Survey Says...

I got an email this morning from Obeo, the provider of my virtual tours.  It was the results from a survey they commissioned about home buying habits for internet users (there were a few people that weren't internet consumers).

Here is part of the press release:

Obeo Survey Provides Landmark Insight Into Home-Buying Behavior

Obeo -- the expert in buyer behavior -- has released the results of an in-depth demographic analysis that will help real estate agents serve the end consumer. (PRNewsFoto/Obeo)

SALT LAKE CITY, UT UNITED STATES

SALT LAKE CITY, Aug. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- In keeping with its reputation
as an expert in buyer behavior, Obeo's recent survey reveals significant
findings regarding gender's impact on the process of purchasing a home.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080819/CLTU077 )

According to a survey of more than 500 adult respondents conducted by
National Polling Service on behalf of Obeo, a leading provider of
full-service residential real estate online marketing products in North
America:

-- 41 percent of women surveyed began their search for a new home
on-line, while 25 percent of all males did the same; interestingly enough,
more men (28.5 percent) initiated their search by contacting a real estate
agent.

-- 52.6 percent of all women surveyed searched 21 or more homes online
compared to 45 percent of men surveyed

-- While price was considered the most important home feature to
consider by both men and women, 13.2 percent of men surveyed said the size
of a home was the primary feature to consider compared to 4.4 percent of
all women

-- 94 percent of all women surveyed said photos of a home would be very
helpful in their search for a home while nearly 70 percent said 360-degree
panoramas would be very helpful.

-- More than 72 percent of all respondents found the interactive nature
of Obeo - like being able to virtually change certain design elements of a
home - helpful in their search for a home.

"We know that today's home buyers are more knowledgeable about the
process in general and have higher expectations of information provided
regarding the homes in which they are interested," said Obeo CEO Glade
Jones. "What this survey provides with its in-depth demographic analysis is
a map to better serving that end consumer."

"By providing REALTORS(R) with this breadth of information as well as a
marketing platform to meet the consumer needs, we believe we are providing
a valuable solution to the real estate industry," said Alan Earl, senior
vice president of sales and marketing.

For more information and to download this survey, please visit
http://www.Obeo.com/BuyerSurvey08 .

Obeo provides Realtors(R), homebuilders, land developers and property
managers with customized online marketing solutions and offline sales
tools. To find out more, go to http://www.obeo.com.

There were a lot of other interesting things.  22% of the respondents didn't use an RE agent.  But, 58% felt their agent was extremely or very effective.

I have been using Obeo for my virtual tours lately.  I really like the quality of the tours, as well as the other options that are available.  For 9010 Brixham Court, in Suwanee, I am using the basic tour, as well as panoramas, interactive floor plan and design tools.  There are almost 100 photos.  I also beefed it up with a much more extensive property website than most other agents.  I wanted to be sure that buyers had as much information as possible about a property.  And don't forget the video...

For another listing, I utilized a self-shot tour in addition to the design tools and interactive floor plan.  The neighborhood was profiled on the website.  And it was another website that went beyond the normal.  955 Juniper at the Tuscany can be found here.

The only way to deliver what buyers and sellers need and want is to pay attention to what buyers and sellers need and want.

from LaneBailey.com