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Tech Savy Realtors

By Missy Caulk

Real Estate Broker/Owner with Missy Caulk TEAM

April 17, 2009 06:31 AM

I like this quote, not sure where I got it, but have had it saved in my files for awhile. When I first got into the business, the buzz word was realtors were not going to be around anymore. That was scary just starting my career. Now we have found that the internet doesn't replace us at all but those agents that use the internet ARE replacing those that don't.

Look around your communities and see if that is not true ! I know some agents that are still using AOL for their email and rarely check it.

What's a blog ?
What is a podcast ?
What is SEO ?
What is a widget ?
It is a never ending battle to stay on top of it all, but it is a necessity that we do.

Look at agents around the country that are new to the business. It is overwhelming what they have to learn. But, then there are those that hit the ground running and are selling millions their first year. They have grown up with technology, it is the air they breath so they can jump in and their careers just take off.

In Michigan you can get your realestate license with 40 hours of classroom study. One day, I was walking through Walmart a few years ago and I overheard this girl talking to her mom, in a Southern accent, "I'm gonna get me a real estate license". You can get it for 240.00". I died laughing (to myself of course). Every year it requires more skills whether in the classroom or just staying on top of technology.

"Those that learn more earn more" a favorite quote by Dave Liniger, co founder of RE/MAX with his wife Gail.

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Comments(75)

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Nicki Conway

RE/MAX Alliance Group - Sarasota, FL

Sarasota Fl Real Estate

Missy

I'm always amazed at how many people think being a Realtor is so easy! People seem to have the idea that Realtors just go around showing a few houses, then zap! make a sale and a nice commission comes with it.

And yes, you do need to be tech savvy. I'm appalled and amazed at how many Older Realtors are not. Those are the ones that will not survive in this market.

Jul 02, 2007 04:15 AM

Missy Caulk

Missy Caulk TEAM - Ann Arbor, MI

Savvy Realtor - Ann Arbor Real Estate

Margaret, we are having a lot of agents not renew in Ann Arbor

Stefan, sounds yummy !

Nicki we have a few agents in our board that the sales secretaries at different office STILL print out the Hot sheets and tape them to the wall.

Have you ever ??????????

Jul 02, 2007 05:46 AM

Marchel Peterson

Results Realty - Spring, TX

Spring TX Real Estate E-Pro

Missy, I missed this one the first time around. I was fairly new to blogging when you put this one out. I started in real estate a little over 10 years ago and remember hearing that the Internet was going to replace us. The face of real estate has changed in the last 10 years but I don't see the Realtor going away, if anything we are even more important in the transaction. With all the tech savvy stuff there is just more that has the potential to go awry.

Oct 20, 2007 03:13 PM

Missy Caulk

Missy Caulk TEAM - Ann Arbor, MI

Savvy Realtor - Ann Arbor Real Estate

Marchel, I heard that too, now they need us more. Not to SEE the houses, but for our knowledge of the market. I love all the new techy stuff.

Oct 21, 2007 01:31 AM

Thesa Chambers

West + Main - Bend, OR

Principal Broker - Licensed in Oregon

Missy - another one that I missed - and a great post - and so true.... we gotta stay on the cutting edge to keep up with our clients - they sometimes know more than we do about what we are doing

Oct 21, 2007 04:28 PM

Barbara Mulcahy

Re/Max Integrity Advantage - Berkeley Heights, NJ

ABR, CRS - Your Berkeley Heights Real Estate Source

Very true Missy - never stop learning......especially technical things!

Oct 22, 2007 12:03 AM

Missy Caulk

Missy Caulk TEAM - Ann Arbor, MI

Savvy Realtor - Ann Arbor Real Estate

Thesa, you have been busy today, huh ? Barbara, it is a never ending battle to keep up.

Oct 22, 2007 12:11 PM

Todd Clark - Retired

eXp Realty LLC - Tigard, OR

Principle Broker Oregon

Just look at the numbers here on A/R, only 53,000 agents. That number right there should tell us how many haven’t figured out that the internet is the place to be! But, while we are succeeding they will be playing catch up or retiring early! Great post!

Oct 23, 2007 05:07 PM

Karen Rice Keller Williams Real Est

Keller Williams Real Estate - Hawley, PA

Northeast PA & Lake Wallenpaupack Home Sales

It amazes me how many realtors have no clue about the online world.

Oct 23, 2007 10:22 PM

Missy Caulk

Missy Caulk TEAM - Ann Arbor, MI

Savvy Realtor - Ann Arbor Real Estate

Todd, you got me running around all over these older posts. LOL I do believe your right, the early bird catches the worm.

Karen, me too?

Oct 24, 2007 05:36 AM

Debi Ernst

St. Charles County, Missouri - Prudential Alliance Realtors - O'Fallon, MO

GRI, e-PRO, Broker/Sales Associate

Missy - The internet is here to stay...we really need to keep learning and to keep up with the times. :)

Apr 17, 2009 06:46 AM

Norma Brandsberg

Marks Realty Co. Inc., Lynchburg, VA, 540-586-9496 - Forest, VA

Gosh, I can't tell you the changes I have seen in the 31 years in real estate. I feel like I grew up in the horse and buggy days. I remember when someone had to go to the Board office to pick up the daily new listings. We then made a copy and put it in a binder. Every week we got a list of the sold properties and then had to remove the sold listings.

I hope the newer agents get a good laugh from this.

Apr 17, 2009 07:19 AM

Frank Rubi

Frank Rubi Real Estate, LLC - Metairie, LA

FrankRubiRealEstate.com

Missy I appreciate you sharing all your information. Your so right we need technology although not perfect but it has lead to an increase in my business the last few years.

Apr 17, 2009 07:28 AM

Frank & Jodi Orlando

Frank & Jodi Orlando Get Us A Home Realty Atlanta Homes Sale - Cumming, GA

Hoo boy, no school can prepare you for THIS market. I do not believe there's a school to teach SEO either (but many say they can). You just have to figure these things out....

Apr 17, 2009 07:32 AM

Ed Silva, 203-206-0754

Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT

Central CT Real Estate Broker Serving all equally

It's so true. Here in Connecticut we need 60 hours to get licensed, and no part of the class is devoted to practical, that's what a mentor will provide. The biggest problem is every 2-3 months something new gets popular and then you need to decide if it's right for you.

Apr 17, 2009 08:43 AM

Mike Mitchell

Kee Realty - Saint Clair Shores, MI

REALTOR (R)

Hi Missy, hey I remember this post! I love that quote, it is so true!

Apr 17, 2009 09:34 AM

Krista Fuchs

Prudential Fox & Roach - Exton, PA

Chester County Realtor - (484) 459-8025 - Home Buying and Selling

This is so true! I can't believe the leads I'm getting from the internet. Once you start getting those leads print advertising seems silly.

Apr 17, 2009 01:57 PM

Ryan Shaughnessy

PREA Signature Realty - www.preasignaturerealty.com - Saint Louis, MO

Broker/Attorney - Your Lafayette Square Real Estate Partner

Love the quotation and find it to be pretty accurate... The internet will never replace a real estate professional who has great tech skills, local knowledge, and a customer service focus. A license is just the price of admission. It is after you get the license when the learning really begins. Not a day goes bye that I don't learn something new to incorporate into my real estate practice.

Apr 17, 2009 02:12 PM

Angie Ridley

Complete Realty, LLC - Flint, MI

Broker, ABR, CRS, PMN, WCR, At Home With Diversity

Our assocation has been looking into new mls systems, some members say "you have to be too techy to use it". Please, that's our business now. So lets hold the membership back because of a few, or better yet, let's not move forward and help our membership to learn more...The internet can be our best friend it we allow it...

OMG!

Apr 19, 2009 03:40 AM

Glenn Shong

Re/Max Realty Center - Oconomowoc, WI

Technology - some days you can't live with it but I would die with out it!!! So much to learn and so little time.

Apr 19, 2009 03:10 PM