Use Real Estate Technology But Don’t Let It Be The Boss

Technology can help real estate buyers and real estate sellers but make sure you use real estate agents’ advice

Real estate agents are mesmerized by the possibilities of social media and the potential real estate success it can bring.

But is technology in real estate more than it is cracked up to be? Yes and No.

I do think it important to master the use of modern electronic media as long as you use your phone/I pad/computer as a tool, making sure that it does not take over being you. Real estate technology can be a wonderful way to initiate new learning which expands your brain giving you more confidence and joy and success. Remember the ‘feel good’ dopamine rush we get when we succeed at something? Please refer to the last chapter of my book, Getting the Property Soul’d.

For example, to post my Real Estate Blogs I had to learn Word Press, which for you younger people out there, is no big deal, but for a sexagenarian it was mind blowing. Plus, then I had to learn how to create and edit videos on You Tube, post them on my Website and then Tweet, Facebook And Instagram about these blogs. These were awesome tasks for me, but I plugged through them, reminding myself that I can write real estate contracts in my sleep and button down complex wording on city, state and federal laws without a blink of an eye. This gave me confidence to keep plodding ahead.

Conversely, real estate technology can actually hinder real estate success when you are overly engaged with it at the expense of everything else.

If you are a Real Estate Buyer are you relying mostly on the Internet to do your real estate property search and not physically going out and touring properties? Or as a Real Estate Seller do you take Zillow’s Estimate as what your home is worth rather than using the advice of a real estate professional? If you are a Real Estate Buyer or Real Estate Seller do you use texting or emailing to with your Realtor to avoid an honest authentic communication – especially if it may be uncomfortable?

Whether you are a real estate agent or real estate Buyer/Seller, are you so focused on your smart device that when you are walking, on the bus or doing some other task you become oblivious to everything else?

Do you bring your phone to the restaurant and give it attention instead of the person you are with? Are you lazily using your GPS instead of mapping out your real estate client tours? Are you running, biking or doing weights with earbuds?

Interacting with your environment in various different ways is a vital trait which enables us to function well into our eighties and nineties. You don’t want to be one of those wandering lost Alzheimer patients who don’t know where they are and eventually lose touch of who they are. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, please see the movie, Still Alice.

Misusing technology is not good news for your health, your real estate success or your overall happiness. Your brain, which includes our five senses, is the most important organ of our body and is specifically designed to interact with the outside world. When you are not fully engaged, you are not operating at full capacity. Your brain, like your muscles, needs to be strengthened, stretched and given a good workout.

So my parting question to you is – who is in charge? Your natural brain computer or your smart device? If you suspect you are addicted to technology, your task is to reengage with life again. My previous Blog on May 7^th re: Mind-Body Health can help you accomplish this.

Be aware that any clients names have been changed to protect their privacy. Furthermore, Paula Pagano does not accept any liability for the content of any Blogs and this Website or for any actions you take or resultant consequences of actions taken based on the information provided in this communication. Any advice is my opinion after being a 35 year experienced real estate agent in San Francisco.