Old School Approach to Real Estate Endures
As we head another year into the new millennium, it seems the role of the Internet is becoming more and more important in real estate. Nowadays, it is second nature for consumers to look to the web for information, and likewise it has become the #1 source for home buyers looking for info on the housing market. But there is still something to be said for good old-fashioned real estate. In a recent on-going study by Inman News, many respondents applauded the advancement in online real estate tools and usefulness, but attributed true value to personal touch and individual professionalism.
In its Profile of Buyers and Sellers for 2008, the National Association of Realtors found that the most used real estate resource is, in fact, the Internet (87%). However, coming in a close second is Agents (85%). Many buyers begin their home search online on their own. But when the time comes to act, a licensed agent is the next step.
Buyers enjoy the control of conducting their own listing searches, free from pressure. Real estate websites and blogs are packed with incredible tools and helpful insight. But that “casual browsing” stage can only last so long. As soon as a buyer is ready to purchase they bring in an expert to lead the way.
Choosing an agent can be quite the search in itself. As the Inman study showed, many buyers go by word-of-mouth referrals. Someone their friends or family used in the past. Some blogs, however, have proven to be a crossover – where online innovation can translate to real life interaction. Through regular interface buyers can build a rapport with agent bloggers that later carries over to a professional relationship.
More on how old school real estate is holding steady in today’s online world next time!
Posted at 11:54AM Jan 06, 2009 by Spencer Mason in General Comments[0]
