Like it or not, technology and communication tools are essential in today’s world, but there’s no substitute for tone of voice, inflection, body language or a warm smile that come with a face-to-face meeting. Too often, emails and texts get misconstrued… with words or tones left open for interpretation.
Computers and the Internet have revolutionized the real estate industry in the past 15 years. Websites, virtual tours, email and texting have delivered data into the hands of buyers and sellers like never before, making them smarter than ever… this is, in my opinion, a positive thing.
I bought my first laptop in 1995… Complete with color screen and a mouse that snapped onto right side, I had it all… for an unbelievable $3,000!
As one of nearly 10 million AOL subscribers at the time, goldrltr@aol. com to be exact, I was at the cutting edge of technology in the mid 90s. The company I owned had recently become the newest Century 21 on Long Island and I was on a listing appointment… competing with other accomplished Realtors in the area to list a home in Woodbury, New York, an upscale community on Long Island’s North Shore. The house was a sprawling contemporary, with well over 4,000 square feet. Sleek and contemporary, it would eventually sell in the $800,000 range.
Part of my listing presentation was explaining that we had just launched a website on the Internet… I then handed the seller a brochure that I had written called “Welcome to the Internet,” which described this new concept and how it worked. Included were the results of a survey that my office had recently completed. Although I don’t remember the exact figures, the survey showed that roughly 20% of respondents had a computer at home with Internet access… at that about half had a computer and/or web access at work.
Sitting in the seller’s kitchen, I plugged the modem into the phone line and showed her AOL and the Internet for the first time. AOL launched slowly (typical for that time) followed by “YOU’VE GOT MAIL.” She was amazed… it was like showing a horseless carriage to some for the first time in the early 1900s. Yes… I got the listing and it eventually sold.
While I launch my new blog, reach out to friends and business associates on Twitter, Linked In and Facebook, I remember a quote from Bob Pittman, then CEO of Century 21. Pittman had come to Century 21 after a stellar career that included the launch of MTV, Six Flags and AOL. Bob’s quote was “clients will never click a mouse and buy a house.”
When the seller asked why she should list with me, my answer was knowledge and experience first, followed by the ability to reach today’s buyer in the ever-changing world of technology… a fact that has not changed and never will – in real estate or in life.
Whether in a relationship, politics or selling a home, keep talking… keep the lines of communication open and you’ll be amazed at what can be accomplished.
