Home > Blogs > Patrick Little > Patrick Little's (patricklittlehomes) Blog

Why I recommend an iPhone for Realtors.

By Patrick Little

Real Estate Agent with The Patrick Little Homes Team at Realty Choice

January 29, 2010 01:06 PM

I recommend an iPhone for Realtors for three main reasons. I have never had a smartphone with Windows software on it or a Blackberry, however, so I can't say iPhone is the best. My iPhone has been a life saver for me several times now. These are my three reasons why I recommend it:

1. For apps such as Zillow and Trulia. Both of these apps are a mobile version of the actual websites. Both websites have listings that are syndicated to them from Point2 Agent and other real estate websites. So when you meet a customer/client at a property and they decide that they want to see another one while you are there, you can search Zillow or Trulia from your iPhone, find a house, and look at pictures. Then...

2. You can get on the MLS in Safari and find out how to show. Thats right, you have the MLS in the palm of your hand! Now, my city has Rapattoni and I do not know whether other MLS's can be pulled up on the iPhone Safari browser. You can always be prepared..even when you're not. But you can also...

3. Search apps or the Internet while on the phone. So if you are out of the office/away from a computer and a customer/client calls wanting information on a property, simply put them on speakerphone and search your apps or the MLS. It allows you to help the customer/client as much as possible, being a complete service Realtor.

These are all my opinions about why I recommend iPhone. The three reasons for why I recommend iPhone are accurate. I am not saying iPhone will work better for every Realtor.

Patrick Little

Re-Blog

Comments(18)

Comment

Show All Comments

Sort:

Dr. Stacey-Ann Baugh

Century 21 New Millennium - Upper Marlboro, MD

A doctor who makes house calls.

I'm a big fan of the I-Phone too. I also love for the silly things it allows me to do to pass the time when a client is running late.

Jan 29, 2010 01:08 PM

The Patrick Little Homes Team at Realty Choice - Springfield, MO

That would be number 4!

Jan 29, 2010 01:14 PM

Karin Elliott

IBA Realty Group - Big Canoe, GA

14 Years as a Broker & Making Dreams Come True

Crazy but true! I just dropped my BB and added a basic phone. I'm lucky enough to work at home with my husband and if I get in a bind he can look things up for me. Too many apps on a phone subliminally call you to check it every 10 minutes. My family kindly told me I was over the top. I don't have the new phone yet but will post about it soon. This will be an interesting experiment.

Jan 29, 2010 01:16 PM

Nick Exarhos

National Realty Centers - Livonia, MI

I am not convinced you need an I Phone to make money, in fact I think it does not amake any diffrence

Jan 29, 2010 01:18 PM

David Cahill

Century 21 Cahill Associates - Boston, MA

I use a Blackberry and love it. I have heard great things about the iPhone and will have to check out some of my Realtor buddy's iPhones and see how they are using them in their business.

David

There definitely has to be a balance between work and play with smart phones, not just an iPhone. With my iPhone, I can put my fun apps on a back page and work apps up front. This keeps me focused during work hours. Although, in the office, I only use my phone when somebody calls me because I have computer access and office phones for other needs. It would be much harder for me to focus at home. How do you do it? lol

Jan 29, 2010 01:19 PM

I hear good things about Blackberry as well, especially with our infrared lock boxes we have here and their ability to be an eKey. And, Nick, I wasn't saying they make you money. I was just stating my opinion of how they can help.

Jan 29, 2010 01:25 PM

Terri Adams-Scott

J. Rockcliff, REALTORS - Walnut Creek, CA

Realtor, Walnut Creek CA Real Estate

I can think of a lot more than 3 reasons! I like the 'google speech' search...voice recorder...camera/video feature and the list could go on if I mentioined all the fabulous apps! I totally agree, it's my main device and wouldn't want to leave home without it!

Jan 29, 2010 01:28 PM

Don Sabinske

Don Sabinske, Sabinske & Associates Inc. - Zimmerman, MN

Sabinske & Associates Inc.

You can seach the internet and be on speaker phone on the BB, too. But, I can see that iPhone users love it. A BB has most of the same feature as the IP, it just depends on the person using it.

Jan 29, 2010 01:32 PM

The ability to view PDF files and other file types is another one. I like being able to open up disclosure forms to show a buyer if they request it and I'm not at the office. We should just get a list going!

Jan 29, 2010 01:33 PM

Yeah, if I didn't have iPhone, I would be torn between which to buy for real estate: Blackberry or iPhone?

Jan 29, 2010 01:37 PM

Charles Stallions Real Estate Services

Charles Stallions Real Estate Services Inc - Gulf Breeze, FL

Buyers Agent 800-309-3414 Pace and Gulf Breeze,Fl.

As a buyers agent I put all the listings together at the office and show them. In fifteen years I have never had to look one up while on the road. With all these gadgets we prolong the buying process and show we are not sure if we have all the homes or even know the inventory.

At the office I put all the home fitting their search on the big screen, narrow them down to 10 and show them, then I write the contract. By watching them look at the homes on the big screen I can usually pick out the one they will buy.

Jan 29, 2010 01:56 PM

This is true Joyce. What if its your its a listing your Brokerage has and somebody calls you to come show it? You don't have the information to put listings together they may like until you talk to them at the property. This is when it comes in handy. Any buyer's agent has the opportunity to be prepared to show other listings. I have 15 other listings in my now that are comps to one listing a buyer wanted to see, so I, too, am prepared.

Jan 29, 2010 02:05 PM

Joel Prince

The Principle Group, Inc - Hixson, TN

Hixson/Soddy Real Estate Broker

I think Apple has it going on. I have never jumped over to the iPhone, though. Nothing against it. It is just the AT&T link that keeps me away--mainly due to coverage issues.

Jan 29, 2010 03:03 PM

Alix Pinzon

Open Mortgage, LLC NMLS # 2975 - Downey, CA

(562)743-6086

I'm with Joel. When Verizon offers the Iphone, I will probably get one. AT&T will never get any of my future business. Besides poor reception, their customer service is the worst.

Jan 29, 2010 03:33 PM

GARY DIGIORGIO -Denver- Arvada -Westminster

THE DIGIORGIO GROUP /(303) 898 - GARY (4279) - Westminster, CO

REOptions LLC

love my droid..

,..thanks for the Handyman comment....Gary d for Denver

Feb 03, 2010 09:52 AM

Yvette Gardner

Keller Williams Realty, Spartanburg, SC - Spartanburg, SC

Welcome to Active Rain and congratulations on your first post. It looks like you're off to a great start. We hope you enjoy A/R as much as we do. There are many opportunities to share your knowledge and learn from others. Take care, Yvette & Dennis

Feb 04, 2010 01:33 PM

Thank you, Yvette and Dennis!

Feb 04, 2010 01:44 PM