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How Did we Do It Before E-mail?

By
Real Estate Agent with BCR Realtors 262359

This week I have really realized how important e-mail is to our profession. Mainly to me... it is in communicating with clients. In the past we had to call clients at their jobs to keep them posted. This probably irritated their bosses and staff.... with the agent constantly calling and calling to update. Now we just drop a quick e-mail and they can check it out at break time or anytime if their company doesn't mind.  I am finding that some large corporations or government  jobs don't like e-mails on personal business at work or on employer time. Now I only have heard of a few.  Have you run into this  issue at all?

Back on topic.  Before email:

  • We made Lots of phone calls.  I still like phone calls when possible to keep the personal touch.
  • We would physically drive over and deliver messages and documents. Most company's didn't want their fax machines being tied up with personal stuff.
  • We used the U.S. Mail  even to send something across town.

Actually I believe e-mail was a greater invention in some respects than the copy machine. I wonder what new piece of equipment or service is on the horizon that will change the way we do business like e-mail did?

www.aggiecastles.com

shaking hands

 

 

 

Rick Callaham
Team Quintana Real Estate - Spokane, WA
Spokane Realtor

We can count on it, and email is great just like voicemail because in a fast paced society people can get to it when it works for them.

Rick Quintana - Team Quintana Real Estate

Spokane Home Buying Expert

Jan 28, 2008 03:31 PM
Roberta LaRocca
Simply Vegas Real Estate - Las Vegas, NV
REALTOR®, Broker, Salesperson, NV. Lic BS.507
Trey, Email has been great!  It definitely makes life easier for everybody.
Jan 28, 2008 03:45 PM
Dave Woodson
Dave Woodson - Chesterton, IN
Not the Average Agent
it makes life easier, but more distant
Jan 28, 2008 03:47 PM
Deb Brooks
Brooks Prime Properties Wichita Falls Texas - Wichita Falls, TX
You know Trey, this technology thingy is really cool. I remember when there was so much talk about the post office imposing a fee for each email. That could break us all! I'm like you in the belief that the "personal touch" is still important but emails are great. We can utilize it for touching base more often without taking too much "time" away from other daily requirements. The graphic is wonderful. Thanks for the thoughts! Deb
Jan 28, 2008 04:09 PM
Jason Crouch
Austin Texas Homes, LLC - Austin, TX
Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (512-796-7653)
I often think the same thing about cell phones. Our lives are immeasurably easier these days. However, as you and others alluded to, email also makes our communication more impersonal sometimes. Nice post -
Jan 28, 2008 04:14 PM
Vickie Nagy
Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate - Palm Springs, CA
Vickie Jean the Palm Springs Condo Queen

You asked about corporate policies. Yes, in large corporations it is possible to be reprimanded or even loose your job for receiving and responding to non-work related e-mails. Unfortunately when there are rules they cannot be selectively enforced. ALWAYS get your client's HOME e-mail account.

Jan 28, 2008 04:23 PM
M A
Boston, MA

Trey,

Funny, I was just thinking this the other day.  How did we stay in touch with people before cell phones?  How did we find information before the internet?  Ain't technology great!

Jan 28, 2008 11:52 PM
Trey Thurmond
BCR Realtors - College Station, TX
College Station , Texas Homes

Debra,

My thoughts exactly ...a way to stay in touch without seeming bothersome.

Jason,

I use e-mail a lot bit still like that phone.

Jan 29, 2008 06:54 AM
Trey Thurmond
BCR Realtors - College Station, TX
College Station , Texas Homes

Vickie,

Good advise . Thank you. Unless they tell me otherwise, I try to use their home email.

Trey

Jan 29, 2008 06:58 AM
Trey Thurmond
BCR Realtors - College Station, TX
College Station , Texas Homes

Martin,

Know what you mean ..we just didn't know any better and made do the best we could.

Jan 29, 2008 07:01 AM
Hank Roeters
Platinum Partners Realtors - Darien, IL
I agree  completely. You really notice it when you run into a client, or agent, that don't use it.
Jan 29, 2008 08:57 AM
Leesa Finley
RED Properties - Wake Forest, NC
RED Properties - Raleigh NC Real Estate
I'm sorry, what's the US Mail?  ;) It is amazing how far we have come.  If my computer goes down for even one minute I FREAK OUT!!  God forbid my cell doesn't work.  It's a crazy, crazy world and the information is available in a nanosecond!  All that means is that we must stay on top of our game! 
Jan 29, 2008 08:59 AM
Trey Thurmond
BCR Realtors - College Station, TX
College Station , Texas Homes

Leesa,

Seriously would you have computer withdrawl syndone if you had a major crash? 

Jan 29, 2008 02:24 PM
Kay Perry
Kay Perry, Broker - College Station, TX
I LOVE email.  It is the only way to go for me.  Wonderful invention.
Jan 30, 2008 11:52 AM
Trey Thurmond
BCR Realtors - College Station, TX
College Station , Texas Homes
Kay, You could teach us all about using email.
Feb 02, 2008 09:29 AM