This week I "kicked it up a notch" and added graphs and charts to my market reports. It seemed to me it was high time I provided a visual aid to help folks process this oh so dry data... Now if you're interested in adding graphs to your posts and think it's way too much hassle this is the bit that will surprise you - It took me longer to figure out HOW to do it than it did to actually do it!
So that was me busting the myth that I'm a whiz at charts as some of you thought who commented on my new improved market reports! Oh well, it's all for the greater good, because I'm here now to share with you how you too can pep up those boring market reports with graphs and pie charts...
As part of my research I used the search option on ActiveRain where I found a tutorial written by Jeff Turner. In his post he explains how to insert a graph into your post using Google docs. The interface is a little different now, but the concept is the same. Just go to Google docs, create a spread sheet with the data you need. Once you have the data in place it's just a question of using a drop down menu to create a chart or graph.
Here are a couple of screen shots of my first attempt at a graph in Google docs.
Different types of data needs a different solution, so now onwards to pie charts. For this one I ran into a problem with Google docs. The problem was that for stats lower than 10 the system inserted the term "other" and not "homes sold" as I had in my spreadsheet. The pie chart was also kind of lame looking. (Yes I want cheap and easy, but I'm still kind of picky).
This post isn't about what didn't work though, I want to tell you what did work. More research... (Told you the how was more time consuming than actually doing). Anyway, a Google search this time took me to a wonderful government site educating our children on creating graphs. And believe me when I say it is as easy as 1-2-3. You just click on different tabs to create the data. (Not even a spreadsheet in sight) - And when you're done you save it to your computer in the file format of your choice.
Here's an example of my first attempt on the NCES site:
And after a little more practice, here's my most recent attempt on the NCES site:
Less than 5 minutes - That's all it took to create the graphs and pie chart in this post. Of course they still look a little amateurish in comparison to Renee Burrows and Sally Cheeseman, who both hold titles in my book for the best market reports on AR. Baby steps though, right? I'm still pretty happy with my first attempt and am sure my readers are too.
Let's Connect and Get To Know Each Other...
Visit my Website and Search for Iowa City Homes for Sale
Or... Subscribe to receive regular market reports, info on schools and community updates by email
Please remember that opinions expressed in my blog are just that - opinions - not fact
For legal or accounting advice please consult with a professional
Although the information provided is deemed reliable, it's not guaranteed
I think your graphs look great. It is amazing how many tutorials are out there on just about anything if we would just take advantage of them.
Hi Denise ~ This is so cool! It's something I think about doing when I stumble across some nice colorful charts in market reports - but so far mine are just a sea of words (with a picture of the Entering ___ town sign as an illustration). Great to know it's very doable.
Liz
Hi Liz ~ Nice to see you. Wordy as I am, mine were just a sea of words too. I really thought it must be extremely tedious for anyone reading it to plough through what I had to say. Graphs and charts had been on my to do list for ages, but of course I'd assumed they would be difficult to create. Last weekend I took the time to figure it out and lo and behold it was an absolute breeze to do once I found the right tools. I tried Excel, but gave up quickly there - I wanted something quick that didn't have a big learning curve and either of the solutions in this post fit the bill for that.
Thanks also for your feedback Team Honeycutt. You're absolutely right, there are tutorials for just about anything, it's just about finding the one that gets the point across in a way you can understand.
Denise
Hi Denise - I recommend Excel 2007 for graphs and charts. There are several pre-formatted options available, plus you don't run the risk of making a mistake when you're moving data from one program to another to make the graphic.
Great information. Its nice when your clients can get a visual and match what your are saying with graphs of value. I also use excel as a tool.
I think John's simple solution is what many of ustry first, and those that can label the graph's data and know or have learned where tom put it, it is simple, yet extremely professional looking. What per centage of the whole that is, I do not know. Then there is the rest of us. and Excel's unlimited cells are no help.
I look forward to trying Google's system.
I use Micro soft excel but I know that not everyone has that. Google docs works fine but there is also open office which is free and the spreadsheet is wonderful. For the last five years the monthly charts and graphs have been a regular feature my blog. I keep it very local.
I love pie charts. mmm mmm good. I remember a fight over use of pie charts in a market report on ActiveRain a few years ago.
Thank you for your post - I am going to try this today!!!
Hi Denise, I just added you in Twitter :)- Regarding charts, I have to start adding them to my market reports. It is definitely a nice add-on...However it is Excel 2007 or nothing for me...
Thanks, Denise, for the tip about Google Docs! I use excel and like to put a unique background behind charts and graphs to keep it "mine". Sometimes I'm not on my "microsoft" computer so this is great!
At least you're adding graphs to your market reports, Denise.
I've used Google Docs at the beginning, but now, like SarahGray, I like using Excel becasue it gives me the ability to add custom cackgrounds to my charts.
Denise,
Thanks for saving many of us the pain of your learning curve!
Awesome, I remember Jeff Turners post from years ago.
I need to review it.
Consumers need visuals, and they also need an interpretation of the data.
Good job. I do the reports monthly on my targeted cities.
Denise, I bookmarked this AND printed it so I wouldn't forget to take the time to learn it. THANK YOU!!
Thanks for the tip of jeff's post. I think you did a great job, and good luck on getting better, I know you will.
Denise - visual graphs and charts is a lot easier to look at. Good job in adding that to your market reports. Another easy way is to create a table with columns to compare numbers if graphs and charts aren't your cup of tea. It is easy for someone to see numbers in a table for comparison.
Hi Everyone ~ What a nice surprise to see all these comments this morning. I see many of you are using Excel. I did test that too, but it wasn't intuitively obvious how it worked and I didn't have the patience to figure it out... I love the backgrounds I've seen on other members posts, so when I get more adept I'm sure I'll take another look at it.
In the meantime these solutions are great for beginners, because there's really no learning curve whatsoever!
Mike, I agree with you. Tables are a good option too and I've used them before now too. They just don't have the coolness factor a pie chart...:-)
Denise
I've used excel for years, but it's time consuming if you're not an excel expert.
I recently started using SmartDraw which has charting/graphics features, plus also has a great room layout program. I used it this week to lay out my dream office layout.
Yes, charts are good for all those visual people out therel. I have a program in the Denver area that I use that is called Virtual Office. One of the nice things about that is not only does it include IDX so I and my clients have full access to all property listings, but they already have many charts available, so I don't have to mess with it.
Wow, this was an excellent post. Very valuable. Thank you!
Thank you, Denise. This is a great help and bookmarked for my next market report. I usually copy ready-made ones, but they are too involved. So I will try this out.
Denise, thank you for the tips. I am a new agent and I would like to create market reports so this is some good info to start with.
Thanks for posting this - I will have to try a few of these the next time I do market reports.
Thank you for a very informative post-- I will use these tips to help me illustrate market reportsand other pertinent stats to share with clients. It is sometimes much easier to get your point across with visuals== Thanks! Kathy
Thanks! I needed this!
You're very welcome Brian. I've been using both options regularly since writing this post and it really is only a couple of minutes that it adds to the process and makes such a difference in the presentation of data.
Denise
I am finally going to insert charts and graphs into my monthly market reports. I did a Ar search and found this post at the top of the page under "how to add charts to my posts" and am very thankful to you for writing. I am off the government site because I am all about as easy as 1-2-3!
Thank you so much and have a wonderful week.
Wow - this is great information - exactly what I've been looking for. I intend to practice today and hopefully form a system to include great looking graphs regularly (like yours) - thank you so much for helping!
Hi Julienne ~ Yes I found these two resources a great help to start me off in the "visualizing data" world. Graphs pep up that boring data no end! In the meantime I've even kicked it up a notch and now do my graphs in Excel. That too is a lot easier than I expected it to be. Although I think maybe because I already had a hook in there by using these programs first.
Thanks for commenting. Good luck with your graphs.
Thanks Denise! In doing a Google search I came across your post which is a real time saver. I was looking for something quick and easy, but still visually appealing and the tools you've shared certainly fit the bill. Thanks again.