Thanks to modern technology, real estate agents can work from anywhere... and that's exactly how today's consumers like it.

The #1 complaint we hear about real estate agents is that they don't communicate effectively. What's more, the 2014 CAR Home Buyer Survey revealed that 49% of homebuyers expect an instant response from their agents, with another 29% expecting to be contacted within the next half hour, at least.

Agents, it's clear: your clients want you to pick up your phone.

Fortunately, you no longer have to remain tethered to your desks waiting for the phone to ring. Mobile phones mean that you can take calls anywhere. Better still, today's smartphones mean that you can actually work from anywhere.

Today we've got tips and tools that will help you do more using your mobile phone to work through all stages of the selling cycle, from attracting new business to closing the deal.

Securing New Clients

Whether you're meeting potential buyers and sellers for the first time or networking at a neighborhood events, impress new contacts with your communication skills to stand out from the competition.

• Call prospects after your first meeting to follow up and get feedback. And always return calls promptly. These telephone tips will help you put your best foot forward (and not in your mouth).
• Text like a pro using the do's and don'ts of texting for agents. Did you know that the CAR survey above showed that 40% of buyers would actually prefer to communicate via text?
• Email from your mobile device to follow up, offer your services or confirm appointments. Make sure all of your contact information (including social media links) is in your email footer, and watch for typos.

The buying and selling process can be confusing. Stay in touch with your clients to help them feel more at ease. When their friends need an agent in the future, they'll remember how thorough you were and you'll get the referral.

• Take and share photos of new listings with buyers using your phone. For tips on how to get great shots with your iPhone, click here.
• Skype or FaceTime with busy or out-of-town clients to help them "see" homes you're touring or the open house you have set up for their listing.
• Share important documents faster using the cloud. Free tools like Dropbox and Evernote let you share files with your clients. Looking for the housing inspection report? If you've uploaded it to Dropbox, you can use the app to access it from your phone – no computer or briefcase required.

Closing Sales

It's easier than ever to close the deal when you get a great offer or find the perfect home.

• Sign contracts anywhere, anytime with an e-signature tool like DocuSign. Just download the app so that your clients can conveniently complete any required forms without ever having to visit your office, saving them time and trouble.
• Celebrate over social media. Ask to take a picture of your happy clients in front of their new house and post it to your social channels. Voilá, free advertising and an instant endorsement!

It's time to get out of the office and into your community, agents. After all, isn't one of the reasons you became an agent because you want to make your own schedule and break free from the 9-to-5? Now you finally have to tools you need to do it the right way.

What do you use your phone to do now that you never would've anticipated 10 years ago?

To view the original article, visit the Point2 Agent blog.