Special offer

Laid Back Living Has Some Drawbacks

By
Real Estate Agent with Everyone Knows

 I am a full time Virtual Tour Dealer here in Alcona County, Michigan and a part time real estate sales associate. I know, I know, it's difficult if not impossible to be an effective real estate agent working only part time!

There is a lot of truth to that, as anyone who has tried to make a living selling real estate knows. Well, I am officially retired and my thing just happens to be creating 360° virtual tours as Key Solutions. Although Virtual Tours are beneficial to many, many different industries for a caboodle of reasons, our largest clientele is the real estate industry. So... I work in that industry part time hoping to expand my tour business as a result. It also keeps me in the loop, which enables me to be more effective and conscientious.

As you might imagine, Alcona, Iosco, and Alpena Counties are much more laid back than Michigan's larger metropolitan areas are. That is what makes living "up north" so delightful. There are some drawbacks however. For the most part, we are a good 5 years behind technologically. It is more the norm to find brokers, and agents who are not comfortable with the Internet than it is those who are savvy to it. Not only that, in some communities, mine included, we don't even have fiber optic communications so we can't get cable or high speed Internet at all. I know I am not alone in facing these limitations. Eric Clark seems to be battling a similar situation in North Carolina.

Both limited technological savvy, and the fact that so many professional and nonprofessional people are confused about the difference between a "virtual tour" and a "360° virtual tour" gives my life and my business a challenge. A "360° virtual tour" is much more significant than a photographic slide show called a  "virtual tour" ever will be. In fact, we are able to include a slide show within our tour if the agent wants one. For those of you in doubt, think about the difference between looking at some photos vs. going to an open house. Well, Real Tour Vision tours are the next best thing to being there at that open house without expending gas, time or even worrying about the time of day you choose to look at the home. I think that is something worth thinking seriously about.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comments (2)

Debra Higgins
Four Seasons Virtual Tours - Crown Point, IN

Hi Christine:

In Northwest Indiana we have cable and satellite internet readily available, but many realtors are still reluctant to come into the 21st century. Some just don't want to spend any money to make money (they don't last long). Many are confused not only about the different between a "Real Tour" and a slide show, but they are unsure if getting a website will really help their business or just be another cash drain for very little return.

Apr 04, 2008 01:27 AM
Martha Washington
Everyone Knows - Hooper, CO

You are right, Debra. The truth is that technology is snowballing and if one is not ready to get up and running they will be totally run over.

 

 

Apr 04, 2008 05:36 AM