The world has truly changed and we have technology to thank (or blame) for that. For better or worse, science and technology have made certain aspects of our everyday life more comfortable, tolerable, and fast. You have emails replacing the traditional “snail mail” and telegram, as well as smartphones and computers replacing the old telephones and typewriters of our parents or grandparents.
Not only are these machines changing personal lives; they are transforming how businesses are done as well. The real estate industry, which is probably one of the oldest industries around, have definitely changed due to the influence of modern technology. But just how much has real estate changed because of technology itself? Let’s check at some of the technological innovations that were made for the real estate industry:
1. Real estate portals: This has been one of the most successful tools for the real estate industry. This invention means a big improvement for potential buyers to explore properties that are available not just in their locality, but in other parts of the country as well. These portals also have updated property information, as well as pictures of the property. These portals also make great venues for new real estate marketing campaigns.
Of course, relying on the Internet for real estate investment has its own set of issues. Lately, real estate agents believe that because everyone is in the Internet, the real estate industry is now an extremely competitive market. There’s nothing wrong with a competitive market, however. It’s up to a real estate agent to work hard on crafting his/her own marketing plan and techniques.
2. Social Media: In the early days, real estate agents have to rely on newspapers and printed ads in order to promote the properties they are selling or to find properties for their prospective clients. Fast forward a few years later, almost all real estate companies and agents have their own social media account. This makes it easier for real estate agents to sell their properties and for potential clients to browse any property they want to buy.
The only downside to social media is that it lessens the amount of time that a real estate agent and a potential customer can meet and talk personally. Professional real estate investors believe that a business meeting between an agent and a potential customer really helps build networks. However, some of the most successful real estate agents today have managed to use social media as a means of creating his/her own network of customers.
3. Mobile Computing: The age of smartphones and tablets have ushered a new era called “mobile computing”. Back in the day, people can only browse the Internet by carrying their laptops in coffee shops or just by browsing through their computer at home. Today, smartphones and tablets allow people to browse the Internet while on the go, especially with all the different apps that have been created to find a home. This is a big boon for real estate agents, since they can communicate and check the leads they receive while they are travelling or not at home. The same can be said for the people who are looking for properties at any time and in any place.
4. Video marketing in the Internet has also ushered a new wave of marketing campaigns in the real estate industry. With devices such as the Google Glass and applications that let people record videos and then share them online, real estate agents can take videos of a property which is for sale and then upload it either in social media sharing sites or in real estate portals. This way, potential customers no longer have to drive for hours for house visitations; they can do it in the comfort of their own home.
Prospect clients can simply check a website and take a look at the pictures of the property that they’re interested in buying. Of course, the downside to this goes to property owners who don’t post pictures of the house online.
We have to adapt to the power that new technologies have. They almost rule the world, and we are living in world which is changing at a rapid pace. And these changes affect all sector’s of society. Even the real estate industry! Don’t stay behind and keep yourself updated.