With the influx of new technology and web based solutions, it
isn't a surprise that everything is moving fast into the era of the internet.
From sites like Uber to Grubhub, we generally can pull up our phones or laptops
to order what we want with ease. And with every industry being revolutionized
by technology, the same methods are "attempting" to be applied to the
real estate industry.
We could all agree that the
simplification of the process through paperwork would be much appreciated by
agents and buyers/sellers alike; but the attempt of replacing the agent by
sites like Zillow and other third party resources, can lead to a snowball affect
of disaster. Think about real estate being smack dab in the middle of fast food
and a doctor. You can use your mobile device to quickly place your order for a
$20 meal, but when it comes to getting a surgery, you'll want to put that phone
down and visit a professional. Now think of your real estate agent being in the
middle of all of that. You can use your devices to look for a home, look at
market data the way you look at WebMD, knowing not to take it too seriously
because you need a real professional's input, but it's fun and gives you a
general idea of what to expect. But there in lies the issue, the data online is
an oversimplified version of what goes into the process of buying and selling.
The same way it oversimplifies medical diseases and surgeries, you'd still
expect to get a professional's diagnosis.
Although a real estate agent
isn't quite like a doctor, the industry in it's legalities, contracts, and
processes is similar in the sense that it needs to be taken seriously. Looking
for a house online and wanting to put an immediate offer on one can be exciting
and fun, but the issues that require a professional's guidance comes after the
initial contract is written up and the hard work comes into place to actually
make the home your own. Same for sellers, if you decide to put your home on the
market and want a website that will give you an automatic offer, how do you
know you're not being taken advantage of in the price? But most importantly,
how do you know you're not being taken advantage of in other aspects of the
contract? Because there is a lot more to the sale of the home then just
agreeing on a number.
The
next time you're digging through public sites for homes for sale, and getting
instant home valuation estimates, keep in mind that this is a simple process to
give you an idea of your market. A very general idea. But after you've found
the perfect house, or after you've decided that the numbers make some sense for
you to sell, call your favorite real estate agent and make sure they give you a
more detailed look into the market and assist you through the full process, not
just the exciting first parts. Because it's going to be in the middle of a
contract when the lending is falling apart, or negotiations can't be made on
repairs and emotions are at an all time high, that you are going to wish you
had put down your laptop and had an agent fighting for you by your side. Use
the internet, have fun with it's amazing resources, but don't let it replace
your agent. We aren't in an age, just yet, where technology can do everything a
professional can.
Questions, feel to call us 805 465-2000 or 443-7383.
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