With the advent of high performance tablet computers, the real estate industry is poised to undergo a transformation. These devices make showing clients presentations and the semantics of layout easier then ever before. Recent research by the California Association of REALTORS shows that among home buyers and sellers who use the Internet (this, by the way, is now over 80% of buyers and 60% of sellers) responsiveness is a top factor in selecting a REALTOR and in satisfaction at the end of the transaction.
One of the ways Tablets help the real estate sector is being able to show clients a room layout without having to rely on a laptop or PC. In real time you can show the square footage and the dimensions of every room. Most people are visual and can gain a firm understanding of all the amenities that are included. Many real estate associates are finding it increasingly easily to also take advantage of the built in rear facing cameras on many Android tablets to take a 360 video of rooms and layouts to go beyond showing the floor plans.
The portability factor is also huge with tablets while on the road. It is far more light weight and easier to transport when you are on the go. This portability greatly enhances the ability to check the MLS website to see what new properties are being listed and bolsters your ability to be more connected while outside the office. Clients can also sign paperwork in real time on your tablet and have this information be sent via wireless right to your office.
Many agents have got in touch with us in putting this article together and the consensus is that getting and sending emails is easier on a tablet then a smartphone. Using services like Dropbox allows you to edit documents and then have access to these when you are on your home and work PC, without having to transfer anything manually. One particular agent said “”I met with a client recently and was able to engage her in the discussion as never before. I pulled up a map on my Tablet, handed her the electronic pen and let her highlight exactly where she wanted to live. There is a tremendous ‘wow’ factor attached to the Tablet PC and it offers functionality that aren’t available with my Mac. Clients’ eyes light up when I bring it out.”
Finally, there is plenty of Android apps that make life easier. When clients ask about mortgages and other pricing questions you can fire up Karl’s Mortgage Calculator to give instant quotes. Google Earth and Google Street View can show your clients the surrounding neighborhood and give them a sense of the stores and shops nearby. There is also plenty of transit apps to show prospective home-buyers where the major bus routes are and bike trails.
Michael Kozlowski is the editor-in-chief at Good e-Reader and has written about audiobooks and e-readers for the past fifteen years. Newspapers and websites such as the CBC, CNET, Engadget, Huffington Post and the New York Times have picked up his articles. He Lives in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
