We were told agents would be replaced by online companies but we said not so fast…

And indeed, we were right. While I saw people laugh at traditional services pointing to the ease of use of online websites, it reminded me of the education technology revolution and the .com crash all over again. Some people never look at close history.

In the late 1980s, computers were appearing in education frightening many traditional teachers. I should know, I was there. Lucky, I am curious enough to wonder: “How could this help us?” but I never fell pray to the hype on how this would replace us. Replace a human being? Seriously! I don’t think in my life time. I started using interactive teaching methods and I came on top of my game, even giving me an opportunity to work in Japan.

When I started my IT consulting company in NY in the late 1990s, computers were growing in leaps and bounds but I maintained my attitude of how can this best help us. I never thought of how I could be better for computers. Bill Gates needs you, not the other around. I was offered stock options with my .coms clients which I thankfully declined.

Now as I look at the “new technological” revolution in real estate, it brings a smile to my face as I ask: “How can this new technology best suit my needs?” Notice the “my” needs? That’s what it is all about. How do you differentiate yourself from your competition? You find your uniqueness and work with it to bring better services not yet offered. Yes, that simple.

I am itching to work with enterprising Realtors who have the same mentality and are looking forward to the future thinking: “How can I best use this technology to adapt and succeed in this upcoming market?”

Remember what we hear in the news and what is being hailed as revolutionary tools supposed to replace agents should make you smile as you ask yourself a simple question; would I buy an $800,000 home online without looking at it or talking to a real human being? As with anything in life, the only one constant is that change never rest. How do you adapt this technology to make it work for you in real estate? Ask me that question… come on, I dare you!

Oh, and here is the post that sparked this post. In a nutshell, those online company that laughed at traditional ones are also hurting. The moral of the story? Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.