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Internet revolution hits real estate WITH so much to do and so little time in which to do it, it isn't surprising that a growing number of people are opting to do business via the Internet.Like a growing number of industries, real estate now offers a large range of options to buy and sell property on the Internet, both local and international. A search for the words 'real estate' in Google provides a staggering 18 million Australian listings alone. Research from the Real Estate Institute of Queensland (REIQ) reveals that across the state, websites are regarded by consumers as one of the most important marketing tools when selling a property. Unlike the traditional house hunting methods where buyers spend the day going around to open houses and peering into various agency windows, buyers conducting online searches have access to a multitude of properties at their finger tips within seconds. REIQ Managing Director Don McKenzie, believes that the Internet leaves the door wide open for consumers looking for agents, properties, hints and tips and even property research. "Most REIQ Accredited Agencies have their own websites or use major real estate websites such as domain.com.au or realestate.com.au as marketing tools and property listing services to sellers around Queensland. "The Institute's own website www.reiq.com.au has a database of all REIQ Accredited Agencies, which includes direct links to their own websites. "The speed and ease with which the Internet provides answers is the reason many house-hunters and house-sellers are using online searches as a stepping stone to agent contact," said Mr McKenzie. The Internet has revolutionised the industry and the way agents market and sell real estate. Buyers save time and money by defining specific search criteria such as suburbs, dwelling type, number of bedrooms and price ranges. For sellers, the Internet provides exposure unequalled by any other form of promotion available to the real estate industry. "The ease with which buyers can search property sites also increases the seller's chances of a quick sale," said Mr McKenzie. "Real estate websites exponentially increase a property's exposure to buyers. "The Internet is also a good place to start when doing your homework prior to buying or selling," he commented. www.reiq.com.au includes a growing list of community profiles highlighting the features of metropolitan and regional suburbs. Buyers and sellers are also able to locate REIQ Accredited Agencies in their locality. "Consumers are lot more knowledgeable about the real estate industry than they were ten or even five years ago," said Mr McKenzie. "Increased media focus on the industry has seen an encouraging increase in the number of consumers doing their own research and gathering their own facts before buying or selling what is in most cases their most expensive asset." Becoming increasingly popular is www.worldproperties.com - an international property listing site hosted by the International Consortium of Real Estate Associations (ICREA) of which REIQ is a member. The website has a list of distinctive properties from countries all around the world with an appeal to international buyers. |
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