- Instagram is growing at a faster speed than Twitter or Facebook, and it allows agents to prospect using geographic hashtags.
- Snapseed enables you to edit photos like a pro -- from your phone.
- With Ink Cards, you can send follow-up thank-yous on the fly.
Real estate technology is moving fast — perhaps faster than the real estate industry itself. And because of this, we have seen an influx of mobile app downloads introduced to the marketplace over the past few years. Only a handful of these, however, have current day practical uses.
Below you will find five mobile apps for both iPhones and Androids that you can use in your business immediately. Whether you are a real estate newbie or an experienced veteran, I think you will find these apps to be useful to you, right now, wherever you are.
Courtesy of Instagram and Unsplash.com
1. Instagram: Free on iOS and Android
Although Instagram is widely used by real estate agents across the country, it’s not necessarily being used for real estate.
But Instagram continues to grow at a faster speed than Twitter or Facebook, which allows agents to prospect using geographic hashtags for an active and viable way to connect with potential new clients. And because the app is photo-based, it’s the perfect place to showcase your listings.
Just this year, Instagram finally opened up advertising for large and small businesses. You can now run ads on Instagram with a target market based on location, age group and several other options.
2. Waze: Free on iOS and Android
Waze is a turn-by-turn navigation app that updates road conditions in real time with help from its users. Whether it’s speed traps, accidents or a stalled car on the side of the road, Waze keeps you updated on driving conditions to get you where you need to be on time.
In our business, being on time can mean the difference in landing that big listing or going home empty-handed.
3. Snapseed: Free on iOS and Android
Because photography has become such a key element in real estate, having the right tools to make your photographs pop has become equally important. This is where Snapseed comes in. This app is a powerful photo editor, packed full of editing options.
The key feature is called “Selective Adjust,” which allows you to edit specific areas of a photo without affecting the entire picture. The app is easy to use and has a minimal learning curve. If you only have one photo editor on your phone, make it this one.
4. Word Swag: Free on iOS and Android
Word Swag has a simple premise: put text onto pictures. That’s it.
But the act of putting words onto pictures has the ability to bring your photos to life.
With a large selection of fonts and style, this app is a great tool for branding yourself as an agent or promoting that hot new listing with some info about the house. Word Swag will turn your pictures into stories.
5. Ink Cards: Free on iOS and Android
So you just left an appointment with a potential new client, and you want to send them a follow-up thank you? Ink Cards to the rescue. This app will send a personalized postcard, from you, to whoever you want for just a couple bucks.
Take it up a notch and snap a picture of the house before you leave and use it as the postcard photo. It’s cheap, personalized and will absolutely leave an impression.
Bonus tip: The company who makes this app also makes one called Postagram. Postagram essentially does the same thing, but the postcard is a bit smaller and not as fancy. But, it is cheaper per card — at just 99 cents.
These are just five of many apps that could help take your business to the next level. Try them out, and see what you think.
Robert Wagener is a real estate agent with Coldwell Banker in Edwardsville, Illinois. Follow him on Facebook or Instagram.
