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Posted almost 6 years ago

The 3 Google tools every Long-Distance Investor Needs

Google is amazing.  Here is a list of their products that I couldn't work without.

1. Maps

The most obvious, but if you're not taking virtual drives around the neighborhood in the Google-mobile, or peering into the neighbors' backyards with the satellite images, you should be.  As a remote investor, this is an essential tool. 

Did you know you can go back in time?  Here is 10 years of urban re-vitalization in action from 2007 to 2017.  This is a great way to see how an area has changed, and possibly spy on the past condition of a property. 

By clicking the time function at the top right corner of the screen in street view, you can see how things have evolved over time. 

2. Keep

This is an amazing on-line collaboration tool for any information you want to organize, store, or share with team members.  I use Keep for:

  • Design specs
  • Contractor contact information
  • Renovation, turn-over, and seasonal to-do lists

Some of the most value functions in Keep:

  • Organize lists using labels that can then be sorted in any number of ways (property, team member, maintenance, etc)
  • Add hyperlinks to direct people to the exactly right product/address/etc
  • Add photos to share ideas or product information
  • Accessible by the Keep app - making lists and information available anytime, anywhere
  • Track work progress with to-do lists
  • Lists can be modified by team members, noting important information that can be share across the team.
  • Grant or revoke sharing with anyone, at any time. 

3. Voice

Voice is a little-known but extremely useful tool.  

  • One number for many jobs

In creating a Voice account, you will get a new phone number.  This is the only number you will ever need.  The rules and settings are infinite.  Just a few of the functions I use:

* Call forwarding.  Forward calls to your Voice number to any new or existing number.  If you have multiple phone numbers, or change numbers, this is very useful. 

* Call rules.  In you live and work in different time zones, you know how annoying it is to have the phone ringing at odd hours.  Use the call rules to stop the phone from ringing at set times.

  • Stay connected from anywhere

If you live or work outside of the U.S., or a place with poor or non-existent cell service, Voice is the answer.  By using wi-fi, you can use Voice for calls, text messages, and video calls. 

  • Forward voice mails and texts to email.  

While not perfect, Voice can notate a voice mail and send the script to your email.  It's accurate enough to get the gist of the message, and the number transcription is very good.  Or get text message forwarded to your email - a handy feature if you have wi-fi but no cell service. 

Did I mention all of these services are FREE?  

As someone who lives 9 times zones from my investments, I could not manage my rentals nearly as well without these tools. 



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