According to NAR, the first step for 42% of home buyers was to look for properties on the internet. In addition 14% of home buyers looked online for more information about the home buying process. Also 92% found the internet useful in their home search. Based on these numbers why would you not want an internet presence?
Consumers
Think about what a consumer wants from a website. We have these huge percentages of people utilizing the 
internet to help them with their home search. That tells you right away what a consumer wants to do: THEY WANT TO SEARCH. There are plenty of sites that will allow consumers to search to their hearts content. Yes we know them well. Places like Zillow, Trulia, Realtor.com. etc... and of course if you are focused in North Texas www.searchhomestexas.com (yes it is a shameless plug.)
Consumers search and search. They start trying to figure out what they are looking for and for what price. If they are lucky they start to try and find out what the real estate buying process is like in their state. Each state is different on how you buy and sell a piece of real estate. In New York lawyers are heavily involved. In Texas there is usually not a lawyer present at closing and used sporadically for the most part of any real estate transaction.
Process
If I take this into consideration then the top two issues I want my website to focus on are search and process. This is what my potential clients want from a website. However, I also want some things from my visitors. I want to know who they are and how I can best help them. On my website it is very easy to go right into a simple search or a complex search. I have set up a request that after the third search that they provide me with some information about themselves. This is how I try to acquire some information from my potential client. I am working on creating several different paths for my clients to choose from based on this request. Right now we are keeping it simple.
One of the paths I would like them to take is to learn the process of buying and or selling real estate in Texas. On my website you can find out the multiple steps involved on both sides and what they can expect financially and as 
far as timing. Visitors can learn the process without providing me any information which is great for all concerned. If and when they do decide to join my site they get access to a lot more information about maximizing your investment in your home while you own it, maintenance, local activities, and more.
Many consumers are leery about providing their information to a website. The information we are requesting is not too personal. We neither want or ask for any social security, drivers license or financial record of any kind. There is no cost associated with the website or the information you are requesting. All my website and I would like to do is keep you informed. A well informed consumer is great for the industry and if you decide to work with me or with another professional Realtor, you will be that much better a client.
Real Estate Websites
One question that consistently comes up is why should I, a consumer, use your website versus Trulia, Zillow, Realtor.com, etc... There are several reasons. My website is focused on North Texas area with expertise in local cities like Frisco, Plano, Prosper, Celina, Mckinney and other cities in Denton and Collin County. If you are looking in San Antonio I would not be the Realtor to provide you direct assistance but you could ask me and I could find you one that would meet your needs.
Another reason to utilize me and my website is that you can reach me directly and ask questions about this area and get quick and accurate answers. The larger sites have to cover national areas and do not have the expertise in a particular area. When you have made your decision on a location such as North Texas or south Florida, or 
Southwest Washington State. you should then start to find a Realtor that fits your requirements. The larger sites may end up frustrating you as I often get calls regarding listings that are already under contract or worse yet sold from listings on some of them.
However, if you look through ActiveRain or other website I am sure you will find many MANY different real estate agents in your area of interest. Finding the right one for you may be your biggest challenge in your real estate transaction.
Keeping Up To Date
Come visit my website and provide me your thoughts and requests for changes. This is brand new and I expect to be making changes in the first quarter to continue to enhance the consumer's experience. The best way for me to do that is to get feedback from the consumer. After all the idea is to get you, the consumer, the information you require in order to make one of the biggest decisions of your life - should I buy or sell a piece of real estate.
Once you get to see and feel that all I want to do is provide you with information until you are comfortable moving faster you can simply use the website in this simple manner:
- Come to the site and test out the search capabilities.
- Review the information you find on the website and on here at ActiveRain on my blog
- Provide me your contact information and review the information I will send to you once a week/month/ or quarter. Just let me know how often you want to be kept informed
- Set up property alerts or actually call me and I will set up a custom alert for you
- When you are ready, we can take the next step in the process
If you follow these steps you will make yourself more powerful in the real estate process by having a greater understanding of how it works. You will know more about the local market and pricing than many other consumers and for that matter some professionals too. It allows you to take more control and know when to allow your agent to take control. Together, with your agent, you will ensure a wonderful experience with great results.
If you are working with me all the better because as a client of mine: Your Success is My Focus
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