It used to

be when someone wanted to buy a home they rode around in the back seat

of a real estate agent's car until they either found a property they liked,

or both parties became exhausted and postponed the buying decision. But

times have changed, according to the Fayette County Board of Realtors.

According to

recent research by the National Association of Realtors, six buyers out

of 10 begin their search by checking available properties listed on the

Internet before they even talk to a real estate agent or physically view

any properties at all.

"A growing

number of consumers are finding there are many benefits to taking the

on-line route in their initial home search," said Fayette County

Board of Realtors President Michael Faulkner. "Through the Internet,

a potential homebuyer can see many properties and their specifications

quickly."

Listings on

the Internet usually include at least one picture of the home. Increasingly,

however, more Internet property listings now have three-dimensional, panoramic

360-degree views of the property, which gives prospective buyers an even

better idea of what the interior and exterior of the home is like.

"In addition

to viewing the physical appearance of a potential home through the Internet,

buyers can also check out various neighborhoods including their proximity

to important features such as schools, churches, shopping and other amenities,"

Faulkner explained. "Other useful information that can be found on

the Internet include an area's traffic patterns, tax rates, crime statistics,

even the location of underground hazards and other problems that might

be in the vicinity but not easily visible or readily disclosed."

According to

Faulkner, potential homebuyers who use the Internet for their initial

search often are able to eliminate a large number of properties and neighborhoods

that might be less suited to their needs and tastes, and concentrate on

the few that are probable prospective choices.

The Internet

does not eliminate the need for a real estate agent or to visit potential

properties, however, it just makes the process more efficient, organized,

and oftentimes less frustrating, he explained.

"Typically,

the Internet-savvy consumer sees fewer properties than in the old days,

spends less time on the search process, makes a more informed decision

and ends up more satisfied than was possible before this new technology

became available," Faulkner added.

Another vital

area where the Internet is increasingly serving today's potential homebuyers

is in the financial arena. According to Faulkner, properties listed on

the Internet will have price information ­ not a trivial matter since

the price factor is typically the first factor used by buyers to determine

a property's suitability.

After evaluating

price trends in an area, consumers who shop the Internet first in their

home search oftentimes are in a better position to spot bargains, Faulkner

noted.

"While

there are a number of good sites available on the Internet to choose from,

the most comprehensive is REALTOR.COM, the proprietary site of the National

Association of Realtors and the premier source of homebuying, selling

and virtually all housing and shelter issues," he said.

"REALTOR.COM

contains the lion's share of the nation's listings, with more than 90

percent of the available listings posted at one time. It is constantly

being updated, and covers the entire country (and Canada). The information

is free, timely, and besides property listings, the site contains a wealth

of background information for the consumer interested in homes. It should

be the cornerstone of any search."

Back

to Real Estate Home Page |