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Same Time... Same Sandbox

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Chris Svec

Ever watch the cartoon, The Jetson's?  One of my personal favorites.  Elroy was the best... He coined the phrase, "same time, same sandbox," every time he was summoned home for dinner and dragged away by his trusty robot, Rosie. 

                                        

Funny how now the sandbox we call the real estate industry has changed.  New times, new sandbox, increased opportunities.  Today's sandbox is complicated for some, but Elroy would be all about it.  Today we enjoy everything from text messaging, PDA phones, web 2.0, podcasts, Flip video cameras which download directly to YouTube, talk to me now buttons on listing details pages, and other technology conveniences that are here to help consumers and agents connect.  These products are our friends and we need to embrace what is coming next vs. dreading the reality of learning the newest tools. 

The office sandbox has changed too.  I see our agents today not even using landline phones.  In many offices, the landline phone brokers pay $400+ per unit for, serves only one purpose - forwarding to a mobile device.  Who would pick that up and dial it - it is tied down and unlimited mobile plans are inexpensive.  Reducing a phone number on a business card creates the opportunity to add more designations or a bigger headshot.  Kidding - that is another discussion. 

Now a broker can open an office without the need for a $15,000 phone system and work just fine.  Cha ching - right to the bottom line baby!     

It is 2008 - with all of these options for convenience, it is amazing to me how many agents are still resisting.  Where would Elroy be without his "homework helper" machine - with less time to play in his sandbox! 

Get with it and get with a brokerage/brand who does - the Elroy's of the world are here and will surpass those who don't.    

Kevin Corsa
H.I.S. Home Inspections (Summit, Stark Counties) - Canton, OH
H.I.S. Home Inspections, Stark & Summit County, OH Home Inspector

Don't they call them 'E-Realtors' these days?   o-ray rorge.. (That was astro putting in his 2 cents).

May 20, 2008 08:31 AM
Chris Svec
Chris Svec - Columbus, OH

Astro rocks!

May 20, 2008 08:41 AM
Bob Edwards
Coldwell Banker- The Real Estate Group, Inc. - Appleton, WI
Fox Cities Real Estate Hotline, SFR- Appleton, WI

Yes Chris things have changed over the years in the real estate industry and they're changing every day. Elroy wouldn't have any problem keeping up with ARPropulsion though.

May 20, 2008 08:59 AM
Kevin Corsa
H.I.S. Home Inspections (Summit, Stark Counties) - Canton, OH
H.I.S. Home Inspections, Stark & Summit County, OH Home Inspector

I used to watch the Jetsons just to see Astro... and Rosie the robot too.

May 20, 2008 09:02 PM
Chris Svec
Chris Svec - Columbus, OH

Not only are things changing with respect to the agents who are coming into the business, the consumer is changing too.  If you can't supply the Elroy's with the communication methods or tools she require - you're sunk!

May 21, 2008 01:21 AM
Scott Hoyt
Founding Partner, ChangingStreets.com - Cary, NC

The change over the next 24-30 months will be off the charts. As the agent population becomes younger, which it will based simply on economics, the change will intensify.

The culture, tools, space, theory will all be completely different.

May 23, 2008 05:37 AM
Tori Lynn Wallitsch
Prudential Ambassador / Ross Designs, LLC - Omaha, NE

Great take on the changing technology of today's world!

May 26, 2008 01:08 AM
Stacey M. McVey
Keller Williams Greater Cleveland West - Westlake, OH

Here's the challenge:  In a group of real estate practitioners where a few still refuse to learn email, how do we provide a more consistent level of service?  There's a fine line between being an independent contractor and using that very fact as an excuse to not commit to the overall company's drive for excellence in technology and customer service.

May 27, 2008 03:06 AM
Chris Svec
Chris Svec - Columbus, OH

Thanks Tori. 

Stacey- You are dead on with respect to consistent service and utilizing technology.  Our franchisees probably do the best job of hiring agents who get it for this very purpose.  Why would you hire (or continue to keep the license) of someone who refuses to use e-mail?  The shelf-life of that agent is not long-term.  The answer is get rid of them now, or let the industry or today's consumer do it for you in the near future.   

May 27, 2008 04:08 AM
Andrew Magliochetti CCIM
Helios Realty and Development - Chicago, IL

What was the name of the maid robot?

Jun 01, 2008 09:08 AM
Jason Lopez
SmartRealty Solutions - San Diego, CA

Rosie...

Jun 01, 2008 01:19 PM
Chris Svec
Chris Svec - Columbus, OH

Andy probably needs a Rosie for his bachelor pad.  Andy is also (an Elroy) one who gets the importance and necessity of utililizing technology to attract today's buyers, sellers and agents. 

Jun 03, 2008 06:08 AM