Much as I love the presence of websites like Trulia and Zillow where I can enhance my listings, answer questions, even blog.....from time to time, I get inquiries from people who "found the listing on the internet".
Oftentimes, the listing is either sold/expired, or it's not even listed (as in the case of RealtyTrac posts).
I love the opportunity to enlighten the folks who inquire, but I also hate disappointing them if the property they are really interested in is not available.
And then there are those who seem surprised, and even upset, that the listing is not mine. So I also try to educate them on why my name would appear in the post/listing site.
A lot of educating is necessary.
And lo and behold -- here's the article from Bottom Line Publications about "Common Errors on Real Estate Web Sites" that helps to explain to potential clients what they're seeing. More importantly, it places a lot of importance on the value of using a REALTOR.
If you haven't seen this, you should. And then share with other folks.
Here are the ways web sites can mislead:
- Their home value estimates can be way off
- Many of the listings are no longer on the market
- The asking prices can be out-dated
- Their "days on the market" figures could be way off the mark
- Some of the most desirable properties don't appear on sites until they've sold
- Listings on "for sale by owner" sites often have inflated or inaccurate property description
Source: Robert Irwin, author of Tips and Traps for Negotiating Real Estate
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