SALT LAKE CITY, UT -- Real estate professionals constantly look for an edge on their competition to survive in a business where 80 percent of them fail in their first year, according to the National Association of Realtors.
One way is by being highly organized, which leads to greater productivity, higher sales and allows them time to focus on customer service and showing more homes to clients. FranklinCovey, the global leader in effectiveness training and productivity tools, recommends that real estate professionals set long- and short-term goals with measurable results and deadlines.
"No matter what tools they choose to use to increase productivity, real estate agents should take the time to plan 20 minutes prior to the start of the week and 10 minutes daily to make sure they have captured specific goals for sales calls, listings, meetings, and other tasks," says Jeff Anderson, vice president of product development at FranklinCovey.
Organizational tools available to real estate agents range from traditional paper planners, personal digital assistants (PDAs) and software to help them be more productive and reach their goals.
FranklinCovey has conducted numerous focus groups with real estate agents and found that most relied on both paper and technology. For example, many paper users stated they used an online multiple listings service (MLS) and mobile phone, while many who favor technology nonetheless still like to print out information.
Real estate agents told FranklinCovey that paper is essential for quickly taking notes while on the road or when unexpectedly meeting potential clients. Meanwhile, paper users need to use technology when accessing MLS information away from their office.
For real estate agents who use either a combination of technology or paper, or strictly a paper planner, companies such as FranklinCovey offer an array of paper planners to keep track of contacts, notes, and schedules.
In addition to their planning pages, FranklinCovey has introduced a line of supplemental pages designed for real estate agents. Among them are a Response Log to capture all responses to a specific listing, a Transaction Manager to note information on financing, timing, reports, and inspections, as well as all communications with the client, and a Prospect Log to note contact information about prospective clients. Also offered is a Client File, to note information on clients, and a Communications Tracker which acts as an extension to both the Real Estate Client File and Transaction Manager forms.
Handheld devices and software are another option for storing critical information such as appointments, contacts, and tasks. Among them:
The HP iPAQ, which offers a Windows®-based operating system, while
palmOne offers the Palm OS®. Handheld devices have a wide range of
options, some offering access to e-mail and the Web, while others have
built-in digital cameras. Converged devices such as palmOne's
TREO 650 combine the best functions of a PDA with a cell phone.
Hand eCorp's Pocket Real Estate software, which is compatible with
palmOne's OS, Pocket PC, Web-enabled mobile phones, and wireless
operating systems, allows real estate agents to access MLS from their
desktop or by wireless device to get timely information, real estate
calculators, searching functions, and much more.
Supra, which has the iBox. It allows an agent to get MLS information
and to open lock boxes on properties using their handheld device.
FranklinCovey's PlanPlus(TM) for Microsoft® Outlook® enhances
Outlook by integrating the FranklinCovey planning methodology within
the Outlook environment. This software is designed to help users stay
better organized, increase productivity and can be synched to
handhelds.
Complete Realty Solutions, which provides real estate brokerages
worldwide with Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software,
training, and implementation support.
CRMRealtor software offers a web-based technology that gives real
estate brokerages the ability to support their agents with valuable
customer information. Users can organize their personal information
and lead sources, and track daily interactions with prospects,
clients, and affiliates. The software allows real estate
professionals to receive updates from any Web browser regardless of
where they are.
To be a successful real estate professional, organization is a must. Planning, goal-setting, and the commitment to use these tools that enhance productivity ensure enhanced sales over time.
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