Mal Duane Focuses on New Business Technologies for Real Estate

Mal Duane, owner of MetroWest Homes in Framingham, MA discusses her brand decision to move away from MalDuane.com and her corresponding shift in internet marketing efforts.

WebCentric Marketing

1. Duane runs her real estate business according to webcentric marketing, so she is always on the lookout for the latest tech tools and services; her favorite new piece of hardware is her Treo 650, which has replaced her laptop.
2. The versatile Treo 650 can accommodate her complete database; after hearing the recent interview with Pat Zaby, she is in the process of enhancing it with his Respond product to expand the real estate capability of her Outlook and synch with the Treo.
3. Duane uses the Treo to keep her appointment calendar and to take digital photos with its built-in camera feature she recently emailed a photo to an interested client while driving by to check out the property.
4. Documents To Go software on the Treo allows her to load almost every document she uses (purchase and sales agreements, offers, etc.); she can fax any document to her eFax number and get it back as a PDF the PDFs can be emailed, burned to a CD or loaded into Documents To Go; Duane presently has the capability to function paper-free.
5. Duane presently uses a Sony VAIO®, but she recognizes a tablet(REDtabletTM) as the next step up for presentations, paperwork in the field,and MLS searches with WiFi.

Mal's Real Estate Advice to Agents on Technology

1. There are wonderful products available to build a tech-savvy business; agents should not hesitate to get involved with email and Internet marketing.
2. Use what you buy; find new things that will help you build your business and don't procrastinate in applying them.
3. Another hot item that Duane recently found is an appealing national service for consumers that gives an agent exclusive rights to a ZIP code at low cost WhatsMyHomeWorth.com; it generates leads for Duane without her having to do anything.