New Tech Tools & New Capabilities

New Tech Tools & New Capabilities

Palm Treo.  Blackberry Storm II.  At one point perhaps the forefront of technology, but now just archaic remnants of past technological prowess??  Memorial Day Weekend we made the jump to newer tech.  A pair of Samsung Galaxy S4 phones and a Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 tablet, and we're loving the increased capabilities!  And for those wondering why Droids and not the i-series of devices?  In a nutshell, SPEED!  Verizon has 4 LTE for the Droids, 3G for the Apple products. 

And I'm positive we're not even close to understanding or using all the features available to us with this trio of devices! 

But one very notable increase in our capability thanks to the tablet:  the ability to show houses to buyers without them being physically present!  We have out of state buyers who did come up for one trip, and as it turned out nothing that day fit them.  We did get a good feel for what they like and don't like, but it doesn't make a lot of sense to drive 500+ miles every time a new listing comes on the market that might fit.  And frankly, having someone buy a home just on my word isn't a concept I'm totally comfortable with!

Solution??  Find a time that works for the buyers, set a showing appointment, grab the tablet and "we" are off to go see houses!  First step is to unlock the door, then power up the tablet, run the Skype app, and do a video message to the buyers.  Within about 30 seconds we're up and streaming live video (note we're NOT taking pictures and we're NOT recording, just broadcasting to our qualified buyers only). 

A 360 rotation from the curb shows them the neighborhood, a walk around the yard shows the exterior of the home, the size of the yard, condition of trees, etc.

Into the house and we can go room by room and give the buyers the details.  "We're standing to the right of the entry, looking down the hall you can see...." and so goes the guided tour until we've opened all the closets, checked the kitchen drawers and cabinets, etc.  If there's something in particular that needs seen, get a bit closer with the tablet "I can see some wood damage at the base of the door".  When we're done walking the house, turn the tablet and have a face to face conversation with the buyers. 

Repeat the process until we've finished the itinerary for that day's showings.

Cons:  Dark rooms don't show well, and we have to be the nose and ears for the buyer.  While some sounds may come over the stream, the traffic noise from two blocks away won't, and the tablet doesn't come with smell-a-vision, so any smoke, pet or other odors have to be relayed to the buyers.  And of course you need good cell phone coverage.  Go into a 3G coverage area and the broadcast lags.  In 4 LTE coverage, minimal to no issues with lagging video.  Showings are probably a little longer than with the buyers in person.

Now maybe this wouldn't work for every buyer, but in this case, we've submitted offers twice without the buyers stepping in the home.  Technology has enabled our buyers with the next best thing to being there!

Serving Warren County's residential real estate needs,

Liz and Bill aka BLiz

P.S.  If you'd like us to put our tech to use helping you buy or sell a Warren County area home, we'd be happy to help!  Just give us a call!