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Susan Laxson CRS, Realtor in San Diego, CA & Naples, FL (Palm Properties)

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Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

I don't think it is overrated.  I do think it is overused.  Some agents rely so heavily on technology and social media to solicit and perform their business, they don't get out among the people... the people who actually buy and sell real estate.  

Jan 07, 2016 09:32 PM
Rainmaker
1,027,602
Susan Haughton
Long and Foster REALTORS (703) 470-4545 - Alexandria, VA
Susan & Mindy Team...Honesty. Integrity. Results.

I think if newbies are lead to believe that technology and the next shiny thing alone will actually bring them business without the requisite knowledge and relationship building skills, then, yes, it is overrated and overused.  Used in conjunction with the basics, though, technology should only be seen as a great tool, not a way to build a business.  Not sure every one gets that message.

Jan 07, 2016 09:34 PM
Rainmaker
3,416,038
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

NOTHING beats great service. You can have all the technology in the world and if you offer bad service you will not succeed. Many of the big national folks stress numbers but a leave a mass of unhappy clients in their wake all telling their friends about their experience. 

Jan 07, 2016 09:54 PM
Rainmaker
1,231,853
Mary Yonkers
Alan Kells School of Real Estate/Howard Hanna Real Estate - Erie, PA
Erie/PA Real Estate Instructor

Susan Laxson You hit the nail on the head in your explanation under the question.  The established agents with many years in the business get most of their referrals from past clients.  For some it is 95% referrals from past clients.  Many do not feel comfortable with technology & social media. 

Those who are new to real estate or new to the area need technology and social media.  Good luck.

Jan 08, 2016 04:01 AM
Rainmaker
5,104,931
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

I don't believe technology is over-rated... I don't think we can survive in this business anymore without it. Social media... that's a whole different can of worms... and it works for some people and less so for others.

Jan 07, 2016 09:57 PM
Rainmaker
1,432,649
Gene Riemenschneider
Home Point Real Estate - Brentwood, CA
Turning Houses into Homes

It does have to be balanced with good old fashioned friendly service.  At least I think so.  Top agents generally have built teams and such over the years.  How top agents are defined is an issue with me.

Jan 11, 2016 11:51 AM
Rainmaker
617,935
David Gibson CNE, 719-304-4684 ~ Colorado Springs Relocation
Colorado Real Estate Advisers LLC - Colorado Springs, CO
Relocation, Luxury & Lifestyle residential

Susan,
My short answer is that this is a people business. Unless technology and social media have a “direct” impact on you working with more people, they can be a huge waste of time.

Jan 08, 2016 08:37 AM
Rainmaker
3,986,258
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

To a point...we have lost much of the personal touch and service

Jan 08, 2016 02:33 AM
Rainmaker
5,772,575
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Susan,

We were in Naples twice this summer to work with two of the top agents in different section of Naples.  (we never work with a competitor of an agent). We research the competition inside and out.  We do create a web site for our clients, but the strategy that is most important is the face to face one as it related their nich or farm.

In the very beginning when the IDX was shared, it was very effective to get business.  With everyone doing the same thing, market reports, listings, etc, how does a seller or buyer find you in the forest of information and misinformation that the Internet has plenty of?  In some small markets social media is effective to some degree.  But it is not the end all be all!  Have a great weekend!  A

Jan 07, 2016 11:46 PM
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Michael Scruggs
UTR Texas-Realtors - Houston, TX
ABR, CNE, TAHS

No. I don't believe that technology and the use of social media is overrated for use in our real estate business.  Times have changed so we need to keep up with what the consumer expects from our marketing and business models.

Jan 07, 2016 09:44 PM
Rainmaker
5,217,381
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Use technology as a catalyst to be more efficient and organized. Adopt social medai as it fits into your schedule, don't be consumed by it. The jury is still out on the benefits!

Jan 07, 2016 09:38 PM
Rainmaker
1,513,143
Raymond E. Camp
Ontario, NY

We need both and be better at using them wisely.

Jan 07, 2016 09:34 PM
Rainmaker
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Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Susan technology  is in every facet of our business now..DocuSign, Apps etc. Social Media is important but establishing relationships is still the name of the game! You have to be recognizable and people need to learn about you and then keep you top of mind! It's all integrated!! You can't do one without the other.

Jan 07, 2016 09:29 PM
Rainmaker
4,883,260
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
REALTOR®, Broker

Not in this day and age.

Jan 07, 2016 09:27 PM
Rainmaker
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Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

The average U.S. adult spends 11 hours each day in front of a screen. This number is increasing year-over-year, and with every rising generation.So, we should pay attention where our clients spend the most of their online time. 

Sep 03, 2018 10:46 PM
Rainmaker
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Donna Foerster
HomeSmart Realty Group - Parker, CO
Metro Denver Real Estate Assistant

I think it depends on your target audience, your niche. You have to be where they are.

Sep 08, 2016 05:21 AM
Rainmaker
979,496
Troy Erickson AZ Realtor (602) 295-6807
HomeSmart - Chandler, AZ
Your Chandler, Ahwatukee, and East Valley Realtor

Susan - Excellent question. I would say that technology helps us do our business faster, but most of the time everything can still be done with pen and paper. It really depends on what you are comfortable with, and what your clients will expect.

As far as social media, it can work both ways. Many successful agents do nothing in social media and socialize and interact with past clients, of which they have many, on a regular basis. They get all of their business through referrals, are very well known in their respective area, and do not need social media. Why change if what they do is working.

However, like others have suggested, if you don't have hundreds of former clients, where do you find your business. Social media can help with that, although I would still take face-to-face interaction, or a referral, over getting an email request from a stranger any day. It is just very difficult to find home buyers and home sellers these days, so a lot of agents are trying to capture them through the Internet and social media.

Either way, it takes a lot of time and hard work to find the business, and agents should do what works for them.

Jan 09, 2016 02:26 PM
Rainmaker
5,868,565
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Susan, I see some top producers with no presence on social media either, but they are seasoned with years of business.     I think we need technology, but not sure about spending hours in social media. 

Jan 08, 2016 11:40 PM
Rainmaker
2,538,633
Joe Petrowsky
Mortgage Consultant, Right Trac Financial Group, Inc. NMLS # 2709 - Manchester, CT
Your Mortgage Consultant for Life

Good morning Susan. Social media is definitely not overrated for me. That is the one of the reasons I blog on a daily basis.

Jan 08, 2016 06:42 PM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Susan Laxson - I know some top agents who are not active on Social Media at all!

It's a contact sports - and how we do it is up to us.

I do believe, like you, Social Media is over-rated.

Can't say the same for Technology though - that's the tool we all use to save time, money and energy.

Jan 08, 2016 03:26 PM
Rainmaker
1,683,912
Larry Johnston
Broker, Friends & Neighbors Real Estate and Elkhart County Subdivisions, LLC - Elkhart, IN
Broker,Friends & Neighbors Real Estate, Elkhart,IN

No, it's just another work in progress that we have to adjust to.  Like going from letters to email.

Jan 08, 2016 12:59 PM
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Michael Thacker - Re/Max Real Estate Center - Louisville
Re/Max Real Estate Center - The Thacker Group - Louisville, KY
Your best friend who just happens to be a Realtor

I will answer simply, no and no.  You have to be where your clients are, and they are online and in social spaces. 

Jan 08, 2016 11:48 AM
Rainmaker
4,936,716
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Double edge thing,  very important to get out and meet people but also get the word out about you on media.

Jan 08, 2016 07:56 AM
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Linda Guess
Keller Williams Tri-Lakes Branson, MO - Branson, MO
Branson area real estate sales.

My goal is balance.  I acquired 3 listings in 2 months by starting a farm area.  I will continue to farm.  I will set up a program for FSBO's, but I like it also when I get a call because they found my listing on Trulia or a blog, etc.  I plan to schedule a day each for blog writing, facebook and for being out physically meeting people and building a greater sphere of influence. 

Jan 08, 2016 06:30 AM
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Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

I do not feel technology is over-rated ... however I feel it can be overused. As for social media ... yes overrated in my book!

Jan 08, 2016 05:19 AM
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Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Overrated by some and underated by others

Jan 08, 2016 04:26 AM
Rainmaker
4,800,082
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

Some of the highest producers in the area do not use social media and are very limited in their technology skills.

Others do well because they know how to use these tools.

Jan 08, 2016 04:03 AM
Rainmaker
1,291,481
Gene Mundt, IL/WI Mortgage Originator - FHA/VA/Conv/Jumbo/Portfolio/Refi
NMLS #216987, IL Lic. 031.0006220, WI Licensed. APMC NMLS #175656 - New Lenox, IL
708.921.6331 - 40+ yrs experience

JMO, Susan Laxson ... but I don't think our marketing can be an all or none thing.  All our marketing eggs shouldn't be in just one basket.  I've seen this with newbie lenders too.  They have no database upon their arrival .. no idea of where or how they'll find business.  They think social media and the internet will "deliver" it to them.  While it's a great tool, it can't be their only marketing outlet ...

Gene

Jan 08, 2016 03:30 AM
Rainmaker
1,503,018
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

Technology, it's needed.  From the MLS to bluetooth lockboxes, it's here to stay.  Websites and social... expected by clients.  They expect to be able to share their agent's post about their listing/open house to all their friends.  Maximum exposure.

Jan 08, 2016 01:34 AM
Rainmaker
5,583,278
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

no, it's not overrated....but it DOES and SHOULD be complemented with offline marketing....

Jan 08, 2016 01:12 AM
Rainmaker
655,940
Jeffrey Jones
AZ Home Seekers - San Tan Valley, AZ
AZ Home Seekers, azhomeseekers.com

Its not overated. Technology is constantly changing and we are constantly evolving to meet clients needs.

Can some agents fall into a trap of relying too much on social media...absolutely.

Jan 08, 2016 12:45 AM
Rainmaker
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Sam Shueh
(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA
mba, cdpe, reopro, pe

These SM are overated in RE.  The person in our area got his 500K points by having every agent (He was a FT regional trainer responsible for 1000s agents) sign up at AR.  

He stopped his blogging activity going back to his SOI and farming.

Jan 08, 2016 12:27 AM
Rainmaker
3,071,489
Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers
Serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale Metropolitan Area - Scottsdale, AZ
Haven Express @ Keller Williams Arizona Realty

Technology - Docusign, GoToMeeting, etc - very useful

 

Social Media - not convinced

Jan 08, 2016 12:26 AM
Rainmaker
140,768
Joan Dickie
Keller Williams Premier Realty - La Crosse, WI
Keller Williams Premier Realty

Not in the future.  I'm not sure about technology, but online marketing will be increasingly important as more people go online to research their purchases.  I used to not be a high tech person, but I have a smart phone and I now tend to google many things before purchase.

Jan 08, 2016 12:05 AM
Rainer
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LUXURYSOCALREALTY COMPASS La Jolla
Compass - La Jolla, CA
San Diego Partner - The Private Client Network

If someone is new to a community and new to the career of sales landing in real estate off Plymouth Rock, depending on the level of clientele they would like to manage, for a strong start technology could be the only answer.

Jan 07, 2016 11:45 PM
Rainmaker
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Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

No. Technology and social media are becoming even more important.

Jan 07, 2016 11:36 PM
Rainmaker
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Amanda Christiansen
Christiansen Group Realty (260)704-0843 - Fort Wayne, IN
Christiansen Group Realty

There's nothing more important in this business than face to face.  That said, if you're a newbie and don't have that pool of business to pull from, you better get your butt on social media and technology.  

Neither Amanda or I are from Fort Wayne originally, so when we started we used Active Rain and Facebook to get in front of people.  Most of our business came from these channels.  

Fast forward to today and it's a 50/50 mix between social media and referrals from our sphere.  

We have agents in our office that have been doing it for 35 + years and they don't even know what a blog is, yet they sell three times as much as we do.  It's all relative.  

Sorry for the long answer!  

Jan 07, 2016 11:31 PM
Rainer
57,189
Jack Gerbehy
Egg Harbor Township, NJ

Only if you plan to fall into the sea of sameness 

Jan 07, 2016 10:52 PM
Rainmaker
2,781,303
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

We have made it busier....Thing is, it works without busier and always has

Jan 07, 2016 10:52 PM
Rainmaker
911,448
Jeff Pearl
RE/MAX Distinctive / LIC in VA - Lovettsville, VA
Full Service Full Time Realtor

It's not overrated, but some people don't use it properly or haven't gotten around to using it to its full advantage. It can be overwhelming with all the different types that are available.

Jan 07, 2016 10:51 PM
Rainmaker
4,572,514
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

It is all about balance.  In real estate and in life.

Jan 07, 2016 10:50 PM
Rainmaker
1,466,207
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Susan Laxson You will never beat face-to-face networking. Since a great number of people do rely on the Internet, it doesn't hurt to have an Internet presence be it social media, web site, etc.

Jan 07, 2016 10:49 PM
Rainmaker
1,661,936
John McCormack, CRS
Albuquerque Homes Realty - Albuquerque, NM
Honesty, Integrity, Results, Experienced. HIRE Me!

RE is a people business but we have to keep up with the ever changing social media marketing too. 

Jan 07, 2016 10:44 PM
Rainmaker
1,525,616
Sybil Campbell
Fernandina Beach, FL
Referral Agent Amelia Island Florida

I think it is important to do both types of  contacting prospects.

Jan 07, 2016 10:42 PM
Rainmaker
4,434,127
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

I believe technolgy is very important . It makes our lives easier. I do not do much on social media except Active Rain .

Jan 07, 2016 10:13 PM
Rainmaker
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Candice A. Donofrio
Next Wave RE Investments LLC Bullhead City AZ Commercial RE Broker - Fort Mohave, AZ
928-201-4BHC (4242) call/text

It is and it isn't. It is now the nature of our society to be present electronically and virtually. We also need to be physically present and connected, while having the tools and skills to work within the matrix. Can it all be done with excellence from behind the curtain, a la Wizard of Oz? No.

Jan 07, 2016 10:07 PM
Rainmaker
797,457
Liz Wallace
Century 21 Sherlock Homes - Rockville Centre, NY
Broker C21 Sherlock Homes, Rockville Centre, LI, N

A definite no on that.  It truly makes my job easier.

Jan 07, 2016 10:02 PM
Rainmaker
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Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Cell: 631-805-4400
The Top Team @ Charles Rutenberg Realty 255 Executive Dr, Plainview NY 11803 - Plainview, NY
Long Island Condo and Home Specialists

You can't be invisible or a "Secret Agent". Being on the web is an important factor. However, we know many who have been in this business a very long time and have no internet presence at all. They rely on their past clients...

Jan 07, 2016 10:02 PM