Internet Marketing, Online MLS, Smart Phones & PDA’s, Online Forms, Websites, Digital Cameras, Contact Managers, Email, Text Messaging, Blogging, Webinars, Podcasts, Call Capturing, Voice Blasting, Electronic Lockbox Keys, GPS’s…Where Will It End?
I remember MLS Books, actual printed books that had to be reprinted each month. And, it doesn’t seem like that long ago when fax machines and pagers were introduced into real estate but who’s used in pager in the last 10 years? They have been replaced. Technology and specifically the Internet have literally changed real estate. “The real estate industry today bears little resemblance to the way we did business 10 years ago. It is hard to find another industry that has adopted technology so readily to its customers,” said National Association of Realtors (NAR) President, Thomas M. Stevens.
Don’t get too conformable with today’s technology because it will continue to change. According to a recent NAR Survey, Realtors® are investing in and demanding more technology. And we will continue to do so as long as the consumer demands it…the Internet is central to the home selling process; almost 80% of homebuyers are using the web to search for a home. Not only are clients searching for information on-line but they want it immediately.
For me the best source of business is still my repeat and referral clients however, technology has been instrumental in helping me better serve these clients. What’s more, with technology I am no longer tied to my office. I am free to conduct my business remotely…from home or even on vacation. Technology, which it can be overwhelming, has actually freed me to spend more time with my family and spend less money on advertising. For the latest in Real Estate and Technology visit us online at www.wealthcreationtechie.com
October 13, 2007 at 5:19 am
can you recommend a decent laptop? the choices are terrible and i get tired asking the sales rep cuz he just wants to make the sale
October 17, 2007 at 7:34 pm
I understand your hesitation in purchasing a laptop. The choices are numerous and the majority of the time the salesperson does not understand your unique needs as a real estate professional. Since the choices change all the time, I have some guidelines for you to use as of October, 17, 2007- 12:15PM. ;->
When looking at purchasing your next laptop, just make sure it has these bare minimum specs:
• Windows based system- the majority of real estate applications requires a Windows system, especially the forms program ZIPForm/WINForms Online.
• 14-inch or larger screen
• At least 1GB of memory, but at least 2GB if the laptop has Windows Vista
• 120GB or larger hard drive
• DVD burner for backups
• Intel Core 2 Duo or AMD Turion 64 processor
The next question is price and size. The web site I use to evaluate all my technology purchases is http://reviews.cnet.com. Click on the link “Laptop” to open the web page on every conceivable laptop available. This site will organize laptops by their picks, size, price, and many other criteria
Hope this helps and if you still have questions check out my radio show talking about this very topic at http://selfjr.wordpress.com/2007/09/06/tip-6-tech-tips-for-top-producers-part-one/
Cheers,
Anthony Self