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I Can't Live Without... My iPad and a Few Key Apps

By
Real Estate Agent with Live Better in Arizona

The new iPad

As technology continues to develop at an incredible pace, more and more things are being introduced to help me do business and be more productive, wherever I am.

When we were asked "What can I not live without?" my thoughts went straight to my iPad. However, as wonderful as my iPad is, it would not be the incredible tool it is without some key applications. So, my answer is a combination of the iPad and a few special applications.

I can now be anywhere, anytime and still conducting business. Check my email? Done. Do property research? Done. Need more information on a house you just drove by? Done. Access PDFs and saved files? Done. Time that would have been wasted before just sitting around can be changed into productive work time.

One of my favorite uses is the ability to be able to write a contract on the fly, get it signed and sent off to the other agent seamlessly with the use of my iPad. All I need to do is access my ZipForms, fill out the offer information, load it into my electronic signature software or, even better, if my client is with me, enable my on-screen signature application and have them sign right then and there. Once the paperwork is complete and signed, I simply email it off to the other agent and we are on our way.

It is strange to think back to the days where I was tethered to my home computer, printer and fax machine in order to get things done. And, it always felt like something would be malfunctioning at crunch time or that a critical call would come in when I was not close to the office. With my iPad, the way I used to do business has changed significantly.

Some of my other favorite uses for my iPad:
-I use it to take notes in class, at a seminar, talking to a client, and so on. I can then easily email these notes to myself or others, versus searching through a paper notebook to get the information I was looking for.

- When preparing to go out with buyer clients, I go ahead and load up all of the MLS listings (including photos) that we are going to see, area/neighborhood information, tax information, maps and any other information that may be helpful. Then, as we are out and about, I have all of the critical information at hand if questions arise.

-When I am working on marketing materials and design work, I can use an application to manually mark and illustrate the changes I need made. Rather than typing them out or discussing them over the phone, the designer can quickly see what changes need to be made.

 

 

PS - I just essentially wrote this blog post via my iPad and an application called Dragon Dictation. Thanks iPad!

Photo courtesy of p_a_h

 

Laura Allen, Lake Tahoe - Truckee Real Estate for Sale TahoeLauraRealEstate.com
Coldwell Banker Realty, Tahoe City, CA (530) 414-1260 - Tahoe City, CA
Tahoe Real Estate Agent Helping Buyers and Sellers

Heather - You've got to love Dragon Dictation.  Technology is making a lot of jobs we do really fun these days!

May 10, 2012 04:23 AM
Peggy Chirico
Prudential CT Realty - Manchester, CT
REALTOR® 860-748-8900, Hartford & Tolland County Real Estate

Hi Heather - I have been wanting an iPad and your testamonial is just the push I need!

May 10, 2012 04:27 AM
Heather Tawes Nelson
Live Better in Arizona - Scottsdale, AZ
Associate Broker, ABR, CLHMS, CRS - Scottsdale, AZ

Hi Laura- It is a huge timesaver. My typing skills still need work! :) 

Hi Peggy - It is worth it. And, if you really want to get incredible use out of it, the GoodLife Team in Austin TX does everything off of their iPads. I was just on a call where they talked about how the use them for buyers and sellers. Pretty amazing. Plus, when you have a little downtime, there are some "fun" apps to play with as well. :) 

 

May 10, 2012 04:32 AM
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Heather, these tools are essential, I decided to go with the android system, bit more computer for less money, but sometimes apple has an app that android doesnt have.

May 11, 2012 12:22 PM
Heather Tawes Nelson
Live Better in Arizona - Scottsdale, AZ
Associate Broker, ABR, CLHMS, CRS - Scottsdale, AZ

Hi Bob - I am an active Android phone user, so I know why you went that route. The good news is the key apps I use are cross-platform so I have access from many areas. Have a great weekend!

May 11, 2012 01:07 PM
Juli Vosmik
Dominion Fine Properties - Scottsdale, AZ
Scottsdale/Cave Creek, AZ real estate 480-710-0739

Heather, thanks for the encouragement - I've been putting this whole Ipad thing off, but this sounds like a great use of time and less paper.  

May 14, 2012 04:40 AM
Heather Tawes Nelson
Live Better in Arizona - Scottsdale, AZ
Associate Broker, ABR, CLHMS, CRS - Scottsdale, AZ

Hi Juli- It makes things so much easier. It is worth it!

May 14, 2012 04:55 AM