Why I DIDN’T get an iPad for Real Estate

Like many people, I was excited about the iPad. There is no doubt that this device has a lot of potential for the business world, specifically for the Real Estate industry – but can I use it now?

This is the exact question I had in my mind when I was mulling over the idea of purchasing it – I admit, I caved in and purchased the 64Gb Wifi version. I was impressed by the technology, the speed, the ease-of-use, how YouTube videos played. I was also particularly impressed by the new Calendar application and the mail application but it ended there.

There was no doubt that the iPad would get a lot of attention from Realtor’s. It’s a real shame that the infrastructure to access listings we have in-place is still playing catch-up to existing web-technologies. Why delay in updating the system to work with new technologies?

Yes, it definitely has a “wow” factor but as a tool for Real Estate? Not yet. Does it have potential? For sure! If the tools and applications were in-place to be able to work “on-the-go”, I would not have hesitated, nor would I have given the iPad back (the very next day!).

My wish-list:

1) To be able to access the TREB system in a GUI – much like how we access it from a traditional PC.
2) The ability to create (and possibly print) offers.
3) The eventual ability to have clients digitally sign documents – obviously this has it’s legal implications but wouldn’t it be fantastic?

I’m not asking for much!

About the Author

Amit Bhandari

In 1982 a couple had a child that was kept in hospital until he was given the all-clear to go home. As soon as it was given, these parents promptly escaped from a maximum security hospital to the Nottingham (England) underground. Today, Amit is wanted for his expertise in real estate within top school boundaries. Suffering through a recession 2008, Amit survives as a Realtor of fortune. If you have a problem, and if no one else can help, maybe you can hire Amit Bhandari.