Real Estate LEADER Magazine (Summer 2004) - Mississippi ...

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Beyond MLS books: Embracing better ways to list and sell real estate By Cheryl Bullock The MLS Book is an endangered species for several reasons, not the least of which is the rapid onslaught of technology. Gone are the days when the only way to get a complete list of properties was to wait for the delivery of your MLS book (as much as two weeks old by the time it was delivered by the printer). With internet-based MLS systems becoming the norm, we need to prepare for (and embrace) those technologies that give us the edge in today’s environment. Here is a very brief look at only four alternatives. If nothing else, these should start you thinking of what will work best for the way you personally list and sell real estate. Custom searches For those who don’t care to go any deeper into technology than they have to, simple custom searches tailored to your market area are a viable alternative. It is easy to send this to your printer (complete with photos) so you have your own ‘mini-MLS book.’ How often you run those printouts would depend on your individual needs. Laptop computers A good laptop (combined with the right MLS-specific software) allows customized listing presentations and showing information without being connected to the internet. Remember to select a lightweight laptop that won’t be a chore to carry with you, and keep your comparable and current listing data as current as you need it. Personal digital assistants PDA’s (Personal Digital Assistants) have matured from the hard to read, difficult to use devices that debuted a few years ago. Monochrome, poor resolution screens have been replaced by full color, high resolution devices that are easy to read and use. They are a lightweight, less cumbersome alternative to MLS books and laptop computers. And the technology just keeps getting better. Hand-held, multi-function devices with the familiar Windows desktop are now available. Plus, there are several sites that offer sophisticated software for the Palm OS (operating system) as well as Windows devices. Several manufacturers have combined handheld technology with cell phone functionality, but these have enjoyed limited acceptance as they tend to be larger and heavier than consumers want. New generation devices Wireless hand-held devices that have builtin internet access are perhaps the most exciting alternatives to MLS books. The most versatile of these (embracing GSM technology) will change the way we communicate and access the internet on mobile devices, whether that be a cell phone, PDA, or combination device. These devices allow you to search the internet real-time, download MLS data, write letters, manage contact lists, send and receive e-mail and most other functions available on your desktop computer. You can access MLS anywhere there is a wireless connection to the internet with the same look, feel and functionality of your PC. The MLS Book was a valuable and indispensable tool in its day, but that day is fading fast. Technology is changing every facet of our lives whether we approve or not. Regardless of where you are on the technology scale, all of these new tools are available. Choose what works best for you. n Cheryl Bullock is Executive Officer for the Jackson Association of REALTORS ® . She is a frequent presenter on real estate technology issues. E-mail her at cheryl@jacksonrealtor.com. Popular handheld devices & organizers • Handspring Treo • Sony Clie • Tungsten • Zire Popular Pocket PCs & Windows Mobile 2003 • ASUS MyPal • Audiovox Thera • Dell Axim • HP iPaq (formerly Compaq) • Toshiba Pocket PC • Viewsonic Pocket PC For more information, visit these PDA software websites: Palm OS www.palmblvd.com Pocket PC www.pocketpccity.com www.pocketpc.com Universal www.handango.com www.pilotzone.com www.pdatopsoft.com REALTORS ® key into the latest home-showing technology By Sarah J. Schmidt Electronic key boxes simplify the home-showing process, enabling REALTORS ® to access properties without the burden of running around town to pick up keys. At least two REALTOR ® associations in Mississippi now use the latest Supra Keybox, part of the Supra Information Network (http://www.supraekey.com). Tony Jones, of Century 21 in Olive Branch, uses his Zire-71 Palm Pilot to activate the electronic key boxes in his area. The Palm emits an infrared signal which triggers the key box to open. Jones "I’m a real dinosaur, so if I can learn how to use this technology, anybody can," says Jones, who serves as president of the Northwest Mississippi Association of REALTORS ® . Just to make sure, the association hosted orientation sessions earlier this year when the new electronic key boxes were first installed. "We’d expected some problems," Jones says, "but it was really a very smooth transition, and now we’re beginning to see big savings in efficiency and time." It’s just one more way Mississippi REALTORS ® are relying on technology to improve business. n 12 / MISSISSIPPI REAL ESTATE LEADER / Summer 2004
60-SECOND TECHNOLOGY SEMINAR BY DANE SKIRTECH Novice: Avoiding SPAM Tired of your computer serving up SPAM to your inbox every morning? Ever wonder how so many people get your e-mail address? You are asked to enter your e-mail address as confirmation for most online purchases or transactions. And unfortunately, even though you check that box that says "No, I do not want to receive additional information about similar products and services." you probably still get hammered with e-mail almost instantly after checkout. Try this: Go to www.hotmail.com (or any other free e-mail provider) and sign up for a free e-mail account. Whenever you are making a purchase online and are required to enter an e-mail address for order confirmation, simply use the free Hotmail "junk" e-mail account. Save your business e-mail address for conducting business that doesn’t involve online purchases. Remember this: When you get junk e-mail and at the bottom it says, "If you wish to be removed from this list simply reply with the word ‘REMOVE’ in the subject field", don’t do it. Why? Because you will be added to a much more desired Spam list for marketers because they know the address is a real working e-mail address. Intermediate: Going Wi-Fi Considering a wireless network for your office? Wireless Networking or "Wi-Fi" is gaining popularity among brokers who are discovering how greater mobility and versatility can improve their agents’ productivity. Wireless adapters can be added to almost ANY device a REALTOR ® might use these days, including laptops, desktops, handhelds and printers. Remember that no matter what the application, you’ll want to make sure you use the same generation equipment (802.11A, B or G).Try to stay with the 802.11G protocol, the newest version that is usually backward compatible with its predecessor 802.11B. This will allow the two variants to talk to each other. You can also mix wireless hardware brands making the technology even more flexible. And your wireless-enabled laptop can give you internet access from any wireless enabled "Hot-Spot" around town, including many coffee shops and places of business. To learn more, visit www.linksys.com, one of the nation’s leading, consumer-level wireless equipment vendors. Advanced: Power Toys for customizing Windows XP Tired of the standard features in Windows XP Professional? Tired of all the pop-up "Help" balloons? Do you wish you had more customization over your operating system and that Windows would quit trying to think for you all the time? Then you might be ready for your first "system-hack". Windows XP offers "Power Toys" that are packed with utilities geared for the high-end power user. Utilities include an ISO Writing Wizard that allows you to create, record and write entire CDROM disk images to the native ISO format (create a listing presentation on CD and store the image for fast duplication on the fly) and TweakUI which allows the user to extensively modify the look and feel (GUI) of Windows XP creating endless configuration possibilities. And Virtual Desktop Manager allows management of up to four remote network connections which can be configured independently to run selected applications. This is perfect for fastpaced brokers who support their agents’ computers in their offices. Power Toys take the operating system to a whole new level. You can get XP Power Toys by visiting www.microsoft.com. n Dane Skirtech is a nationally recognized real estate technology speaker and MAR’s Director of Information Technology. E-mail him at dane@msrealtors.org. 13 / MISSISSIPPI REAL ESTATE LEADER / Summer 2004
Page 1 and 2: THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE MIS
Page 3 and 4: Real Estate LEADER is the official
Page 5 and 6: CAPITOL WATCH UPDATE ON LEGISLATIVE
Page 7 and 8: LEGAL EASE BY QUENTIN WHITWELL REAL
Page 9 and 10: Been there, done that A REALTOR ®
Page 11: Technology can byte back Lessons le
Page 15 and 16: Home is where your @ Is Today’s R
Page 17 and 18: YOUR NECK OF THE WOODS Local Board
Page 19 and 20: 2004 MARPAC contributors* *As of Ap
Page 21 and 22: REALTOR ® RESOURCES INFORMATION CE
Page 23 and 24: Referral Advertising E-mail:brandon
Page 25 and 26: THE LAST WORD BY SCOTT BRUNNER © T
Page 27: 27 / MISSISSIPPI REAL ESTATE LEADER

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