The goal is the virtual community - to keep as many people as possible in the neighborhood visiting regularly. Then as they become familiar with me, and as I continue to keep the local news and neighborhood info up to date, hopefully they see me as THE neighborhood Realtor.

Yes, the banner ads will hopefully make me a few bucks also, the neighborhood is brand new and people will be needing TV service, but that is a secondary goal.

I want to know if people will visit the site, and return to it. Message boards, classifieds, local news... is that enough to keep people returning?
Seeing what home values are?

I like what you had to say James. I want to become a familiar face, and will try to be around the parks and walking around as much as possible to meet people.

I guess what I want is "branding".
I want my neighbors to see the info I post online constantly, and I want to see them in person as often as possible, maybe hit them with print media, and when they need a Realtor, they will automatically think of me.

I guess my biggest question is "how can I make the website a key part of my 'branding' campaign?"

- Todd