Life in Real Estate Before and After the Internet

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

Prior to the internet becoming the norm for business life was a person to person business in which direct contacts were the main method of securing business.  Since the inception of the internet the masses can now be reached with the press of a button.  Prior to the internet a person could get away with bad practices without much damage to their career or business.  Since the reach of the internet there is no longer avoidance of a bad review in which the multitudes can learn of a persons bad behavior.  Prior to the internet a person looking to buy or sell a home was dependent upon the information given by their Realtor.  Times have changed drastically since the internet.  Now every buyer and seller can search for active listings and also see the value of their home.  The biggest change that has benefited both a Realtor and their clients is the speed of communication.  Smart Phones that connect us through the internet send emails and text messages instantaneously.  A Realtor is exposed quickly if they are unresponsive in a timely manner.

Another positive change that exists today that is a revolutionary change is the inception of ESignatures.  Now documents can be shared by a Realtor or Representative to the principle or client.  The amount of time it takes to fulfill a contract has been dramatically reduced ever since this new tool has been introduced to the marketplace.  Most recently even the ESignature process has been enhanced with the ability to not only sign documents but also to be able to fill out forms and answer questions through the online signing process.

Times have really changed when it comes to seeing homes for a buyer due to the internet.  There used to be pictures that could be seen on a flyer or in a magazine.  Now a days the internet does more justice to these pictures with more efficient and professional as well as inexpensive photographer.  Not only are the picture better and more easily share but they are usually spliced together to give a buyer a Virtual Tour in which they can visually walk through the house.

The benefits to a home owner due to the internet when it comes to selling their home at the top dollar in the shortest time with the least inconvenience are immense.  Their home's beauty and advantages can instantly be shared to millions of people through the internet.  There are hundreds of websites that will post information about their home.  These websites reach people in every city, county, state and country throughout the world.  The upgrades and updates as well as details of the location and neighborhood are instantly available.

There is no going backwards possible any longer.  Business today due to the internet is most beneficial to all parties.  The list of benefits outweighs the negative by one hundred to one.  My feeling is that the biggest downfall of the internet is the lack of having personal contact as often as it was a one time.  It is all of our job to make sure that these personal contacts do continue throughout the transaction and beyond the closing of the deal.

Presented by your Friends & Realtor,

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

 

Comments (9)

Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

You point out many differences in business prior to the Internet and since its inception.

E-signing documents are such a huge efficient time-saving tool.

Virtual tours and face-timing with out-of-town clients have caused many sight-unseen offers to be made.

Listing syndication creates massive exposure that flyers could not reach.

There is no going back. The horse as they say has left the barn.

We do need to keep our personal contact with people alive and well.

 

Thank you for participating in the January 2022 Challenge. 

Jan 01, 2022 10:39 AM
Ed (Edward) Silva, 203-206-0754
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Central CT Real Estate Broker Serving all equally

The advent of the technology has certainly changed the way the real estate is conducted and for sure it makes all aspects of the transactions easier. There is also no place to hide if giving poor service to a client

Jan 01, 2022 12:36 PM
Jim Paulson
Progressive Realty (Boise Idaho) www.Progressive-Realty.info - Boise, ID
Owner,Broker

Thanks to the internet, many people can effectively work remotely.  That is causing a migration of a lot of buyers to new locations where there is a better quality of life for their families and lower priced homes.

For example, I have had a lot of custom homes built for people that retired in California and took their pension money based on their salaries there, to retire more comfortably in Idaho. 

I had a custom home built for a family where both the husband and wife were contract programmers for Hewlett Packard so they could work anywhere with good internet.  They each got a very healthy allowance for their "office" which we designed into their home.  That allowance alone paid their entire mortgage, utility bills, landscape maintenance and more. 

Jan 01, 2022 01:35 PM
Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty
Front Gate Real Estate - Brandon, MS
601-991-2900 Office; 601-278-4513 Cell

Personal interaction is the largest downfall to the shift to the Internet. The information flows much better, which can be a blessing and a curse.

Jan 01, 2022 06:35 PM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Yes the Internet is a double edged sword, I love DocuSign sold and listed many properties with clients I never met since one of my Niche is International Realtor in Beverly Hills..... as to some of the flip side is, I get texts at 10 pm New Years Eve and Christmas Eve to name a few... no introduction Just direct is this property available? I want to see it now:)) seriously no manners no class the list goes on and on...

Anyway we have to make the most Happy 2022 to you both, Endre 

Jan 01, 2022 11:31 PM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Los Angeles Pasadena 818.516.4393

Hello Tony - the Internet has introduced us to countless things.  In real estate and in daily life.  

Jan 02, 2022 03:01 AM
Beth Atalay
Cam Realty and Property Management - Clermont, FL
Cam Realty of Clermont FL

Good morning Tony, the way we conduct our business is a lot easier when it comes to paperwork today than it was many years ago. I am certainly thankful for all the tools we have today. You've provided us with a great list which we don't often think about.

Jan 02, 2022 07:17 AM
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND
Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker

Well said Tony Lewis . When you started talking about the pictures I first thought about my early walk throughs with a video camera and then I remember being in awe of drone footage.

Jan 13, 2022 05:10 PM
Lynn B. Friedman CRS Atlanta, GA 404-939-2727
Atlanta Homes ODAT Realty - Love our Great City - Love our Clients! Buckhead - Midtown - Westside - Atlanta, GA
Concierge Service for Our Atlanta Sellers & Buyers

YES -- YES __ YES!!!
Electronic signatures!
No more rushing in traffic to several locations to get signatures!!!!
All the best - Lynn

Jan 24, 2022 11:29 PM