There are many technological tools available to today’s agents, but as Claudia Lewis explains, there are five that are truly game changing.

The sheer quantity and variety of technology tools that are at our disposal today have revolutionized our industry, allowing us to be productive and efficient in ways we had never imagined. Agents who embrace these amazing changes will reap the rewards, while those who fall behind do so at their own peril.

The fact is that today’s buyers and sellers are technologically sophisticated, and they want to work with agents who are tech-savvy and comfortable with the ever-evolving machinery at our disposal.

Many of you are already using these tools, but for those of you who find yourselves intimidated by this avalanche of new technology, I am happy to recommend a few of my favorites – the ones that I use everyday. All of these services, sites and apps are extraordinarily easy to use, and will make any active Realtor’s business run in a more effective and time-efficient manner. Most of them are available at no cost.

1. Dropbox: Dropbox is your portable file cabinet. It is a Web-based storage solution that synchronizes all of your important documents, making them – and the changes you make to them – available on your computer, smartphone, laptop, iPad, etc. Go to www.dropbox.com, download the program to your primary computer, then download the app to your other devices. Any document you save to the Dropbox folder will be synchronized automatically with your other devices, so that it appears in the same folder (with the same contents) regardless of which computer or device is used to view it.

So, if I write a contract on my office computer and then put it in my Dropbox folder, when I go out to meet my client later, I can simply show it to them on my iPad. If we need to make changes, I can edit the document on the spot. Later, if I go out to dinner and only have my smartphone with me, I can access the same exact document – with the changes we made earlier on the iPad – and then email it to the client if needed.

2. Evernote: Evernote is your “little black book”…on steroids! Like Dropbox, it is a Web-based storage system, to which you can save and organize notes to yourself: Web pages, news articles, travel itineraries, photos, airline, hotel and car rental confirmations, MLS brochures…literally anything you can think of that you may want to refer back to at a later time. You can store all of your various odds and ends into a searchable format and then organize them for later use. You have the option of setting up separate notebooks for notes, travel, news, etc.

Since Evernote synchs over all the various platforms, once you have downloaded the app to each of your devices, you can also access all your information on your computer, laptop, iPad, tablet or smartphone (just like you do on Dropbox.) All your important information is at your fingertips, and you no longer have to worry about losing your “little black book.” If you lose your iPhone or tablet, no problem; all your information is still saved on all your other devices.

3. LogMeIn: LogMeIn is your remote computer access provider. It allows you to access your entire primary computer from your iPad, tablet or smartphone at times when you are out of the office, but must locate something on your computer that has not been saved to Dropbox or Evernote – or when you need to access a program that is not available on your portable device.

4. Kurio: Available for free through Florida Realtors, Kurio is an amazing app that provides real-time MLS access from any mobile device. The interface is beautiful, easy to navigate and carefully designed for busy agents. Your own Kurio profile can be personalized with your photo and logo, and listings include Realtor remarks, showing instructions and other “agent only” information, making Kurio the perfect tool for when you need to show your buyers up-to-the-minute listings while on the road. Kurio has been improved dramatically over the years, so if you have not tried it recently, try it now. It is easier and less complicated than Fusion, when you are on the go!

5. DocuSign: DocuSign is a Web-based electronic signature service that lets you have your contracts signed anywhere, from any device, whether your clients are out of town, across town or in another country. DocuSign is the exclusive e-signature solution for members of NAR. (The DocuSign for Realtors version includes additional features specific to our industry, using the easiest, fastest and most secure global network for sending, signing, tracking and storing documents “in the cloud.”)

And one final thought on technology for any colleagues who still insist on using their @aol.com, @hotmail.com, or @gmail.com email addresses. While you may not be aware, this is a “red flag” for potential clients, who see your competitors using more professional email addresses from their brokerages (like @ewm.com or @century21.com, etc.) and personalized domain addresses (such as @johndoe.com or something like @topmiamirealtor.com). I strongly suggest that you consider making this transition as well.

Author’s Note: My best source for technology information and education is Chris Smith, co-founder of Curaytor, a conversation search engine. He is also the Chief Paper Killer for DotLoop, prior Chief Evangelist for Inman News and co-founder of the technology and social media blog Tech Savvy Agent.

MBF Advisory Board Member Claudia Lewis is the top producer for Century 21 in Miami and all of Miami-Dade County. She is a Century 21 Fine Homes & Estates specialist concentrating on the luxury residential market, waterfront properties and luxury condos in Coconut Grove, Coral Gables, Miami and the Beaches. Her client list includes some of Miami’s most sought-after professional athletes, celebrities and business people, many of whom rely on her for all of their real estate needs.

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The Two Sexy Words Every Miami Realtor Should Be Using – Christopher Zoller
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