The world we live in today is a digital one and searching for a home is no different. Buyers now have apps that let them search by location and neighborhoods, among other things. Online searching maximizes the ability to compare and contrast homes on the market by selected features. Most of this is done before a potential home buyer connects with a real estate agent.
In 2016, 44% of all buyers looked online as their first step in the home search process. 95% of buyers used an online website as an information source in the home search.
58% of all buyers found their home on a mobile device, and 14% of all buyers found the agent they worked with on a mobile device.
When using a website as an information source, 89% found photos very useful, 85% found detailed property information very useful, and 50% found virtual tours very useful.
Trust in the real estate agent is still very important, despite the prevalence of the internet: 88% of buyers worked with an agent to find their home, and 92% were in touch with an agent as an information source in the home search process.
In addition to the home buying process, REALTORS® also utilize technology in their everyday business practices. Staying up to date with new technology is important, but also cited as one of the biggest challenges for firms in the next two years.
48% of all firms cited keeping up with technology as one of the biggest challenges facing their firm in the next 2 years. 51% of firms with four or more offices cite keeping up with technology as a challenge.
REALTORS® themselves are tech-savvy: over 50% of REALTORS® use their e-mail, smartphone, laptop or desktop computer, cell phone daily, or GPS daily or nearly every day.
57% of REALTORS® were at least comfortable with using social media, but 7% of REALTORS® do not use social media.
Facebook (80%), LinkedIn (71%) and Google+ (32%) were the top three platforms that REALTORS® used most.
This year, drones was a new topic. Most REALTORS® (56%) do not use drones but 18% plan to in the future. 12% have someone in the office who uses them and 11% hire a professional. 3% personally use drones.
Credits:
Created with images by Unsplash - "woman person business" • Dainis Matisons - "Cuba by Dainis Matisons"