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Technology versus Paper!

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Highland Realty, Inc 0225 099336
Having stumbled my way around the block several times in trying to decide how and what parts of my business to automate, I have come to a few workable conclusions for me not to empty the bank account and still get the job done:

 It doesn’t all have to be automated. I don’t need 2 blackberries, alternative notebook systems networked to a back-up base system. I don’t need “Wildfire’s” automated sexy voice keeping my clients on hold while she (it?) tracks me down. I don’t need the automated transaction platform that only 20% of the parties in the transaction have access to. I don’t need 7 different pieces of software to track my clients, business and marketing needs.

  1. Over the years, I have spent more than $25,000 on alternative software systems to help me do my business more efficiently and productively. I wish I could somehow recover the hundreds of hours spent in learning an automated new system only to learn that I will have to manually enter many, many, many records………Like Susan Milner in Florida, I decided several years ago to overcome my technology deficiencies by simplifying how I do what I do.
  2. For me, a blend of technology and paper has worked very well. I use ACT as my primary database software. It’s affordable and the tech support staff is fabulously capable and patient. You can use as much or as little of the many automated options that ACT offers and be quite satisfied whichever way you go.
  3. My transaction management is mostly on paper. I have Sale Closing and Listing Sold checklists I created on Excel and print as needed. (Would be glad to share with anyone who wants them).
  4. I make extensive use of Microsoft Word, Microsoft Digital Image and Photoshop software in preparing listing flyers and marketing pieces.

 
That’s it. I do well, I meet my marketing plan goals, never have a problem keeping track of clients in process and find, that I actually spend less time at the computer and more time with prospects than do some of my more technology oriented colleagues. The only thing that is certain is that the technology will continue to change and, we will need to make important decisions about the changes we make or try to incorporate in our business. Will it really make me more productive and efficient? Or is it just going to be fun trying out a new piece of software with a couple of more bells and whistles than my current one? Don’t let me get started on Top Producer…………………

 
Anyway, what one change did you make in the past year that had a dramatic impact on how you do your business, good or bad?

 

 

Comments (5)

Ray Saenz
Exit Realty Laredo - Laredo, TX
Homes for Sale in Laredo, TX - Texas, Realtor

Dave,

I love technology and I believe as you wrote a blend of both works fine. I have ton of software, I have used Act 8.0 it seems very pretty slow for me, older versions were faster, I believe that version 6.0 was smarter, I do not know if act changed from developers, I am not 100% sure but I thnk so, since version 7.0 to 8.0  I noticed a very slow down.  I have good tools, I use  Publisher, Excel, Word, outlook, the normal ones, I do not know how other great tools are a must,  It will good to know

Ray Saenz

 

Sep 28, 2006 05:56 PM
Craig Bartels
The Indy Realty Shop - Indianapolis, IN

Are either of you using the Act version for real estate agents?  I have been using Top Producer but may look at Agent office, etc.

 

 

Oct 15, 2006 08:39 AM
Dave Rosenmarkle
Highland Realty, Inc - Fairfax, VA
33 years of providing fully satisfying service!

Craig

I purchased one of the add-on modules for real estate, but never fully used it. I happily quit using Top Producer because it was forcing me to hire somone just to keep all of the data, case checks, mailing data.etc., not to mention the mega bucks I was paying for annual maintenance fees for all of the different add ons. It really boils down to how you want to administer your database and marketing. My database needs are simple. ACT does way more than I need and, I only use the functions that suit me. Like Ray, I use Word, Publisher and related software to get the marketing side done. If your hard drive ever crashes, ACT is much, much easier to recover. Those jerks at Top Producer assume you're trying to pilfer a copy...... 

Oct 15, 2006 09:37 AM
FRANK LL0SA Esq.- Northern Virginia Broker .:. FranklyRealty.com
Northern Virginia Homes - FRANKLY REAL ESTATE Inc - Arlington, VA

Digital Signatures is my secret weapon. Hours have been saved!

 

Frank Borges LL0SA- Virginia Broker/ Owner FranklyRealty.com

Blog.FranklyRealty.com Featured in BusinessWeek, CNBC, WSJ etc.

                      

 

Feb 21, 2007 05:13 PM
Anonymous
Phil Peterson
For me, the best must-have real estate business management software is Real Estate Success Tracker - also called REST. It's FileMaker-based so it has excellent networking capability. This software is very well thought out and allows you to maintain control over your data (unlike web-based apps). You can manage your relationships, marketing and transactions. Reporting is very complete and can be output as password-protected PDF files. Also, all transaction data can output as password-protected PDF files OR be exported as Excel files for further analysis. Pretty cool training movies too - their site is http://www.realestatesuccesstools.com
Apr 18, 2007 01:19 PM
#5