When you go to a listing presentation do you try to wow your potential client with a fancy Power Point slide show? Do you think your clients like all that fanciness?

Most likely the answer is no. Your potential listing is looking to find out how you will get their house sold, not how you will wow them with your fancy power point show. They also want to know you. In Real Estate you should very well know that this is a personal business and not just selling a product and leaving to the next sale (even though some consumers do believe that).

The reason why having a fancy presentation on the computer is not good is you are NOT making EYE CONTACT with your customer. When you presentation is on the computer your potential client is focues on your laptop and not on you. This could possibly turn them off to you and make them tune you out. This is something you do not want. You don’t want to loose them in your computer while you are speaking and them come to find out they didn’t here a word you just said.

When doing a listing presentation the only thing you should be showing your clients is your web presense. People trying to sell their house want to know that you are getting their listing out in front of as many potential buyers as possible.

One way that clients would like to see your use of technology is to have a laptop with internet access during an open house. Example: I walk into your open house and I don’t like the house; At that moment seize the opportunity and walk me over to the laptop and do an instant search for what I am looking for and then send me on my way with directions. You have made an impression on me and I will most likely remember you because of your attentiveness.

For another excellent example of how having the flashy technology didn’t help him win the listing see this article I found when researching this article. Its on Active Rain from Broker Bryant “Look Me in the Eyes”

Use technology to make you more efficient in your business process, not to WOW the client. The iPhone will not make you anymore efficient than a Treo or Windows Mobile phone.

Loren Nason
Future of Real Estate Technology

As we close out this year have you made your technology plan / resolution?

If not here is some suggestions.

Resolution #1 – Have a plan for your technology.
Don’t buy it because someone says you should.
Don’t buy it because it will make you more money (it won’t)
When you buy your software / hardware look for interoperability. Don’t buy a Treo thinking you can keep your contacts sync’d with your Hotmail contacts. Don’t buy a Contact Management Solution thinking you can make it work with your cheap $50 dollar nokia phone that doesn’t do anything but make phone calls.

Moral – Plan out every aspect don’t just buy it.

Resolution #2 – If you are buying a new computer make it a Laptop or Tablet PC
The is no need anymore to have your main PC be a desktop computer. With the advances in wireless technologies and the availability of internet access for almost anywhere / including the beach. Do you need a Tablet PC? No. Why not? Because you don’t need a Tablet PC to do electronic signatures. I will have a tutorial from Kevin Boer at
3 Oceans Real Estate where he explains how to use Docusign soon.

Resolution #3 – STOP USING FREE EMAIL
Their are many ways to start using your domain for you email and one is free. See my google apps article here.

Resolution #4 – Upgrade your website to include a blog and start writing.
Look into these Vendors for you blogging needs

Ubertor – A great website blog all in one solution
RSS Pieces – A blogging platform created for Realtors
Real Estate Blog Sites – Another plaform created for Realtors

Resolution #5 – Shameless Self Plug – Get a FREE TECHNOLOGY ASSESMENT

See you next year.

Loren Nason

Future of Real Estate Technology

A while ago i wrote and article about how to Tether you Palm to your laptop so you can get internet access.

What I didn’t look into at the time was if it supports Windows Mobile Phones. Well yes it does and it makes life so much easier.

Why would you want to do this?

Well if you have High Speed access on your phone you can use your phone to get internet access on your laptop without having to purchase a seperate Broadband card from the cell phone companies.

You are now saving more money.

The application works with the following phones:
Treo 700w/700wx, Treo 750, Motorola Q, PPC/XV 6700, Samsung I730/I830, T-Mobile MDA, Cingular 8125.

Get it here:
http://www.junefabrics.com/palmnet/index.php

Enjoy

Loren Nason
Future of Real Estate Technology