Have You Tried The World Wide Web for Real Estate?
April 2003, Vol. 2, #4
by Darwin White
Experts have proven that 6 out of 10 buyers begin their search for homes on the internet, and this number is growing every day! This is because buyers have the convenience of being able to search for their new home right from the privacy of their home or office.
Buyers can find out what price of home they are qualified for, get information about a home and communities of their choice any where in the world. Now buyers can create their own search's and do virtual tours. By using the World Wide Web buyers can shorten the time it takes for them to find their new home. Statistics show that the average buyer using the internet to hunt for that perfect home, looks at between 1 and 10 homes before making their final choice. This is opposed to a typical non-internet buyer who can look at upwards of 65 homes before making a final decision.
Many buyers who use the internet to search for a new home begin their search as much as 6 months to a 1 year before actually looking at the first home. Perhaps the reason is that most people don't just pull up roots and make a move without careful consideration about a new place to live. Through the internet buyers can stay informed about market conditions and properties available. At the click of a mouse there is an endless array of educational information, enabling a buyer to be better educated about real estate prices, and the areas that they are planning on moving to. Armed with the technology and information the internet provides buyers, they are better prepared to negotiate for the best price, and choose the right home for them in less time!
E-Mail is often an over looked benefit of the internet. Buyers can through the use of e-mail, have quick access to their Lender, Real Estate Broker, Insurance Agent, Home inspectors, and title companies. Communication is greatly improved and can be accomplished by either party conveniently at any time day or night.
For Sellers, the use of the World Wide Web is a virtual gold mine! By placing their home for sale with a Real Estate Agent who is internet savvy a seller can reduce the amount of time their home is for sale through increased exposure. When a seller places their home on the World Wide Web they are placing their home in a market position that will enable them to attract buyers all over the world!
One big advantage to a seller who uses the internet to market their home is that buyers who have found their home on the World Wide Web will be better prospects than the average non-internet buyer, this is because these buyers have already learned much about the home and communities they are considering and are less likely to be disinterested in the home when they tour it for the first time.
With all the hype about the use of the internet one could get the idea that Real Estate Agents and traditional marketing methods such as magazines like the one you are reading are things of the past, but the reality is that these methods are still a very important part of the buying and selling process. Real Estate Agents with all their training and experience have a lot to offer, and now in a technological setting have even more to offer both buyers and sellers. No two Real Estate transactions are alike, and there is always something unique that requires the individual attention of the Agent. Through the use of both the internet and traditional marketing Real Estate agents can maximize the seller's exposure and shorten the buyers search time.
If you are a buyer or seller, I would encourage you to see what's going on in the World Wide Web today! You can start by checking out my site at www.RealEstateHomeLink.com. And I will "SEE YOU ON THE NET"
Have A Great Day.
Your Real Estate Professional.
Darwin White
Associate Broker
RE/MAX/Properties
6111 Shallowford Rd
Suite 105
Chattanooga TN 37421
- NUMBER1EXPERT™ 
