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Techno-Crazy!

By
Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Concierge SL0475285

Something that has concerned me lately, perhaps even alarmed me, is the way our profession is embracing technology! While technology is a wonderful thing, let's not forget that one can get overwhelmed. Let's also consider that agents, especially new ones, tend to be gullible and believe that they need everything out there to succeed.  So these agents buy and buy.  They either don't know how to use or properly implement this technology.  Most will sit on a shelf or rest in a drawer.

I remember when the IVR hotline was first introduced to our profession. I ran out and paid $2100 for the Softclone machine.  It never quite brought the results I expected. (until I hired a coach who gave me the precise system that makes it a productive lead generator)

How about software products? You can go crazy with all of the choices! Just learning how to use one of these things can take a week.

Then there's the Palm Trio or the "Crackberry"! My problem with this stuff is just how connected do you need to be? How about the distraction technology has on us? Each agent needs to evaluate how much business (not necessarily leads, but actual closings, commission checks!) comes from each form of "marketing" and what role their "technology" actually has in facilitating that commission.

I can't help but look at the "old timers" who don't even know how to send a fax without help or send an email. They've been threatened with extinction for years yet continue to prosper! Why, because they really know how to communicate with people.  Yes, there is no doubt that most "younger" people prefer to communicate via email, but there is still no better way to "cement" a deal or resolve a problem than picking up the phone and talking!  Just a little something to think about!

Jim Lee, REALTOR, CRS, ABR
RE/MAX Shoreline - Portsmouth, NH
Buying or Selling? Ann & Jim are the local experts

I think your post and comment are right on David.

At age 59 and licensed since 1978 I probably qualify as one of the "old timers" you mention.

Personally I love technology especially the Internet; it's exciting, it's new, and it's immediate. I was one of the very first Realtors in the whole state to have a website 'way' back in 1992.

However we need to remember that this is first and foremost a "people business".

I believe most buyers and sellers do business with the Realtor they feel they can trust, they can 'connect' with, and the one they believe has the knowledge and professionalism to get the job done for them.

If you're that Realtor you're going to continue to do business no matter how young or old you are or how technologically savvy you are or are not.

TREOs, 'crackberrys', the Internet, tablet PC, VOIP systems,and everything else are only tools that we have available to help us do our jobs, not devices to do our jobs for us.

Aug 30, 2006 02:22 AM
David Eiglarsh
RE/MAX Concierge - Weston, FL
CRS, CDPE, Serving South Florida
Hi Jim, Thanks for the validation! I was reflecting, mostly, on my Mother's incredible ability to make deals and to her, turning on a computer entails soft touching and slow dancing rather than booting it up! She also started in 1978.
Aug 30, 2006 02:38 AM
Max Chirkov
Phoenix Homes Team - Scottsdale, AZ
Exactly Jim - technology provides us with tools and it's up to us to learn and use them successfully or not to do our business. In many cases technology takes huge load of menhours and very often the direct communication is limited to 1-800 number where you might even not get a live person (I hate those intellectual answering machines where they actually make you talk to them like Sprint PCS... "Sorry, could you please repeat it again, or dial 9 for full option menu".) I recommend Seth Godin's Blog for marketing, technology and communitcation - really good stuff.
Aug 30, 2006 02:40 AM
Bob Pavey
RE/MAX Hometown - Aventura, FL
CRS
David, by George I think you got it. To many agents will buy anything. I need to get intoa business that sells products to Real Estate agents. All you have to do is tell them it works and the next question is how much and who do I make the check payable to. I think we have all been there sometime in our career. But you are so right. Keep up the good BLOGS
Aug 30, 2006 02:42 AM
Christopher H
REAL ESTATE - Shelby Township, MI

I agree with Bob.  Some agents here that this or that works and will spend huge amounts on products that may not be necessary.

Aug 30, 2006 04:23 AM
Jenny Lozano
Florida List for Less Realty,Inc. - Boca Raton, FL
I had a blackberry, it lasted three weeks... It`s in a box, and will remain there...
Sep 01, 2006 12:09 AM
Dee Copeland
Copeland Group Realty - Austin, TX
Principal Broker
The salespeople for these products tell us, "if you make one sale it pays for itself." Remember that? We're indundated with offers, but relatively few will guarantee their product or give 60-90 day trials. When I had a lot of SEO experts calling me, I told them 1) show me at least 3 agents in my immediate area that are your highest ranking clients and 2) guarantee your results in writing. Surprise, none of them took me up on the terms.
Jan 11, 2007 12:37 AM
Anonymous
Phil Peterson
I've been very pleased with the software REST (realestatesuccesstools.com). It's both very easy to use and has great features. Got a bit of a kick out of "Just learning how to use one of these things can take a week" though. I mean really, that doesn't seem like too steep a learning curve for something that will run your business. The main thing is, are you keeping all the information about your real estate business in your own software or are you just putting it in someone else's system?
May 01, 2007 11:20 AM
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