One of the main benefits of technology is that it can dramatically increase your productivity … if you know how to use it well. Sometimes it seems that the new products out there are nothing short of gimmicks or so difficult to understand that only an engineer could figure out how to use them efficiently. An example: Although most agents now use the Internet to communicate with their clients, surveys found that many real estate agents do not use the entire Internet to capture and retain potential clients. Therefore, an article in the Realty Times reported that the top complaint from home buyers about online real estate agents is that they do not respond to email inquiries quickly enough.
Real estate agents can use technological devices to help them manage their hours, advertise, stay in contact with clients, and perform many other tasks. And many actually use tech gadgets. A 2002 survey by the National Association of Realtors, “Tech and Realtors,” shows that 80 percent of realtors use 4-6 devices for their work. Additionally, another NAR survey conducted in 2000 found that 77 percent of respondents used email for business purposes. However, many do not use these devices to their full potential.
Some people have the natural gift of quickly understanding how technology works and how to use it to their advantage. For everyone else, there is help.
For example, ePro, a comprehensive Internet certification program for real estate professionals, teaches the basics of doing real estate business online. People who complete the course learn more about websites, online tools, and the Internet as a way to reach today’s consumers. ePro has been offered by the NAR since 2000.
For agents looking for more device-specific training, the Internet is also the first place to go. In fact, many companies offer courses on how to make better use of PDA, Blackberry, etc.
New technologies have the potential to help professionals be more productive with their time. However, these professionals will need proper training to be able to control these technologies rather than wasting time trying to get them to work.