Tag: technology

3 cybersecurity tips for working from home

3 cybersecurity tips for working from home

Tim Inklebarger Leave a comment

It’s a data thief’s dream come true — millions of professionals working from home computers and leaving themselves exposed to digital burglary.

A recent report by cybersecurity firm McAfee noted a 630% increase in cyberattacks on cloud services since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic. Real estate professionals could be at greater risk, too, according to the report. McAfee’s “Cloud Adoption and Risk Report: Work From Home Edition” charted a 50% increase in cloud computing across all industries between January and April of 2020, while real estate and construction cloud computing jumped 63% during that time.

Cybersecurity specialist Robert Siciliano, founder of Protect Now LLC, said real estate professionals should immediately take a few key steps to make themselves safer. After all, he noted that phishing, hacking, spoofing — every category of electronic fraud, essentially — is on the rise. “There’s a coordinated effort by criminal hackers to take all the existing scams from the last 10 to 15 year and direct them to COVID-19,” he said.

1. Update, update, update

Siciliano said that, above all else, those working from home need to make an investment in new technology. “You can’t work on an old device that has Windows 7 on it,” he said, noting that outdated operating systems are not regularly updated for cybersecurity, which leaves users open to scams. While it might be a tough sell to make a substantial investment when many face the prospect of reduced income, the financial impact of being a victim of cyber fraud could be much greater, Siciliano said.

2. Check the age of your modem and router

Be honest: When’s the last time you updated your cable modem and router? Siciliano said it’s crucial to do so every five to six years. Most people only switch out when the device slows down or ceases to function properly, but security should be the main concern for your connection to the internet. Failing to do so could mean lost clients, lawyers fees and a damaged professional reputation, he said.

3. Is your connection secure?

This is cybersecurity 101, according to Siciliano, but many people still are unaware they need to encrypt their Wi-Fi connection with password protection. Failure to do so means anyone with a computer within 300 to 500 feet can connect to your system. “Enable WPA or WPA-2 encryption on a home Wi-Fi router,” he said, advising those working from home to Google the make and model of the router and the term “setup.”

The National Association of Realtors has also provided an abundance of information about cybersecurity with details on everything from avoiding cyber liability to its data security toolkit.

Real Estate Technology Tools for Teams

Marci Sepulveda Leave a comment

As a busy professional, the sheer amount of new technology that is served up to you on a regular basis can sometimes leave your head spinning. As real estate itself is getting smarter, the pressure to adopt new technologies in your office increases. New platforms and software programs promise to save you time, deliver better leads and automate many of your processes — but they’re not all created equally, and not all of them are created with the real estate professional in mind.

We often hear about the state of technology for consumers, but yet relatively little about how brokerage-specific technology is evolving. For example, overseeing real estate teams requires not only people management but also tracking and evaluating workflow and productivity. As a business owner and a team leader, you have to understand how your team is using their time, communicating with one another, engaging with brokerage clients and prospects, and how paperwork is being completed. You also need to understand how commissions are earned and how leads are being generated.

Smart real estate software provides your agents with everything from lead generation to video editing, as well as open house management software and help with tracking their expenses. The right technology tools can not only help streamline your listings and closings by simplifying transaction management, but they can also help to lead to greater agent satisfaction and retention. Of course, it’s good to know what tools can help you achieve greater productivity within your team.

A mobile-compatible video marketing tool

One of the first things your agents should do is to create a video profile, on top of a written bio, to use with their website. Not only does this allow prospects to feel like they’re getting to know your agents, but it is also proven that video is a more engaging tool than just photos. 

While anyone can create a quick video on their smartphone, using this type of program will allow you to create a more polished and professional-looking video, complete with filters, headers, logos, music, and more.

Try it: WeVideo, BombBomb, Animoto

CRM software designed with real estate in mind 

While CRM programs are certainly nothing new, you might want to consider using one with real estate-specific capabilities. While any CRM is capable of keeping track of your prospects, clients, contacts, and appointments, something that goes beyond the basic canned email message for things such as your clients’ anniversary or notes of congratulations can be instrumental in scaling up your business.

Real estate-specific CRMs also tend to come with relevant add-ons, like website templates, email drip campaigns, and even the ability to integrate directly with your existing social media accounts for a seamless experience. 

Try it: BoomTown, Wise Agent, kvCORE, Commissions Inc, Contactually

A tool for scheduling that works with your calendar

Wouldn’t it be nice if your clients were able to find out quickly when you’re available and book time with you on their own? Imagine all of the back-and-forth communication that could be saved. Fortunately, there are tools and apps that allow your clients to tap into your calendar and book appointments with you directly — saving you time and making the process easier for your clients and prospects, as well. 

Try it: Calendly, ShowingTime

Want to learn more? 

It’s important to keep in mind what real estate technology will help you connect best with your clients. To learn more about the tools that every team needs to manage time, clients, paperwork, commissions, and leads to keep a team running smoothly, sign up for our course The Tech You Need to Manage a Real Estate Team today. 

AgentEDU® is a platform where agents at every level can come to watch 10-minute video courses for the many situations that successful agents must master. From essential to advanced level and everything in between, AgentEDU® courses help agents become top producers with increased earnings and a plan for continued growth.AgentEDU® is an Agent Publishing brand. For 18 years, Agent Publishing has been committed to providing residential real estate professionals with the information and training required to build successful and meaningful careers in their local markets. Agent Publishing’s influence extends to every career stage and reaches agents across print, digital, events and online learning.