Walden and Kirkland Embraces Latest Technology
Sunday, February 12th, 2012
From QR codes on For Sale signs to widgets on their home page and a 24/7 property information line, Walden and Kirkland is embracing the latest in technology to help their clients buy and sell properties quickly and at a good value.
"We feel we're the most progressive real estate firm in Albany from a technology standpoint," said Tom Crowley, vice president of Walden and Kirkland. "We demo the technology to prospective sellers and they see the benefit. It's helped us get more listings."
Established in 1947, Walden and Kirkland is affiliated with Coldwell Banker and Cartus Relocation Company. The firm has 21 licensed, full-time real estate professionals and operates a full-service property management firm.
Real Estate Sales Move Online
According to The National Association of Realtors, 90 percent of people looking to buy a home start their search online. Websites such as Realtor.com, Zillow.com and others make it possible to find listed properties within specific neighborhoods. Searches can start at the zip code level and quickly zoom in to specific streets or even blocks.
"We've really tried to educate ourselves on the technology given the role the Internet now plays in real estate sales." Crowley said.
Before meeting with a prospective seller, a Walden and Kirkland agent will often create a website specifically for their property. The agent can make a formal presentation on an iPad to the prospect that demonstrates how an interested buyer can use a smartphone to scan the QR code on the For Sale sign and go directly to the property website on their phone.
"We've encouraged our agents to invest in an iPad; it's a great selling tool," Crowley continued.
The firm's recently launched 24/7 property line enables people to find out more about any property listed in Albany, not just Walden and Kirkland properties. By dialing 229-903-1200 and entering a property's MLS number, callers can learn more about the property and then have the option to speak directly to the listing agent.
"We are promoting the 24/7 property line on our website, on our signs, emails and flyers," Crowley said. "It's also a great listing tool."
"Of the more than 200 realtors in Albany, none have a 24/7 property information phone line that lets a prospective purchaser get info on any home listed in the multiple listing service. We are getting more calls than ever before for home sales and for our property management company."
Transactions Up in 2011
Crowley reports that transaction volume for Walden and Kirkland in 2011 was up more than 16 percent over 2010.
"We handled a number of short sales and Fannie Mae foreclosures last year," he explained. "It's definitely kept housing prices down. Like most other areas we've seen about a 15 -20 percent decrease in values in the Albany area over the last few years."
Crowley is optimistic about business in 2012, hoping to see prices stabilize or even start to move higher. With their affiliation with Cartus Relocation, Walden and Kirkland works with many newcomers moving to the area.
"We have seen a significant number of referrals from people moving to the area with the Marine Corp base, Proctor and Gamble, Miller and Phoebe Putney hospital," Crowley said.
For more information on Walden and Kirkland, visit www.waldenandkirkland.com, or scan the QR Code above.
QR codes, such as this one in this story for www.waldenandkirkland.com, can be scanned to download a webpage that has more information on a property or business directly to a phone.
