Technology: making life as an agent easier – Part II: how can everyday tech help a busy agent?

It may not feel like it sometimes, but technology is intended to make our lives easier. Whilst we can sometimes feel like throwing our computers out the window, or going on holiday to try and get away from all the buzzing, beeping, and being too connected, ultimately technology gives us a wealth of opportunities to have more comfortable lives.  Here are just a few ways that technology can help agents.

iPad and Tablet Devices

It’s clear that these devices have countless uses to make our lives easier. Tablet devices can act as books, magazines, gaming devices, netbooks for surfing the internet and checking email, and so much more. It can potentially be an all-in-one device for consumers – from getting news to monitoring your home’s energy use – as well as a myriad of uses in places from school classrooms to agent’s offices.  It’s commonplace now for agents to use iPads and tablets in the office to showcase properties to potential buyers, but they also have wider uses when on-the-go, including showing other suitable properties to buyers when at a viewing (if WIFI is available) or as a device to complete property reports and inspections (see ‘Mobile Productivity Tools’ below).

Interactive Window Displays

This technology is increasingly being used by agents, and it’s more commonplace to find branches on the High Street with interactive screens, almost acting like an extension of an agent’s website.  The beauty of these screens is it extends the ‘shop window’ even further, allowing an agent to show the maximum number of houses in the smallest space, while adding in other features that may help sell.  Passers-by can still interact with the properties and express their interest, allowing the agent to take advantage of the retail space 24/7.

Social Media Tools

Social media is considered by many to be a ‘necessary evil’.  It can drain resource and time like nothing else, but if used correctly it can be an invaluable tool to communicate information out to existing and potential clients very quickly (and cheaply).

For social media to be effective, it needs to be used for more than just simply tweeting out your latest property listings though.  If you want to distinguish your services from ABC Lets next door, then you need to use all of the tools at your disposal to communicate why you are brilliant at what you do.  Twitter is also set to become even more important as Twitter has struck a deal with Google to make its 140-character updates more searchable online.  During 2015 tweets will start to be visible in Google’s search results as soon as they’re posted.

Mobile Productivity Tools

Looking more closely at staff and internal processes, there’s tech that exists to help agents manage staff productivity and help speed up some of the more mundane processes like property reports.

TouchRight Software is one option, it’s a simple, easy to use cloud-based software, designed for property managers and letting agents, to help compile property reports.  It’s a cost-effective Android and iOS app-based solution which lets you get more from your smartphones and tablets. You can create a host of bespoke property reports including inventories, mid terms, check ins and check outs in a fraction of the time and add more value to your management fees.
 

TouchRight Software are exhibiting at the Annual ARLA Conference in London on Tues 31 March (stand 42); if you’re planning to attend why not drop by for a quick demo to see how you can make your property reporting even easier?  Get in touch on 01904 390109 or via email info@touchrightsoftware.com.

You May Also Enjoy

Breaking News

Breaking Property News – 28/03/24

Daily bite-sized proptech and property news in partnership with Proptech-X.   tlyfe the tenant App gets huge marketing boost from national team tour from the Openbrix team As many will know tlyfe, powered by OpenBrix, is the UK’s most innovative tenant lifecycle app, taking the stress out of the move in process and helping to…
Read More
Breaking News

Over Four Out Of Five Tenants Unaware Of The Renters Reform Bill

OVER four out of five tenants remain unaware of the Renters (Reform) Bill and its contents, according to new research. The data comes from a representative survey of over 2,000 private renters conducted by the TDS Charitable Foundation, which works to advance education about housing rights and obligations in the private rented sector. The Bill…
Read More
Estate Agent Talk

What is Property Damage in a Personal Injury Case?

Property damage refers to any damage that affects things instead of a person. This might include damage to your car, house, etc. As such, it is not regarded as a personal injury case. However, when an individual is injured when the accident occurs, the affected person can file a personal injury claim. A typical example…
Read More
Love or Hate Rightmove
Breaking News

Rightmove comment on new 99% first-time buyer mortgage product

Matt Smith, Rightmove’s mortgage expert said: “It’s encouraging to see lenders continuing to try to innovate in the mortgage market, even after the government abandoned its own plans to encourage lower deposit mortgages in the Spring Budget. This new product has the potential to help some first-time buyers who fit the affordability criteria, but are struggling…
Read More
Breaking News

Breaking Property News – 27/03/24

Daily bite-sized proptech and property news in partnership with Proptech-X.   Coadjute ahead of the game as they are already licensed to provide digital TA6 Forms to property stakeholders This week, the Law Society announced its TA6 Form will now include Material Information as per the the National Trading Standards Estate and Letting Agency Team…
Read More
Breaking News

Breaking Property News – 26/03/24

Daily bite-sized proptech and property news in partnership with Proptech-X.   Sharing Success: The Guild Conference and Awards celebrate Member achievements The QEII Centre in Westminster, London, was abuzz with excitement on Friday, 22 March 2024, as The Guild of Property Professionals hosted its highly anticipated annual Guild Conference and Awards. Under the theme ‘Sharing…
Read More