Run Your Real Estate Business with a Smartphone Using Video Conferencing

Years ago, we had a house for sale (YES, I used a REALTOR; if you were thinking I would FSBO--NEVER!). I was the perfect seller--never there for open houses or showings, kept the house clean and a bunch of stuff either boxed up, sold or donated to reduce clutter. I used my own social media and web presence to help get the home noticed.

One day after a showing, I came home and a lady was sitting in front of the house in her car on the phone. I gave her a few minutes and walked out and started a conversation. She told me she was telling a friend that lived out of state about the appearance of the house. Her friend requested she check out the house and neighborhood.

I asked her what brand of phone her friend had and whether she had an iPad or tablet. She said her friend was an Apple user and I suggested we do a FaceTime and show the house. The friend agreed and we started the call. We walked through the house, showing the room, the closets, the kitchen cabinets and even the view out the windows and doors. I was able to answer all her questions about the neighborhood, utility bills, HOA, etc. We ended the call and I thought to myself, let's see where this goes.

The next day, our agent called. She had an offer from out of state. Yes, it was the person I did video conferencing with the day earlier. She bought the home and is still living in the home.

That all happened six years ago. We have made so many advancements in both technology and devices since. Let's talk devices first. Our cameras on all of our devices have greatly improved and will continue getting better. The iPhone 6 had an 8-megapixel camera, the iPhone 11 has a 12-megapixel camera. Our wireless networks keep expanding and becoming more reliable and faster, and with 5G on the horizon, we will see even greater advances.

What is the best video conferencing platform out there? First, FaceTime and Skype are looked at as one-on-one tools versus video conferencing, which can allow more robust features. I looked at 10 different platforms that offer a mobile app—a very important feature that is needed in our lifestyle today (plus, this article is about smartphones).

Here is a list of video conferencing platforms with mobile apps I looked at:

• Ring Central Meetings
• Intermedia AnyMeeting
• ZOHO Meeting
• Click Meeting
• Microsoft Teams
• GoToMeeting
• Cisco Webex Meetings
• Blue Jeans
• Join Me
• Zoom Meeting

The cost ranges from free to $30 to use these platforms, and in some cases basic service is free and premium features are offered for a fee. I have used a few of these and had success with them. Currently, at this very moment, subject to change tomorrow, I use Zoom. I do have a free account with them and use it for my webinars.

In today's world, you need at least one video conferencing app..I have several, which doesn't hurt having them on your device. You can use them for out of town buyers, working with other agents, sharing your screen to review documents—and the list goes on!

Now here's an idea for you. I do webinars on Zoom. I record them, edit and load them to YouTube. Once the video is on YouTube, you'll have a link to post it on your website, social media or any place you want. As a real estate professional, think of webinar topics that you could offer and record and post. Years ago, I spoke about websites and web presence and advocated to use both words and video on your website so people understand who you are. Some people are word readers; others are video watchers. Using a video conferencing app, you can win over both! The best part? All of this is absolutely free!

Dick Betts is a national speaker, trainer and consultant. Learn more at www.DickBetts.com