iPad For Real Estate

Earlier this year, I taught an “iPad for Real Estate” class for my office.  At the time, I didn’t even own an iPad! 

Two weeks later, I was in possession of my new iPad2, and eager to download the apps I’d talked about.  I’ve enjoyed owning an iPad for several months now, primarily because I can now say with more determination what I do and don’t use for real estate.  And then?  There’s the ones I use for fun too!

All of my email is Gmail, but my primary account (HomesWithTLC) is connected with most of my other email addresses, so that’s the first thing I hooked up.  Then, I made sure my Google Calendar was set up.  These can be done by going to the Settings App, and choosing “Mail, Contacts, Calendars” and integrating your accounts.  Next, I made sure to download my Google Voice app as it’s indispensable to me.  Sadly, Google Voice doesn’t have an iPad app yet, so mine renders for iPhone.   Now, I know there are apps like GV Connect and GV Mobile, but I haven’t explored those yet.

Next, I wanted to change my browser since I’m usually using Chrome or Firefox (and not Safari).  I’m sure Safari is wonderful, but I’ve been very happy with the Terra browser.  Perhaps I’m name-biased?

Now for the elephant in the room.  No, not Evernote.  (Though that’s downloaded too.)

FLASH.

Yes, I said it.  The word that all Apple users have come to fear.  Well, never fear, because there are ways around it, and one of those ways is called “iSwifter.”  This little app allows you to browse Flash video sites or play Flash games.  It used to be free, but as we all know, nothing is free forever.  It seems that iSwifter is now on a subscription basis – $2.99 per month for the Flash Web Browser & $4.99 per month for the Social & MMO Games Browser.  You’ll have to decide if it’s worth it to you, but I have found it to be a nifty workaround.

Once those were set up, I decided on the apps I would use for my Facebook and Twitter accounts.  So far, I’ve been very happy with the Friendly app for Facebook, and the Twitterrific app for Twitter.  From time to time, I also use Flipboard, but I consider it more fun than useful.

Finally, Real Estate and things I do/use for real estate:

• Zillow – Great for seeing what’s around you, and how long it’s been on Zillow (so you know what buyers & sellers are seeing when you talk to them)
• Trulia – Can’t have one without the other…see above
• Realtor.com – My favorite!  You can find homes for sale, for rent and open houses around you based on your current location, save listings, and have one some of the BEST map search tools around.  This app is great to use with Buyers, especially if you’re in the car.
• OpenHomePro – Great tool for lead capture at Open Houses.
• DocuSign – I’m currently signed up with DocuSign, although I’m learning the DotLoop product in conjunction with KW’s eEdge system.  Allows me access to documents for quick eSignatures.  Imagine!  No paperwork!
• Keynote & Prezi Viewer – Both of these are great for creating Listing Presentations & Buyer Presentations that are a little outside the box.  Be aware – Keynote is more traditional than Prezi
• neu.Annotate – Allows you to mark up .pdf documents…helpful when you’re trying to decide about plans, room staging or even just the wording of a document
• GoodReader – So far, I’ve used this the most to browse to websites with my listings on them and display the listings (or my websites) to potential listing clients
• Notes Plus & 2Do – Task lists and note-taking on a whole new level.  2Do is a task list on steroids, and Notes Plus even allows you to write normally (using a stylus)
• BlogPress – If you’re a blogger, this is a great way to access and manage your blogs in one place

So…that’s what I’m using so far for the business!  I’m sure there’s much more out there, and I’ll be happy to share it once I’ve delved a little deeper, but that’s what I’ve found I use the most.

Would love to hear what you’ve found that you use the most!