January 4th - 2005

Where's your favourite hot spot?

No, we're not referring to nightclubs or local watering holes.

No, we're not referring to nightclubs or local watering holes. Wi-Fi hot spots are cropping up across the planet to meet the needs of wireless communicators. Wi-Fi stands for wireless fidelity, and a Wi-Fi Hotspot is usually a café, restaurant or business that offers free wireless Internet access to its clients.

Considering the amount of time a REALTOR spends out of the office, mobile technology such as this can bring many advantages. The number of Wi-Fi hot spots in Ontario is growing rapidly and includes many of the big chain coffee shops like Starbucks and Timothy’s. In fact, Hewlett-Packard (HP), maker of several wireless products, has teamed up with Starbucks and T-Mobile to offer hot spot links in many locations. A list of hot spots in Ontario can be found by “browsing by region” at www.wi-fihotspotlist.com.

To give you an idea of how a REALTOR can benefit from a hot spot, take a look at the following example from HP’s web site (www.hp.com).

“Picture Betty, a real estate agent. A cross-town home buyer wants to meet with her, but his time is limited. She suggests a Starbucks halfway between her office and his and they arrange a meeting. She gets there early and pulls out her Wi-Fi equipped HP notebook.

“Sipping a latte, she reads the latest REALTOR news on the Web and reviews her email. She receives a message from a different client, a couple which has, if somewhat impulsively, decided to make an offer on a listing they saw over the weekend. The catch –  they are leaving the country tomorrow morning and only have an hour to spare that afternoon to discuss and sign the offer. Time is of the essence.

“When Betty's first client arrives, they review new Multiple Listing Service updates, complete with digital images that showcase each property's highlights, as they search for the perfect home. She makes note of several he likes before he leaves. While finishing her drink, she prints offer forms from her HP mobile printer so she can have them handy for her newly arranged afternoon appointment and sends a quick email to her broker, informing him that her most recent client meeting was a success and that she'll be writing up an offer in a few hours. A few minutes later, she's off to meet with her impulse buyers. No need to run back to the office, she's got everything she needs.”

What you need
To take advantage of your local Wi-Fi hot spot all you need is a Wi-Fi-equipped notebook, handheld PDA or Tablet PC. Next, simply switch on your system at a local hot spot and you'll instantly connect to a Web site where you can gain Internet and email access immediately. You won’t need to plug into an Ethernet port or dial-up modem.

As with most technology, mobile technology is ever-changing and evolving. One thing is for certain, the days of spending hours chained to a desk are gone. Being able to conduct business anywhere, anytime is the new routine for savvy REALTORS.

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For more information contact

Ontario Real Estate Association

Jean-Adrien Delicano

Manager, Media Relations

JeanAdrienD@orea.com

416-445-9910 ext. 246

Ontario Real Estate Association
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The trademarks REALTOR®, REALTORS®, and the REALTOR® logo are controlled by The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) and identify real estate professionals who are members of CREA. The trademarks MLS®, Multiple Listing Service® and the associated logos are owned by The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) and identify the quality of services provided by real estate professionals who are members of CREA. Used under license.

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