by Amy Chorew
The diverse job that a real estate agent performs has remained basically the same over time. What has changed is how information is delivered and exchanged. The three tools or trends below focus on that aspect of our business.

􀁑 IPAD
The IPAD, a tablet computer which is operated by touch, has an enviable future in the real estate industry. This portable device is perfect for:
– OPEN HOUSES — Have them sign in and give them the option to receive e-mails from you; send an e-mail thanking them for attending with pertinent links; have your virtual tour and photos on it for viewing; show neighborhood and local information via an interactive map or your blog.
– LISTING PRESENTATIONS — Create a simple presentation to share your key marketing points; include a short video with the reasons they should work with you; make sure you e-mail all of it to them before you leave.
– BUYER TOURS/ SHOWINGS — Put all the listing sheets complete with pictures in a folder for the buyer client; take notes for them on the features they liked on each home; search for other properties on the web. Look for posts about all the great apps that will make your life easier! Make sure to download a mortgage calculator and some sort of app that shows all of the listings in your area.

􀁑 CLOUD COMPUTING
Social media sites like Facebook have created a shift in the way we retrieve communications from our friends and business associates. We go to the web, visiting websites to interact, retrieve data, and communicate. Local applications on your computer will become passé, computers will become just gateways to the cloud where the work is done. The browser will be all the software that you will need. Google has a free set of cloud computing tools. Try Google Docs to collaborate on Word documents, PowerPoint presentations, and Excel spreadsheets.

Visit www.google.com/docs to set up an account.

􀁑 MOBILE APPLICATIONS
By year-end 2010, 1.2 billion people will carry handsets capable of rich, mobile commerce, providing an environment for the convergence of mobility and the web. There are already many thousands of applications for Smartphones.

Is your website mobile enabled? Try this. Visit your website or your company’s website with your smartphone. Does your website recognize the browser? Does it know you are visiting from a mobile device and creating a mobile experience? Just like making sure your website shows up properly in Internet Explorer, or Firefox, you should be showing up properly on all the mobile browsers as well.

Consider a private mobile site for your company where your team can download:
– Training sales scripts
– Forms
– Powerpoint presentations
– Company updates and memos

Amy Chorew, instructor at the MAR Conference & Tradeshow, is the director of training for the Social Media Marketing Institute (SMMI) and owner of TheTechByte. She is a nationally acclaimed instructor highly experienced at helping managers and real estate agents to maximize the infi nite opportunities that technology offers. She recently launched an online technology training program. Find out more at www.thetechbyte.com