Our Top 10 Most-Read Articles of September: New iPhones, Realtor Safety, and More

RE Technology readers indulged in an Apple love affair last month, if our list of September's most-read articles is anything to go by. Our readers gobbled up articles about the newly released iPhone 15 (see article #8 below), new iOS 17 features (see #3), and the Apple Watch (#6).

Android users shouldn't despair, however. In October, we'll be covering Google's upcoming product announcements. In the meantime, you can tide yourself over with a look at 25 Google productivity tips (article #4 below) in honor of Google's 25th anniversary.

Finally, September was Realtor Safety Month. Scroll down to article #10 for recent research on the biggest "danger zones" for agents on the job.

To see what else struck a chord with agents and broker last month, see the full list of last month's most-read articles below:

1. How Agents Are (Unintentionally) Violating Fair Housing
A recent WAV Group survey asked buyers who were involved in multiple-bid situations about the advice their agents gave them to help them craft a winning bid. While no doubt well-intentioned, some agents were advising their buyers to disclose their identity to the seller in an attempt to make a personal connection and possibly win the bid. This is (unfortunately) a pathway to Fair Housing violations.

2. Fraud Alert! Legit Email or a Scam? 4 Ways to Tell the Difference
Business-related phishing emails are becoming more sophisticated. Real estate professionals are at increased risk because they live in a world of high-value transactions and have become more digitally empowered — and the stakes for real estate agents and brokers are high. Let's delve deeper into four critical strategies for identifying deceptive emails, ensuring that you and your clients know what to do to avoid falling into costly traps.

3. 14 New iOS 17 Features That Were Built for Real Estate Agents
In September, Apple introduced new products to market, including the iPhone 15, and updated its operating system, iOS, iOS 17. If you're not in the habit of automatically updating your iPhone to the latest and greatest iOS as soon as it's released, you might want to make an exception for this one. The new operating system brings new features, some of them particularly relevant for real estate agents. Here's what's new and how you can get the latest version of iOS onto your iPhone.

4. From Gmail to Drive: 25 Essential Google Tips Every Real Estate Agent Should Know
Google celebrated its 25th birthday in September. Beyond Google products like search, YouTube, and Android, the company also offers a wealth of productivity tools. You're probably already familiar with Gmail, Google Drive, and other Google tools — but are you getting as much out of them as you can? These 25 Google productivity tips can help.

5. CRMs Are Sloppy. Details Make All the Difference
A CRM is one of the most critical pieces of technology that many agents use; it helps them stay in touch with both current leads and past clients, provides them with a list of critical tasks for each day or week, and helps them keep track of when they last spoke to whom. But that said, there can be danger in using CRM automations without paying attention to what the end user is going to see and refining the details. Here's a story about a CRM email gone astray.

6. 12 Clever Ways the Apple Watch Can Improve Agents' Lives
Apple came out with new iPhone and Apple Watch products on September 15, which were quickly followed by iOS and watchOS updates. The result is a whole new look and feel for the user interface and apps available on iOS and watchOS. If you already have an Apple Watch, or you're considering investing in this wearable technology, keep reading to learn about ways that real estate agents are using it to be more efficient and effective at their jobs.

7. 3 AI Prompts That Really Work for Real Estate Agents
Real estate agents are eager to harness the potential of AI. If you haven't taken the AI plunge, here are three top AI prompts when using ChatGPT that can dramatically improve your marketing and client communications efforts, saving you time and money.

8. Do You Need to Upgrade Your iPhone? An Agent's Guide to the Latest Apple Release
Almost every September, Apple unveils a new series of iPhones for the masses. The release on September 12 was no exception to the rule: There are four new versions of the iPhone now available for ordering or purchase. Is it time for you to upgrade your phone? Let's review what's new.

9. Hey, Agent: Want to Own a Brokerage? 4 Questions to Ask Yourself
As a real estate agent, one of the most exciting (and pivotal) points in your career comes when you decide it's time to move from working as an individual agent to running a brokerage. There are a few ways you can take this step, and Finley Hair, a merger-and-acquisitions expert at WAV Group, has some questions to ask that will help you determine which path is the right one for you.

10. Where Do Crimes Against Agents Take Place? Open Houses, Home Showings Are Two Significant 'Danger Zones'
Meeting with strangers in private locations can be an inherently risky activity, and it's something that real estate agents do every day in order to provide their clients with services. But exactly how dangerous is it, or can it be?