I have been blanking on blog post recently. After I read today’s Realtor magazine the 2011 Franchise Report, i found an article that inspired me to write about useful gadgets for Realtors. I myself love new technology and learning about the capabilities. It keeps everyone wondering whats next? How can anything be any better then this? We all think about well what if the phone did this or had this capability and then what do you know shortly after they come out with an app for what you were looking for!

In this article it pointed out the “2011 Tech Essentials.” The tablet, Smart phones, printers and cameras. Each of these gadgets are very essential for Real Estate Agents.

1) Tablets – These are a great tool for agents to have, or any professional really – they are light and easily portable. It is a great place to store important documents and contracts for your buyers and sellers to quickly look at while out on a showing. There are many different brands that Carry these but you will be most familiar with the apple ipad and ipad2.

2 Smart phones – Simply put if you don’t have one get one. If you are an agent or any type of professional I don’t know how you have made it this long without one. As seen in an earlier blog post I wrote – what happens now when the Internet goes down at the office? Most everyone has a smart phone that they can continue to do work with – most emails but also can look up listings and look up leads etc. Smart phones can be very inexpensive now a days. But get something that will last and give a long battery life. I have the EVO 4g and when I first got it the battery would constantly die but I now have the extended battery for it and it last 10hours at least! Its a great tool to have that is integrated with Google.

3. Camera’s – Camera’s are another great tool for all Realtors to carry with them when out on listing appointments or showing houses to buyers. Pictures can be the first impression and lets face it if you don’t have pictures with our listings it will 9times out of 10 get looked over. Most everyone like visuals and and being able to see what they are going to look at in person first. There are many inexpensive cameras with great quality, it will be a great investment.

4. Printers – Each office should have a printer but what about a personal printer for your desk. It is easy and convenient and may cost a little less in the end. You will always be printing whether it be flyer’s, or cards or letters, contracts, addendum’s having a printer at your desk will be very convenient!

I hope this helps – there is a lot of interesting articles in this months National Association of Realtors magazine.

Let me know what your favorite tool is for your real estate business!