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Me & My Tablet Computer in RE World

By Terry & Bonnie Westbrook

Real Estate Agent with Westbrook Realty Broker-Owner

September 30, 2008 05:32 AM

"I write this after many months of talking about the possibility of going to a

paperless solution. Within 2 weeks I will embark on the trail of my first

transaction with at least minimal paper by buying a HP 2710 Tablet Computer."

This was one of my first posts on Active Rain. I have been using the

HP 2710 Tablet for almost a year now. For those of you considering going

this route, I will give you my opinion on using it every day.

me & my tablet computer

I find I learn something every time I use the tablet. Buyers and sellers

love the technology. Although they feel uncomfortable using the digital

pen to sign lots of forms, it is great for the occasional document that

needs to be completed. The digital pen has a button on the side of it

that acts like a right click and clients feel like they might cause a

problem if they accidentally push it. It just locks up the screen,

annoying but no big deal.

The biggest issue is when I send a form from my system to another

and the receiving computer has an older version of Adobe than I have.

It will show the signatures or additions to the document on the screen

but when you print the document, they don't show up on the printed

version. I'm sure this will be corrected eventually. In the future I believe

we will be using this technology every day but for now, it is the exception.

Using the tablet in presentations, especially a listing situation with the

air card to connect to the web, I can show my clients what we do for

them on-line. Along with the power point presentation, this high tech

approach does make the client feel like we offer more than the competition.

I would recommend using the Tablet computer for everyday real estate.

My original tablet computer blog

Grand Rapids Ada Real Estate Westbrook Realty

photo of the tablet guy by Bonnie Westbrook

Comments(11)

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James Malanowski

theJEMgroup.com (DRE #01373117) - Palmdale, CA

REO Broker, Palmdale, Lancaster, Rosamond, CA

The problem with Adobe not printing your annotations is a setting in the preferences when you print. To correct the issue, after hitting "print" there is a drop-down list labeled "Comments and Forms" directly beneath the "Properties" button in the upper right corner. Make sure this reads "Documents and Markups" otherwise it will only print the original document and not your signatures or notes.

Sep 30, 2008 08:58 AM

Anonymous

James Thanks I thought it must be the version. I really appreciate you taking the time to help.

Sep 30, 2008 04:41 PM

Regina Lundeen

Delaware Association of REALTORS® - Rehoboth Beach, DE

I have been wondering about the tablets. The touch screens look pretty awesome to. Eventually using these kinds of tools will become more and more accepted.

Oct 01, 2008 07:07 AM

Terry & Bonnie Westbrook

Westbrook Realty Broker-Owner - Grand Rapids, MI

Westbrook Realty - Grand Rapids Forest Hills MI Re

Regina: it has been great for me I don't want to carry a smart phone device because the screen is so small and the Tablet with an air card gives me a larger screen and more flexibility.

Oct 01, 2008 10:15 AM

Russel Ray, San Diego Business & Marketing Consultant & Photographer

Russel Ray - San Diego State University, CA

There is very little paper in my office anymore, but I've also been like that for about a decade, maybe a little longer. I have a degree in Forest Management from Texas A&M University, so I've always been conscientious about paper waste. I even take used paper from other people, cut it into sixths, and create little notepads out of it. I haven't bought post-it notes in about 20 years.

Oct 01, 2008 12:20 PM

Russel: Very impressive we are in the process of going paperless but it needs to get more accepted by the rest of the business from Lenders, title companies and others to make this happen.

Oct 01, 2008 01:44 PM

Bonita Malone

Better Homes and Gardens Mason-McDuffie Real Estate - Sacramento, CA

GRI, SFR, CDPE

Great post, I am sure its an attention getter as there are not too many agents using them, even though they have been around for a few years now.

Oct 01, 2008 03:31 PM

Bonita: Yes, they have been around but few agents have them. Any chance to eliminate the papers I have to file is tops in my book.

Oct 04, 2008 05:12 AM

Chris Griffith

Downing-Frye Realty, Bonita Springs, FL - Bonita Springs, FL

Bonita Springs Listing Specialist - Agent

I've not converted to a tablet yet. I'm still on PC and about to get another. My clientele and environment is progressive but a few months/years from the tablet.

Oct 04, 2008 02:34 PM

Chris: I thought the same but the reaction to the tablet has been very positive.

Oct 05, 2008 01:27 AM

Bonnie & Terry Westbrook

Westbrook Realty - Ada, MI

Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

I was very skeptical about your purchase but I have to admit clients have been impressed with what it can do.

Oct 08, 2008 02:09 PM

Me & My Tablet Computer in RE World

Comments(11)

Terry & Bonnie Westbrook

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