Realtors Who Understand And Use Technology Can Serve Clients Better
November 16th, 2007 Categories: Buying a Home, New Construction Homes
I have a client who has relocated to the Raleigh area and purchased a beautiful new home in nearby Creedmoor. The home is under construction and is at the sheetrock stage. We made a visit to the site last week to check on the progress. A couple of things happened relative to the implementation of a few simple pieces of technology that made our visit very efficient and enabled us to get some serious work done with a minimal amount of effort and trouble.
Technology use #1
As I always do, I sent an email to the on-site builder’s agent ahead of time letting her know we were going to drop by. I offered that if there was anything that from the builder’s perspective which needed to be discussed with my clients or me, that this would be a good time because everyone would be there.
She replied that she didn’t have anything that needed to be discussed and gave me the superintendent’s mobile number in case we noticed anything that should be called to his attention. One simple, well timed email and everyone involved had the opportunity to serve our client in the best way possible by being aware of their visit. As an added bonus I now had the job superintendent’s mobile number and permission to communicate directly with him regarding any issues we encountered.
We found a few things that needed attention
When we arrived, we noticed a few things that needed attention. One was a plumbing drain that had been overlooked and the other was ceiling fan rough-ins that had been forgotten. Noticing these things while in the sheetrock stage of construction is great because they can be corrected with minimal impact on the finished product.
Because of my email to the on-site agent, the superintendent stopped by to check with us and see if we needed anything. We pointed out what we had found and he agreed that both items needed to be corrected. He was on his way to another site and asked if I could email what we had found to him so that he could make sure to follow up.
Technology use #2
I took out my Blackberry and started an email to the superintendent with a cc to the client and the on-site builder’s agent. I just filled in the body of the email with the two items we had noticed.
As we walked around a bit more we noticed a couple of other things that needed clarification and possible corrective action. I just added them to the email I was composing on my Blackberry. When we were done I pressed send and the superintendent had an email waiting for him when he returned to his desk. The client and the on site builder’s agent had been copied and of course I had a copy in the sent folder of my email. Now it would be very easy for anyone in the process to communicate and follow up on what we had noticed on our visit.
The advantages of technology in the real estate business
In this real life example a couple of pretty cool things happened that are worth pointing out.
- Because of the advance written notice of our visit, the builder’s people could easily accommodate us and were able to be involved, real time, in the process of taking action on the issues we noticed with my client’s new home
- The on site agent and the superintendent were appreciative of our clear and open communication and had a very good, positive attitude towards our visit. We invited them into the process in such a way that it was easy for them to cooperate.
- No one had to spend any “extra” time outside of the actual visit with reporting our findings and following up to clarify the communication. The superintendent was right there and saw the issues first hand. And he had a written record of everything waiting in his inbox. Everything was documented, to everyone, as it occurred.
I use technology throughout my business. This blog you are reading is another example. It allows me to give away free information to my readers about the process of buying and selling homes in the greater Raleigh area, and information about various neighborhoods and what it’s like to live here. It also allows a way for readers to communicate with me about any of the subjects through the comments section at the end of each article, or by sending me a private message.
Several other examples are my free home search and free home value analysis. As time goes on I will be adding more and more features and tools to help readers understand the home buying and selling process. Be sure to check back regularly and look for more articles to help you move locally or relocate from out of town.
I have a ways to go to catch up with you in technology. I guess I don’t have to catch up, I’ll just have anyone looking for Raleigh Real Estate give you a call.
Marty
Bob- Your Raleigh area clients are lucky to be working with you! Rather than taking a chance on losing the details, you utilized the technology you had on hand to look out for their best interests- so many would have let them slip through the cracks.
Hey Marty - You’re not kidding anyone… I’ve seen all those cool high tech tools you have in your sidebars for clients to use
Sandi - To tell you the truth, I have to use technology or I’m not sure I could keep up with everything that is going on in a busy environment like the Raleigh real estate market. Plus, it just seems that everyone expects things to be almost instant these days. And I like my tech toys just a little bit too.
Good post Bob. Technology certainly makes it easier to serve our real estate clients, but it is dependent on all parties involved being proficient in its use. Fortunately for folks in Raleigh, you’ve got it covered.
Bob- such a great post, technology is a clear advantage to us in real estate helping buyers- sellers too. Raleigh is lucky to have you!
I particularly liked the e-mail in real time- this allowed the information to be fresh- easily recalled- and did not depend on a “do-it-later” item, both of which can be delayed, incorrect or forgotten.
Terry
Charles - Thanks for your comments. You’re right about everyone having to be on board to make technology work to its fullest potential. Raleigh is a fairly high-tech area, so I find that most everyone involved can deal with tech.
Terry - Amen to the real-time comment! If too many things wait for later, something will inevitably get lost in translation.
Great article Bob. I would say that the Blackberry is one of the most productive tools that I own as a real estate agent. Home buyers and sellers do appreciate the technology advances that Realtors use.
Scott - It’s hard to imagine life without my Blackberry. It allows me to get quality work done in all the little odd pieces of time during the day that would otherwise be wasted.
Bob- you are so right about the blackberry. It is invaluable for any real estate agent. I can’t imagine doing business without it.
You- like me- live in a hi-tech area. Here is Arlington- we have the National Science Foundation- the originator of today’s internet.
When you work with internet savvy clients- they expect their agents to use the latest in technology to stay in contact with them.
Great topic to post about!
Mary - You’re right about the expectations of our clients. Clients in the Raleigh real estate market are very tech savvy and they expect their agents to communicate the same way they do.
Bob - I have a love/hate relationship with my Blackberry, but it keeps me connected to my clients and in today’s real estate market, clients expect an agent with the ability to respond when needed. Paula
Technology is a prime factor in serving real estate clients to the full potential.
Great topic to post a discussion on!