Minimum Standards for a Successful Real Estate Agent

I've been thinking about this topic for quite some time. What tools, systems and proficiencies must you absolutely have in place to be a successful real estate professional in this age of technology coupled with an, let's just call it, interesting real estate market?

Let me give you some examples:

• Do you need to have a dynamic SEO jacked-up real estate website, or can you simply offer a personal profile webpage with your contact information and current listings, as long as your past client and/or referral base is strong enough?
• Do you need to offer text messaging as a means of contacting you? While we're on the subject, how quickly do you need to respond to any inquiries?
• Must you have an active Facebook profile? Is a business page a requirement?
  
• What about Twitter, LinkedIn, Plaxo, etc, where do you draw the line? Daily, weekly, monthly updates necessary?
  
• Blogs, a must for everyone or just for those who like to write and share?
• Contact management program: index cards? Outlook? Automated system?
• With all the leads coming in, at least we hope, is a lead management system imperative?
• Transaction management system, if necessary, which one(s)?
• Electronic signature solution, are we there yet?
  
• Email, what advanced proficiencies are required? What are your clients demanding?
• CMA, valuation tools?

There are countless other systems and tools out there but which ones are a must? If I get enough responses, I will collate a list of products suggested and share, throw in some candy too.

Next entry will be on how to budget for the "minimums", our favorite topic, hah!