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I am still in shock at how many agents out there have no idea how to use a computer, and how many of these agents do not realize how much their lack of ability in using a computer is costing them not only a lot of time, but clients and money as well.
There are three small real estate companies that I can think of in my area who do not subscribe to the MLS. They do have listings, as I see their ads in the paper and signs on the road from time to time. I just don’t understand why they don’t feel having the MLS isn’t necessary. It’s certainly possible to sell a house without it being listed in the MLS first, as I have seen agents put contracts in on houses before they even had a chance to get the listing entered into the MLS. However, in times when the real estate market is not seen as “booming”, these real estate brokers are missing out on a lot of potential business and really serving and representing their client’s needs.
In other real estate offices I have been in, there are agents who do not know how to turn on a computer. I wish I was exaggerating. The few agents who have been able to successfully turn on their computer then struggle with trying to access the MLS. I accidently deleted the MLS desktop shortcut on a office computer once. Without that shortcut, they were panic stricken. “You deleted the entire MLS system!!” they screamed at me. Obviously, not the case and in minutes I had the shortcut back up, but not without a half an hour of them complaining about how “stupid” I am.
Next we have agents who are comfortable with turning their computer on and accessing the MLS, though they certainly do not know how to use the MLS to their advantage and really get the most out of it. (Most are not aware you can run reports or do other advanced things with it.) But there are other problems. They don’t know how to use their email beyond typing simple messages. They don’t know how to use word processing software to its full capacity. These are the ones who think I am a downright “genius” when it comes to computers because I know how to print up labels for their mailers.
Fortunately, we have many agents who are computer savvy. They can do all of the things above. They have a real estate blog and may even know html and javascript! They use Adwords, they enhance their listings online, they can convert faxes to email, they might even have a power point listing presentation or a video for home sellers to watch. These agents are way ahead of their competition – and as more people start becoming more and more technologically advanced these are the agents who will survive and thrive while the other agents find themselves struggling more and more.
The point of this post is not to belittle anyone who doesn’t have good computer skills. It’s understandable that many agents did not grow up with computers and that learning them is not exactly easy. The point of this post is to encourage you to learn how to use a computer and its software to its fullest capacity. It’s never too late to learn and there are many ways you can learn more about computers. You can take computer classes, hire someone to teach you the ropes, or if you have basic computer skills you can enhance them by reading the many free computer tutorials online.
So what are you waiting for? You need to learn how to use a computer – NOW!
8 Comments
Computer skills are essential for everyone. Even if you apply for a job of a mall security guard there’s a distinct possibility that you’ll be asked about your computer skills. Seriously if you don’t know how to use computer sign up for some course right now!
hmmm, I am one of those that could use a class(or more)concerning computer skills.. and I am first to admit it! Thanks for the link
Wow, it’s hard for me to believe that people in business don’t know how to use a computer.
Aside from the marketing aspects; everyone seems to think online marketing is the only way to sell. Just basic word processing, spreadsheets and e-mail are critical to running a business.
I consider myself a pretty sophisticated computer user but I just got a Mac and I am going to Apples free classes. We should be learning. Our competition is!
We also need to know how to text. I am selling the house of a man who died and left it in the hands of his kids, who are in college. What I have found is that if I need to get something to them, I need to email it, then text and ask them to check email. If I don’t do this, it may be days before they see it if they see it at all.
Taking classes certainly helps! You are right about text messaging too Sam, some people prefer it quite a bit.
We used to office with some older Real estate agents and this was the case for most of them. They all believe in doing business the old fashion way and some of them lost business from the younger crowd. I noticed most of them work with people in their age group. Rarely do you see these agents with a young couple selling their home. After a while some of these agents were forced to retired from real estate because the business just dried up for them. That came as a shocked to me because these were senior agents who had been in the business for years, all with grey hair, and a huge past client list.
Then now I read about these real estate agents selling million dollars homes online and went to their website to find out from looking at their pictures that most are younger. They’re the new generation of Real estate professional, who has grasped technology and use it to the fullest.
So if I had to do it all over again I would be an RE agent with a website that is ranked #1 in Google for my area + homes.
@ Ann
>So if I had to do it all over again I would be an RE agent with a website that is ranked #1 in Google for my area + homes.
You can start all over again. It is not to late for any agent to learn the technology. Yes it is harder to become #1 at this point but as technology changes those that keep up will be able to move up.
You are right we have to know well about Computer skills though i am using Computer for 12 years but still lots of things are unknown. Cause learning has no endings.