Georgia FHA Home Loans - (& Opinion)

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Simple HTML Tutorial For Active Rain or Craigslist - Site Beautiful!

So you want to get fancy, eh? Well, fancy can be simple and it just takes a little practice. There are HTML (Hyper-Text Markup Language) editors and some really good WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) editors that can be used for this same purpose but that's not the scope of this very basic primer.

When I post on Craigslist I never like just plain text so I add a little HTML to spice things up. Oddly enough I don't do that here on AR but you certainly can and that's the reason there is the HTML tag at the top of the "Entry" box when you are creating a new blog entry. Have you ever clicked it? You get a popup window that says:

WYSIWYG and HTML

WYSIWYG (pronounced wizzy wig) is the default posting editor you get when you come to post here on AR. No such critter exists over at Craigslist. The WYSIWYG editor lets you upload images and select how they are displayed, choose bold, italic, underlined or strikethrough text, offers some justification and line item options and that's about it.

HTML TagWhat if you wanted some really big text or red test? Well, you'd need to do one of a couple of things and the thing we're talking about today is to actually create your posting in the HTML tab instead of the WYSIWYG tab. You can also do this directly into the post window on Craigslist. (On craigslist once you start using certain HTML code tags you have to use ALL tags - including line break, paragraph, etc.)

One basic you need to remember is any HTML code tag that affects the attributes of the page has both an opening and closing tag. The opening says, for example, make all of the text starting here bold. The closing tag, obviously, says, stop making the text bold from here on. In HTML code that looks like this: <B></B>

The end tag always includes the /

HTML coding likes to be nested. So if you are making a section of text bold and italic you would want to open the tags <B><I> and close them in reverse order thus "un-nesting" them </I></B>. 

Elements are not attributes but elements have attributes. Don't get confused. Chances are the only thing you'll ever put on that doesn't need a separate closing tag is the image tag. If you don't know how to do image tags I think most of the online image storage services actually provide them for you. I know PhotoBucket does. 

So, without further ado here are some very basic tags for you to start with in AR and Craigslist posting.

You can go here to see them in action - click this link for the HTML tutorial display.

Bold text:        <B></B>
Italic text:        <I></I>
Underlined:      <U></U>

Font attributes:
<FONT FACE="Arial,Helvetica,Times New Roman"></FONT>
<FONT SIZE="5"></FONT>
<FONT COLOR="Red"></FONT>

You can also combine those (and should) when you use them together:
<FONT FACE="Arial" COLOR="Red" Size="5"></FONT>

Want to place a horizontal line across the post?
Simple horizontal line: <HR />
Fat horizontal line: <HR Size="10" /> (Size is "thickness" in pixels)
Partial horizontal line: <HR Width="50%" />
Combined: <HR Width="50%" Size="10" Color="Navy" />

Want a big heading text?
There are multiple header sizes: <H1></H1> (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)

Need to put a line break?
This is single with no line spaces: <BR />

How about a paragraph? (Open and close tags are used)
This is a paragraph: <P>Paragraph text goes here.</P>

Insert an image. You'll need to know where ON THE INTERNET the image is located:
<IMG src="http://someserver.com/somefolder/myimage.jpg">
There are several other attributes to this tag but I'm not going into them right now ... maybe later if you beg or throw money.

Create a URL Link:
<A href="http://novationmortgage.com">Link To Novation Mortgage</A>

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Copyright©2008 Ken Cook.  Georgia and Florida real estate investment loans, FHASecure and FHA Home Loans, nationwide commercial hard money and small business loans


Ken Cook - Web coder (I write the programs that make the whole world zing!) (678) 439-8683 Anything your mind can conceive I can create - online that is!

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NOTICE: I have been writing in this blog since July 2006. Some of the older articles may contain information that has changed. Please check the date and phone me if you have any questions.


28 commentsKen "Yes You Can" Cook • February 10 2008 04:56PM

Comments

Thanks Ken, great post and great info that I will be using for sure. Happy selling!
Posted by Sonja Babic/PRIME Realty & Development, LLC over 4 years ago

To hit on one step further from uploading an image.  Another code I use a lot that everyone may find helpful is an image that is a link:

<p>
<a href="http://www.michaelpiercerealestate.com">
<img border="0" src="http://michaelpiercerealestate.com/images/mprefinal2border160.gif" >
</a>
</p>

The first url between the first set of quotes is where you want the image to link to, this code takes you to my site, the second url between the second set of quotes is where you are getting the image from. This is what that HTML would look like if you post a blog using HTML.  If you click on the image you will see that it is a link to my website:

Posted by The Michael Pierce Team - Kansas City Real Estate (Prudential Kansas City Realty) over 4 years ago
Yep HTML can be as easy or as complicated as you want to make it. Of course you can always bypass needing any HTML knowledge and use VFlyer instead!
Posted by Cindy Jones-Northern Virginia Real Estate & Military Relocation Services (CJ Realty Group, Inc.) over 4 years ago

Very good tutuorial to help with craigs list.

Thanks for sharing

Posted by Chris Frantz (Hernando County Real Estate - Exit Success Realy) over 4 years ago
Ken, Thank you for the tips on HTML.  I have used it a little it add a slide show or blog link but, I haven't used it to change the actual text content.  I usually did it in WYSIWYG, save it, and then edit it in HTML.  I can't wait to use some of your tips.
Posted by Jimmy McCall "The Ex-Mortgage Consultant" (TheHappyCottage.com) over 4 years ago
Very good, thanks. Short and sweet and very basic which is a good strat.
Posted by Gary L Waters PLLC- Broker Associate Realtor® Melbourne Viera Rockledge FL (Century 21 Baytree Realty, 1211 Admiralty Blvd, Rockledge) over 4 years ago

Ken thanks for sharing

Posted by Kenneth Cole NYS Licensed Real Estate Salesperson (Appleseed Homes Realty) over 4 years ago
Ken, I knew most of these but didn't know that I could combine the font size and color together in one command.  Thanks!
Posted by Lisa Heindel, New Orleans Real Estate Broker (Crescent City Living LLC) over 4 years ago
Ken, Thanks for the HTML tutorial.  It's really not so hard once you learn a few things.  Just another language.
Posted by Dan Forbes over 4 years ago
This is cool stuff.  I might actually be able to handle some of it! I think I'll give it a whirl next time I do a post. Thanks!
Posted by Lisa Bosques about 4 years ago

Add Audio to your page with this code...

<embed src="http://www.hollowellbonding.com/media/Lynard_Skynard_-_Sweet_Home_Alabama.mp3" height="45" width="125"></embed>

Posted by Brian Blake about 4 years ago

Brian - great addition to the post. Thanks! Add controls to it with:

<embed src="http://viralrealestate.com/avm/01-SSQS%20Part%201.mp3" autostart="false" loop="false" height="62" width="144" controls="console"></embed>

Posted by Ken Cook, Web Dev, Brand Strategist 678-439-8683 about 4 years ago

Here is a real secret for you.  If you want the really cool stuff.  go to www.dhtmlsite.com and check that out.  I always find cutting edge html there.  Don't tell everyone though.  lol

Brian

 

Posted by Brian Blake about 4 years ago

Awesome tool tips.  Just what I was looking for, Ken!  Thanks for putting these out there. Now - if you can only tell me why as of late, the image placement html (align left, etc.) won't work properly!  :)  Also, have you noticed anything wonky re: AR ripping out Embed scripting when you try to post YouTube or other such vids here?

Posted by Kevin Sandridge - Winter Haven Mortgage Broker (Signature Home Funding) over 3 years ago

Kevin - Yes, I have noticed, and you'll need to ask Brad or Matt or someone about that or check the AR blog. I'm using HTML to align my images instead of the pop-up control.

Posted by Ken Cook, Web Dev, Brand Strategist 678-439-8683 over 3 years ago

Hi.  The alert says the wysiwyg and html are not linked and that you must save first.  How do I save without posting?

Posted by San Diego Real Estate & Mortgage Loans | Robert T. Boyer, Ph.D. | VA Home Loan (FHA Loan, VA Loan, Jumbo Loan,FHA Loans,VA Loans,Jumbo Loans) over 3 years ago

Still seems so confusing to me. That is a LOT of typing just to add a red font.

Posted by Nicky Dou | Century 21 Exclamation Realty (Northwest Arkansas Real Estate) about 3 years ago

This was a very helpful tutorial for us beginners!  Thanks

Posted by Linda Lohman- Former Teacher/Broker (Fonville Morisey Realty) almost 3 years ago

Thank you all for your coments - If anything is ever too difficult or time consuming for you I do have a staff of people who do exactly this type of work for reasonable costs. We also provide full hosting, blog hosting, blog support, real SEO (not the kind where you give them $15,000 and they spend $5000 on Google and tell you how great you are), content writing and more. 678-946-0101

Posted by Ken Cook, Web Dev, Brand Strategist 678-439-8683 almost 3 years ago

Thanks for the great lesson. This is the most I've learned about HTML since first trying it out.

Posted by Garrigus Real Estate - Call Now: 1 (888) 9-LIST-IT (Coldwell Banker Kivett-Teeters) over 2 years ago

Todd/Devona - glad it helped.

Posted by Ken Cook, Web Dev, Brand Strategist 678-439-8683 over 2 years ago

I think I'll practice on an old blog.  Thanks for the tutorial.

Posted by Tracy Santrock-Cary NC Realtor (Fonville Morisey/Santrock Realty Group, Inc. ) over 2 years ago

Tracy - share the link and let us all watch :)

Posted by Ken Cook, Web Dev, Brand Strategist 678-439-8683 over 2 years ago

Thanks Ken! I want to have contol over my fonts, by changing their color, style, and more! I am going to give a try to your suggestions!

Thank you,

RK

Posted by Réz Kodad- Your Trusted Partner in Real Estate (Naples Exclusive Properties - Downing-Frye Realty Inc.) over 2 years ago

This is great advice and answers a lot of questions for me, as a beginner. I'm definately going to try some of this in my next post.

Posted by Larry Atkins, State Wide Realty Co. about 2 years ago

I'm trying to switch from wysiwyg to add html, but they are not linked and you have to save. how do you do that without posting?  AND I did try to add html alone, but I guess it's not saving because nothing shows.... any advice?

Posted by Misty Reynolds (National Agent Network) almost 2 years ago

M Reynolds - not sure. Sounds like a question for AR. (206) 470-2909

Posted by Ken Cook, Web Dev, Brand Strategist 678-439-8683 almost 2 years ago

AWESOME!  I have been wondering how to do this easier.

As a former Cobb County resident myself,  I thank you!  :)

Posted by Jean-Paul Peron Outer Banks houses & Land for sale (The Outer Banks Real Estate Copmpany) over 1 year ago

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