The iPad 2: a better business tool for real estate
Realtor Notebook
By Teresa Boardman, Thursday, April 14, 2011.
Flickr image courtesy of Pedro Eugenio Antunes.I was one of those brave or maybe foolish people who bought an iPad before they were in the stores by preordering it. After using it for a year I have to say the iPad was worth the investment.
I use my iPad for business and for entertainment, and I love those apps for Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. I still see the iPad as more of a content-consuming device than a content generator, but I can use it to create a presentation, write a blog post or a real estate contract, draw pictures or graphics, and edit photographs.
The iPad has evolved since its launch a year ago, and there are a lot more apps for it. Apple upgraded the operating system a few times. Originally the iPad got a bad rap because there wasn't any way to print from it and it did not offer multitasking.
Printing capabilities were added as part of an operating system upgrade, which I guess is a big deal for some but I have no interest in printing and have never even tried it. Multitasking capabilities were also part of an operating system upgrade.
Apple recently rolled out the iPad 2 this year and the new device is selling quickly. It has a front-facing and a rear-facing camera, and is lighter, thinner and faster than the original iPad. The best way to describe the iPad 2 is: lovely, but it's not a monumental upgrade from the original iPad.
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Even so, if you've admired yet don't yet own an iPad, and you need to have those built-in cameras, this may be the device you've been waiting for.
It is lighter but only by a few ounces, and when I am using it or carrying it around I really can't tell the difference. I have been using both versions of the iPad for the last several days. The iPad 2 has a different shape than the original iPad -- it is easier to hold and in general I like the new shape better than the old.
The faster speed of the iPad 2 is also noticeable both on and off the Internet. I would not call the original iPad slow, though, and I've never had any complaints about the speed except when I use the data services from AT&T or a slow wireless connection.
I have tested the cameras. I can see the value of the front-facing camera for video conferencing. I have had video conferencing capabilities on other devices for at least the last six years and I don't use them very often. I'll admit I have not yet tested FaceTime video calls on the iPad.
The rear-facing camera is getting some bad reviews. I tested it in indoors and outdoors and found it to be comparable to the cameras they put in mobile phones. The iPad itself serves as a huge viewfinder, but the device is hard to use as a camera.
I found it awkward to hold the iPad 2 with one hand and use the other to touch the screen to snap the shot. The general shape and size of the iPad 2 makes it hard to use as a camera. But it's no surprise that Apple included the feature because consumers demanded it.
In addition to using the iPad for writing real estate contracts, showing my listing presentation and using all of those wonderful location-based apps on the job, I also use it to stay organized. I have always been a note taker and a to-do list maker, and the iPad is ideal for typed or handwritten notes, as well as my "old school" to-do list.
I also do most of my reading on it. The iPad is great for reading articles on the Internet and for electronic books. I love watching videos on it, reading books, and looking at photographs.
It has changed the way I work, and to a certain degree the way I play. The killer iPad application for me and my clients is the Internet, and that just got faster on the iPad 2.
When I got my iPad I did not have any preconceived notions about how it should work and I did not buy it to replace another device. Over the months I have been focused on what I can do with it instead of any of the limitations I read about. You might be surprised at what a useful business tool it can be.
See related columns:
- Why I'm buying an iPad
- Is iPad a real estate tool or toy?
- Using iPad to win listings
- Cool iPad tools to aid real estate buyers
Teresa Boardman is a broker in St. Paul, Minn., and founder of the St. Paul Real Estate blog.
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Submitted by Fred Glick on April 14, 2011 - 4:19am.
Pads are great. Only problem in my area is the the MLS is still using DOS and it does not work correctly with Safari.
The industry has to catch up to the technology before we can be all pad all the time.
Submitted by Mike Bowler Sr. on April 14, 2011 - 6:22am.
Hi! Teresa, I am surprised you did not list some of the opportunities REALTORS have for their buyers to use the iPad during the showing process. If there are kids in the car, have a few games or something like "Cookie Doodle" to entertain them. Buyers can preview photos of the homes your going to show them. Also the apps "Around Me" and Crime Reports are nice to give them a quick update on what's may be around the area of the house they are looking at.
For open houses, Open House Pro is excellent for follow up and buyers find it a novelty to register as they come in. Listing presentations and Buyer Presentations are easy to setup and impressive on the iPad also.
Another nice post that keeps us all informed Teresa. Thanks for contributing to our industry and sharing.
Submitted by Teresa Boardman on April 14, 2011 - 8:14am.
Mike I have written a few articles about the iPad on this site. This article was about the iPad2 and I compared it to the first iPad. I wrote an article about how I use it with buyers Cool iPad tools to aid real estate buyers http://www.inman.com/buyers-sellers/columnists/teresa-boardman/cool-ipad...
I also wrote about open house pro
http://www.inman.com/buyers-sellers/columnists/teresa-boardman/is-real-e...
I also wrote about how to use it on a listing appointment. I think some consultants are using that piece as part of a presentation: http://www.inman.com/buyers-sellers/columnists/teresa-boardman/using-ipa...
Of you use the search box at the top of the page you should find more about the iPad
Submitted by Michael Sharp on April 14, 2011 - 8:41am.
Teresa, thanks for doing the review between both 1 & 2 ipad. I have a ipad 1 and love it,I just couldn't see enough value moving up to the ipad 2.
I use mine all the time on appointments with buyers and sellers, my only complaint is the slow 3g service,when you have clients in front of you and your waiting for the download of information.
Verizon just came out with a new 4g Samsung mifi card that I got right away and it has made a big difference in speed on the internet for me. Now I'm waiting for the ipad 3!
Submitted by Irina Netchaev on April 14, 2011 - 8:51am.
Hi Teresa,
I, too, love my iPad. I bought it last year and have loved it ever since. I am glad that the iPad2 has a camera and is a bit lighter, but agree with you, it is not a major upgrade. It would not make me run out and upgrade my original one.
In my humble opinion, an iPad is a truly revolutionary device. It has simplified a lot of things for me. My listing presentations are done via iPad. I also use OpenHousePro and every time shake my head in wonder that I no longer have to use the dreaded paper sign in registers. I love to read books on it (never thought I would) and have easy access to a ton of information - all at my fingertips.
Great article, as always!
Irina @ www.PasadenaViews.com
Pasadena California Real Estate
Submitted by Greg Robertson on April 14, 2011 - 9:37am.
We have a ton of users who love the using the iPad for their listing presentations and buyer tours and Cloud CMA. Apple's iBooks works perfectly with the pdfs created by Cloud CMA, its worth a look.
Greg Robertson
W&R Studios
http://wr-studios.com
http://CloudCMA.com
Submitted by Steve Kornspan on April 14, 2011 - 10:06am.
Just got a ipad2 for listing presentations, to eliminate printing MLS sheets for showings, the ability to access sellers disclosures on-line while in the property, and sign documents. WOW. it is great. I see it as a tool that will change the way we do business. However, I don't think we fully understand "how" at this time. My entire business is now in "the cloud" this brings the info back into my hands. And, I can see pictures of my kids.
Steve Kornspan - Assoc. Broker
Re/Max Premier, Kansas City
www.KansasCityRealEstateReport.com
Submitted by Matt Sicignano on April 14, 2011 - 10:50am.
I think I'm going to be the guy who says the emperor has no clothes on this one! I have been using the Ipad since it came out and I have to say as a gadget,a toy, and a cutting edge technology it's great. Will it replace my laptop, or increasingly, my netbook as a useful business tool?-I'm afraid not. Its basically a large Iphone without the calling abilities, or a laptop without the functionality. No storage or removable drives add to its uselessness. And think about this-it's planned obsolesecence at its worst-already the Ipad is obsolete! Not like my laptop-still going strong after 3 years, or my desktop, after 7! And my 2 year old netbook was half the price and still outperforms the Ipad 2 in printing, processing power, storage and upgradability. Lets call a spade a spade...the Ipad is a toy,albeit a very cool one, for grownups!
Submitted by Leon d'Ancona, B.T.L., M.T.L. on April 14, 2011 - 10:51am.
Leon d'Ancona, B.T.L.,M.T.L.
President/CEO IMS Incorporated
WWW.Realestatestatistics.com
I think, for the real estate professional, it is more about the apps
and less about iPad1 or iPad2.
"REality for iPad" is one of the many ways you can set yourself apart
from the competition.
Submitted by Eric Bryant on April 14, 2011 - 1:21pm.
Tboard, you da bomb! You have been my inspiration to incorporate the iPad into my training beginning in June (I have to learn it first), but when I read your articles and the comments, it just jumps out at me as a real "Game Changer"
thanks again,
@TheRECoach
Submitted by james pitt on July 3, 2011 - 10:30pm.
really have a number of other great ideas for usage that I'll be growing upon later on articles. But for me, if you want helpful tech tools and you need to differentiate yourself in the pack….its smart to become an earlier adopter from the iPad. If you are considering scoring an iPad for the property business, you’re fortunate since the iPad 3rd generation was launched today!
regards
New Zealand Online Pharmacy
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Submitted by ffdsf dfeafde on August 27, 2011 - 7:55am.
Both original iPad and iPad 2 have four physical switches, including a home button near the display that returns the user to the main menu, and three plastic physical switches on the sides: wake or sleep, volume up or down, and a third switch for either screen rotation lock or mute. Thanks for sharing.
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