Real Estate in a Digital Age

I have recently been working with several buyers moving to the Austin area from out of state who are all at different stages in their lives, with multiple wants and needs of what a house will provide for them.  Each of these buyers have been referred to me from various sources of friends and neighbors. These buyers are tech savvy buyers, who are doing their homework figuring out important aspects of what they are considering in a home along with what the surrounding areas of the homes they are considering have to offer. Some of the things they are looking at online while considering a certain house or area is checking out proximity and drive time to work through different times of the day.  They use Google Maps or Waze, to review the areas of interest and answer such questions as:  What schools are nearby?  Where is the closest grocery store?  Are there nearby parks and green spaces? What will their commute look like? Is there ongoing construction nearby that could affect the value of the homes in the area?  All of this information is an online treasure trove so that when we meet, they are aware of the surroundings, even going so far as looking on Google Earth at houses to see what the street and other houses around the one they are considering look like.  

It isn’t until we meet, and officially go to look at houses that the “wow” factor comes in to play; such as “wow, I didn’t realize the backyard was that big”, or “boy, the kitchen was presented better in the online pictures.”  There is a lot to be said for going out and seeing things in person, and getting a feel for things in order to make a decision. One couple I worked with from the West Coast really wanted to purchase something sight unseen, but with my guidance and knowledge of preparing them for what may look good online may not feel the same way in person, they were happy they came out and found a place in person.  

With the ease of doing so many things online, like buying your groceries and having them delivered, any and everything about Amazon, it might be tempting to consider buying or selling your house with the help of the internet and virtual home buying and selling companies.  What I have noticed is the houses that are on the market through automated or online companies tend to stay on the market longer, and have less interest shown due to the lack of human interaction between realtors who list a house for a client or assist a buyer with the purchase of a house.  

There is quite a bit of automation within real estate which is very helpful, but will it replace the real estate agent, the mortgage professional, or the title agent?  It might thin the crowd, but it won’t completely replace the need for human interaction during an emotional process like buying a home. Not in our lifetime.

The realtor buyer/seller relationship is so much more than just staging and showing houses. A good realtor provides a wealth of knowledge, including specific neighborhood information, negotiating, listening skills, and guidance through the closing process that can not be found with an internet search or an app. 

There is still too much emotion and uncertainty involved in the home buying or selling process.  We raise families in homes, our lives are centered around homes. There is emotion tied with dozens upon dozens of moving parts during the buying and selling process that a human with experience in the field is absolutely a valuable asset.  The technology will not go away, as it is a benefit to both the realtor and their clients, but the interaction with a realtor is what makes the buyer or seller feel confident in transitioning from house to home.