Technology Helps Facilitate Five-Star Service

By now, you have probably realized technology plays a large role in every business. But did you realize that when it comes to real estate, being on the technological forefront is absolutely critical for success? Read on as RISMedia's Lesley Geary interviews Krisstina Wise of the Goodlife Team about incorporating technology into her winning business plan, as well as other tips and tricks.

Krisstina Wise
The Goodlife Team Real Estate Brokerage
Years in real estate: 17
Region served: Austin, Texas

How important is technology for building new business in today's market?

Critical. At my brokerage, we are known as innovators. We have been repeatedly looked to for best practices. In fact, Apple recently profiled the Goodlife Team for a case study. Our website has won numerous awards, and if you Google us, you will see we consistently receive five-star reviews. Technology allows us to serve our customers better, work better and attract the best agents.

Talk about your use of social media.

We use social media all the time, but it's really old news for us. Facebook is a key ingredient to our marketing and branding. It allows us to deliver content and engage with our customer base at an immediate and very high level. Our agents are all active on social media and they work with their clients on Facebook. Our team has a Twitter handle and we also publish an e-magazine.

How are you approaching business differently this year?

We are very careful about how we use the Web. My brokerage, which consists of my 25-member team, is small in terms of people, but our use of our websites and Facebook generates 50 percent of our business.

Our biggest point of differentiation this year has been our use of the iPad. The iPad allows us to be very active in the field in order to give our clients a great experience. When we go on listing appointments today, all our agents bring is an iPad. This allows them to provide a first-rate presentation without any paper. Then they can use it to take photos of the house, take notes, have the sellers sign the listing agreement, create a seller file, etc. Our agents present on the device and our clients interact with it. We intend to continue embracing the future this way.

What are the top things you advise your sellers to do before their home even goes on the market?

We have high standards for our listings. First, they are all staged. Next, they are priced correctly. We are very careful not to over price and we bring in a team that will get the house ready for sale.

What about buyers? What do they expect from your team in today's market?

Buyers today want nothing less than a five-star experience. And we as a company provide that five-star experience. We make that promise right up front.

Why did you become a Member of Top 5?

The network. We wanted to be part of this top group of innovators and also to differentiate ourselves from other brokers in the Austin market.

What's your best idea for time management?

I work off of a very structured calendar.

What is the key to a successful life in real estate?

Build a good business by using great people and systems and, in that way, deliver a high-value experience.

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