Real Estate as a business is changing all of the time and on multiple fronts. Whether one is an agent, buyer, seller, investor, or support person there have been many changes over the last several years, and there will be many more changes.

For buyers, the biggest change is the greater access to information. There are numerous sources of listings, loan info, and everything else revolving around the purchase of a new or existing home. The internet is the major driver of these new information sources. A buyer could almost carry the entire transaction, from finding a home, scoping the neighborhood, viewing the home, interviewing mortgage companies, getting the mortgage and coordinating the movers... without leaving their current home. But, as is often the case, too much information can be tough to tame. Analysis paralysis can set in, and one can be so tied up in the minutiae that they forget to actually DO anything.  Another aspect of this increased access to information is that some is less accurate or relevant than other info.  A good guide can help stave off the analysis paralysis as well as sort the good info from the bad.

For sellers, the same challenges are there. There are a plethora of options to look at while trying to establish value, and market a home. In fact, there are so many databases that the same daunting task may face a seller as is faced by a buyer.  And the bad information may be harder to spot as well as more damaging.  Pricing a home too high can have devastating effects.  To start with it won't get visitors.  After it has been on the market for a while, the price will need to be even lower than it may have needed to be when first listed.  

Investors have both of these problems, as they generally buy AND sell homes or other real estate. Even if they are renting out properties, they are faced with the same types of issues as selling... namely valuing the rentals, and marketing them to find good tenants.

Agents are looking at the same picture. I, for example, see 50-75 property emails per week. I also generally see 150-200 property flyers a week. This isn't including properties that come up in client searches, or that I seek out. I also see around 50 "new" types of marketing medias or sites per week. This is on top of other vendor solicitations, offers and general spam. Most of the non-property information is junk, but occasionally there is a golden nugget hidden in there, so I have to go through it. The properties are a little easier to deal with. I know at a glance if it is something that may suit a client, or if it is just more chaf.

The bottom line is that there is more information available than ever before. This information can lead one to be WAY more productive and efficient in their real estate dealings... or may just be so daunting that there might as well be no information at all. Hopefully, we'll be able to help out by bringing the good information to the front.

Drop in to my sites and take a look.  Lane's investor site.  Lane's car people site.