I want to be a better listener.

It’s not just technology — it’s a cultural shift in how Realtors work. Technology is easy; how this and the next generation of Realtors accept and implement it is often the deal-killer.

The past few weeks have brought more technologically-savvy clients my way. Not unsurprisingly, both have used Google tools to help themselves (and me) Here’s what I want -

First - why Google? Because it’s free and accessible. Did my clients both seek out Realtors to help them relocate to my area? Yes.

The first buyers interviewed a couple of Buyers Agents and ended up selecting me. As part of the process, they emailed me a published Google Doc with their already-trimmed-down list of specifications - preferred location, what they want to be close to, what their needs and wants are and their “would like to haves.”

The second buyers, through the process of our working together and narrowing down their search area/criteria, emailed me a link one day to a Google My Map with the things that are important to them. Schools, gym, grocery store, specialty grocery store, kids’ activities - and oh, yeah - houses pulled from Google Base - were all on the map.

I want the consumer’s search to be as powerful as mine, while keeping all the protected information necessarily behind “Realtor” lines (lockbox codes for generic lockboxes, alarm codes, “seller is out of town,” etc.)

I want background checks on Realtors to validate their ability to keep safe said private information.

I want the search to allow overlays of important data - crime, Walk Score, GIS information, neighborhood boundaries, and more, and I want to be able to share that search with my clients, readers, customers - and allow them to better narrow their searches, thereby allowing me to help them best - by listening and interpreting and advising.

Good Realtors do more than just search for homes - interpretation, guidance, advice, negotiation - client representation - is far more specialized than search.

(Posted here at request)

Well, we knew it was good, we just didn’t expect this overwhelming response!

After just a few months of availability, VAR’s Broker Tool Kit has crossed a significant milestone: 2000 downloads. VAR’s Broker Tool Kit is a comprehensive guide to everything you need to know about starting a real estate brokerage in Virginia. Even if you’ve managed a brokerage for years, you’ll want to keep this resource handy for the times you run up against situations you’ve never encountered. Developed collaboratively by VAR staff attorneys and the Virginia Manager’s Council, this convenient desk reference is free for all VAR members.

Another popular VAR resource making the rounds these days is our 10 Things you should know about today’s Virginia real estate markets. It’s title isn’t concise, but this colorful, engaging piece covers 10 important things to keep in mind about today’s housing market in just a few words. You, your agents, and clients will find facts and figures to put the current housing market into context in a way that acknowledges the flattening market. We encourage you to download a high-quality full-color PDF of this piece, print it, and share it at your next sales meeting and client appointment.

Other pages at VARealtor.com getting lots of traffic recently are the Standard Forms area, our Rookie REALTORS® section, and the REALTOR® Institute page.

Are you taking advantage of us? When it comes to the products and services we aim to provide to REALTORS®, we wish you would! Be sure you get your money’s worth from your investment in VAR by using the benefits we work hard to provide.

NAR needs Jack Torza. That’s why all of Region Three, and especially the Virginia Association of REALTORS®, is backing Jack Torza for 2010 NAR Treasurer. Jack has a mile-long REALTOR® leadership résumé and the qualities NAR needs to deal with a tumultuous and constantly changing future. Learn about his ideas for ensuring that REALTORS® are well prepared to navigate the road ahead and get to know Jack Torza at his blog. Leave a comment in support of his campaign, e-mail him a question, or subscribe today.