Being connected . . . all the time is becoming a necessity for us mobile real estate warriors. Sometimes you just don't have the time to go and find a wireless hotspot. Parking in someones driveway is not an option, and having to slurp coffee at a coffee shop can get old. What is another option?

Being connected through Cellular technology. Some of us purchase a cellular Modem Card. Essentially, this is a “cell phone in a card format”, these accessories slide into the PC Card slot on standard laptops and act as wireless modems. On newer laptop models, the cellular card is built into the motherboard; however, it will be fixed to a carrier (Verizon, Cingular, Sprint, etc) and cannot switch between providers. Be sure to check with the manufacturer before purchasing. Speeds range from 56k to 750k based upon location and signal strength. Costs range from limited access plans under $30 per month to unlimited usage accounts around $60 per month.

My cellular card contract was up over a year ago. I decided to use my Blackberry as a tethered modem, which was less expensive. Depending on the model, you may be able to use the existing data contract, or you may incur an additional cost. Either way make sure your data contract (which is separate from your cell phone minutes) is unlimited data.

Blackberry - Call your provider and tell them you want to use your blackberry as a tethered modem. They will give you a link to download software for your computer. Use your synch cord to connect your BB to your computer, it charges at the same time. Some providers do charge an extra monthly fee - mine is $10, but I make that back every time I don't pay to get on line in a hotel.

TREO - The newer Treos have software installed and as far as I know there is no additional charge. One very popular software download is PDANET. this software is a one time fee but puts a very easy to use software on your handheld to "dial in" with. You can get the software here. WINDOWS users? They have software for your handheld as well.

And the Iphone. Until now there was not an easy way to do this. But a recent post on the CRT Blog explains how to. Read the post here.

Buyers are a precious commodities these days. Let's take advantage of all the buyers who potentially could purchase your listngs. I wanted to review some data gathered by NAR on where buyers actually found the homes they purchased, whether it was one week or one year after they contacted you.

Lets examine the process through their eyes and see, Where did they find the home they bought, what caused them to buy.

Here are some statistics from NAR (2007 Profile of Buyers and Sellers)  which show that the agent and internet are neck and neck. 2 out of 3 buyers found the house they bought from an agent because an agent performed effective activities online.

What do I mean? Sending listings, putting listings on line that cause people to want to inquire about them. They put their listings in the top twenty places that consumers look. This chart is from Realtor.org under the Technology Tab. Click here to access. This is September's statistics.

They put lots of good photos of the property, write ad copy that speaks to the consumer and then communicates about the community by either blogging or answering questions on sites like Trulia Voices. Many still hold open houses, which are so valuable. So to review Agent affectable activities or a beefed up internet presence are the top two places buyers found their new home.

Yard signs comes in third but they have to change. Put a website or a text message instead of a phone number on the sign rider. Why? Consumers want to text or visit a website to get information without being interrupted They don’t want to call – they just want to know what the house is like. Generation x buys through friends. They don’t love you. They love themselves! They buy 50% of all new construction because they want it their way Referrals and testimonials become more critical than anything else This is why social networking is so important People can recommend you!

Why do we do newspapers? Because the seller tells usso. We won’t say NO. We don’t use statistics to handle that. We know that newspapers don’t work. Next time you can, ask your sellers this question: If you were a buyer where were you going to look for your next home.That should convince them.

Happy New Year!