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The App Attack

By
Real Estate Agent with Big Block Realty 858.232.8722 CA BRE# 01261476

Technology has transformed Real Estate in my lifetime, literally during my career. I watched the end of the weekly MLS book, the end of the god-awful DOS version of the MLS on computer and the advent of Agent and Property Websites, Blogs and Social Media. In fact, I saw computers go from the size of multiple refrigerators to something you were expected to have on your desk by 1991 and then by the mid-2000's you could carry it in your pocket. None existed until about my senior year of high school and it seems like from 1986-2022 we went from never needing them to heroin-level addiction to them. Too funny, kinda sad.

I can still go a whole day off without my phone, computer or any tech without seizures or the sweats, but not at work! 

I use iPhone 13 at work and it has replaced my laptop. This smaller iPad is a daily tool at work and allows me to work from anywhere there's cell or wi-fi signal. Did you know the word wi-fi is fabricated, it means absolutely nothing!

I use the following iPhone Apps, almost daily in my Real Estate Business too:

  • Camera App
  • Flashlight App
  • Text App
  • WhatsApp for my communication with my Canada/Mexico-based clients.
  • Clock App for reminder alarms.
  • Buffini & Company Referral Maker CRM App -all my contacts.
  • MLS App for comps, property info  and touring homes
  • ShowingTime App for booking appointments, tours and approving showings on my listing (say what you will about this App, but this service is a listing agent's best friend)!
  • Notes App for (you guessed it) taking notes and my AVID, etc.
  • Rentometer App for rental comps (investor purchases)
  • Google Maps App for touring homes
  • MilesIQ App for tracking my mileage
  • Toll Roads App for when I need to take the shortcuts that cost
  • Waze App for checking out traffic on tours
  • Lugg App for Hauling Furniture, large potted plants and trash - etc.
  • Sentrilock- App for lockbox access
  • Docusign App for escrow docs.
  • Dropbox App for photos
  • Google Drive App for Documents
  • All my Bank Apps for CFO on the go.
  • All my Social Media Apps for Marketing, Branding and communication.
  • Home Depot App so I can find stuff quick (store maps).
  • Google Translate App to help me with my Spanish
  • Get It Done San Diego App for reporting pot holes, dumped furniture, abandoned vehicles, etc. on my listing's blocks.
  • I'm sure there's more I use, but these are weekly and most daily tools. And that is my my point, the device and Apps are tools, not a life, not a career, not a relationship - just tools.

There's still no App for what I do though, if you want to fly first class in Real Estate, you still need to invest in a relationship with a REALTOR®! Treating an agent like a commodity - you'll never truly know first class service and the financial difference it can make in your real estate endeavors. 

Thank you Carla Freund for inspiring this post 
with your Q&A Question this morning on Active Rain.

 

photo 1 by www.Pixabay.com
photo 2 by MOHI SYED: https://www.pexels.com
photo 3 lifted from my social media

 

 

Posted by


Thomas J. Nelson
REALTOR®, CRS, RCS-D, CDPE, e-Pro, Certified Military Home Specialist, Luxury Home Specialist, Author, Keynote Speaker and  Podcast Host 

Serving Coastal San Diego from Carlsbad to Coronado, Downtown, Balboa Park Area,
La Jolla/UCSD & Mission Bay Park Areas
I Offer Rebates to Veterans
& Active Duty

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(858) 232-8722
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RCS-Divorce     Southern California Chapter of Certified Residential Specialists (CRS)

 
 
Disclaimer:  Nothing in this blog article is to be construed as legal advice, tax advice, medical advice or financial advice.  For legal advice see an attorney.   For tax advice, health or financial advice see a tax attorney, certified public accountant, or other qualified professional.
Bill Salvatore - East Valley
Arizona Elite Properties - Chandler, AZ
Realtor - 602-999-0952 / em: golfArizona@cox.net

Thank you for the great information in your blog today to share with us here on the Rain.  Make it a terrific day! bill

Jul 29, 2022 06:36 AM
Grant Schneider
Performance Development Strategies - Armonk, NY
Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes

Good morning Thomas - that is the way it is today.  The comment, "There's an App for that." is real.

Jul 29, 2022 06:49 AM
Leanne Smith
Dirt Road Real Estate - Golden Valley, AZ
The Grit and Gratitude Agent

The best comment is "there is not app for what I do." Apps do not replace the human touch.

Jul 29, 2022 08:07 AM
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

That's the perfect meme, Thomas!
Happy Friday.

Jul 29, 2022 09:04 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Thomas, I too have several apps I use for both business and personal use.   But, no apple apps!  

Jul 29, 2022 10:30 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Hi Thomas- my first cell phone was the size of a brick and I remember that I loved it as it got smaller and smaller. And now, the phones have grown to what we have now. 

I am a self-admitted apps w__    and most of them are for play or photo editing. 

But your point is a good one. All of the apps and devices are tools which will do us no good if we're not out cultivating relationships.  

Jul 29, 2022 07:22 PM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

Several days ago, I reminisced about how real estate had evolved in the 40 years I was a Realtor.  I first became licensed in 1981.  The MLS was a book published once a week, and left at the office door on Saturday mornings.  Soon afterward things began to change dramatically.  I believe I was the first agent in Sacramento to get a pager.  My first cellphone fit in my brief case.  In 1981 we could only imagine where we find ourselves today.  But, I'm a curious person, I can't help wonder where we will go.

Jul 29, 2022 07:43 PM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

CONGRATULATIONS Thomas, on having this blog FEATURED in the Old Farts Club group!  

Jul 29, 2022 07:44 PM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

Oh it's true. We carry our office around with us, and it contains all sorts of apps for getting things done. But there is no "experienced real estate professional" app. Buyers and sellers need the human touch.

Jul 30, 2022 05:15 AM
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

An app certainly cannot replace a real estate agent, haha.  I probably use more apps than I realize though.

Jul 30, 2022 05:29 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Loved the "end of the story" of this post, Thomas. When I trained new agents I was always telling them they needed to find ways to differentiate themselves and their services... otherwise they'd be a commodity and no one would pay a premium commission for a commodity.

Jul 30, 2022 06:37 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Jul 30, 2022 06:50 PM
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® e-Pro CRS RCS-D Vets
Big Block Realty 858.232.8722 - La Jolla, CA
CEO of Vision Drive Realty - Coastal San Diego

I'm so honored Kathy Streib - making your list is the best compliment!!!

Jul 31, 2022 07:24 AM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

You've been apped Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® e-Pro CRS RCS-D Vets !  I started in 1987 and from then to now it's a universe apart in technology!  And it's been fun along the journey to continue to grow and learn more and more......no end in sight!  It's all app from here!🤣

Jul 31, 2022 09:56 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

That's a terrific list of apps, Thomas. But bottom line it's about the person you are dealing with. An app is not going to make a hill of beans difference if the agent doesn't know what they are doing and isn't focused on doing what's best for the client.

Jeff

Jul 31, 2022 08:18 PM
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® e-Pro CRS RCS-D Vets
Big Block Realty 858.232.8722 - La Jolla, CA
CEO of Vision Drive Realty - Coastal San Diego

100% Jeff Dowler, CRS at the end of the day they are just tools and it's either an amateur or a professional operating them! Great to hear from you my friend.

Jul 31, 2022 08:33 PM
Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543
Realty ONE Group Advocates 484-237-2055 - Downingtown, PA
Selling the Main Line & Chester County

Great post and I really love the photo and comment at the end.

Aug 01, 2022 01:48 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

I'm so glad Kathy Streib featured this post in her "Ah-Ha" moments for the week series. Quite a list of apps you have that are excellent tools of the trade, but when it's all said and done..nothing replaces the human touch and communication. Thanks for your post..great job!

Aug 04, 2022 06:34 PM
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® e-Pro CRS RCS-D Vets
Big Block Realty 858.232.8722 - La Jolla, CA
CEO of Vision Drive Realty - Coastal San Diego

Thank you Dorie Dillard Austin TX - that's high praise coming from you! 😌

Aug 04, 2022 06:36 PM