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Use Technology Wisely: The Internet Is Not A Copy Machine

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with Newport Enterprises, LLC - VA, MD, DC, WV, PA

 

Do you have a "Smart" Phone? If you are the owner of an iPhone, Blackberry, Droid, or the like, and if you have a n application that will scan barcodes, then this might be for you. Incidentally, if you do NOT have one of these phones yet, you probably will soon. They are taking over.

Scan that square up there. Go ahead, I'll wait. Follow the link. It goes right to my website. No virus, no spam, I'm just trying to show you something. As my kids say, "Are we there yet?"

Now, imagine using this for your clients.

Imagine seeing this square on the bottom corner of your flyers. Imagine handing your clients some listing pages before taking them around for a day of shopping. Your client sees a listing they like, and pulls out his/her iPhone and scans the square, and it goes right to the Virtual Tour. The client sees it and has more information about the property instantly.

Imagine hosting your home for sale at the Brokers Open. On the kitchen island is a small quantity of fliers, and a giant code like this in a plastic sign holder. One of your visiting agents thinks your property is ideal for a client. They scan the code and send it as a text message to their client: "I think you're going to love this. I'm in the kitchen right now". The client then has instant access, and can call you right away with their thoughts.

Can this actually save you money? Well, I know a few agents who look for these squares. If they see one at a house they like, they scan the square, and email it to themselves, for later viewing with the client, or printing. Some are finding they don't need as many fliers. Some are putting this on the posts on the sign posts for their listings, for when the flier box is empty. Some just put a giant sign with the code in the yard. They are finding they are saving a few bucks, they are being a little "greener" in terms of using less paper, and they are "hip", and creating talking points for not only their clients, but for the public.

This is a technology that is here, right now. I have introduced it to several Realtor friends of mine, and am now owrking with them to put it on all their listings. If you're tech savvy, you can handle this if you have the time. If you'd rather not mess with trying to figure it all out, it's an affordable option to pick up.

If you're interested in finding out more....scan the square above. Or, if you want to go "old school", then you can always visit http://www.newport-enterprises.com.

 

 

Posted by

Curt Newport

Newport Enterprises, LLC

http://www.newport-enterprises.com

Richard Shuman
The Only B.S. I Have is from the University of Massachusetts - Lake Mary, FL
Real Estate Broker - Orlando Area - Love Referrals

Curtis - great post - thanks for the tip!

 

Sep 13, 2010 02:46 AM
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Burlington, MA
Metro Boston Homes For Sale

Curtis, so rightly said - use technology wisely!

Sep 13, 2010 02:48 AM
Janna Scharf
Keller Williams Realty Coeur d'Alene - Coeur d'Alene, ID
Coeur d'Alene Idaho Real Estate Expert

This is fascinating stuff, I've read a few articles about it, but nothing that shows on any level how to CREATE it, only just how to READ it. 

Sep 13, 2010 02:51 AM
Lisa Hicks
Hoang Realty - Augusta, ME
Serving Central and Southern Maine

Curtis - I can't keep up with all the technology!!!

Sep 13, 2010 02:52 AM
Harry F. D'Elia III
WEDO Real Estate and Beyond, LLC - Phoenix, AZ
Investor , Mentor, GRI, Radio, CIPS, REOs, ABR

We have to take one technology at a time. This one does catch my eye

Sep 13, 2010 02:55 AM
Melissa McKinney
Everything Pines Partners Fayetteville - Fayetteville, NC
Realtor, www.LivingFayetteville.com

Curtis~ VERY interesting I am going to check it out! I love today's technology, where will we be tomorrow??

Sep 13, 2010 02:59 AM
Katherine Fornale
REMAX REALTY 9 - Howell, NJ
SFR, GRI

Curtis, this is something I will certainly look into, thanks for posting.

Sep 13, 2010 03:22 AM
Curtis Newport
Newport Enterprises, LLC - VA, MD, DC, WV, PA - Leesburg, VA

Thanks to everyone who read and took a moment to respond. Yes, it is a new technology, at least in terms of public awareness. It has been around for awhile.

 

To respond to the "how do you create the code" questions, both spoken and unspoken...there are a few different ways, but in most cases you do need software to create it. Since that is not practical for most, it can present a barrier.Since I have several clients who I'm partnered with, who are now interested in this, I have access to that. I'm happy to provide a "free sample" for any single current listing any Active Rain users have. All I would need is a document that you would normally hand to your client (listing flyer, etc), and the link that you would like the code pointing to (ie: Virtual Tour, Agent website, etc).

Anybody who is interested in this, please send me an email either through Active Rain, or directly to curt@newport-enterprises.com.

 

Have a great week!

 

Curt

Sep 13, 2010 06:44 AM
Paul Collins
Colorado Altitude Real Estate & Investment, LLC - Colorado Springs, CO
Park County -11 Mile Reservoir - Colorado Springs Realtor

Curt,

Great post, needless to say you have piqued my interest in this technology.  On the generation side what price point is the software in for this technology. Highly interested and see how this could save ancillary costs throughout the brokerage.

Sep 13, 2010 07:28 PM
Curtis Newport
Newport Enterprises, LLC - VA, MD, DC, WV, PA - Leesburg, VA

The ability to generate this is with a software package I got a few years ago to assist with inventory management in another area of my business. I started learning more about what to do with the different types of codes this winter during the foul weather. I have seen the software out there for $750 or, but haven't looked lately, to be honest. I use software from Wasp, and have their pro level software.

If you're not interested in a capital investment in it, or want to save time, I offer the service to agents in my area for $35 to create the code, insert into a document, and return the domcpleted document in PDF form the same day. Am happy to provide more info if you wish (or you can link to website above or scan the square). Most of the work is done via email, I would be happy to extend to you. Would also be happy to demo one for one of your active listings, as I stated a couple of posts ago.

Regards,

Curt

Sep 14, 2010 02:09 AM