By Amy Chorew
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The real estate industry has finally gotten the message. The consumer wants information fast, furious and at the speed of, well, your e-mail, text, Facebook or Twitter app. According to the NAR’s 2009 Tech Report, 45 percent of us have now adopted an e-mail enabled phone. Congratulations!
In real estate, “first” has become more valuable than “best.” NAR, in their “Profile of Homebuyers and Home Sellers” (available for a free download from Right Tools, Right Now on Realtor.org), says that 60 to 80 percent of consumers work with the first agent who responds to them. So being able to reach and communicate with consumers when they are interested in learning about real estate is essential. Calling them back when they have gone on to other things will not help them as much.
So we need to be connected, and we get that. Now on to the next step. Which applications can we use to make this science of staying connected more fun and engaging? Here are a few of my favorites.
Use your device as a tethered modem for your laptop. Blackberry requires a call to your provider to unlock the port. The software is available on your laptop. Using your sync cord to connect your BB to your laptop, use the software to dial your laptop on to the Internet.
For all other devices, they let you use the data contract with your phone. Check out a Web site called www.junefabrics.com. They have software to download for almost every model, which makes it easier to connect.
Update Facebook and Twitter. On Facebook visit Facebook.com/mobile for downloads for almost every device. All you have to do is put in your cell phone number and they will send a text with a link for you to download the software.
For Twitter try the following:
Enhance Your Texting Experience. For those of you who like to text but would rather use voice to text, consider using www.Jott.com or www.ReQall.com. Both programs convert your voice into e-mails, text messages, reminders, lists and appointments.
Not only can you use your VOICE to TEXT but every text message or e-mail that you send is documented in your e-mail. All you do is sign up for an account and add all the people you want to send messages to. Call the phone number supplied and JOTT recognizes your cell phone number and asks you who you want to JOTT. You can JOTT to your e-mail to leave yourself messages, set reminders and do blog posts and Twitter posts.
More Apps
Handango.com is a great site for any device to find an application for anything you are looking for. Apps to Consider:
- Dictionary of Terms
- Mortgage Calculator
- Voice notes and MMS/SMS messaging
- Instant Messaging
- GPS
- Real Estate Search
- Calculator
Real Estate Search
Realtor.com, Trulia and Zillow have mobile apps to search for properties. Of course the new Zillow Iphone apps are available. Consider SmarterAgent.com for a great search program for all other phones.
Last but not least, visit the mobile page on Google at m.Google.com for lots of great free tools that you can add to your phone to make your business a little bit easier and your life just a more fun.
Amy Chorew is a national trainer who is experienced at helping managers and agents maximize the opportunities that technology offers them. Amy also offers CE, GRI and skill development courses across America and Canada, delivered live and through webinar. Check out Amy’s upcoming Social Media Panel in San Diego.