Real-Estate-Revolution

Courtesy Hanna-Barbera/Warner Bros.

Wow!

Life is full of Wows! The pace at which things change is a ‘Wow’ event in itself. It’s possible ‘The Jetsons’ had no idea what they were getting into or where they would lead us.

Old Wow

In Vancouver’s real estate world there was a time when dailies were sent to each office and you dutifully tore out the old listing news and replaced it with the new ones. Totally cumbersome, we then progressed to the MLS® cataloque. That was such a leap forward in time saving. Problem with that was our system used ink that was not bio-degradable and we consumed millions of trees in any given year. Many of the catalogues were printed but, really were never used to their full extent as they changed every week. Soon their accumulation made great door stops. We don’t do that anymore.

As our world of real estate changed computers became the next big rage. It remains so today as we gleefully share the MLS® information with buyers and sellers of Vancouver real estate. Knowing that nothing ever stays the same, the advent of Social Media is overpowering what was seemingly a few hours ago, considered avant guard. Our ability to enhance the real estate service experience had exploded.

New Wow

Blogging, Skype, Twitter, Text message, scan and email are terms that are relatively new. In the palm of your hand via a correctly enabled digital phone, you have the power and ability to connect with almost anyone in the world. You can text message them, send them a picture or video of your new home or, they can watch as you open the door for the first time and see your children playing in the back yard. If desired, you can even send a video to show them what your new Vancouver neighbourhood looks like. In lieu, you read local and international news, watch the latest movie from Hollywood, listen to Mozart and lest you forget, you can even talk with them. All this, from a hand held device, that fits in our shirt pocket. Amazing!

On the crest of this media wave Realtors® are once again adapting everything they do. The digital world as a tool, moves us to that next level of service by ensuring any and all information is offered to you in the quickest and most informative way possible. Currently we automate almost everything to do with MLS including having information relevant to your home buying and selling requirements dispatched to you the moment it becomes available. Of course, we can even send the information to your mobile as you sit on the beach in Hawaii pondering the next wave crashing ashore.

The Ramp

While Realtors® may think this level of service is the epitome of forward thinking, they are about to find that there is another revolution afoot that will destroy previous notions. It is ramping up with such speed and voracity that many will stumble as they try to keep up – some will never get it. To be clear, this revolution will not only affect Realtors®. It will affect all of us in ways that as little as 5 years ago, would not have been imagined. It’s power to overtake and challenge the way we think and do things is simply, incredible. Like it or not, you cannot hide from it’s pervasiveness that is, unless you choose to live in a cave on a island during the long Arctic darkness. The change is all around and is impacting all aspects of your daily tasks. Simply, it is the single biggest change in human existence since the industrial revolution. It’s effect on the way we as a civilization and as Realtors in particular, conduct ourselves with those whom we serve, is only beginning to be understood. Welcome to the revolution called Social Media.

Take a moment to watch what George Jetson may have started.

In case you were wondering

George Jetson will tell you that you can always follow me on twitter @ yattermatters or, you can talk and ask questions on Skype at YatterMatters or, you can text me at 604.657.6236. Failing all those, you can leave a comment below.

Oh, and yes, this Realtor®, for now at least, answers his phone.

*MLS and Realtor are registered trademarks of the Canadian Real Estate Association