Drew, I doubt that we will ever have a perfect real estate application.  Since real estate changes from state to state and even region to region, most real estate agents are independent contractors, and each brokerage has there own standard of care  – it’s a real nightmare.  Probably the most complete software on the market is Top Producer but it overwhelmes most agents.

Right now most of us are forced to use out of date MLS technology that won’t run on anything but windows.  Other services like Core Logic are also browser compliant. 

In a normal day I will use an e-mail client, calendar, content management program, cloud storage, photoshop, to do list, flyer program, bulk-email program, RSS reader, text expander, google documents, electronic signatures, Adobe Acorbat Pro, and a bunch of support utilities.  

Since each of us work differently and we are all at different technolgy levels I don’t thnk anyone will be able to put something together in one piece of software.  CRM programs like Salesforce show some promise and many of these programs play together – but most agents simply don’t use of understand software enought to make it a productive use in their business.

My goal has always been to try to accomplish as much as possible with as few programs as possible and learn and use them daily.  My bet is I save 2 to 3 hours over the non-tech agent in time savings.

Among contenders for the Ultimate Real Estate App would have to be database migration software. Am not talking about the ability to migrate a .csv file; rather, the ability to migrate ALL client or lead information including property search parameters, agent notes, and attached files from one platform to another.  Want to move this complex information for example, from Market Leader to Diverse Solutions or from Top Producer to 1ParkPlace–or vice versa? 

Cannot do–and it often keeps agents tied to multiple and redundant vendors because of the daunting task of entering this information manually.

The perfect real estate app for a REALTOR® would be based around the MLS. You’d have all features available on the phone that you do on a desktop  – would be able to search, edit, add listings. You could upload photos from your phone, etc. Through the next door would be the fully functional e-forms library where you’d also find the e-signature tool, along with personal sharable cloud based folders. Hmmm, now should it have it’s own CRM component or should it integrate with your phones contacts??? I guess both, since we’re dreaming.
Dibs on a beta-test slot!

For Brokers
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The perfect real estate application is one custom developed for your brand, business model and marketplace.  There is no one-size-fits-all approach to business integration.  I’ll point to Sales Force, Sugar and InfusionSoft as examples.  The popularity and value of these offerings, is their ability to be custom tailored to a company’s specific operational model.

It’s not logical to think there will ever be ‘one-size-fits-all’ solution for real estate technology, nor
should there be.  When you try and be everything, to everyone, you end up with a POS product like Top Producer, that offers *zero* value, and actually does much more to tarnish your brand than increase its value.

There’s a lot of buzz going around about RNR as they partner with dozens of MLSs around the country.
Once again, the business model of a technology vendor creating a universal, industry-specific solution, usually results in a less than desirable product within 36 months.  I sure hope the prove me wrong.

Think about it for a second… If I developed a solution that is adopted by the majority of MLS’s around the country, what is my incentive to continuously innovate and add value to my product?  None, as I don’t have competition.  I’ll point to Birdview, WolfNet, IDX Broker and TeraBitz.  All pioneers when they started, today all allocate many more resources to sales and billing then development  The result: outdated, corner-cutting solutions.  Give me a list of what’s changed/new in these company’s offerings in the last 24 months?  Thant’s what I thought.

The model of exclusive/limited MLS partnerships will continue to result in this industry being the laughing stock of the technology and marketing world.  Which reminds me, I have to get working on that blog post, “No, You’re Not Worth 6%.”

For Consumers
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The perfect application for consumers is one that combines search and explore into a single interface.
 Whereas, on the end-user’s map, I’m not only querying and viewing properties, but I’m adding external 3rd party data to assist in my search: businesses, attractions, schools, daycare, transit rail lines, walk score heat indexes, crime indexes, etc.  The list could go on forever (hence, why there *can’t* be a uniform solution).

Creating a rich, non-form based search solution that enables visitors to not only view property,
but explore homes in relation to the ‘desirable’ qualities they are looking for in a neighborhood is far more useful and offers actual value.  Extend this solution to a mobile medium and you’ve got it made.  

Check back with me in October.

user friendliness is most definitely a plus for me. Nothing to rigorous and seamless downloads