IF ALL YOU CAN DO IS PULL UP YOUR MLS SYSTEM, YOU'RE NOT! Tommorrow's agents will do most of their transactions on the internet RELAY is a transaction management system that many Realtors will use.
The agent of tommorrow will know "texting" and their cell phone will be their office away from home! I have a Treo 680 and I can text, e-mail, pull up the MLS, surf the internet, figure loan payments, have a contact list, a daily planner and soooo much more! It is my office that I carry with me. There are many cell phone like this, this one just works well for me.
If you don't want to learn new technology, YOU WILL BE LEFT BEHIND! Consumers are very technology minded! They know what they want, and they want it fast! They can surf the net and find homes any place in the world, and they want to work with an agent that can benefit them the most. Are you that agent?
I am amazed at the young agents who do not know the computer. I entered real estate when I was 47 years old and I made it my goal to learn the technology in this field. I am still learning! I know a young agent who can hardly get around on the computer, and her husband is a computer expert! I told her, "I wouldn't cook a meal or wash his clothing until he taught me the computer!"
Join a real estate community and learn to blog! You can learn so much from other Realtors across the country. And you may get a referral from one of them! There are a alot of blog sites, "active rain" is my personal favorite!
Take classes! You can learn anything, if you set your mind to it! Dick Betts is a great teacher of technology, http://dickbetts.com and there are many others. Sign up for e-PRO, you will be glad you did! It is a complete course on real estate and the technology you will need for the future.
Agents, don't be left behind! Don't think you can't master the computer, you can!! There is not a little man in there that will jump up and scream at you if you push the wrong button! I challenge all of you, learn technology, it is the way of the future for real estate.
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Mary, I'm surprised that any younger agents aren't texting-literate. Even we "old dogs" have learned this new trick... :o)
How about teaching us just one thing each day for the rest of our lives. I agree that technology is the way tobe effective and need to know so much more. Will you agree to using Active Rain and the blogging site to help us learn. I am 57 an willing to learn. I would believe someone could show us some simple tools to get us going. I know there are more of us out there who believe the same way.
One lesson each day. Use the K.I.S.S. priciple please. WILL YOU DO IT FOR US?
Mary, "I wouldn't cook a meal or wash his clothing until he taught me the computer!" was a great threat! The funny thing, however, is she may not do those things in the first place. Many of the families today eat fast food and throwing things in the washing machine and wearing them wrinkled is easy! What I don't understand is the lack of a thirst for knowledge. If you want to learn, you'll find a way to do it. You did it; I did it; and they could do it! Good post.
As a software developer in a previous life, I have used my tech skills to my advantage in my real estate career. The one caution I would add is to make sure that agents keep the personal touch up with your clients. I prefer to use technology as a tool to deepen my relationships, not replace it.
Mary,
You are soooo right on this one! I just am waiting for an upgrade to get my Treo!
Jennifer
I finished my epro class last week and it enjoyed very much! I text regularly. I have yet to get a smartphone only because I am still a little bumfuddled on which one I want. I agree with your agents do need to recognize that the future is here and to compete you better get on board with the technology!
All the Best!
Mary, cutting edge technology REALTORS not only will be the talented ones in the future they will also best serve their customers. Glad to hear you are one of them.
Hi Mary!
Oh so true!! I can hardley tear myself away from my pc! I'm trying to soak it all up! The internet is remarkable and definitely the wave of the future! Thanks for sharing:-)
Yvette Smith