The real estate industry is constantly evolving and so is the role of the REALTOR. What exactly is the value that agents bring to their clients today? Long before the internet, real estate brokerages were the only ones who had access to the multiple listing service ( MLS) which contained housing information shared only by other brokers. Consumers couldn’t search for homes for sale online like they can today and they needed us. The value of the REALTOR back then was information. That all changed in the 1990’s as housing information was being placed on the internet at a rapid pace. Then in 2005 we got some big players in the game, the big boys as agents call them, third-party aggregator sites such as Zillow, Trulia and Realtor.com, These websites were giving millions of consumers access to information that we were holding captive for so long. That pretty much was the game changer in our industry, and as time went on, most consumers thought the agent didn’t offer much value and were not needed except to open a few doors so they could view properties.
Well let me say there ‘s a lot more that goes into a real estate transaction than opening a few door and gathering sales information. It’s called market knowledge! You can’t get that from Zillow and Trulia. An agent who is an local expert knows the inside information that you can’t find online such as, why the house down the street sold for $40,000 more than the neighbors? Is it a buyer’s market or seller’s market? What is the percentage difference between list price and sold price? What home improvements add value and which don’t? How do you put a price on a view? Do you see many bobcats, coyotes and javelinas in the area? Can you leave your dog outside? What areas have expansive soil? The list goes on…and we haven’t even touched on the subject of paperwork, finances, inspections and deadlines.
Too much information without context or understanding can be just as confusing as too little. That is when you need a expert to help you sort through it all. I can guide you through the process and help you along the way. When you are ready to take the next step give me a call or fill out the form below. I’ll get back to you promptly!
