Inman is interviewing real estate professionals in every area of the field to talk about technology use. Here’s Hank Bailey, an associate broker at Re/Max Legends and an Inman contributor.
What model is your phone? Why?
I have an iPhone 5 — it’s the best piece of technology that I have ever owned! It can do anything and everything.
What are your top three apps on your phone?
ShowingTime, the Message app and the Mail app — then appFiles, Zillow and Facebook, to name a few more.
How do you split your digital time: How much mobile, how much desktop?
It’s about 65 percent mobile to 35 percent desktop.
Describe your job. What do you do every day? How does technology support (or not support) your daily job description?
At 6 a.m. every day, I start out by checking any email and texts I received overnight and responding to listing and buyer needs. Due to an enhanced profile on Zillow and Trulia, I get quite a few contacts via email and phone from buyers and sellers who freely contact me based on my agent reviews alone! From ShowingTime to my ReadyChat widget for my site, I leverage my time and ability to be of service and engage both other agents and consumers alike. Text and email is a large part of this, which makes my iPhone such a huge business tool.
Technology defines my day. From multiple MLSs (multiple listing services) that I peruse to appFile, which is our paperless office “in the cloud” app that allows me to write offers and handle every task with a click and an e-signature, I can be more efficient than in the past because the technology helps me not waste time on needless tasks that bog an agent down administratively.
Do you consider yourself an early adopter of technology? Or do you wait to see what’s working for other people?
Early adopter, most definitely. I have the reputation in my office of being the “guinea pig” or “test dummy.” I love technology, and I put 99 percent of what my company gives me to use. I also have added to that as well with other apps and services I found that act as another hand to help me in the day!
What’s the biggest technology-related challenge you face today? How do you solve it?
I am sorry, I don’t know of any. Technology is not a challenge for me. It is a freeing tool that makes me work smarter and more efficiently to be more productive!
What do you think is the biggest overall challenge facing the real estate industry? Will technology be able to address it?
Slow adopters. I was looking at Facebook and how my business might use that platform back in 2008! And I could say the same regarding LinkedIn. Many agents are still threatened by it.
How do you feel technology is changing the real estate industry? Are these changes making the industry better or worse? Why?
People look at us as a key to get into a house initially today, and due to websites and mobile apps, they are more educated than ever. Sometimes that education is good because when they hit the door of a house they chose to see, they are more than “kicking tires.” They are genuinely interested in the home. It is bad because there may be, and usually are, misconceptions about the process that clients read about online, and those misconceptions need to be cleared up and corrected or frustration can ensue.
What email system(s) do you use? Which one is your favorite and why?
Gmail is my favorite; it is easy to use, most people seem to have a Gmail account, and it works well with my Google Plus account.
Which CRM do you use? What do you like about it, and what feature do you wish it would add in the future?
Referralmaker.com, which is a Brian Buffini product. I love it! It is the only one I have seen that I felt ads value to my clients. It shows them you care. It builds relationships by making you truly a real estate expert.
Do you use a calendar app? Which one? What do you like about it?
Just my app on my iPhone. I don’t need more!
Do you use digital documents, which ones? Why?
Not really.
Do you own a camera? What kind? What do you like about it?
Yes, a Nikon SLR D50. I can use it to take very high-end photos for listings.
What kind of laptop or tablet (or both) do you own?
Just a laptop, an HP Envy touch screen.
Do you have a Nest thermostat in your home?
No; my kids change our thermostat constantly so I don’t have to.
Do you play games on any of your devices? Which ones?
No, I don’t. I am not just saying this, but my “game” is selling more units this year than I did the last, and to make the “Top 5” in my Realtor association and my company statewide.
Which websites do you visit every day? Why?
Georgia MLS, First MLS, Zillow, Trulia, my personal site (www.hankbailey-remax.georgia.com), Google Webmaster Tools, my CRM and Google Plus. Oh, and Facebook and LinkedIn. Not to forget Inman!
Which social media app do you use the most on your phone? Your tablet? Your computer?
Facebook on my Phone, Google Plus on my laptop
What’s on your technology wish list — for yourself or for work?
An Apple watch when it comes out.
Where do you get most of your leads: portals or other sources?
Zillow and referrals from past clients. I don’t pay for leads, though.
What is your favorite technology, one you actually get joy out of using?
My iPhone.
What is your favorite “unplugged” activity?
Reading real books. Touching paper and not looking at a screen at the end of a long day!
Read Hank Bailey’s article “8 ‘extras’ that help sell a house.”
Would you like to participate in Inman’s technology profile series? Email contributors@inman.com.