Website: www.danieldelreal.com

Computer: PC and Mac Desktops, iPad

Website/ IDX Provider: Z57

Prospecting/ Contact Management: ACT

Overall, where does technology fit in for you: supporting role or a major part of your strategy?

It’s a big part of it, and I think most of it goes to help me do the volume that I do. You want to have the horse before the carriage, though.  I see a lot of agents that are coming in and getting overwhelmed with all the sites out there like Trulia, Zillow, Facebook, Twitter, etc., but then they forget about the face to face interaction. I use technology as part of the support to grow my business. It does also help me generate business, but for the most part it’s generated from my face to face contact and referrals.

If I were to tell someone what’s best, I would say establish yourself first then use technology to boost your business. Don’t depend on the technology to generate you business, instead use it as a tool. At the end of the day it’s about the old school fundamentals, and getting in front of people, especially if you’re new in the business and don’t know that many people. Open houses, Door knocking, mailers, whatever it is, that’s what’s going to really start you off with generating business. If you have a brand new blog post with one post, that’s not going to generate you a ton of business.

When I started I was 22 years old, fresh out of the Air Force, the only thing I had was a work ethic. I came out of an industry where it wasn’t how many hours a day you worked, it was when were you not working basically. For me getting out of the military and putting in 12 hour days was a break. I gave up all my weekends for six years, and didn’t start taking Sundays off until my sone was born 10 months ago. I was doing open houses for the most part to meet people. Anybody I met, I put in my database and I kept in touch with them.   The people that I did help buy or sell, they usually liked the style that I had, how customer oriented I was, and they usually ended up referring more people.

Do you change your tech use to fit different clients, for example texting, etc, or do find everyone’s comfortable with the same level?

You change technology just like you change the way you’d speak with different clients.  With the market shift being the way it is, I’ve been doing a lot of business with first time home buyers, and they range from twenty to thirty-two, thirty-three years old, and those people are all very tech oriented. Updates are usually via text or email, or even though some people might not think it’s as professional, through Facebook. There’s so many avenues to stay in contact, and we tend to use those more now because our generation is more on the go, and for us it’s more about sharing info when you have it as opposed to longer conversations which older clients might expect and want.

What one piece of technology/ software has been the biggest time saver or productivity gain for you?

I’m a big fan right now of my iPad. It’s a total lifesaver when it comes to accessing both my desktops remotely using LogMeIn. I basically have the power of my PC and my Mac in the palm of my hand. That’s been a big part of making my business more efficient. I use it all the time with buyers, not as often yet with sellers.

We’re also trying different kinds of video tours, where we take the buyer through the home without them leaving their chair. That’s been a big advantage with listings, and it’s helped me get a couple multi-million dollar listings. I don’t do the video myself, I use a videographer for it. You can see a video example at www.discoverrivernine.com.

What’s your thought on Blogging? Valuable or a time sink?

I think it’s great. Right now, people are tired of being sold to. In real estate, it’s something that people are afraid of. I use blogging as an educational tool.  I show people what they can and cannot get, and what they can expect when going in to short selling or purchasing an investment property. If I was buying, I would want to know what other people are getting. When I go to buy a television set, I google the heck out of it so I know what to expect. That’s the kind of thing I’ve been trying to do with my blog, and that’s been working well for me. I just try to educate the reader, and it tends to work because once you show them, they’ll come to you when they’re ready to buy.

Do you use Twitter?

I do use Twitter, but I’m not a very active user. I go on maybe once a week.  It’s another tool, and it goes back to not overwhelming yourself with technology, and instead focus on the goal of selling real estate.. I don’t know if it’s going to be the next phenomena in real estate, right now Facebook has been working very well for me and it’s an extension of my database.

I’ve thought about having a Facebook fan page, but I think it’s more part of the empty calories that are out there. I have a regular page and I update it more with my personal life, and I incorporate real estate into it so people know what I’m doing.

How do you track and manage prospects/ leads?

I use ACT, and I’ve customized it so that I can use it to reverse prospect with buyers and sellers.

How do you manage your transactions?

We use excel spreadsheets. We have a computer on a remote server which we can all update calendars and track a transaction. We have that setup with a 42 inch flat screen at my office that’s on all the time instead of having whiteboards.

What’s the most important thing you do on a daily basis that contributes to your sales success?

Showing up to work. Being present. A lot of agents come to work and they’re not really ready to work, they’re thinking of other things. When you come to work you have to be ready to work. Whenever we’re here we try to be as efficient as possible with our job, and get things done. That’s my biggest thing: don’t get caught up in a negative aura in your office, you can control that yourself. Whatever you put into it, you get out.

I think the biggest thing is to not get overwhelmed by the technology out there. Focus on a few traits and master them, and focus on selling real estate, not being the most popular person on Facebook.  You could have two million friends and sell two homes. That’s the biggest thing: focus on a couple things that work for you, make your business efficient, and at the of the day know why you’re doing it: to sell real estate and get in front of people.

Phone: Blackberry Curve 8520

Computer: Toshiba Laptop

Website/ IDX Provider: BrokerTec Systems

Prospecting/ Contact Management: Outlook 2007

Overall, where does technology fit in for you: supporting role or a major part of your strategy?

Honestly it’s only been this past year that I’ve really taken it from something that my business is about to everything that the business is really focused towards. Technology has grown at such an exponential rate that it’s a job in and of itself to stay on top of it, let alone to be at the forefront of it. It’s only really this last year that I’ve gotten in to blogging and twittering, creating a Facebook fan page and things like that.

In terms of prospecting, I have a pretty soft-sale approach. I’m on Facebook quite a bit, and it’s not just business to me. I know there’s a lot of agents that only talk business. I was given great advice very early on: people want to see that we’re more than just a talking head, that we have a life and friends and family. Someone once told me to consider it like a cocktail party: if you went around and just gave out your business card and only talked about your listings and all about you, no one would want to be around you. But if you do more, “okay this is who I am, and I’m taking an interest in your life”, and have it just be a compilation of both business and personal, people really appreciate seeing someone who’s integrated and more holistic.

As much as technology has advanced, I also think there are such few people that actually do things like handwritten notes. I do a handwritten thank you note every time I meet with someone, I send a small gift every time someone sends me a referral, etc. Just that personal appreciation, I think people are really missing that type of an atmosphere in business.

Do you change your tech use to fit different clients, for example texting, etc, or do find everyone’s comfortable with the same level?

I remember two, two and a half years ago I received my first text message from a client. To be honest it felt a little wierd, almost invasive!  Then I realized, that’s my problem, I need to change, I need to communicate in the best way for my clients. Just a few minutes before this interview, a buyer of mine sent me three pages of a text message! So for her she communicates really well that way.

I do have to ask my clients though, because some people check email daily, some only once a week. For me text messaging is more of a when and where, confirming an appointment, etc.  Anything to do with the actual sale or sensitive information, I think that that has to be delivered via phone call.

What one piece of technology/ software has been the biggest time saver or productivity gain for you?

The biggest thing is something our company, Prudential, provides. It’s called a PIP, Property Investment Profile. I set it up one time for clients/ friends/ family, and once a month they get an email that shows all active and pending homes within a quarter mile of their home. So it’s not just a snapshot of the entire city, it’s very neighborhood specific, and my clients love that! Everyone want’s to know what their neighbor is selling for down the street! And the great thing is it’s such a time saver, I do it once and it goes out every month. Only Prudential offers it right now, but I believe they may offer it to other brokers in the future. My goal is to add anyone that owns real estate to it, and I have about 535 people on it right now.

I post more standard items, such as Halloween pumpkin patch info, on my Facebook page so it’s not directly in their email box and taking up their space. I’ve actually had multiple people repost it, which I was surprised by!  I also take a picture of every home I close and post it to an album on my Facebook page. More recently I had a friend suggest a great idea, why not tag my clients in the album also? Then that picture goes out to all their friends, and lets them know about the new home and that I helped them. So just creative ways that people want to see more about what’s going on in their lives.

What’s your thought on Blogging? Valuable or a time sink?

I just started that this year, and I’m doing it a bit differently than most.  Most agents make their website all about them, instead of their niche or buyer. Once we retire, then it’s hard to have a successor plan since for years our business has been based on us, (ie all our marketing has our picture, name, etc). I built a blog, facebook fan page, and twitter account, www.myfirsthomeinportland.com,  that really has nothing to do with me. I noticed a trend where first time buyers want to be downtown, so I really cater that to people who are looking in Portland, whether they’re first time buyers or relocating to Portland. It’s nothing about me, it’s a resource for people looking to move to Multnomah county.

Do you use Twitter?

I do, I actually work with someone who assists with my twitter account and my blog post, and then I send my content to a third party company that broadcasts it out to the blog, the twitter account, the facebook page, etc. What I’ve learned is that my time is so valuable, and my time really needs to be in front of people, so I use as many people as I can to support me in more passive roles.  An agent in my office recently told me that “your office should be a phone and a list of names, and that’s it”, and I think that’s a good point. It’s not that technology is not important, but as much as you can have help doing that so you’re out there building relationships and trust with people, I think that’s what really counts in this business.

That was a challenge for me in the beginning. I’m very organized and my comfort level is more the paperwork and the things that aren’t income producing. I think it takes a lot more to get out from behind the desk and start talking with people, and I had to learn that and it took quite a while to be honest!

How do you track and manage prospects/ leads?

I  use Outlook 2007, it’s not real estate specific but it’s worked very well for me.

How do you manage your transactions?

I have a personal assistant and a transaction assistant who’s my “database” for transactions.

What’s the most important thing you do on a daily basis that contributes to your sales success?

As silly as it sounds in this economy, it’s just going to work. I block out a lot of the news, too. I read what I need to know to be very well educated and have statistics at my fingerprints, but I stop then and don’t let anymore in. Otherwise I think we’d all stick our heads in the sand, and it’s not true, it’s just what sells.  For me it’s just getting up every morning, building a routine, going to work, and if I do my part the business will come.

We’re doing something at our office right now called “Sprint”, which is a 12 week program where essentially it shows you how much time you waste without realizing it. You build out a 5-day workweek, and one person from your four-person team will do their 5-day workweek in 3 days, with the goal of taking the last two days off. It’s been such an amazing lesson in how if you really focus, you can get the work done in half the time.

I would tell agents that right now is an incredible opportunity. In Portland, out of 7,000 agents, in January over 1,000 didn’t re-list as agents. My encouragement to agents out there is that there’s a lot less of us, so it’s a great opportunity to stand out and take a bigger piece of the market share. Every day you’ve got to just keep plugging along, and I feel very blessed with my business.

Phone: Droid Eris

Computer: Mac laptop and Apple iPad

Website/ IDX Provider: One custom, one by Market Leader

Prospecting/ Contact Management: Wise Agent

Overall, where does technology fit in for you: supporting role or a major part of your strategy?

Before it was a supporting role, and now it’s becoming more of  a strategy. My business leads come from about 60% online prospecting, 40% networking and picking up the phone. There’s so many ways we can grow our business, it’s really about trying to master a few of those ways and being prepared to implement  the other ways. I also recently started working on my IMSD Desination (info can be found at www.imsd.net) , which has had a huge impact on my business and I highly recommend to anyone who is interested in technology and wants to move their business to the next level quickly.

Do you change your tech use to fit different clients, for example texting, etc, or do find everyone’s comfortable with the same level?

Absolutely, how I deal with different clients changes. If I know that my clients are ok with text messaging I try to reach out to them that way. There are many different ways of touching people, and it’s about finding which way works for them. I had one client, I left him several phone messages, I emailed, and never got a response. I then finally sent a text basically saying “hey this is Valerie I’ve been trying to get a hold of you” and he ended up telling me basically his life story via text message! Part of our job is being excellent communicators,  and finding the way that people prefer to be contacted.

What one piece of technology/ software has been the biggest time saver or productivity gain for you?

The biggest time saver has been Docusign. Specifically I like the ease of it, of automatically being able to send a document to the other agent simultaneously after my client signs.  I don’t have to pick up the phone, call the agent for their fax number,and coordinate- it’s just gets done. The minute my client signs it, the other agent gets it.  I’ve only run in to an issue twice, once when the system was down which was very stressful. The other time was when a lender wouldn’t accept the documents. At closing, the buyers simply had to resign a paper version, so it didn’t negatively affect the transaction.

The biggest productivity gain has been Youmail and MailChimp. Youmail is a phone application for people that don’t have iPhones. I don’t have an iPhone because the service in New Mexico isn’t very consistent, and I can’t risk poor phone service. Youmail texts you what the message is, I can listen to messages through my computer, and it allows you to pick and chose which messages you want to listen to first. So I can choose between a title company, a co-worker, and the client wanting to list an $800,000 home, for example.

Mailchimp is good for my monthly email newsletter, though the templates can sometimes be time consuming to work with.

How are you using the iPad in your business?

I use it in my listing presentations, and I use it when I’m with buyers to look at properties. Before I was printing off lots of paper, and there was always an issue with the buyers wanting the private agent comments, which would get awkward because I couldn’t give those to them. Now I have them all on the ipad, they can see everything in color, and I get to keep control of the documents.  Our MLS lets us email the properties, so I email it to myself then pull it up. If clients want to write their own notes I provide them with a pen and paper.

For listing presentations I give them some paperwork, and show them sales comparables on the iPad. We’re a non-disclosure state, which essentially means sales data isn’t available anywhere except the MLS. We can’t advertise to the entire community that a house sold for x. If you call me and ask, I can tell you, but I can’t broadcast it. What I do is I email myself what the home sold for, and review that data on the iPad during the listing presentation.  (Take this out?)

What’s your thought on Blogging? Valuable or a time sink?

My issue has been it’s really tough to set the time aside to do it. I do blog frequently on ActiveRain, and I’m a huge fan. The Search Engine Optimization on ActiveRain is amazing. When I was blogging on ActiveRain at the previous company I was with, my name was coming up first for my company! It is truly one of the best tools I use.The SEO optimization is truly amazing on ActiveRain.

My next venture is blogging with video, I think that is going to be way an easier route for me. It’s more interesting and I like the idea of doing something visual, words only do so much, but to actually get the camera and show what the house looks like along with commentary is more interesting, and it’s more fun.  I have some video about 30under30 at valeriealmanzar.com/about/Press_Video.html. The plan is to  really start focusing on that and doing more of that.

Do you use Twitter?

I do. I just recently started doing it more, and it’s a great source of information. I think it’s a great way to get information out. I mix up info about my city, what’s going on, my new listings, and photos of my city.  I try to use it daily. No leads as of yet, but I’ve only been doing it for a few months. Like anything, consistency is key.

How do you track and manage prospects/ leads?

I  just started using Wise Agent. Honestly I don’t think I use it to it’s full capabilities. It offers a lot but you have to do training on it, and I’ve only gone through 1 or 2 of the modules.

How do you manage your transactions?

DocuSign helps to manage it a lot.  I also try to do all my paperwork right away. Not just the Purchase Agreement, but everything else put together right away. I also use an assistant to help with the paperwork.

How do you manage your website?

Right now it’s through the web design company, www.peaksystems.com and marketleader.com.

What’s the most important thing you do on a daily basis that contributes to your sales success?

Prospecting and follow up.  Facebook is one of my favorite tools, along with my website through market leader. It is amazing how many people do not follow up.  Most people don’t respond until the 7th or 8th time, whereas most agents quit by the 4th or 5th time. Also keeping in contact with people, staying top of mind.

I would wholeheartedly encourage people to check out the Internet Marketing Specialist Designation. I’ve taken many classes and as an agent you spend so much money trying to figure out where you can grow your business and how to do it. This designation is from top agents and the tools they use to grow their business. It is practical applictions you can use immediately and I call it a Boot Camp to get serious about your business.

Phone: Blackberry Bold

Computer: 2 Dell desktops and a laptop at work, 2 Apples at home office

Website/ IDX Provider: Custom

Prospecting/ Contact Management: Custom

Overall, where does technology fit in for you: supporting role or a major part of your strategy?

It is my strategy.  Our business and our success revolves around the technology we use, whether it’s internet, social media, or even the ways we get into houses. It’s our lifeline. Some of the companies that I own are geared towards higher net worth individuals who are internet savvy.  We make our websites a one stop shop for them, as far as the convenience of finding anything from where to get your clothes cleaned to a custom aquarium, which is all available on our websites.

Do you change your tech use to fit different clients, for example texting, etc, or do find everyone’s comfortable with the same level?

Yes.  I’ve found that people in our generation are comfortable with texting, but sometimes people from other generations can take offense and feel that it’s not a personal enough form of communication. We have to scale our communication, according to the client. One thing to remember is that you can’t text “tone,” so a phone call can go a long way.

What one piece of technology/ software has been the biggest time saver or productivity gain for you?

Facebook, Hands down.  I probably spend 2-3 hours a day on Facebook.  It really is the best lead generator for us; I’ve always got it on at my office.  I’ve really been able to connect with people, whether it’s fellow agents across the country, or potential clients. I’d honestly say that 50% of our business comes from Facebook.

When I started my company four years ago, I didn’t have the marketing budget I have now, it was just me…trying to generate awareness about a new real estate company. I needed to get creative with marketing myself and my company. Instead of doing the traditional mailers, magazine articles, etc, which I couldn’t afford at the time, I relied heavily on my online social network. It’s gotten to the point where there’s so much buildup on it, that it’s more valuable than the marketing that my competition pays for.  Because of that, I consider us leaders in Texas and probably nationwide, as far as real estate online networking, and the biggest reason for this is Facebook.

I joined Facebook about four years ago, when the only people on it were college students.  I got some flak from my buddies, but we’re now leaps and bounds ahead of other people, with 5,000 friends and a few thousand people in our groups, fan pages, etc. It’s a great way to get in front of exactly who you’re looking to hit.

As an entrepreneur, I’ve found that the easiest way to make money is to create a convenience, and Facebook is the definition of one in my book.  A lot of the time, I’m contacted by people I don’t even know. We brand ourselves very well on Facebook, and it spreads to crowds of people that we’re aren’t directly connected to.

What’s your thought on Blogging? Valuable or a time sink?

I just started blogging this year. I never really had an interest in it, but I’ve realized it’s a great stream of consciousness way to communicate, which is my favorite way of communicating. It’s fun. A big part of our website is our blog where agents are posting things on market trends, funny stories. It’s a great way to give us an online identity, that’s unique.

Do you use twitter?

I use Twitter, but I’m not a huge fan.  People like it, and I’ll use it to tweet new listings, etc.

How do you track and manage prospects/ leads?

We have a custom database management system on our website backend.  Before then it was pretty barbaric, mostly post it notes and Excel.

How do you manage your transactions?

I learned early on that I needed to surround myself with people that are more organized that I am. I’m a “big picture” guy, which tends to affect my “attention to detail.” I’ve got a great team that helps manage my transactions. I know my strengths and one of them is not micromanaging.

How do you manage your website?

I have a full assistant who handles the majority of my websites, and my agents all have access, so they can add blogs, modify listings and manage their CRM.

What’s the most important thing you do on a daily basis that contributes to your sales success?

I’m consistent. The stuff on Facebook, for example. I think momentum is so important in this business. If you do something for a month then quit, you lose two months. In this business it’s really easy to come to work one day then take two days off. I force myself to work more than most people, including weekends. I think establishing a routine, whether it’s online networking or old school networking, is not just important, it’s crucial. I’m lucky that I’m at a point in my career that this isn’t work, it’s my life. I love what I do and I’m confident that it shows.

I think the other key is to be unique.  The average agent is 55 years old and has been in the business 20 years. I think there’s a new wave of agents starting, I wouldn’t say we’re better than previous generations, but I think we have a different way of approaching business. I think exploring is important, everyone has a lot of free time on their hands this time of year. Don’t be a statistic, by getting discouraged and leaving the business.

I remember when I first started 7 years ago. I called my dad around this time of year telling him activity was slow , and he told me to go create activity. From that point on, I never had “nothing to do.”  I think we’re in a generation where we have an opportunity to do some amazing marketing that  costs nothing, and it’s fun. Stay in tune with what you’re interested in, whether it’s Facebook, Twitter, etc. and business will come to you

Phone: Blackberry Curve

Computer: An HP Laptop

Website/ IDX Provider: None

Prospecting/ Contact Management: A notebook and paper based filing system

Overall, where does technology fit in for you: supporting role or a major part of your strategy?

It’s a big part of my strategy. I placed myself with a company that feels really strongly that an internet presence is the key to selling homes today, and to reaching today’s buyer.  All of my listings are on pretty much any real estate site that you can search from, and that’s one of the main reasons I’m with Prudential. I also use social networking a lot.

Do you change your tech use to fit different clients, for example texting, etc, or do find everyone’s comfortable with the same level?

Yes. I have one seller right now that doesn’t have an email address, which I found really challenging. I’ve come to rely so much on email.  But it’s just like how they tell you in sales training that you should change your speach/ mannerisms depending on who you’re working with, its the same with technology. I ask people how they’d like to be contacted. Most people prefer email, I’ve found.

What one piece of technology/ software has been the biggest time saver or productivity gain for you?

Having a Blackberry or smartphone. My company sends us internet leads, and you have to respond to them within a certain amount of time.  It’s a lot easier to service leads if you can respond to them no matter where you are or what you’re doing.  Also Skywire (http://www.skywireva.com) riders for my listings. People walking by can text a number for more information, and I get their number right on my phone, so I can call them back right then or text them.

What’s your thought on Blogging? Valuable or a time sink?

I don’t think it’s valuable for generating leads.  I think responding to questions on Trulia voices is a lot more productive. I’ve converted about half of my leads from Trulia voices. It doesn’t take as much time either, this week I’ve probably answered 2 questions for a total of half an hour.

What are your thoughts on Social Media?

The key to my success from the very beginning has been creating an awareness that I’m an agent and selling real estate is what I do for a living. I feel strongly that you’re as successful as how many people know about you.  If nobody knows about you or knows that you sell real estate, they’re there not going to call you, it just makes sense.  I think instead of blogging it’s more worthwhile updating your Facebook status that you’re on the job, showing houses in a certain neighborhood for example. It’s free and it takes two seconds.

I’ve gotten a buyer from Facebook, from a friend of mine from high school who lives in California, and I’ve gotten a lot of exposure, I feel, from these sites.  It’s all about who knows what you’re doing, that this is what you do. You need the most people possible to know that you’re a real estate agent, and to think of you first.

Do you use twitter?

Yes. I post updates about my listings, articles about Pittsburgh Real Estate, or any event I’m involved in.

How do you track and manage prospects/ leads?

I’m kind of old school when it comes to tracking leads, I do pretty much all of it on paper. I have a notebook where I write down pretty much every phone call, showing requests, etc. I have a pretty organized filing system.  I have a folder for once-off leads, and a folder for each active lead.  Every couple of months I go through the big folder. Every single person who contacts me automatically gets put on my mailing list. I think building that database is so important.

How do you manage your transactions?

I have a checklist for each file/ transaction.  It’s a slip of paper with all the contingency deadlines.  I staple them inside the file and put the dates on the calendar in my phone.  It also helps to post them on a bulletin board in your cube.

How do you manage your website?

I use my myspace as my website, I’ve looked into doing a couple different types of websites, but they’re very expensive, and while I think it’s important to have a website, I just haven’t found it cost effective. Myspace is free and you can search the entire MLS from my page.  I’m all about free tools.

What’s the most important thing you do on a daily basis that contributes to your sales success?

Putting myself out there, in whatever way that may be. Whether it’s being active in my community, emailing people, making phone calls.

At the end of the day technology matters, but only to an extent. I’ve gotten leads online from Realtor.com, Trulia, Craigslist. But other than that, it’s such a face to face job.   You don’t have to reinvent the wheel entirely.

For new agents I think it’s easy to get overwhelmed with “oh my gosh, I have to spend so much money on this and that”. And you really don’t.  I think it’s really important for new agents to go with a big broker in your area, because they do provide so much for you.  It made a big difference in the training and services I had access to.

I also send a lot of email blasts, I probably send an email blast a week. It’s usually a property listing, or an article about Pittsburgh.  I’m really a big advocate of email blasts and sending a regular monthly mailer to my farm area and to my database.  If you do something cool, you should write a press release about it.

Phone: Blackberry Tour

Computer: Office: Dell Inspiron 531s, AMD Desktop Home: Custom Build, Intel Quad Core

Website/ IDX Provider: Top Producer

Prospecting/ Contact Management: Top Producer

Overall, where does technology fit in for you: does it play a supporting role or is it a major part of your business?

I think it’s a major part of my strategy.  Being able to access the internet from my phone, I can get Realtor.com leads or internet leads right on my phone.  It’s all about how fast you can get back to somebody.  If someone contacts me about a listing, I can email them information about that listing right from my phone.

What are your thoughts on social networks such as Facebook, Twitter, etc?

I don’t currently use Twitter, but I’m not opposed to it. I don’t know too many other people using Twitter, most people that I know are on Facebook.  Right now after I add a listing, I post a link to the MLS listing on Facebook. However, Realtor.com has just developed an app that posts your listings on your wall automatically.

Do you currently blog? What are your thoughts on blogging?

I don’t currently blog, but it’s worth considering.

Do you change your tech use to fit different clients, for example texting, etc, or do find everyone’s comfortable with the same level?

Absolutely I have to adapt to everybody. I’ve had deals where I’ve barely even talked to the clients, it’s all through texting/ email.  Texting takes the emotion out of things, which can sometimes be a negative. I’ve closed deals through text.  But there are times I’m working with older people, who are more “old school”, still looking at the newspaper for listings. Some can’t even turn a computer on. It’s still a very high touch business.

How do you generate most of your business?

A lot of my business is referral based.  Believe it or not, my secretary actually cuts out For Sale By Owner (FSBO) ads and I follow up with them personally. You still have to have that old school foundation, you have to make those calls, you have to be out there, you have to show your face, you have to brand yourself within the community.

Technology Wishlist

One product I’d like to see is a transaction forum.  I’ve actually considered creating this on my own.  A forum for each transaction, where anybody involved in the transaction can have access: attorneys, inspectors, agents, etc.