Last week, I attended a real estate conference in Dallas called Xplode along with about 100 other agents. It was an all day event at the Wyndham Dallas Love Field, with much information.  There were 20 different speakers, some covering the same thing as someone else, but selling a different product. Others had original ideas.

xplodethis dallas conference

Some of the take-aways were:

  • 48 Million people without electricity have a cell phone - apparently there are charging stores to charge your battery
  • 28% of 18-34 year olds check Facebook before even getting out of bed
  • Evernote - most talked about application
  • #1 thing everyone needs that's not technology is a goal/plan
  • We look at 3000 ads a day
  • People decide within 7 seconds if they like your website

And the #1 takeaway that practically every speaker said you must have is an IPAD2... Personally, I don't own a single apple product, and I'm not comfortable (at the moment) getting an ipad just to have one, especially when all my other stuff is on a PC, but for many people, it's important to have.

xplodethis dallas conference stage

There's a brokerage from Austin that spoke at Xplode and they said they "require" every agent in their brokerage to own an IPAD2.  "Require" was an interesting term used because the last I checked, I was not an employee of any brokerage, so not sure how they could "require" something. They might be able to strongly recommend something, but "require" it? 

But this was also the same brokerage that said they "require" their agents to return calls within 15 minutes no matter what they're doing, even if they're out on an appointment with clients.  Sorry, but I do not answer my phone when I'm with clients because, at that moment, those clients are the most important people to me and they need to know they have 100% of my attention.

There are definitely things about the way Xplode was presented that I would change, but overall, there was some good information presented.  I'm glad I was there, and also to see Steve Shatsky, Lorrie Semler, Deb Brooks, Tom Branch, and John Cannata.

xplode tom branch, deb brooks, lorrie semler, steve shatsky, gina branch

xplode john cannata, deb brooks, lorrie semler, steve shatsky, donna harris

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Donna Harris, REALTOR®
RE/MAX Austin Skyline
www.DonnaHomes.com
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Copyright© 2011 By Donna Harris, All Rights Reserved. You may re-blog with links back to this post.
* Xplode Conference - Real Estate Technology  * was first published on donnahomesblog.com.

 

 
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9 Comments on Xplode Conference - Real Estate Technology

OCT
24
2011
135,247 Points 9 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Hi Donna, thanks for the update ... I'm going to go sneaky-peek at Evernote to understand what it does and why it is so interesting.  About the IPAD2 ... WHY did they have this requirement? How was it being used and what was the benefit over existing technology/methods?  I'm curious about what they believe they are gaining by having such a specific requirement.  Thanks! J
11:02am • #1
1,307,576 Points 96 Featured Posts Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Judith, They felt the ipad2 was great to have MLS at their fingertips (instead of buyers taking notes on paper), to be able to record with evernote as they walked through each house (wait of bandwidth and memory)... other things like doing contracts right there in the car with docusign.
11:54am • #2
728,443 Points 103 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Hi Donna - It looks like this was an interesting event, and I'll look for it if it comes to Denver, if only to get a sampling of the various takes on key topics. I read and commented elsewhere about the 15 minute callback - quick opinion: not a practical approach. As for the iPad, Mary & I both have one and we love them. But - they aren't quite ready for primetime yet as a replacement for laptops and full program functionality, particularly for MLS (at least ours) and contracts (again, we use our MLS for that). And there's a few other areas where they fall a bit short. But they're getting there, fast.
12:29pm • #3
1,328,926 Points 189 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Great review Donna and although I think an iPad2 is a nice to have, I do not think it is still a requirement and my Apple MacBook Pro is more powerful. I thought about attending this event and if I found more time for it I would have. Looks like there was a lot to learn. GREAT SUMMARY. Much appreciated, and love the "gang" photos.
12:51pm • #4
396,963 Points 17 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Donna, overall it was a pretty decent event. I do agree that many of the items they discussed were very iPad friendly.
2:33pm • #5

Glad you enjoyed yourself and hooked up with some other AR members!!  I'm off to go check out Evernote.
2:54pm • #6
135,247 Points 9 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Thanks for your reply Donna ... that's what I was trying to figure out... what they perceived the IPad2 had that a wi-fi enabled laptop would not (already) have ... AND thanks for the mention of Evernote... I went and looked and its interesting, and will file it away for future reference. Thanks again. J
4:06pm • #7
554,049 Points 9 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Hit Router Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

I thought Agent Reboot in Dallas earlier this year was much, much better in terms of content and attendance.
4:40pm • #8
MAR
26

Next time you don't think you need to follow the directives of your Broker (brokerage)... try doing something that might jeopardize his/her license.  You'll find out RIGHT QUICK that you are the equivalent of an employee (or WERE an employee).

 

 
Rich Franklin
11:48pm • #9


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Donna Harris, REALTOR®, CDPE & ASP - Hill Country Austin Lakeway Homes

Donna Harris, REALTOR®, CDPE & ASP - Hill Country

Austin, TX

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This blog is to help educate Buyers, Sellers and even other Realtors across the country.  Each market is different and the way Real Estate is done is different.  Austin Real Estate is completely different than Dallas, California and Florida and everywhere else in between.  Some times there will be other things besides real estate as I like to rant and rave as much as the next!!  Come back often!

Donna Harris, REALTOR® with RE/MAX
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