The Mobile Device I Couldn't Live Without: My iPad2

The Mobile Device I Couldn't Live Without: My iPad2

I'm not the type of person who has to have every electronic device that comes along. I kept my iPhone 3GS for three years while everyone else was buying the latest and greatest iPhone release. But when the opportunity presented itself to buy the iPad2, I took advantage of it.

I had just sent my daughter off to college and swapped my iPhone 3GS for her Pantech. I wanted her to have the advantages of having a smartphone at school without the high cost. She wasn't elligible for an update on her phone so I let her have mine and I took hers. Since I no longer had a smartphone, I decided to take the money that would have been applied to a new phone and purchase the iPad2. It has been the best decision I have ever made.

The iPad2 is like my portable office.

Here are just a few of the ways that I use my iPad2 for real estate:

• Keynote - My listing presentations are now visually appealing while still including lots of valuable information. I have incorporated 2D charts and graphs, screen shots showing my Google rankings, photos, CMA's and testimonials. It's a whole new way to do listing presentations.
• Open House Pro - This has become a fun way to get open house visitors to sign in. I can customize the questionnaire for each listing and the visitors receive an email immediately to their email address with the listing description and photos. A great way to stay at the top of a buyer's mind.
• Evernote - This gives me the ability to take notes while showing homes. I can also take photos and video and keep them all together in a client file.
• MLS - Accessing the MLS has never become easier. I used to print up countless pages of data to take to showing appointments. Not anymore. Now, I have instant access to the MLS, tax records and CMAs in just minutes.
• Dropbox - My iPad2 has become like a file drawer with all my contracts and documents. If I receive a call and I'm not in my office, I can easily access Dropbox to retrieve whatever I need to know. This app alone is worth it's weight in gold.
• Mortgage Calculator - This comes in very handy as we are sitting down to write a contract. I just plug in all the numbers and my client has instant access to their monthly payment. All while still standing in the listing.
• Emails - No more trying to read those HUD1 statements on my iPhone. I am able to pull the documents up and easily read them prior to sending them on to my clients. No more waiting until I get back to the office.
  

These are just a few of the many things that make my iPad2 the mobile device I couldin't live without. My next endeavor is to add electronic signatures. I may never have to touch a piece of paper again. My office will be totally virtual.