If you’re still in the game, trying to buy and sell these still prime properties, you will need to be sure to utilize the proper tools.  No longer does a nice car and cell phone provide you with the proper tools to make the sale.  In the 21st century the Charlottesville real estate agent is required to learn and use the latest technology and gadgets available if they want to stand out from the still crowded bunch of agents pining for the clients attention.  Charlottesville real estate may be a prime product to pedal, but in this hard economic climate we are left fighting for every possible opportunity.

The Necessary Tools

To start, the Charlottesville real estate agent needs to utilize the proper websites.  Here are the common ones:

• CAAR (Charlottesville Area Association of Realtors)
• CAARmls
• CurbPlaces.com (An excellent recourse for anybody interested in Charlottesville real estate)
• RoyWheeler.com (One of the oldest and well respected realty companies in Charlottesville)
• KellerWilliams.com
• RealEstate3.com

The Software:

• Microsoft Outlook (Email, Calendar and Contacts software perfectly suited for the Charlottesville real estate agent)
• QuickBooks Pro (Depending on the size of your endeavor, QuickBooks is a must have for keeping the books properly organized)
• Mozy Online Backup (Perfect for keeping your precious files backed up.  Because it’s uploaded to the Internet you don’t have to worry about losing files, even with theft or in a fire)

The Gadgets:

• iPhone or Blackberry (Having the right PDA/Cell phone combination is essential for both efficiency as well as reliability)
• Laptop (Being able to take your operation on the road is very freeing for the Charlottesville real estate agent.  A desktop is fine, but if you want complete on-the-go capability, I would highly recomment a laptop)
• iPod (OK, so maybe this isn’t essential, but we’ve got to be able to sit back and enjoy our favorite tunes when we’re always on the go, right?!)

The Knowledge:

The fact is, if you don’t know how to properly utilize all that the 21st century has to offer, what use is it to you?  It’s libel to become a hindrance instead of the ace up your sleeve.  There are many ways to get ahead of the game, become noticed amidst the crowded Charlottesville home and agents that litter the streets of Charlottesville Virginia.

It’s your job to either learn how to properly utilize this technology or find someone who will do it for you.  If you need to know how to go about doing any of this, feel free to Contact Me.  I’d love to help!

Eric Hamm

What are our options?

Unless you’ve been living under a rock somewhere, you’ve heard of the Geek Squad.  They reside in the confines of Best Buy and have taken what used to be a few guys in a little shop and turned the Computer Service Business into a full blown, mass produced operation.  They actually have a uniform, drive a cute little car that’s covered in their logo and are scattered ALL OVER the United States.  But is this a good thing?

I have mixed feelings about the Geek Squad.  You certainly get a service that is backed by a large, successful business.  But this alone leaves me torn.  Having that kind of backing can be a good thing, but having that kind of MASS can be a REALLY BAD thing as well.  For one, you can say goodbye to any kind of personal touch.  No matter how many commercials show them taking personal care of you, the client, it’s just not going to happen that way.  For one, you’re not a client, but a customer to them.  You don’t represent the other end of a two way business relationship, between a specific tech and yourself.  Instead, they have gone to great lengths to turn their techs into non-individuals.  This is one of the reasons behind the uniforms.  You’re not talking to John Smith of Such & Such Charlottesville Computer Services, but John the guy from the Geek Squad.

Don’t get me wrong, Best Buy and the Geek Squad have brought good things to Charlottesville when it comes to technology.  Not only is Best Buy one of the best places to buy your technology devices, but the Geek Squad has brought a solid contender to the Computer Service industry.  This competition only makes other Charlottesville Computer Services better.

My favorite part about the Geek Squad is the fact that they reside with Best Buy.  This allows for great extended warranty service when you make a purchase at their store.  Sure, you have to buy the extended warranty, but most of the service is done in-house which allows for a (sometimes) quick turn around.

My last gripe about the Geek Squad is two fold.  I’ve had quite a few past computer consulting clients tell me their Geek Squad horror stories.  The first common complaint is that of slow response.  Days and sometimes weeks have been the reported time of response.  The second issue is the fact that when you DO obtain Computer Service from the Geek Squad and you call back to talk about the service, you almost NEVER talk to the actual tech.  Depending on who you call, you may get a Geek Squad geek or just a Best Buy employee with no computer experience.  Even if they do get the right tech on the phone, it can be quite frustrating if you had to be transferred time and time again to get there.

The Small Business Charlottesville Computer Tech

You could say that I’m partial to this type of tech, but it’s not for the reason you may be thinking.  Sure, I was one myself for a half a decade, but now that I’m out of the business I can see even MORE of the advantages of finding the right Charlottesville computer service.

Knowing what I know now, if I were in need of a Charlottesville Computer service business I would be on the look out for a small business tech, not a geek from a big company.  People prefer to have direct access to their tech and to know that they have a vested interest in making them happy.  Sure, John from the Geek Squad does too, but not NEARLY as much as John Smith of Such & Such Charlottesville Computer Services.  Remember, customer vs client.  There’s a BIG difference!

Also, I’ve found that the Small Business Charlottesville computer tech is generally going to be MUCH more affordable and they are usually as knowledgeable, if not much more knowledgeable.  And don’t forget the fact that once you find the right Small Business Charlottesville computer tech, that will most likely be the tech you will work with from that point on.  With something like the Geek Squad you won’t know who will be coming from one visit to the next.

Finding the right fit for YOU

No matter where you turn for Charlottesville computer services, don’t be afraid to turn somewhere else.  Keep looking until you’ve found the fight fit for YOU.  No single tech is ALWAYS the right tech for you.  So be sure to take note of your experience each time they service your computers.  And if something doesn’t seem right, don’t hesitate to ask questions.  Often times it is just a misunderstanding that needs a little clarification.  And if there IS an issue, try and resolve is quickly, or move on to another tech.  You’re too busy and your time, too important, to waste working with the wrong computer tech.  Once you find the right fit, your life will become MUCH easier when your computers start to complain.

Eric Hamm