Finding a Home Online

By
Real Estate Agent with Massachusetts Buyers Broker Agency, LLC

There was an article in the New York Times yesterday regarding one couple's quest to find a home near New York City.  The interesting part of the story was that it was basically all done online.  The couple were in Kenya and learned that one was being transferred to NYC. So they did what a lot of buyers do: they went online and started looking.

The article stressed the importance of photographs and virtual tours of the property.  These tools enable home buyers, such as the couple in the article, compare and evaluate properties.  In the end, the couple picked a single family home in New Rochelle, a NYC suburb.  Get this:  they were particularly taken with an online photograph of the trees and bushes on the front lawn in full spring bloom.  Said the wife, "It reminded us so much of Nairobi, which is very verdant, that we just fell in love with the place."  Wow.  Listing agents, make sure you get those photos in!!!!!!!!!!

See the article in its entirety at: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/17/realestate/17wczo.html?ref=realestate

 

Comments (5)

Eric Reid
Renaissance Realty Group of Keller Williams Atlanta Partners - Lawrenceville, GA

I always say buyers dont shop homes they cant see and a well done web tour is almost as good as being there live

May 16, 2009 12:56 AM
Don Sabinske
Don Sabinske, Sabinske & Associates Inc. - Zimmerman, MN
Sabinske & Associates Inc.

Like the idea.  Sometimes, however, they will pass on a property because of one small "problem" they see.  I want them in the property to see, hear, feel, touch. 

May 16, 2009 01:23 AM
Laura Giannotta
Keller Williams Realty - Atlantic Shore - Little Egg Harbor, NJ
Your Realtor Down the Shore!

I'm closing a property next week that the buyers have never seen!  There weren't a lot of pictures, it's bank owned.  But I took the pictures, created a virtual tour and the rest.  Great points on the importance of pictures!

May 16, 2009 01:58 AM
Patricia Aulson
BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HOME SERVICES Verani Realty NH Real Estate - Exeter, NH
Realtor - Portsmouth NH Homes-Hampton NH Homes

This happens more times than you know.  Finding a home online is the "name of the game" so to speak these day. This is why I wonder why more agents don't have website.

Patricia Aulson/Portsmouth NH Real Estate

May 16, 2009 02:20 AM
Harry F. D'Elia III
Avant Garde Residential Management Services - Phoenix, AZ
Investor , Mentor, GRI, Radio, CIPS, REOs, ABR

Photos and videos are important. Real estate is an international business. We have to be prepared.

May 16, 2009 02:21 AM