The Chicago Association of REALTORS®, the “Voice for Real Estate” in Chicago since 1883, represents 17,000 members from all real estate specialties including commercial sales, development, property management, appraisal, auctions and residential sales.
Learn how we help our 17,000 members. Membership options are available for licensed real estate professionals and those affiliated with the real estate industry!
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YPN’s G.E.T. (Grow. Elevate. Thrive.) breakfast series continued at Manny’s with a presentation by Adrienne Ciskey of the National Association of REALTORS® Center for REALTOR® Technology (CRT Labs).
CRT’s mission is to take a look at emerging technologies and evaluate them to get the important information out to REALTORS® and their clients.
The two areas where REALTORS® have shown the most interest is Lifestyle and Security. Adrienne walked us through several technologies in each of those spaces. For more information on smart technology, check out CRTLabs.org, and check out their Facebook Live office hours every Friday at 2PM.
Smart locks augment or replace locks so that your phone becomes the hub for usage instead of a physical key. Wireless protocols like Bluetooth enable your phone to become the key, giving you peace of mind. These smart locks also feature traditional key slots as well, in case someone wants or needs a regular key.
These are no more hack-able than a normal lock. And while the price is higher than a traditional lock, you’re getting a lot of technology for the price. And, when you’re ready to sell, the reset process is fairly simple – a tech-y substitute for the traditional key exchange.
81 percent of homebuyers and sellers have indicated an interest in smart cameras, and they’re a great way to get clients thinking about smart technology and security.
Smart cameras nowadays are significantly upgraded in aesthetics and function. You can find models that are motion-activated, both indoor and outdoor. Alerts can be sent to your phone if motion is detected, and some models can go as far as recognizing the difference between a dog or squirrel moving outside, versus a human. Plus, many insurance companies are now offering discounts if security cameras are installed on your properties.
Considerations for security cameras include where to store footage: on a card or in the cloud. Some options you have to pay for, and others you don’t. Install is relatively easy, with choice of batteries or a hardwired connection.
Most importantly, please note that if you’re showing a home with a security camera installed, this must be disclosed.
Smart doorbells are newer technology. They have cameras attached to them, as well as a speaker and microphone system. These can be hooked up to your smart phone and offer motion detection – a fantastic augmentation to your security system.
The challenges, however, is that it doesn’t replace a traditional security system; it only runs when the motion-activation is triggered or doorbell is pressed. Also, smart doorbells cost significantly more, although you can either reset it or take it with you when you sell.
Lifestyle
Lifestyle technology includes innovations that are helpful and great to have, but don’t give you security.
Research has shown that light temperatures are important considerations for productivity. Smart light bulbs are a tiny tweak that can improve your quality of life. Some feature motion detectors or timers, to eliminate ever having to fumble for a light switch. Depending on the lightbulb, you may need a hub like a Google Home or an Amazon Alexa.
Smart light bulbs do cost a lot more than LED bulbs, but you’re getting helpful features. When you sell a home with smart lights, you can program them to have some great staging and mood enhancements through the app.
Smart thermostats allow you to intelligently control the temperature in a home. You can save money and energy because the thermostat takes your habits and learns how to program itself efficiently. You can also program a vacation or night program if you aren’t in the home.
Utility companies now offer great rebates on smart thermostats to offset the costs, and the reset procedures are really easy, but you have to remember to go through with it when you sell.
CRT Labs is working right now on air and environmental quality monitors to provide REALTORS a member benefit and help your clients out.
Air quality and environmental quality monitors take a look at a variety of factors to ensure you’re as comfortable and healthy as possible in your environment. They help you to resolve issues before they affect your health.
For example, you can take a look at the levels of dust in your home and decide when to open your windows. This can also be an indication that it’s time to clean your ducts.
Monitors are connected to your phone and will ping you for a variety of reasons, like if your CO2 is high.
You can see how this popup was set up in our step-by-step guide: https://wppopupmaker.com/guides/auto-opening-announcement-popups/
We Apologize for the Inconvenience
Our phones are temporarily down. Please email membership@chicagorealtor.com for any immediate needs. We apologize for the inconvenience – thank you for your patience!
Precautionary Measures and Information Regarding COVID-19
Your health and safety is of the utmost importance to us. As COVID-19 is predominantly spread through close contact, out of an abundance of caution, all events through April 30 will be either canceled or postponed, except for Coffee with Your GADs, which will take place virtually. This includes our annual Sales Awards, which we are working to reschedule.
If you have registered for one of our upcoming events, look for an email with further details. All tickets for paid events will be automatically refunded. Please allow 3-5 business days to see the refund on your bank statement. Questions? Please reach out to our events team.
Precautionary Measures and Information Regarding COVID-19
As COVID-19 is predominantly spread through close contact, out of an abundance of caution, all in-person classes scheduled through April 30 will take place virtually.
RRES staff has reached out to those of you who have registered for an affected class with an option to transfer into an online option or reschedule for a later classroom date. CAR to You is available in the meantime to assist you with your education needs and we have a variety of classes being offered online and via webinar for your continued development.
YPN’s G.E.T. (Grow. Elevate. Thrive.) breakfast series continued at Manny’s with a presentation by Adrienne Ciskey of the National Association of REALTORS® Center for REALTOR® Technology (CRT Labs).
CRT’s mission is to take a look at emerging technologies and evaluate them to get the important information out to REALTORS® and their clients.
The two areas where REALTORS® have shown the most interest is Lifestyle and Security. Adrienne walked us through several technologies in each of those spaces. For more information on smart technology, check out CRTLabs.org, and check out their Facebook Live office hours every Friday at 2PM.