How Tech Savvy is Your Realtor?

What a difference a few years make. It used to be that if you wanted to buy a house you would buy the Sunday paper – on Saturday, of course – and spend hours with the real estate section. Then you would spend more hours calling about houses, days driving around trying to find them, making appointments to see a few, and finally actually finding that house you loved.

Today, the first place a lot of people go is the Internet. Buyers can see hundreds of homes for sale on their Realtor's web site, and watch video tours of home interiors, all without leaving the comfort of their own living room. Sellers can show their homes to more potential buyers – local and out of town - than they could reach by any Sunday paper.

The top Realtors today know that using technology is key to giving customized, personal service in a high-speed world. A good web site is a must, of course, so buyers can see what's available, and sellers can learn about the Realtor's® services. But the real value of using technology shows throughout the process. Want to see a home that's just come on the market? Your Realtor can call to make an appointment no matter where he is thanks to cell technology. Is your spouse away and you want to share a home you just saw? Take a picture with that compact digital camera, download the photo, and email it anywhere in the world. Need to exchange paperwork? The offer, contract, inspection report, and many others can be emailed or faxed for instant delivery.

This increasing use of technology in real estate is improving the speed and accuracy of many aspects of the business. But there is one characteristic of a great Realtor® that technology will not change – the commitment to personal service. Computers and cell phones can simplify our lives and work. So, yes, it's important for your Realtor to be tech savvy. But it's even more important to always put extraordinary service first, because the human connection is still the most important part of any successful real estate deal.