RSS FeedsThe Fate Of The Real Estate Agent
It may have taken longer than with other industries, but realtors are starting to see the impact of the Internet on their incomes. While the Internet has provided easy access to much more information for realtors to do their job better, it has also given the same information to homeowners looking for ways to save while looking for a new home.
Websites are showing realtors that their industry will need to change or they will be reduced in numbers. Since these websites are giving away precious real estate information for free, commissions are dropping for realtors.
What is the main motivating factor to sign on with a realtor? In one word, information is the key reason why most homeowners will choose a realtor for their home buying and selling needs. After all, realtors have access to information the average person cannot obtain. However, with the appearance of websites on the marketplace, access to the information has now become public knowledge.
In the past, you simply could not buy or sell a home without the use of a realtor. Their access to the National Association of Realtors multiple listing services was essential to buying or selling your home in an appropriate amount of time at a price that suited the homeowners.
Only real estate agents knew what homes in the area were being sold for and they were only willing to share that information for a commission, the standard 6 percent.
Now, however, real estate information has become available online and become available for free. Any average homeowner can get a estimate on their homes value from a mulitude of websites. They can even get an offer on their house from home buyer websites. Should a homeowner want to put their home out there for public access, they can easily place their property information on a for sale by owner website.
Accuracy, however, is the drawback for these websites and currently, the saving point for realtors who might worry about the future of their careers in the face of these daunting information sites. Currently, websites can be slightly off on homes in neighborhoods where fewer properties sell. These sites will be more accurate in neighborhoods who have had a number of sales recently to better gauge comparables in the area.
However, a realtor will have a similar problem in a neighborhood that rarely sells properties and websites have an advantage they are not biased. Whereas an overzealous realtor might inflate home estimates to win over prospective clients, websites and other similar websites tell it exactly like it is, for better or worse.
Another down side of not using a real estate agent in a new home purchase or to sell a home is that a real estate agent can protect your best interests. Home owners rarely buy or sell real estate and most need help through the process. It can be complicated and if you make a mistake it can cost you thousands.
However, if you need to sell your house fast you would be much better off selling to a local home buyer in your area. They exist in every major city in the nation and they buy multiple homes each month. They mostly deal with people who are facing foreclosure, moving out of state or recently inherited a home, but their service is free.
The change in the real estate market mirrors what happened with traditional stock brokers whose monopoly on trading information was threatened with the advent of investing websites. Just as these stock brokers had to change their offerings and lower their fees, so too will realtors have to change in order to be a viable and important part of the real estate market.
Rather than fight these informational websites, realtors will have to find ways to make their services invaluable for the homeowners who will need their marketing skills and experience in the real estate market.
Shaun Greer
http://www.articlesbase.com/real-estate-articles/the-fate-of-the-real-estate-agent-469702.html
March 4th, 2010
Should I Stay or Should I Go?
The Mr. & I have been married over 4 years. Our marriage is good, its even more secure because of the fact that we grew up together. We have a few differences, but I’d accepted them before as ‘balancing-out’ each other. He’s 26, tame, a real-estate agent, and plays computer games. I’m 23, wild, a photographer and artist, and like to drink and dance. He hopes to live a long life and die old, rich, and happy, and I hope to make a difference in this world and let God choose his fate with me.
Are we just holding each other back???
March 4th, 2010
I don’t understand the problem
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March 4th, 2010
Sounds like a really good fit.
Quit looking over the fence. There is no greener grass. You are creating a problem that doesn’t exist. You have the right one, don’t fuck it up.
got it? good!
fs
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March 4th, 2010
I think you are bored and want permission to go out and have an affair. If that is true, divorce him and be on your way.
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March 4th, 2010
I don’t see a problem. My hubby and I are different as night and day and we have been married for 10 years. Sounds like you are looking for an excuse to get out of your marriage. Get some courage and just admit it already.
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March 4th, 2010
If you are happy and your marriage is good, why would you want to leave? It would be boring if you were exactly alike. Enjoy your differences. You can still make a difference in the world unless you think he’s holding you back and it doesn’t sound like he is.
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March 4th, 2010
no im completley oppisite of my hubby and were so in love hes like you and im like your hubby.
if you were to be with someone like you you would be bored trust me!!!
stay!!!
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March 4th, 2010
you are not mature enough to be married, if you were you’d be happy at the loving stable life he has provided for you. You will probably brake his heart when you split - but you should. you don’t deserve him
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March 4th, 2010
I compare healthy relationships to the weather…lol…sounds simple enough….seasons change…day to day forcasts change..but as long as the sun still comes out..there is still hope.
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March 4th, 2010
Sounds like a good balance. Don’t go looking for trouble when there is none. Its good to have someone that is responsible and looks out for you, and its good to have someone to keep the relationship fresh and fun.
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March 4th, 2010
I don’t think so… I think there is a lot you can both accomplish being together…. God gave you a husband for a reason… and if you are so religious you should know that only adultery is a reason to terminate a marriage… that you made vows and should keep them whether you feel like is working out or not.
Now the thing is… you may not even want to be married…
I guess drinking and dancing sound more appealing to you.
If everything seems to be OK in your life why even think about going… sounds to me more like immaturity talking.
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March 4th, 2010
No stay with each other. Make love more often, then you will fill closer.
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