For the last couple of years, real estate technology tools have been rolling out at a fast and furious pace. As a real estate professional, I eagerly scrambled to keep up as a slower market afforded me the time and opportunity.
However, earlier this year as the market began to improve and my time was limited, I found tech tools taking a back seat to working in and on my business.
So many of my real estate agent friends have been overwhelmed with tools they have felt necessary. Tools they thought they needed to master in order to be successful. I look at technology in a different way. I believe the tools you choose should actually support “doing business” rather than shifting your focus away.
Below are my top five favorite technology tools every agent should use to enhance their business without creating additional distraction.
Top 5 Technology Tools You Should Use
1. Digital Signatures
No matter which digital signature program you choose, the benefit is still the same. Digital signatures provide a convenient, time-saving way for real estate agents to have documents signed. But have you considered the benefit to the customer?
Your customers have spent days on end with you looking for the perfect home. Do you really want to take up more of their precious time meeting face-to-face and asking for signatures on a stack of paperwork? Probably not. Learn to use digital signatures as a service to your customers.
2. Evernote
When customers in the pipeline, current clients, past clients, cooperating agent contact information and the paperwork involved in a transaction leave you scattered, turn to Evernote. It not only serves as enhanced brain storage, but it also allows for extreme organization.
How many times have you finished a listing appointment, put the sign in the yard and gone back to the office to find out you forgot to put the lockbox on the door with the spare key? Create a listing checklist in Evernote, and never be embarrassed again.
How about the last time a past customer called you and you had to pretend to know who they were and what house they purchased? Create customer notebooks with detailed checklists along with conversation notes and then share it with your customer to keep all parties on the same page.
A quick web search for “Evernote for Real Estate” will provide hundreds of ideas to help ease your stress and become more efficient.
3. Cloud Based Document Storage
There are several options available in this category, but my favorites are Google Drive and Dropbox. With their smooth accessibility across platforms, including mobile and easy-to-use share features, they gained my favor a couple of years ago and have kept me on as a raving fan.
The importance of cloud based document storage is simple; you need to be able to view contract details on the go. It’s available. It’s easy. Use it.
4. Mobile App
A mobile app you can use while showing homes is priceless. Get to know it well and learn how to navigate it smoothly.
While an app provided for customer’s use is nice, I don’t feel our customers expect one from us. However, while you are in the car showing homes it will come in handy when driving by a home that’s not on your list. Being able to provide a quick detailed description to your clients will make you look all sorts of smart.
5. Tablet/iPad
Let’s face it; the versatility provided by an iPad or Tablet makes it a must for your business. The above tools can be used without one, but life will be so much easier for you if you add one to your everyday life.
Go ahead, clean out that car and get rid of all those paper files cluttering your life and replace them with this small wonder.
