Home Buying Search and the Internet

Percent of Buyers who first found their home on Internet from 1997 to 2005.

1997--2%
1999--4%
2001--8%
2003--11%
2004--15%
2005--24%

Websites used such as realtor.com, realtor's websites, and mls websites.

But, the use of the internet has not diminished the role of the Realtor in the home buying process. Homebuyers who used the internet to search for a home are much more likely to use a Realtor when purchasing a home. Four out of five homebuyers who the used the web in their home search purchased a home having a Realtor represent them. 11% bought directly from a builder or builder's agent with representation from a Realtor.

Information taken from "The 2005 National Association of Realtors Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers."

For me as a Realtor, the web is a great resource for my clients. It's a great way for people to feel like they are a part of the process rather than waiting for listings from their Realtor like it was years ago.