Will the iPhone 4 Help You Sell More Homes?
I think, more importantly, the question is how will these new super smart phones continue to change how we sell homes? I shot a quick video of my thoughts.
The long awaited iPhone 4 will soon be coming to a store near you. Steve Jobs revealed the new iPhone 4 last week. This new smart phone has a lot of new hardware updates and features as well as a new sleek look, all of which you can see here. One of the new features has the potential to change the landscape for sales professionals that will use it. The new Face Time video calling feature will give agents who really like to sell “face to face” (don’t we all) the ability to do so via their new iPhone 4 video. This feature gives you the ability to talk face to face to anyone else using the iPhone 4 (wi-fi only for 2010, but you know they are pushing this for 3G, and it is open so I am sure we’ll be talking to other phones too). You can show properties, talk to customers and give them updates on their home construction or whatever your selling heart desires. The ability to connect on this level is going to be a huge game changer.
Another slick new feature is the 720p HD video which eliminates the need for an additional camera like the Flip or Kodak. So if you have been jonesin’ for a HD pocket camera and debating whether or not to upgrade to an iPhone – this should help you make that decision. On top of that, it looks like the photos you can take will kick butt with the new 5 mp lens.
Along with the new 720p HD video, you now have a full featured tool to edit all that content right on the phone. Apple announced the new iMovie for iPhone, the demo was pretty cool. My mind is racing with all of the possibilities. Think about recording a quick video intro to a property, pulling in 10-15 photos of the home with a Ken Burns effect, finishing off with another video message and including a nice music overlay and titles, all while in your car outside of the home. Crazy right?
Video is one of the most underutilized tools for selling homes. The more comfortable you are with video the better off you will be. You can’t get more comfortable than having this rocket right in your pocket.
Now – if AT&T would just improve their network. It’s not too bad in my neck of the woods but I know others who complain.
So, are you thinking about a new smartphone? I am still on the fence but my “apple-fanboyness” is drawing me in to the iPhone 4. If you are comparing the latest phones, check out the helpful infographic below from Mashable.
What do you think? Will you be buying the new iPhone 4 and how do you plan to use it in your business?
Below is a video ad of the cliffnotes version of the keynote.
Home Buying Process from a Woman’s Perspective (i.e. the decision maker)
It is no secret that in most families when it comes to decision making or for better terms – money spending- the woman “wears the pants”. If you are a home builder or real estate agent trying to sell these homes – you need to know the deal breakers in this process. So here is a glimpse inside the female mind when it comes to finding a real estate agent and a home, from the smartest woman I know, my wife Cori:
My loving husband asked me to write this blog- he wanted a blog about my home buying process and experience. I say “my experience”, because I am the one who does the leg work, decides where we want to be, looks at the homes, narrows it down, then has Mike come for final approval so I don’t feel so bossy.
Schools Rule
The first thing I do when home shopping is to decide what schools we want. I use GreatSchools.net to research schools in the area and to find the exact school I want my kids to go to. After narrowing down the schools, the home shopping starts.
Unfortunately, there aren’t websites out there where you can search for a home by a specific school (school district- yes- but not specific school). In order to narrow your search down to a school, you have to use a realtor. I get the zip code for the school I want and go to Realtor.com and I conducted my search there. I also tap into my social media resources- go on Facebook and say, “Anyone buy a home in _____ district? What about ______ school district?”
Give Me the Details…like now!
If I’m looking for a new home, I will search online for home builders, check out their website-focusing on floor plans, price ranges and locations. My husband teases that marketing was created for people like me. I choose services and products based on the website. I have two kids and not much time. If the site is confusing, I won’t stick with it to figure it out. If the information I need isn’t on the site, the chances of me calling to find out the basics are slim to none.
“Do you know who I am?” – Be Professonial and Follow Up
Once the list is narrowed down based on the information I find online, I will call for specifics or make an appointment. Again, I have two kids. If I don’t get a response in the following 24 hours, I will probably forget I ever called and I will mark you off my list. If I make time to contact you, it means I am ready to buy and I will not wait around for a response. Email is wonderful- I can get information while juggling kids, but phone calls are also great.
I once looked at over five homes by calling each listing agent and scheduling an appointment. Not one person was on time, let alone early enough to prepare the home for a walk through. If I am able to be there on time with my kids in tow, I expect the same courtesy. On the sixth home, when I got there the home was open and ready, the agent handed me info on herself and the home, she was able to answer all my questions and right there on the spot she became my agent. Everyone is busy, timeliness is vital.
Another thing that drives me bananas, are agents and sales people who don’t know the answers to my questions or do not get the information to me in a timely manner. Know the basics and if I ask an obscure question, no biggie, but get me the info and soon!
Most importantly- follow up- it really does work. If I contact you, I want to hear from you. AND I will remember you. I will go about my day- think of a question to ask you, forget that question and then I get an email from you and BAM, I remember.
The internet was invented for women like me. I can get more done with my kids. If you are in the places where I am, I will see you. If you have a good website, good follow-up and helpful sales people, I will love you!
Lose the “Dumb” Phone
Are you looking like Zack Morris from Saved by the Bell. Time to lose the “dumb” phone and upgrade your primary communication tool.
I even wrote this whole post using the WordPress app on my iPhone. Grabed a screenshot of the Zack pic, tweeted out the link, sent to facebook and posted on linkedin. A true miracle of modern technology.
Leave your comments below. What do you love most about your smartphone?
(on a side note, I use my iPhone so much my wife has threatened to flush it down the toilet multiple times. Guess that is the side effect of a connected world. Does anyone else experience this?)
Control Who Sees Your Posts on Facebook (video)
When talking with those in the industry about Facebook, one of the most common questions is “How do we keep our personal information separate from our business information” and vice versa. They are excited about all the possibilities of networking and using Facebook but have concerns about professional connections seeing pictures of their kids, vacation, Halloween parties etc. I am a big advocate of showing your personality on Facebook and sharing that information, but there are definitely times when you want to keep things separate. (if for any reason not to annoy one set of connections or the other)
The great thing about Facebook are the many uses. One might use it primarily to connect with those in the professional world and others might use it only for personal connections. Many times, people want to use it for a little bit of both.
Until recently, many had to make a clear choice of how they were going to use this tool. Now Facebook gives you the option to control WHO sees your posts.
Each time you share content on Facebook, you can now decide who can see it by using controls in the Publisher. Watch this tutorial to learn more about these new Publisher privacy controls.
Of course, first you will have to set up and use your “Friends List” to segment your connections. Once that is done you can start controlling the message better. How can you see yourself using this new option?
You can ready more on Facebook’s blog here: New Tools to Control Your Experience
Tweetdeck – Outlook for Your Social Messages (video)
This piggybacks off my last video post where we talked about Tweetdeck as a power tool and the new changes coming soon. It is quickly becoming an "Outlook" tool for social networks. If you are serious about your social media presence and want to save time and energy, this is a great tool for Mac and PC.
I just did the update and here are the major changes (from Tweetdeck)
• LinkedIn integration – Add a linkedIn column to see updates from your network, send status updates and comment on updates from your contacts
• Twitter List support – Create & manage Twitter Lists within TweetDeck. Follow & unfollow Lists, Create List columns and even get suggested members based on your List title
• Geo-location support – Show an inline map for tweets that contain location data using the new Twitter geo-location setting
• Twitter Retweet support – Flexibility to perform both traditional retweets with edits, or the new-style retweets, with both types shown in your columns
• New improved Add Column screen – Old toolbar icons and drop down menus replaced by slick new Add Column screen
• And many more smaller updates and fixes
Also, check ou the quick video on the release as well. Happy conversations!
