4 out of 5 surveyed considered an agent an important source of information and assistance in the transaction. Homebuyers who used the Internet were more likely to use an agent to complete the transaction. Regardless of the threat that the Internet may eliminate the need for agents, the public still considers them valuable. The real threat may be from other agents using the Internet and other e-Marketing strategies. The public wants one-stop shopping and agents and companies alike need to make a menu of services available to them.
Internet users tend to be younger and buy more expensive homes than other homebuyers.
To take advantage of this increasing opportunity, agents must not only invest in technology, they must learn how to use it. There is no substitute for training and coaching. Recognize that buying prospects, whether they are wandering through an open house or calling off a sign, ad, or the Internet, very likely may be listing prospects also. Repeat buyers only needed five weeks to sell their previous home. Sellers typically interviewed only one agent before selecting the agent who ultimately sold their home.