I'm a big fan of technology...I figure anything that is out there that can help me do my job better, more efficiently, and with less effort on my behalf has to be a good thing. And, I guess I'm not the only one that feels that way.
The 2008 Use of Technology Survey tracks the current trends in technology. ; The survey is conducted in the 3rd quarter annually and is sponsored by the California Association of Realtors. ; For the purpose of the survey, agents are asked about everything from computers to phone and internet usage. ;
Some of the statistics that I read don't really surprise me. ; For example, according to the survey, 93% of Realtors use email, 90% use the internet to check online listings, 89% use the net to check the local MLS, 59% use it to access brokerage websites, and 55% of users access the WINForms electronic forms online. ; But, aside from those, here is a stack of statistics that I read that stood out....
- On average, 48% of a Realtor's business originated on the internet in 2008! ; That is up from 44% last year. ; This is expected to increase to as high as 60% in the next 3 years! ; (If you ever needed a reason to start working in social media and getting your name out there for clients to see...Here it is!)
- On average, 33% of agents use a laptop or tablet computer in the field. ; Again, that is up from 27% from last year further proving that agents are taking advantage of the technological advances to help in both presentations and closings. ; 70% of those that use a laptop in the field use it for listing presentations. ; That alone is up from 2007 by roughly 13%.
- As a sign of the struggling economic issues associated with housing currently, only 13% of agents bought a new computer in 2008. ; That is down from 20% the year before. ; (This does not surprise me in the least...everyone has had to cinch the belt down a bit...)
- 58% say that keeping up with emails is the greatest technological challenge. ; (I spend probably 3 hours of my day just responding to or generating emails. ; So, I would have to agree with this.)
- 11% say that they send their clients an electronic newsletter via email. ; (I'm surprised that this is as low as it is...maybe that is because I work for an internet company and literally everything we do is online. ; Maybe I'm desensitized...)
- 45% honestly believe that the technology that they use gives them a competitive advantage over other agents in the field. ; (That would explain increase in people using it. ; If you weren't using it before and were getting clobbered in the field, you would want to use it now. ; Makes perfect sense...)
- And, the kicker -- ONLY 7% of agents that responded to the survey say that they participate in an online group/forum or post blogs!! ; (Are you kidding me?? ; I don't know why I'm surprised at this statistic...but only 7%?? ; That means I'm ahead of the curve by 93%!!)
Now, I don't know about you, but some of these statistics are just incredible to me. ; So, what I would like to know is...Are you using your technology as a competitive advantage? ; And, if so...what do you do that makes you different than anyone else? ;
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If you would like information on www.recr.com, please feel free to contact Clint Miller at 800-977-7058. ; Or, follow me on Twitter on www.twitter.com/recr.
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