My son was talking to a friend who is away at college the other night.  No, it wasn't on the land-line, not it wasn't on the cell phone, no it wasn't on Instant Msg, and no it wasn't texting..........It was on his computer with a live video feed.............What do I know though because according to him I'm OLD!!!

Brian- I hear 3.0 will be skipped, odd numbers are so last year lol Going straight to 4.5 which will involve computer chipping everyones brain, and linking to their wallets.... when they want to move and buy a home they think up the perfect one for them and poof its either bought or built if it isn't already built, not only is it purchased or built immediately they are instantly moved it :-D Don't worry though you still get your small chunk for filling out the forms with your mind to make sure the transaction goes smoothly over the next 1-3 seconds :-D It will be great because I will even be able to simply think up the idea for landscaping poof it in if they don't like it no biggy poof it out change it and go :-D

LMAO Technology sure is great huh :-D

Brian, You are so right.  Just when I think I'm catching up - I'm still behind.  What's next?  I have no clue since I was going to go out this weekend to buy a Flip Video.  Maybe talking on the phone again?

Brian - I think the answer is clear - holographic listing presentations.  Sure, you may scoff now, but when you lose out to someone who is using this technique, who will be laughing then?

Holographic listing - very interesting.  I will have to research that a bit.  Sounds like it could be promising.

Hey, gang -

I think the Social Media thing will improve to the point where it has a stronger business orientation, and added value.

The whole engine in the future will be providing more content - useful content - to those who visit your website, whatever that might evolve into in the next couple of years.

The days of stagnant websites - personal brochures online - are long gone!

DEAN & DEAN'S TEAM CHICAGO

JASON:  Forget holographic listing presentations -- I'm taking it one step further -- telepathic listing presentations.  I'm speaking directly to sellers' minds.

Also, how about teleporting around to show homes?  Would save a lot on gas.

We will see what is next.  Only the technology can tell us. It has taken me a while to get this far.

 OK, I will say this, blogging social media, and video are still cutting edge. They remain cutting edge until either the public utilizes them everyday or all realtors are doing it, neither has happened.

Second is that just because someone participates in these doesn't mean they have really integrated them into value to their potential clients so we can't move on yet. Soft innovations in the use of these tools is where the next cutting edge will be because they are such high potential mediums. They themselves were cutting edge, but the unique use and integration of them throughout the customer experience is what i think it will be all about.

Plus mobile multimedia. As cell phones almost replicate home computers and integrated computer systems in cars become more realistic web presence which includes all those things will be cutting edge. It's all about getting information and media where people are and when they want it. There is my 2 cents.

I dare say I agree with Ross.  I think blogging social media and video is leading edge technology as well as smart phones.   Once it has saturated the market like a personal pc or lap top does it become old school. 

Brian,  This may seem "out of touch", but there is no way we can keep up with all the technological toys that are in the future.  Karen and I have had an internet presence since about since 1997 and have benefited from it, but our primary business still comes from good old Sphere of Influence.  When you've been in business for 32 years you will look back at all the "silver bullets" that are no longer around.  Overexposure has never proved successful in business or photography.   Art Kruschka

Brian, mashups will be next, well they are already here, but not critical mass yet. Hey, I learned at Inman to get back to face to face, YEO !  The only reason I sign up and join so many social networks is because we have no clue what the NEXT BIG THING will be. All I know is I will be around when it happens, so if you find it let me know !!!

I'm with Barbara.  Talking on the phone.

Ken

Great question, Brian.  I've been asking the same question to a bunch of local bloggers and no one seems to have a crystal ball to ask. For those of us who have been blogging for more than a couple of years, I think we're ready for the "next thing".  Video is nice, talking websites are o.k., interactive on-demand websites are helpful ... but truly what's the next big thing? I'm definitely going to keep my eye on your post - just in case someone has a vision.  Thanks for asking - Calie

Do you have any inside info?  I am with Missy face to face always worked and it still does.  I love the serendipity of doing business too.  I do it all the time in my other business.  You never know where business is going to come from.

It looks like this!

Brian,

Web 3.0 will be 'back to the future'...after we landed on the moon, where have we gone since...are you watching the spider or the web...put an 'I' in realty and you have reality...no smoke, no mirrors...that's Web 3.0...JMHO, Thanks,   Fran

I'm just catching up with your "old" stuff Brian...I think that has to do with the fact that many of my clients are just catching up with old technology themselves. So let me know when you find out!!

maybe it's wrapping your car in advertising?

Brian:

I had an answer all typed out, but it's just too darn funny good not to turn into a post of my own! ;)

I will reference your featured post in it!  Thanks for the inspiration and good job!

Brian, Person to person interaction is going to remain in the front for some time. The next big thing is going to be in the form of blogging, but with more of a personal touch.. more pod-casting, video presentation however with a much faster down load time.

Brian........good stuff!  Am a newbie on the site and feel like a sponge........can't sop it up fast enough.

Everyone:

I'm fascinated to read this discussion and there seem to be two camps. 

Camp #1 believes that traditional methods of prospecting and working will become more prominent as some of this technology makes REALTORS more distant from the consumers that we serve.

Camp #2 believes that Real Estate 2.0 is not yet fully developed and that the next big things will evolve from here possibly with more use of mobile technology.

I don't have my feet firmly set in either camp.  While the bulk of my clients and potential clients come from my online efforts, blogging, etc., I've had clients this year that I've found because of open houses, postcards, and more traditional methods.  Both online and offline prospecting will continue to be important going forward.  Talking on the phone and meeting in person will never go out of fashion in this business..

Certainly one day there will be people who virtually walk through a home from thousands of miles away (maybe even in a holographic form) and decide to purchase.  There will be advances in technology without a doubt.

I do believe that blogging, social media, and video all have a long way towards reaching their full potential, but none of them are really the "new thing" or the "next big thing" anymore. 

Ross certainly makes some good comments above.  While Realtor websites are no longer cutting edge and neither is e-mail, both of these innovations had a big impact on our businesses when first introduced. 

Blogging has created a big impact for many agents but I doubt that it will ever be as universally adopted throughout the profession as static websites have been.  Most agents have a "set it and forget it" mentality which the website allows.  Setting up a blog and never touching it makes it stale like a rotisserie chicken that's been left uncooked in the oven for months.

My question is not so much about whether we'll return to traditional methods (i.e. back to basics) or the benefits of blogging or video.  This is not a question about what's better -- new technology or the old standbys, but rather where do we go from here?  What's next?

There are certain innovations that have really changed real estate, for example:

MLS, internet, e-mail, cell phones, websites, blogging, video

What will be the innovation that causes the next big change?

Hi Brian.  Congrats on the feature post!!

Ken

Hi Brian and all, Nice blog post and very good question...

I would like to comment to what is next in Real Estate 3.0? 

We have the awnser....

Coming September 10th....

http://zipvoplatinum.com/

Hey Brian... pretty thought-provoking post!  I wish I had the foresight to know the answer.  But, I have to agree with Ross Quintanna.  IMO, blogging, social networks and video are still cutting edge and will remain so, not necessarily until more Realtors use them, but until John Q. Public begins recognizing them as a vital source, and using them to seek out infomation and expertise in this market and others.  It's a heck of a lot better than reading Wikipedia!

I can't tell you. If I tell you, then I can't make a gazillion dollars off of it and retire to train for marathons full time.

Brian -I think it would have to do with perfect search capability. With Google being the main game in town, it's often still hard to find what one is looking for and/or know how reliable the stuff is. When it's easy to find things in terms of content and integrated devices, may be we could move to the next level -intelligent RE.

Do you subscribe to Springwise... they have some interesting ideas.  My personal opinion is that it will be mobile technology.

It will be a combination of the site and blog in the near future. The public and agents are not here yet but we want to stay ahead of the times. It is still all about the content, people want to see things. I have thought about video taping neighborhoods to give people ideas.

You can be too far out but if business is what you want then you go there. I think all of us will be working niches before too long. Being an expert carries weight.

Well, there are only 24 hours in a day.  My plan is to stay focused on "hard core real estate talk" and leave the navel gazing to agents who are looking for something different. 

gggrrrrr. 

Honestly....

Check out the sites I produce.

http://www.yourmagicvalleyagent.com

Easy Search, video, RSS integration in and out, unlimited extra pages (Blogish if you want). I can even set up your Activerain Blog to publish in your site as well. It is a simple rss feed.

Awesome SEO built into the pages.

I agree with the others.  Real estate agents need to start using what we got now and catch up.

Try looking at one of the listings with the piclens plugin. Or without.  No other IDX company does this yet.  Awesome Awesome Awesome.  3D Wall of images on every listing.

Click Start Slide show and enjoy full screen images.  Now that is real estate 3.0.  It will even do video mixed with the photos.

Great post and conversation. Just listening in. : )

Social media was not the next big thing for real estate, nor the evolution of blogging.  It was a distraction away from connecting with clients via the easy content publication afforded by blogging software. 

Video and social media are to real estate as the Brady Bunch is to bass fishing.  Real estate sales have always been about price.  Real estate prospecting has always been about reaching a person who's ready to buy or sell.

Having something to say and saying it beats ersatz version numbers and hanging around with your friends any day of the week.

hmmmm  I am going to just park on this one - congrats on the feature!

I thought YOU would have the answers for us...I think I will got visit Jeff Turner, I'll bet he will know!

I know that everyday I learn more and more.  There are new things to try Viddler, Utterez, Jott, Seesmic I could go on and on.  Just trying to keep up is enough to make your head swim, but I will learn it as it comes a long:)

Well, I know a broker that swears that retail is dead...he's negotiating with banks and sellers, then selling wholesale for 3 years. So, wholesaling?

Nice blog, it was a pleasure reading this article.  In manitowoc wisconsin, I am the only active blogger

That's thinking beyond the curve!  I have no idea so I'm playing wallflower and will definitely check in again...

I'm with Ken and Barbara only...let's go back to party lines!!!!

For those of you who don't know what a party line it is simply this.  Go buy a six-pack, somechips and get on a conference call.  LOL

I think its going to take watching out for new tech and then inventing ways of using it for what you do!

I think it will be mobile.  And it will include blogging, podcasting, vlogging and other web 2.0 tech... on the go!

Please Please tell me when you figure it out!

Brian, I'm not even caught up with today's technology. Yikes!  After reading all of your comments, there are some very interesting ideas. I'm with Randy, Barbara and Kim...let's go back to party lines!

Brian - I don't know what's coming next - that's why I'm a member of both CyberStars and CyberProfessionals - they'll know what comes as soon as it's thought of. I'm waiting for the magic carpet - when I can stand on the carpet and say where I want to be, and immediately I'm there. What connection with friends and colleagues all around the world!!!

Brian, I hear we're going back to the Listing Book. Hands on, Nostagia & "Good ole' Days" are making a comeback. Technology is on the wane . "Everything old is new again"

:)

Ginger

The next big thing: ONLINE CURB APPEAL

We are fast approaching a tipping point where photographs like this will be considered an abomination:

http://www.weichert.com/search/realestate/propertyimages.aspx?p=20573116

and photographs like this will be Standard Operating Procedure:

http://www.OnlinePropertyShowcase.com/showcase/10240

The handwriting is on the wall when people spend less than 30 seconds looking at a listing on REALTOR.com and spend over FOUR MINUTES looking at QUALITY content.

Maybe we will get back to our roots and respect human individuality and give real estate agents the respect they deserve, rather then upping the technological aspect of this business. In the end show me a technology that can make a house a home.

How about rounding up all the stray dogs and cats and putting ads on them? There are so many of them in every city. It is bound to gain lots of attention. J/K

Very good question Brian if you figure out what is next first i think you could be rich.

I think we will see fewer brick and mortor buildings -- however, content and relationship will remain important in the next generation of real estate.

Brian, I was asked to come comment here by Calie Waterhouse over on Twitter. After reading through the comments, I'm Sorry to disappoint Diane, but neither I nor anyone else knows what "Real Estate 3.0" will look like. (No disrespect to Greg at Zipvo or Jay at OnlinePropertyShowcase. Nice product plugs though.) The vast majority of the real estate community hasn't mastered Real Estate 1.0 yet... uploading multiple photos to the MLS and Realtor.com. There are lots of reasons for that and many of them need to be addressed at the Broker level. And that is a topic all unto itself.

I believe the future of real estate will consist of changes within the MLS. To explain, the current MLS is not interactive leading to external media sources such as Active Rain to compensate for the lacking options available via the MLS. In other words, the MLS in the future could have a comments section directly stemmed off of each listing where buyers and sellers can interact directly with the listing or selling agents without any 3rd parties interfering.  They may outsource certain features, for example, a site such as this could link directly with the MLS, acting as a direct sponsor, just like other businesses operate.  This may seem farfetched but if you think about it, all these other sites, localism included are being created simply because the MLS only showcases listings, leaving prospective buyers scratching their head as to where they can go to get direct contact with someone to talk openly about a home and furthermore to be able to get feedback from neutral viewers. I think a rating system may also not be far off which could be based on a listing's location and price giving both real estate professionals and buyers once again a great tool to help decide if that house is not only a good deal, in a good location with little crime, and a good buy in general. These are just our first thoughts as we think about this topic. We too agree that a vast majority of real estate agents have still not upgraded past 1.0, meaning they're still not on the internet or on Active Rain, so while some of us may be looking for the next big thing, Active Rain is still ahead of the curve in our opinion and this will, for the time being continue to be the case.

On a serious note, Telepathy may just be the future.  Also Real Estate Agents in the future will be able to clone themselves. This will allow one to deal with paperwork or settlements, while your clone can operate the open houses. Also Holographic images will help lead a buyer around in a house when viewing it. Teleportation can help an agent stick to his mission statement; "one call and i'll be right there".  

I am eagerly excited to see what's next!  Love the discussion:)

Brian - What a great question! As always, I love the comments. If I had a "wish list" it would be that we get to see the technology improve enough that it's really serving the true needs of our clients who are looking for a "home", not a house, to raise a family in a community they envision. It would have to include condensing a lot of information, pictures, videos into one application.  Right now we send clients here there and everywhere for the information that they really want and need.  It's not about 4 bedrooms 2.5 baths. Whatever the next new thing is, it will succeed only if it enhances communication and Service.

That's a great point Jeff and it highlights one of the main reasons that my clients use my services. We don't just 'take pictures'. We become the imaging department of the agent/office and that includes uploading all the photos to the MLS, praparing a set of files for all print media, working with other vendors to ensure the proper version of the photo is used for each application (that's why I've built Real Estate Shows and lots of Zipvo clips for my clients). When an agent calls me, they are assured that no matter where that photo is used, it looks perfect.

Jay Groccia, Principal Photographer

OnSite Studios™

OnlinePropertyShowcase™

CASTELLUM REALTY:  For a peek at the future of MLS, take a look at the site my friend Frank LLosa has created for the Virginia, D.C. and Maryland areas.  It allows buyers' agents, and in fact anyone (buyers, sellers, etc.) to post additional photos of homes and write comments about homes, allows links to web photo albums, and has a lightning fast search.  Take a look at www.franklymls.com.

There is this new fangled concept called a yard sign with a brochure box.  Been using it for yers and not many agents seem to want to offer up abrochure for a buyer to remeber their property.  Try it it works amazingly!

Jay Groccia (OnlinePropertyShowcase.com I LOVED your interactive approach to viewing a home.  I like Jeff Turner (Real Estate Shows) approach too...it's more encompassing with floor plans, maps, etc. but I think Jeff is cutting Jay short on the intrigue of being able to zoom in and out and look up and down and 360.  The quality of the pics are super!  The video Jeff had was not as clear as many tours I've seen though.  I like the combination of both....too bad you guys don't "merge" lol

I didn't see the function on Jay's demo, but if I'm not mistaken I've seen one before where you can navigate the whole house when you approach a door, there is a button to click to "enter" that area.  That was major impressive to me.

I hate to even ask what either of these services costs though.  The majority of agents still try to be very cost conscious. 

Hi David,

I appreciate your comments, but please keep in mind that my main point is not to focus on the medium, but  rather to focus on the message.

Great photography is great photography. One can use the same photos in print, streaming video presentations, slide shows, web galleries, MLS photos, etc.

I have clients that have used my photos in Real Tour Vision presentations, Real Estate Shows, Zipvo videos, etc. and that doesn't exlude other things like floorplans and other content.

NAR's on data shows that the average visit to REALTOR.com is about 13 minutes and consists of 22 page views. That's only 35 SECONDS per listing. Our philosophy boils down to this: If people are reading magazines like Architectural Digest, Better Homes & Gardens, and other 'fine living' magazines where every turn of the page editorial and advertisements show beautiful homes and telegraph the message, "if you could afford this, it would be your dream home". We strive to make every home we photograph have that same look and feel.

The 'takeaway' from this is: If your online presentation doesn't grab people and put a fire in their belly, you've lost them - forever - and you'll never know who they were, where they came from, and WHY they didn't contact you about the house.

I've got a real interesting story about a Ft. Lauderdale home buyer that I'll post on my blog - stay tuned.

My first post shows a $3M home. Here's a home that I shot on July 22, 2008 and went on the market a couple of days later at $475K - a pretty average home in central Massachusetts:

Open-concept Colonial

The agent told me that the owners accepted an offer in two weeks. Maureen Harmonay is the agent. I've worked with her on homes that had been on the market for a year or longer when she got the listing and she always does the following:

1. Has the home staged.

2. Has a floorplan created.

3. Has me photograph it.

4. Creates a website for the house. The avove home is www.5HayfieldLane.com.

Jay Groccia, Principal Photographer

OnSite Studios™

OnlinePropertyShowcase™

Call me crazy, I think Real Estate 3.0 will not be good for the current National Association and its' branches.  Technology and connectivity is forcing us as "middle" men or women to evolve.  Evolve or die.  Buyers and sellers will need agents for basic functions.  Marketing and adversiting will be more prominent.  Yes, agents will still be around.  I believe the MLS as we know it will barely exist unless it changes.

2.0 will be a major part of the next wave, but processes within the industry will change.

I like what Jeff Turner said about real estate 1.0.  That's smart observation.  I also like Castellum's response.

Brian

How about something that Helps Realtors help their customers instead of innovations that help

Realtors find their customers?

Hi Brian, Perhaps we are there already and didn't realize it. We have been embedding our listings in our blogs. Perhaps we need to be embedding our blogs into our listings. That would be a wholesale change. The MLS does not want advertising in the listings. Maybe that should be modified now and go the other way with all this by allowing the blog links into the MLS listings. There are obstacles in place that would forbid this but maybe this needs to be re-looked at and see if there is any merit to the idea.  

LOUIS:  I've been thinking about that too!

I think sydication tools for agents who just need to get it done without knowing all the technology.

Brian,

While the Internet community is trying to create the next thing, which I'm anxiously waiting for, I'm just going to harvest the fruit from AR which is still the place for mortgage pros and real estate agents to be. Let's see what it will be.

So Jay...are your services / methods available outside of MA in some form?  I sure like your work!