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Really? You Don’t Have a Computer???

By Belinda Spillman

Real Estate Agent with Aspen Lane Real Estate Colorful Colorado CRE# 40005863

July 17, 2012 07:14 AM

keyboard Remember back in the days before all of our clients had computers? We spent so much time in the car driving around to obtain signatures for one piece of paper after another.

I guess I have been spoiled lately, because all of my clients have had computers and have actually been fairly computer literate, with the exception of ONE.

I am working with a lady right now who is in her early 50’s. She has never had a job that required that she use a computer and has no idea how to even turn one on. No Problem!

It takes me back to the old days when I first started in real estate in the mid-nineties. Electronic signatures weren’t even a thought back then. Properties were posted in the MLS book that came out once a week and we lined up to grab our copy. And boy did we burn through the gasoline back then.

The up side of this situation is that I get lots of face time with this client and I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with her. I feel like we have become friends just because she sees me non-stop, as opposed to my other clients who do everything electronically.

Maybe the real estate Gods sent this client to me to remind me of the importance of face to face communication with clients. It has certainly given me a new perspective. I will cherish the moments I have with this client and try to make this experience a learning experience and a slight slap in the face to never forget to get in front of clients in the future.

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Chuck Carstensen

RE/MAX Results - Elk River, MN

Minnesota/Wisconsin Real Estate Expert

It is rare to see someone without a computer these days.

Jul 17, 2012 07:17 AM

Shannon Lewis

Beringer Realty - Champaign, IL

Realtor, Broker - Champaign-Urbana, IL

I have a new client who has a computer but doesn't know how to use email :-) You're right though...face time is important!

Jul 17, 2012 07:17 AM

Chris Ann Cleland

Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA

Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

At least it's client without a computer. Can you believe I worked with a listing agent that didn't do email? That's unexceptable in my eyes.

Jul 17, 2012 07:17 AM

Cheryl Thomson REALTOR Ret Army

United Real Estate DC Metro Region (703.216.5635) cheryltee47@gmail.com - Prince William, VA

Associate Broker in Northern Virginia

Your client is certainly a diamond in the rough...its almost unheard of, but I bet there are a few more around!

Jul 17, 2012 07:19 AM

Wallace S. Gibson, CPM

Gibson Management Group, Ltd. - Charlottesville, VA

LandlordWhisperer

When I have rental prospects tell me they do not have a computer, that tells me that they will not be RESPONSIBLE residents and that they will take "special handling"....which costs MORE

Jul 17, 2012 07:22 AM

Kathy Stoltman

Ventura, CA

RETIRED

Belinda, great attitude you have shown. It is hard to believe that folks do not have computers, but I know my 85 year old father does not have one. I got him an iPad but he has not embraced it, pretty much it sits around catching dust!

Jul 17, 2012 07:41 AM

Belinda Spillman

Aspen Lane Real Estate Colorful Colorado - Aurora, CO

Colorado Living!

It is funny to hear the stories. People who don't have email but have a computer. How crazy is that? I can't believe Chris Ann worked with an AGENT who didn't have email. That's a bit on the crazy side of things.

Jul 17, 2012 07:46 AM

Don Sabinske

Don Sabinske, Sabinske & Associates Inc. - Zimmerman, MN

Sabinske & Associates Inc.

Great story. And, I had no idea that you and Will Hamm were together. and, by the way....

Congratulations!

Jul 17, 2012 08:05 AM

Roger D. Mucci

Shaken...with a Twist 216.633.2092 - Euclid, OH

Lets shake things up at your home today!

I'm going with "The Real Estate Gods sent her to you".............cool story Belinda, packs a punch too. Face to face time is very important in your business.

Jul 17, 2012 08:29 AM

Michael Jacobs

Pasadena, CA

Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hi Belinda --- I ask clients what method of communication they prefer --- I've had a few who prefer face-to-face --- as long as they are local, it's okay --- those cross country jet trips to get signatures may put the end to working with some clients though.....haha...hope you are having a good week.

What's up with Don Sabinske's comment??? Is this an inside joke?

Jul 17, 2012 08:30 AM

Belinda Spillman

Aspen Lane Real Estate Colorful Colorado - Aurora, CO

Colorado Living!

Hey Don, Yes Will and I have worked together for almost 3 yrs now.

Roger, We have to respect the real estate Gods!!!

Michael, Yes as long as they are close its all good. Not sure about Don's comment. Maybe it was the post Will wrote last week about me hitting 400k. He must not have know that we work as a team.

Jul 17, 2012 08:37 AM

Martha Brown

Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc., Annapolis MD 21403 - Annapolis, MD

Your Homes Around Annapolis Agent

Yes we have become so computer dependent and when a client shows up who is not it can throw us off balance for sure. I just finished a transaction with a 86 year old client who lived out of town. Phone calls and fed ex was the norm on this one. :0)

Jul 17, 2012 09:23 AM

Ralph Janisch ABR CRS Broker

Janisch & Co. - Conroe, TX

Selling Northwest Houston to good people like you!

I don't think I have met anyone in the last 10-15 years with no computer. Some are not too literate but they at least own one.

Jul 17, 2012 10:03 AM

Carla Muss-Jacobs, RETIRED

RETIRED / State License is Inactive - Portland, OR

I had a client recently that didn't have ink in her printer so she couldn't print out (or scan back) her offer. I had to print it out and run it over to her -- does that count?!? ;-)

Jul 17, 2012 10:28 AM

Jill Sackler

Charles Rutenberg Realty Inc. 516-575-7500 - Long Beach, NY

LI South Shore Real Estate - Broker Associate

Among the elderly, you meet many people without a computer. Your client is not that old but I guess she never had reason to embrace technology. Good attitude on your part.

Jul 17, 2012 11:14 AM

Kathy Sheehan

Bay Equity, LLC 770-634-4021 - Atlanta, GA

Senior Loan Officer

I have a meeting tomorrow morning with a prospecitve client that doesn't have a computer either..... this is certainly going to slow down the mortgage process.

Jul 17, 2012 11:33 AM

Mona Gersky

MoonDancer Realty, Dillsboro,NC - Sylva, NC

GRI,IMSD-Taking the mystery out of real estate.

Belinda, I don't mind folks who are local without a computer but I find it difficult to work with people out of the state who don't have a computer. It's one thing to email listings but it gets expensive to print and mail listing sheets.

Jul 17, 2012 01:15 PM

Toni Weidman

Sailwinds Realty - Trinity, FL

20+ Years Selling Homes in New Port Richey, FL

This is funny, Belinda. I had a client call who wanted a list of homes but said he didn't have an email address. That gave me pause for a minute. Then I said, Oh that's too bad, you won't be able to see all the inside pictures if I snail mail you a list. funny thing is: he came up with an email address in about a NY minute.

Jul 20, 2012 02:19 AM