Real Estate Businesses are Going Mobile
October 19, 2009
By: Brad Andersohn
Author's Website: http://www.activerain.com
Real Estate Businesses are Going Mobile
Business applications for the Smartphone, Blackberry and iPhone are becoming more of a necessity for today’s Real Estate Industry Professional and Brokerage. Consumers are able to download these applications right from their portable/mobile phones and devices for FREE. The question is what should be included in your Real Estate Business App? Recently, I had a Business Card app designed by me and built by MobileAppLoader Inc. At the time, there were only 3 or 4 Real Estate Related Apps available from the iTunes store for the iPhone.
Today there are literally hundreds of Real Estate Related apps online and most are free to the end user, the consumer. With the explosion of mobile devices and wireless technology, 3G, edge, and others, now is the time to consider having a mobile application created for you or your business. You need to have more than just an online business card these days. You need to have something that offers value, useful tools, something to “equip” your clients and prospects, and on ALL platforms.
Why have a mobile App? To promote your business. To keep your customers updated. To encourage customer loyalty with rewards. To set up M-commerce. Some tools to consider for your mobile app might include: Direct Contact Info, Text Messaging, Auto GPS Locator, Property Search, Hyper-Local Information, Video, Website and Blog Access, Instant Chat Capability, Featured Listings, MLS/IDX Access, Loan Calculators, and any other tools you see fit to provide a unique and rewarding mobile experience.
A couple of weeks ago, I attended the REBarCamp in Silicon Valley, I was able to meet with owners representing companies like SmarterAgent and MobileAppLoader. These folks can design custom apps for mobile devices and cell phones. After attending their session, I was convinced that it’s time to evaluate your Company’s Mobile Technology Products and tools, as well as your current and future clients needs. In my honest opinion, I think this is the hottest and fastest growing arena in business today. “Mobile Technology!” You should consider getting YOUR Company or Business on board right away.
It won’t be a choice for long, it’ll be a business requirement and Industry Standard.
- Stumble it!
- Categories: Blackberry, Mobile, Mobile Devices, Websites, iPhone
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drewmeyers on October 19, 2009 6:23 pm
I totally agree that mobile technology is going to be critically important over the next few years in the real estate industry. However, I don't necessary think every brokerage and agent should immediately jump into the fray. Building mobile technology is not cheap — does anyone have a rough idea of what it would cost for an agent/broker to get up an running with their own iphone app (I don't)? Are any real estate tech providers working on an iPhone app as part of a IDX product? Even if a broker/agent had the technology, getting consumers to use it is still a marketing problem. I'm definitely not saying to not do it, but there is a very real cost — in both $$ and time — to getting into the mobile space.
BradAndersohn on October 19, 2009 8:01 pm
Thanks Drew – I think you'll find that depending on the depth of the app, it's not that expensive at all. Zvika at Mobileapploader was very inexpensive and only charges a minimal monthly fee. I think 9 bucks. The setup was only like 20-30 bucks. SmarterAgent has some powerful apps and can create custom apps as well for any platform, but I think they were a bit more expensive. All in all, it's cheaper than gassing up your car each month to try and reach the few folks possible in your farm areas!
)
MobileAppLoader on October 19, 2009 9:53 pm
At MobileAppLoader Apps are very affordable: Starting at $59.99 setup and $4.99 per month.
For more details please visit: http://mobileapploader.com/myApp/AppsCategories...
Lani Rosales on October 19, 2009 10:02 pm
So while I'm excited about this move toward mobility, I also worry that it will become likened to blogging- a lot of useless crap that consumers have to dig through in order to find what they're looking for. We'll see where the value added ends up being and who stays focused and relevant in the app scene rather than flashing in the pan!
drewmeyers on October 20, 2009 8:56 am
Totally agree. I think investing in mobile technology probably makes sense for a larger brokerage, but not so sure the investment is worth the return for a smaller brokerage or individual agent. Is there anyone that has used a company like SmarterAgent or MobileAppLoader and gotten a client as a result?
Like I said, I think the big obstacle w/ mobile is the marketing problem. Once you have the technology in place, you still have to somehow get potential new clients to use it in order for it to be worth anything. Which means you need to get them to your website first, and then get them onto mobile — or you need to somehow attract them straight to your mobile application from wherever they are searching.
Again, I'm a huge fan of mobile technology. I just think agents/brokers should think through their strategy and weigh out the costs/benefits before jumping in.
BradAndersohn on October 20, 2009 11:33 am
Drew said, “I just think agents/brokers should think through their strategy and weigh out the costs/benefits before jumping in.”
I totally agree with your comment, careful consideration of cost, a good marketing plan and a “value-added” business strategy are essential. I can tell you that both brokerages and independent agents have experienced some positive results (getting clients) using mobile technology apps. This could be the reason there are so many of them now coming available.
@Lani – lol~ Since the dawning of websites, email, and even fax machine technology, we have had to sift and filter through crap just as the consumers have to. It will be interesting to see where the true value does end up when all the fog and reflection from the “flash in the pan” dissipates.
deveshkhare on October 20, 2009 11:40 am
Brad – I agree that mobile is important and will be the future for RE. But it's important to understand the different tiers of mobile marketing – text, mobile web, and applications. Each has their own place and solves a different problem. With more real estate agents/brokers loading apps into the app store, I believe it will be difficult for consumers to find the apps and for RE professionals to get downloads. On the other hand, RE professionals that already spend a lot of time managing their website SEO/SEM can benefit from the mobile web by using a service that automatically renders their website as a mobile app but through the phone's browser on ALL data-enabled phones. This way RE professionals can manage all their web/mobile marketing with one effort and capture/engage all consumers on both the web and mobile. In my opinion, the mobile web should be the default mobile strategy for any RE professional and then native apps can supplement the mobile web if the RE professional has a strong brand or some unique campaign/services.
deveshkhare on October 20, 2009 11:45 am
Lani – I agree that if not done right, mobile could be cumbersome for consumers. I advocate the mobile should really be an extension of a website that automatically converts the views & services (e.g. GPS search) based on handset type. This way consumers don't have to find the mobile services or check if it's available for their phone … they automatically get mobile services if they try accessing the website on their phone. Simple.
manhattanRE on October 20, 2009 11:48 am
With most businesses, I'm against the move to mobile devices, but when it comes to real estate, you're supposed to be out of the office… that's the whole point.
BradAndersohn on October 20, 2009 11:57 am
Deveshkhare – yes, just having a website setup to be viewable via a mobile device would be a great step in the right direction. I believe you are correct in that text, mobile web, and apps each have their own place and solve or resolve different issues. At some point though, they will be seamlessly bound together to create the ultimate mobile tool. Maybe not today, but we already have the technology and the resources available, I believe the consumer will drive us down this road long before the RE industry will.
deveshkhare on October 20, 2009 12:11 pm
Brad – I agree with you. I think other industries will drive mobile services and convergence that RE can use to its benefit. However, I do believe that the mobile web will be the nucleus of all mobile marketing since it solves the issue with marketing mobile. Marketing is the biggest issue and RE professionals need an easy way to drive mobile traffic. Leveraging their website will help drive traffic to their mobileSite and from there they can link other mobile services. Also, remember that the mobile web doesn't have to just mean a viewable version of the website… it can also be a fully functional application that automatically morphs services, content, and functionality based on handset. We've done it for some of our clients already and can be a very powerful way to engage users.
BradAndersohn on October 20, 2009 1:15 pm
Love the “automatically morph services” concept Dev, would really enjoy seeing some samples or examples. Can you post a few links that I can access from my iPhone? If not appropriate here, could you email me a few? I may already have some clients to refer to you if interested. Thanks.
BradAndersohn on October 20, 2009 2:38 pm
Great Comment ManhattenRE – I think any business can benefit from the use of Mobile Technology. I use it personally for email, phone calls, GPS, searching the web, running and maintaining Social Networks, and I use mobile apps like Taxi, Yelp, Twitter and Facebook to share and collect information through-out the day when I'm on the road. Then there's the built in Camera and Video and Audio recorder for “self-notes”, the list just goes on and on. It can almost replace my laptop, but not just yet.
deveshkhare on October 20, 2009 4:44 pm
Brad – I can't post the ones I want to show you since they aren't publicly announced yet. Please send me your email address and I can share the URLs with you privately. You can reach me at <devesh at aumnia dot com>. I'd happy to discuss with your clients as well.
Lani Rosales on October 20, 2009 5:30 pm
In fairness, I do think that an individual agent can rock an app really well, but if every agent has an app and they simply throw it in the app catalogue and forget it, it's useless. I think there will be some indies that will shine in this category because they'll market it well. So, we'll see!
mn mls on October 26, 2009 12:37 pm
Our team here in Minnesota lives, breathes and dies with our mobile technology. I really not imagine doing this business without all of the great mobile tools that are out there. I am huge Blackberry fan with all of the awesome apps!!
therecoach on November 2, 2009 11:20 am
You are all right! For today, for 2010, and possibly for 2011, but what about beyond that? If you are going to be a Realtor in 2012 (and beyond), you must begin to look at who your client will be then…Our Kids, that's who! and I can assure you that they will live in a “Mobile World”, they already do. It's not about “What you get for it right now”? it's about what it will mean for your business down the road…”Invest in Your Future”. Think of all the comments about Blogging and Social Networking just 3 short years ago…”it's a waste of time”, “How much business am I getting from it now anyway”? ect, ect, ect…Ask some “Super Agents” those same questions today…Kris and Steve Berg, Jay Thompson, half of the writers on GEB…..”I'm not sayin, I'm just sayin”!
The Coach
BradAndersohn on November 2, 2009 12:38 pm
Now that's some great coaching… “Coach!”
)
therecoach on November 2, 2009 12:59 pm
Thank you my friend!
Now really inspire me and read today's post on Web 3.0 and leave an insightful comment! It could be the beginning of something very fun!
http://www.geekestateblog.com/web-3-0-a-post-in...
Laptop Battery on November 16, 2009 9:29 pm
Then there's the built in Camera and Video and Audio recorder for “self-notes”, the list just goes on and on. It can almost replace my laptop, but not just yet.