I've been a Realtor for almost a year now. I feel that a GPS navigation system would be a good investment for both my clients and my business. Does anyone have reccomendations, good or bad, for an after market system?
I would appreciate any information.

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Vicki Smith
http://www.fortworthhomefinder.com

Here's what I have:
A dell axim x3 pocket pc, a special cradle that attaches to the windshield, and the GPS reciever mouse and software. Total cost was around $400 including the axim. So if you already have a PDA, a cheap upgrade might do the trick.

Garmin Ique 3600...it's a PalmPilot with built in GPS. Comes with a car kit too. This is what I use.

Before you dump a lot of $$ into a GPS system... first check with your MLS directors. Many MLS organizations have plans already underway to incorporate the GPS into the MLS listing system.

If they have already identified a specific system they are going to use... check it out to keep from not being compatible when they do turn the system on. Some appear to work with palms/irLock-box keys so you don't have several things you always have to carry around. I know one agent that already looks like a commando with all types of gadgets attached to his belt... he can't get into many places because he sets off all the alarms!!!... and looks ... well....odd

Hello
When we bought our truck we have included GPS Navigation package. I think its worth every penny I invested in it.

My clients specially like it because we don't get lost or waste time trying to figure out directions.

Only drawback side it does not understand some of the short cuts. After while when you know the area you don't really need the system.

-Ritu


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Ritu Desai
Full Professional Service with Great Savings!
Samson Realty
4%-4.5% FULL SERVICE LISTINGS
&
CASH BACK TO ALL MY HOMEBUYERS

Cell - 703-625-4949
Office: 703-896-5775
Email - rituadesai@yahoo.com
On the web: http://www.homesdatabase.com/ritu

Gramin Street Pilot 2620 (pre-Loaded map package) BEST money I ever spent. $982.Price grabber.com to check it out.

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I agree with rrealtor, frees you up to chat with clients and not be checking your Thomas guide. I have one in my Hummer and it's great for the city but not out in the remote areas where I sell land because it doesn't always recognize those areas. Well worth the 1300 for it when I bought the car though.

Hmm...I have just the opposite opinion of most people here. I am thinking about buying the new Toyotal Highlander hybrid that is coming out next year. I started talking to the car salesman and said, "I'd like to consider the GPS as an option since I am going into real estate." He then told me that his wife is a very successful real estate agent and then said, "Between you and me the GPS is a waste of money. A good agent knows where he/she is going and does the research prior to getting in a car with the clients on where they should be going." I think he has a great point. Don't forget, it also costs about $200-$300 a year to upgrade the maps inside the GPS system. In Northern California where new roads are being created every day, it would be a waste of my time. I'm going to stick with the $15.00 Thomas Guide.

By the way, don't think I wouldn't LOVE a GPS system!! My friends and partner refer to me as "the gadget queen" because I have everything from laptops to PDA's, etc. I LOVE gadgets, but the GPS system in most cars just doesn't seem practical to me. They are cool for the first month (my friend with an Acura MDX has one) and after that you don't even turn it on.

I couldn't disagree with you more. I am able to find the closest specific restaurant simply by name, phone number search, etc. It doesn't cost me nearly that to get upgraded CD's and some update automatically and give you traffic information. I disagree that a good agent should know every single area. I have to spend my time doing other things and I always have clients that end up wanting to look way out from where I normally do business.

You can also have an integrated GPS installed in a car for a couple grand that you can put in your next car when you trade.

the unit goes in the trunk like a CD changer, and the screen is mounted inside wherever you want it such as in the dash, on a gooseneck coming out the console or directly on a sun visor. These units are far superior to the all-in-one dashtop boxes or PDA solutions, and they can double as DVD players for the kids.

A GPS is one of those tools that won't make you look like a hero, but it just might save you from looking like a fool.

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Jason in Dallas
Telecom Sales and Service Manager
RE license coming soon

Yeah, Keely, but like I said, a Thomas Guide works just as well. I think by the time you put an addy in a GPS system, you could have just looked it up on a $15 Thomas Guide.

Hey, I say if you have the $ go for it. But I think you can put that $ towards something better.....like marketing!!

A GPS is more than just an investment, it's also just plain nice to have. Money is only a means to an end, and the end most of us seek is a life without hassles. Kind of like a cell phone, you don't realize how useful it is until you live with it for a while.

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Jason in Dallas
Telecom Sales and Service Manager
RE license coming soon

I just gave up trying to read my Thomas guide book with my cell phone in the other hand and my knee on the steering wheel, freaked out my clients when I drove like that! Now I enter in all the addresses we will be touring for the day and I'm done, drink my latte and let the British gal tell me when and where to turn while I converse with my clients all while getting us there in the shortest amount of time via the best possible route without any U-turns upsetting my latte foam!

Keely,
You haven't mentioned what model GPS you have, do you mind me asking?
The intent of my post was to determine which GPS systems other Realtors would recommend and which one's to stay away from. I have already decided to make the investment, I'm just not sure which system to purchase.

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Vicki Smith
http://www.fortworthhomefinder.com

I've got the Garmin 2620. I can't live without it now. The amount of time wasted looking at maps and getting lost. Its so worth it.

I'm sort of a minimalist, but for farm/ranch property I think the right GPS system is a terrific tool. I use a hand-held Garmin eTrex Legend, and it gets me there and back. The car-based systems generally don't fare so well in the boonies, but they're cool in larger towns and big cities. Out in the sticks selling farm/ranch properties, the roads don't change nearly as quickly as they do in the city, either...so updates are not much of a hassle.

I disagree with most of the negative comments posted here, but keep in mind that each person's business needs are different. If you stay in the same neighborhoods all the time you really shouldn't need a GPS after a couple of months. But for those of us who cover dozens of counties in 2 states, it's a pretty good investment.

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Ken&Wilma
Coldwell Banker, ABRR LLC
Branson, MO

Hi Vicki, sorry about that, I have an Alpine model, I'd have to find the model number from the car, with the in dash screen that hides itself when closed and looks like a CD component. It was about 1300 and has the capability to look up the nearest restaurant by name or type, find a destination by phone number, calculate routes for me when I put in more than one address (quickest route to all locations), but it doesn't have the capability as I am hearing some new ones do, to tell me where the traffic is and how to avoid. That wouldn't hurt. I know 1300 is a lot of dough to some, but considering all the other expenses we have in this business it's a kick in the bucket, I pay more per month to work where I do and my system has more than paid for itself. I hope that helps! Let me know if you want specific model numbers etc and I will try to locate for you. K

I forgot to mention that one of the better values with GPS systems in RE to me is the ability to pass GPS coordinates to customers/clients for THEM to use to navigate to the property when they do drive-by's and/or fly-overs (previewing) on high-price properties like recreational real estate and developer tracts.

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Ken&Wilma
Coldwell Banker, ABRR LLC
Branson, MO