The Digital Real Estate Revolution

Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010

The 2000s were a decade of rapid changes in real estate trends. Many of these changes were predicted, while others where completely unseen, and when it was all said and done the real estate space transformed into cyber-space.

One of the trends that was easy to predict was the meteoric rise in the internet as a real estate tool. The internet has empowered home buyers ways that would’ve been impossible in any preceding decade. Imagine what we now take for granted, being able to view practically any home that’s for sale in virtually any market! That’s the definition of a game changer.

As the Internet has changed the face of real estate, it’s caused agents to completely rethink their strategies for how they deal and interact with clients. For starters, virtual communication through emails and texts makes communication easier in some ways, but also less personal. Twitter and Facebook have also played a huge impact in the real estate landscape, and have become powerful tools for agents and buyers alike.

Buying Into Technology

The technology revolution will only continue as we move into the new decade. Smartphones give users capabilities to gather, source and send information in the blink of an eye – from virtually anywhere in the country. Staying ahead of the curve is a challenge, but one that is certainly worthwhile for real estate agents that are looking to appeal to the new generation of homebuyers that are all “wired”.

Some Things Never Change

However, no matter how technologically advanced we become, there’s still no replacement for building relationships and showing people a desire to help them find the property that is the perfect fit for them. Whether it’s done through Twitter, on the phone, or face-to-face, buyers are looking for a real estate agent that is willing to go the extra mile for them and serve as an expert and advocate in the home buying process. And even in the face of awesome technology, nothing replaces seeing a house in person with your own eyes – not on a screen.

Tags: online real estate, real estate trends