Home Sellers Need To Know . . .
As a result of the Internet local Realtors no longer own their communities. The Internet has removed them as the "gate keepers" of the local real estate information. Today's home buyers (via the Internet and availability of MLS listings ) have complete access to ALL homes for sale in their desired area. This has dramatically impacted and redefined the local real estate agent's role. Buyers no longer use agents the same way they use to. More and more buyers are using a "buyer's agent" to help them find and negotiate the best deal on their new purchase. This one facet alone of how buyers are now approaching the market is critical to home sellers. No longer are all agents working in the best interest of the home seller. Sellers need to know and fully understand how these changes affect them, especially in this very challenging home selling environment.
Unfortunately, most home sellers have been conditioned to operate in the same old way, or underestimate the impact the Internet has had on the residential real estate community. Regardless of the reasons, most home sellers will continue to set themselves up for a very expensive trip down memory lane . . .
Along with these dramatic changes have come tremendous opportunities for the knowledgeable home seller. When home buyers had little option other than to use local agents to assist them, the prowess and renown of an agent, as well as the strength of their office was of tremendous value to the home seller. Today, with home buyers using the Internet in lieu of the agent to find a home, this model no longer applies. Why then do agents still market their services the same old way?