Well, the internet has been very much involved in the real estate business now for years. It might be a good time to reflect on whether or not it has been a "good thing" for the market. While the net has certainly made finding a home easier, from the agents perspective, it has also made it easier for FSBOs to get the word out about their home as well. Having said that, the vast majority of FSBOs still don't sell on their own (for a variety of reasons.) There are also a number of websites out there pulling a referral commission off of leads some agents may not have had to pay a referral on in the past. So, what do you think?? Has the internet been a "good thing" or a "bad thing" overall? Why? Why not? I know there is no changing, but I thought it might make for an interesting, lively discussion. I can't wait to hear your response.

Raymond

The answer would really depend on how involved one is on the internet. Many agents here depend on the web for a large portion of their business so I am sure they would think the web has been a good thing for their own business.

For the real estate industry as a whole it probably has made things a little tougher. I know that many young people (who have grown up with computers) expect to be able to use the internet exclusively and selling them on the idea of using a Realtor takes some more work than it used to...

Overall, I think it's a good thing but there are definite catch-22s with it.

For instance, buyers can use the pictures to weed out some potentially undesirable properties, saving us all time.

But on the other side of that coin, a house that either does not photograph well, or has had crappy pictures taken will be passed over.

Like with anything else, it's only as good as the info put into it. Unfortunately, bad info gives a bad impression and a buyer may pass on house that they would have loved....

Overall though, I think it's been a great help. It's a great way to be contacted by buyers!

It definitely helps the ones that can leverage the new technologies. Traditional real estate agents are getting squeezed out or left behind as technology progresses. This has not been good for them but for others.

The biggest advantage if the ability to get discovered by such a larger base. Internet lets you market to the world.

So I guess you could say that it has not really helped or hurt the industry but has helped or hurt individual real estate agents.

Honestly, I don't know yet. The site has only been up two months and have been trying to look for new ways to get better exposure. I have learned quite a bit in the different forums I have joined. I'm really hoping to learn more here. So far I have learned a lot.

I agree with Doug, it's one of those things that won't be too great for people not involved, but can be an excellent tool for those who are, and are very much so.

It has helped extremely. Unfortunately old school agents who do not embrace and learn everything they can about the internet will eventually be squeezed out. The internet is the only way you can touch tens of thousands of people with a click of a button. It has changed the business model for agents where instead of pursuing lead and contacts, contacts and leads pursue you as information is being provided and sought by internet users.
I invest thousands of dollars a year on technology and have leads coming to me everyday. I've combine traditional methods with internet and believe this has helped me exponentionally grom my business. Every agent must make utilizing the internet to obtain more contacts a priority if they want to survive in this business.

I think it is great for business. I have 23 hour ads on search engines and dont have to pay for them.

Only expands the market and the world.