I was at the real estate conference in Denver last week and one of the guys said they had done some research on 100 of the most highly mobile, highly educated, under 30 year old professionals, all of which had college educations.

In the study, they found out 3 interesting things. #1. None wore a watch. #2. None had a home phone line. #3. None took a local hometown newspaper.

I got to thinking about it and it makes sense. None of my four kids have a home phone line. One of my daughters had a watch and I think someone stole that. I know none of them take a local newspaper. If you own a real estate company, you have to be thinking about the future and client’s buying needs. Those needs differ between age groups.

I think this is true on Hilton Head because I have to look at how our marketing and communication has changed over the last 28 years that I have been in the real estate business. Obviously, internet marketing plays a more important role than the traditional print advertising.

I see so many agents that continue to complain about how the real estate market is changing. I am sure there were people that sold harnesses for horses and buggies and I am sure they complained all the way to the poor house. I think we all have to be challenged and realize that we have to move forward.

Years ago, when I had been in real estate 2 years, one of the top agents in our company came in to announce to me that he was retiring. When I asked him why he was retiring, he said, “Well, this business is changing so much. I don’ t like having to use an MLS computer.” He was a good realtor that sold by the seat of his pants with the knowledge he had. However, the fact that he had to look something up on the MLS computer just blew him away. He said it was time for him to get out of the business. There is probably a lot of people who need to get out of the business that keep holding on to the way we used to do it.

I don’t know very many businesses that are done the same way that they used to do it. However, I do think there are certain principles that never change. I am always having to remind myself that personal contacts and communication are essential in this business. I may do it a little differently, but it is important to do.