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Photography by Paul Myers
Anthony McGee of Village Square Realty Inc. works with customers using the Internet. Profiles of potential houses are posted online, allowing customers to see them before actually going out to the sites.
Internet becoming a key tool for home search
By Jean Newton
When people begin the search for a new home, they are more likely than ever before to search the Internet first, a dramatic departure from the traditional way buyers entered the marketplace in the past. With more and more people gaining access to technology, Realtors are connecting with their clients by providing online services to make the home buying process go smoother.
"Buyers are now taking more initiative to search for themselves and often use the Internet in the process," said Realtor Anthony McGee of Village Square Realty in Los Gatos. "Online presence for Realtors is extremely important. I developed my own website after I realized people were calling in to see listings that were posted on the Internet."
In addition to establishing a website presence, McGee also offers a listing alert service that keeps him in touch with clients by email. "I realized that the buyers I met at open houses were hesitant to make a commitment, but were open to giving me their email address so I could send them information on listings. It is a much easier, non-threatening way to keep in touch."
McGee, who finds the listing alert service works best for buyers who are just looking and not quite ready to buy, asks clients to fill out a form indicating what kind of home they desire--including price range, number of bedrooms, square footage and size of lot. When something in their category comes up on the multiple listing service, they automatically get a notice through email with all the details including a photo of the property.
"This is really a helpful tool for people who are feeling out the market since it helps give them a perspective on current market conditions," McGee said . "Then when they are ready to take a more serious approach, I am ready to help them."
In a comparison of Internet buyers versus the traditional buyer who doesn't use the Internet, a California Association of Realtors study showed 100 percent of the Internet buyers used the Internet to help them understand home values. The study also showed 89 percent of the Net buyers went online before they started looking for a specific home, and 92 percent of them used the Internet to screen their choices and narrow their options. While traditional buyers spent 2.2 weeks investigating the market prior to making a decision, Internet buyers spent 6.3 weeks. By the time the Internet buyer contacted a Realtor, they already had a good understanding of what they wanted, including where they wanted to live and what they could afford.
While there is an increase in Internet use across all age levels, there is a "gray gap" among seniors using the Internet, according to The Pew Internet and America Life Project, an independent non-partisan research organization that examines the social impact of the Internet. Only 15 percent of those over 65 use online services compared to 52 percent who go online in the 50 to 54 age bracket. Whatever the age of a potential buyer, Realtors agree the use of the Internet in the process of buying home is becoming more popular.
"People are online looking, so keeping in touch in a cyber world is important for Realtors," said Benjamin Guilardi, a Realtor with Alain Pinel in Los Gatos. "Rather than having them go astray, we offer a service that connects them in an efficient way and puts some sanity into their search."
Called APR PowerConnect, Guilardi said the service sends listings to the Realtor and the client simultaneously to immediately notify them of a new listing that fits the buyer's criteria. For clients who are taking their time, the service is ideal as an educational tool, but Guilardi cautions that it does not replace an everyday search for clients who are actively looking and ready to buy.
"We provide them with an inventory of opportunity. A client can notify us when he or she sees something interesting. It's a good way to take care of our clients and provide great service," Guilardi said.
While the Internet is playing an even greater role in the search process, most Realtors are quick to point out that the knowledge and experience of a professional is still essential in the home-buying process. Although homebuyers can narrow choices over the Internet, a Realtor provides the kind of expertise necessary to complete the real estate transaction, which often includes complex components such as negotiation, disclosure and financial processes.
Buyers who take the advice and counsel of a Realtor can reduce the risk associated with home buying since experienced agents understand contracts and know what is required to navigate a transaction safely. Realtors routinely interpret detailed information to help clients understand all the intricacies involved and are known for their negotiating skills that often help seal the deal without complications.
In addition, Realtors understand the current market and how it affects different neighborhoods. Using the Internet to find a neighborhood and looking at homes for sale in the area is just not the same as talking with a Realtor who is most likely to have up-to-the-minute neighborhood knowledge. In today's market where buyers are cautious and many have a "wait-and-see" attitude, the listing alert services offered by many Realtors combine the best of both worlds.
Silicon Valley Association of Realtors provides listings of local Realtors and offers access to the multiple listing service through its website at www.siliconvalley-realtors.org.
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Saratoga, California Since 1955
