Differentiate Yourself. That’s it. That is the secret to either making it big in the real estate business or staying a part of the low paid, overworked masses. Words are your weakest tool. What is your strongest? Tools that create marketing and presentations for your clients to see and experience.

Which brings me to one of my favorite technology tools . . . the PDA (Personal Digital Assistant). Whether Palm Pilot device or Pocket PC such as HP’s PDA, these units can deliver a major punch in productivity. Let’s take a look at a typical day using just a few of the features of these little gems and their accessories.

·        Download Your MLS

Synchronize the properties in your MLS (or parts thereof) directly into your PDA using the PocketRealEstate or Supra programs. Due to the number of listings and time to download these, do this overnight.

·        Synchronize With Your Desktop Computer

Next, synchronize the PDA with your desktop/notebook computer. If you use Microsoft Outlook, you can synchronize your contacts, appointments, inbox and notes all with one click. With any Palm Pilot unit, you can also synchronize your database with your real estate program (like Top Producer) direct.

·        Appointment Manager

Now that you have synchronized your PDA to your desktop/notebook computer, you are ready to meet the day. Maybe you have a listing appointment at 10:00 at the Bagley’s residence. The notes section reminds you of their address and phone number.

·        Contact Manager

You might create a new record for them, making sure to add e-mail address and notes for why you have put them in your database and add them to a contact category. (If you forget their names, you can search by this information later).

·        Dictaphone or Recording Device

Upon arriving at the Bagley’s home, you eventually get on with viewing their home. With some PDAs such as HP’s Jornada units, you have sound recording capabilities. While walking through each room, you dictate into the PDA verbal notation as to colors, design and special features. To get the sellers more involved, you get their input as well.

·        Camera Device

Most PDAs have a small portable camera device that you can attach and take photos of each of the main rooms. With this size of camera, you’re able to create and send out a slide show on their home over the Internet. And with PDA’s crisp color Active Matrix screen, the pictures look their best.

·        Audio Player Device

The Jornada PDA can play, rewind, or fast-forward to any of the comments that you want. With a base of 64 megabytes of memory, you have hours of recording time. In addition, you can load the device with a number of your favorite tunes to play while creating the flyer.

·        Contact Manager

The PDA can search by name, company or category. With your PocketRealEstate or Supra programs, you have several other search options including specifics as to home features. You can also use the search options on your desktop/notebook contacts software.

·        Appointment Manager

You have much to show the Bagley’s in addition to your normal presentation.

1.    First of all, you have made a more substantial impression with your expertise

2.    You present them with the flyer you’ve created with their comments

3.    You’ve created the flyer with photos of their choice

4.    All the photos are linked into a slide show that can be sent by e-mail

·        Contact Manager Beaming Device

You may have a buyer in your database that has an interest in any home in that area. Let’s say they are technology “literate”. Rather than give a business card (the old fashioned way), you “beam” each other your information.

·        PocketRealEstate Program - Searching

As you are driving, one of the buyers sees a “For Sale” sign and asks how much that home is selling for? No problem. With the PocketRealEstate and/or Supra programs loaded on your PDA, simply do a search on the street or area and find the listing. Additionally, you can do a statistics report giving the average price home in this area.

·        Mapping Program

To get a better feel as to where this property is in comparison to the one you just showed or to the lake or other major streets, show the buyers a map of the area on the PDA. To make a further impact, zoom in and zoom out depending upon what the buyer wants to view. These maps can be purchased separately or downloaded free from the Internet on programs like MapQuest, MapBlaster, Yahoo Maps, etc.

Perception is Reality

I can already hear many saying: “ I can do all of that, and I don’t need the PDA”. You are missing the point. I can do all this with ONE device that fits in the palm of your hand. The point is, this is impressive to contacts, and makes a major impression. One that improves your professionalism. Because it MAKES you professional? Not necessarily. Because it makes you APPEAR more professional. Further, if your clients buy into you because they THINK you will do a better job for them, then their perception has just become your reality.

Invest, have fun and make money. Above all, make that decision to demonstrate yourself as the agent of choice: Differentiate Yourself.

Courtesy of Texas REALTOR® Magazine