Sell Your Computer and Buy a Better Phone!

Real Estate, in the future, may not need computers. This is bold statement, considering the digital direction of business today. This said, Internet access will be increasingly necessary. As more agents, homebuyers and homesellers have access to the Internet through their netbooks, smart phones or other mobile devices - a harddrive computer could become obsolete.

Allowing for this growing mobile reality, are all of the the online data storage capabilities and services at our finger tips. Many of these mobile tools, like Zoocasa's new iphone application, are free. Free online email providers, such as gmail (Google) or ymail (Yahoo) allow email accounts to be stored and accessed from any Internet enabled device, without the need for a computer. Google Docs effectively replaces programs such as Word, Power Point and Excel, not only for document creation, but also for storage. Agents using Google Docs to share folders with clients, allow for both parties to upload relevant documents, and keep them together in one easy to access location. Imagine a seller uploading their RPR, to the same folder their agent has already populated with the appraisal, listing contract and other required documentation. No need to email. Wouldn't you prefer having all of your transaction documents in one online folder, easily accessible to agents and clients, from anywhere?

Online calenders and contact management systems, push data to your smart phones and are hosted by providers such as Google or Mobile Me. These ensure all of your relevant data is on you in live time, and not back at the office on your hard drive. Sellers, do you want a better way to keep track of showings on your property? Just access the Google calender your agent has set up and shared with you. On that shared calender, you can keep track of feedback the agent has posted for you to review. Or what about when a buyer requests additional visuals on a home while you are in the car. Now, agents have no need to go back to the office and attach bulky photos in an email. Just include the link to your online photo sharing account and save everyone time! No more too-large files to email or download.

With a shrinking market for computers and an increased amount of mobile access to the Internet, the world of real estate is changing. Such mobile internet access is making this world more convenient for the agent, buyer and seller. They can now work, search and market real estate from the field, where the homes are!

Jessica Stoner
RE/MAX Alpine Realty (an iREALTY office)
Broker/Owner
Cell: (403) 678-8006
jessicastoner@remax.net

Find the Right Home...on your Phone

Hello,

This is Jessica again, the December guest blogger, at the Zoo. An agent has just asked me about my Blog post entitled "The Future of Real Estate is...On Your Phone". I want to take a second to point out how mobile real estate applications work for both agents and buyers.

Tech savvy or not, agents and buyers know that real estate does not happen on living room computers alone. To find the perfect home, one must venture out into the neighborhoods. Free mobile tools are available to make this hunt far more effective and believe it or not, fun. For potential buyers, sellers and agents, get setup with the free mobile tools available to you and be prepared find the right home or neighborhood when you least expect it. Like Zoocasa's new iphone application, these tools work with your phone to help you learn more about a nearby listing, or a neighborhood while driving by.

In keeping with the virtual real estate approach, I encourage agents to provide these mobile-solutions to their clients. With the Zoo application in hand, home buyers can pull up listing info on the spot.Wherever you are - while doing your last minute shopping or taking a detour on the way to visit family - you can check out information about homes you stumble on. In live time, in a format designed for your phone.

As we head into the holidays, you may be away from the office, with family and friends, in shopping malls and on ski hills. Be sure you use the free real estate tools and mobile applications available to you. These applications will keep you connected while you are are out of the office (as you should be) during the holidays!

Jessica Stoner
RE/MAX Alpine Realty (an iREALTY office)
Broker/Owner
Cell: (403) 678-8006
jessicastoner@remax.net

Jessica Stoner: Our December Hostess with the Mostest

Hello,

I'm Jessica Stoner and I'm the Zoocasa guest blogger this month. As the owner of iREALTY, I'm an authority on Virtual Real Estate in Canada. I have also, recently, opened a new paperless and fully Virtual RE/MAX office in Calgary. I encourage you to read my posts, as they will provide you with a guide on how to incorporate new digital media into your real estate business or your house hunt. Please feel free to email, Tweet or IM me with your online real estate question.

I'm keen on being part of this forum. Many home sellers want to see their property on multiple sites to increase the exposure of their listing. Home buyers want to see these listings but also details on their target city, specific neighborhoods, schools etc. The more information the better and Zoocasa understands that. By offering a new venue for listings, with neighborhood info and much more, Zoocasa is working in the direction real estate is heading.

When you have a moment send me your questions about the virtual real estate world. I'm here to help you make the most of the tools out there and I'm looking forward to receiving your mail.

Jessica