How will the iPad Change the Real Estate Business?

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How will the iPad Change the Real Estate Business?

Joshua D.Pro Member
BiggerPockets Founder · HI · Member since 2008 · 16k+ posts · 5k+ votes

After talking with quite a few people and after reading some interesting reviews, it seems that the iPad could be a real game changer for the real estate business (and many others). With that in mind, I thought we could talk about some of the ways that you think the iPad could change your business or the real estate business in general.

Thoughts?

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Nick J.
Residential Real Estate Broker · Payson, AZ · Member since 2009 · 3k+ posts · 1k+ votes
16y

Josh, care to share some of the things you've heard/seen that give you the impression it will change the game?

I personally think, not one single consumer item by itself will have any measurable effect. Sure, it may help a few people here and there with this or that, but overall, placing it in the 'game changing' category, I don't think I'll subscribe to that magazine.

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  • Shanti S.
    Real Estate Investor · Longmont, CO · Member since 2009 · 208 posts · 109 votes
    16y


    I am guessing that I may buy an ipad eventually, but probably not the first generation. I'm disappointed in the lack of USB, SD card slot, camera, microphone, and limited memory.

    My iPod touch gets used many times per day and continues to amaze me with its capability - it is far from a toy. I have hundreds of notes, pdf and word documents, images, and contacts stored on it which can be called up at a moment's notice. I could not do this with a netbook or laptop – I can’t actually think of any other device that could besides an iphone – but the Android phones are catching up…. Also, the keyboard is really amazing - I can type a lot faster and with more accuracy than on any device of a similar size with actual buttons that I've handled.

    Again – complete game changer? No. Revolutionary device which will find unexpected uses in the industry? I think so.

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  • Shanti S.
    Real Estate Investor · Longmont, CO · Member since 2009 · 208 posts · 109 votes
    16y

    Just a couple of random ideas -

    You’re Joe and Suzy homebuyer. Your buyer’s agent hands you an ipad with an interactive, media rich questionnaire and lots of big thumbnail photos of housing styles and layouts and asks you just to tap any that you have strong opinions on and give them a thumbs up or thumbs down. The software then quickly narrows down available properties you might like…

    While driving from showing to showing, your agent puts an ipad in your hands, which shows a moving map centered on your location. Around you, you can see recent sales, houses on the market, and community data (school locations, shopping, etc) which can be called up with a touch to help you get your bearings in your new area. You can easily change settings to only see price ranges or features that you would be interested in. Your interactions with the device download to your broker’s master software to give them more insight on your interests…and the device can be handed back and forth during discussion. In your broker’s hands, she has access to proprietary information for discussion, such as DOM, price history, full MLS data, sales tips, reminders, and points of discussion from the master database to help her close the deal…

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  • Hazel L
    Real Estate Consultant · Irvine, CA · Member since 2009 · 102 posts · 24 votes
    16y

    There are at least 10 models out there that are much better--multitasking abilities, GPS, flash capabilities.

    http://www.pukmedia.com/english/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1994:tablet-wars-the-12-biggest-ipad-competitors&catid=40ent&Itemid=396

    As mentioned above, you can't multitask (something productive investors actually have to do) or even watch youtube on an ipad. Vincent, you are entitled to your opinion, but recognize we're basically comparing a pretty shiny tricycle to a car.

    @workerdrone: Creative idea, but IMO the average agents will not get onboard (probably only the tech savvy ones will do it, and those are few and far between). Agents generally don't like their buyers being able to do their own research and god forbid, not rely on the agent's opinion. It's hard enough for them to refrain from cheesy, web 2.0 websites.

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  • Vincent Martinez
    Real Estate Agent · Bellflower, CA · Member since 2010 · 25 posts · 3 votes
    16y

    I don't think it's a matter of specs. Take the iPhone for example; sure there are a handful of "iPhone killers" out there that are studs on paper, but end up being duds in real life. Being a game changer is much more than who has the bigger hard drive or who can tether the best, it also has to do with a products impact on its market and on its competitors.

    @Releaf's link, you'll notice that the iPad is listed first and the rest of the products are questionable if they can compete with the iPad.

    And I swear I'm not as big of an Apple fanboy as I sound on this thread, just playing the devil's advocate.

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  • Hazel L
    Real Estate Consultant · Irvine, CA · Member since 2009 · 102 posts · 24 votes
    16y

    I don't think it's a matter of specs.

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  • Mark UpdegraffBusiness Member
    Real Estate Broker · Rochester, NY · Member since 2010 · 1k+ posts · 715 votes
    16y

    Game changer? World changer! Apple delivers the best products on the planet as the competition stumbles to catch up. Consistent innovation, planning, strategy! I'm using it now, on my couch thinking of the countless apps that would benefit my business and my life! We are headed for a paperless universe and I LOVE apple for delivering the most elegant and 100% brilliant product time and time again.

    Hey tenant, sign my iPad
    Give me yor credit card
    Organize my life
    Handle my calls, house lights, car engine, stereo, tv you name it.

    I'm tunneling into my leopard server for S's & g's : that's right, full blown osx on my ipad

    Apple rocks, watch their stock price soar forever!!!

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  • Ryan A.
    Rental Property Investor · Lisbon, CT · Member since 2008 · 120 posts · 29 votes
    16y

    Josh?

    Way to light a fire and take off!

    Interested in your thoughts/initial post.

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  • Stephen McKee
    Specialist · Riverside, CA · Member since 2008 · 382 posts · 72 votes
    16y

    I'm a Realtor and investor. When I bought my iPhone it cut 1-2 hours of work out of my day. I'm an addict. Everything was just easier. I didn't think that about the iPad at first until I really thought it through.

    Every contract, disclosure, etc can be signed by a mark or signature through draw pdf. If they made a Winforms for the iPad I'd be in love with the thing. For the time being I'll make my own PDF outlines. Offers can be written on site and sent to the listing agent in minutes.

    Find me a $630 laptop with a touchscreen and 10 hour battery life that can do that. No to mention that it only weighs 1.5 pounds. I can also read my daily news, watch netflix on demand, etc.

    OH and it's has usable remote desktop as opposed to the iPhone. You can also use the remote desktop to fix my only disappointment with the iPad. No Flash. Thank god css5 will take over in a few years.

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  • Carlton Ellis
    Real Estate Consultant · Lansing, MI · Member since 2010 · 117 posts · 32 votes
    16y
    Originally posted by Joshua Dorkin:
    After talking with quite a few people and after reading some interesting reviews, it seems that the iPad could be a real game changer for the real estate business (and many others). With that in mind, I thought we could talk about some of the ways that you think the iPad could change your business or the real estate business in general.

    Thoughts?

    I've spent over 20 years in the high technology prior to my interest in real estate and investing and I still do occasional software devellopment work in a contract basis. The IPad in and of itself is NOT going to change the real estate business. Now if somebody comes up with a super useful application then there is the potential for a game changer. But there is nothing right now that an IPad can do that I can't do with my laptop and a my 3G mobile broadband card.

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  • Carlton Ellis
    Real Estate Consultant · Lansing, MI · Member since 2010 · 117 posts · 32 votes
    16y
    Originally posted by Vincent Martinez:
    I don't think it's a matter of specs. Take the iPhone for example; sure there are a handful of "iPhone killers" out there that are studs on paper, but end up being duds in real life. Being a game changer is much more than who has the bigger hard drive or who can tether the best, it also has to do with a products impact on its market and on its competitors.

    @Releaf's link, you'll notice that the iPad is listed first and the rest of the products are questionable if they can compete with the iPad.

    And I swear I'm not as big of an Apple fanboy as I sound on this thread, just playing the devil's advocate.


    It's all about how Apple markets their products and the amount of software applications available for iPhones and iPads. From a purely technical standpoint there is nothing really earth shattering about either the iPhone or the iPad. What Apple has done better than other high tech companies is absolutely brillant marketing particularly to younger people and they got thousands of applications that really enhance the usefulness of the iPhone. Google with its Android operating system has just started being used in smartphones. The Android operating system is a very "open" operating system in terms of software development. I'm curious to see what kind of applications will be developed for Android phones.
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  • Carlton Ellis
    Real Estate Consultant · Lansing, MI · Member since 2010 · 117 posts · 32 votes
    16y
    Originally posted by Kevin C.:
    An ultralight notebook is far more useful than an iPad in my book. I'll take my X61 over an iPad any day.

    iPad = no real keyboard, no usb ports, no multi-tasking, limited apps - how is that a game changer?

    My girlfriend also has an X61 Lenovo tablet laptop. It has many of the same features as an iPad and a lot more computing power and functionality.

    Again, neither the iPhone or IPad are astonishing technical products. Their success is has more to do with Apple's marketing skills than anything else.

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  • Stephen McKee
    Specialist · Riverside, CA · Member since 2008 · 382 posts · 72 votes
    16y

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhqeKtWd4Dc

    I think this sums it up.

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  • Matt Feato
    Real Estate Investor · Springfield, MA · Member since 2010 · 49 posts · 10 votes
    16y

    Until you can jailbreak the iPad like the iPhone, it isn't worth it...

    My iPhone can: fax, 'scan' (with photographs of documents), read and write all office documents, take multiple photos quickly, multi-task by switching between running apps, locate houses, print, connect home to my desktop, email documents, group contacts, schedule my calls to make (with Google Voice), and I'm sure I missed a couple of things...

    iPad...not yet.

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  • Carlton Ellis
    Real Estate Consultant · Lansing, MI · Member since 2010 · 117 posts · 32 votes
    16y
    Originally posted by Mark Claire:

    Apple rocks, watch their stock price soar forever!!!


    Haven't you been watching the stock market the past couple of years? NOBODY'S stock price goes up forever. Now granted Apple is on a great roll and has been for the past eight years. It will be interesting to see if they keep producing products and marketing campaigns that really do a great job motivating people to by their products.

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  • Carlton Ellis
    Real Estate Consultant · Lansing, MI · Member since 2010 · 117 posts · 32 votes
    16y
    Originally posted by Vincent Martinez:


    That's exactly my point. The iPad doesn't replace anything because there's no other device out there that competes with it. Hence, it is a game changer.

    It's way too big to stuff in your pocket, so I don't think it'll replace the iPod Touch (and that looks silly enough when worn on your arm while jogging). Can't wait to see the first person at the gym with an iPad on his arm!

    Actually there are several tablet products on the market. In fact, Wired magazine did a recent review of these producs on their web site. Again I have to give Apple their props in terms of marketing. You are a perfect example. You believe there are no other products like the iPad simply because they haven't been as widely publicized.

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  • Carlton Ellis
    Real Estate Consultant · Lansing, MI · Member since 2010 · 117 posts · 32 votes
    16y
    Originally posted by Vincent Martinez:
    The 3G version will be the game changer, not the current wi-fi only version out right now. I wonder how much the monthly plan will be for the 3G version...I don't think I can afford $200/mo for an iPhone and iPad.

    You bring up a good point. I have a mobile broadband card for my laptop and it's an additional expense but worth it to me when I am out and about and don't have access to a WiFi or network connection. How many people are going to willing to pay the extra money for connectivity?

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  • Stephen McKee
    Specialist · Riverside, CA · Member since 2008 · 382 posts · 72 votes
    16y

    The iPad will be the only mobile broadband product with UNLIMITED access and for only $30. Not $50 fo 7G. I use almost 1T on my iPhone per month.

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  • Mark UpdegraffBusiness Member
    Real Estate Broker · Rochester, NY · Member since 2010 · 1k+ posts · 715 votes
    16y

    What I've seen TIME and TIME again, are apple haters, that come up with all kinds of reason that apple isn't the shizzle, that give every excuse in the book over and over, and then one day, all of a sudden, they are Mac Addicts and their new nickname is "macGuru"

    to all of you that fit that bill, you can't last a lifetime. One by one, you will all come to the dark side of the apple.

    Apple Fan boy since day 1!
    Still rocking the Apple IIe
    still have the high score for orgen trail
    Still have NEVER owned a piece of junk known as the PC
    and proud of it!

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  • Ryan A.
    Rental Property Investor · Lisbon, CT · Member since 2008 · 120 posts · 29 votes
    16y

    Ok to get back on topic - Josh you still have not chimed in.

    There are many tips, tricks and tools available to us to get our jobs done.
    I disagree that this will be a game changer.
    It is highly unlikely that the individuals here that praise this product in this context will have risen to the top someday and when asked how they did it reply "It was the Apple iPad."

    That is my definition of a game changer. Something that blows the socks off of your current business model and dramatically affects your direction/velocity/success (good or bad). The iPad is not that (in this context).

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  • Adrian G.
    Real Estate Investor · Chicago, IL · Member since 2008 · 318 posts · 30 votes
    16y

    I think its worth it to get the wifi + 3G model and the 30 bucks a month isnt a bad deal at all. I just got my hands on one and was fooling around with it and now.....I WANT IT.

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  • Shanti S.
    Real Estate Investor · Longmont, CO · Member since 2009 · 208 posts · 109 votes
    16y

    Jury's still out for me on the ipad, but I did get a new macbook pro about 3 weeks ago, completing the switch over from pc's for my personal use.

    And all I can say, is, WOW. It cost about twice as much as a comparable windows laptop, and it's worth it and then some. After spending years learning the ins and outs of pc's, I never want to look at one again. The mac is a pleasure to use, is instantly ready instead of waiting a minute or two, has a 10 hour battery life, the first trackpad that has me not missing an external mouse, I could go on and on and I still don't know half the cool stuff I can do on it.

    The speed, integration, and the amount of thought and careful design that went into every aspect of this machine is always evident and I have only regrets that I waited this long.

    If I still need to run my windows programs, I boot up a virtual machine in seconds and run mac and pc at the same time.

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  • Mark UpdegraffBusiness Member
    Real Estate Broker · Rochester, NY · Member since 2010 · 1k+ posts · 715 votes
    16y

    The only "game" it will "change" is the game that YOU let it change. It is already saving me copious amounts of time and as we all know, time = money

    In order for it to change the game of RE, it is going to need some tech savvy programmers that understand the needs of RE.

    The true genius of the iPad's functionality is yet to be unleashed by the talented programming core. We have not seen all the ways this device can shine, not even close.

    If we WANT the iPad to be a GAME CHANGER for RE, then maybe this thread should:

    DISCUSS APPLICATIONS THAT WOULD BENEFIT YOU, rather than personal opinions...

    IMHO anyway ;-)

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  • Dave Grosse
    Wholesaler · Belleville, IL · Member since 2009 · 206 posts · 44 votes
    16y
    Originally posted by Joshua Dorkin:
    ... With that in mind, I thought we could talk about some of the ways that you think the iPad could change your business or the real estate business in general.

    Thoughts?


    I think the real issue Josh wanted to bring up was just what he said here - what ways do you see that the iPad could change the way you do your business...

    Will it change the real estate business? yes and no. It could change the way you interact with data and people. But I wouldn't call it a game changer unless a majority of real estate professionals used them regularly for their business.

    I still really want one, but I'm going to wait for version 2. I was just at a house yesterday and I had to tell the guy there was no way he would get what he owed, not even close. I could've brought printouts of comps, but if I had an iPad I could've opened my email and showed him the comps right there and it would have made a bigger impression on him than papers. Would he sell to me just because of that? Maybe.

    I think presentation is huge and a lot of people, whether they realize it or not, will buy things solely b/c of the presentation of information. the iPad is another tool to improve your presentation and as Mark said, save you time

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  • Mike McKinzie
    Investor · Westminster, CO · Member since 2009 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    16y

    Would like to bump this thread as I am seriously considering an IPad. Any more updates from you Ipad users out there?

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  • Joshua D.Pro Member
    OP
    BiggerPockets Founder · HI · Member since 2008 · 16k+ posts · 5k+ votes
    16y

    I'm thinking about buying one finally . . . I think it will be a game changer for real estate because I'll be able to run BiggerPockets from it from wherever I go. Sounds to me like that'll help change the game -- or at least it'll help me get out once in a while!

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