Three Tech Trends to Watch for Your Real Estate Business

By Amy Chorew

The diverse job that a real estate agent performs has remained basically the same over time. What has changed is how information is delivered and exchanged.

The following three tools – iPad, cloud computing and mobile apps – have the potential to transform how we communicate with clients today and in the future, and here is how.

iPad

The iPad, a tablet computer which is operated by touch, has a promising future in the real estate industry. For all the reasons we bought a laptop and never really used it to its full potential, we will find ourselves using the iPad more often. This portable device is perfect for real estate. Following are a few possibilities.


Open Houses:

• Instead of having people sign in on a paper roster, create an electronic sign-in for visitors. Be sure to collect their e-mail addresses for future communications.
• After the open house, send an e-mail thanking them for attending with pertinent links. What a nice surprise to your potential buyer client.
• Have your virtual tour and photos display on the iPad for viewing.
• Use this great visual device to show visitors the neighborhood via an interactive map or your blog.

Listing Presentations:

• I have always advocated the use of visuals during a listing presentation. Create a simple presentation to share your key marketing points.
• Don't forget the power of video. Include a short video with the reasons they should work with you.
• Make sure you e-mail all of this to clients before you leave.

Buyer Tours/ Showings:

• Buyers can never remember one house from another. Put all the listing sheets, complete with pictures, in an electronic folder on the iPad for the buyer client.
• Use the iPad to take notes for them on the features they liked on each home.
• Search for other properties on the Web in the car between showings.
• Look for posts about all the great iPad apps that will make your life easier. Make sure to download a mortgage calculator and some sort of app that shows all of the listings in your area.

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