I don't want this to sound silly so I'll keep it short.
I was thinking of the breakdown between "the agent that can" and "the agent that can't".
During a listing presentation, I went through this with the seller's and they seemed to really seem enlightened.
The agent that can has a cell phone with data (email and internet). The agent that can has a lap top. The agent that can has a home office. The agent that can has a fax machine at their home office. The agent that can is well-versed in the latest technologies and uses technology everyday to advance their business. The agent that can uses data-based software to keep contacts, schedule appointments and run their business. The agent that can is their business.
Now I'll focus on what happens when we talk about the agent that can't. The agent that can't doesn't have instantaneous access to email or the internet because they use a $60 cell phone and they use it to take pictures of their kids or worse - your home, and use those pics in their marketing! The agent that can't doesn't use a lap top or even a desk top, except in the office. When the agent that can't leaves their broker's office, they're done for the day because they don't have a home office. Sure they'll answer their phone (if you're lucky), but they won't get their emails until tomorrow (if they're "working" that day). The agent that can't relies solely on what the broker provides, in terms of computers, faxes and phones.
Now the agent that can, gets an email at 10pm and answers it. The agent that can't, gets the same email and gets it the next day. The agent that can emails their client on the way home from an open house, then gets home from an open house and immediately faxes feedback sheets to the seller (possibly a business client) as per the email they sent them. Phone calls are made, contacts are followed up via email and contacts are uploaded to their data base. They then get to work the next day at 7am (2 hours before the office opens), returning emails, reviewing their schedule for the day and preparing their business for the day.
Everytime the agent that can't misses an opportunity to get things done, they fall further behind the agent that can. If an agent walks into your home (and you're a potential client) and you see them with a "regular cell phone", with printed papers for the presentations and you realize they don't have a laptop, ask yourself this question, "Do I really want to put my trust in this person to sell my greatest asset?"
Without the necessary tools to get things done, the agent who is ill-equipped falls further behind those that have what it takes to do business in the world we live in today. The difference between the agents that can vs. the agent's that can't is about 200% more productivity...at least.
I disagree somewhat. Just because an agent has lots of electronic equipment, that doesn't necessarily make them an agent that "can".
Everyone has their own styles. Buyers and sellers have their own styles too. Sometimes the agent that "can" doesn' t feel the need to have a laptop. He/she KNOWS the information by heart and likes to sit and listen to the sellers during the listing appointment.
I've seen some excellent agents that don't use any predetermined listing appointment presentations or powerpoint slideshows.
I do however agree that a PCS phone, a home fax machine, and home computer are extremely helpful.
Different strokes for different folks!
I both agree and disagree.
I do have a Treo and do bring a laptop with me at all times. My laptop also has a satellite card for anywhere Internet. But I like my toys.
I do not however feel that this makes me a better agent than others. Our top producer in our office has a Razor phone and cannot use a computer if his life depended on it. He still however gets 5-10 listings a month.
You can do just as well with a $30 phone if you make sure to answer it. If you are reachable then e-mail should not be a huge issue. If you are knowledgeable then the Internet and a fingertip is not a requirement either.
It is not so much how many toys you have but how well you use the ones you do have.
You make some great points, but I think it is more about how an agent effectively uses these tools. Just because you have them, and I do, I don't answer emails at 10pm, just because I can. You have to set boundaries, or the business can take over your life!
i agree and disagree myself with this post. i wrote it because when you say it to a potential client, i think it really can drive home a point with them. if you think about what's out there, in terms of agents, this is just one measuring tool that one of your clients can use to decide if they want YOU.
i love what you wrote Joe Z.!! so true. while our top producer uses all the gadgets in the world (sometimes at the same time!) - we have another agent in the office that closed 30 transactions last year (a lot for a long island agent) and he knows how to use mls and some basic email. other than that, he's a dinosaur - but he moves inventory.
hint - in your presentation - if you go the route that i laid out - don't mentioned these type of guys/gals...lol
more to the point - i mean yes there are definitely agents out there who are top pro's who don't use all the latest technology, but i think they're a dying breed...we live in the tech age. any business that doesn't use the latest technology will soon see it's end. it's inevitable.
and yes the website, i didn't even mention that in my post, but it's important. (however, i think alot of them look the same and they're boring - but that's another post).