9 Tools in Real Estate Technology You Need to Be Using

Go back

If you think all it takes to sell a home is a 'For Sale' sign in the front yard, think again. Real estate is a complex process that requires plenty of customer service and marketing skills—plus, the right technology.

Real estate technology is expanding like never before, with plenty of tools on the market that can help realtors sell homes. However, how do you know what technology is worth using? Not all real estate tech is created equal.

To learn more, keep reading to find nine useful real estate technology tools that can help real estate agents sell homes—and simplify their busy schedules. These innovative technologies are sure to change the way you work and help you generate new leads.

1. Drones

Drones are not just for the military—consumer drones are becoming incredibly popular, and they are a top tech trend that can help realtors.

If your real estate company hires an experienced drone photographer, you can take gorgeous aerial images and videos of your listings. Does one of your new listings have an incredible in-ground swimming pool, a gorgeous retaining wall, or a huge garden?

Photos alone cannot do it justice—use drones to take aerial shots that are sure to wow potential buyers.

Buyers are starting to expect drone footage, especially for high-end properties, so you do not want to miss out on this exciting technology.

2. 3D Tours

When COVID-19 hit, almost all in person meetings were halted to a stop. For some, this meant putting their housing searches on hold. People like being able to see what they purchase before making that purchase.

Pictures alone are fine, but they do not capture every detail of the space. This is when 3D tours are incredibly useful.

Companies like Hommati, which were already using 3D tours prior to the pandemic, capitalized on this technology.

Being able to view an entire house from the comfort of your own couch was a tool that was needed during a time of social distancing but will also be used for years to come.

Buyers want to be immersed and in control of what they are seeing, so for them to be able to use their computer or phone to take a 3D tour of a property meant that they were in charge of what they wanted to see without skipping a beat.

3. Mortgage Calculator

It can be useful to find an app or software program where clients can quickly calculate their mortgage rates—it is a valuable tool for buyers to download as well.

While most experts recommend a 20% deposit when buying a home, you can purchase with less—but you may have a higher mortgage rate.

Even tiny fluctuations in mortgage rates can make a big difference in a buyer’s monthly mortgage payments, so mortgage calculator tools let you play around with the numbers and work out how much you can afford to spend.

Although tools like these are only for estimating, they are still useful for buyers to manage their finances.

4. DocuSign

Real estate agents know how important signed contracts are—but getting documents signed can be tricky when clients are in another city.

For simple real estate contracts and signed documents, check out a tool called DocuSign. It allows various parties to sign documents virtually, using their computer or phone.

It is much easier and faster than mailing out documents, waiting for clients to sign, and then waiting for them to be faxed back. DocuSign allows documents to be signed in a matter of minutes.

Digital signatures are considered to be legally binding, so they are just as effective as a document signed with ink.

5. Dropbox

When managing a large number of real estate listings and sending information back and forth to potential buyers, you are likely to run into problems with your email.

Most email servers have a limit to file sizes, making it tough to send large files to either your colleagues or buyers. As an alternative to email, you can use a platform like Dropbox to share documents with others.

It is a cloud storage website that makes it easy to send large documents, like real estate videos, straight to anyone with an email address.

Dropbox also makes it easy to collaborate on projects and documents with colleagues, since you can turn on version control to keep track of everything.

6. My Maps by Google

Are you planning a busy Saturday for a potential buyer, showcasing a number of open houses to them? If so, it can be confusing to keep track of all the addresses, which can confuse buyers or lead to them getting lost.

For a thoughtful touch, use an app called My Maps, by Google, to create a custom map that you can share with your clients. It will make it much easier for them to find out where they are going, very useful when clients are visiting a new neighborhood.

It is a small thing realtors can do for buyers that they are sure to appreciate.

7. Chatbots

Has your real estate firm tried out chatbots? They are an amazing type of technology that uses AI, or artificial intelligence, to answer questions from buyers or point them in the right direction on your website.

Clients want answers to their questions right away, so a chatbot can offer 24/7 customer service support—impossible for a human to do! It works like an instant messaging service, letting clients ask questions and get answers right away.

Chatbots mimic human communication, so often, clients do not even realize that they are talking to a chatbot instead of a person.

8. OneNote

Realtors know that personalized service is key to selling homes—but how do you keep track of all the little details that are important to each client?

One easy way to use technology to take notes is with an app called OneNote. It is an effective note-taking app that you can use to note down questions from clients or special requests from buyers.

Even better, because it is in your phone, rather than in a notebook, your notes are always right by your side. You can even use it as a collaborative tool with other agents, since you can easily share notes with others.

9. Freshbooks

One thing that many small real estate firms struggle with is bookkeeping. It can be tough to manage invoicing, expenses, and estimates.

To make life easier, use software like Freshbooks. It makes it easy for realtors to generate professional invoices and organize all of your expenses.

Between issues like tax, commissions, and external suppliers, real estate firms have a lot to keep track of—the right accounting software will make balancing the books much easier.

We Can Help Agents Make the Most of Real Estate Technology

Real estate technology makes the home buying process much easier for clients, but it also simplifies the process for real estate agents.

Agents can benefit from trying out some of the technology mentioned above, since it can give your firm a competitive edge. The right technology, combined with a savvy marketing strategy, is sure to help you sell more homes.

Want to learn more about using technology to sell property? If so, Hommati can help. We are a national real estate website, allowing realtors to list 3D tours and attract buyers from all over the country.