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David Barr (Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Realty)

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Rainmaker
655,940
Jeffrey Jones
AZ Home Seekers - San Tan Valley, AZ
AZ Home Seekers, azhomeseekers.com

We already have an E-pro designation by NAR.

Computer proficiency isn't a responsibility of a broker to mandate or enforce. Many top agents delegate anyway.  Bettering oneself as an agent should always be ongoing, on all levels of our buisness.

Dec 13, 2015 12:20 AM
Rainmaker
5,772,575
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

No, I have know some very, very, high producers who have little to no skills.  They are thriving and having fun.  A

Dec 13, 2015 12:13 AM
Rainmaker
4,572,117
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

No.

Alexandra Ron and Alexandra Seigel has a smart response.   

Dec 13, 2015 12:18 AM
Rainer
42,670
Fred Hafdelin
Weichert Realtors - Mountain Lakes, NJ

I think new Agents should be taught to understand the contracts and other documents used in a real estate transaction before they actually use them. In the brokerage that I work with all newly licensed agents must go through a week in class training program and after doing that they are assigned a mentor for the first year or first three transactions which ever comes first.

Dec 13, 2015 12:15 AM
Rainmaker
5,104,931
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

David, I believe I would agree. How can one succeed today in this business without some level of proficiency?

Dec 13, 2015 08:50 PM
Ambassador
3,727,873
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@Properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

I worked with a woman who didn't know how to turn a computer on.  She put together some of the biggest transactions in the city.  She had a lifetime of amazing contacts and partnered with a guy with a law degree and computer skills.  It was a match made in heaven. 

Dec 13, 2015 10:00 AM
Rainmaker
1,052,211
Candice A. Donofrio
Next Wave RE Investments LLC Bullhead City AZ Commercial RE Broker - Fort Mohave, AZ
928-201-4BHC (4242) call/text

I'd like to see charm school in there! Common courtesy and politeness. And a sense of humor. I dare to dream!
'SOMEONE' should be computer literate, whether it's the broker, agent or assistant. I have been the other guy's tech support way often.

Dec 13, 2015 12:39 AM
Rainmaker
516,437
Brenda J. Andrew
ULTIMA REAL ESTATE - Willis, TX
Professional Realtor in Conroe/Willis, TX

I agree, test them!

Dec 13, 2015 12:13 AM
Ambassador
2,178,553
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

I haven't been in the trenches for a few years, but I suppose relevant computer software classes would be in order.  

Dec 13, 2015 12:08 AM
Rainmaker
979,496
Troy Erickson AZ Realtor (602) 295-6807
HomeSmart - Chandler, AZ
Your Chandler, Ahwatukee, and East Valley Realtor

David - I guess I feel that computer competency in order to submit a contract in a timely manner should be the responsibility of the individual agent, not regulated by a test. Many agents are salespeople and that is all they do. They have assistants, and transaction managers to write the actual contract and follow the transaction to close.

If an agent misses out on submitting an offer because they couldn't submit it in time, then I guess that is their loss, as well as their clients.

However, there are still agents who write offers face to face on paper documents and are successful. Also, the market will not always be one that is fast moving with multiple offers and tight deadlines.

Dec 15, 2015 05:54 AM
Rainmaker
1,513,143
Raymond E. Camp
Ontario, NY

Do not speak to loudly Government might hear you and make it a renewable class every two years and with fees

Dec 13, 2015 09:45 PM
Rainmaker
3,986,258
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

NO!  Nothing says that a person needs to be computer savvy to do work in this Profession.

That is like me telling everyone taht they should never look at the computer and use a yellow legal pad for lisitngs...LIKE I DO!

Dec 13, 2015 11:10 AM
Rainmaker
3,988,007
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

No they shouldn't have a competency test for computers anymore than a personality test to see if they like people and can get along. Let them find their own way or not.

Dec 13, 2015 10:43 AM
Rainmaker
32,051
Amelia Robinette
NoVa House and Home - Frankly Realty - Falls Church, VA
Education, Innovation, Service

I think the failure is clear documented processes, not 'computer skills'.

For a new agent who writes 2 contracts in 6 months, it doesn't matter the amount of training they get, it matters how much they use it. Brokers, team leaders, mentors should understand that showing someone one thing, one time isn't going to prepare them to do it in 'real life'.

If there is a documented process, with step by step guides in writing, in video and in audio, (hit all types of learners) you can train 100s of people at once, and give them the resources to check/verify their actions. ALWAYS have someone available to double check their work and coach them through mistakes. 

 

Dec 13, 2015 09:52 AM
Rainmaker
212,755
Stefan Winter
Real Estate in IL & NV | Owner of Real Estate Web Tech | Daily Vlogger - Las Vegas, NV
Owner - Winter Group & Real Estate Web Tech

I am not the one spending time with agents, if others want to put in the time that is fine by me. Chances are if they have that many issues they wont last long anyway.

Dec 13, 2015 09:12 AM
Rainmaker
1,502,998
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

I'd say it should be there for most industries.

Dec 13, 2015 07:53 AM
Rainmaker
900,128
Olga Simoncelli
Veritas Prime, LLC dba Veritas Prime Real Estate - New Fairfield, CT
CONSULTANT, Real Estate Services & Risk Management

David - I think it's "sink or swim".

Dec 13, 2015 05:53 AM
Rainer
140,560
Richard L. McKinney P.A.
Atlantic Shores Realty Expertise - Port St Lucie, FL
For Results that MOVE you on the Treasure Coast!

I understand your frustration and I feel it myself sometimes. I came into the business when Florida was still using MLS catalogs in addition to a very bad MLS intranet.

When MLS did away with the catalogs, several agents at the office I worked at back then left the business. They just did not have the ability or desire to embrace technology. 

I think it's up to brokers to lead the industry by hiring and training their agents better. Brokers, for the benefit of the customer, should make it mandatory for agent to be able to scan, email, use an e sign platform and as host of other computer skills. I do not support a legal or NAR requirement to police this though. 

That said, I have known many an agent with high computer skills that couldn't put a deal together to save their life. So while computer skills are great, it's only one of several qualities you will need to be good Realtor. 

 

 

Dec 13, 2015 04:37 AM
Rainmaker
617,935
David Gibson CNE, 719-304-4684 ~ Colorado Springs Relocation
Colorado Real Estate Advisers LLC - Colorado Springs, CO
Relocation, Luxury & Lifestyle residential

David,
As a former Fortune 100 IT guy I would say no. Passing a test is not the same as being proficient in every day life. And what would the test cover?

Dec 13, 2015 03:41 AM
Rainmaker
4,800,082
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

It would be nice, though I know some really great agents that can't work a computer as well as some really marginal ones that are very tech savvy.

Dec 13, 2015 03:29 AM
Rainmaker
7,836,134
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

A high percentage of the young agents may be better on the computer than the broker. 

Dec 13, 2015 01:33 AM
Rainmaker
1,239,901
Sam Shueh
(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA
mba, cdpe, reopro, pe

The best is "write" on a piece of printed contract by new agents.  There are several residential contracts used here. Each one is unique in his own way.

The commercial contracts in 58 pages long. Few computer literate realtors can submit properly. That is why CCIM designation realtor look down upon residential realtors. 

For eSignatuer there are 4 to 5 types.  

Like everything it takes practice, practice and practice.  

Dec 13, 2015 01:30 AM
Rainmaker
49,097
Adele Langdon
Los Angeles, CA
Exclusive Realty Inc.

Well basically you have got to know something on a computer or your going to have a very difficult time.  But no required test I don't think.

Dec 13, 2015 01:23 AM
Rainer
150,416
Michael Thacker - Re/Max Real Estate Center - Louisville
Re/Max Real Estate Center - The Thacker Group - Louisville, KY
Your best friend who just happens to be a Realtor

Since they run their own "business" I would think that their skills or lack of would be their own problem, not their brokers or the industry's. 

Dec 13, 2015 01:21 AM
Rainmaker
1,712,676
Joe Pryor
The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK
REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

There is one, if you are still in this business to be successful and be profitable, you have passed the test.

Dec 13, 2015 01:09 AM
Rainmaker
1,466,207
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

David Barr I don't think a test is necessary or it is the Broker's responsibility to teach computer competency. If an agent doesn't know how to use a computer or other technology, they may be in the wrong business.

Dec 13, 2015 01:07 AM
Rainmaker
5,868,482
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

It sure would help if REALTORS had this knowledge, but some have assistants to do this part of our jobs.

Dec 13, 2015 01:03 AM
Ambassador
6,393,179
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

No, we already have too much government interference in our lives, why suggest another restriction.  It is just going to cost everyone a little more money and more time.  LET THE MARKET DECIDE WHO IS GOOD AND WHO IS NOT!

 

Dec 13, 2015 12:57 AM
Rainmaker
911,338
Jeff Pearl
RE/MAX Distinctive / LIC in VA - Lovettsville, VA
Full Service Full Time Realtor

They shouldn't be required to, but it would be in their best interest to have enough computer skills to know the basics like downloading and printing forms needed for listings and contracts. If they don't have the skill, they should have someone on call that can assist them.

Dec 13, 2015 12:47 AM
Rainmaker
1,157,785
FN LN
Toronto, ON

No.

Dec 13, 2015 12:08 AM