What’s The Need?

I recently attended a presentation on AI in real estate and was impressed by many of the systems that are being developed to improve how business is conducted—but it isn’t necessarily only cutting-edge technology that can bring such quantum changes.

On occasion, I find we improve how we deliver our services simply through identifying a need where we can more effectively address it by adapting the way we use and access tools already commonly available to us. 

Back in the Nineties when the CAR first approved the use of signatures via facsimile to create binding contracts, it wasn’t long before enterprising agents started buying a few extra fax machines to loan to clients in remote locations so they wouldn’t need to drive over every time a contract, a counteroffer or a disclosure needed to be signed.  

There have been multiple advances since then including the advent of digital signatures and remote notaries which have improved our speed of service and our ability to remain accessible to our clients from anywhere, but we should never assume there isn’t room to make things even more seamless just because it hasn’t been done yet.

I was recently presented the opportunity to market a home in a remote location of Boulder Creek at the end of a dirt road that would constitute a 90-minute round trip from our office every time there is a showing request. I noticed there was a security system at the house with a series of cameras, and it got me thinking, why not leverage the use of smart home technology to help us show the property in a more time-effective manner?

I devised a listing agreement to represent the home for Sale or for Lease using a system which in theory will help us forgo taking up two hours at a time to show the home to prospective tenants and buyers. In order to achieve this, our brokerage will purchase and install additional sensors for all doors plus a WiFi-enabled front deadbolt which can be operated and viewed from anywhere in the world to unlock the door to allow the home to be viewed and to secure it when the viewing is complete.

The process will include having visitors register for the appointment ahead of time by uploading their photo ID and filling out a form which discloses the nature of our agency relationship with the requesting party and have them answer a series of questions including their qualifications and/or source of funds for the intended lease or purchase. The agent can then virtually guide the showing via Video Chat supported by the WiFi network, and when the showing is complete, they can remotely check the status of all door and window sensors to verify the home has been secured.

Breakthroughs are possible when you take the time to assess a need and are able to match it up to a technology that already exists. Sometimes it just takes a little extra creative thinking.