7 New Google Product Features for Real Estate Agents
On October 4, 2023, Google rolled out its latest product update, featuring two new smartphones, the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro, as well as a new wearable device, the Pixel Watch 2. They come with some interesting features that real estate agents might be interested in learning about and using, including a new temperature sensor, advanced photo and video capabilities, and a new safety option on the watch. 1. Scan a Temperature With Your Phone The Pixel 8 Pro has a new feature on the phone, a temperature sensor that's located on the back of the device, underneath the camera. If you have a client asking a question about how sun exposure affects room temperature, or just want to make sure the burners on a stove are working, the phone can tell you how warm (or cold) a specific item is. Google is currently waiting on FDA approval to allow you to take your own temperature with the sensor. 2. Better Macro Photos Both the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro have new or upgraded ultrawide lenses, which allow users to take detailed close-ups, or macro photos. For displaying things like textures or fine details in home features, macro photos are perfect, and adding this camera to the device means agents can snap those photos themselves instead of hiring a professional photographer with specialized equipment to capture the same image. 3. Magic Editor for Photos Magic Editor uses generative AI to allow you to make adjustments to your photo so that it fits your vision. You can use it to move or resize different elements in the photo, remove distractions, and make other changes easily and on the fly, directly from your phone. Brighten up the sky in those outdoor shots or remove the housecat that wouldn't cooperate with your listing photo requirements. 4. Zoom Enhance for Photos This is another generative AI feature that allows users to zoom in and crop photos; the tool will smooth out the appearance of the pixels, enhancing the image so it's easy to see where you were zooming and why. 5. Audio Magic Eraser It's happened to all of us: You're trying to capture a video, but there's some noise that just won't quit, whether it's a barking dog, traffic from outside, or a plane flying overhead. Google's Audio Magic Eraser tool segments and layers the different sounds in your videos, allowing you to control the volume level of each element. 6. Call Screen Tired of having your phone blown up with unknown numbers? The new Call Screen improvements will answer calls from unknown numbers with a natural voice to engage whoever is on the other end of the line. The AI features will learn which calls you want to take (from prospective clients, for example) and which you want to avoid (from salespeople trying to sell you software or lists of expired listings, for example). And after a planned update, you will have the ability to suggest contextual replies that will allow you to respond to calls without answering the phone. 7. Safety Check Google Pixel Watch 2 users can use Safety Check to alert friends, family, or anyone designated if you don't show up to a planned appointment or place at the time specified. You can choose an activity, set a timer for when you plan to arrive, and select up to 15 different contacts to alert that you're starting a Safety Check. They'll be notified again with your current location if you don't check in before the timer expires. Related Reading Top 10 Mobile Apps for Real Estate Agents 14 New iOS 17 Features That Were Built for Real Estate Agents 52 Resources for Making Money with Your Phone

14 New iOS 17 Features That Were Built for Real Estate Agents
Earlier this month, Apple introduced new products to market, including the iPhone 15. On Monday, the company updated its operating system, iOS, from iOS 16.6.1 to iOS 17. If you're not in the habit of automatically updating your iPhone to the latest and greatest iOS as soon as it's released, you might want to make an exception for this one. The new operating system brings new features, some of them particularly relevant for real estate agents. Here's what's new and how you can get the latest version of iOS onto your iPhone. Check In for safety A new feature in the native Messages app will allow iPhone users to Check In with family members or friends when you've arrived safely at a destination, including your home. The Check In feature will also work for a preset time duration instead of arrival at a location. For example, if you are going to be meeting with a client somewhere and the meeting doesn't involve a location change, you can set up a Check In that will alert your friends and family if you don't confirm that you are safe after a specified time. For agents who are diligent about personal safety and who make a point to check in with people, this could be a good alternative to paid apps that provide the same service. If you don't respond to the Check In prompt (sent after your time duration is up or if you are not making progress toward your destination for more than 15 minutes), the app will share your phone's current location with the specified users, as well as information about your phone's battery and cellular connectivity status. Messages now also supports location sharing right in the app. Users can use the new Location feature within Messages to tell friends, colleagues, and loved ones where they are. NameDrop Agents who don't have a digital business card but who do have a compatible iPhone will definitely want to check out this feature. First, there's been an update to the Contact Posters options on iPhone. This is the contact information that you can share with other people, including different treatments for photos, your Memoji, and your name. You can now include your pronouns on your Contact Poster if you want to do that. These Contact Posters will now show up when you make a phone call or FaceTime someone, and you can now exchange your contact information with someone (your name, Contact Poster, and a phone number or email address of your choice) simply by bringing your iPhone in proximity to their iPhone or Apple Watch. You can also share content or start a SharePlay session via AirDrop by placing two iPhones running iOS 17 near each other. And AirDrop transfers will continue even after you move your Apple device away from the other Apple device. A better keyboard One of the big pieces of news has been around the "smarter" autocorrect in iOS 17 that uses "a new transformer language model," a deep learning neural network architecture that is designed to make your autocorrect more accurate across languages as well as improve typing predictions. Yes, this includes four-letter words and their derivatives. The keyboard will also now underline in a faint blue any autocorrections or suggestions it's made, so you can easily tap on the word and restore it if your phone got it wrong. FaceTime advancements If you like using FaceTime to communicate with your clients, there are some new features you'll almost certainly love. You can now leave a video or audio message if someone doesn't pick up your FaceTime call. And there are new reactions and gestures available in the app: "Layer screen effects like balloons, confetti, stormy rain, fireworks, or laser beams directly into your camera feed," says the Apple iOS release guide. You can trigger them by tapping or using certain gestures on the phone. New dual SIM functions If you're using dual SIM cards in your iPhone to manage personal and business lines (or multiple business lines), you'll be happy to hear that you can now set up different ringtones for each SIM as well as choose either SIM to return a call from unknown callers. You can also now sort text messages by SIM card. More weather info in Weather The updated Weather app promises more detailed precipitation forecasts (by the hour over the next 10 days), wind overlays, historical trends, yesterday's weather, and more granular location names — you can search weather by neighborhood in select cities. Maps with more muscle If you use Apple's native Maps app (and even if you don't), here's something exciting: You can download maps to use when your phone doesn't have a cell signal or access to WiFi, including estimated times of arrival based on historical traffic. You can also get routes for driving, cycling, walking, or public transport on those maps. And if you drive an electric vehicle, Apple Maps now lets you select a preferred charging network, show you the availability for open chargers, and allow you to search for charges based on plug type and other variables. Other improvements There are many other features that the new iOS is offering. Here are some more of the most relevant updates for agents: Live voicemail: You can now see a live transcription of voicemails being left and choose to pick up the call if you decide you want to answer it after all. Verification code cleanup: Messages will automatically delete verification codes after they are used with autofill. Password and passkey sharing: You can create groups to share passwords with, easily share your passwords, and add or edit passwords using Safari. AirPods: A new "conversation awareness" feature allows your AirPods to lower your media volume, reduce background noise, and enhance the voices in front of you so that you can easily hear when someone is speaking to you. Photos: New privacy prompt improvements lets you pick and choose photos to share with an app instead of sharing your entire library. If an app does ask for access to your entire photo library, you can see how many and which photos will be shared before you decide to allow it access. Screenshot saving: You can now decide to save screenshots in Safari, Pages, or Notes not only as images, but also as a PDF. Multiple timers: It's finally available! And you can label timers so you know what each is counting down. Slick. You can see the full rundown on iOS 17 updates in Apple's official iOS 17 Guide. How to download iOS 17 The new iOS is available for iPhones released in October 2018 or later. The two oldest iPhones compatible with iOS 17 are the iPhone XR and the iPhone XS, both released in October 2018. Users of the iPhone SE (second generation) can also download the new iOS. And iPhones 11 through 15 (all versions) are also compatible with the new iOS. To download it, iPhone users should open their Settings app, select General, then tap Software Update. An option to download and install the new iOS should be available for all compatible phones. Make sure you are charging your phone (it will need at least 50% battery available) and that it is connected to WiFi before you take that step. Happy exploring!

52 Resources for Making Money with Your Phone
Real estate agents are always happy to hear about ways to make more money — and in the current tough market, we could all use as much help as we can get. That's why, over the month of July, RE Technology has been running a series of articles every Tuesday to help you do just that. It's the first month of this series, and each month has a different theme. In July, that theme has been, "How can I make money with my mobile phone?" Below is an overview of the topics we covered. Download our free eBook to read all of these articles compiled in one convenient place. 25 Text Messages You Should Send Right Now - Texting is one of the most effective forms of communication, but it's not always easy coming up with the right messaging. These 25 text message templates make that easy — just copy, paste and send any of these messages for different scenarios like lead generation, follow-ups, referral requests, and more. Get Shareable Market Trends to Keep Your Clients in the Know - Consumers love useful real estate market data, especially when presented via attractive graphics. Learn about a new RPR feature that helps you instantly create beautiful market graphics and share them online. And, bonus, this can all be done from RPR's mobile app. 3 Mobile Strategies for Winning in the Current Market - Get three strategies for winning in the current marketplace that you can accomplish from your mobile phone. Also, learn about an app that can add audio tours to your listings — a unique way to differentiate yourself and handy for the visually impaired buyer. Unlock Your Business's Potential: Meet a Shifting Market's Demands with Data-Backed Insights - Discover how Remine Mobile can help you prospect on the go — and predict who may be able to transact soon with Buy Score and Sell Score data. Unlock Your Real Estate Earnings: Boost Listings with App and AI Technology - Learn about two apps from BoxBrownie.com that can take your iPhone snaps and turn them into professional-looking listing photos, and then generate property descriptions from those photos using AI. We hope these articles were helpful to our readers. However, you should know that great advice about mobile technology isn't something we share just one month per year — we do it year-round! To help round out our mobile-focused month, today we want to share more smartphone resources that we've published over the years. Let's dive in… 47 More Mobile Resources Your smartphone can help you make more money through a variety of ways — through mobile transaction management, productivity apps, creating social media and other marketing content, and so much more. We've shared content on all of those areas throughout the years — and even helped our readers stay up-to-date on the latest technology advancements, including what's new with iOS 17, which was just released on July 11. To explore all the ways you can maximize the use of your mobile phone, check out our list of resources below: Mobile app recommendations The first step on the road to smartphone-enabled success? Having the right mobile apps! To start off, check out this list of the top 10 mobile apps for real estate agents. Those recommendations are more generalized, so from there, let's dive into apps that are recommended for specific purposes: Apps for scanning documents and creating PDFs Free video editing apps Realtor safety apps Apps for taking better listing photos Mobile app overviews Moving on from our lists of app recommendations, let's take in-depth looks at specific mobile programs. The articles below can further your understanding of what each app does and how you can use it in your real estate business: RPR Mobile - From mobile market reports to mobile buyer tours, RPR Mobile has it all — and it's free to NAR members. Trello - A project management app that makes collaboration a breeze. Expensify and MileIQ - Expense management and mileage tracking apps that make the unsexy parts of business management a little less painless. Slack - Make communication between various parties — team members, assistants, clients, and beyond — simpler and more centralized. SentriKey Mobile App - If your association uses SentriLock lockboxes, check out this article to learn about all of the things the SentriKey mobile app can do. Virtual Tours Creator 360 - An app that can create 360° virtual property tours, right from your smartphone. Mobile user tips and tricks Oh, boy. There are a lot of things a smartphone can do — and we probably don't even know the half of it! We're gonna give it the ol' college try, though. From speeding up slow devices, to setting up hotspots, to Notes and Google Keep hacks, here are a bunch of tips and tricks for maximizing the use of your iPhone or Android phones: 3 Magical Things You Can Do with Newer iPhones Real Estate Smartphone Tricks: Using Your Phone's Calendar No Internet? Here's How to Set Up Your Own Hotspot 8 Essential Settings to Extend the Battery Life of Your Smartphone Smartphone Running Slower? Here Are 4 Helpful Tips How to Quickly Switch Between Programs and Apps on Computers and Smartphones Let's Make Your Smartphone Smarter! How to Pair AirPods with Any Device Apple Users: Let's Set Up Notes to the Max! Dictation: One of the Most Underused Features in Apple Notes and Google Keep! How to Set a Location Reminder in Google Keep Collaborating with Others Using Apple Notes and Google Keep Running your real estate business with your mobile phone Now that we've covered the nuts and bolts of using your phone, let's move on to the heart of the matter — running your real estate business via your smartphone. Real estate agents are a particularly on-the-go breed, and we want you to know all of the things you can accomplish on the road using just your phone (including completing an entire transaction from start to finish). Here, we're highlighting a series of articles called, appropriately, "Run Your Real Estate Business with a Smartphone." Here are all the posts in that series: Can You Run Your Real Estate Business with a Smartphone? YES Run Your Real Estate Business with a Smartphone: Text Replacement Real Estate Smartphone Tricks: Using Your Phone's Contacts as a CRM Real Estate Smartphone Tricks: Using Your Phone's Calendar Run Your Real Estate Business with a Smartphone Using Information Management Run Your Real Estate Business with an iPhone Using Email, Messenger and Text Run Your Real Estate Business with an Android Phone Using Email, Messenger and Text Run Your Real Estate Business with a Smartphone: Building Social Media Exposure Run Your Real Estate Business with a Smartphone Using Video Conferencing Run Your Real Estate Business with a Smartphone Using Cameras and Scanners Run Your Real Estate Business with a Smartphone: Recap Video and photography Phone cameras have advanced a lot in recent years, to the point that some real estate agents feel comfortable taking listing photos on their phone! If that's you, or if you just want to learn how to take better mobile photos in general, check out How to Take Professional Photos on Your iPhone or Android Phone. If you're an iPhone user, get iPhone-specific photography tips in this article. Photos aren't the only thing your phone does well! Real estate pros also use them for video marketing. To ensure your marketing videos are as polished as possible, see 2 Apps for Editing Real Estate Videos Quickly. Text messaging Text messages are a remarkable thing — with 98% of them being read, they have a far higher success rate than emails or phone calls. Whether you're using them for client communication or for marketing, make sure you're aware of texting etiquette. Speaking of marketing, see 5 Steps to Build Out Your Real Estate Mobile and Text Message Marketing Strategy to learn more about leveraging texts to promote your business. And let's not forget the ways you can use texts with current clients — everything from closing and listing updates, appointment reminders, asking for reviews, and more. Mobile Miscellany As we wrap up, we come to the odds and ends that didn't fit in any of the above categories — but are still good to know. Smartphone Safety: 8 Tips to Protect Your Personal Information What Your Phone Number Says About You 5 Things Every Agent Needs to Know About 5G And, finally, if all this smartphone talk has made you a little tired, see Are You Married to Your Smartphone? How to Divorce Amicably and Still Be a Top Producing Realtor. After all, it's good to take a break once in a while from the devices that rule our lives! Go outside, touch some grass, feel the wind on your face, and come back to your phone when you're ready. It'll be waiting. To explore more mobile solutions, check out our Product Directory. And stay tuned for next month's theme: Finding more homes for sale!

3 Mobile Strategies for Winning in the Current Market
Welcome back to our weekly "Tips and Tricks Tuesday" series, which highlights articles around a monthly topic. July's theme is "How can I make more money with my phone?" Read on to learn more about the latest mobile apps and innovations that can help you be productive from anywhere: As interest rates have risen and the number of available homes for sale have reached historic lows, real estate professionals have had to adjust their expectations. At the same time, there are still many buyers looking for homes and owners interested in selling, which means there are opportunities for agents to be successful. Based on our recent discussions with top producers, here are three strategies for winning in the current marketplace that you can follow through on anytime, anywhere from the palm of your hand. Be responsive The National Association of Realtors estimates that the average lead conversion rate in residential real estate is 0.4-1.2%. That means for every 200 leads agents receive, only one or two turns into a client. With the odds for conversion already low, it's important to do everything you can to turn a lead into a client. It sounds basic, but that starts with being responsive. Research has shown that buyers, especially if they are searching online, move on quickly. If they don't hear from an agent within minutes of submitting an inquiry on a listing, they will find one who is responsive. The good news is that our smartphones allow us to stay connected whenever and wherever. Even if you are with a client or at a family gathering, it's easy to respond quickly to a lead by letting them know you received their inquiry and you will call them back shortly. Stay in touch with prospective clients Turning a prospect into a client takes time. Research shows that it can take six to 24 months of nurturing to convert a prospect into a client. Often that's because consumers aren't actively looking for a home when you first connect with them, or they begin their conversation with an agent when they are just embarking on their search for a home. So regular contact is important. Again, this is an area when your smartphone can play a major role in winning business. For instance, Rodolfo Trujillo, a top producer with RE/MAX Advantage Plus in Minneapolis, reports success with a mobile app offered by his brokerage that analyzes his contacts specific to their online real estate activity, prompting him to reach out at the right time. According to Trujillo, the app has resulted in two listings in the past six months. Double down on marketing to expand your sphere Building your brand and differentiating your knowledge is always important, but it's critical when the market slows and the competition becomes more fierce. Check out tools offered by your MLS, association or brokerage, and look for innovative solutions that allow you to cost-effectively and seamlessly reach new audiences, turbocharging your current marketing channels. One solution is DirectOffer's patented DO AudioTours™. With DO AudioTours, you have the ability to add audio to your property listings from your smartphones in one of two ways. You can rely on AudioTour's natural language processing capabilities to auto-generate and add a description in over 20 languages in both voice and closed captions to each listing photo, or you can take the time to personalize the AudioTour by recording a 30-second voiceover to each listing photo. Once complete, your AudioTour can be shared across your marketing channels, including social media, emails and text messages, via your smartphone. In addition to differentiating yourself in listing presentations and reaching your new audiences, leads on your listings are routed directly to you at no cost, making AudioTours both an effective marketing and lead generation tool. To learn more about DO AudioTours™, visit www.doaudiotours.com. Katie Lappe is the CEO and founder of DirectOffer, Inc.

8 Essential Settings to Extend the Battery Life of Your Smartphone
For many real estate agents, their smartphone is the key to productivity and keeping business booming. From scheduling appointments and answering client calls to capturing property photos and updating listings, it's the essential tool for your day-to-day operations. As an agent on the go, maximizing your device's battery life is crucial to keeping up with your hectic schedule. Here are eight essential settings that can help you extend the battery life of your smartphone: Adjust Screen Brightness One of the biggest battery drainers is your smartphone's display. To conserve battery life, lower the screen brightness and enable auto-brightness, which will automatically adjust the brightness based on your surroundings. Turn Off Background App Refresh Many apps run in the background and refresh data even when you're not using them. Having more apps installed means less charge in your battery. Disable background app refresh for non-essential apps in your settings to save battery life. Reduce Notifications Too many frequent notifications can drain your battery by lighting up the screen and making your phone vibrate. Limit notifications to the most important apps and consider disabling vibrations. Enable Battery Saver or Low-Power Mode Most smartphones have a built-in battery-saver mode, which limits background activities and reduces performance to extend battery life. Enable this feature when your battery is running low or when you anticipate a long day ahead. Reduce Screen Timeout The longer your screen stays on, the more battery it consumes. Adjust the screen timeout settings to a shorter duration (e.g., 30 seconds) to save power. Disable Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Bluetooth and Wi-Fi can drain your battery even when you're not actively using them. If you keep your Wi-Fi settings on when you leave the location of your connection, it will "hunt" for a signal, and that can drain your battery. Switch off these features when they're not needed. Keep in mind that if you have devices like a smartwatch synched with your smartphone, turning Bluetooth off will halt that connection. Turn Off Haptic Feedback and Vibrations Haptic feedback (a tactile response when typing on your phone) and vibrations may feel satisfying, but they're battery killers. Disable them in your phone's settings, and you'll be amazed at how much longer your battery lasts. Keep Your Smartphone Software Up-to-Date Software updates often include battery optimization improvements. Regularly update your smartphone's operating system and apps to ensure you use the most efficient versions. Implementing these eight essential tips will prolong your smartphone's battery life, allowing you to maintain your daily workflow uninterrupted. With a battery that endures the demands of your busy schedule, you can seamlessly attend to clients, close deals, and stay connected without the constant worry of your phone dying at the most inopportune times. If you need help with any of these settings or have questions about extending your smartphone's battery life, contact Tech Helpline. Remember, a charged phone is a happy phone – and a happy real estate agent! To view the original article, visit the Tech Helpline blog.

Text Etiquette: The Do's and Don'ts When Texting
Texting has emerged as the "go-to" communication tool for real estate agents and their clients. Six years ago, the National Association of Realtors put texting as the third most popular form of client communication, behind email and telephone. The most recent NAR study shows texting is now the No. 1 way agents connect with their clients (93%), topping telephone and email communications. More importantly, agents texting past clients and prospects have grown more than 25% since 2016. Because texting is efficient, quick, and convenient, it often is the most effective way for agents to engage with their clients and co-workers. But sending a text can sometimes be fraught with risks. And while texting is especially vital to Millennials – who open their text messages about 98% of the time versus 20% of emails being opened – an unwanted or unsolicited text can cause an immediate and adverse reaction. Real estate agents must also be aware of TCPA: Telephone Consumer Protection Act. This Federal law protects consumer privacy rights. It was created to limit both annoying and unwanted telephone calls and texts. Here's a quick primer on texting etiquette – some of the essential dos and don'ts you should follow when texting. The Do's Do remain professional: The best overall texting rule in real estate is to maintain a professional demeanor. When texting a client for the first time, start by identifying yourself and explaining why you are texting them. Use short and complete sentences versus abbreviations or text lingo until you can observe their texting style. Also, hold off on using emojis unless you know the recipient well. Once you have begun a text exchange and see their style, you can determine if you should loosen up a little. Most importantly, be mindful of the time (and their time zone) and unless there's a compelling reason, keep your text exchanges limited to business hours. Not all clients are keen on receiving texts late at night or early in the morning unless they expressly permit you. A best practice is establishing text boundaries with clients in advance when discussing the best ways to reach them and for them to reach you. Do keep texts short and on-topic: When texting prospects or past clients, it's essential to keep your text messages brief. They are more likely to be read and remembered versus deleted. Texts should never be lengthy – that's the job of an email or phone call. If you have a lot to say, put it all in an email and if it's important, send a short text making sure they read the email you just sent. They will appreciate that approach. Otherwise, you also risk that they will lose interest. Also, remember to use their name in a text; it can be powerful to share something you know about them, such as a birthday or anniversary note. Finally, if you expect a response, you must end your message with a question. That's how to get most people to respond. Do send targeted updates and links: Since you're likely sending clients emails – perhaps suggested listings or requests for document review – feel free to text them a link to a relevant video or article about the community they are shopping. They will feel like you are giving them inside information and special attention for what they want. Potential homebuyers will also be intrigued by a digital walkthrough of a listing, especially if you send them a personalized tour shot on your smartphone and use their name(s) throughout it. Do reply ASAP: Texting is an immediate form of communication: it comes across as more urgent than a phone call or email. Clients who text you during the business hours you've established will expect a quick response. Even if you are busy, it's better to text back sooner than later out of politeness. Otherwise, they might think you are ignoring them. Do provide opt-in and opt-out opportunities: If you are using text to share more general versus individual-specific information, give recipients the option to opt into receiving texts when needed. This is especially true when promoting an event like an open house. If you plan to text them regularly – i.e., once a week – set that expectation upfront by letting them know what to expect. On the flip side, if a lead asks you to quit texting them, then stop immediately. You should also confirm their request promptly. If you are using a professional texting service, you should add a line at the end that says "Reply STOP to opt-out of future messages" to let your contacts know they can stop any time they wish. The Don'ts Don't use group messages: When someone gives you their mobile number, it creates a new level of responsibility. Use their number wisely to earn their trust. Including clients or prospects in a group message is rarely a good idea, as it can quickly erode the trust you are building with them. Instead, customize your text communication for each recipient. Yes, it takes extra time to create separate texts versus a group text, but it is worth it. Don't text bad news: Texting is not the best communication method if you need to share unfortunate information. Sharing bad news via text could be interpreted as cowardly or callous. If you need to be the bearer of bad news, it's better to call the client directly. That way, you can answer your customer's questions, provide additional advice, and, most importantly, read and respond to their non-verbal cues. Don't send without proofreading: Do you use the dictation feature on your phone to write texts? If you do, be extra careful, as autocorrect can wreak havoc with the English language and cause unplanned embarrassment. While some clients may be forgiving of an accidental typo or two, others will see it as a negative reflection on you. To maintain your professional image, before sending a text to a client or prospect, take a breath. Make sure you proofread and check for any errors that need to be corrected. And if you accidentally send out a text with a mistake, take ownership of it and quickly clarify what you meant to say. When texting, you can correct an error by immediately responding using an asterisk before the corrected spelling of the word (*ample – instead of apple) that appears in the text you just sent. You could also use a virtual editor to assist you with your writing. Don't send too many attachments: Sometimes, you need to send photos or short videos to a client or prospect via text. But you want to send as few as possible. Sending too many images and videos can negatively affect one's data plan or phone storage limits. Too many photos and videos also can make you appear to be pushy. If you want to send multiple images, text a link to the photos and videos on a web page or a shared online document folder (i.e., Dropbox, Google Drive, or Microsoft OneDrive). Don't text numbers on the Do Not Call Registry: Do not ever text a number on the DNC registry without permission. While doing so could potentially lead to heavy fines, more importantly, it could damage a client or prospect relationship. Remember, if you want to text a number on the Do Not Call list, you must either have a business relationship with them or get their written permission before you send them a text. The popularity of texting remains strong: 97% of American adults text weekly. Over 6 billion texts are sent daily – that is, 27 trillion texts are sent yearly. But real estate agents need to use texting wisely because they are entrusted with personal mobile phone numbers. Perhaps the best rule of thumb when deciding whether to text or not to text is if you must ask that question, don't text. If you need help with smartphone texting or other issues, remember to contact someone at Tech Helpline for assistance. To view the original article, visit the Tech Helpline blog.

3 Magical Things You Can Do with Newer iPhones
Apple's latest software update (iOS 16) introduces features that leverage AI and new built-in tech, putting a little magic in your pocket. Apple bills the new enhancements to the iPhone as "all-new personalization features, deeper intelligence, and more seamless ways to communicate and share." What Apple does with its new operating system for the iPhone goes way beyond some of the cool new features it has added. Yes, it's great that you can now choose your photos or images to set up multiple lock screens. Adding widgets to your lock screen to quickly glance at the weather, a calendar event, battery level, your Activity ring progress, and more is also pretty slick. Yet, the real magic features Apple is building into your newer iPhone are practical. Here are three new features that are wowing folks on TikTok and should benefit agents on the go: 1. Magically remove the background of an image Creating newsletters, blog posts, and other marketing materials often requires accompanying images. Those images can often be more powerful, creative, and have a greater impact when you remove the background. While online tools like remove.bg work great, your iPhone now has the power to do this even faster than online tools. Most people may not realize that the iPhone's built-in photo editing software had been able to remove the background of a photo for quite some time. But it took about a half-dozen steps to accomplish. Now, you can lift a subject from its background almost instantly. Here's how: Inside Photos, select the photo. Then simply touch the subject you want to keep and hold it with your finger. Magically, the subject is instantly outlined, and a small Copy | Share button appears at the top to select. When you choose Share, you can now paste your image with the background removed inside an email, a text, a note, a text, or another application – or save it as a new photo. This new tech tip isn't just limited to your Photo app. You also can lift a subject from its background in Screenshot, Quick Look, Safari, and more. 2. Copy text from any photo – even translate it This new iPhone trick is so cool and relatively unknown that you can probably describe it to win a bar bet. New image recognition software can instantly optically scan and convert text inside any image or photo, allowing you to paste the text into a document, text, note, email, and more. Try it for yourself: Take a picture of a traffic sign. Now hold your finger on the text in the photo. It will be instantly highlighted and allow you to copy and paste the text. For a real estate agent, the uses are endless. You can take photos of any business card and copy and paste the text into a document, making it easier to update your contacts. You can take pictures of a document to share and paste the text into an email instead of an image. Instead of taking notes from something in writing, take a picture of the text, then copy and paste the information from the photo into an email, note, or other document or app that allows you to paste text. Better yet, turn on the new Live Text feature to capture information from photos, videos, and images. Live Text recognizes information within your photos, videos, and images you find online. You can use Live Text to make a call, send an email, or look up directions with just a tap. To turn on Live Text: Open the Settings app Tap General Tap Language & Region, then turn on Live Text You also can translate text inside a photo, video, or image Open a photo, video, or online image. If the text is in a video, pause the video first. Then, tap the Live Text button. Tap Translate. Sometimes, you will need to tap Continue and choose a language to translate. Take a photo of a sign that says Alto with this feature, and it instantly translates into Stop. 3. Unsend that email or text We've all been there. You are in the middle of writing an email or a text, and you accidentally hit the send button. You cringe, because what you sent does not make sense since you were not yet finished. Apple feels you, adding another magical feature: a new Unsend command. What your newer iPhone is doing is akin to hitting a slight "pause" button so you can retrieve the mistake. It works immediately after you send a text or email, as an "Unsend" command appears at the bottom. Of course, you must act swiftly, but if you select Unsend, the message will no longer appear on the recipient's screen or email inbox. Apple describes this new feature as "everyday messaging enhanced" because it gives you time to edit and fix the message you just sent by retrieving it. One additional feature: you now can mark a text message as "unread" if you want to come back later to respond. More new features Apple added a lot more magical and practical features with its latest update in addition to these. But keep in mind all of these features – below and above – may not be active for all iPhones. On Apple's website, you can scroll through nearly all the new bells and whistles that have been added to newer iPhones (iPhones 8, SE, X, and later, in most cases) with the iOS 16 update. Overall, many of these new iPhone features and tools can be incredibly useful for real estate agents in their daily work – and play. If you have any questions about on your smartphone – or any of your devices – please reach out to your Tech Helpline analysts to get assistance, as we are just a call, chat or click away! To view the original article, visit the Tech Helpline blog.

Textiquette for Real Estate Agents 101
More and more reports are showing that Americans prefer text messages to phone calls. In fact, The Chicago Tribune reported Americans spend a reported 26 minutes a day texting, compared to six minutes on phone calls. With mobile devices, the lines between professional and personal worlds get a bit blurred. And as a real estate agent, you may be wondering how your texts should look, sound, and when to send them. In this post, we'll get down to the do's and don'ts of texting as a real estate professional. The Do's and Don'ts of Texting for Real Estate Agents 1. Don't Get Sloppy Just because you are sending a lead or client a text, instead of a formal email, does not mean all proper grammar and punctuation go out the window. Pro Tip: If you are constantly fighting auto-correct in your text messages, turn it off from your phone's settings. You'll save yourself time and lessen mistakes if your spelling and grammar is already up to par. 2. Don't Text Late at Night Just because people bring their smartphones with them everywhere does not mean they want to be contacted whenever. Leave conversations via phone calls and texting for normal business hours (unless, of course, the contact states otherwise). 3. Don't Use Weird Emojis You don't need to use all 3000+ emojis just because you own a smartphone. Play it safe and use emojis that can be easily interpreted, such as a smiley face, thumbs up, or a house emoji. It can be difficult to read meaning through the internet, so play it safe. 4. Do Ask for Permission Before you begin texting your contact, ask if they prefer text, phone calls or emails. They'll appreciate you asking, and you will benefit from communicating according to their preferences. 5. Do Keep It Short Save lengthy messages for email. No one appreciates a long-winded text message related to business on their personal phone. It can be difficult to store that information for later and it involves stopping your day to read the message. To view the original article, visit the Zurple blog.

Smartphone Safety: 8 Tips to Protect Your Personal Information
In today's age of technology, most business is now conducted through your mobile computer--your smartphone. This also means you are vulnerable to digital theft if you do not have the right precautions in place. Here are eight tips to make sure your personal and financial information is locked down: The first thing you do when you get a new phone is set up your lock screen. This is not a step you want to bypass! This simple measure of security protects you from others who may have access to your phone. Enable fingerprint or facial recognition – Almost all smartphones now have this new technology to ensure only you have access to your phone's data. Update software – Old, outdated software is vulnerable to hackers and cyber scammers. New updates fix bugs and any potential security issues in prior versions. Back up your information – There are several reasons to back up your phone: theft, viruses, or your phone is damaged. Having a back up means you still have access to valuable information, and it can be transferred to another phone. Beware of public Wi-Fi – Most Wi-Fi hotspots are not encrypted. So anyone at the local coffee shop you are sharing Wi-Fi with can "eavesdrop" on the data you send and receive from your phone. Bluetooth – Hackers use specialized software to detect nearby devices who use Bluetooth technology. They find out your trusted networks and replicate them to trick your device into connecting to take control of your device. This technique is used to steal data, bombard your phone with malware and spyware, and read your apps and text messages. Do not share personal passwords and logins – This is just a best practice. Sharing passwords and logins can lead to your personal information getting into the wrong hands. Enable personal safety features – Almost all smartphones have a setting where you can input your personal safety. iPhone has Emergency SOS Mode, Medical ID & Emergency Contacts, and be sure to turn on FindMyiPhone. Android users should enable their Emergency Sharing and Safety Check, Lockdown Mode, and make sure to activate Find My Device. Users of SentriLock can also rely on safety features within the SentriKey Real Estate App. To access this feature, log in to your app and select My Settings, then select Agent Safety. When you open a lockbox, the Agent Safety feature will automatically notify your emergency contact when you do not or cannot confirm your safety. It will check in regularly to ensure you are safe on the job. Safety starts with you, so make sure to practice smartphone security and enable safety features in your phone to make sure you are safe. To view the original article, visit the SentriLock blog.

7 Reasons Why Your Listing Presentation Should Be on Your Tablet
In this Agent Insights post, Bob Haywood, a real estate agent in Owasso, Oklahoma, offers agents advice about why your listing presentation should be on your tablet. Here's Bob: So you've got a listing presentation, right? And whenever you're going to go on a listing appointment, you run your comparable sales numbers, put them into the presentation, print the pages out and then mount them in a nice presentation folder. And then off you go with hope in your heart that you'll be the chosen one at the end of day. And sometimes you are the chosen one. You beat the competition, get the listing and start the marketing of the property. What if I told you there is a better way? After doing all the prep work for several years in real estate and printing out all those expensive color pages, I finally got tired of spinning my wheels and had a huge light bulb moment. What if I could use my iPad for my listing presentation? Hmmmm. So I did. I spent several weeks building the slides in Keynote (Apple's version of PowerPoint). That meant pulling graphics and logos and images from online sources and putting them into the slides. That was the hardest part. Some of what I needed or wanted to use didn't exist, so I had to create it. But that turned out to be pretty easy because both PowerPoint and Keynote provide charts and graphs and other tools for those purposes. When I was done, I ended up with a slick and easy-to-use listing presentation. So why should you take the plunge and put your listing presentation on your tablet? Because there are several benefits of having a listing presentation on your tablet: 1. It is easily editable. I can add information, logos and services or remove complete slides in a matter of minutes and be ready to go. And check this out—if I need to leave a slide or several slides out for whatever reason, I can just delete them for that specific listing presentation because they are always in the master presentation. 2. With only two quick edits, my listing presentation is ready for any potential seller. I add the potential seller's name and address on the title slide, and then the market numbers on the expected list/sale price slide, and I'm good to go. 3. Printing. Instead of printing off 30-40 full color pages for each listing, I now print my slides in a six-up format which means there are six slides per page. The entire presentation is printed on five pages quickly and easily. The only other pages I print are the tax record and the MLS CMA pages. I'd do that anyways with a full paper presentation. 4. My presentation impresses sellers every time. They love that I have my iPad sitting there and that I can discuss the material on each slide without having to turn pages or read what is on the page. It just looks cool, works cool and makes me look like I'm an exceptional REALTOR® who knows what I'm doing because I do. I know the script for every page and can move easily in and out of the different slides as needed. 5. My presentation is better protected this way. I cannot tell you how many times I've walked into a listing I secured (like at an open house) only to find the listing presentation from the competition lying on the kitchen counter. The information from my presentation is shown in slide format for reference rather than for my competition to see and read. 6. I am internet and MLS savvy. I can not only run my presentation, but I can search for homes immediately as well because I have my tablet open and running. I can't tell you how many times I've been able to go right to the MLS and pull competitive listings or other information because I had my tablet open, running and ready. And there's no waiting for a laptop to wake up and take five minutes before I can use it. 7. I win listings. Sure, I don't get every listing, but I get almost every listing because my listing presentation is so good and I know what I'm doing. Since I moved my listing presentation to my iPad, my success rate from listing appointments has gone through the roof. There are other benefits, but that should be enough to get you to consider moving your listing presentation to your tablet. If you're intrigued by this, but technology scares you, let me encourage you to especially pull the trigger and dive in. And here's why: It will force you to learn and make you better at what you do. To view the original article, visit the Zurple blog.

Texting: One of an Agent's Greatest Tools
It wasn't that long ago when most phone service providers enforced strict limits on text messages. Most users could send 500 or even just 100 a month. Now, such rules are unthinkable -- the average American sends and receives around 85 texts a day. With 96% of all U.S. adults owning a cell phone, virtually everyone sends and receives texts. What's more, the average text message is read within three minutes. Those facts are of great interest to relationship-driven industries like real estate. Seventy-five percent of consumers surveyed say they are okay with receiving texts from brands. With its astonishing 90% open rate, texting shows signs of giving email a run for its money as the marketing technique with the lowest costs and highest campaign ROI. If you're not using text marketing yet, it's not too late — but now's definitely the time to start! The Benefits of Texting for Real Estate Professionals Real estate is all about relationships. Once you incorporate it into your workflow, text marketing is a natural extension of that mindset. From leads to clients to former customers, all can benefit from and respond to texting. Let's consider some of the top advantages: 1. Texting is Personal The great majority of texts are legitimate, one-to-one communications from the people your leads genuinely want to hear from. When contacts opt in, they invite you into a much more casual and personal space than their email box. You, in turn, can speak to them with clarity and authenticity, making a real connection. 2. Texting is Responsive Real estate pros have long understood the faster you can respond to a lead's first attempt to reach out, the more likely you are to get an appointment scheduled. Texting allows you to answer others even faster than a phone call. Plus, you can do it without completely interrupting the flow of your busy workday. 3. Texting is Universal Consider the stats above — 96% of American adults have a cell phone. They don't need the latest fancy Apple smartphone to send and receive texts. Even the simplest phones with the most budget-friendly plans can generally receive unlimited texts. You never have to make any assumptions about your contact's technology. 4. Texting Uses Automation Effectively Some marketing techniques, like email, are a natural fit for automation. Others, like a phone call, had better be done manually. Text messaging falls somewhere between the extremes. While a personal text is often the best bet, you can automate certain "event-based" texts, and they will still feel perfectly natural. Text Message Marketing: From Beginner to Advanced If you use texts in your day-to-day life, you have skills that will serve you well in text marketing. For example: It is okay to use contractions, emojis, and even let a typo slip through if it fits your personal style Don't bombard your contacts with a lot of text messages without letting them get in a response Avoid texts late at night or before morning coffee unless it's an emergency for a current client Don't forget to check your own texts a few times a day — they are now part of your work life The key to text messaging is context. If you send messages only when it makes sense, you'll avoid having contacts opt out. Texting is a two-way street: your goal is to combine great timing with interesting content that will get recipients to respond more often. To do that, you need to know your clients well. Let's look at ideas for taking texting to the next level: Automate Your Initial Opt-In TextsTo stay on the right side of the law, it's crucial to ensure contacts affirmatively opt in for ongoing texts. You can automate this process using CRM data, ensuring that open house attendees and those who register for updates on your local listings receive an opt-in invitation right away — when they're most likely to consent. Make It Easy to Set Appointments by TextMany people prefer the convenience of text to the rigmarole of a phone call. Some people dodge phone calls to avoid high-pressure sales situations. By texting leads a link to a scheduling app, they can put themselves on your calendar in a low-friction environment. Ask Questions in Your TextsEvery time you get a response to a text, you open the door to extending that relationship. The best way to incorporate questions is to make them meaningful, like "What do you like most about the house you just toured?" Most recipients prefer to dash off an answer rather than risk seeming rude. DeltaNET customers have the opportunity to deploy text messaging campaigns with confidence from right within our high-performance, AI-driven real estate CRM. RE Technology readers can try it FREE for 30 days. To view the original article, visit the Delta Media Group blog.

Discover the Dos and Don'ts of Text Marketing for Real Estate
Over the last few years, Millennials have turned up in the housing market by the thousands leaving, many wondering what they want when it comes to real estate. The future is now, and Millennials are here: Pew Research found they've been the largest generation in the U.S. labor force since 2018. That same year, NAR said they were the largest cohort of homebuyers, which has continued to hold true so far. What does this have to do with SMS marketing?

How to Shoot Real Estate with Only an iPhone 11
It's no secret that as real estate agents or property managers, we are always trying to get ahead of the pack. Elevating your marketing above the rest could be the difference between securing your next sale or missing out to your competitor down the street. In this blog, we are going to prove you really can shoot real estate using just the iPhone 11. This latest release from Apple features an awesome wide-angle lens that is simply insane and, when paired with the CameraPixels PRO app and HDR Image Enhancement, it can really help set your property marketing apart from the rest. What Is Bracketing? Bracketing is used by photographers to take multiple shots of the same image at different exposures which can then be combined into the finished product. This process produces an HDR image or a High Dynamic Range image that can highlight important details of the property you're shooting, particularly homes with a fantastic outlook or view that you want to capture. Typically, the photographer will shoot approximately seven images at different exposures which can then be uploaded to BoxBrownie.com using the Image Enhancement edit. Our team of expert editors will then combine these shots into one image to create a fantastic, professionally finished product. You can find out more about how HDR bracketing works in this previous blog. How to Bracket on the iPhone To set up bracketing on your iPhone, you will need to download an app from the App Store called CameraPixels PRO. There is a free version of the app. However, the functionality is limited and we recommend you download CameraPixels PRO version (approximately $7) and enter the below settings: 1. Open up the CameraPixels PRO app Click on ISO and set to 20 (this is an important step) Click on Mode Click on Bracketing Click on Set 2. Under 'Image' Resolution: 12.2MP x 4032 x 3024 Crop: 4:3 Quality: 100% Stabilization: On 3. Under 'Bracket' Type: Exposure Image Count: 7 Images EV Step: 1.0 F-Stop Flash: Off 4. Under 'Intervalometer' Timer: 1 Sec Image Count: Single Lapse: 1 Sec Click Save As Preset Give the Preset a name Once these settings have been programmed, it's just a matter of preparing and shooting the property as you normally would. For some handy tips on preparing the home for photography, check out our FREE Pre-Photography Checklist. Each time you take a photo using the CameraPixels PRO app, the phone will automatically take seven shots. The most important tip is to make sure you always use a tripod when taking bracketed images as all the exposure images must align perfectly to produce a professional result. Comparing the Finished Results The examples below highlight the before and after results from shooting bracketed images using the iPhone 11 via the CameraPixels PRO app, and then uploading those images to our Image Enhancement edit. Kitchen Before and After This is a spectacular property and it has been beautifully prepared. However, the before image of the kitchen still appears quite dull and lifeless. This is in stark contrast to the bracketed and enhanced finished shot which truly showcase just how special this home is and is sure to attract the attention of potential buyers. Outdoor Living Area Before and After This is a great example of how impressive the wide-angle lens feature is on the iPhone 11. The amount of detail we are able to capture in frame is simply remarkable for a smartphone. When edited using our Image Enhancement edit, you really can produce a magazine-quality result. Bedroom Before and After As you can see with the final bedroom image, the detail is very clear and crisp not only internally but also with the view outside. This is a great way to highlight the flow of the home and draw the viewer's attention to the amazing outlook. Conclusion There's no doubt about it: with a few simple tips, you really can produce a professional result using the iPhone 11 with the wide-angle lens feature for your real estate photography. As we have shown, by using the CameraPixels PRO app and our HDR Image Enhancement, you can elevate your property marketing head-and-shoulders above the competition. If you'd like to give our Image Enhancement edit a try for yourself, click here or sign up for FREE at BoxBrownie.com today. BoxBrownie.com is currently offering a free virtual staging edit (valued at $32) to every RE Technology member (new accounts only). This offer expires on September 18, 2020. Click here to claim your free virtual staging edit. To view the original article, visit the BoxBrownie.com blog.

5 Steps to Build Out Your Real Estate Mobile and Text Message Marketing Strategy
Marketing is getting tougher and tougher--there's no doubting that. One strategy you can consider is SMS marketing, the process of sending short text messages to your ideal customers in an attempt to engage them with your campaign and get them to convert. Even though average open rates for SMS messages beat email by a whopping 28%, your real estate company sells homes for a large price—unlike small-ticket items that can be purchased on a lunch break. So, how can you make text message marketing your biggest driver of website traffic, leads and sales? Here are the five steps you'll need to build out your mobile real estate marketing strategy, as well as two brands who are already killing it with their text messages.

3 Easy Ways to Scan Documents, Create PDFs with Your Phone
In the past, sending photos and documents from a remote location meant spending time in front of a fax machine. You would stand there, waiting for it to connect and then slowly watch each page crawl through the scanner. Then the most crucial part: remaining until the final "Fax Confirmation" page printed to tell you everything went through. But in the mobile age, sending photos and documents can be done on your smartphone through text or email. Best of all, today you can turn just about any image or document into an Adobe Portable Document Format, or PDF. With a simple smartphone app, you can teach your clients to do the same.

How to Use Your New Smartphone Camera Like a Pro
New smartphone cameras are taking astonishing pictures. Add built-in editing software that uses Artificial Intelligence and the result is even photo bugs are ditching their bulky equipment to shoot with their phones. Welcome to the future of photography. Smartphones are well on their way to replacing more than tablets and PCs; they also are well on their way to replacing SLR cameras. If you have the newest Pixel, Samsung or Apple iPhone 11, you can take photos that, until now, you could only take with professional equipment. Here are ways you can use your new phone's camera like a pro:

What Your Phone Number Says About You
I can really relate to this article, like many of you, if you stop and think about it. The 717 area code of my phone number is for Central Pennsylvania, which I left 20 years ago. I got my first cell phone along with the number around 1995, and of course never changed it because so many people have it. I now live in Central Florida, which is a 352 area code, so many times when I call somebody or they call me, they question my location. I am perfectly fine with that for personal calls or even calls to local businesses about needing services, but what about the general public when you are courting local business as you are in real estate?

Run Your Real Estate Business with a Smartphone: Recap
This is the final article in the "Run Your Real Estate Business with a Smartphone" series. I have enjoyed researching, exploring new apps and doing a deep dive into many of the apps and programs that come on our phones right out of the box. While doing these articles, I kept having flashbacks to almost 20 years ago doing Palm classes. Many of the things I learned to do on the Palm are still as important as the device I am using today. If you had good practices with the calendar and contacts, you should have brought that skill set with you as you moved through the new devices. If you were successful storing information where you could find it 20 years ago, you should be able to do it today.

Read This If You Use a Mac, iPad or iPhone
Until around the year 1999, I was a loyal and steadfast fan of IBM Thinkpads. The most coveted feature: a red mouse button positioned in the middle of the keyboard, nestled between the G-H-and-B. I carried two handheld devices, my Motorola flip phone and my PalmPilot. As an Associate at Resource Capitalist, a venture capital firm, I was tasked with getting a MacBook so that we would have a machine for software testing. That task abruptly ended my relationship with the Thinkpad.

Run Your Real Estate Business with a Smartphone: Building Social Media Exposure
Before I get into social media exposure, let's take a look at usage of our phones. Starting with Android, you can find your usage stats by going to Settings > Batteries. Next, tap the three-dot menu > Battery Usage. Then, tap the three dots again and Show Full Device Usage. Android users study that for a minute until I'm done with Apple users. Apple users go to Settings > Screen Time > See All Activity.

Run Your Real Estate Business with an iPhone Using Email, Messenger and Text
Before I get into how we can use our smartphone to keep in touch with friends, family, past clients, current clients and leads, I'll ask you to do a little exercise. Take a look at your contacts and where you normally communicate with them—phone calls, text, email, Facebook Messenger, Instagram, LinkedIn, WhatsApp, Twitter and Snapchat, to name a few. If you normally communicate with someone by, let's say, Facebook Messenger, and on their birthday you send them a canned email, how do you think that will be received? I feel this is where you separate yourself from those who might use a single platform like email to send out all the birthday, anniversary and other occasion messages and those who use the platform normally to communicate with contacts.

Real Estate Smartphone Tricks: Using Your Phone's Calendar
Is it just me or is life more hectic now than ever before? Being self-employed, a contractor and an entrepreneur means our life is filled with appointments, phone calls and to-dos--and that doesn't even include our so-called social life. We need one place to see everything going on in our life, whether it's work or play, and be able to see it quickly. What is the one thing we have with us 99% of the time we are awake? Yes, our smartphone. I travel often and use public restrooms; I learned just because somebody is talking doesn't mean they are talking to you! Embarrassing! Let's talk calendar and how we should start using it effectively. In this series, we will be covering different parts of the smartphone, and I am doing them in order of importance. We started with contacts and now calendar. How in the world do you expect to be organized without having a calendar to keep track of events, reminders and important dates? I believe the two most used calendars are Apple and Google. Many of the tips work for both, and will do my best to explain features. Let's start with a fun one in both calendars. Go to calendar and rotate your phone to landscape. Quickly, you have week view; I use week view regularly. Great thing about both calendars—they sync to all your devices. If your Apple devices don't, go to Settings > Top of screen your name > iCloud > and confirm your calendar is on for iCloud. Love the categories by color feature on both calendars. On Apple, go to your Mac > Calenda r> File > New Calendar and name the calendar. To change color, highlight calendar, Control-Click and tap "Customer Color." On Google, go to Calendar.Google.com and sign in. On the list of current calendars, find other calendars and tap "+" and name and create new category. Once done, click on the three dots and pick a color. Let's put the first three articles to work together. Need to catch up? Take a minute and read the last two articles. First, read my article on Text Replacement. Follow the instructions on how to set up text replacement. Decide how you want to set up what works for you when it comes to contacts. For example, if you wanted to build a shortcut for me, you could either use my initials, db, or my first name, dick (notice no capitalization). Let's say you have a new buyer or listing. Set up a text replacement for each person—I know that sounds like a lot of work, but it's not really when you see how quickly this will help you and amount of time saved. I suggest you go to "Contacts" and add the text replacement shortcut for reference. Back to the calendar. Now every time you do an event, reminder or hopefully anniversary of when you sold them a home, use the text replacement. Both calendars have the search feature. Use the text replacement to see every entry in the calendar for that contact. Speaking of anniversaries, set it up for an annual reminder with maybe a five-day notification so you have time to handle how you contact past clients. Remember all the bells and whistles promised in the calendar part of CRM? I could write about ten more articles about the calendars offered free by Apple and Google, but need to move on. Next article will be all about Apple Notes and Google Keep and information management on your smartphone. Dick Betts is a national speaker, trainer and consultant. Learn more at www.DickBetts.com

Run Your Real Estate Business with a Smartphone: Text Replacement
Welcome to the first technique article on running your real estate business with a smartphone! Our first topic is using Text Replacement. I believe no matter your device, this can help you work smarter rather than harder! I'll be covering both iOS and Android devices as both have Text Replacement. I will also cover a program available for Windows 10 that will also provide Text Replacement.  So, what is Text Replacement? It lets you can write a quick message or even a few paragraphs by simply typing a shortcut—and boom! your message is available with a single tap. For example, I wrote the following message just by typing nhb: "Thank you for contacting me to work together to find a new home for you and your family! I believe working together, we will achieve the goals you seek!" All of that by just typing nhb in a multitude of programs and apps! Text Replacement on iPhone Apple users, let's start with you. On your iPhone, go to: Settings > General > Keyboard > Text Replacement. Your phone might have one entry already, omw, which is the shortcut for "On My Way." Hit the + sign and add your own. Make it an easy short entry like btw, which is a shortcut for "by the way." Next, be sure all your Apple products are logged in to the same iCloud account. Now open up your Mac and go to: System Preferences > Keyboard > Text tab Here, you should see what you added to your iPhone. (On your iPad, follow the same directions for the iPhone.) Text Replacement on Android Let's talk Android. Start with: Settings > System > Language and input Next, expand the Advanced tab. Under the Tools section, tap Personal Dictionary. Next, find the + Add button. Then, just create your shortcut—make it simple and remember what you added. Text Replacement on Your Computer On your Mac, as long as you're logged in, your text shortcuts from your iPhone will also work on your Mac. You may need to adjust a few settings on programs, but when I set up, mine it worked in all the places I tested. Windows 10 does not have a native text replacement feature. You can do a web search for shortcut software for Windows. Or, you can try a web browser extension like Text Blaze. How Can I Use Text Replacement? Now let's see where we can use our shortcuts on our phones: Text messages Facebook and Facebook Messenger Instagram LinkedIn Snapchat Calendar ...and the list goes on. Basically, anytime the text box opens for typing, the shortcut will work. A few ideas for you: nhb - new home buyer nhl - new home listing tg -Thanksgiving message And everybody should do these things right now to reduce time spent entering your contact information into forms: Make this your email address: @@ Pick a number to represent your phone number: I use 77, for example Set up your initials for your name: For example, I use db Set up your own system. Be sure it makes sense and is easy to remember. Don't get so carried away that it takes you longer to find the shortcut than just typing out the whole thing. Text Replacement will become a major piece in this series on running your business on your smartphone. In fact, all of future articles will be making reference to Text Replacement! Hopefully, you have already read my first introduction article in this series, "Can You Run your Real Estate Business with a Smartphone? YES!" If not, please take a moment and read how I plan on helping you get the most out of your smartphone. Stay tuned for many more articles as we help you build a complete system! Dick Betts is a national speaker, trainer and consultant. Learn more at www.DickBetts.com

How to Quickly Switch Between Programs and Apps on Computers and Smartphones
Are you like me and find yourself opening new programs and windows all day until you have a gazillion things open? I'm terrible at finishing something I am working on when interrupted with alerts and notifications. Suddenly, I remember an email I started two hours ago and never finished, that Facebook Messenger or status I wanted to comment on, that word document I only wrote two paragraphs on, the excel sheet I was working on--and the list goes on and on! We all do this to some extent and we all try hard to NOT! Well I'm here to help—no, not changing your work habits, but rather how to bounce around quicker.

Let's Make Your Smartphone Smarter!
Want to set different vibrations for different contacts? Here's an easy way to do just that. Many times, we put our phone on vibrate and it's in our pocket or purse. It vibrates and, of course, we look to see who it is. We can select preprogrammed vibrations or make our own. Let's start with the iPhone. Go to a contact you want to change the vibration for—maybe your significant other. Once at the contact select Edit, scroll down to ringtone and tap.  Next, find Vibration and tap.  Now you have the screen where you can select a new vibration or even make your own. Here's the Create New Vibration screen: On some Androids, open your Contacts app and find the contact. Tap to edit it. When the contact opens, scroll to the bottom of the page. Select More then locate Vibration pattern and it will be set to default. When you tap on this option, your Android device will open to the stock vibration patterns it has. Now you can select from patterns such as Basic call, Heartbeat, Ticktock, Waltz, and Zig-zig-zig. Select the next contact you want to have a customized vibration for and repeat the steps. Disclaime, unlike Apple, Android is the operating system on different brand smartphones and not all are created equal. If your phone doesn't have this feature or you want more options, including making your own custom vibrations, you might want to consider a third-party app available on the Google Play Store. Personally, I love this mostly unknown feature. I'm a keep my phone in my pocket with the ringer off kind of guy. The different vibrations help me know whether I need to pull my phone out or ignore until later. Rather than having so many different vibrations to try to remember, I have all my family members with the same vibration, I have all my friends with their own vibration. As a REALTOR®, think about setting up a vibration for active clients, a different vibration for support contacts like home inspectors, title companies and loan officers. You can design your own system to help you be more organized. (I just had a flashback to my Palm days—do not set up so many different vibrations you can't keep track!) I hope some of you will try this technique. It's so simple, but the benefits are many! Dick Betts is a national speaker, trainer and consultant. Learn more at www.DickBetts.com

Real Estate Video Marketing Using Just Your Phone
Real estate videos for marketing don't have to be complicated and they don't have to be fancy. You can make marketing videos marketing using just your phone--and the video will still get lots of views and engagement. One of my favorite videos to use for real estate marketing is what we call a "Walk Through" video. Like the name implies, the video is simply walking and talking about the home or a specific feature in the home.

How to Pair AirPods with Any Device
Apple AirPods are the most popular wireless headphones in the world. Some 12.5 million of these Q-Tip shaped earbuds were shipped in the last quarter of 2018, commanding an astonishing 60 percent of the market. Not bad for a technology that debuted two-and-a-half years ago. The second generation of Apple AirPods are now available, and the demand is expected to continue to soar for these Bluetooth wonders that have become a Millennial status symbol priced at $160 for a set.

Are You Married to Your Smartphone? How to Divorce Amicably and Still Be a Top Producing Realtor
Our smartphone is our constant partner. It is always with us. Although there is no formal agreement, "til death do us part" is not an unrealistic relationship when it comes to our smartphone. We use it to connect with our clients, friends, family, leads and just about everyone. It's our GPS. It's our news outlet. It's our even our source of entertainment. When we go to sleep, it is next to us on our nightstand or not too far away.

Do Real Estate Agents Need Apple's New iPhone XS?
Smartphones play bigger and bigger roles in our lives, to the point that many people manage their livelihood through their phone. With smartphones having such an impact on our day-to-day lives, it's important to keep up with the latest technology. One of the latest updates came on September 12, when Apple unveiled its latest iPhones. Among these are the iPhone XS (starting at $999) and iPhone XS Max (starting at $1,099). However, while many were expecting a revolutionary new device, Apple instead offers a better, faster version of its predecessor. They explained that the "iPhone XS is everything you love about iPhone. Taken to the extreme." In other words, it is a much better, faster version of the iPhone X. So then, the question real estate agents should be asking themselves becomes, "Do I need one?"

6 Unorthodox Ways to Use Airplane Mode on Your Phone
What can you accomplish when you cut your smartphone off from the world? No wi-fi, no voice, no data--nothing but literal radio silence? A whole lot, it turns out. Last month, we showed you a neat Instagram trick using Airplane Mode (the fastest way to go "radio silent" on your phone). There are plenty more creative uses for Airplane Mode, so today we're going to show you a sampling of the best.

8 Accessories that Give Your Smartphone Superpowers (Part 1)
Want to soup up your mobile phone? Rather than relying on apps for that (as we so often do), let's head down the road less travelled instead. Today, we're exploring the world of physical accessories that work with--and enhance--your smartphone. Enter the World of Smartphone Accessories That's right, we're ditching the digital in favor of things that attach to or sync to your phone and boost its functionality. And we have to say, there are a LOT of different types of mobile phone accessories--so much so that we've broken up this article into two parts. Today, we're taking a look at accessories that enhance the multimedia capabilities of your phone, and make those photos and Facebook Live videos so much better.

It's About Time iOS Got These 5 Updates
For the last couple years, Apple has released the newest version of their iPhone, along with their iOS update in September. This year, is no different! Apple released their iOS 11 update for all their mobile devices alongside their iPhone 8. This update gives Realtors® new features that weren't available before, which you can incorporate into your daily business activities.

Top Phones for Real Estate Professionals in 2017
There is no 'best' phone for real estate professionals as everyone's needs differ. You may prioritize the phone's operating system for better communication apps, while your colleague may put more importance on the two-way camera to take selfies at his desk. I sat down with smartphone enthusiast Jeremy de Souza to break down this year's top phones. Let's take a look at what he told me re: the best phones from world's leading smartphone brands in 2017:

What to Do When Your Smartphone Falls into the Water
Kerplunk! That may be the most dreaded sound a smartphone user can ever hear. If your cell phone has ever dropped in the water, you know exactly what I mean. Here are some things you can do when your smartphone decides unexpectedly to take a bath.

5 Ways to Unlock the Power of a Lockbox with Mobile
The lockbox has evolved well beyond its beginnings as a simple, secure storage place for keys. Thanks to today's mobile technology, lockboxes have become the Swiss army knife of real estate tools. No doubt you've used your phone's Bluetooth® capability to release the shackle of your lockbox or open the key compartment. But did you know there's plenty more features your phone or tablet can help you unlock? Here are five ways your favorite mobile device can help you unlock the full power of the lockbox—and even help you sell more listings. 1. Pull up listing information instantly Want to start impressing buyers from the moment you walk into a home for a showing? REALTORS® who use SentriLock lockboxes can when they use the SentriSmart™ mobile app. Thanks to integrations with RPR, HomesnapPRO and HomeSpotter, agents can instantly view listing details when they unlock a property's lockbox. Here's how it works: after accessing the lockbox with the SentriSmart™ mobile app, SentriSmart™ asks if you want to view the property's information in one of SentriLock's partner apps. Select your preferred app and SentriSmart™ will automatically direct you to the property details page of the home you're showing. That way, you'll instantly have all the information you need on hand to answer your buyer's questions.

Professional Looking Photos Don't Have to Cost a Fortune: Smartphone Photography
Not long ago, you either had to have a professional grade camera (along with the knowledge of how to use it) or hire a professional photographer to take your listing photos to compete with the images you see in magazines and on the web. Thanks to the advancement of today's mobile technology, you can take and edit professional looking images on your phone. Taking great photos on your mobile device isn't just point and shoot; some skill is required. However, there's no secret to amazing photos; with just a few tips and tricks, you can capture the perfect image and add the finishing touches right from your phone. Clean Your Lens This might seem like a given, but you would be surprised at how many people post blurry images due to oil residue or dust particles that have collected on their lens. Your phone is constantly traveling between your pocket, purse, or bags; the lens is being touched; makeup and other things are falling on it, and even the oil from your hands creates a film on it. Keep a glass wipe handy and wipe the lens before using the camera. Composition (Using Gridlines) Rule of Thirds By turning on your camera's gridlines (which can be found in the settings section in almost all mobile devices), you will enable a series of lines (two vertical and two horizontal) superimposed on your screen which will separate your image into nine sections. The "rule of thirds" is a photography principle that states that by placing focal points along the intersecting lines, your photo will appear more balanced, leveled, and create a more natural flow throughout the image.

Quick Tips for Taking Better Listing Photos with Your iPhone
Done correctly, photography can capture the essence of your listings and inspire potential buyers. Are you following the best practices? In this video the pros at Bay East Video share the secrets to taking better real estate photos and truly showcasing your listings. The insight at 0:50 is key!

Tips for Taming Your Inbox: Managing Your Notifications
Researchers at the University of California, Irvine, found that the average office worker is interrupted or changes tasks, on average, every three minutes and five seconds. As a result of interruptions or multitasking, it can take 23 minutes and 15 seconds just to get back to where they left off. That adds up to a lot of wasted time in the day! Email can easily be one of those distractions if not properly managed. Over the next few months, we will share some useful tips to help you tame your inbox in order to be more productive and minimize distractions that take you away from the real business of real estate. Manage Notifications Today, we have all kinds of notifications interrupting us throughout the day – email, alerts, Facebook, chats, etc. One way to minimize email distractions is to eliminate email notifications. Not every email is important and requires an immediate response. For emails that are truly urgent or require immediate attention, you can enable selective notifications to be alerted when you receive emails from VIP senders. How to Set Up VIPs on Your iOS Device iPhone users using the native mail app can denote any email sender as a VIP. When you receive an email from a VIP, you will receive a pop up notification on your phone. Launch the Mail app from the Home screen of your iPhone or iPad. Tap Mailboxes in the upper left corner of your screen. Tap the VIP inbox directly underneath your regular inbox. Tap Add VIP. Tap on the name of the contact you'd like to add to VIP. If a contact is grayed out, it means you're missing their email address and can't add them until you enter it. After you tap on their name, they'll be automatically added to your VIP inbox.

Must-have Car Tech Can Make a Real Difference for Realtors
It's common knowledge that a home and a car are the two biggest purchases in a person's life. And when you think about it, Realtors are in a unique position to know a lot about both. That's because a lot of their business is done in the car, and their knowledge of homes and clients requires them to be constantly mobile. Advances in car technology can help make that business so much easier. Smartphone integration In a business where missing a call can mean missing out on a sale, it's obviously vital — and safer — to have a hands-free phone system in your car. But though a basic Bluetooth setup may be fine for most folks, Realtors should consider the more comprehensive smartphone-integration technologies like Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. With these, after you connect your compatible smartphone to your car's infotainment system, your phone's home screen is projected onto the vehicle's touchscreen. You can access your contacts and calendar, but the big benefit is that you also can leverage an increasingly wide range of other phone functionalities, along with popular mobile apps, while on the go. For example, depending on your phone, you'll be able to use Apple Maps or Google Maps for navigation. Both provide a brand-specific user experience and plenty of unique ways to help you get to your next showing, and there's also a notable value involved: Since you don't need a traditional in-vehicle nav system with smartphone integration, you don't have to pay for one.

5 Ways to Market Yourself While You Get Your Morning Coffee
The number one thing holding most agents back from executing an effective marketing plan is a lack of time. Easy Agent Pro breaks down the five tools at your disposal that will allow you to market yourself like a pro the next time you’re in line at a Starbucks. Tip #2 is a huge time-saver!

Beacon Technology Delivers the Information Your Buyers Want Immediately
Real estate trends for 2016 are constantly boasting about technology designed to make businesses better. Typically, however, the ones that don't fall flat are those offering a smoother home buying experience for the customers and allowing agents to build more customer-centered services. What is the current customer experience? An online search, followed by an awkward walk-through or open house, fragmented by sign-in sheets, unanswered questions, doubts on who to trust or turn to, a wrinkled show sheet, and a frustrating ride home. The sale? A wildcard based on customer/agent information gathering. What if that experience could result in more? Buyers find an open house on their phone or mobile device. Walking in, the mobile device prompts them to register. On consent, their info is delivered to the agent's inbox. As buyers look around, property details and agent information are automatically delivered via smartphone. After visiting, agents can collect data on whether the information was viewed or deleted, allowing them to classify leads/data. Overall a seamless, elegant, modern experience. The best part? Everyone gets what they need.

RPR Mobile for Your Smartphone: Big Data, Powerful Reports – Anytime, Anywhere (7/13)
Wednesday, July 13, 2016 at 9:00 AM PDT RPR Mobile delivers RPR's vast repository of property information and tools anytime, anyplace, to any iPhone or Android phone. Use your phone's location to instantly view any property nearby, or search for properties to find listing, sales, valuation, assessment, deed, foreclosure, school, photos, maps, and market trend information...create, customize, view, save, and send RPR reports with your added photos, audio, and text notes. Download today at the App Store or Google Play, and join us for this comprehensive review of all the powerful features of this great REALTOR-only tool. Register now!

Discover MLS-Touch! (6/22)
Wednesday, June 22, 2016 at 1:00 PM PDT MLS-Touch is the application you've been waiting for... and we want to take a few minutes to show you what it can do! MLS-Touch is the most powerful mobile MLS solution packed with features like map search, instant sales comparables, quick access to your listing inventory, email multiple listings and the InstaView which can get you details of the property in front of you instantly. Available for the iPhone, iPad and Android devices, this feature-packed mobile application will allow you to research and show homes, respond to information requests, set up future showings, and much more! Register now!

5 Basic Tips for Taking Great Photos With Your iPhone
Every day we see an increase in people replacing their digital cameras with their smartphones to take pictures. This is mainly because manufacturers are adding some incredible lenses to smartphones that make it a very convenient device to capture daily moments and upload them quickly to social media apps. Smartphone cameras do not provide the quality photos that a good digital camera can provide, which are recommended for listings. Nevertheless, here at Tech Helpline, we see a trend of agents using their smartphones to take pictures for their listings. For this reason, today we will show you some quick tips on how to get the best possible image using an iPhone with iOS 9. All features listed below are available on the iPhone 5 or newer. 1. Use Auto Focus (AF) This is the most important feature to use. Without using this option, your image could appear blurry or lose detail. Here is what you do: Tap the area on your screen that you wish to focus on, remove your finger and wait a couple of seconds to allow the camera to focus on the subject before taking the photo. You can also tap and hold the area on your screen, until the yellow "AE/AF LOCK" appears (Auto-Exposure/ Auto-Focus Lock). This will allow you to take photos from different angles without losing focus on the subject.

7 Actionable Mobile Trends for Real Estate Agents
The year is 2016 and it seems that everywhere we turn, there’s new technology cropping up. Throughout it all, mobile technology not only continues to improve exponentially, but it’s nearly ubiquitous. You’d be hard-pressed to find someone who doesn’t have a mobile device these days. But, what does that mean for real estate agents? According to the NAR, in 2015, 50% of home buyers used mobile technology to find their new home. Most real estate agents spend very little time in their offices and they’re nearly always on-the-go, making mobile technology ideal for their business lifestyles. But are they all utilizing it to the fullest extent? There are plenty of reasons for real estate agents to integrate mobile into their business strategy, but they may not be aware of all the resources available to them for doing so, and how these trends could potentially make a huge difference in their day-to-day.

4 Tips to Get More Leads to Respond to Your Texts
The world is more mobile than ever. Consumers are engaging with real estate in new ways, thanks to their mobile phones. According to the 2014 National Association of REALTORS® Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, nearly half of buyers said it was important to them that their agent sends property information and communicates via text message. TigerLead's Senior Performance Product Manager, Hugo Cortes, recently analyzed over 20,000 text messages to find out which types of texts got the best response. The internal study found that TigerLead clients that start texting their leads typically see 1 out of 5 leads respond to their texts. However, the best performing text messages get responses from 1 out of every 2 leads! Here are 4 tips to get more leads to respond to your text messages: 1. Always start with the lead's name: "Hi Nancy," Consumers are rightfully suspicious whenever they receive a text message from an unknown number. Using their name as either the first or second word in your message immediately adds credibility and keeps them reading the rest of the message. 2. Identify yourself: "this is Hugo Cortes with TigerLead." Consumers are still trying to figure out who they're receiving this message from and how you know their name. Some clients prefer to give their name and company at the end of the message, but we've found that texts get more responses when you mention it up front.

Real Estate Lead Texting: When and What to Text for Phenomenal Response Rates
In today's quick-paced, digital age, home buyers have less time – and less patience. When they see a house they are interested in, they are no longer satisfied with driving home, contacting the listing agent, and waiting for a response. In fact, 49% of buyers expect an instant response from the agent. Today's home buyer wants information now, and if the listing agent isn't available to deliver it, that potential real estate lead has likely moved on to an agent who is. There are 6.8 billion mobile-cellular subscriptions in the world, and 81% of cell phone owners use their phone to send or receive text messages, according to Pew Research Center. We use them because they're fast, convenient, and more likely than not, always within arm's reach. In fact, almost half of cell owners have slept with their phones next to their bed, not wanting to miss any calls, text messages, or other updates during the night. Text messaging is the most popular application on smart phones, and 40% of home buyers prefer communicating with an agent by text over phone calls. Additionally, text messages have an open rate of 98%. Nearly every single text message sent is opened and read. How can real estate agents harness this opportunity and use text messaging to capture leads? Here are some best practices for when and what to text your real estate leads.

Sneak Peek: The iPhone 6s Puts Your Productivity on Steroids
September is coming up roses for Apple fans. Not only did the company release iOS 9 today, but the latest iPhone is due to be released in just over a week. Pre-orders are already underway for the iPhone 6s, and users are excited for the upgraded camera (which gains 4MP over its predecessor), the Live Photo feature, aerospace-grade casing, and beyond. But it's the new 3D Touch feature that got us excited. Why? Because more than any of the other spiffy new bells and whistles, 3D touch has the potential to revolutionize your productivity. Here's how. What is 3D Touch? 3D Touch is a new technology that measures the pressure of your finger on the screen. On the iPhone 6s, a light touch performs a different action than a medium touch or a firm touch. Take email, for example. A soft touch from the inbox view will let you preview a message without opening it, as seen in the image below.

High Tech Wardrobe: 5 Wearables for Real Estate Agents
If you've paid any attention to tech news, or even fashion reports, in the last six months, you've probably heard about the Apple Watch. But with all the media buzz, it's likely you didn't know that there's a world of other smart wearables available to you, from Android watches to jewelry to eye glasses. If your smartphone and tablet are enough for your real estate needs, these new accessories may seem like nothing more than high-tech hype. However, wearables are more than apps on a tiny screen. Today, we're going to take a look at how this new wave of gadgets can be used in your real estate endeavors. Smart Watches Let's start with obvious players in the wearables scene--smart watches. While Apple Watch is the best known contender here, Android's offering, Android Wear, debuted a full year before the Apple Watch. Like Android phones, Android Wear is available from a variety of manufacturers, giving users a wider array of styles, wristbands, and watchfaces to choose from. Bonus: just days ago, Google announced that Android Wear now works with iPhones! While there are differences between Android and Apple watches, they have plenty of functionality in common. Here are a few of our favorites: 1. Stay on top of listings and leads - While there aren't a lot of real estate specific apps available for smart watches just yet, there are a few, including ones from Zillow (Android, Apple) and Trulia (Android, Apple). The apps will send push notifications right to your wrist to alert you of new leads. They offer a tactful way to stay on top of incoming portal activity without having to interrupt showings or other important moments with clients. 2. Remotely trigger your phone's camera - Sometimes you need to include yourself in a photograph and, let's face it, selfies don't exactly scream "professional." Smart watches to the rescue! The Apple Watch comes with a built-in Camera Remote app that lets you use your watch as a viewscreen for your phone's camera to frame the perfect shot. Just tap your watch to snap a photo instantly or after a 3-second delay. Once the photo's taken, it will appear on your watch. If you don't like it, take another!

Hosting an Open House? Don't Forget Your iPad
Refreshments, flyers, business cards--the list of open house necessities goes on. Does your list include an iPad or other tablet? If not, consider it incomplete. Tablets are the Swiss-army knife of digital tools, and they can help agents wow potential buyers and capture more leads. Here's how. 1. Replace the Paper Sign-in Sheet. Toss the paper and pen and let visitors sign in on your iPad. Mobile apps like Open Home Pro, BrightOpen, and AM Open House make this a snap. Even better, they simplify capturing lead information and automatically send follow-up emails to prospects. These apps can also sync with your CRM or export contact data. 2. Help Buyers Visualize Living in the Home. Ever had visitors who love the kitchen but hate the wallpaper? Virtual reality apps like Paint Tester let prospects change the paint color of any room. Just snap a picture, pick the desired paint color, and voila--your potential buyers are one step closer to picturing themselves in your listing. Paint companies like Behr and Sherwin Williams offer similar apps. Homestyler goes one step further. This app lets you show visitors how furniture, light fixtures, rugs, and items would look in the home.