Update – CBC’s The National asked me if I thought the iPad was an essential business tool – watch below to find out what I said! Let me know if you agree or think I’m wrong 
Last month I bought my first apple computer, a 32gb wifi iPad. I mention this so you know that I’m not some “apple fanboy” who has the latest and greatest toy – for example, I’m not sure what decade my ipod is from.
Many people have said the iPad sucks, or that it’s the greatest invention since running water, sliced bread and chips&dip.
I want to give you my perspective, show you what iPad apps I use most often, and tell you whether or not I think a real estate agent should buy one.
Daily use
Sure, the iPad is great for consuming content like video (youtube and other html5 enabled video sites, as well as movies you transfer from your computer), music, podcasts, magazine, books and websites. Everyone knows that.
What I want to know is whether or not it is useful for a real estate agent running around dealing with clients? For me, it sure is.
A quick example:
A few days ago, I was out with a client looking at a development opportunity in Kitchener. Normally, I would have printed out the listing, historical data on the property, information about the tax assessment and lot boundaries from the province of Ontario’s online system, zoning by-laws, my notes etc. However now, post-iPad, I’m able to save everything as PDFs and view them all effortlessly on the iPad.
(note: I said useful, not fiscally sound!)
What apps am I using?
GoodReader for iPad – $0.99
I use Goodreader to read PDFs. I understand that iBooks handles PDFs as of the most recent update, but goodreader has worked flawlessly for me so far. If it aint broke…
It allows me to read PDFs on the iPad, and import files from a variety of sources (google docs, dropbox, mobileMe, iDisk etc. See below), making it really easy for me to keep all sorts of digital documents in one place.
I view and manage listings, offers, presentations, books, articles and more from this app.
note: buy the iPad specific version, not the iPhone one.
iAnnotatePDF for iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad – cost $9.99
We now know how I read a PDF, but what if I want to make notes on a document, or even sign something?
iAnnotate allows me to highlight, markup and draw on (and more, actually) PDFs, and then save or email the document. I use this a lot.
For example, I was taking a look at a commercial property last week – right before the we felt the earthquake in Kitchener– and I had the floorplans saved as a PDF.
I was able to pull up the plans, and mark out where each tenant was located along with their effective rental rates, giving my client a visual display of the quality and quantity of the property’s revenue.
This is a big help if your client’s learn best by looking at visuals.
The screenshot below shows how I mark up listing sheets, as an example.
Dropboxfor iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad (free)
Dropbox is my type of app: Simple to use, free, and it works.
I save a file to folder on my computer. Presto, it’s on my iPad (syncs via wifi). Try it out. Awesome sauce, to quote Scott Stratten (@unmarketing)
Vooks – I love to read, and I love interaction with authors. A ‘Vook’ gives me that.
A vook is a book with video enhancements. A well done Vook can really make a subject come alive.
One of my favorite’s so far is Gary Vaynerchuk’s CRUSH IT, enhanced with videos from Gary (@garyvee) throughout. If you know Gary, you know the value that can add. I think I paid $3 for this vook (it’s back up to $7, still a great deal in my opinion), and it contains the whole book, plus video. Good deal, no?
(PS – check out this interview I did with Gary)
WordPress for iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad (free)
Pretty good app, I use it to moderate comments, edit posts, occasionally add content (I’m writing this on a laptop with an extra screen…. I wouldn’t choose to type this out on an iPad!!)
Comment view:
Post view:
AccuWeather.com Free for the iPad
Isn’t this gorgeous? free, from AccuWeather
Other iPad apps I like
Google maps
Google Earth
PhotoPad (free picture editing)
Adobe Ideas (terrific free hand note taking application)
1000 Experiences (beautiful travel app)
Read It Later(insanely useful for saving websites to read while you’re offline. Syncs between computer and iPad. I use the free version and there is also a paid version)
Twitterificis my preferred twitter app, over tweetdeck, but I’m waiting for something better to come out. Scott Stratten (@unmarketing) likes Osfoora
The iPad and Clients
“is that an Ipad?”
“Can I try it?”
“Oh you got one of those?”
They love it. They really, really love it.
My client’s appreciate being able to view floorplans, zoning by-laws, financial figures, video tours, HD images and more all on one device. I load it up, hand it to them and show them where to look.
I recommend you load up all the listings you’re showing, complete with photos and videos if available (save as PDFs, save video in an iPad compatible format – mp4?). Give it to your clients to make notes on the listings, circle pictures for future reference, and show them how to email it to themselves when they’re done – so they have all their notes and can recall with ease which property they loved.
I’ve used it at listing presentations, on site visits, while viewing property, having lunch with investors – you name it.
iPad Issues
Typing on the screen is good, but for any content creation longer than an email, get a keyboard (available for the iPad), or use your laptop. That being said, my wife uses the iPad almost exclusively (over a laptop and a desktop). On most days she consumes more content than she creates, so this doesn’t present an issue for her.
note to non techies: My wife didn’t think she would like it, and she is very impressed with it. She doesn’t have a lot of patience for tech that doesn’t work as advertised, so that’s a good endorsement for apple.
As Jamie Beach said yesterday on twitter: “its a nice device, but for anything that requires input, I still turn to laptop/netbook. Typing on ipad sucks.”
That’s about it… The iPad doesn’t do it all, but it never said it did.
So… should a Realtor get an iPad?
Would I buy one again?
Yes – the iPad does what I want it to do (and what I thought it would do)
I’ve wanted a tablet computer for a while – 10 years probably, and I’ve always loved touch technology. I had a touchscreen PDA in University, and I’ve almost bought a tablet several times. What always stopped me is that they never quite worked like they were supposed to. Slow. Crappy pen input. Heavy. Bad battery life. Pricey. (much of this has been corrected now, I imagine)
When I first played with the iPad, I knew that apple had resolved those issues, and they managed to do it with a product starting at $550 Canadian. not bad!
For me, it lives up to the promise.
It does not replace a laptop, and it doesn’t do it all.
But what it does, it does really really well.
Should you buy one?
That really depends. I’ve recommended them to many, and I’ve also recommended friends of mine not buy one.
Why? Well, let’s look at why you would want an iPad
- You want a cool way to carry around a lot of information
- You appreciate the mobility of accessing documents, information, media and more from anywhere you are (wifi or 3G dependant, of course)
- You want to make your presentations and interactions with clients more memorable
- You want to differentiate the experience of dealing with you vs a normal agent who still has one of those tiny iPhone things
- You already have a computer that you use to create content, write offers etc.
Why would you not buy one?
- You create more content than you consume, and it’s not in the budget
That’s about it, but it’s a serious one. A friend of mine who just started in the real estate biz asked me if he should get one.
I’ve seen his laptop, it’s at least 8 years old. He needs a new computer, preferably one that is mobile. One that he can use to type offers, compose blog posts, and edit videos for that vlog I keep telling him to start.
I told him to buy a $500 laptop, and save the iPad for when the toy or gadget budget allowed.
At the end of the day, it’s a toy.
A very cool , shiny, useful toy that I’m happy I have.
Other great articles on the iPad and real estate (via @professionalone):
iThink iNeed iPad for Real Estate by NikNik
10 essential iPad Apps for real estate professionals by Joel Burslem
RT @benjaminbach: New: The iPad and Real Estate: What you need to know http://bit.ly/aJDjLz ( I want to go out there and buy one)
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RT @benjaminbach: New: The iPad and Real Estate: What you need to know http://bit.ly/aJDjLz
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RT @benjaminbach: New: The iPad and Real Estate: What you need to know, and whether or not you should buy one http://bit.ly/aJDjLz
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Great infoRT @benjaminbach: New: The iPad and Real Estate: What you need to know, and whether or not you should buy one http://bit.ly/aJDjLz
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RT @ProfessionalOne: RT @benjaminbach: New: The iPad and Real Estate: What you need to know, and should you buy one? http://bit.ly/aJDjLz
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RT @benjaminbach: New: The iPad and Real Estate: What you need to know, and whether or not you should buy one http://bit.ly/aJDjLz
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(Thks Gr8 Info) RT @benjaminbach: The iPad and Real Estate: What you need to know, and whether or not you should buy 1 http://bit.ly/aJDjLz
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RT @benjaminbach: New: The iPad and Real Estate: What you need to know, and whether or not you should buy one http://bit.ly/aJDjLz
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3 great posts abt iPad & Real Estate | http://budurl.com/1000ipad | http://budurl.com/iPadNik| http://budurl.com/BachiPad | Click & learn!
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I think after it’s been out a while we’ll know for sure if it’s the way to go. However, I do think most people will want something they can touch and feel so I’m not sure this will replace all paper. Although, if you’re at a site and can look up info on it it can be very handy.
Ben – Are you having issues with the wifi or just not confident in getting signal?
Just curious. That seems to be a huge selling point to me (when my MLS will allow for non-Windows platforms) is that combining this with my MiFi network and I’ve become a wireless agent for those clients.
Just curious.
Toby
Hey Toby, thx for stopping by!
I load up the iPad with data I know I’ll need, because I don’t always have wifi access, and want to make sure I can have the info i need.
We don’t have a mifi solution yet here. I’d buy one tomorrow if we did!
What apps are your fav? What’s surprised you about it?
I don’t have an iPad yet. At this point it would be a “cool toy” rather than a “business tool” because I’d have to do all my work on the laptop and create PDFs to send to the iPad.
Our MLS solution is “promising” we’ll have the ability to use FireFox or Safari by the end of the year. When that happens, I’ll make the jump.
RT @ProfessionalOne: 3 great posts abt iPad & Real Estate | http://budurl.com/1000ipad | http://budurl.com/iPadNik| http://budurl.com/BachiPad | Click & learn!
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Very crisp, informative, detailed and generous. Thanks. I’m gonna pick up the iAnnotate.
Cheers.
RT @benjaminbach: New: The iPad and Real Estate: What you need to know, and whether or not you should buy one http://bit.ly/aJDjLz
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Thx Ken, I appreciate you stopping by!
What are your favorite apps? Best tips?
@billlublin re: iPad apps: http://ow.ly/23UYE
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I really, really want one, but I think I am going to wait until the next gen becomes available. I really think that multi-task should be mandatory. For instance, I always need a calculator and calendar when I draft offers….
Great post though. Super informative!
Thanks for stopping by and commenting Steph!
I agree re: calculator, that’s why I have my blackberry handy
Is an iPad right for a real estate agent?http://bit.ly/aJDjLz #fb
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http://www.benjaminbach.com/business-interviews/the-ipad-and-real-estate-what-you-need-to-know/
Her’s a great… http://fb.me/BLavCrhE
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Hey Benjamin, just got my iPad & looking forward to seeing how I can best use it for work. I will check out the apps you mentioned. I think I will use it quite a bit as a reader as well. Great post, thanks for the ipad info.
RT @benjaminbach: Should you buy an iPad? A few things you should know, and what apps you’ll use in Business http://bit.ly/aJDjLz
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RT @benjaminbach: Should you buy an iPad? A few things you should know, and what apps you’ll use in Business http://bit.ly/aJDjLz
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Does a real estate agent REALLY need an iPad? @benjaminbach weighs in with this great post: http://ow.ly/24MEh
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RT @benjaminbach: RT @BHGRealEstate: Does a real estate agent REALLY need an iPad? @benjaminbach weighs in with this great post: http://ow.ly/24MEh [thx!]
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The iPad and Real Estate: What you need to know before you buy | Kitchener Waterloo Real Estate http://bit.ly/9EndtL
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RT @SocialMediaCRE: The iPad and Real Estate: What you need to know before you buy | Kitchener Waterloo Real Estate http://bit.ly/9EndtL
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RT @SocialMediaCRE: The iPad and Real Estate: What you need to know before you buy – http://bit.ly/9EndtL
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How about you, fellow Realtors out there? Do you use the iPad? http://fb.me/zZSEE4zY
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@benjaminbach nice post “The iPad & Real Estate”, helpful…..http://bit.ly/aQE62d
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RT @benjaminbach: Will the iPad be “useful” for your business? My thoughts here: http://ow.ly/29Ocm “Packed w info-gr8 blog!”
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RT @benjaminbach: Will the iPad be “useful” for your business? My thoughts here: http://ow.ly/29Ocm
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A toy? A useful one though — RT jrodgers RT @benjaminbach: Will the iPad be “useful” for your business? My thoughts here: http://ow.ly/29Ocm
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Watching creative people use this technology and I must admit I am becoming a convert.
I am giving serious consideration to the retirement of my fleet of laptops to embrace the smoother iMac Book and iPad technologies. For many of my show me applications ( as you pointed out in your post) are Pdf’d read me files that do not need to be edited .
Thank you for sharing some great ideas and experiences.
David Pylyp
Living in Toronto
So who among my Realtors friends has gotten himself an iPad?
http://fb.me/CcOteWzc
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How are you using the TMLS system on it? Opera? If so, are you able to e-mail properties to clients? iPhone version, you cannot, so just curious.
Using an iPad as sale tool is another way how to extend its use within the real estate market. The Rockport Group tried it and it looks like an ipad can be a good way how to trick the customer / buyer – easy way through which the customer is engaged in realty information; as well as the fact that he can immediately share this information with his relatives and at the end of the transaction he gets the newest toy togehter with the house.
Hey Elli
Not sure what you mean about tricking the consumer, but I’ve found that my clients do enjoy playing with it, viewing listings on it, watching presentations, and more.
It can be a great way to convey information, and save paper & time.
Hey Amit
With the iPad, I’m not using it to find properties and email them to clients, I still do that from my desktop or laptop. I am using it when I’m out of the office. I have a mobile login for my MLS system, as well as the ability to remote access my desktop to use the MLXChange program that way
Maybe “to trick” wasn’t the right word – probably “to beguile” the customer is better for example when you are a real estate agent beginner and you don’t possess good persuasive skills, if you lack such a charizma.
Ah-ha! This is the article I’ve been looking for. I’ve been weighing the pros and cons of an iPad for a long time now, never really committing. I think I’ll get one now.
As much as I love tech, I haven’t seen a single thing about apple’s new toy that would or should make anyone categorize it as “essential”….lol On a more serious note, nothing’s funnier than watching someone put away an iPad so they can use their laptop to get some work done
I agree, I don’t feel its essential.
It’s very cool to load up 200 pages of information on my iPad as a PDF instead of bringing all the docs I may need to a meeting. But essential? No; I can just bring the paper if I need to.
It’s a fun, very useful tool
http://itunes.apple.com/pt/app/pro-real-estate/id490084738?mt=8
http://www.prorealestate-app.com
A working tool on your iPad for real estate agents and professionals, available on the Apple Store.All information and technical elements necessary for the real estate business are present in this application, providing permanent access to a portfolio of real estate, customer contacts, negotiations, property characteristics, statistical trends of business, etc.. Give a boost to your professional performance with this application available for your iPad, easy to handle, very intuitive, with strong image and complete information about all the business execution. Exclusively created for real estate agents, this application allows you to enter all the information necessary for managing and implementing commercial real estate. Go to the Apple Store today and learn all about the capabilities, interactivity and productivity that this application can offer you, so that you can improve your professional performance.
http://itunes.apple.com/pt/app/pro-real-estate/id490084738?mt=8
http://www.prorealestate-app.com/
Pro Real Estate App
A working tool on your iPad for real estate agents and professionals, available on the Apple Store.All information and technical elements necessary for the real estate business are present in this application, providing permanent access to a portfolio of real estate, customer contacts, negotiations, property characteristics, statistical trends of business, etc.. Give a boost to your professional performance with this application available for your iPad, easy to handle, very intuitive, with strong image and complete information about all the business execution. Exclusively created for real estate agents, this application allows you to enter all the information necessary for managing and implementing commercial real estate. Go to the Apple Store today and learn all about the capabilities, interactivity and productivity that this application can offer you, so that you can improve your professional performance.
I’m always going back and forth to different places. I’m glad I found iAnnotate PDF. The most important help I got from it is having a portable online fax