REALTORS® want to spend their time selling homes, not updating their software or removing viruses from their computers. That’s the overwhelmingly reason they turn to tech helplines provided by their REALTOR® associations for help.

So what’s the biggest technology issue facing REALTORS® today? Slow computers. This vague yet often complex issue is the number one complaint to the Tech Helpline, a member service launched by Florida REALTORS® 10 years ago that has since expanded across the U.S. and Canada. (It’s estimated that 60 percent of REALTORS® have access to Tech Helpline as a state or local membership benefit.)

“Slow computers waste agents’ time. Often, the best solution is upgrading to a new computer or smartphone, but agents are hesitant because of the setup time,” says Tricia Stamper, director of technology with Florida REALTORS®.

The reason members’ computers run slowly is typically poor maintenance habits. And although Tech Helpline staff members offer sound advice about defragmenting the hard disk and scanning for system file errors, most callers opt to have the techies access their systems remotely and fix the problems, says Stamper.

The second most common reason REALTORS® call Tech Helpline is viruses, malware, or adware, usually resulting in lost data. Often, callers can’t even get their systems to boot, says Stamper, and they fear they’ve lost years of contacts and data. “But data recovery from corrupt hard drives is possible and Tech Helpline staffers also take this opportunity to teach members about good data backup habits and cloud storage,” she says. 

The third most common issue is printer problems. “When your printer malfunctions, it can be more than frustrating,” says Stamper. “It can delay a transaction or a contract signing.” The most common fix is an updated driver or driver conflict, she says.

 Tech Helpline—which reports that calls were up 15 percent last year from the previous year—keeps a handy blog with quick-fix advice at techhelpline.com/blog.

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