House Hunting in the Digital Age
Your search may start online, but it doesn’t have to end there.
Gone are the days of scouring the newspaper and circling ads of homes for sale and of the real estate magazines with page after page of listings. I’m guessing many of you don’t even know what I’m talking about! And that’s ok, because the world of real estate has not only gotten smaller, it has gotten smarter and more effective for the discerning home seller and home buyer. Real estate agents can no longer survive on posting their pictures on billboards and signs to attract business, they now are expected to embrace social media and all its myriad of platforms and content. Popular sites like Zillow and Realtor.com and local sites like SearchPittsburghRealEstate.com and Homesnap.com allow those looking to buy or sell, the privacy and convenience of searching for homes and real estate agents at all hours of the day or night without ever making a call or walking into an office. According to the National Association of Realtors, “97% of all homebuyers used the internet…and 76% of homebuyers used a mobile or tablet search device in their home search.”
That’s significant, but also daunting as not all online searches are created equal. It’s still important to connect with the person or team that is going to help handle probably the most significant financial investment of your life. Look for the agent who will respond quickly, answer your questions thoroughly and has a proven history of success in the industry. And of course, a personal referral doesn’t hurt! Ask your agent to provide referrals of past clients whose situation may be similar to yours if you don’t know anyone personally. For example, if you are moving from out of state, can your agent provide a past client who also relocated to the area in which you are searching.
Your search may start online, but it doesn’t have to end there. Oftentimes, by working directly with an agent, you can be notified of properties before they even hit the market and they might already have a buyer waiting for a home exactly like the one you want to sell! The agents at SearchPittsburghRealEstate.com strive to develop valuable relationships with their buyers and sellers by offering quick responses and unique home buying and home selling systems, giving you the competitive edge in a competitive market. So, grab your tablet and start your real estate journey today, but make sure you have a great agent to guide you!