Most of us will buy a book online because we know that we want it and it is exactly the same regardless of where we buy it. I can buy my car online, but that same premise is true. Although I would probably see it first on the street or in a magazine, and perhaps go for a test-drive at a local dealership.

But this will not be the case for most people shopping for a house. Even watching a professionally shot house video is not enough if the property is local. People want to see it in person and because of that, they most often will use a Realtor.

Where the confusion really lies is in the NAR stats that reads over 80% of people begin their home search online. This is where they end their search. At the local level, people still drive through their area of interest, write down names from signs, stop in at open houses, and visit websites published in newspaper ads, postcards and everything else out there. This prompts that 80% to go online and start “clicking”, and a few random searches later, they arrive at a website or a Blog.

The Realty business is still mostly an offline business. Because of the product, most people need to see it, walk through it, turn taps, open windows and listen for creaky floors or noisy neighbors. Buyers start offline, go online and end up offline again. The online agents are acquiring more leads than offline agents, but if they have poor people skills and don’t listen well, they get new customers, but few repeats & referrals.

That’s the way I see it anyhow.

If an agent thinks that they are the only one making the on-line connection with that person, they are truly delusionary!

The internet is a great tool for connecting with people before they come into a market. . .but that’s where it stops.

Looking forward to reading more from you…

Becca

Charleston South Carolina Real Estate