The reinvented agent continually evaluates new business opportunities and creative real estate strategies. The agent who is thriving in the boom market of today will inevitably see reverse market conditions and during the course of their careers, will undoubtedly experience market fluctuations. History tells us that market conditions change. Tens of millions of dollars are being spent to bring buyer, seller and the ancillary professionals together on-line with giant websites that provide impressive aggregates of data and services, all without the direct involvement of a real estate professional. Several of these national websites charge the agent a referral fee in return for a qualified internet lead.
Some sites charge a yearly fee to be a member as well as the referral fee.
Other sites simply eliminate the independent, commissioned agent and provide qualified prospects to their own salaried agents. Consumers are becoming more and more comfortable in this non-traditional real estate environment. Consequently, estimated on-line real estate transactions this year with major portal sites are expected to be approximately eighteen percent of the total transactions nationwide. As the internet grows exponentially, numerous sites emerge providing all manor of free services. These services may include the transfer of utility service, mortgage applications, relocation services, insurance information, home repair and maintenance, etc.