What Are Mobile Solutions?

We've already covered the iPad section of our 2017 Technology Guide. So, at first glance, an article on "mobile" may seem redundant – but that couldn't be less true. There's much more to mobile than just the iPad. Smartphones and Android tablets are everywhere and clever technology companies have built apps that work wonders on these mobile devices.

As you'll see in our Technology Guide, these apps are as diverse as the devices they're built for. Some may be consumer-facing property search apps, branded to an agent or broker. Others are strictly for professionals, many of which are plugged-in to MLS data to ensure you have all information at your fingertips no matter where you are. And don't forget helpful apps for digital signatures, marketing, and forms! If you have a mobile need, there's probably a great app to fill it.

Questions to Ask

There are some important questions to ask when buying any real estate technology product and some that are unique to choosing a mobile app.

First, let's look at general questions you'll want to ask.

• What are my objectives for this piece of technology and will this product help me achieve those objectives?
• What is my budget?
• Does my MLS or Association have any agreements with any vendors that might help me obtain this product at a discount or for free?
• What kind of customer service and training programs are available? Are there webinars and, if so, are they recorded so you can view them at any time? Is the vendor's online help sufficient?

After you've asked and answered these questions, you can get down to the questions that are specific to online reputation management:

• Do I want a consumer-facing app branded to me/my brokerage or do I want an app that is strictly for professionals?
• What functionality is available when I am not connected to the Internet?
• Which devices was this app built for? Will it run on my smartphone or tablet's operating system?
• Does the developer of this app have permission to access my MLS data?

Your Options

Let's look at consumer-facing apps first.

• Enterprise Mobile Marketing Solutions from Mobile Realty Apps: Your branding on a beautiful home search mobile app, this is what Mobile Realty Apps offers and has created for some of the nations top brokers. User-friendly for you and consumers, the app encourages repeat usage.

Now let's look at apps for real estate professionals' use.

• GoMLS: CoreLogic offers GoMLS as an easy way for agents to access data directly from Apple or Android mobile devices. Features include an intuitive user interface, current listing details and photos, homeowner information, detailed maps, and more.
• DocuSign for Mobile: A digital signature leader, DocuSign has developed a mobile app that offers the excellent functionality you've come to expect from the desktop version, but with the convenience that a mobile platform allows.
• edgeMLS: From Mobile Realty Apps, this app allows agents to access and update MLS data quickly and easily. The app integrates with many MLS systems including Matrix™, Fusion™, MLSchange®, Tempo®, and Flexmls. It also integrates with many third party vendors like Centralized Showing Service, BookAShowing, Clareity SafeMLS, Down Payment Resource, and more.
• Apps from Top Producer: Top Producer offers a variety of apps and extensions to enhance productivity. These include: Quick Lead, Top Connector, BrightOpen, Social Connections, and Craigslist Ad Creator.
• zipForm Mobile Web Edition: Connect to zipForm 6 Professional wherever you are. You can create and complete transactions, send documents for e-signature, email forms, apply templates to transaction, fill in fields on forms, access zipVault documents, and more.

Next Steps

• Download the 2013 Technology Guide
• Read articles about mobile
• Visit the mobile section of our product directory
• Ask your MLS or Association
• Contact the vendors above
• Ask one of our technology experts