Remember 1984? When George Orwell wrote about it – 1984 was the future. Now it seems like the distant past.
For me, 1984 was the beginning – the beginning of my real estate career. I can’t believe that it’s been twenty six years. Twenty six years of change. The world keeps spinning and so do we. Along with everything else the Real Estate industry is not the same today as in years past. In 1984 we used carbon paper to make extra copies of offers and listing sheets, today we just need to go to the copy machine and in an instant we have as many copies as we need. When we needed to send an important paper or make changes to a Purchase and Sales Agreement, we either had to send it by mail or, if time was of the essence, we had to get in the car and track down the attorney, the other agent or the client to get the changes made and signed off. Boy things have changed. Things really changed with the invention of the fax machine and then even more when email became the way to do business. Now contract changes that used to take all day or longer to complete, can take mere minutes. We always have to keep in mind that in any business time is of the essence when it comes to contracts and Real Estate is no exception.
The computer, now there is a story in itself. Back In those olden days we received a book of listings from the MLS service twice a month. By the time we became aware of the “new” listings on the market, many were already sold! Today we have daily access to the MLS service by computer. Not only are we notified of listings daily (even hourly) so are our prospective clients. Just by logging into OUR website our clients have all the information available at their fingertips. The world has opened up to so many people thru web surfing.
Today’s consumer is much more savvy – whether you use your home computer, laptop, IPod Touch or mobile phone you have access to knowledge, information and education. This has changed my role as a Realtor. In days past, the first part of my job was to provide the education that today’s consumer often finds for him or herself. Now, because of the access to the available information, it is more imperative than ever to work with an experienced Realtor who always has your best interest at heart. Your Realtor can help you digest all of the information you have gathered and synthesize it so that it makes sense for you and your needs, even when that information is conflicting. Together we become a team, making the buying or selling of property an easier and more enjoyable process. Jill and I are always available when you are! Like I said, the world keeps spinning and we so do we! dg
Diana Goldberg is the senior member of the Heartbeat Properties team and one of the original agents at Sagan Realtors.
