive:

Very nice entries, nice and sharp! Im in a bit of a hurry, I'll post a detailed reply later this afternoon :tup:

Shap

11-17-2003, 08:27 AM

ok, I'll try to do this fast...

POD: Love the styling, nice color work. Things I would change.. I would take the "real values" logo and try to fit it up top left on the header, and where it is now I could put a company slogan. The buttons I would make more hard line, instead of bubbly or rounded as they are... Thats about it, the rest I like a lot!

xteriormotive: Love the clean lines and graphics work, nice color work also. What I would change... I would drop the "we appraise to meet your needs" and switch it with "why choose Real Values" with some dummy text. Maybe expand the logo a tiny bit, or take the "help, links, contact" bar on the very top, make it aligned on the right, and put the logo on the left in the white. (hope you got that)

For EVERYONE: after seeing elements design, I know for sure I want to have a "latest news" and "why choose Real Values" on the home page.

Everyone one is putting up some awesome designs that are diversified, which is what I want! If you guys need anything else from me, let me know :tup: :tup:

motiveX

11-17-2003, 08:57 AM

Here are the changes you suggested.

Although from first glance the changes you mention are solid, I personally think it throws off the flow of the design...just my view as a designer and I wanted to see if it did what I thought it would (for me it did).

http://www.placidminds.com/estate/test2.html

:)

Shap

11-17-2003, 09:12 AM

Yeah I think your right... hmm

It looked better with the top bar on the left, but save both styles case I change my mind :blink:
Let me think it over for other ideas, will post reply shortly, thanks for the fast results.

LalitB

11-17-2003, 11:24 PM

Entry #1

Luc

11-18-2003, 06:50 AM

</div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (xteriormotive @ Nov 17 2003, 01:52 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> Here was my idea...

http://www.placidminds.com/estate/test.html [/b][/quote]
You are very good with this style of design. :tup: Love it!

Shap

11-18-2003, 08:30 AM

xteriormotive The design is awesome, after looking it over for a while I've figured what I'd like to see changed. The usability is my primary concern with it. The links seem to be scattered, Kinda my goal is to be able to have any mortgage lenders (no matter how computer illiterate they are) come to the site and order an appraisal after about a minute of finding out about our service. The other concern (dont be mad, I know I said it was no problem) is that the top is taking up to much space. I'm not talking about the image and links bar, mainly the white above it, would it be possible to trim it down without loosing the design effect? If not what about cutting part of the bottom of the main image with the house? Or a little of both? And the final things would be there is no place for a news script, where I can update, not sure where we could find space for it. Again, im being detailed in this cause there is not I dont like about your design :tup:

prelude785: Hey, thanks for the entry.. Your header image looks great, and good work with blending the logo into the design! The bottom half of the design looks kind of bare compared to the top, maybe add an image to the right of the main text area or something? All around great design, but appears bare below. When you repost could you include some dummy text to please... :tup:

Luc

11-18-2003, 08:50 AM

Shap, I started working on the design. Do you need white space for the content or is it ok to use another color?

Shap

11-18-2003, 08:55 AM

</div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Luc @ Nov 18 2003, 10:50 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> Shap, I started working on the design. Do you need white space for the content or is it ok to use another color? [/b][/quote]
If you can't easily switch between white and whatever color you wanna use I'd say use white, but if you can easily change it if it doesn't look right to me, go for it!

motiveX

11-18-2003, 09:48 AM

Here are the changes....

http://www.placidminds.com/estate/changes.html

:)

Shap

11-18-2003, 09:58 AM

wow your fast! :D

looks great, will post detailed response in a bit :)

pod

11-18-2003, 10:04 AM

Hi Shap ,
Here are the modifications + flash movie ;)
http://www.podmultimedia.com/realvalues2.html
Thanks

pod

11-18-2003, 10:06 AM

::Thanks Luc:: :rolleyes:
I am glad to hear from you

Luc

11-18-2003, 08:16 PM

::Thanks Luc:: :lol:

Luc

11-19-2003, 12:03 AM

Here's my entry. I incorporated the colors of your logo.
<img src='http://www.ei-corp.net/mockups/realvalues.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image' />

How do you like this style? Let me know so I can continue this. If you're not feeling this and you're feeling something like elements, let me know too, so I can make a new one.

Thanks!

elements

11-19-2003, 04:09 AM

Hey Shap,

Sorry for the delay.
Here's a revision with less aqua, please let me know what you think and if there's anything else I could change around.

Thanks :)

<img src='http://www.dilicious.ca/outpost/rv_layout_v2.gif' border='0' alt='user posted image' />

Shap

11-19-2003, 02:29 PM

xteriormotive Your design is fine for now :tup: I wont make ya change it around anymore unless you win. Thanks for entering!

pod Nice new entry! Id like to see it with a less bold font, maybe plain arial size 2? Also would like to see it (if its not too time consuming) without the emboss on the links bar, header content, and latest news. (just plain flat) let me know if your not sure what im saying :blink:

Luc Yeah, that is a little to dark for me, although would be great for some other tec companies. You can change & lighten it up a bit, or try something more corp like elements. Thanks again!

elements Hey, sorry again, im not feeling the colors :( What Im really not feeling is the green or soft blue... Your design is really clean and nice, can we try something more along the lines of the blue in my logo, while keeping the page bright with the white bg for text? hope you got that :blink:

I can't tell you how pleased I am with the entries I've seen so far! I'm glad so many people have entered, all giving different ideas. Thanks everyone, again this ends on the 24th (monday) so if your close to done with something on saturday or sunday and need an extra day, make sure you let me know so you dont waste your time

:tup: :tup: :tup: <-- I like that smiley

elements

11-19-2003, 04:00 PM

Hi Shap,
Thanks again for the feedback.
I was wondering if you could take a look at the following revision and let me know if this is on the right track. I darkened up (and changed around) the header and right column, using the same blue as in your logo.

Is this any better?
If so, would you like to see the left-side menu area revised as well?

<img src='http://www.dilicious.ca/outpost/rv_layout_v3.gif' border='0' alt='user posted image' />

Thanks :)

Shap

11-19-2003, 04:05 PM

Hi element, umm kinda, I wouldnt include the image of the building in it though, and the nav bar and new bar id change colors on, reeeally not soft blue fan, the blue in the background of "why choose real values" looks good though, maybe use the same for the nav & news bar?! Also try it with black text instead of that blue, or darker blue text?

Thanks

Luc

11-20-2003, 06:08 AM

<img src='http://www.ei-corp.net/mockups/realvalues.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image' />
Let me know...

Thanks!

motiveX

11-20-2003, 09:28 PM

</div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Shap @ Nov 19 2003, 06:29 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> xteriormotive Your design is fine for now :tup:  I wont make ya change it around anymore unless you win. Thanks for entering! [/b][/quote]
Alright, I shall stand by and wait till Monday.

I won't be around later in the day at all on Monday. I will be photographing a clients concert out of town and will be back LATE Monday night or early Tuesday morning.

:chef: <-------------- I like this smiley.

:tup:

Shap

11-21-2003, 08:19 AM

Luc: Nice design, it has everything I had asked for, this is going to be EXTREMELY tough to pick a winner monday... :tup:

Luc

11-21-2003, 08:24 AM

If you have anything else you want me to change or add, just let me know.

pod

11-22-2003, 02:21 PM

Hi Shap ,
Here your adjustments
http://www.podmultimedia.com/realvalue3.html
Thanks

elements

11-22-2003, 03:38 PM

Hi Shap,
just thought I'd let you know I'll have my final revision up later tonight, or tomorrow.

Thanks :)

Shap

11-22-2003, 11:31 PM

Hi everyone.....

I just realized none of the entries have a content page, or showed me it :blink:
Some of the designs it would be easy to see I would just use the same exact design, but some wouldn't work that way. If you get a chance, and could u post a content page, or let me know it would be the same design. The content page doesn't need a full new design or anything obviously just space!

motiveX

11-22-2003, 11:46 PM

Speaking for myself only, I don't really have the time to go through and make further changes at the moment but would have no problem at all working out exactly how you would want the content set-up if my design happened to be chosen.

In regards to my design, it would be a matter of shifting the content to the left, but the header and menu would stay basically the same, pending any suggestions from you of course.

It might be cool to have the latest news thing be an include in either PHP or ASP so that even on pages that don't have updates people would still know what was happening recently with the company or properties.

:tup:

elements

11-23-2003, 04:48 AM

As promised...
Hope this one appeals to you more :blink:

<img src='http://www.dilicious.ca/outpost/rv_layout_v4.gif' border='0' alt='user posted image' />

Thanks :tup:

Shap

11-23-2003, 09:49 AM

xteriormotiv, no prob just as long as I know what I'll get. Yeah I have been checking out some php & cgi scripts to use for the "latest news".

Elements: I like it! Can't think of anything else, so sit back and wait till monday...

Thanks everyone!

LalitB

11-23-2003, 01:01 PM

Final Entry, sorry for the delay.

Luc

11-24-2003, 09:19 AM

I'm late for the subpage. What time/day is it there? If I can't make it, I'll just describe what I have in mind. Subpage isn't going to be exactly like the homepage. Some text box will be removed to have more area for content and I'm gonna put bars for titles. And a collage or something like what I did with the header but the opacity is lesser.

Shap

11-24-2003, 01:17 PM

OK

We have a winner....

First off, let me tell you how EXTREMELY hard this was for me to pick a winner, I have been sittin here all day in my head fighting back and forth over what I like best for my company. Everyone who entered this contest put up a good enough design to satisfy me, but at the end, there was two designs that I had it drawn down to, those are elements and xteriormotive.

Its still hard for me to pick as I write this, but I'm going with my gut on this one, so congradulations to xteriormotive as he's the winner!

Again, EVERYONE who entered this contest, exceeded my standards for design.
Closest runner up was elements, which only lost by, I dont know, too close to even measure. I wish I had needed two sites, I would buy both!

THANK YOU everyone who entered, it was a great contest! :tup: :tup: :tup: :tup: