ternet in some way in their home search process, and
fifty percent of buyers use a mobile real estate website
or application. It’s undeniable that computers and cell
phones have changed dramatically habits of buyers and
seller who now have tons of information at their finger-
prints. Properties, tools, advises pricing estimates, pub-
lic records, trends and home details. Everything you
need to know seems to be available online.
Does that mean brokers and agents became obsolete?
Not at all, real estate agents were viewed as a useful
information source by ninety-eight percent of buyers
who used a broker while searching for a home. Seven-
ty percent of home sellers only contacted one agent
before selecting the one to assist with their home sale.
They felt that the professional websites and online tools
available made them confident enough to select their
broker without interviewing others. Reviews, past client
comments, and referrals were the number one reason
for their choice for someone to help them with their
transaction.
A large percentage of these buyers were not entirely
satisfied with their choice of the agent selected only
from websites promoting broker via paying to advertise.
Zillow and Trulia, the leading online resources for real
estate mainly promote and recommend paying agents.
On these sites, agents are not selected for their knowl-
edge or their ability to help you negotiate or have your
best interest but only for the amount of money they
have spent to featuring themselves in the zip code you
are looking your future home. The internet is a great
tool for information. However, it is very easy for a bro-
ker to buy its way in and be presented by advertisers as
someone you should trust to represent you in the big-
gest transaction of your life. It is as much important to
investigate on who is going to represent you and guide
you throughout the long and difficult process of buying.
Our best advice is not to click the first picture that you
see on one of these websites.
Another mistake people often make, is to ask a licensed
friend or family member to help them. Having a license
do not make a relative the best person to be your agent.
Instead you should carefully select a few experts in the
area of interest. Then interview them and figure out who
you feel and trust to not only finding you the best deal
but also making the whole experience enjoyable.
Your agent needs to be professional, experienced,
honest, straight-forward, part of a great team, knowl-
edgeable, available and communicating with you to
understand your needs. Looking back after closing, you
should be proud and confident enough to rave on their