The Internet - You have the Power to Choose how to use it. Take the best and leave the rest.
We think most everything in life comes with a double-edged sword. Too much of anything tends to create problems. Sunshine, in large doses, can cause sunburns and skin damage. Too much food can make us uncomfortable, lethargic, and create a myriad of health woes. The list goes on.
The internet is no exception. We think of it as a very useful tool that has brought us amazing capabilities. In real estate, it's now possible to work from a variety of locations. If you need to write up an offer, it can be done hundreds of miles from the office. During 2020, we had closings via FaceTime in order to "be there" for our clients.
Most of our clients prefer the ease of signing documents at home - including a favorite client in his 90's. Many also appreciate our live video previews of properties to save them time. Overall, the internet has given buyers, and sellers, easier access to properties and the marketplace. In short, they are more savvy.
It's brought more transparency to our industry, and that is a good thing.
Another plus for our clients is our on-line video marketing. Sellers appreciate that we showcase properties with lifestyle videos designed to give buyers a taste for what it feels like to live there. Buyers say they got to know us through our community videos and many mention our white dog. Now, two white dogs.
How wonderful to be able to create libraries of videos to show case properties, communities, towns, events, and other local amenities. It helps us stay in step with the local happenings, and gives relocation clients a good sense of what it's like to live here.
Does the internet have a dark side? Certainly. But, that doesn't mean you have to spent time there.
Last night, we watched our grandson play in a basketball tournament via a live feed on YouTube. The game was in Haines, Alaska. Today, we're watching him play again. What fun it is to be able to see the action miles and miles away. During the game, we texted with our son. Proud dad, and proud grandparents singing the praises of Sage.
We enjoyed the same technology last Fall, when Sage ran cross-country.
Nearly once a week, we FaceTime with our daughter and granddaughter who live in Denver. We've watched Raegan take her first steps, learn how to ride a bike, and recently, watched her first Mutton Bustin' competition at the National Western Stock Show. She came in second! A close second, according to her mom.
Life is ever changing. We think our ability to adapt and change with it is critical to our well-being and happiness. The internet has given us professional freedom, given our clients access to more information, and on a personal level, we enjoy a closer connection to out-of-town family and friends. We're so appreciative.
A special thanks to Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist and Gary Frimann, CRS, GRI, SRES for the January Challenge - Things we have lost to the internet.
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