The Fear
By WellcomeMat on Jan 22, 2007 in WellcomeMat
This weekend I was in Aspen, and I got a first hand glimpse of what I am going to refer to as “The Fear.” I was hanging out with some old buddies of mine, and got into a conversation with my friend Kendall’s wife about WellcomeMat. I pride myself on short, no-pressure pitches regarding the product, and kept to standard. But, suddenly-with no influence of my own-we ended up talking about how scared this woman was of what technology is doing to the real estate business. She ended up saying, “it’s very scary to me that consumers could potentially have an all access pass to real estate information. I mean, this is how I make money.” For the first time, I could see and feel for myself The Fear that exists within some of the real estate pros out there. WellcomeMat is a company dedicated to helping everyone within real estate to video technology, and I don’t think we are making a political statement by doing so. But, to me, my friend’s wife seemed to be setting herself up as a victim.
Technology isn’t doing anything to real estate: it is real estate. If I were an agent right now, I would be scared too, but not because of technology. It would be the amount of technology choices that would scare me. I mean really…look at all the choices out there! And, for this, I think I have come up with a litmus test. Here it is:
If using a certain technology is helpful to your customers, and you can afford to implement it, you should use it. If the technology saves you (the real estate pro) time as well, then you can do more deals!
My conversation with my friend’s wife ended with me explaining my stance on her fear. Technology is offering an opportunity, not an end. Choose the best technologies you can, based on what your customers would want, and make sure the products you choose have good support (phone, email, and fast).
Popularity: 6% [?]
On Jan 22, 2007, Dave Herring said:
I have seen television newsrooms (in the 80’s) cry about moving to simple DOS based systems and college faculty (in the 90’s) ignore on-line based courses.
In the very brief end, over 90 percent adapted, or lost their jobs.
IMO Realtors are probably more afraid of ‘video’ than the delivery vehicle.
Fear not you guys, we don’t bite, not even in the pocketbook. Emerging video technologies and sites like WellcomeMat are filling the communication gaps of your noble profession and you will only benefit from an influx of passionate and creative Videographers.
Believe me, you do not want to be a part of the 10 percent, do you?
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On Jan 23, 2007, Marlow said:
In Washington State, the public has had full access to our entire MLS for over 7 years, and it’s fine. I understand that in some states the listings are proprietary information, but everything, including addresses, are published here and it’s not impacted business negatively.
It’s best to make that information readily available, as it gives the DOJ less ammunition for lawsuits and claims of restraint of trade.
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On Jan 23, 2007, WellcomeMat said:
Guys…I apologize for my newness to the WordPress program: I couldn’t figure out how to approve comments until now.
About Dave, all I have to say is that anyone in the FL area should be using your production services. To see why I say this, go to www.WellcomeMat.com/gulfshooter
Sellsius, that’s a great post that you put up, and exposes more of The Fear that I wasn’t even thinking of.
And Marlow, if there is one state that could pull me from Colorado (which would be extremely tough), it would be WA.
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On Jan 23, 2007, John Harper said:
Came over via sellsius - Pat Kitano and I made this very point at a blogging class we held yesterday in Marin. Most agents do not take the time to define their business model, how they want to position themselves, who their perfect customer is, and where they want to evolve their business to.
Without having some clear vision what usually happens is - business as usual which in this industry is reacting, reacting, reacting and throwing a lot of mud on a wall.
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On Jan 23, 2007, WellcomeMat said:
John,
I agree, and truly believe this period in time is an opportunity for anyone making a living in real estate. Harness the shift, and you are in for one fun ride to the top. -Christian Sterner
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On Jan 23, 2007, Pat Kitano said:
Hi Phil, John Harper and I (see above comment) will be using Wellcome Mat to distribute the video of our blogging presentation. Kevin Boer also praises your service… both John and Kevin are Realtors who have the exact opposite reaction of the fear of getting left behind… theirs is the excitement of providing a better service.
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On Jan 23, 2007, Joseph Ferrara.sellsius said:
Wellcome Mat is fearless ! The best dang video on the web.
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On Jan 23, 2007, Phil Thomas Di Giulio said:
Gentleman, I’ll only say this once.. ‘WellcomeMat’ is one word. Mess it up again and… ok so I used to make the same mistake. AND now, regardless of context, I spell Wellcome with two L’s. Sorry Mrs. Green! (old English Teacher). You’re wellcome to disagree.
Mr Kitano, thanks (you too John). Keep us in the loop on that ‘blogging presentation’. We have some tools (vertical player’s one of them) we can provide for you.
And yeah Kevin’s been fearless the last few days. Case in point:
Exhibit A:
http://3oceansrealestate.com/blog/bamboo-is-the-new-granite-extended-remix-version-a-contemporary-townhome-in-downtown-palo-alto.html
Exhibit B:
http://3oceansrealestate.com/blog/making-realtors-lives-easier-with-docusign.html
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On Jan 24, 2007, Mary Ann McShane said:
I’m new to the real estate world and am happy to see upbeat responses to “The Fears”. Born during World War II, not knowing what a “computer” was until the age of 19, it can be scary, BUT, when I see the results I’m already having I’m facinated and excited. I’m very interested in blogging. I want everyone in the country to know how beautifl North Padre Island is and if I can accomplish that blogging, bring it on!
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On Jan 24, 2007, Danilo Bogdanovic said:
I definitely believe that technology will make the real estate business more transparent, in turn giving more power to the consumer, but not make agents obsolete. It will make the agents who harness the new technologies and ride the wave rather than fight it the top agents of the (near) future.
And with more power being given to the consumer via technology and transparency, agents will turn into guides and consultants rather than information gate-keepers as they have traditionally been.
Bring on The Fear!
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On Jan 24, 2007, WellcomeMat said:
Well said: the information will be free, and it’ll come down to who knows how to decipher all the fragmented info logically, and create the best buying and selling experience. That is an agent that I would recommend to friends/family. The best salesperson I have ever known used to tell potential customers who our most formidable competitors were. It floored me! They would call us looking for our solution, and he would tell them the strengths of competitors’ solutions???? What happened? They trusted him as an objective source of info, and he closed more deals than anyone I have ever known…with ease.
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On Jan 24, 2007, Danilo Bogdanovic said:
Isn’t it amazing how doing something so “backwards” is actually doing something so right?!
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