Chapter 1. The Right Office Tools

Issues Covered

In This Chapter

• What kind of computer, printer, fax machine, and software do you need? And what options are available for each?

• How should you set up your office for safety and comfort?

• How do you get technical support when you need it?

The romantic notion of a home office quickly disappears when you actually work from one. That kitchen nook really isn't appropriate, what with the food splatter, constant interruptions by family members, scrunched workspace, and the awkward tangle of cables afoot.

And make no mistake about it; if you're an agent, you're working from a home office. Most brokers don't provide agents with a dedicated desk and equipment. Instead, you probably have a desk assigned to you for floor duty or other shifts. And even if you do have a dedicated space at the office, the nature of real estate is such that you'll work from home during the evenings and weekends to better serve your clients rather than head back into the office.

Your brokerage probably provides basic equipment such as copiers, fax machines, and printers. There might be computers as well, but it's easier to use your own computer that has all your files handy and is configured the way you work. So you'll likely bring your laptop computer into the brokerage and connect to the office printers via a network connection. Most agents use a laptop as their main computer whether at the office, at home, or on the road. Thus, no matter what your broker provides, you'll want the right technology for your computer and home office.