Monthly Archives: June 2009

My real estate techie world is about to change … again. This industry has changed so much in the nearly 11 years I’ve been in this business. I’m in the process of implementing changes to better, more efficiently handle my day-to-day activities once again.

FAX MACHINE HAS DIED

My 10-yr old combination fax/answering machine is 10-yrs old and needs trashed. Last year, I shopped for a replacement and learned that companies no longer make such a dual combination. The new units include a printer and scanner, neither of which I need or want as a combo unit. I haven’t received a fax from another real estate agent for months since most of us now use scanners to convert paper to pdf files for emailing. Much more legible and much easier way to get the paperwork to clients.

CAN I CANCEL MY LAND LINE?

For many years now, my home land line has only been used for the fax machine and access to the CBR key pad overnight updates. Anyone that I want to talk to knows to call my ONE number to reach me. That number is always forwarded to my cell phone. The only calls to my home number are errant telemarketers or the political robo calls. Although it’s minor, it does bug me that Verizon charges me $5 every month for NOT making any long distance calls and another $3 for NOT making local toll calls. If I get rid of the fax machine and the keypad cradle, then I can cancel the land line.

NOT HAPPY WITH VERIZON VOYAGER

Last year I got a Verizon Voyager which is Verizon’s answer to AT&T’s I-Phone. While it’s not a bad phone, it didn’t do some of the things I wanted it to do … or at least it didn’t do them well. The two major detriments for me were that I couldn’t read email attachments (Purchase Offers) and it was cumbersome to access the Internet. It also wasn’t one of the phones that can be used to access CBR’s MLS system.

A BLACKBERRY SOLVES MY DILEMMA

Last week I swapped my Voyager for a Blackberry Curve and I LOVE it! I can easily read email attachments. It’s easy to access the Internet. I can access the CBR MLS system, PLUS, there is a little USB thingamajig that I ordered that will work with the Supra lockbox system, eliminating the need for the keypad – and the land line. I can easily check Twitter for news and weather feeds. It’s easier to take a photo plus it has a flash. It’s like having a handheld laptop. So, in a couple weeks I’ll be sending the fax machine to the trash, canceling the CBR keypad access, then eliminating the land line – thereby joining all the other folks that have done that.

ARE YOU LIKELY TO CANCEL YOUR LAND LINE?

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