Posts made by author 'Michael Minard'

While 2020 was a year of tough changes that were mostly forced upon us individually and as an industry, I see 2021 as the year the real estate industry embraces those same changes. A new chapter in the real estate story is about to begin, and I see our industry rising to the challenge.

It seems that nearly all the real estate firms we speak with are working on acquisitions and mergers, while also working on streamlining their business with office, technology provider, and marketing platform consolidations, and more workflow automation.

The change that excites me most is the workflow automation.

All the other changes have been very common in the real estate industry for the past twenty years, but, workflow automation, true workflow automation, has not been common to the real estate industry as a whole. In fact, it was only the "disrupters" in our industry that focused on workflow automation like Zillow, Redfin, Movoto, and other "digital" firms.

Howeve...

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How Will You Remember 2020?

I am going to ask you to pause and think for one minute before you continue reading and answer for yourself the following question:

"One year from now, when I look back on what my business did in 2020, what will I remember?"

I love this type of exercise. It forces me to change my mode of thinking and create goals; to develop targets.

I'm sure it is only natural to think about COVID-19 and the impact it has had on your business, on your relationships in business, on the economy, and on buyer and seller behavior and needs. It only makes sense if most of your thoughts regarding COVID-19 are negative. However, if we are honest, there have also been positive outcomes during this global tragedy.

While you and I cannot change the reality of COVID-19 and its impact on our businesses, we still have control over everything else in our businesses.

So, let me ask some direct question...

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Ask any successful real estate professional that has been in the business for a few years, and they'll tell you that one of their most valuable assets is their database of past clients.

It is simple. They worked hard to build relationships and help their past clients successfully buy and sell properties, and they know that these past clients are their most important prospects for future transactions.

Really, all business is this way. If you are in business, your best source of new business is either through a referral from a current client or past client or past clients returning for repeat business. These people already know and appreciate the value of your service or product.

While all sales professionals know this simple truth, one of th...

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What to Expect from Real Estate Technology

I must admit that I am hesitant to write this article and share my thoughts because this concept has been abused far too long in the real estate industry. With that said and out in the open, I truly believe that we are entering into a new era of real estate technology.

Before you completely discount what I am saying as marketing gobbledygook, I ask that you consider my thinking.

As I continually look to the future and plan the technology vision of the Delta Media Group platforms, such as the DeltaNET, I know that, from a technology standpoint, we are on the verge of monumental changes and advancements. These changes are happening right now because of the maturity of some platforms (for example, the DeltaNET is 26 years old), the maturity of computing platforms in general, coupled with a future-looking vision, and the ability to execute on that vision and bring products to market.

Putting my...

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It's no news to real estate firms that the coronavirus pandemic is hitting in the peak spring real estate season. With many states instituting shelter in place or stay at home orders, the ability to show homes, hold in-person open houses, and meet with clients in person has been reduced dramatically, and rightfully so.

Consequently, real estate firms have seen a huge spike in demand for virtual home showings—some in the triple digits. Firms are adopting new technology and changing how they do business: video tours, drive-by closings, and more are becoming the new normal.

While COVID-19 precautions are keeping people at home, it hasn't necessarily lessened their interest in shopping for new homes. And while most sellers understand that closing the deal will be challenging during these times, they still want to market their property, show their home to potential buyers, and keep the ball rolling toward an eventual sale.

Real estate firms and sales associates...

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