Best Benefit Ever: On-Demand Tech Support

What is it? Florida Realtors  (opens in a new tab), the primary association for real estate agents in the state, has been offering tech support as a member benefit to a variety of similar organizations, recently adding the Maine Association of Realtors and three local Pennsylvania Realtor associations (the Suburban West Realtors Association, the Montgomery County Association of Realtors, and the Bucks County Association of Realtors). Currently, nearly half of all Realtors in the United States and Canada (more than 510,000 professionals) have access to Tech Helpline  (opens in a new tab).

Why it works: Referred to as the “Genius Bar for Real Estate,” Tech Helpline hits a major pain point, technology snafus, that many professionals face as they use mobile devices while floating among properties. And the offering quickly proves popular with members. “Associations across the nation tell us that once they add Tech Helpline, the member feedback is so immediate and positive that it is the best received and most popular new member benefit they offer,” Tricia Stamper, Florida Realtors’ director of technology products, said in a news release last month  (opens in a new tab).

Other benefits: Real estate associations have taken the spotlight in previous “Best Benefit Ever” columns, for offering services as diverse as domain names, local market data, and mobile apps. As for Florida Realtors, the group offers a wide array of benefits, including discounts on business services and transportation, as well as access to insurance.

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