" The internet will not replace the realtor, but the real estate agent; however  who does not use The Internet will replace the agent that does not".

 I like this quote, not sure where I got it, but have had it saved in my files for awhile. When I first got into the business, the buzz word was realtors were not going to be around anymore. That was scary just starting my career. Now we have found that the internet doesn't replace us at all but those agents that use the internet ARE replacing those that don't.

Look around your communities and see if that is not true ! I know some agents that are still using AOL for their email and rarely check it. What's a blog ? What is a podcast ? What is SEO ? What is a widget ? It is a never ending battle to stay on top of it all, but it is a necessity that we do.

Look at agents around the country that are new to the business. It is overwhelming what they have to learn. But, then there are those that hit the ground running and are selling millions their first year. They have grown up with technology, it is the air they breath so they can jump in and their careers just take off.

In Michigan you can get your realestate license with 40 hours of classroom study. I was walking through Walmart a few years ago and I overheard this girl talking to her mom, in a Southern accent, "I'm gonna get me a real estate license". You can get it for 240.00". I died laughing (to myself of course). Every year it requires more skills whether in the classroom or just staying on top of technology.

" Those that learn more earn more " a favorite quote by Dave Liniger, co founder of RE/MAX with his wife Gail.

As someone new to blogging and someone who loves it...........I've been asking myself that question for awhile.

Is this a fad or is it here to stay ?

I've been pushing it in my office for several months. A few started one, very few really are into it. Since I always liked writing it feels right to me. Mary McKnight ( I think ) says it is important to find our voice. Meaning who are we. I was reading a blog about a year ago that was started my old aquaintences from college. We had all been in a Christian group together..........gone our separate ways and the blog sorta brought us all  back together again.It was fun............for awhile.........then I got into real estate blogging. In the blog with my past college friends the personalities really came through.

Since this is a blog about real estate in Ann Arbor, I've be a little double-minded, do I want my audience to be other realtors, lenders and industry people ? or do I want my audience to be for the people in cyber space planning a move to Ann Arbor, MI or Washtenaw County ? I like the added value of higher SEO ranking.

Dave Kesel, is referred to in the book What No One Ever Tells You About Blogging and Podcasting, says it is a "fad" that people are just too busy with their lives and families to ever really have time for it. Activerain blogging community is up to 20,328 and right now there are 800 on line. That is alot of people and most people are not even familiar with web2.0 which is all about social networking and relationships. My daughter, who is 27 and a Buyer Agent on my TEAM, just wrote her first offer from her My Space. For years I have seen my children ( all 5 of them) fight over the computer and you gets to be on line to chat with friends. I never really GOT IT, until recently. I'm from the generation that you got your own phone number when you turned 16 and talked all night.

Yep showing my age !  Actually my dad was a business man and no one could reach him at night so this was their solution... to get me a phone line. Gosh, I would stay up all hours of the night talking to girlfriends and a few boy friends. I was at a Women's Council of Realtors meeting a few weeks ago and one very successful lender said he thought blogs gave out inaccurate information and it was a waste of time. I just laughed ! I really don't blog for accurate stuff, just to hear other people's thoughts and feelings on a topic.

I blog because it is fun ! I like the community of bloggers in real estate. I am learning so much technology. Since it is so new............everyone is still learning together, sharing information and no one really knows where is is going to end up down the road. It is exciting like in the days of getting your first computer and having all that knowledge at your finger tips. So basically, I'm still trying to find "my voice" and enjoying every minute of it.

Our of curiosity,  how many people are doing this for :

1) Social relationships, community

2) Search Engine Optimization

3) Like me want it all !!

4) Other reasons, please elaborate.

October of 2005, I purchased a ''Tablet P.C''. I chose the Motion Computer because of the long battery life. I can recharge with my key board at night and go all day without having to return to the office.

I use a data modum card with it so I can log on anywhere... no more running to Starbucks or elsewhere to log on.

This has increased my business productivity many ways, when I am out with clients in the car and we pass a house that was not on  their list of homes to view and they ask, " Why wasn't this house on the tour?" or " Wonder how much that house is?" I can pull over, yes, I pull over, log onto the MLS and show them. Since the screen is  bigger we don't have to look at a small amount of data we see on a smart phone but see the entire listing.

Onenote, by Microsoft is included in the software and this is where it really gets exciting and easy. I go on listing appointments and walk through the house taking notes in my own handwritng and it saves it under the address and sellers name. Then when I am doing the CMA, all the notes are right there. NO more spiral notebooks. I can then email the notes to my desktop to have right in front of me.

Another great time saver, is when you travel. Just log on in the car as you drive, check email,send email, check hotsheets and my children can even check their MySpace or Facebook. Keeps them entertained. Makes trip so much more productive.

In the summer, we spend alot of time at our lake house, so no longer do I have to have Comcast brought into the cottage. I just use my tablet. Since I have the anywhere screen, I can see it laying out on the boat. Just no jet skiers please get too close!

Finally all my contracts are on the tablet. If a seller or buyer is ready to go, I can fill out the contract, print to JOURNAL WRITER and they can sign it right on the spot. I can then email them right from the tablet and also send to my assistant, and my email at home. Voila it's done.

Clients are impressed, no longer to you have to talk about being a realtor with the main emphasis on technology but they see it in action. In fact,several times I think I could have been a distributor for the tablet p.c.'s. So definately this has been my biggest most effective time saver and technology tool.