The Next Real Estate Technology: Interactive Live Chat

Article by Scott Rudolph published on March 25th, 2008

Thankfully, live chat and chat support online is gaining momentum. Honestly, I prefer to speak with somebody instead of a recorded message. But the phone support offered by many companies is insufficient, hold times are too long and complex menus are frustrating. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve tried phone support from companies touting “world-class service” only to experience unproductive voice or keypad menus, language barriers, random hang-ups and more than I dare describe.

One of the advantages of live chat or chat support, as it’s been coined, is the written record naturally created for both parties providing reference material for future dealings or for dispute resolution. The interactivity and dialogue between a client and real-estate professional is precious. Let’s face it, our industry tends to receive more than its fair share of response-time complaints. For this reason alone, every real-estate professional should investigate live chat today. Beyond this, after-hours features allow a professional (via a third party, if coordinated) to be available 24/7, collect contact information for comprehensive follow-through later, and receive a detailed recorded thread.

Now imagine adding live chat to a virtual tour or video – an unobtrusive box appears on the computer screen, saying, “Hi, just let me know if I can answer any questions you may have regarding this property.” Once you start chatting, you have the strategic advantage not only by providing more service than the consumer will find elsewhere in our industry but you’ll be in a better position to convert browsers into buyers.

You’ve heard the saying, “Give a person a fish, they eat for a day; teach a person how to fish, they’ll eat for a lifetime!” I hope you appreciate our attempt at teaching how to fish in order to benefit yourselves and your clients for a lifetime. For more information about incorporating live chat within your business, please visit www.aliverealestate.com or email me directly Scott@luxuryrealestate.com.

About AliveRealEstate

A recent Realtor.com survey indicates nearly 50 percent of online inquiries from homebuyers and sellers go unanswered after 48 hours. In an industry that rewards timeliness, response times can be the key to securing new business. So, it’s logical that Live chat and chat support via the web gains momentum within the real estate industry. In fact, early adopters of this new interactive initiative is being led by the industry’s most recognizable leaders ALIVE Technologies and Who’s Who in Luxury Real Estate, also known as LuxuryRealEstate.com.

For more information and sign up for your FREE, fully functional 10-Day TRIAL please visit www.aliverealestate.com/start.