Are Real Estate Agents Being Held to a Higher Standard?

It used to be that a real estate agent needed a real estate website. The next step in the progression was to have multiple websites. Then along came map-based property search tools. Soon after that every agent needed to have a real estate blog. Those innovations were soon followed by the snazzy StreetView functionality powered by Google maps for our neighborhoods (if available in your area). Do you see where this is headed?

RE Licensing Laws Require You To Be "Skillful"

I don't know about your state's RE licensing laws but here in Michigan we are required by state law to be loyal to our clients, obey the laws, be financially prudent with other people's funds and conduct our business in a "skillful" manner. That actually means being on your "A" game with new technologies and how those technologies relate to our real estate market. Are you on keeping a finger on the ever-changing pulse of new technologies as they relate to the mobile computing crowd?

Helping Home Buyers Armed with the iPhone

Much has been said here and at many other real estate related websites about the virtues of the iPhone. While I don't personally own an iPhone, I truly believe it is far and away one of the coolest mobile devices of its kind. Now add to that all the great applications that can be downloaded and you quickly see why millions of these devices have been sold since the new "Souped Up" G3 version hit the market in mid-July.

Just Because I Don't Own One...

Like I said earlier, while I don't own an iPhone that doesn't mean I don't recognize its value and practical use as it relates to our Ann Arbor real estate market. In fact, The Bouma Group ensures every one of our Ann Arbor MLS property listings are visiable to iPhone owners. This is accomplished by uploading our featured Ann Arbor properties to Trulia. That way mobile computing home buyers can search for Ann Arbor homes for sale via the Trulia Property Search application on their iPhones. Of course, many cell phones provide Internet connectivity. The Trulia APP on the iPhone is just another tool for consumers to find their next home.

Ann Arbor Property Search Results in the Palm of Your Hand!

By uploading our Ann Arbor listings to Trulia, our featured properties are “exposed” to a whole new set of potential buyers who search for homes via their iPhones. One of the really cool “APP’s” (short for applications) available to iPhone users is the Trulia property search application. Armed with an iPhone and the Trulia Property Search APP, a consumer has the ability to:

1. Search all homes for sale in Ann Arbor
2. Access maps with the Ann Arbor property plot pointed
3. Get driving directions to and from the property
4. Save their favorite property searches
5. Email or call the listing agent immediately
6. Email the property to a friend or family member

By virtue of uploading all our Ann Arbor listings to Trulia, our featured properties are visible to a wider audience of home buyers many of whom are mobile computing home buyers. This allows us to differentiate The Bouma Group in our market!

What iPhone APP's Work for You?

Be sure to comment and let the rest of us know what iPhone applications you use in your part of the world.

Until next time,

Martin

P.S. We empower Ann Arbor and greater Washtenaw County home buyers and sellers by educating them to the user-friendly technology tools at their disposal. Visit The Bouma Group Ann Arbor Real Estate Blog to learn more about how we are helping Ann Arbor consumers succeed.