In the first week of March, over 7,000 real estate agents from around the world gathered in Kuala Lumpur to learn about the latest property technology. Technology is more than just a luxury for real estate agents; it’s a necessity. Today, the agents with the best tech are the ones who thrive. Technology will not replace agents. Instead, agents who use technology will replace those who don’t.

So, what tools are the world’s most tech-savvy agents using to stay ahead of the game?

In this article, we’ll examine how top-performing real estate agents have integrated technology into their real estate businesses to facilitate growth and increase profitability through mobile apps, social media, and artificial intelligence (AI).

The use of mobile apps

Mobile apps have become a game-changer for real estate agents. They help agents streamline their workflows, provide better services to clients, and stay ahead of the competition. The three most surprising yet popular mobile apps among tech-savvy agents are WhatsApp, Canva, and IQI Atlas.

WhatsApp has become an essential communication tool for agents, allowing them to communicate easily with clients and other agents in real time. It’s particularly useful for sharing photos, videos, and documents with clients and coordinating appointments. The most productive agents usually always add a platform or layer on top of this to add communication, automated appointment setting and more.

Canva is a graphic design app that many agents use to create high-quality, eye-catching marketing materials like flyers, brochures, and social media graphics. Its user-friendly interface and pre-made templates make it easy for non-designers to create professional-looking materials.

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IQI Atlas is a revolutionary super-app that empowers agents to digitise daily operational tasks and improve efficiency. It offers a wide range of features, one being Transaction Flow, which guides agents through the sales process, from acquiring a consumer to concluding the deal, reducing time and resources spent on documentation.

This feature provides agents with everything they need to succeed in the digital world and encourages a greener world with reduced paper consumption. It also includes features such as Graphics Studio and Video Creator to dynamically create media content for advertising. Other features, such as online presentation creators and data analytics suites, empower agents with more tools and data.

By leveraging the power of these apps, tech-savvy agents can streamline their workflows, provide better service to their clients, and stay ahead of the competition in today’s digital landscape.

Social media as a tool

Social media has significantly improved the efficiency of real estate work and given agents a new way to engage with prospects and clients. As a result, agents can spend more time focusing on cultivating relationships with clients and successfully closing deals.

Social media isn’t just about messaging anymore. Agents can effortlessly showcase properties, connect with prospective clients, and build their brand by leveraging social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram. When used effectively, social media can serve as a potent tool for generating leads and driving sales.

The rise of AI in real estate

Advanced artificial intelligence solutions like ChatGPT have only been available for a few months but are already transforming the real estate industry. Real estate agents are already using AI to create better listing descriptions, write and illustrate marketing materials, and automate administrative tasks like scheduling and data entry.

AI-powered chatbots can also provide 24/7 customer service, answering common questions and providing information about properties even when agents are unavailable. Finally, AI can analyse market data and predict trends, enabling agents to make more informed decisions and better serve their clients’ needs.

The tech-savvy agent

Because the real estate industry is fiercely competitive, real estate agents are always among the first to adopt new tools and technology to boost productivity.

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Agents in Southeast Asia are often more technologically savvy than their peers in North America and Europe because their average age is much lower. This is a generation that grew up with tech in the cradle. According to the European Real Estate Federation, the average age of a European real estate agent is 47.

American agents are even older, with an average age of 57, according to the National Association of Realtors.

At IQI, we have over 30,000 property agents in our network across 20 countries. Our experience shows that the average age of agents in Asian countries, especially Southeast Asia, is much lower than this — perhaps 30 years.

It’s natural for tech-savvy agents to turn to apps like our network’s IQI Atlas to make themselves more productive, especially on their mobile devices. The IQI Atlas app is a one-stop platform for real estate agents, with a digital presence, branding tools, and a listings centre for adding listings.

With IQI Drive, like Google Drive, agents can upload large videos and become 360 VR-ready. The app also has live sales charts that agents and consumers can view, providing real-time information on which listings have been sold and are still available.

Moreover, the IQI Atlas app streamlines the real estate sale process with its advanced features. For instance, the e-signature platform allows agents to send and receive contracts and agreements digitally, saving time and resources. Additionally, the app’s digitally guided process helps agents keep track of all the necessary steps to close a deal, from the initial offer to the final settlement.

Leading real estate agents in the Philippines and Vietnam have praised the app for assisting them in establishing visibility and credibility in the increasingly online real estate industry. Another feature in IQI Atlas that has proven to be a valuable tool for agents is the Marketing Centre, which allows them to quickly access different properties in different areas and present them to their clients, significantly expanding their networks.

These testimonials demonstrate how technology such as IQI Atlas, artificial intelligence, and social media are changing the way real estate agents work. And, as the real estate industry continues to evolve at a rapid pace, the role of technology in driving this transformation will only grow in importance.

While a lot has changed since 2020, the real estate technology revolution is still in its infancy. In just five years, the practice of being an estate agent will look very different.

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Image credit: Canva Pro