Real Estate 2.0 Technology

Tomorrow's Real Estate Technology Today

One of my favorite things to do at Inman Connect is to see all the new Real Estate Technology that's being introduced to the industry.  While I was wondering around the EXPO checking out the vendor booths and different products, I came across one vendor that really got me excited.  They are called Infusion.com providing Location Intelligence Services.  I was fortunate to have a meeting with Kayla Spiess, their Marketing and Communications Manager, and Tyler Davey the General Manager.  When I saw the demo I'm about to share with you, I was blown away. 

Real Estate Technology is something we know is always changing.  We are constantly trying to adapt to the changes.  Most often I find myself struggling just to keep up with it all.  Last week I wrote a post about Google Maps and Google Earth regarding the missing link to click on the front door of a property and to go inside, or the lack thereof.  Infusion is already ahead of the curve.   Using Microsoft Surface technology, they have taken this idea and incorporated INFUSED ways to use it into today's Real Estate Market and Industry.

Here's a Video Preview of Infusions Falcon Eye Application

The Surface Touch Table you see in this video costs around $12,000 dollars and though you might not find one of these in the entry way of your local Real Estate office or Brokerage, this product is available for certain computers meeting specific Hardware and Software requirements.  The future of Real Estate Technology may at some point include the requirement to purchase one of the coffee table type touch screens for your Real Estate Office.

Don't laugh, they said the fax machine would never make it as a modern day Business tool either.

"Technology will NEVER replace real estate professionals, but real estate professionals WITH technology will."  I've heard and read this line so many times, but is it true?  Technology and the Real Estate Industry have become so inter-connected and dependent upon each other lately.  Just look where we've come from in the last 10-15 years.  I remember when Fax machines and ATM's were headline news.

So What Is Real Estate Technology?  I Guess that depends on who you ask...

What Technology and tools do you consider a necessity to do business effectively in 2009?  Is there a right or wrong answer?!  My observation is this, many people in the Industry already have some of the technology tools they need to be successful, they just might not be using them to their full potential. 

Having a laptop, a cell phone, fax machine, scanner, digital camera, a GPS and more may seem like the tech tools you'll need, but just owning them might not be enough.  Do you already have all these items?  Are you using them to their fullest?  What else could you be doing?  It's all about how you use Real Estate technology that will determine how effectively you can and will do business today and in the future.

Any of these look or sound familar?  

• You own a laptop, but you're only checking email and the MLS for listings, otherwise it's closed.
  

• Your cell phone works for making and receiving calls, the rest of the time it's in your pocket or purse.

• Your fax machine has been out of paper for the last 3 mos. you only noticed today because it rang?
  

• You own a scanner, but the convenient horizontal surface allows you to stack up folders and bills?

• Your digital-camera hasn't been out of it's case in the last 5-10 days...you think...

• GPS - Why would anyone ever need or use this in the Real Estate Industry?
  

Many of us already own these tools, but aren't using them fully to develop and help grow business.

If you owned a VCR (old school technology) this is a classic example.  Most people used less than 25% of the features on the VCR.  It's not much different with some of the newest and latest tools that are available today.

So in what unique ways are you using technology in your Business?  What more can you do to maximize the tools you already have?  What technology do you really need?  Which tools will become obsolete or be replaced?  Technology is ruled by two types of people: those who manage what they do not understand, and those who understand what they do not manage.  Want options?  Needing more ideas?  Stay tuned...

RENetBlog - Real Estate Technology & Tools for 2009

“It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our humanity” Albert Einstein

“Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic” Arthur C. Clarke

“Technology makes it possible for people to gain control over everything, except over technology” John Tudor

“Technology is like a fish. The longer it stays on the shelf, the less desirable it becomes” Andrew Heller

“If new technology rolls over you, & you're not part of the steamroller, you're part of the road” Stewart Brand

“640K ought to be enough for anybody”  Bill Gates

"Evaluating and Changing the way you use Technology is the key to your success"  Active Brad

Come learn more about Real Estate Technology and the Tools that are available:

Next Stop: OABR  Join me: REBarCamp Seattle  Come to: RETechSouth  ActiveBlog: ActiveRainTeam

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