yes..... those items just make life easier....it's what you know that counts!!!

I remember the old days, it made me carry quarters with me all the time and a pager. 

It reminds times long time ago...nope, I'd rather not. Even in general, it is hard to imagine the life without our mobile devices! 

Yeppers - my phone is not who I am

I started in real estate some 25 years ago in NYC--no cell phones, no mls, and no computers. What I carried was a change purse with quarters to use public phones. And boy did we sell a lot of high-end real estate. Sometimes, I miss those days without all the electronic "jailers" we have today. But I wouldn't want to be without them today if everyone else had them.

Rich Gaasenbeek I was an agent long before cell phones, pagers and fax machines. We all got along fine.

No, it's like an arm now. Can't do business without it. Same with any type of computer. Why would you want to?

I was a REALTOR before the days of smart phones and was very successful then so I would just go back to the old way of doing business with land lines and email.

a lot of my leads start off as text messages. when they are comfortable they call or set an appointment.

I remember before and after; I am Susan 2.1  To me it is like asking how effective would I be with a horse and buggy.  The job would get done but never as efficiently.

No , it is my computer on the go !

Ten years ago the answer would have been yes. Today, not having a smart phone or other mobile device but everyone else having them would be a major disadvantage.  

I was successful in the business long before we had smart phones.

Rich Gaasenbeek - Smartphone is just a tool!

If the agent has smartphone but does not call anyone, does it really help?

Sure, as long as nobody else had one!

Absolutley not. It is my most important tool that I use in my business and would hate to try to get by without it. I can do everything on it if I have my reading glasses with me. 

Rich,

We did well before and after.  It just made life easier in many ways.  A

There are days that I wish I could ditch the connections but in reality that is not possible.  Everything I and most of us do depends on technology.  I'd never want to go back to the "book" and message pads.  

I am a hands on person. Tools compliment, enhance and make easy but I suppy the power and direction.

Yes, because I plan ahead and set schedules. Yes, I might find spare time in my travels where I can check email or look something up online.

It's a computer not a phone.

No, working old school would be disaserous.  Cold calling, door dropping, open house, floor time, landline all would make life miserable.  I'll bet you anything that a good 10% are still doing it old school today.

You got to be quick before the callers go to another agent. Many have zero patience. 

Most of us would be out of business without these devices.

I'd adapt, but those things sure make it easier.  

Yes.  Most emails require responses that are better done on a keyboard or require files that are better accessed and reviewed from a full sized computer screen.  Smart phones have some benefits, but I'd be just as effective with or without them.

Yes.  You use the tools you have.

My iPhone and iPad make life easier but as Barbara Todaro said it is the knowledge that counts!

Certainly would be less efficient...

I'd prefer not, and things may move a little more slowly, but it all about experience, what we know, and how we can help our clients

Rich, I'm having better years since I got more mobile technology, but I'm also more experienced and in a better market than when I didn't.  

I know how to function without them, because I did, but I wouldn't choose to go backward. 

How else you are going to communicate with your clients without call/text/email on the go?

I may get the job done, but it would take longer, so the answer is No, I wouldn't be as effective.

no

Sure I would. I would just have to do what works best for me with the tools I have. 

You Bet.  I don't use these gadgets much any ways and people really like the personal touch.

Rich Gaasenbeek Nowadays, I need mobile devices to function in life.

That seems a little obvious to me, I would have to wait until I was at a computer to give updates.  With a smartphone I have a computer with me.

i am soooooo much more effective. so much of my days is spent in the truck

Ditto under Barbara Todaro It's what you know that counts!!!