I seem to be part of a small group of real estate agents who can relate to both technical and non-technical colleagues.
The fact that I am always looking for ways that technology can improve my business puts me in the minority of real estate agents who are often described as “techie agents.”
I can barely understand the gibberish that my IT friends throw around so easily, but I am still light years ahead of the typical real estate agent.
But I also know and respect a lot of agents who would describe themselves as non-technical. I’ve seem many of them thrive and do a great job serving their clients.
What is a Techie Agent?
A techie agent is one who welcomes new innovations in technology to find new clients and better serve existing clients. A few of the tools that I use today are:
- WordPress blogs – this website & UCity Homes
- Facebook Business (Fan) page
- YouTube
- Animoto video
- Flickr photo sharing
- vFlyer single property websites
- Clicky and Google Analytics
- Wolfnet IDX home search
- iContact email newsletter service
- Top Producer client management system
Many of my clients appreciate my use of these new tools. They’ve met me through social media or like that I know how to market their homes online. Others couldn’t care less about the tools that I use, as long as I can get their home sold or help them find a new one.
I don’t use technology simply for the sake of using it. I’m not an early adopter of technology compared to my IT friends. I don’t have an iPad (and have no plans to get one). I can’t write html code (but I do know what it is!) and I’m afraid every time I do an upgrade to the software for this site that it might go down.
But, compared to most people…and most real estate agents…I’m using cutting edge tools in my business.
What about the rest of real estate agents?
The vast majority of real estate agents consider themselves non-techie. They cringe when they hear about some new tool that is going to revolutionize the way real estate is done.
These agents tend to use template based websites which Google will never find. They aren’t sure what an IDX is or how to get it onto their website. They know that they should be using Facebook for business, but they aren’t sure exactly what they are supposed to be doing (and what they shouldn’t be doing). They are thrilled that online home searches have made newspaper advertising obsolete, but they aren’t really sure how to connect with the people who are looking for homes online.
I spend a lot of time reading real estate industry blogs and attending training events to stay on top of the latest innovations. One of the things I hear over and over from the “techie agent” community is that the agents who don’t start blogging and using the technology tools available won’t be able to survive for long. I keep hearing that they will be obsolete and will end up without any clients.
I simply don’t agree.
There are a lot of great real estate agents who have loyal clients who will continue to refer their friends to them. These agents will learn how to get their home listings advertised online and how to find homes for their buyers using internet tools.
As a new technology tool becomes widely adopted, these agents will learn how to use it. Most already use GPS and know how to send a text message.
And since the general population isn’t using the advanced tools either, these agents are probably doing enough to get by.
Will a young technology-focused buyer hire an agent that isn’t using technology?
Probably not.
Then again, I’m probably not the best agent for someone who doesn’t use email.
Real estate buyers and sellers tend to find the agents that suit them best.
To learn more about Keller Williams Realty, visit ConsiderKW.com.
