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Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes in the real estate business

By Jason Crouch

Real Estate Broker/Owner with Austin Texas Homes, LLC 453249

July 20, 2018 09:35 AM

I have been selling homes for a long time now. It's amazing to me how much the real estate business has changed since I started in 1997. We used to hand-deliver offers or send them using by (thermal) fax. The MLS was DOS-based back then. I had a cell phone that hurt my head when I used it too much (which still concerns me a little).

More importantly, we as agents had to talk to each other more, it seemed.

I am about to complete a transaction for my buyer clients Monday, and I have never once spoken on the phone or in person with the listing agent, nor have I spoken with anyone in her office. I don't think this has happened to me before.

I remember about 10 years ago I was not "sold" on texting. Now it is an absolute necessity in our business, and I probably send an receive around 100 per day on average, maybe more.

If we had any major issues during the sale, I probably would have insisted on speaking "live" at some point, because the rapport between agents can frequently make things smoother (although it can also make things go south sometimes, admittedly.

Just a few observations.

Photo credit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/29233640@N07/

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Grant Schneider

Performance Development Strategies - Armonk, NY

Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes

Good afternoon Jason - It certainly is a generational thing. We Baby Boomers like face to face but need to work texting too.

Jul 20, 2018 10:21 AM

Julie Chapman

Ormond Beach, FL
Jason Crouch

Austin, TX

Myrl Jeffcoat

Sacramento, CA

Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

I've been licensed since 1981. I remember when the MLS was a book published, printed and delivered to our office door each Saturday morning. You are right the changes have been incredible.

Jul 20, 2018 10:41 AM

Kris Collis, Associate...

East Stroudsburg, PA
Julie Chapman

Ormond Beach, FL
Jason Crouch

Austin, TX

Anna "Banana" Kruchten

HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ

602-380-4886

Jason I started in 1987 and things were way different as Myrl speakes too. Communication has gotten less this past few years or so but I don't recall a transaction where we had zero coversation with a listing agent. That is a bit odd in a way - but in a way not too. So much of what we do is online which eliminates the need for phone calls. We use showing time which I love as it frees us up a lot. Agents don't call me often unless they're wanting to write an offer or need more info. I'm fine with them calling. I certainly call others.

Jul 20, 2018 11:04 AM

Julie Chapman

Ormond Beach, FL
Jason Crouch

Austin, TX

Jason Crouch

Hi Anna - I don’t think I would ever choose not to speak with an agent on the other side, but that’s what happened on this one. I left a couple of early voice mails, but she returned my calls with texts.

Jul 21, 2018 07:52 AM

Carol Williams

Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA

Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Hi Jason,
Like Myrl and Anna, I was licensed for a long time and saw many dramatic changes. In general, I believe the digital age is a great thing. Unfortunately, I think many have allowed it to reduce the personal connection... which has allowed the likes of Zillow to become a monster of misinformation and deceit.

Jul 20, 2018 12:15 PM

Faye Y. Taylor

Floresville, TX
Jason Crouch

Austin, TX

Julie Chapman

Julie Chapman Broker - Ormond Beach, FL

Daytona Beach Shores, Florida

Jason,

When I was licensed in 1979, there were no desktop comuters and no faxes - mobile communication consisted of 10-4 and our MLS was a book printed quarterly. Think how far we have come - millenials really only want to corrspond via text - I know because I raised one....

I sell many homes a year via FaceTme.

OK.......who was licensed before 1979 I don't feel so old

We have come a long way baby!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jul 20, 2018 01:07 PM

Jason Crouch

Austin, TX

Lorrie Semler, REALTOR® in the Dallas area. Call/text 972-416-3417

HomeSmart Stars - Addison, TX

Real Service. Real Results. Real Estate

I don't think I've ever completed a transaction without actually speaking to the co-op agent. And I'm glad I haven't.

Jul 21, 2018 07:49 AM

Jason Crouch

Austin, TX

Jason Crouch

Hi Lorrie - This was not my choice. I left a couple of early voice mails as we started the process, but the other agent always responded via text or email.

Jul 21, 2018 07:55 AM

Jeffrey DiMuria 321.223.6253 Waves Realty

Waves Realty - Melbourne, FL

Florida Space Coast Homes

Hey Jason, as far as we have come in the last 10 years, what do you think real estate will look like 10 years from now? I have some predictions but one thing I know...it will be very different!

Jul 21, 2018 08:19 AM

Debb Janes

Camas, WA

Debb Janes

Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA

Put My Love of Nature At Work for You

I like talking on the phone to other agents - and kind of wish we did it more. Now, it's mainly texts and emails - and since we have to save any material eletronic communication with our transaction files, it makes for cumbersome record keeping. Generally speaking, I'm thinking we talk to another agent at least once during the transaction - depends on the agent.

Jul 21, 2018 08:43 AM

Bruce Brockmeier

Internet Marketing Consultant to REALTORS® - Yorba Linda, CA

Coached By Crouch

In this business the only constant is change.

Aug 03, 2018 02:07 PM