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technology: The changing technology landscape for real estate - 12/19/11 12:22 AM
Back in 1971, I bought my first piece of real estate.  It involving writing letters, waiting for a response, and getting on the now retired Bluenose Ferry from Bar Harbor, Maine, to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia.  The property was an old farm of 140 acres, and I ended up getting it for around $7,000.  Some friends and I spent considerable time gutting the house and fixing it up.  There are some pictures at this web album.
When we wanted to learn how to do something, we had to ask someone, or read a book.  A call home was a call on a … (4 comments)

technology: Making some intelligent choices in technology for real estate - 03/11/10 10:53 PM
I have been seriously involved in technology for twenty eight years. I was at Apple Computer for nearly twenty of those years so I have seen technology both from the perspective of a manufacturer and a consumer. One of the things I learned long ago is to not become married to a particular technology to the point that you have no options.
Many computer users will tell you that they have felt like they had no option over the years but to stick to a particular vendor.  The truth is that the web and many new technologies have made it easier … (4 comments)

technology: Some really neat inexpensive technology for real estate - 01/24/10 10:11 PM
As our industry continues to struggle, I am certain that we need all the innovation and effective technology that we can find.  I have built a very strong Internet presence through lots of hard work and late nights.
Perhaps because of that, I hear from many people who have never visited our area but are interested in comparing it to their needs.  I have tried a variety of methods to help people understand the area.  The Crystal Coast Living blog that I write is a good start for people, and my Crystal Coast, Saltwater on my feet blog digs a little … (5 comments)

technology: As one window of opportunity closes another opens - 02/23/08 12:11 PM
Sometimes work is just work.  There is no way around it.
On a cold cloudy day in February, a commercial fishermen is out working in spite of  the elements.
In a tough real estate market, it can feel like the clouds have settled in permanently.
January and February of this year have been very challenging.  I am working with more clients than ever before, but they all seem to be waiting for magical signal before they actually buy something.
As I see the tiny green sprigs of grass coming up, I know things will get better.  I recently had a client try hard to … (1 comments)

technology: Technology cuts both ways - 01/13/08 08:36 PM
It is very clear to me that effective use of technology can have a major impact on the ability of clients to find their real estate dreams and on my efforts to find clients and help them realize their dreams.
It is also clear that we are in somewhat uncharted waters.  Just as technology makes it easy for someone to find me, it also makes it very easy for them to find someone else.
My roots are in technology, and I have been blogging for over three years so I long ago came to the conclusion that a static website serves no one … (2 comments)

technology: Well informed by the time they reach me - 01/04/08 06:13 PM
I had some clients with me for several hours on New Year's eve.
After I responded to a few questions and finished a follow-up email to the wife, it occurred to me how absolutely amazing it is to be able to send so much information at the click of a button.
I created a private Picasa Web Album for them of the places that we had visited.  The photos were geo-tagged and even accessible through Google Earth.  I even took a couple of photos of the family on the beach.
I put up a Carteret County Picasa Album to illustrate what I did for … (1 comments)

technology: Low opinions of agents & virtual experiences - 06/20/07 08:56 PM
Sometimes I feel as isolated from customers as this guy on the sandbar in Bogue Inlet.
Sitting at the duty desk with phone not ringing is not a lot of fun.  I would rather be communicating one way or the other. 
I would love to be so successful that I could do what the guy in the picture is doing whenever I feel like it.
I read a thread on City-data forum today about real estate agents entitled, Stupid Real Estate Agents.
I have a running battle with an administrator on City-Data so I have to be careful how I reply to anything so I … (0 comments)