I read an interesting blog recently on Inman News about how today’s Realtor is typically older and more experienced than they were a year ago according to a recent survey by the National Association of Realtors. Albeit the median age is only 56 compared to 54 in 2010, so when you factor in that we’re all a year older than a year ago the stats don’t exactly jump off the page as any great revelation.
What I do find interesting though is that only 12 percent of Realtors are under 40, and half are between the ages of 40 and 59. Obviously with aging and retiring Baby Boomers those percentages are sure to rise significantly over the next five to ten years.
These stats are important to software companies like mine because they can help us more accurately gauge where our particular industry is headed. As the changing of the guard makes the transition from “old school” Realtor, who up until a few years ago wasn’t even using a cell phone, to the younger “tech savvy” Realtor, I think we’ll find tremendous shifts and advancements in the technology we provide, as the demand for innovative products increases.
Now I certainly don’t want to suggest that a Realtor over the age of 50 isn’t innovative or up to speed on Real Estate software products, because a vast number of my clients are in fact in the age group the study reflects upon. I do however find that the older one gets the harder it is to initiate change and more importantly embrace that change.
These are indeed exciting times for my industry, because technology is in high demand and the benchmark is rapidly increasing, so we have to be on our toes to stay above the curve, but so do you! If you don’t heed this warning, you better find a new career path! Embrace change!
My point is; no matter what age you are, change is good if it improves the way you do business and your bottom line. So whether you’re in the 50 plus category or a newby to Real Estate, find the products that will make you work smarter not harder. After all can you imagine life without a cell phone as part of your daily business tool arsenal? If you answered yes than you better consider your website and take a good look at how it’s performing for you. If it’s nothing more than a glorified business card, you’re probably still using a pager! But if it has the ability to communicate, captivate, & cultivate your online buyers and sellers, than you’re guaranteed to close more deals, and I’m sure you also have the latest smart phone strapped to your hip.
We even have a mobile site coming soon!!
Innovation and change can seem so difficult to accept on the surface, yet they’re critical of our success and survival. Think of it as part of the food chain, and then decide where you want to be on that food chain, and you’ll have the answers you need to survive these tough, turbulent times.
