Charlottesville’s Real Estate Blog since 2005.

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Technology

Apparently, an iPad Changes Everything (in Real Estate)

My beloved wife got me an iPad for Christmas. I know. A new one is coming in a few weeks (archived: 2012) and I should return it, but I just can’t do it.

In two days, I have already seen how it will transform how I interact with clients and my work/life flow.

For my buyer clients, the ability to have MLS sheets without needing to print them out is simple and brilliant. MLS on Mac > PDF > Dropbox > iPad. Sweet.

For my (potential) seller clients, being able to have a conversation about the listing process with the iPad as the facilitator will be simple and functional.

First, I asked for help on Twitter and on Facebook and received outstanding tips, “Nice. (My wife) got me an iPad. Now taking recommendations on best apps and practices. :)”

Within a day, I realized that everything had changed:

It's ironic that now my Macbook Pro seems to have become the weak link b/t my Droid Pro -> iPad -> Macbook productivity cycle.

Top 5 Observations:

1 – I’ll be able to leave the Macbook at home. Eventually.

2 – The Cloud is crucial. Google sync, Dropbox and Evernote between all my devices. Brilliant. I just hope the interwebs never go down.

3 – I don’t foresee getting rid of the laptop anytime soon. For involved work – real work – property analysis, video, photo editing, writing and assembling well-researched blog posts – the laptop is (so far) irreplaceable.

4 – There’s an app for that. Usually. And the .99 add up. Quickly.

5 – The iPad has changed how I work. And I look forward to evolving with it.

Update: Engadget has a great post covering some of the best apps and accessories. I’d love to see a study showing how much revenue the iPad generates in ancillary and accompanying purchases. They’ve created an economy.

(Update: I hate Apple – they are preparing three versions of the iPad 2).


iPad apps

For those of you interested, these are some of the first apps I have installed:

– Google Mobile – Must have

– Box.net

– Dropbox – Must have

– Evernote

– Docusign – Must have – if I could mark up Contracts on this, it would be nearly perfect. Alas, I still need my laptop. Unless I’m missing something

– Zillow – Must have

– 1Password – – Must have

– Realtor.com – Must have

– Twitter

– WordPress

– WSJ – a freaking brilliant app. I can’t get morning print delivery where I live, so this makes my annual subscription worthwhile.

– NYTimes

– BBC

– Tweetdeck

– Twitter

– Friendly Plus (for Facebook)

– Flud

– Flipboard

– CNN

– CNBC

– Angry Birds

– Smurfs

– Star Walk

Interested in Learning More?

I have been been representing buyers and sellers in Charlottesville, Albemarle, and Central Virginia since 2001. Get local insight born of experience.

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