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Wake County Real Estate, What is the minimum technology an agent can use and survive in Real Estate today?

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Realty Arts NC Broker License #235526

Well, it's Saturday night, and time to relax a little.  Twenty questions, +/-, on agent tech needs dissected here, in the spirit of community: 

Do I need an abacus?  Probably not.  Highly unlikely.  No.

A slide rule?  Ditto.

A calculator?  Might be handy, unless you are that feller from Good Will Hunting.  Now, don't go buy a chalkboard...

Do I need a cellphone?  Yes.  And buy some minutes, more than 15 or 20 a month, dag nab it...

A cellphone with a camera?  NO.  We professionals take photos with a camera, not a telephone.

Do I need a Smartphone?  I don't know.  Mine makes me feel inferior.

Do I need an IPhone, or a hacked IPhone?  Probably not.  But it looks cool, and is currently brag-worthy.

Do I need one of those li'l old way cool Bluetooth thingies in my ear?  Why is it "...Tooth" if it goes in your ear?

Do I need a land line?  Maybe not.  If you only work from your car, definitely not.

Do I need an XBox?  No.

Do I need a Wii?  Oui.  I mean, Non!  Go door-knocking and get out of the house!

Do I need a 65" plasma TV, and a real kick-butt blu-ray home thee-ater?  Work that need out with your wife, pal.  Your broker will tell you no.  However, if you hold great Monday Night Football Parties every week, it might be the cornerstone of your budding career.

Do I need a digital camera?  Probably. 

What kind of film do I need for that camera?  Unh...

Do I need a fax machine?  No.  Most of the time, no.  If your Uncle offers you his and it uses thermal paper, you REALLY don't need one.

Do I have to have access to a computer?  Yes.  You can blame a LOT of shortcomings on it.

Do I have to own a computer?  Probably.  It's tres gauche to blame YOUR shortcomings on a friend's computer.  And the Public library IT staff doesn't want to hear it.

Do I have to own a laptop or tablet computer?  It's helpful.  But you can plan around it.

Do I need internet access?  Yes.  That's where the good stuff is.

Do I need software?  Shucks, no.  Let us know how you make out with that...

Do I need a scanner?  It can be helpful.  Buy it before you put a wing on the back of your '98 Neon. 

Do I need GPS?  No, but it is very popular.  Do you know where you are now?

Do I need a car?  Well, if you are getting by without one, tell us about it, please.

Do I need a fast tuned ricer car?  Sure.  And put a 600 pound subwoofer in the whole back seat and take the extended SuperSize family out looking at houses.  "Gone in Sixty Seconds Realty."  I can see it, "You got a minute to buy lady, and then I'm taking y'all for another ride... That's not a threat.  It's a promise..."

Do Chicks dig REALTORS?  Of course they do.  Go for it.

Posted by

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___________________________________________________________________________________________

Scan the QR Code with your Smartphone to Email MeQR CodeMike Jaquish, REALTOR®

919-880-2769 www.RealtyArts.com

Try my"No Hassle Home Search"

Visit the Triangle Real Estate Forum for hassle-free answers to your questions and discussion of local Triangle Topics.

 

Independent Broker/Owner, Realty Arts

130 Towerview Court,

Cary, NC

Comments(13)

Marchel Peterson
Results Realty - Spring, TX
Spring TX Real Estate E-Pro
Mike, I personally think if an agent is working out of a home officed they need either a fax or a scanner.  Personally I have both but I could live with just the scanner.  I am doing a transaction with a fairly new agent who is totally working out of a home office and does not have either one.  It is making for an interesting transaction as she has to bring everything to me. I feel like I am going through a time warp on this transaction.
Sep 29, 2007 01:59 PM
Darleen McCullen
Raleigh, NC
Broker - Raleigh, NC Real Estate

Mike, It's quite easy to get carried away with purchasing technology. Your post really made me laugh...especially "Do I need a car?  Well, if you are getting by without one, tell us about it, please." LOL.

Sep 29, 2007 02:04 PM
Lane Bailey
Century 21 Results Realty - Suwanee, GA
Realtor & Car Guy

I work from home, and I have a lot of technology... I'm a geek, too. 

One thing I do have is a Windows Mobile (smartphone).  It is great.  I can do so much with it... financial calculator, web browser, eKey, etc... 

Sep 29, 2007 02:36 PM
Mike Jaquish
Realty Arts - Cary, NC
919-880-2769 Cary, NC, Real Estate

Marchel,

A good 4 in one will get it done.

I have the Dell 1815dn.  Networkable, duplex printing, scanner, fax, and copier.  Black and white, but that's 90% or more of what I do.

Darleen,

Thanks for laughing, and for telling me!

Lane,

I want to be a geek, but I'm underqualified... LOL

Sep 29, 2007 03:27 PM
Marchel Peterson
Results Realty - Spring, TX
Spring TX Real Estate E-Pro
Mike, I went through a nightmare 4 in 1 experience with HP but since they have replaced my lemon that I had I am quite happy.  Now I just wish this new agent would get one also (LOL).  Very funny post by the way!
Sep 29, 2007 03:42 PM
Susan Trombley
Trombley Real Estate - Wake Forest, NC
Broker/Realtor, Raleigh, Cary, Wake Forest, Youngs

I like the scanner because I can scan to my computer and email to anybody much better to keep record of than a fax. I have efax for those who still use a fax machine that way. This way I do not need per say a fax machine. But when you buy a good copier you can get the fax, scanner, copier all in one and I guess then technicially I do need the fax and scanner. Otherwise do you really need it maybe not if your office has it and you like running into the office.

Remember these are just opinions. Thanks for making me put in my thinking cap today.

Sep 30, 2007 03:47 AM
Rita Taylor
None - Sanford, NC
Sanford NC Real Estate - Homes for Sale in Sanford North Carolina

Mike,

What a wild list - there are some agents who still haven't figured out they need a digital camera besides the one that comes with their cellphone. 

Oct 01, 2007 03:38 PM
Mike Jaquish
Realty Arts - Cary, NC
919-880-2769 Cary, NC, Real Estate

Marchel,

Thanks.  And it was Saturday night, with tongue-in-cheek. :)

Susan,

I love my 4 in 1, and that it scans directly to My Documents.  I know all about the night time runs to the office, too.

Rita,

"Hey!  My cell phone has a 640 x 480 resolution.  Why would I buy a camera?" 

Oct 01, 2007 10:26 PM
Ginger S
Wilkinson & Associates, Wilmington NC - Wilmington, NC
Wilmington NC Real Estate & Relocation~

Mike,

I could not function without my Canon 4 in !. Efax is great too!

Ginger

Oct 02, 2007 04:03 AM
Mike Jaquish
Realty Arts - Cary, NC
919-880-2769 Cary, NC, Real Estate

Ginger,

isn't it amazing hwo dependent we get on stuff that works well.

How did I ever survive without a digital camera?

Oct 02, 2007 12:32 PM
Lane Bailey
Century 21 Results Realty - Suwanee, GA
Realtor & Car Guy
Mike...  The great thing about being a geek is that you don't have to be good at it.  So, you aren't under-qualified.  If someone published qualifications, I's lose my status.  
Oct 03, 2007 03:55 AM
Mike Jaquish
Realty Arts - Cary, NC
919-880-2769 Cary, NC, Real Estate

Lane,

Hope is alive.  I'm NOT good at it.

OK, I'm a geek...  No more wannabe!

 LOL

Oct 03, 2007 03:59 AM
Vicente A. Martinez
Prudential Douglas Elliman Licensed Real Estate Salesperson - Woodhaven, NY
Realtor, Brooklyn - Long Island - Queens Homes
Mike I agree... we don't need a lot of fancy electronic equipment (however I do use my smart-phone for everything I do in this business). If it came down to it, all we really need is a phone in the office and a scrubbed list (against the Do-Not-Call list) to call. After-all, listings are the name of the game, wouldn't you agree??
Oct 03, 2007 04:37 AM