Text Messaging is a Must Have in Today’s Dynamic Environment

As stewards of the real estate industry, it is our goal and obligation to identify new trends that impact our business and respond with the appropriate tools to better service our customers.  After analyzing the facts about text messaging, ERA Armstrong Team, REALTORS has responded with TXT ERA a high-tech solution to keep consumers better informed.

It seems like only yesterday that text messaging was solely the shorthand communication medium of choice for perpetually chatting teenagers in classrooms and shopping malls, and an impenetrable secret code to bewildered adults. That stereotype is disappearing faster than you can type TTYL - texting shorthand for "talk to you later."

Dramatic Growth
Our consumers are text messaging more than ever. In the U.S. alone, 12 million text messages were sent in June 2000, the first year that text messaging became generally available here.  By June 2007, the number of text messages sent had jumped 2,000 fold, to 24 billion. Just eight months later, communications giant Verizon reported handling a record 20 billion text messages in a single month.

What’s Behind the Buzz?
What’s the explanation for the increase in texting? One reason is the nature of the technology. Because text messages are brief and take up little communications bandwidth, they often get through quicker and more reliably than voice calls, earning their reputation for "instant" communication in an increasingly fast-paced, transaction-oriented world.

Another reason is the explosive increase in wireless access. There are over 250 million wireless subscribers in the U.S., an increase of more than 350 percent over the last decade. In addition, people in every age demographic are discovering the advantages of sending text messages in an expanding universe of applications for short, inexpensive, virtually instantaneous communication.

Expanding Demographics
A large demographic portion of the real estate industry is becoming attracted to this form of communication.  Although the shorthand language of instant messaging and texting - like LOL for "laugh out loud" and IDK for "I don’t know" - somewhat delayed its adoption by older generations, they’re beginning to make up for lost time. Text messaging by people age 45 - 54 grew 130 percent during the period between 2006 and 2007.

A breakdown of texting by age group shows that about 58 percent of people age 18 - 24 currently text, about 46 percent of people age 25 - 34, and over 28 percent of people age 35 - 54. Overall, text messaging volumes are projected to increase six fold between 2007 and 2009.

Reaching Out to Customers with Text Messaging
Perhaps the biggest drivers of growth in texting among people of all ages are the ways in which business and entertainment organizations have adopted text messaging technology to bring new levels of convenience and interactivity to consumers. Bill payment notifications, updates from customer support services and reminders for patients to take critical medications are just a few.

The business applications of texting can be fun and entertaining, too. Just ask anyone who’s texted their vote for their favorite American Idol contestant or helped chose the performer featured on the Today Show last July 4th.

TXT ERA Brings the Convenience of Texting to Real Estate
As a real estate professional, I make it a point to keep up-to-date on technology tools and trends that can benefit my clients. Fortunately, ERA Real Estate stays on top of things in this increasingly technology driven world by offering services like the TXT ERA program and ERA.com Mobile, a version of ERA.com designed specifically to be accessible from your web-capable device to give you access to listings no matter where you go.

TXT ERA uses text messaging technology to deliver valuable property information directly to your cell phone or other text-capable device. Imagine driving down the street, noticing a home for sale and quickly receiving property information without ever leaving your car. Simply send a text message to TXTERA (898372) with the Express Listing number you see on the ERA yard sign. In an instant you’ll receive a return message with the essential property information.

But you don’t have to wait until you see a home you like to begin using TXT ERA. Visit the MyERA.com section of ERA.com, enter your cell phone number and property search criteria and begin receiving customized alerts. ERA.com automatically notifies you, via text message, of any new listings that match your saved search criteria.

TXT ERA combines with ERA.com Mobile to make ERA Real Estate the first choice for mobile technology within our industry. They are just two reasons why I choose to be affiliated with the ERA Real Estate brand. ERA Real Estate has always been a leader in putting technology to work to help me help you meet your real estate goals in a way that fits your lifestyle.

For more information about TXT ERA and ERA.com Mobile, please visit ERA.com, or contact me directly at rusty.armstrong@era.com.

About ERA Franchise Systems LLC
ERA Franchise Systems LLC is a global leader in the residential real estate industry with more than 30 years experience in developing consumer-oriented products and services.  Since 1977, ERA Real Estate has teamed with the Muscular Dystrophy Association in its fight against neuromuscular diseases, raising more than $30 million.  The ERA network includes more than 38,000 brokers and sales associates and approximately 3,000 offices throughout the United States and 49 other countries and territories.  Each office is independently owned and operated except offices owned and operated by NRT LLC.  ERA Franchise Systems LLC is a subsidiary of Realogy Corporation, a global provider of real estate and relocation services.  ERA Franchise Systems LLC information is available at: ERA.com.