If you watched my latest video and immediately recognized the sound of a dial-up modem, congratulations. You’re probably Gen X.
If you didn’t… well, let’s just say there was a time when getting online wasn’t as simple as pulling your phone out of your pocket. It was an event. You clicked the mouse, waited while the computer did its thing, listened to that unforgettable screeching modem, and hoped nobody in the house picked up the phone before you connected.
I became a REALTOR® in 1988, before most of us had even heard of the internet. Looking back, it’s hard to believe how much has changed. We carried MLS books instead of searching websites. We faxed contracts. We printed directions before heading to showings because there wasn’t a voice in the dashboard telling us where to turn. If you got lost, you figured it out the old-fashioned way.
Every major advancement has come with the same prediction: This is going to replace REALTORS®.
First it was the internet. Then online home searches. Then virtual tours. Every new tool was supposed to make us obsolete.
It never happened. Not because technology wasn’t important. Quite the opposite.
One of the things I’m most proud of is that I’ve never been the agent who dug in her heels and said, “This is how we’ve always done it.” I’ve always been curious. I’ve always wanted to know what was coming next. When websites became important, I built one. When social media started changing how people found information, I leaned into it. When video became essential, I learned how to be comfortable on camera. Today, I’m spending a lot of time learning new technology because if there’s a better way to communicate, market a home, educate buyers and sellers, or simply make the process easier, I want to know about it.
That’s never been about chasing shiny objects. It’s about serving my clients better.
I’ve always believed in a high-tech, high-touch approach. Technology should make the transaction smoother, communication faster, and information easier to access. It should never replace the human part of this business. Because here’s what hasn’t changed since 1988. Buying or selling a home is emotional.
People still need someone who can explain the process when it feels overwhelming. They need someone who can negotiate when emotions are running high, solve problems when a transaction hits a bump in the road, and tell them the truth even when it’s not what they hoped to hear.
No website has replaced that. No app has replaced that. No piece of technology ever will. The tools have changed dramatically over the last thirty-eight years. The reason I love this job hasn’t.
So yes, if you’re Gen X, I hope my little AOL video made you smile. If you’re younger, I hope it gave you a glimpse into just how different the world looked when I started this career.
And if you’re wondering whether experience and technology can exist together, I don’t think you have to choose.
The best service comes from someone willing to embrace both.
If you’re thinking about buying or selling a home in Western Massachusetts or Northern Connecticut, I’d love to show you what that looks like. Whether it’s your first move or your fifth, I’m here to combine decades of experience with today’s best tools to help make the process as smooth as possible.
After all, some things are worth keeping… even as everything else keeps changing.
FAQ
Q: Did you really fax offers?
Absolutely. And then we waited by the fax machine to make sure all 14 pages actually went through.
Q: Did you really print directions to every showing?
Yes. MapQuest was revolutionary. Before that, there were paper maps and very specific instructions from the seller.
Q: Did people really disconnect the internet by picking up the phone?
Every. Single. Time.
Q: So… are you saying things were better back then?
Not at all. I’ll take electronic signatures, digital photography, GPS, and online scheduling every day of the week. Better tools make me a better REALTOR®.
Q: What’s one thing that hasn’t changed since 1988?
People. Buying and selling a home is still emotional, exciting, stressful, and deeply personal. That’s why the human side of this business still matters.
Thinking about your next move? Start here with my Second Act Move Guide.
Preparing Your Home for Sale (because good preparation never goes out of style)
Meet the REALTOR behind these stories. Read more about my journey.
Real Estate Before the Internet – an article on my Substack channel
I Died of Dystentery on the Oregon Trail – another Substack article.
Leave a Reply