iPad or Android Tablet for Realtors?

If you are a tech savvy agent by now you own a pc or a laptop. If not, you are using your company tools. If you work for a company that provides pc’s you are lucky! Laptops are great for real estate easy to use and easy to take with you. You can use the laptop in your office, most coffee shops and a client's home. With that said should I invest in a tablet? If I do should I invest in an iPad or Android tablet? 

Tablets of all sorts are easy to use. You are able to access the internet, record video and take photos. As a licensed realtor in the business and an MLS trainer I have heard the good and the bad on the tablets. So what should I do? Invest in an iPad, an android tablet or just stick with my laptop. 

The droid tablet works just like a droid phone. You get flash, pdf files, and the internet among over 400,000 apps. Of the apps there are many real estate apps to choose from. If you are lucky your MLS has developed an app that gives you access to the MLS.  Larger real estate companies have also developed apps for agents and their clients to access the active listings, foreclosures and sold data.  The android tablet also has video and camera capabilities.  It can also be connected to your TV if you have the correct extensions.  The other benefit is that you can access your virtual filing cabinets offered by 3^rd party vendors. 

The iPad works like your iPod touch and your iPhone.  Just larger, more battery life (10-hours), multi-tasking is easier, the graphics are realistic, dual cameras.  There are over 700,000 apps approved for the iPad with about 250,000 apps available in the App Store.  Apple has an app, iCloud, that allows document, music, and photo storage.  This information is also shared with your iPod touch and or iPhone.  You don’t have to do the work to transfer.  iCloud does it for you. iPads have a large number of accessories available to help enhance your iPad experience.  From keypads, cases, gaming accessories.  My favorite is the fact that you can broadcast live to your HDTV and speakers.  I can think of many ways to use this feature.  I could show my listing presentation to a potential seller on their HDTV just by connecting to their TV.  How cool is that! 

Before I make this too complicated let’s consider some of the drawbacks. There are so many details for the iPad and Android tablets.   

Choose wisely if you decide on a droid tablet.  The Android table market has so many choices. Because there are so many choices the accessories available for the Android are limited.  That means if you run into BestBuy you will most likely only find one case for the tablet. Make sure you check the camera quality.  Also, make sure you know how it works and if your real estate tools work on the tablet.    Most work easily.  If you have to drag and drop will it work properly? 

If you want an iPad make sure you know that you may not be able to access certain programs available to you from your MLS.   Talk to your MLS and determine if your iPad will work easily their products.  If flash is required you may have challenges.   

As a trainer to real estate agents on MLS products I hear what agents say about the Android tablets and the iPad.   The iPad is limited when it comes to the MLS products.  If flash is necessary the product doesn’t launch.  Agents that use the Android tablet don’t have problems.  Most say they believe the Android is currently better for the Real Estate Professional.  However, if you are a tech savvy agent and you love taking your own photos and videos the iPad is exceptional.   I am sure you are saying, Carrie, it’s hard to choose.  So should I invest in one? First I say, “Don’t give up your laptop or pc”.  You may find that you just need to type a document and work on a project that you just can’t get completed on a tablet.  Second, I say if it’s in your budget go for it.  Tablets are evolving quickly and one day your tools will work on a tablet.  Just as I am writing this blog someone, somewhere, is working diligently to make the real estate products better for all tablets.