House Hunting in Cyberspace
house hunting, livability, real estate,
Real estate has always been about space, whether it’s a buyer’s dream home or a seller’s comfort zone. But these days, real estate agents, buyers and sellers across the country find themselves navigating space of a different kind – cyberspace.
Gone are the days when buyers relied on their local agent to sort through housing options, set up dozens of showings and keep track of boxes of brochures. Or when sellers were satisfied with a Sunday newspaper ad and a printed flyer to market their home.
Today, 80 percent or more of buyers and sellers begin their real estate transactions on the Internet before even contacting an agent, according to the National Association of Realtors. That means having an online presence has become a lifeline of the housing industry.
“Buyers and sellers don’t need us now for information, because they find most of it themselves on the Internet,” says Tommie Criswell-Jones, manager of a Crye-Leike office in Memphis, Tenn. “Whether it’s through sites like ours at Crye-Leike, the tax assessor’s office or other Web sites, they can find out square footage, what a property sold for, how long someone has owned it – all kinds of things.
“What clients need us now for is our understanding of the transaction, our knowledge of the market and our ability to help keep them focused through the process.”
Savvy agents are taking advantage of new electronic opportunities, Criswell-Jones says.
“You have to stay on the cutting edge of technology. Those who refuse have seen their business dwindle and dwindle.”
Criswell-Jones and her colleagues correspond with clients via e-mail, which provides quick, convenient communication, especially with wireless communication devices, and an easily retrievable record. Many agents keep their laptops in their cars, so they can access MLS listings instantly no matter where they are.
“If I’m sitting with a buyer in front of a house that’s just come on the market, I can find it on the MLS or our Web site immediately and see if it is appropriate for her,” Criswell-Jones says.
Electronic communication has streamlined the entire buying and selling process for clients and agent alike, allowing buyers to “see” houses online, eliminating unnecessary home visits. In addition, many agents notify clients by e-mail when new listings come on the market.
Millions of hits per month on real estate Web sites indicate that buyers – and sellers – are using the Internet to browse homes, search for real estate agents, find out about neighborhoods and request more information.
Still, the personal touch remains the most important aspect of the home buying and selling process, even in cyberspace.
“There’s just something about having a professional by your side to help assimilate all that information,” Criswell-Jones says. “Our business is all about relationships and trust, and I believe we’re needed today more than ever.”
