The 2004 National Association of Realtors Technology Impact Survey Report shows that the typical Realtor member is planning to spend more on technology products, services and training in 2004, a 52-percent increase from 2002 figures.

David Lereah, the association's chief economist, said the growth in technology use over the last seven years has been amazing. "In 1997, only 26 percent of our members had Internet access; now about half of all Realtors have their own webpage," he said. "With almost all real estate listings now available on the Internet—and seven out of 10 buyers using the web as a tool to search for a home—we can't even imagine a working business model today without this technology."

The association's president, Walt McDonald, said the use of high-tech products has become so prevalent that Realtors can no longer be as productive without them. He cited the fact that 95 percent of Realtors use a mobile phone, 77 percent use a digital camera, 41 percent have a DSL connection and 40 percent use PDAs. And though GPS technology is relatively new, 7 percent of Realtors report using it.

"Realtors' appetite for technology is growing. On their wish list are wireless and PDA access to MLS listings, online floor plans, neighborhood crime and school stats, and electronic delivery and tracking of consumer disclosure statements," McDonald said.

"Real estate professionals are embracing state-of-the-art technology that allows them to be more productive and focus on serving their clients. Realtors continue to excel in the art of high tech," McDonald noted.

The survey shows that virtually all members—96 percent—use email. About half conduct at least 25 percent of their communications with clients by email and spend 4.6 hours per week checking and sending work-related email. One in four uses an email account through his or her firm, and 62 percent pay for their own account. Fifty percent of Realtors have their own webpage, up from 43 percent in 2001; another 21 percent of members plan to have a webpage in the future.

Realtors use technology products offered by their multiple listing service, such as email to buyers alerting them to new listings. The most frequently used MLS services are sales statistics, online data entry and comparable market analysis software, which is used to assist in pricing homes.

Most of the survey respondents, 63 percent, were sales agents, while 36 percent held a broker or associate broker license. They had been in the business for a median of eight years and typically work 42 hours per week. They were responsible for 14 transaction sides in 2003—equivalent to seven full sales—with a sales volume of $2.1 million.

Information provided in this column is presented by the Realtor members of the Silicon Valley Association of Realtors at www.silvar.org. Send questions on any topic to jnewton@jnpr.com.