Comments on: What Does It Matter To Me If You’re Tech-Savvy? http://www.notorious-rob.com/2010/06/01/what-does-it-matter-to-me-if-youre-tech-savvy/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss Conversations about the real estate industry, marketing, technology, and public policy Sat, 11 Feb 2012 02:48:33 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: C. http://www.notorious-rob.com/2010/06/01/what-does-it-matter-to-me-if-youre-tech-savvy/#comment-2787 C. Wed, 09 Jun 2010 17:43:50 +0000 http://www.notorious-rob.com/?p=1839#comment-2787 Seems to me the social/communicative tech is more peacock feathers than beaks and claws. It attracts clients by communicating an image of professionalism, it simply doesn't do that much of preactical benefit in a industry whose vital skills are almost all people skills --- salesmanship, negotiation, organization. I mean, what do most people want from a realtor? To be shown the most revelant houses, get their bid accepted at the best possible price, and have the relevant legal/fiscal proceedures got through as smoothly as possible. Knowledge of local markets, an ability to understand people and intuit their likes and dislikes, being responsive and organized, and negotiation skills. At least from the buy side. On the sell side the better you are at the web the better you might do at reeling in the fish, given that most people start looking there. Seems to me the social/communicative tech is more peacock feathers than beaks and claws. It attracts clients by communicating an image of professionalism, it simply doesn't do that much of preactical benefit in a industry whose vital skills are almost all people skills — salesmanship, negotiation, organization. I mean, what do most people want from a realtor? To be shown the most revelant houses, get their bid accepted at the best possible price, and have the relevant legal/fiscal proceedures got through as smoothly as possible. Knowledge of local markets, an ability to understand people and intuit their likes and dislikes, being responsive and organized, and negotiation skills. At least from the buy side. On the sell side the better you are at the web the better you might do at reeling in the fish, given that most people start looking there.

]]> By: C. http://www.notorious-rob.com/2010/06/01/what-does-it-matter-to-me-if-youre-tech-savvy/#comment-2682 C. Wed, 09 Jun 2010 13:43:50 +0000 http://www.notorious-rob.com/?p=1839#comment-2682 Seems to me the social/communicative tech is more peacock feathers than beaks and claws. It attracts clients by communicating an image of professionalism, it simply doesn't do that much of preactical benefit in a industry whose vital skills are almost all people skills --- salesmanship, negotiation, organization. I mean, what do most people want from a realtor? To be shown the most revelant houses, get their bid accepted at the best possible price, and have the relevant legal/fiscal proceedures got through as smoothly as possible. Knowledge of local markets, an ability to understand people and intuit their likes and dislikes, being responsive and organized, and negotiation skills. At least from the buy side. On the sell side the better you are at the web the better you might do at reeling in the fish, given that most people start looking there. Seems to me the social/communicative tech is more peacock feathers than beaks and claws. It attracts clients by communicating an image of professionalism, it simply doesn't do that much of preactical benefit in a industry whose vital skills are almost all people skills — salesmanship, negotiation, organization. I mean, what do most people want from a realtor? To be shown the most revelant houses, get their bid accepted at the best possible price, and have the relevant legal/fiscal proceedures got through as smoothly as possible. Knowledge of local markets, an ability to understand people and intuit their likes and dislikes, being responsive and organized, and negotiation skills. At least from the buy side. On the sell side the better you are at the web the better you might do at reeling in the fish, given that most people start looking there.

]]> By: Nick Sweeney http://www.notorious-rob.com/2010/06/01/what-does-it-matter-to-me-if-youre-tech-savvy/#comment-2680 Nick Sweeney Tue, 08 Jun 2010 13:30:14 +0000 http://www.notorious-rob.com/?p=1839#comment-2680 Very well-written. I would mention that, from a consumer's perspective, having a more tech-savvy agent is beneficial once you factor in the amount of time going over a contract and hunting down fax machines. As a consumer, I'd rather just eSign and review my contract online using a system like DotLoop. Not many consumers have a fax machine, but almost all have a computer. Besides, if I can buy a car online, why not a house? Very well-written. I would mention that, from a consumer's perspective, having a more tech-savvy agent is beneficial once you factor in the amount of time going over a contract and hunting down fax machines. As a consumer, I'd rather just eSign and review my contract online using a system like DotLoop. Not many consumers have a fax machine, but almost all have a computer. Besides, if I can buy a car online, why not a house?

]]> By: robhahn http://www.notorious-rob.com/2010/06/01/what-does-it-matter-to-me-if-youre-tech-savvy/#comment-2679 robhahn Tue, 08 Jun 2010 03:51:16 +0000 http://www.notorious-rob.com/?p=1839#comment-2679 Actually, I was calling out the fact that so much of real estate technology is concerned with sales, and new customer acquisition, and almost not at all concerned with client service. But since we're on the topic...<br><br>Isn't it a problem that a client chooses or doesn't choose a realtor because of his relationship to the person, rather than any consideration of competence, knowledge, expertise, or service? Consumers don't pick a heart surgeon because of a relationship, and they don't choose a lawyer to defend them in a trial based on likability. There is, in my mind, a direct correlation between the degree that "like" dictates the choice of a realtor and the degree to which real estate brokerage is not a true profession.<br><br>And to the extent that "technology" continues to make "likability" the main reason for choosing a real estate agent, I regard it as part of the problem, rather than the solution. Don't you? Actually, I was calling out the fact that so much of real estate technology is concerned with sales, and new customer acquisition, and almost not at all concerned with client service. But since we're on the topic…

Isn't it a problem that a client chooses or doesn't choose a realtor because of his relationship to the person, rather than any consideration of competence, knowledge, expertise, or service? Consumers don't pick a heart surgeon because of a relationship, and they don't choose a lawyer to defend them in a trial based on likability. There is, in my mind, a direct correlation between the degree that “like” dictates the choice of a realtor and the degree to which real estate brokerage is not a true profession.

And to the extent that “technology” continues to make “likability” the main reason for choosing a real estate agent, I regard it as part of the problem, rather than the solution. Don't you?

]]> By: Bubbleessence http://www.notorious-rob.com/2010/06/01/what-does-it-matter-to-me-if-youre-tech-savvy/#comment-2678 Bubbleessence Mon, 07 Jun 2010 23:21:01 +0000 http://www.notorious-rob.com/?p=1839#comment-2678 I think one thing missing from this discussion is the power of relationships and sales. At the end of the day, a client chooses or doesn't choose a Realtor because of their relationship to that person. That is Sales 101. I pick who I like to work with. Who I like is a factor of what I like. If I like information and that tech savvy Realtor provides it, I choose that Realtor. Tech-savvy Realtors are a growing niche because there are more tech-savvy consumers. I think this has nothing to do with value add to the end consumer. It is simple sales. I think one thing missing from this discussion is the power of relationships and sales. At the end of the day, a client chooses or doesn't choose a Realtor because of their relationship to that person. That is Sales 101. I pick who I like to work with. Who I like is a factor of what I like. If I like information and that tech savvy Realtor provides it, I choose that Realtor. Tech-savvy Realtors are a growing niche because there are more tech-savvy consumers. I think this has nothing to do with value add to the end consumer. It is simple sales.

]]> By: DougFrancis http://www.notorious-rob.com/2010/06/01/what-does-it-matter-to-me-if-youre-tech-savvy/#comment-2677 DougFrancis Mon, 07 Jun 2010 21:31:46 +0000 http://www.notorious-rob.com/?p=1839#comment-2677 Great question as I have lost business to much lower tech people who claimed to be up on all this internet stuff. <br><br>On the other hand, when out with home buyers, they can't understand when an agent hasn't uploaded any friggin' pictures as they jump from Zillow to Redfin for a photo or two. And as an active real estate agent, I am amazed when agents don't put down proper map coordinated and simply state "use your GPS". Tech savvy also means making it easy for the consumer to get the information. So to ask if it matters to today's consumer seems pretty naive.<br><br>What's your fax number? Great question as I have lost business to much lower tech people who claimed to be up on all this internet stuff.

On the other hand, when out with home buyers, they can't understand when an agent hasn't uploaded any friggin' pictures as they jump from Zillow to Redfin for a photo or two. And as an active real estate agent, I am amazed when agents don't put down proper map coordinated and simply state “use your GPS”. Tech savvy also means making it easy for the consumer to get the information. So to ask if it matters to today's consumer seems pretty naive.

What's your fax number?

]]> By: REtechReport - The best in real estate tech for June 7, 2010 — REtechSource http://www.notorious-rob.com/2010/06/01/what-does-it-matter-to-me-if-youre-tech-savvy/#comment-2676 REtechReport - The best in real estate tech for June 7, 2010 — REtechSource Mon, 07 Jun 2010 20:28:51 +0000 http://www.notorious-rob.com/?p=1839#comment-2676 [...] week we covered a post by Rob Hahn asking why consumers should care if their real estate agent is high tech. Now Kris Berg answers the questions Do you care if your agent is tech-savvy? She of course does [...] [...] week we covered a post by Rob Hahn asking why consumers should care if their real estate agent is high tech. Now Kris Berg answers the questions Do you care if your agent is tech-savvy? She of course does [...]

]]> By: Andrea Geller http://www.notorious-rob.com/2010/06/01/what-does-it-matter-to-me-if-youre-tech-savvy/#comment-2673 Andrea Geller Mon, 07 Jun 2010 01:31:36 +0000 http://www.notorious-rob.com/?p=1839#comment-2673 I think there are 3 major points here:<br>1. Communication<br>2. Access to information <br>3. Transaction management<br><br>Regardless of which letter of the alphabet my clients fall into I am finding that almost all of them are expecting from me immediate communication (email or text), information received electronically, and when the sale gets down, the transaction handled efficiently and again electronically. <br><br>Just like in most other industries, real estate brokerages are moving away from "the secretary". <br><br>I happen to use social networking because I find I learn alot from others including you. Many agents who produce much more than I don't tweet and Facebook but are highly connected to their clients. I think the that's the key and part of the expected service. <br><br>As a listing agent, would Luddy be able to market your listing effectively? Representing you in your sale would he be able to use the necessary resources to negotiate on your behalf. <br><br>Can Luddy email me your offer so I can email it to my seller? Do I need to check my spam file for that aol email? Or we can wait for him to get into his office so the secretary can fax it to me? <br><br>I think there is huge value if the agents can communicate with each other as well as their clients. <br>The other issue is it does not matter if you pay for all these tools, it is knowing how and using them. I think there are 3 major points here:
1. Communication
2. Access to information
3. Transaction management

Regardless of which letter of the alphabet my clients fall into I am finding that almost all of them are expecting from me immediate communication (email or text), information received electronically, and when the sale gets down, the transaction handled efficiently and again electronically.

Just like in most other industries, real estate brokerages are moving away from “the secretary”.

I happen to use social networking because I find I learn alot from others including you. Many agents who produce much more than I don't tweet and Facebook but are highly connected to their clients. I think the that's the key and part of the expected service.

As a listing agent, would Luddy be able to market your listing effectively? Representing you in your sale would he be able to use the necessary resources to negotiate on your behalf.

Can Luddy email me your offer so I can email it to my seller? Do I need to check my spam file for that aol email? Or we can wait for him to get into his office so the secretary can fax it to me?

I think there is huge value if the agents can communicate with each other as well as their clients.
The other issue is it does not matter if you pay for all these tools, it is knowing how and using them.

]]> By: The Ten Best in RE.net This Week: June 5, 2010 Edition « Finance Blog http://www.notorious-rob.com/2010/06/01/what-does-it-matter-to-me-if-youre-tech-savvy/#comment-2670 The Ten Best in RE.net This Week: June 5, 2010 Edition « Finance Blog Sun, 06 Jun 2010 06:23:31 +0000 http://www.notorious-rob.com/?p=1839#comment-2670 [...] 8 ) So you are a high tech real estate agent. Good for you, but what does that mean to me as a consumer? Rob Hahn asks that question and delivers a great conversation in the comments section of What Does It Matter To Me If You’re Tech-Savvy? [...] [...] 8 ) So you are a high tech real estate agent. Good for you, but what does that mean to me as a consumer? Rob Hahn asks that question and delivers a great conversation in the comments section of What Does It Matter To Me If You’re Tech-Savvy? [...]

]]> By: Do you care if your agent is tech-savvy? | Uber Realty http://www.notorious-rob.com/2010/06/01/what-does-it-matter-to-me-if-youre-tech-savvy/#comment-2669 Do you care if your agent is tech-savvy? | Uber Realty Sun, 06 Jun 2010 03:47:03 +0000 http://www.notorious-rob.com/?p=1839#comment-2669 [...] does it matter to me if you’re tech-savvy?” This question was posed by the Notorious Rob Hahn recently as he wore the consumer hat. It’s an interesting posit. I’ll [...] [...] does it matter to me if you’re tech-savvy?” This question was posed by the Notorious Rob Hahn recently as he wore the consumer hat. It’s an interesting posit. I’ll [...]

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