An Approach to Real Estate in the Coming Year

I came across an article on the trulia blog that I thought might be of interest to you. It has much to say about an approach to real estate in 2007 that takes into account the easy access individuals have to property information online as well as the discount brokerages out there that they can go to (versus yours!). You can read the full article by clicking Advice for Agents in 2007, but I thought I would also give you some statements I came across during my reading of it that I considered worth repeating. Here they are:

"Smart agents will demonstrate to buyers and sellers how technology enhances the services they provide, and those services will continue to include negotiating, consulting, communicating and the knowledge and history of areas and properties." (SC)

"Most buyers and sellers do their homework on the Internet prior to contacting any service, including full service agents. ...As more and more information flows into the public domain, [our] message needs to move from one of 'exclusive access' to information to one of 'interpreting and acting' on information quickly using a wide variety of tools and expertise that will create a successful transaction." (JM)

"[The] reality is that nearly 80% of all real estate transactions are done by full service real estate EXPERTS who, armed with knowledge and great tools, will offer more than any discount service can ever provide. ...Bottom line: Many real estate professionals believe that we should get paid for having the information, but that is a fallacy. The client has all of the information. The true value of a full service agent is to advise, faceplate, negotiate a win-win contract, close it properly and finally, do a true follow up — not for days, but years." (BP)

"Key elements agents must be able to master and pitch to clients today include: immediate e-mail response time, a robust personal and brokerage Web site, a blog, a listing search marketing strategy, and online contextual and key word advertising. It’s critical to be where today’s consumers are - and [they're] there - online. And the majority are, as always, seeking a professional real estate agent’s help." (KSR)