Mobile technology has completely altered how people search the real estate market
Thanks to technology, sellers and buyers are turning to the Internet to list and search for their next property. Millions of people begin their searches online before syncing up with a real estate agent, but that doesn’t mean the demise of the Realtor will be happening any time soon. Mobile applications and technology like Trulia, Realtor.com, and Zillow are great news for buyers, sellers and agents.
Why are mobile apps good news for real estate agents?
Most home buyers are searching for their next place online – there’s no way to change that. Trulia had an average of 35 million monthly visitors in 2013, and its Pro service is designed to help agents capitalize on that. Trulia states that 3 out of 5 searchers on the site need an agent, for example. They even have a free app for agents to capture and respond to leads.
Zillow offers similar features, including a low-cost option for creating a custom agent website that’s SEO optimized and includes searchable listings. Websites are vital in today’s business world, and real estate is no exception.
Of course, not everyone agrees that these websites are good news for agents, but the majority of agents seem to have accepted and embraced them. And these sites don’t mean that traditional ways of conducting business, like open houses, are obsolete. Agents can and should use every tool available to them to successfully conduct business in this changing marketplace.
Agents don’t have anything to worry about when it comes to apps like Zillow, Trulia, and others
But, should agents be worried about the rise of mobile apps in the home buying process? A recent article from MSN sums things up quite succinctly: “Agents don’t seem worried.” Clients will always need help with the negotiation process, and real estate agents are also there to act as a source of support throughout the buying and selling process. There’s simply no way the human element can be outsourced to technology.
Want some more hard data? A study from Bloomberg Businessweek found that even though 42% of buyers found their home online, 89% still used a real estate agent or broker to make the purchase. That’s pretty good peace of mind.
Mobile apps have made business easier for realtors, too.
Smartphone applications are great for aggregating listings, but there are plenty of other apps that help the real estate business run more smoothly.
AgentFolio helps agents and buyers stay on top of all of the information floating around during the home buying process. It’s especially useful for managing multiple clients. OpenHouseManager helps capture information from potential buyers at an open house, and then it shares that information with your Apple devices and the Cloud.
But, being a successful Realtor isn’t just about the business side of things. Websites are extremely important, and email newsletters are another popular medium for staying in touch. Basically, agents these days must be increasingly tech savvy. Luckily, there are apps for that, too.
