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Ambassador
2,178,603
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 would say it is absolutely essential that they understand it's best NOT to use the company CRM or website or email.  They need to develop their own of each.  It is extremely rare (maybe even 0%) that an agent will stay with the same company and when they move it will be critical for them to have their own website and CRM and independent email address, or they are going to be starting all over again! 

As for essential technology, YES a website, CRM, cell phone, professional email address, computer and a plan for consistent marketing to their sphere. 

Nov 10, 2018 09:12 AM
Ambassador
3,345,091
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

There are many.  Computer. Phone. MLS  Access. e-Keys to access listings.  
I recommend getting their own website and not be dependent on the brokerage provided website. 

Nov 10, 2018 09:11 AM
Rainmaker
5,104,931
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Personally, I do not believe in using any company's technology, except maybe for zipforms and docusign. I don't like being tied into a company for my data base and website... too complicated if you leave the firm. And all new agents should have their own laptop, smart phone at a minimum.

Nov 10, 2018 08:43 AM
Rainmaker
809,258
Kasey & John Boles
Jon Gosche Real Estate, LLC - BoiseMeridianRealEstate.com - Boise, ID
Boise & Meridian, ID Ada/Canyon/Gem/Boise Counties

Phone, laptop, ekey. With our website and backend CRM, I am trying to think of any other technology that is really that important to us, and I'm coming up short. 

Nov 10, 2018 08:33 AM
Ambassador
2,684,109
Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

    A Rainmaker membership on ActiveRain.

Nov 10, 2018 12:54 PM
Ambassador
3,164,294
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

smartphone, laptop for sure and frankly a good car is essential in most markets.

Nov 10, 2018 12:24 PM
Rainmaker
911,338
Jeff Pearl
RE/MAX Distinctive / LIC in VA - Lovettsville, VA
Full Service Full Time Realtor

A website not provided by a broker or franchise. Cell phone. Laptop or tablet.

Nov 10, 2018 09:04 AM
Ambassador
5,230,079
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

A cell phone with a great camera that you can sync with your new CRM!

Nov 10, 2018 08:33 AM
Rainmaker
2,071,025
Evelina Tsigelnitskaya
SIB Realty - Sunny Isles Beach, FL

Social medea would be #1

Nov 10, 2018 03:08 PM
Rainmaker
1,045,440
Dave Martin (703) 585-4687
Fairfax Realty - Fairfax, VA
Making Realty Dreams a Reality #WeWillGetYouHome

Mobile phone, laptop, your OWN URL at the very least... actually thinking about it there are MANY things that we take for granted but are essential and technological in nature. Peter Mohylsky 

Nov 15, 2018 11:54 AM
Rainmaker
1,374,373
Joyce Marsh
Joyce Marsh Real Estate LLC - Daytona Beach, FL
Joyce Marsh Homes

I agree totally with Carol Williams Make sure they have their own CRM and website.  Preferably use their own email address as well. Budget for advertising, and make sure they put away money for Uncle Sam out of every commission check and save for a rainy day.

Nov 10, 2018 04:50 PM
Rainmaker
1,543,817
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® e-Pro CRS RCS-D Vets
Big Block Realty 858.232.8722 - La Jolla, CA
CEO of Vision Drive Realty - Coastal San Diego

Docusign

Electonic forms

smart phone

GPS

lock box app and blue tooth lockboxes

Nov 10, 2018 04:15 PM
Rainmaker
4,572,183
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

It likeLy depends on the person. Some might appreciate the most basic like a garage door opener, others will require something more advanced. In honor of the holiday season- - -know your audience. 

Nov 10, 2018 04:13 PM
Rainmaker
629,608
Tom Bailey
Margaret Rudd & Associates Inc. - Oak Island, NC

I am with Carol #1. Agents need their own CRM, website, and email. A good smartphone, a cellular tablet, and a good computer. I do not think that this equipment is something to go cheap on!

Nov 10, 2018 03:29 PM
Rainmaker
1,311,397
John Juarez
The Medford Real Estate Team - Fremont, CA
ePRO, SRES, GRI, PMN

An agent needs their own email apart from their brokerage so that they will not disappear from the radar screens of all of their contacts when they make the inevitable change to new broker.

Nov 10, 2018 02:10 PM
Rainmaker
1,844,301
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

Cell phone, maybe a laptop to sync up to that phone.

Nov 10, 2018 01:55 PM
Rainmaker
5,583,278
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

for listing agents, Realbird is a good investment....short money!!

 

Nov 10, 2018 01:13 PM
Rainmaker
2,220,323
Anthony Acosta - ALLATLANTAcondos.com
Harry Norman, REALTORS® - Atlanta, GA
Associate Broker

That's a good start.

Nov 10, 2018 12:32 PM
Rainmaker
2,781,173
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

cellphone and laptop ...go with that....

Nov 10, 2018 12:07 PM
Rainmaker
1,598,452
Valeria Mola
SIB Realty - Miami, Sunny Isles Beach - Sunny Isles Beach, FL
305-607-0709 SIB Realty Condos for Sale and Rent

Agree with Kathleen. 

Own web and e-mail. Not a company e-mail.

Nov 10, 2018 11:24 AM
Rainmaker
5,216,398
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Nothing to add to what Carol Williams said!

Nov 10, 2018 11:17 AM
Rainmaker
7,836,134
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

I would not use the broker CRM or website. You need to have your own plus a fully equipped home office.

Nov 10, 2018 11:04 AM
Rainmaker
2,182,552
Michael J. Perry
KW Elite - Lancaster, PA
Lancaster, PA Relo Specialist

Landing Pages

Nov 10, 2018 09:37 AM
Rainmaker
1,622,432
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

A good phone and laptop are min.

Nov 10, 2018 09:33 AM
Rainmaker
900,128
Olga Simoncelli
Veritas Prime, LLC dba Veritas Prime Real Estate - New Fairfield, CT
CONSULTANT, Real Estate Services & Risk Management

Assume smart phones and laptops are understood as essential?

Nov 10, 2018 09:26 AM
Rainmaker
5,868,554
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

I too would have my own CRM, web site, etc.

Nov 15, 2018 08:32 AM
Rainmaker
4,936,677
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Social Media and laptop and I phone

Nov 12, 2018 11:00 AM
Rainmaker
468,742
Realtyna Inc
Realtyna - Newark, DE
WordPress Real Estate - IDX, RESO Web API, CRM

Agreed with most of the people here... aside from your obvious hardware, you need to focus on investing in your own site. Later, a crm. 

 

very first starts, honestly should just focus on their social media. 

Nov 12, 2018 07:23 AM
Ambassador
6,393,404
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

A good phone is very important.

Nov 11, 2018 08:35 PM
Rainmaker
3,986,258
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

That  will be different for everyone as everyone has different needs and strengths

Nov 11, 2018 08:05 PM
Rainmaker
1,239,901
Sam Shueh
(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA
mba, cdpe, reopro, pe

Never saw a lead generation going to make automated calls. Z is a major lead generation company providing Premier Agents an instant contact is getting bad publicity by investors for providing unreliable leads...... Stock price is lowest in 30 months.....

Best technology is talk to a real person.

Nov 11, 2018 10:32 AM
Rainmaker
1,725,996
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

As Carol Williams wrote. We don't like the possibility of sharing our hard won clients or work product without our approval.

Nov 11, 2018 09:21 AM
Rainmaker
577,750
Gloria Valvasori, Accredited Senior Agent
BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS REAL ESTATE SIGNATURE SERVICE - Mississauga, ON
REAL Experience | REAL Commitment | REAL Results!

Phone, laptop of iPad, a good camera, your own lead generating website that links to a great automated CRM

Nov 11, 2018 06:56 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

Get your own email domain and don't buy into anything that belongs to the franchise.

Nov 11, 2018 05:46 AM
Ambassador
3,727,873
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@Properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

Yes, their own CRM and web site!  And an iPhone.

Nov 10, 2018 09:37 PM
Rainmaker
1,502,998
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

I'd say their own email, website and communications platform.  Whether that's a CRM or newsletter program.

Nov 10, 2018 09:36 PM
Rainmaker
4,434,127
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

Good luck.

Nov 10, 2018 03:01 PM
Rainmaker
1,712,676
Joe Pryor
The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK
REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

I think the agent should provbide all of his own tech. Having an agency website doesn't differentiate oneself.

Nov 10, 2018 01:43 PM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

A CRM is not essential. Using the brokerage or franchise CRM is the worst possible decision. The agents future is more secure using scrap paper until they get to that 10 transactions a year point. Then they can look at optimizing but must not become entangled with the brokerage/franchise systems. It is not until they choose to optimize their income and leave that organizationthat the punitive nature of this decision steps into the sunlight.

A clue is essential.

New agents should sit in a coroner and meditate until they get a clue regarding what they bring into a transaction worthy of pay.

Of course this 'clue' must be free from all the real estate agent puffery and gobbly-gook. When the agent knows what they bring, then they can pick the methodology to deliver their 'clue."

This is not a hard question. It is simply one that is recognized as needed and another who has a clue to lead them to their clue.

But, the industry is configured to separate the newbie as quickly as possible from $12,000 of their hard earned dollars. So CRM and other shiny things are the 'go to' for enabling new agents.

OF course a smart phone is the obvious essential that a new agent can not live without.

Nov 10, 2018 12:48 PM