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There are techie things that really help our business (and us) and there are some things that take us away from really doing business.

By
Real Estate Agent with Dockside Realty VA 0225142975

There are techie things that really help our business (and us) and there are some things that take us away from really doing business.  This is a pretty long title...I would imagine it is my longest but how else could I say what I wanted to say.

I like learning new things.  I don't even mind spending money to buy new tools to help me in my work.  What I am having some difficulty with is the never ending list of things we are told we must have.  That along with the never ending list of places on the Internet where we absolutely must be or no one will find us.  If we are not found we will never have any more business.

phone
It seems that some of us are spending so much time comparing one digital camera with another, one cell phone with another, one computer with another we don't spend enough time using them to actually generate more business nor to take better care of the clients we currently have.

There is endless software to purchase, apps to download, and Internet sites to visit.  What hasn't changed is that we still have only 24 hours in a day and, in spite of all the advances in technology, we still need some of that time to actually sleep.

Like everything else, moderation is the key.  Learning to differentiate between the tools that will really help us and those that are simply a waste of money, learning the places on the Web where we can best make use of our time, these are the things we can often discover here on Active Rain.

Discriminate...embrace the things that help you and dismiss the things that don't.  Make the most of the tools you have.  If you are anything like me you are not getting the most out of the equipment you already own.  Before jumping to the next version of a product be sure you are making the most of the one you have.

Those of us that have been in the business for a couple of decades or more know that much was accomplished without all of the gadgets we have today.  Although I appreciate what the gadgets help us do I still remember that the personal touch is the winning touch.

Be sure to have that personal touch in all of your transactions and you will continue to be a winner.

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Lana Robbins Realtor ® Licensed Real Estate Broker
Aloha Kai Real Estate - Clearwater, FL
Licensed in Florida, Washington, and Hawai'i

Hi Kate. There are so many tools too. For example Nooks and IPads. Which one to choose? Sometimes this can be distracting and distract from getting work done.

Feb 14, 2011 03:29 PM
Patrick White
Home Driven Realty, Inc - Baldwin, NY
Driven to bring New Yorkers home

Good Evening Kate

Thanks for the post and information. It is important to remember that the tech tools are supposed to help us do our tasks better. Have a great day.

Feb 14, 2011 03:41 PM
Sarasota & Manatee Counties FL
SaraMana Properties - QuickFreeMLS.com - Bradenton, FL
QuickFreeMLS.com - Listings In Paradise

Good points Kate -- I agree!  Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this!

Feb 14, 2011 06:46 PM
Susan Mangigian
RE/MAX Preferred - West Chester, PA
Chester & Delaware County Homes, Delaware and Ches

I spend far too much time looking at my phone.  There are only one or two agents in the office without a "smart" phone and one constantl complains that we don't realize how often we look at our phones while we are out together.  She finds it very rude, and I'm sure our clients do as well.  The personal touch includes making eye contact while someone is talking, and doesn't include texting, checking email or otherwise being engrossed with our smart phones.

Feb 15, 2011 01:17 AM
Nick Dailey
RE/MAX Affiliates - Union, KY
RE/MAX: Northern Kentucky Real Estate - NKY MLS - Short Sale

I tend to let my technological curiosities play themselves out in the evening hours. Ask yourself: "Is this a revenue producing activity?"  If not, find one to do...

Feb 15, 2011 01:23 AM
Charlottesville Solutions
Charlottesville Solutions - Charlottesville, VA

I have to be careful because I can buy a new device every week

your friend in Charlottesville!

Feb 15, 2011 03:43 AM
Kate Elim
Dockside Realty - Spotsylvania, VA
Realtor 540-226-1964, Selling Homes & Land a

Hi Sue...Good analogy.  Lots of choices and constant changes.

Kate

Feb 15, 2011 10:28 AM
Kate Elim
Dockside Realty - Spotsylvania, VA
Realtor 540-226-1964, Selling Homes & Land a

Hi Lana...We so often get confused with our wants and our needs.  I want an iPad but have to ask myself if I really need one and do I have the time to really learn how to get the most out of it.

Kate

Feb 15, 2011 10:34 AM
Kate Elim
Dockside Realty - Spotsylvania, VA
Realtor 540-226-1964, Selling Homes & Land a

Hi Patrick...Yes, and sometimes they cross the line of time taker rather than time savers.

Kate

Feb 15, 2011 10:34 AM
Kate Elim
Dockside Realty - Spotsylvania, VA
Realtor 540-226-1964, Selling Homes & Land a

Hi J.A....Thanks for stopping by and commenting.

Kate

Feb 15, 2011 10:35 AM
Kate Elim
Dockside Realty - Spotsylvania, VA
Realtor 540-226-1964, Selling Homes & Land a

Hi Susan...That can become such a habit we don't even realize how often we are doing it.  However, we usually notice when others are doing the exact same thing.  I leave the phone in the car when I'm at listing appointments and turn off the sound with buyers otherwise I'd be distracted.

Kate

P.S. Notice how we didn't bother with our phones when we got together in Baltimore.  That was so good.

Feb 15, 2011 10:39 AM
Kate Elim
Dockside Realty - Spotsylvania, VA
Realtor 540-226-1964, Selling Homes & Land a

Hi Nick...That's when I generally do it too although even then it's often time not well spent.  I like your criteria.  We sometimes try to rationalize that the new toy will help us make more money but it doesn't always play out that way.

Kate

Feb 15, 2011 10:42 AM
Kate Elim
Dockside Realty - Spotsylvania, VA
Realtor 540-226-1964, Selling Homes & Land a

Hi Charles...Then we find ourselves working to pay for all the new gadgets.

Kate

Feb 15, 2011 10:43 AM
Kay Van Kampen
RE/MAX Broker, RE/MAX - Springfield, MO
Realtor®, Springfield Mo Real Estate

Kate, I'm looking into an Ipad or notebook.  Haven't decided which one I really want.......that's the problem......I really don't need one yet.

Feb 15, 2011 02:08 PM
Kate Elim
Dockside Realty - Spotsylvania, VA
Realtor 540-226-1964, Selling Homes & Land a

Hi Kay...I'm in the same boat.  I certainly don't need an iPad.  I have a perfectly fine desktop, a 17" laptop, and a 13" laptop because it's easier to tote around, and a smart phone plus a desktop in my own office at Dockside provided by my broker.  Why an iPad?  But I think I want one!  Not such a great answer.  Simply wanting when not really needing.  

Kate

Feb 15, 2011 02:53 PM
Karen Kruschka
RE/MAX Executives - Woodbridge, VA
- "My Experience Isn't Expensive - It's PRICELESS"

Kate  I don't get too involved in the techie comparisons - I just get what I believe works for me

Feb 23, 2011 12:20 AM
Barbara Altieri
Better Homes and Gardens RE Shore and Country Properties - Shelton, CT
REALTOR-Fairfield County CT Homes/Condos For Sale

Kate -- Very sage advice. We could spend the entire day just sorting through new hardware, software, social sites etc. I do admit I am a bit of a nerd so I love all that stuff, but you have to be able to find a balance.  I like your point on wants and needs.  Yes, I want a lot of things, but do I really need them all?  Or do I even have time to effectively use them all?

Feb 27, 2011 01:36 PM
Karen Kruschka
RE/MAX Executives - Woodbridge, VA
- "My Experience Isn't Expensive - It's PRICELESS"

Kate  Oops I thoght this post looked familiar - I've been here before - hope you are well

Mar 07, 2011 09:43 AM
Martha Brown
Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc., Annapolis MD 21403 - Annapolis, MD
Your Homes Around Annapolis Agent

Someone asked me today if I was going to do XXX, get XXX and I said no. Enough already. I want to learn and use what I have proficiently and move forward from there. I am all for keeping the personal touch alive. :0)

Mar 09, 2011 01:31 PM
Charita Cadenhead
eXp Realty - Birmingham, AL
Serving Jefferson and Shelby Counties (Alabama)

Kate I could not have said this any better.  We simply just don't have to have the latest and so called greatest of everything.  I get so overwhelmed sometimes that I have to force myself to get back to business.

Mar 09, 2011 10:27 PM