New Tools but We Do the Same Thing
We hear all of the time, ‘Buyers go to the Internet first when begining to look for a new home’. The National Association of Realtors claims that 90% of Home Buyers go to the Internet first. That may be true, but I must ask ‘Would you buy a home over the Internet without going to it first’?
We can buy lots of things on the web, books, home goods, toys, supplies, and loads of other things. But when it comes to making one of the most important purchases of you life, would you buy it over the web or would you use an experienced representative to ensure you are getting what you want at a fair price?
I think that an overwhelming number of you would choose to get a little help. Of course, the number one response I get to this is that many people would choose to use the Listing Agent to represent them, because after all, ‘he can get us the best deal…….’ To be honest, using the listing agent may be one of the worst ideas a Homebuyer can have. Of course, we will do it if the Homebuyer insists, but we recommend against it. We do this for one very simple reason; we have a contract with the Seller and we represent him. We are bound to get him the best price and terms, not the Buyer. We cannot disclose any of his private information but must relay to the Buyer his terms.
Getting back to the topic at hand. Prior to the Internet, there were the newspapers, prior to that you had to call a Realtor first, or you could cruise neighborhoods looking for open houses to visit. It was unlikely that the home you may have entered on a cold open home visit would meet your living requirements, price and budget, or other requirements. The Agent then could set you up to find a home that met your needs.
Many peole use the Internet the same way; they cruise the real estate websites looking for available homes (hence the claim that 90% of the buyers start with the internet). There is so much information on the web that it can (and does) overwhelm the average Buyer. Additionally, often the web is not up to date. Once in a while I look at listings on the web for the express purpose to find properties that have been off market for a while. It generally takes me about 2 minutes to find many homes advertised that have been sold or taken off market over 1 year in the past.
With todays gas prices, cruising neighborhoods is not the best use of this precious resource.
Using the internet to find your new home is equally ineffective.
What is a Buyer to do?
Most real estate companies provide their agents a targeted search, often modifiable by the User. The best solution is to contact a Realtor and specify your search criteria; price, square footage, the number of beds and baths, location/neighborhood and lot size are common specifications but there are lots of others you can name. The tools then provide you an up to date list of homes available that meet the specification. After contacting your realtor, you can then get appointments to see the homes you are interested in.
The results? Lots of time and gas saved. You see homes, all of which may meet your needs. You may find that what you thought you wanted is not at all what you purchase (this happens all of the time). You are represented by someone who has your interests in mind.
All of this is the result of using the interent wisely. The web is not designed to be used like your car, idly meandering through the neighborhoods, wasting time and money. New tools means new approaches to accomplish old jobs.