Today’s recent advances in technology and the Internet of Things have changed how business and enterprises work the world over. The property investor, in particular, has thousands of resources and more opportunities than ever before. Gone are the days of being confined to one regional market, and with the abundance of resources available online, just about anyone with the willingness to learn can become a successful property investor. As such, it’s important that veteran investors don’t fall behind in their own use of these new resources and technologies.
Real Estate Websites
Of course, your biggest ally in a property investment career is any listing site. These sites not only provide a place for you to advertise your income properties, but they offer a fast, convenient way to look for new properties, too. With certain websites, you can even set parameters and become notified when a property matching those criteria becomes available in the area you’ve selected. Being able to market your income properties to renters or buyers on the web changes the game for property investors in a lot of ways. The main advantage of these sites is the easy and convenient expansion of your target audience. Interested parties can even take virtual tours of your property before ever coming to see it in person if you opt to use that technology.
Electronic Documents
Electronic document signing and completion is a recent addition to the property investment arsenal, but a welcome one. There are several different companies available now that, for a fee, handle all the security concerns related to signing and delivering sensitive documents. These companies allow sellers and buyers (or landowners and renters) to exchange documents electronically and even sign these documents virtually from a smartphone or computer. These electronic document services benefit property investors in a number of ways. Firstly, investors no longer need to mail sensitive documents through the postal service, wait for them to arrive, and pay for expedited shipping. They also can send these documents to clients across the world in a matter of seconds, opening up rental opportunities even to people living on a different continent.
QR Coding
QR coding is an underappreciated and underutilized technology that can be remarkably effective in drawing traffic to your business or your website. A QR code allows someone with a smartphone to scan the code and be immediately redirected to a website or resource online. If you’re looking to share your inventory with interested buyers, it can be as simple as printing your business card with a QR code on it that directs to your personal website. You can even use QR codes to direct to specific property listings if you choose. While print advertisement of homes for sale isn’t often used anymore, a QR code is a bit different. A QR code is printed once, but then infinite numbers of people can use that code afterward. For example, a seller might use a QR code to direct interested buyers to the virtual tour of a house or property, or even to the seller’s website or information.
With new technology constantly emerging, property investment has become an ever-changing landscape, and those wishing to stay ahead of the game should keep a close eye on tech developments in real estate.