How Does that Compute?

The growth of information technology in real estate has provided benefits to both agents and consumers. Not only are buyers and sellers better informed and more demanding, but real estate agents are also able to offer a higher level of service.

When computers and the Internet first came to prominence and use in real estate, the expectation was that access to all that information would soon replace the need for representation in the sales transaction. Why then would there be so many more agents practicing now? In the real estate industry, the number of agents, the use of technology, and economic growth have all increased together over the years.

Now consumers can view listings online, research neighborhood demographics, and even find a lender after shopping around for the best rates and lowest fees. All of this creates a more educated homeowner or buyer, who understands the benefits of representation.

It's almost like "information overload," and the real estate agent is there to translate all the input, as well as assist with complicated matters like title insurance, inspections, legal documents, negotiations, and more.

Real estate, like law or medicine, is not something you learn on Internet search engines like Google or Yahoo. There may be such a thing now as virtual reality, but there can never be virtual realty, and there should never be a virtual agent!