Zillow, Trulia, Realtor.com and other internet portals have helped change the Real Estate industry. They have accomplished this by giving consumers access to more information than that provided by the local MLS. Many REALTORS® including Bill Edge have also benefitted from this change. For example, contact management systems allow the client to have 24 hour access to real estate files and documents.
The National Association of Realtors statistics for 2014 show:
• 92% of buyers use the internet in some way in their home search process
• 9% of home sellers sold their home without the assistance of a real estate agent
• 88% of buyers purchased their home through a real estate agent or broker—a share that has steadily increased from 69% in 2001.
The REALTORS® position of being the trusted professional is still very important today. The Real Estate Broker brings years of experience and knowledge to the table. Zillow with all their analytics, economists and computers still cannot tell the buyer or seller:
• where the fault lines are
• the telltale signs of graffiti
• the legal problems which may cause the property not to close
• the heir ship problems to be overcome
• the future for the area
• the true story of the area schools
• how to maximize curb appeal
• how to stage the home
• what loan is in the buyers best interest
• what neighbor to avoid living near
• the unwritten history of the property
• how deep the water is in the street after a heavy rain
• AND most of all what is best for your family
There will always be a place for the educated, professional caring Real Estate Broker. The person who adds the God quality to the transaction. The internet portals will remain a good tool to provide data to assist the REALTOR® and the client and nothing more than that.
Call Bill Edge at 713-240-2949 to see homes in 24 hours or less.