iPhone and the Realtor

Back in January I wrote an article that stating “The iPhone will NOT help your Real Estate Business” . I waiver now a bit on this statement.

The reason I waiver is because it depends on what type of phone you have now and what you use it for. If you a Windows Mobile phone user then you already know this phone will not do anything your phone can’t do now. If you are a Palm user and you use Supra eKey you will also not be able to use the iPhone because the iPhone won’t be able to install Supra eKey (yet).

Greg Swann noted in the comments that Supra eKey not being able to work is a moot point and I agree its not THAT big of a deal. And also the MLS not being able to work on the iPhone is also no biggy.

The reason I think this could be a good device is because of the “Show Off” factor. I tried to get you all to think of the show off factor with this contest. In April I (contest) was going to give away a Personal Media Player (PMP) if somebody gave me a good example of how you would use it in real estate. Nobody played so here is my idea. Load up all of your listing’s photos on the device and when your out an about use the device to “Show Off” your listings. No you don’t need that device and you can do this with the iPhone. Have you seen the commercials? The thing looks sweet and if it works as well as a Mac does out of the box then I think the iPhone will be a hit.

There are a few things that concern me though on the iPhone.

Battery Replacement. The iPhone (as far as I understand) does not have a user replaceable battery. That is VERY bad IMO. I’m a power user when it comes to my phone. I bought an extended battery just to last through the day.

On Screen Keyboard. Rumors are circulating that the on screen keyboard usability is a horrid experience.

Final thoughts.

I will most likely get one because its shiny. If the rumors about Apple having 3 million units available then it will be a easy purchase. If not then it will be difficult and sell it to the highest bidder 🙂

Derrick over at Flipping Rich is going to give one away if anyone buys a condo through him.

Loren Nason
Future of Real Estate Technology

39 Comments

  1. Jeff Haring on June 5, 2008 at 9:10 am

    You’ve got to be kidding, right? Stating that the iPhone’s “Show Off” factor is its most useful feature?!

    The iPhone is an incredible device that COULD be a more useful tool WHEN real estate apps are written for it. But that won’t happen until some of the major technologies that Realtors use on a daily basis create Mac based systems that Mac users can utilize in their daily business.
    Ex: ZipForms/WinForms is not Mac friendly – to use these programs on a Mac you must first download a program called Citrix. And the process is pretty cumbersome at best. This goes for the major MLS systems. We use Rapattoni in our market and the same problem exists…forced to using Citrix.
    Another challenge exists with using our Supra Keysafes. Unless you have a Palm device with InfraRed beaming, you must use the SupraKey. If they switched over to Bluetooth or WiFi then the iPhone and Blackberries would be useful in our industry.
    Until the major support systems as mentioned become Mac friendly, we will not see a push towards iPhone usage in a major way. With the recent announcement of open developers for iPhone apps – I think you’ll see more progress in that direction.
    The iPhone is a beautiful & very technically advanced unit and it will only continue to improve (with or without Realtors) but it would sure be nice to open the market up to a larger percentage of the 1 Million agents that might be interested in using Macs. I know of quite a few fellow Mac using Realtors that would jump at the chance to use their Macs at work. Until then we are stuck in a PC world.

    Is anyone from Apple, Supra, ZipForms, N.A.R., or Rapattoni listening??

  2. Eric Snider on July 3, 2008 at 11:17 am

    Hi Jeff,

    My company has developed a new hi-tech real estate marketing tool that I feel, over time, will change the way properties are presented to potential buyers.

    The product is called eLapTopTour and is a small device that resides inside the home for sale. When a potential buyer drives up to the property, they are able to use a PDA, such as an Apple Iphone, Apple Itouch, or a laptop to connect via wi-fi to the device residing in the home. When opening a web browser, such as Internet Explorer, the potential buyer is automatically redirected to the web content on the device in the home, and is able to access pictures, text, audio and video. A self promotional video of the services a REALTOR offers that will automatically play when the device is accessed, is also an option.

    Some benefits of the product are:

    ——————————————————————————–

    No more missed opportunities – Empty brochure boxes
    Saves time and money – Expensive in both time and money to fill brochure boxes and bring customers to every home for sale
    7 x 24 Open Houses – The eLapTopTour is available 24 hours a day
    Great new technology for the Tech Savvy home buyer
    Differentiator for getting new listings – Sellers love the idea that their home is marketed 24 hours a day

    ——————————————————————————–

    I believe in this very difficult market, having a technology that differentiates yourself from other REALTORS in your area can only be positive. You can find more information about our company and the eLapTopTour product at http://www.effectionet.com

    The iPhone and iPod Touch are two great products with the Safari integrated web browser and also integrated wi-fi networking. The presentation of our product on these devices is quite nice. With such a small footprint for these devices, they easily fit in a shirt pocket to transport in between properties for sale.

    Regards,
    -Eric

  3. anonymous on July 19, 2008 at 9:12 am

    “no biggy”? I almost laughed my ass of the chair. Obviously reviews like this should come from someone with more experience using the iphone and maybe more expereienced being in the field – I know its the Realtor way to waste peoples time but cmon things are a changin. I am completely disappointed in the lack of realtor appplications for the iphone – and that the large MLS companies are not really making a push to develop them. When I want to look up a listing out in the field, I am just distraught that the most advanced phone in the world is not allowed to access my MLS locally here. This just shows that Realtors are behind the times and will always be considered second-rate until they develop technolgies for the future of real estate and the future agents. Iphone has captured over 75% of phone internet market – food for thought.

  4. Jeff Haring on July 19, 2008 at 11:54 am

    Hey “Anonymous” – You appear to be a Realtor by your comments but you seem to have little respect for yourself and our industry! What’s this with ‘Realtor way to waste peoples time’? Maybe you waste your clients’ time but not most of the agents I work with. That being said I want to clarify something that is very important; It’s not Realtors that are behind the times – we love new technology and many jump at the chance to incorporate it into our business.

    It is the big MLS providers like Rapattoni that have failed the Realtor community by monopolizing the technology and their refusal to accommodate the growing Mac using ranks with PC only based systems on Internet Explorer.

    I contacted Rapattoni and the response I received was the following:
    “No major news except to say that ALL NEW development on our MLS, SSO, Public sites, Portals and IMS products are to work with IE and Firefox. We have a migration plan in place to get there over the next two plus years as we upgrade our systems. As you can imagine, there are literally millions of lines of code involved, and even underlying technologies that have to be replaced to accomplish this. It also means that every enhancement and bug fix has to be tested on more browser platforms and versions than just 3 or 4 versions of IE. It is a major technical initiative. It is extremely expensive.”

    But here’s the kicker: If you our Agent MLS site (password protected) you can’t use Firefox or Safari – BUT if you are the general public on the non-restricted site you can access all the MLS housing information with those browsers! Click here: http://vcrdsmls.rapmls.com/scripts/mgrqispi.dll?APPNAME=vcrdsmls&PRGNAME=MLSLogin&ARGUMENT=GsM2H3FzlrI%3D

    What gives Rapattoni?? Why do you give the public the ability to use their Macs but not the Realtor based community that pays for the system??

  5. John Caporale on August 8, 2008 at 7:54 pm

    I wholeheartedly agree with the comments above deriding the original notionthat the iPhone is no big deal.

    When my contract was up I decided I’d look for the most useful devie and try to incorporate as many functions that I could including eKey (the new GE Supra key device sucks big time), MLS access, Exchange support for our office email, web browsing, the capability to open Office docs and PDFs, etc.

    I went with the AT&T Tilt under the misconception (and a tad of false advertising since corrected) that the Tilt could do everything the version it replaced, the 8525 could. With the lack of IR it wasn’t supported by Supra for eKay (probably will be now that some BlackBerrys that don’t have IR are getting Bluetooth support for external IR devices) but that’s another story. I also liked the notion of the full QWERTY keyboard under my large fingers. Actually, my wife and I initially ordered iPhones but the sales guys at the AT&T store convinced me the Tilt was a better choice, so I changed my mond and got the Tilt.

    Then my wife’s iPhone came in and over the course of two weeks I discovered that the Tilt would ot work with eKey at least for the time being, that I didn’t like using the pull out keyboard, but favored using the stylist on the touch screen, and that the Tilt is just rather bulky in my pocket. Some other annoyances include the phone touchpad going away at inopportune times like when I need to touch keys for menu options, the annoyance of having to turn the display off before string the phone away in my pocket less it lock and the moribund battery life.

    Needless to say handling my wife’s iPhone only a few short times and discovering that the touchscreen keyboard was more responsive and that the intuitiveness of the device overall is just INCREDIBLE, I returned the Tilt and got my iPhone. Ironically, the very AT&T dude who convinced me to get the Tilt, is now getting himself an iPhone as well….

    The iPhone does everything that ANY other PDA on the m,arket can do (except voice activated calls, at least natively, can be done with third-party applications) and does it all far better, easier, more gracefully and effectively. It is slimmer, lighter, more durable, gets great battery life. All it needs is MLS access, eKey and support for my SlingBox (that IS on the way unless Apple kaboshes it).

    Yes, having owned and run an IT company for 14 years before getting into real estate, this is backwards industry and it is largely because of the value of keeping technologies proprietary. Many vertical industries have that attitude ingrained in them, and this industry is one of the worst I’m seeing. Unfortunately, the nature of many Realtors, especially the vast number of older ones, is that they are not real tech-savvy, and so they do not demand of the vendors that they keep up and support newer devices in a timely fashion. The only way to push that envelope is to demand it and until there is a chorus of demand from the more tech-savvy membership the MLS and productivity vendors are fat and happy trudging along at their own pace.

  6. Jeff Haring on August 18, 2008 at 12:19 am

    Well said John!
    When Supra changes over to bluetooth instead of beaming (or dual technologies) we’ll be headed in the right direction with access to our keysafes using the iPhone or Blackberry.
    Then if we can convince the MLS industry to wake up to the growing Mac crowd then we might see some exciting new apps from them.

    I agree with your observation that most ‘older Realtors’ are not tech savvy – and until we have a larger voice – nothing is going to change in our favor. But keep the good fight!

  7. John Caporale on August 18, 2008 at 7:06 am

    I asked Supra the other day “when” there would be support for the iPhone and got a terse response of “we’re not supporting the iPhone”. I responded advising the guy that WE are the customer, WE decide who does what, not them. The local boards need to be more responsive to us and not buy products and technologies for whatever backroom reasons they do so….. THAT is where we need to be heard.

  8. Jeff Haring on August 18, 2008 at 9:30 am

    The best way to get involved is volunteering for a committee at your local association of Realtors. I was on the MLS Committee for a few years and was able to see how things were done.
    Just tell all of your iPhone owning friends to call their associations and put pressure on the leadership to demand iPhone & Blackberry compatibility when they negotiate their next contract with Supra. It takes ongoing pressure.

  9. Jonathan Cantwell on August 19, 2008 at 9:11 am

    Maybe I’m just not smart enough on this stuff but how is GE going to switch to Blue Tooth when there are already so many IR lockboxes out there? These lockboxes last for a long time and are very expensive and I don’t see every Realtor going out and buying new lockboxes or even paying to upgrade them if thats the case. I would hate to have an Blue Tooth phone and walk up to a IR lockbox in front of a client.

  10. John Caporale on August 19, 2008 at 10:02 am

    They have already announced support for a Bluetooth “connected” external IR device for some BlackBerries that don’t have built-in IR. Yes, it was stupid to base this technology around IR with the technology so close to obsolesence, but here we are….

  11. Jeff Haring on August 19, 2008 at 12:29 pm

    Jonathan, In our market the Supra company seems to change lockbox technology every 2-4 years. They have an event called an “exchange” where for 1-2 days all Realtor show up in a meeting hall, turn in their old keysafe/lockboxes and Supra programmers for a new boxes and programmers.
    They offer an even swap of old boxes to new boxes and it doesn’t cost anything. Where they get you is by raising the monthly/quarterly usage fee for the new “improved” programmer.

    I haven’t heard anything about any Bluetooth compatible devices yet.

  12. John Caporale on August 19, 2008 at 12:47 pm

    The lockboxes will still be the same blue IR boxes. The Bluetooth support is for using external IR devices with non-IR phones. See my last post.

  13. Jeff Haring on August 19, 2008 at 9:10 pm

    Where can I find one of these external IR devices? I’ve never heard of them.

  14. Donna Hall on August 19, 2008 at 9:16 pm

    Hi John,

    Any input as to some programs to use to search for real estate while out on the field? I am a Realtor in Atlanta, and I am so darn frustrated being nailed into using Microsoft products only to work my job. I purchased an iPhone ten days ago, and sync it with my PowerBook, using a great contact management program called Now Contact.

    I’ve dug around on the web for iPhone applications that will provide me detailed property listings with the listing agent’s number to reach directly.

    Also, I am looking at a MacBook Pro with the Intel chip. Do you know if I can get IE6 to run on it? Our two local MLS’s only use this browser and I find working on the PC loathsome.

    Thanks.

  15. John Caporale on August 20, 2008 at 8:29 am

    Yes, Jeff, there are external IR devices out there. If you go to Ge Supra’s website you’ll find therecent announcement about support for the IR-less BlackBerries too.

    Donna, I must admit that while the iPhone is the most magnificent piece oftechnology I’ve ever used, I’m still a PC guy having owned and run an IT company focused on the PC world for 14 years. As such I’m not all that familiar with what is available for Macs. I know there is a version of IE for the Mac but I don’t know up to what version and I’m not even sure that a Mac version of IE would be recognized as such by your MLS vendor. IE on the AT&T Tilt was seen as “Mozilla”. The Mac has never been very business-centric and so long as Apple keeps in niched it never will be. They’d have to open up the platform like they did for a couple years during Steve Jobs’ absence in order for serious business applications to roost. But there still needs to be less proprietary aspect to real estate vendors and being closed about different devices. There is NO reason that they shouldn’t or can’t support all browsers now.

  16. Jeff Haring on August 20, 2008 at 1:16 pm

    John,
    Now that Supra is working with RIM’s Blackberry I wonder how long it will take Apple to tweak the iPhone? There’s not much information on the new unit other than Supra’s press release. I couldn’t get anything out of RIM.

    Microsoft no longer supports Internet Explorer for the Mac. Hasn’t for a few years since Apple made their own browser- Safari. Mozilla doesn’t work for our MLS either (on the Mac). As previously stated, the only solution for Mac based MLS for most of us is by using Citrix. But the program doesn’t work well at all and vendors such as Rapattoni have no plans on helping the Mac crowd. That’s a shame. So when you’re on your Mac – switch over to Windows with Parrallels or Boot Camp.

  17. scott schmitz on September 5, 2008 at 3:46 pm

    The main thing about the iPhone that I like is that it has a full-powered web browser. You can probably (depending on the individual MLS) access your MLS, you can also run real-estate dedicated products like RealtyJuggler.

    Also, Supra is working on some sort of key fob thing which will convert bluetooth to Infrared. That way the iPhone will be able to unlock lockboxes. I believe they have something like this (or are working on something like this) for the Blackberry.

    Keep in mind that the iPhone is only about a year old. Its going to be a few years before the full capability of this device will be realized. I still have one of the first iPODs that Apple made and, while it is pretty much the same thing conceptually as what they are selling now, the level of refinement that you see on the current iPODs is huge. That’s one thing about Apple that is different from Palm and from Windows Mobile. These two platforms have been pretty stagnant for the past few years. I expect you will see some aggressive improvements by Apple in the iPhone technology. After all, they are the newcomer and NEED to push hard to steal away market share.

    The largest problem with the iPhone is really that battery. It just doesn’t last long and is not replaceable in the field. So, what I do is keep a charger in my car and I pull it out and put it in its cradle when I am in the office. Battery life really depends on what you do with the iPhone. I find that using the web browser will really drain batteries fast. Talking on the phone is probably the next largest drain.

    Scott Schmitz
    RealOrganized, Inc.
    Organizational Software for Real Estate
    http://www.realtyjuggler.com

  18. John Caporale on September 5, 2008 at 7:09 pm

    Actually Supra tells me they have intention of supporting the iPhone. The “key fob” you mention is merely an external Bluetooth IR device, a standard device, being supported on some BlackBerries that don’t have integrated IR.

    I know of no real estate apps for the iPhone but I’ll check this RealtyJuggler you mentioned.

  19. John Caporale on September 5, 2008 at 7:10 pm

    BTW, using WiFi for web access will drain the 3G but otherwise the battery life is pretty good. Better than my Razr and my son’s BlackBerry.

  20. Tom Cahill on September 30, 2008 at 8:05 pm

    I recently got an iPhone after my contract with Verizon was up and my 2 year old Treo 700p started to fail. While I have been a Palm fan for many years (I still have a Palm Pilot that says US Robotics on it) the iPhone is superior in almost every way to the Treo (IMO). Not having eKey/Support is an obvious problem but I decided to do this because what I needed was a reliable Phone/contact manager/calendar and the iPhone does this very well. I use Apple’s service Mobile Me ($99/yr) which keeps email, contacts and my calendar updated across my phone, laptop and desktop. Any change on one device automatically goes to the others. The 3G phones now have support for MS Exchange so if your broker uses exchange you can take advantage of it. I am a recent convert to Mac’s so I use the program Parallels which lets me run Windows on my Mac(s) so I have internet explorer to use the local MLS site as well as Trueforms. However you do not need to have a Mac to use an iPhone as there is support for the device on the Window Platform.

    The negatives are the crummy battery that was mentioned earlier. Going back to the dKey was a pain (but at our MLS a lower yearly cost) but worth it. I look forward to Supra supporting the iPhone but even if they don’t I’ll stick with it.

  21. John Caporale on September 30, 2008 at 8:36 pm

    The battery can only be called “crummy” if you leave WiFi on. Turn WiFi off when not using it and the battery will last a very long time.

  22. Clark Smith on October 6, 2008 at 9:40 am

    Blackberry’s are better because they use RIM’s servers and don’t have to be constantly connected to At&ts server to recieve e-mails. The battery lasts a lot longer.

  23. John Caporale on October 6, 2008 at 10:29 am

    Obviously, Clark, you haven’t used an iPhone. The true power of a BlackBerry is using it with BlackBerry Server for Exchange, NOT using it based on RIM’s services. Likewise, iPhones are not dependent on AT&T servers as you assert. Whether using corporate M$ Exchange or POP servers, iPhone’s mail integration is seemless. And thr battery life when WiFi is off is as good as mopst BlackBerries. The intereface is FAR FAR superior and the ability ro run applications seals the deal. The only shortcomings are the lack of voice calling, some quirkss in the calendar, probably specific to how I use my calendar, and the fact that the battery is soldered into the device. As a lifelong Apple hater, this device is the BEST I’ve EVER used in all categories, and, I know IT, I owned and ran an IT company that serviced real estate for 14 years.

  24. Tom Cahill on October 6, 2008 at 12:27 pm

    A Response to Donna Hall

    There is currently one iphone app (sort of) for the iphone. Coldwell Baker has one that if you go to http://iphone.coldwellbanker.com it will show content optimized for the iphone. Unfortunately it only shows CB listings so it is more of a consumer type of offering done by CB to steer people to their listings. However, it should be easy for a local MLS to do the same things for all listings (if they wanted to).

    I currently use a Intel based MacBook for real estate. To do this you can do one of two things. Use the Apple program called Boot Camp which allows you to load a copy of Windows and use the machine as a full fledged Windows machine. The advantages to this is that Boot Camp is an Apple product so it has the same support as other Apple products. The main disadvantage of this approach is that every time you turn on your computer you have to decide which operating system to use, either Windows (with IE to use your MLS) or the Mac OS. In this scenario you can only use one OS at a time but not both simultaneously. I use a program called Parallels which is a program you load on the Mac which allows you to load and use a copy of Windows simultaneously with the Mac OS So when I need to use IE to access the MLS I have access to it but I can use all the other Apple applications that I prefer like Mail and iCal. You do have to pay for Parallels (<$100) and Boot Camp is free from Apple. In both cases you have to have a copy of Windows which I had to pay for. I use XP but I understand that Parallels works with Vista too. There is another program that works similarly called Fusion. I have no experience withe that product. I also use a a service sold by Apple called Mobile Me for email. The program keeps all of my contacts, appointments and email updated across my iPhone, laptop and Desktop.

    Good Luck

  25. John Caporale on December 4, 2008 at 3:08 pm

    Jarvis, whit it is true that you cannot TEXT photos (MMS) with an iPhone, an easy and effective workaround is that you can easily email them to a text number by quickly setting up any user with an email address using AT&T’s MMS relay. Once you add the user as an email contact, you can just email any photo to them as a text message on their phone if their device supports MMS. As for your comment that Blackberry push is better than that of the iPhone. That’s merely a comment and opinion. I bet you’ve never used enterprise or consumer mail on an iPhone….

  26. Larry Liang on December 15, 2008 at 2:52 am

    I used to carry a blackberry storm and an iPhone at the same time…only because iPhone did not support any of the real estate application that I use, but it was a very cool phone to use. plus it is an ipod. But recently Rapattoni MLS has introduced its iPhone interface and my area MLS http://tarmls.rapmls.com/pda now is optimized for the iPhone. Since then I have been truly wowed by the iPhone…I can search listing information right from the Safari brower, get pictures, listing history, directions and contact the listing agent. It also intergrates with the iphone maps to provide GPS navigation. That’s all I need the MLS for actually!

    I upgraded my Blackberry 8830 wourld edition to the Blackberry Storm, and the experience is terrible. Thy touch click screen is VERY hard to use and it freezes up all the time. Compared to the typing screen of the Storm, the iPhone is a LOT easier to use.

    In terms of corporate email, I used to have to have Blackberry to be able to use it. Now iPhone supports Exchange Email as well.

    All of a sudden, there is NO reason for me to carry a Blackberry anymore. There is nothing the Blackberry can do that the iphone can’t.

    It is truly the end of the advantage of Blackberry. I no longer have to pay $50+ per month to Verizon for blackberry data plan.

    When Verizon finally supports the iPhone, it will be the END of the blackberry era.

    Larry in Tucson

  27. Tom Cahill on December 15, 2008 at 5:37 am

    To Larry in Tucson,

    I read your post with interest. Our local MLS (West Penn MLS in the Pittsburgh-western Pennsylvania area) as of yet offers no iPhone support. I am currently using the phone (happily) as a phone, contact manager, mobile email platform etc. Previously I used a Treo. Does your local MLS support for the iPhone extend to using the iPhone to get in an out of key lock boxes (GE Supra brand) or is that what you use your Black Berry for? I have to use a “d-key”
    to get me in and out of lock boxes which is a pain (to carry) and a function formerly covered by the Treo.

    Regards,

    Tom Cahill

  28. Chad Damon Schlotterback on January 11, 2009 at 6:00 pm

    Feel free to check out my Facebook group called “Real Estate Professionals who prefer Mac”.

    Just a group of us that want to keep in touch.

    Thanks.

  29. John Caporale on January 11, 2009 at 7:09 pm

    Tom,

    GE Supra arrogantly states they have no intentions of supporting iPhone for use with the iBox. The Treo has an IR port for that use and some new BlackBerries will be able to use an external IR device for that use because IR has gone the way of the dodo, except in the eyes of Supra. Our association also went with the iBoxses and I wish they hadn’t. Those keys are a PIA.

  30. Tom Cahill on January 11, 2009 at 8:20 pm

    John,

    Yes, and as IR ceases to be offered agents will be forced to buy IR dongles to fit to their phones or go back to the ekey. Since Supra supports a variety of OS’s (Windows Mobile, RIM and Palm) it would seem to me a pretty easy to port the software to the iPhone. I don’t see Supra as particularly responsive to it’s clients. In my opinion our local MLS isn’t either. If iPhones continue to gain market share maybe we will get some love. Of course it may be an Apple issue. They are pretty persnickety about what they let operate on their phone.

    I am looking forward to AT&T enabling the iPhones use as a wireless modem.

    Regards,

    Tom Cahill

  31. John Caporale on January 12, 2009 at 9:54 am

    I let Supra know that for them to answer the way they did was counter to the foolish notion that they should respond to ur needs and not force us to do things their way. But we all know how that goes…. I would think that a proprietary application like Supra would be a boon to Apple. They are funny about allowing apps that compete with them. Something like this would only drive sales of their devices and subscriptions, etc. 16% of our office now has iPhones.

  32. DD on January 31, 2009 at 10:54 pm

    Supra on iPhone – Here’s the first step

    http://uiremote.wordpress.com/

    Now all that is needed is the software to be written

  33. marilyn wilson on June 17, 2009 at 11:31 am

    Have you seen the iPhone application from the California Association of REALTORS? It allows you to share monthly market statistics by region with your clients. You can also send them a copy of it from your phone creating an opportunity to generate a new customer relationship.

    http://waves.wavgroup.com/the-first-real-estate-association-iphone-app-is-here

  34. Sylvia Green on July 25, 2009 at 2:28 pm

    Loved this artical I need a new phone trying to decide bwtween iphone or blackberry bold. If I go with the iphone should I invest in the latest or prior or their special the first edition $99 the only thin I do not like is their rate plans.

  35. Jenny Roberts on July 27, 2009 at 9:01 am

    I’d like to update the group on two things mentioned previously. First, to Jeff’s comment that “iPhone is an incredible device that COULD be a more useful tool WHEN real estate apps are written for it.” We’ve just released the first native iPhone app for a Realtor Association/MLS last week. Check out the YouTube video for a demo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEMPNHOruZc
    This first model was made for California Realtors but it can be adapted for any Association or MLS nationwide. The press release is at http://www.car.org/newsstand/newsreleases/mycarrelease/.
    Secondly, in the release you’ll see that it mentions that a ZipForm iPhone app is in development. It should be out shortly. Also as a follow-up to the ZipForm Mac comment… depending on the Realtor’s state of residence, a Java-based version (ZipForm 6) released this year which is fully Mac compatible. For CA, we expect it to be available in the next few months. I hope your readers find this to be good news!
    -Jenny Roberts
    National Product Adoption Manager
    Real Estate Business Services

  36. John Caporale on August 8, 2009 at 10:22 pm

    Sylvia, sorry I just saw this email about your post…. There’s not much point to getting the 3Gs version of the iPhone unless you must have a white one! The plans are the same cost as any other vendor when you factor in the enterprise data service plan.

  37. Chris Cropper on January 27, 2010 at 3:57 pm

    Hi, just wanted to point something out that might be helpful. I believe an iPhone 3Gs is definitely worth getting IF YOU DON’T ALREADY HAVE AN IPHONE. The video camera that is built is surprisingly high quality and agents have been using it to do videos of their listings and upload them to youtube. Not to mention that faster processor is a plus. Please feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions about the useability of the 3gs.

  38. Roland Estrada on July 12, 2010 at 11:40 am

    You know, I don’t even know where to start when it comes to the real estate Luddites. I read the posts from the iPhone detractors and just laugh. I run my business on an iPhone and iPad – not some of it, all of it. The app landscape will also change for the the Android platform. There are 100,00 apps written for Android as of this post.

    You can set the latest gizmos in front of agent, but if you don’t know how to use the technology to your advantage, forget it! I would have to write an entire article or series of articles to detail the iPhone for use by Realtors. The apps are there. Are there some holes? Sure. Those holes will be filled. The agents that are using the tools now will be even farther along as the real estate app developers catch up.

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