It was just a short time ago that the number one way most buyers found their new home was through a Real Estate Broker. The internet has now over come that number. Recent stats show that 34% of Buyers find their home on the internet while 32% find it through a Real Estate Broker. Obviously these stats are rather close.
See list below for more details:
Real Estate Agent 32%
Internet 34%
Yard Sign 15%
Friend/Relative 7%
Home Builder 7%
Newspaper Ad 3%
Direct from Seller 2%
Home Book /Magazine 1%
Internet use has gone from 18% in 1997 to 87% in 2008. That is tremendous. But in today’s market I think the truth is that the Internet and Broker are equally important. You may do a lot of searching on line by your self but if you don’t have a Broker plugged into your wants and needs the really good deals will be missed. See, Brokers do a lot of networking and when a good, no a great listing comes on the market it is gone before it hits the web.
So, in spite of the rising percentages for the internet, be sure to be in contact with your agent.
To learn more details give us a call.