R.E. Visions
by John Fleming
Recent technnological advances are drastically changing the practice of real estate in the U.S.A. The typical large corporation is brick-and-concrete oriented, providing space for many bodies. Agents used to go to the office to receive messages, check the Multiple Listing offerings, contact clients, and share information with other agents. Now most salespeople have cell phones and can get messages wherever they are. Some have advanced design "smart phones" that are not only data banks for storing listing information, but also function as cell phones with Internet access. An agent can be out showing properties to a client, pull up the latest listings on his phone, show the client a photo of a house, retrieve the listing agent's number, make a call, and arrange a visit to the property on the spot. His office is in his hand.
Space requirements are changing. Information is on the fast track. Brick and mortar offices are becoming historical artifacts.
The trend of the future is for real estate companies to offer more and better services. Since the company doesn't need to provide so much space for its agents, it could consolidate its operation. A media center would make it possible to operate in one building instead of ten. Or perhaps unneeded space could be rented to other related businesses.
Media Service Center
VOW (Virtual Office Website) Could include all of the following in one cost-effective location:
computer expertise
Web design
photography
video production
virtual reality
Power Point presentations
Many agents have these talents. Why shouldn't the company utilize them?
Advertising
flyer and ad design
flyer distribution
ads in the media
company newspapers
brochures
company Web page
Open House tours
Educational Programs
nuts and bolts sales training
advanced sales training
agent workshops
Internet
field trips
Related Services
title insurance
escrow
mortgage lending
legal counsel
architects
builders
Replacing space with services for its agents will attract more salespeople to the company. Electrons are cheaper than bricks.
