Technology Literally Keeps Us Movin'
April 15, 2020
Prime home buying & selling months are approaching... that means lots of movin' and shakin' is in a lot of peoples near future. Here's how technology is helping us adapt to home buying & selling during a pandemic.

Almost everything right now is shifting to a virtual format. School, work, even virtual happy hour with your friends! One of the big changes we've had to adapt to are revisions to the common real estate transaction, which all vary by state and locality. Technology is making it possible for many of us to continue on the quest for homeownership, with some pretty ingenious ways.
Here’s a quick look at some of the elements of the home buying process that have changed (for the near-term), due to stay-at-home orders and social distancing, and what you may need to know about each one if you’re thinking of buying or selling a home soon.
1. Virtual Consultations
– Instead of heading into an office, you can meet with real estate and lending professionals through video chat. ( think xoom, Face Time, Skype, Google Hangouts etc) Whether it’s your first initial needs analysis as a buyer or your listing appointment as a seller, you can still get the process started remotely and create a plan together. Your trusted agent is still on your side.
2. Home Searches & Virtual Showings
– According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the Internet is one of the three most popular information sources buyers use when searching for homes. Your real estate agent can send you listing information and help you request a virtual showing when you’re ready to start looking. This means you can virtually walk through the homes on your wish list while keeping your family safe ( these virtual showings are really cool) As a seller, you can still have virtual open houses and virtual tours too, so as not to miss those buyers looking to find a home right now, without worry of strangers visiting your home.
3. Document Signing
– Although this is another area that varies by state, today more portions of the transaction are being done digitally. In many areas, your agent or loan officer can set up an account where you can upload all of the required documents and sign electronically right from your computer, any time... talk about CONVENIENT! Perhaps we will get lucky and this one will stick around once things get back to "normal".
4. Sending Money
– Whether you need to pay for an appraisal or submit closing costs, there are options available. Depending on the transaction and local regulations, you may be able to pay by credit card, and most banks will also allow you to wire funds from your account. Sometimes you can send a check by mail, and in some states, a mobile escrow agent will pick up a check from your home.
5. Closing Process
– Again, depending on your area, a mobile notary may be able to bring the required documents to your home before the closing. If your state requires an attorney to be present, check with your legal counsel to see what options are available. Also, depending on the title company, some are allowing drive-thru closings, which is similar to doing a transaction at a bank window.
Although these virtual processes are starting to become more widely accepted out of sheer necessity, it does not mean that this is the way things are going to get done from now on. For now, however, technology is making it possible to continue real estate transactions.
Bottom Line
You don't need to put your home buying dreams on hold due to Covid-19. If you're considering buying or selling, reach out to a great Real Estate Agent in your area. Word on the street is it's a perfect time for home buyers because interest rates are so low. Where there is a will, there is a way, right?! Once you find the right home, make sure you give Utility Helpers a ring- We take all the work out of setting up your utilities and find the best deals for your internet and TV services too. Remember, you've got better things to do.

By Jonathan Brown
•
April 15, 2025
When you’re settling into a new home, there’s enough on your plate—moving boxes, setting up utilities, figuring out the Wi-Fi password... The last thing you need is the hassle of dealing with old-school cable TV. That’s why more and more homeowners are ditching cable and switching to DirecTV Stream —a modern, flexible streaming service that gives you all the live TV you love, without the baggage of traditional cable. 📺 All the Channels You Want—No Clunky Equipment With DirecTV Stream, you get access to popular live TV channels like ESPN, HGTV, CNN, and your local networks. Best part? No satellite dish or bulky cable boxes. Just download the app on your smart TV, tablet, or streaming device, and start watching. 💸 No Contracts. No Surprises. Cable contracts can be a nightmare. With DirecTV Stream, you're free to come and go as you please. No long-term agreements, no early termination fees, and no surprises on your bill. 🌐 Watch Anytime, Anywhere Whether you're at home, on the go, or traveling, DirecTV Stream goes wherever you do. All you need is Wi-Fi and your login. It’s perfect for families with different viewing habits or anyone who loves flexibility. 🧰 Custom Packages That Fit Your Life Only watch sports? There’s a package for that. More into lifestyle and entertainment? Covered. DirecTV Stream lets you choose a plan that works for you—without paying for channels you’ll never watch. 📼 Unlimited Cloud DVR Never miss a show again. With DirecTV Stream’s cloud DVR, you can record and rewatch your favorites on your own schedule. ⚡ No Installation. No Headaches. No waiting on a technician. No drilling. No wires. Setting up DirecTV Stream is as simple as downloading an app—and at Utility Helpers, we can walk you through it as part of your move-in concierge experience. 🎯 Ditch Cable, Stream Smarter DirecTV Stream gives you the best of both worlds: live TV and on-demand entertainment, all without the headaches of cable. It's convenient, cost-effective, and easy to use—exactly what you need when you're moving into a new home. Let Us Handle It for You! At Utility Helpers , we make moving easier by helping you activate all your home services—TV, internet, electricity, security, and more. Ready to get DirecTV Stream set up? We’ve got you covered. 📞 Call us at 813-291-3600 or visit utilityhelpers.com to get started.

February 20, 2024
Looking for reliable internet speed for your new home? Utility Helpers has expertise in setting up internet service with notable providers to make your move easy. Let's begin by understanding how internet speed is measured. Internet speed is measured in either megabits per second (Mbps) or gigabits per second (Gbps). Which is faster Mbps or Gbps? A higher Mbps rate equals a faster connection speed. For example 500 Mpbs is higher than 100 Mbps. When it comes in terms of Gbps (gigabit) is composed of a 1,000 Mbps (megabits). Gbps is higher than Mbps. The abbreviations Mbps and Gbps are commonly mistaken for megabytes (MB) or gigabytes (GB); both megabytes and gigabytes are used to measure the capacity of data storage, in example your computer's hard drive. How much internet do I need? A way to determine what internet speed is needed, first list all the things you use the internet for. How many devices are running on your network? If you are using multiple devices in your home, it is suggested to use "gig-speeds" to reduce loading times. Are you using streaming services (such as Netflix)? When using streaming service, it is suggested to take into consideration how many devices are consecutively streaming in your home network. Most clients stream from devices such as smart TV's, tablets or smart phones. Suggested speeds are 500 Mbps to 1 Gbps. Are you running a small business or work from home? Working from home requires a more consistent connection or speed to upload documents, send emails, use a fax machine or answer work calls (only if you have a phone that works off the internet; commonly known as Voice Over Internet Protocol or Voip). Suggested speed is 1Gbps. Does your home have a security system with cameras? Investing in a security system is one of the first things we do when buying a home. Security systems do not demand high speed internet. However, if you have cameras with your security system and they are recording 24/7, a higher speed might be required to experience minimal buffering and to avoid the cameras from missing an important event. Suggested speeds are 500 Mbps to 1 Gbps. Are there any gamers in your family? Surprisingly, gaming typically does not demand high speed internet bandwidth. However, a reliable FIBER connection is recommended to prevent congestion in your home network. An ideal fiber internet speed for gamers is above 300 Mbps and an ideal coaxial internet speed is at least 500Mbps to 1 Gbps. Fiber vs Coaxial Data Connection The main differences between a fiber and coaxial wire is that a fiber cable comprises of glass optical fibers and uses light to carry data, therefore it enables a fast and consistent internet speed. Meanwhile, a coaxial cable comprises of copper and uses electricity to carry data. Coaxial often times is noticeably slower than a fiber connection. One of the biggest differences comes with bandwidth symmetry; Fiber has uniform download/upload speed (i.e. 100 Mbps upload / 100 Mbps download). Whereas a coaxial connection is asymmetrical (i.e. 100 Mbps / 20 Mbps upload). To avoid any interruption in service, we recommend you contact Utility Helpers to allow our professional representatives to assist you in getting connected with the best internet provider available at your new home .

January 19, 2021
Setting up utilities can be a real hassle, especially when you are in the middle of purchasing a new home or moving to a new property. This only becomes more complicated if you are moving to a different county, state or across the country. Here are some insights that we've learned while activating utilities and home service for thousands of homeowners across the country about why we should schedule your utilities early and why it is so important to adhere to that timeline. One of the biggest questions we are asked when setting up utilities for our customer is: why do we need to set up the services so far in advance? There are several reasons why you should set-up services at least 5 days in advance. You will need services when you move into your new home, the seller might shut-off services on their move date (even though this is not recommended, it happens often). If the service is turned off, you will typically incur reconnection and/or additional service fees. It could take up to 5 days for a request to be processed. Most utility companies do not work weekends, so if you are closing late on a Friday you might not be able to request service until Monday, which could cause other issues during your move. In hot or cold temperatures you could end up with mold or broken pipes and water damage to your new home. By scheduling early we can coordinate installations that require you to be present in the same time-frame. Waiting 'til closing day to put a service request for any of the services, you might not be able to get a quick turnaround. Another issue with a last minute request is that you might need to pay an additional deposit that you haven't budgeted for.

October 23, 2020
Do Utilities require a credit check? One of the questions we are asked the most is, will the utilities credit check affect my credit score or my Mortgage? The simple answer to that question is NO!. While most utility companies require a credit check prior to setting up your services, their credit checks are a soft pull. What does soft pull credit check mean? According to *Experian, utility bills do not affect your credit because utility companies do not report on-time payments to credit bureaus. Soft inquiries don't impact your credit scores or create hard inquiries, because they aren't attached to a specific application for credit. Purchasing a new home is a very stressful process. Which is why setting up your utilities should not be. Utility Helpers is here to help your clients. Call us at 813-291-3600 to inquire about a Partneship. *https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/can-inquiries-from-utilities-impact-your-credit-report/#s3

April 29, 2020
In the current reality of coronavirus, most companies don’t have the time or resources to come up with a brand-new product or create an innovation incubator. Luckily, innovation doesn’t require a stroke of genius, endless time, or unlimited funds. If you have a deep understanding of your customer relationships and priorities, you're already on the right track. Here are six ways that you can innovate through this crisis: 1. Delight customers with Value/Savings Exceed customer expectations while giving them unmatched Value or Savings, when applicable. For those of us who aren’t Amazon, Adding value while keeping customers interested is critical right now. Real Estate transactions aren't usually a place for cost savings but the service you provide your client and their entire home buying experience is a huge opportunity to knock their socks off. Offering them stellar, memorable service will serve you in the future, hopefully in the form of referrals. Leverage relationships you've built in your network to offer your clients any extra's you can. Now is the time to pull out all the stops... but we will elaborate on that in the next paragraph. 2. Band together with others Personnel shifts are happening on two extremes: companies like Domino’s are looking to hire 10,000 people to keep up with demand, while airlines and hotels like Marriott are laying off tens of thousands. In China, we saw more than 40 companies band together and create an exchange to combat this trend. A group of hotels, restaurants, and cinema chains that had all taken a significant economic hit shared a large proportion of their staff with Hema, a supermarket chain owned by Alibaba that desperately needed help meeting demand for deliveries. While the ratio of employees needed to employees lost is not even, innovative strategies like this could help slow the bleeding. In the Real Estate Market, we are already used to partnering up with brokers and home inspectors etc. Now is a great time to expand your usual network and share leads where you can. It goes back to adding value for your client. You have to be familiar with the client experience, know their needs and what the next steps will look like for them. Position yourself as an expert by taking the guess work out for them, while boosting another business when you refer them. If you already partner with Utility Helpers, they do a great job of thinking through those irritating parts for your client- garbage set up, utilities and cable companies. Soon, Utility Helpers will also be expanding the network even more and offering exclusive coupons to help foster a community vibe and band together, supporting our local restaurants and small businesses in select beta markets. 3. Keep your customers loyal Why bother driving to your family-owned health food store when you could order what you need online on Amazon Prime? Customer loyalty. Keeping customers close is always critical, but it’s especially so when everyone else is offering convenience, job security is low, and spenders are holding on tighter to their wallets. Small businesses in particular need to deeply understand their customer bases. Small business often times have the advantage of connecting on a different level, and what people that have largely been effectively confined for about 6 weeks now are craving connection more than ever. Don't undercut your unique ability and position to connect and provide a great service for your client. Reach out to your past clients. Sending them a little card in the mail probably stick in their mind better than it would have a year ago. 4. Spot re-prioritized Jobs to be Done Knowing your clients and going above and beyond, making small adjustments along the way will go far. Consider what roadblocks they may face. Is it their new schedule? How can you adjust the process to make it work for your client? Keeping kids entertained is one task that’s taken on quite a new level of importance while trying to occupy them in the background of Zoom meetings around the world. Companies like Audible recognized that priority shift early and are adjusting offerings to reflect the most urgent needs of the moment. Recently, the company announced the launch of Audible stories, which allows anyone anywhere to listen to over 200 children’s stories for free. Leverage those offerings- instant value add! 5. Adjust and Adapt to new consumer habits With the innovation of Virtual Showings, Docusign and things of the like, it's never been easier to complete a transaction with almost zero contact with another human. There have been countless articles on the affects of Covid-19 and all of the innovation around home buying durring this time- time will only show us what "sticks". Adjust and adapt to new customer buying habits. Think of all the gasoline and milage savings of the future! 6. Rethink Customer Experience The entire concept of customer experience is changing dramatically in the coronavirus world. It’s not a small undertaking for restaurants, hotels, and other experience-driven businesses to completely rethink how they’re delivering their services. People are on social media more than ever, maybe it's time to rethink your strategy. Go Live more often, get your face out there. Talk about your available listings, talk about the value in the service you provide- be solution oriented and relatable. We all have a lot more in common right now than we ever have before. While we won’t be living between house and car and working from our couches forever, the convenience of pickup, online, and remote alternatives is powerful. Business owners might realize that a fully remote workforce means less overhead, and home buyers might decide that on-demand virtual tours are a better option than crowded open houses. All companies should be thinking critically about which of their customers’ newly adopted habits might stick in the long run. Using the information you have about your customers’ priorities and needs, a little creativity and a lot of flexibility will go a long way toward making innovation happen.