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Is your agent mobile?

By
Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Realty 0575737

Connectivity is the new buzz phrase in technology. Being connected - with data, voice, video, anwyhere, anytime is what's happening. Which begs the question when working with REALTORS, have you asked, "Is my agent mobile?" Do they embrace the latest in technology to best serve the client?

Much mobile technology is available these days to keep a face in front of the customer and out of the office. Combination personal digital assistants / cell phones (Blackberrys, Treos, Blackjacks, iPhones), wireless laptops with WiFi or Aircard connections are everywhere. The ability is there to send and receive text messages. Mobile versions of contact managers / CRM software like those from Top Producer abound.

Is all this stuff really necessary? It can be and it also can be information overload. In the days of the hot California real estate market new MLS listings were downloaded as hot sheets from the REALTOR'S farm area to their PDA. Conference calls out in the field on cell phones were commonplace. Many realty offices don't even have long distance anymore, instead relying on cell phones. High speed internet access is expected. YouTube videos of your home started appearing on web sites.

Proper application of technology as a TOOL to assist a client in buying or selling piece of property is where a mobile agent becomes valuable. Just because they have a portable Global Positioning System (GPS) system doesn't mean that the agent with the foldout paper map isn't the better agent. But the world is communicating more and more in the wireless realm. Watch your local agent closely. They are probably pretty much untethered these days.

Mike Norvell Sr
Morris Williams Realty - Leesburg, FL
Norvell Consulting Group
hey Gary, I am ready to go completely wireless if need be, I have a Gateway tablet notebook,Bluetooth with all forms and contracts that can be signed on screen and emailed to anywhere, and a Newer Blackberry with bluetooth, and of course a GPS to find my way around. I use GIS services to find my way and locate homes with aerial views for property analysis.. And now blogs, and personal websites....I hope I am ready!!!!
Oct 25, 2007 12:53 PM
Gary Woltal
Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX
Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth
Wow, Mike YOU DA MAN! No one is going to have to question you if you are mobile. Having an "office on wheels" sure can make your life easier. Thanks for mentioning Bluetooth as well. That is such a great "handsfree" technology if you don't mind looking like Mr. Robo with that blue blinking light next to your ear. People walking down the hall talking on Bluetooth headsets always amuse me. It's like they are talking to themselves. Everyone looks at them funny! Great job Mike.
Oct 25, 2007 01:03 PM
Mike Norvell Sr
Morris Williams Realty - Leesburg, FL
Norvell Consulting Group
A follow up.. I also have a APS battery backup to work a portable printer, or to extend the life of the laptop for several hours...Or charge the cell phone battery...also digital camera card plugs into computer to send pics directly to clients while talking...Of all the stuff, That is what I use the most..Of course the email is forwarded to the Blackberry so I don't miss emails..I also work neighborhoods with a Sony video camera with sound, just film the property(not really film any more) and zoom in on the address, and features, for sale signs, all while I take talking notes at the same time....so very useful for blocking out neighborhoods..
Oct 25, 2007 01:16 PM
Nancy Moeller
Seven Gables Real Estate - Anaheim Hills, CA
It's certainly where we all need to be shortly. Thanks for the great post.
Oct 26, 2007 02:51 AM
Gary Woltal
Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX
Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth
What's funny about mobility is how fast it changes. I read an Active Rain review on the latest cell phone /PDAs and they missed one of the COOLEST new combo units out there with a pull out keyboard, the TILT, from AT&T. The iPhone introduced at the end of June is already looking long in the tooth. Go figure.
Nov 04, 2007 06:23 AM