Technology scares many people, including real estate agents for many reasons. Are you one of those that are intimidated by technology? Probably not, if you are reading this blog (on a website). But, are you using all the tools you could without maxing out your credit cards?

When a new agent joins the business and asks, “how much will it cost to get started?”, most brokers and managers respond with the typical answers… schooling, testing, license fees, start-up fees to the broker, the local association, MLS etc. What is often overlooked are the costs for the necessary basic tools to get started. Agents often think in terms of what type of car, what clothes they need, etc, yet so often a new agent is not guided on the levels of technology that would help develop a career quicker. Waiting to make enough money to buy the needed tools would be like receiving a prescription for a needed drug but not filling it.

We asked an expert on real estate technology, Jeffrey Raskin, to give us the three levels of technology that an agent should look at.

Bare minimum essentials: (total cost averages $1100 plus monthly fee for internet and cell phone usage)

• A home computer with high speed internet access and a printer (preferably with a fax built in)
• A decent point and shoot digital camera
• A cell phone (you probably already have one, but be careful to separate business and personal) with basic voice service. 

More sophistication and use: (total cost averages $2700 plus monthly fee for data plan)

• Replace the home computer with a laptop computer. (or add the laptop)
• Replace the point and shoot camera with a single lens reflex digital camera
• Add a smart phone for your business line (remember, separate business from personal) for access to e-mail, Internet, downloaded material. (would need a monthly data plan with the phone).

Top of the line: (total cost averages $3500 plus fee for fax service)

            Tablet or notebook computer allowing digital signatures

            Full function scanner

            Add e-fax service

            Add a high quality (HD) video camera

Here are some other tips for professionalism with technology:

• Your voice mail message should be clear and short… No music or background noise. Don't allow your voicemail to fill up.
• Don't use your home or personal phone numbers. You do not want children or visitors answering your business calls.
• Use a profession e-mail domain; either your server (such as mine, jon@desertsageseminars.com) or your brokers'. Avoid using the web based free programs such as Yahoo, Google, Hot Mail or MSN, since your clients will believe that you are not professional enough to have your own.
• Use a professional e-mail address, such as your name at your server or broker. Avoid complicated, lengthy addresses or those that could be deemed unprofessional. You want people to remember your e-mail address. One such as the#1bestagentphx@yahoo.com sends the wrong message.

Once you buy any tool, you must have the drive and commitment to learn how to use them to the fullest. In the Phoenix metro area, Jeff Raskin offers classes on technology and the use of most of the tools we have described here. Visit Jeff's website at www.technology4realestate.net  or e-mail him at jraskin@usa.com for information about his classes.