| Statistics tell us that as many as 80% of all home | | | | you. |
| buyers will start their search for a new home by | | | | Often, real estate agents will actually state in their |
| browsing the Internet. The Internet is often used | | | | profiles that they are Internet proficient. This |
| for browsing new properties, especially when | | | | could mean that they may know more about |
| there is distance involved. | | | | market trends and economic indicators in the |
| While looking at the Internet gives a general feel | | | | business world as well as having all the realty |
| for areas and prices, for obvious reasons, at | | | | facts at their fingertips. |
| some point you will need to involve a real estate | | | | Many real estate agents take time out to attend |
| agent. Local real estate agents know their areas | | | | special courses that upgrade their skills. These |
| and know about pending building plans, schools etc. | | | | courses can cover anything from financial |
| Often on the Internet you can only see the actual | | | | expertise to selling homes to seniors. When |
| property for sale. | | | | selecting a real estate agent ask if he has been |
| Familiarity with the Internet is one of the key | | | | on any extra curricula courses. |
| requirements to being a skillful real estate agent in | | | | Check on the number of sales that the office has |
| today's market. This skill not only speeds up the | | | | recorded in the last month or two and ask how |
| property finding, it also means that the computer | | | | many are his. Does he mind if you check on a |
| can do the compilations for you, and you can get | | | | couple of the 'sold' house owners and see how his |
| the perfect home without getting out of your | | | | references check out? |
| chair! | | | | Can you judge his negotiating skills? Does he listen |
| One of the questions to ask a real estate agent is | | | | to what you actually ask? Ideally, you want to |
| how familiar are they on the Internet? Make sure | | | | feel really comfortable with the fact that the real |
| they can contact you by email and that they can | | | | estate agent seems a person that will understand |
| turn up the MLS listings for you to look at. Sit | | | | your choices and wishes. |
| with your real estate agent and get the virtual | | | | If you want to save time, money and frustration, |
| tour on a couple of homes. If you are not so | | | | take the time to find a real estate agent that |
| familiar with the Internet yourself, you will soon | | | | knows exactly what you want and who knows |
| realize how much time and legwork it can save | | | | exactly where to find it on the Internet. |