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How the internet changes real estate from 1996-2022

By
Real Estate Agent with Summit Real Estate Group BRE# 01215778

My real estate career began in November of 1996.  That year marked the start of the transition from Dot Matrix to reliance up the internet.  The good thing for me is I never really had to learn the dot matrix system and my career aligned with the innovation of the internet.  I became the go to agent for those that had been in the business for many years.

The internet began a Paradigm switch in real estate as well as life in general.  There were, at one time, huge books that were printed once a month with all of the listing for sale in the MLS.  There would be an update sent out during the month as well.

These MLS Listing books disappeared within about a year after all listing were available online on the internet.  This change made us Realtors the kings of real estate as we could answer questions at lightning speed for our clients and those we were hoping to win as our clients.

A good thing doesn't last forever though.  The advantage we had knowing how to use the internet in our business soon became a thorn in our side.  You see, the public also learned how to use the internet to find homes in locations of their choosing.  The also learned how to research companies and agents online to see those highest rated with the most sales.  Savvy Agents took advantage of their superior technological knowledge and began to dominate their competition.

We all somehow persevered and the benefits have far out performed the drawbacks.  The internet became a part of the new device called the Smart Phone.  We learned quickly that we could make everywhere, including on the beach, our home office.  This lead to more and more agents giving up their rented offices.  This lead to many new competing real estate companies in which training and internet tools became the most important reason to choose a company.

The internet lead to a new way of quick communications and ways to reach clients and earn new business.  Text Messages, Facebook, Twitter and many other internet skills became the wave of the future.  Changes continue not annually, or monthly but daily.  Learning and stay up to date is now more important than anytime in the past.  Those of us that have embraced the internet have been revitalized each and ever day.  The internet is like finding the fountain of youth.

Respectfully, Tony & Dani Lewis

Summit Real Estate Group

www.TonyLewis.com scvtony@gmail.com

Call or Text us at 661-510-7975

Offices in Valencia & Aliso Viejo, California

Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

I should have saved an MLS book for posterity:) it could be in the Realtor Museum:)Endre

Jan 19, 2022 09:14 PM
Lynn B. Friedman CRS Atlanta, GA 404-617-6375
Atlanta Homes ODAT Realty - Love our Great City - Love our Clients! Buckhead - Midtown - Westside - Atlanta, GA
Concierge Service for Our Atlanta Sellers & Buyers

Tony Lewis 
So many changes - your Internet knowledge was a big help!
All the best - Lynn

Jan 19, 2022 10:08 PM
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Good morning Tony. My first broker did not belong to an MLS. when we joined, the listings were printed on sheets and put in notebooks. They were updated weekly and you had to go to the board to pick them up and spend an hour updating your book. We have indeed made progress. Enjoy your day 

Jan 20, 2022 03:47 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Tony - change is our constant companion.  Of course, is it friend or foe?  

Jan 20, 2022 05:38 AM
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND
Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker

Tony Lewis even prior to dot matrix printers were the daisy wheel printers. I remember preparing mailings by getting everything set up prior to going to bed and then telling the word processor (no pictures) to print 200 copies. I think it completed the task around 2:00 AM. When Okidata came out with dot matrix it cut the time of print about 75% and when Star Printers came out with the color dot matrix printers it was absolutely amazing!

Jan 20, 2022 06:56 AM
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

Hello Tony Lewis I am in my 20th year in real estate.  I missed having to deal with those big books. However, they were in play when my husband and I purchased our first home. 

So much has evolved and changed in what seems like a short period of time.

Thank you for participating in the January 2022 challenge. 

Jan 20, 2022 09:02 AM
Buzz Mackintosh
Mackintosh REALTORS - Frederick, MD
“Experience, reliable, leadership”

I remember the mass agent complaints when they stopped printing the MLS books. Many liked to carry them around with them prior to the internet being available on the phone or laptops.

Jan 20, 2022 05:49 PM
Sam Shueh
(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA
mba, cdpe, reopro, pe

That depends ... Technology allows people serch information that were previldeged to professionals. Some by pass the middle man go direct. Majority needs realtors like before. 

Jan 21, 2022 09:43 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Thank you very much for sharing some of your personal experience.

Jan 24, 2022 07:13 AM
Charles Ross - eXp Realty LLC
eXp Realty LLC Salina Group - Salina, KS
Love To Help People

Thank you so much for keeping history alive.Technology, Technology

Jan 09, 2023 06:41 PM