com was created by three media groups - Times Mirror Co., the Washington Post and the Tribune Co., as another source of information on new homes. Shoppers can conduct a search by price, area, city, county, minimum square footage, subdivision amenities, number of bedrooms and baths. New Home Search, a Dallas firm, has a Web site featuring more than 100,000 builder models and plans offered by over 5,000 builders in 50 markets. More than 25 Realtors have used this cyber technique to market their listings, according to Ginny King of Digital Marketing Concepts. of, which gives buyers room-by-room video tour that can be viewed either on their Web site or on compact disc. This year has seen the launch by Baltimore-based Digital Marketing Concepts Ltd. in Baltimore that also includes basic information about the firm and its officers.Īnd for shoppers interested in new construction, there are Web sites filled with information about builder's models and floor plans - a marketing tool that is growing in importance for firms such as the Ryland Group Inc., said Robert Seeman, advertising manager. And if a client is traveling and you need to talk, you can send e-mail."Īnswers to questions about local taxes and explanations about settlements may be found in Web sites such as the one created by Citizens Title Co.
"If someone is relocating, they don't have to wait until they get here to see homes.
"People gathering information and being able to communicate is very, very helpful," said Tom Champion, senior loan officer for Norwest Mortgage Inc. Shoppers can evaluate a mortgage lender, look up the definition of a real estate term, read over a contract and keep in touch via e-mail messages with all parties in the transaction. "We're trying to make it easier for people by making information available to them at their fingertips."Ĭonsumers can use the Internet to select a real estate company and agent from a growing number of Web sites that often showcase a company's services on a home page that links to individual Web sites with photos and information on agents. "Fannie Mae is educating consumers so they can make informed choices from a place of knowledge rather than feel intimidated by the process," said Anne Ryals, HomePath specialist for Fannie Mae. It has mortgage payment and housing affordability calculators, a glossary of terms and help in finding mortgage lenders. It also helps them through the home shopping and buying process, and offers tips on choosing a mortgage. The site aids consumers in determining if they are ready to buy a home or whether they should refinance. One of the more highly regarded real estate sites is, sponsored by Fannie Mae. "The Internet is educating the buying and selling public, and the consumer is able to make more intelligent and better decisions." "There is a tremendous dissemination of information," said Ramsey "Bill" Flynn, president of O'Conor, Piper & Flynn-ERA. According to a Nielson survey done in December, one of every four adults is now using the Internet. That number is believed to have grown substantially over the past year.Īnd as Realtors reach out to consumers, consumers are embracing the new technology. Of the 350 largest residential real estate firms in the country, 219 had Web sites one year ago, according to the results of a survey by REAL Trends.
Growing numbers of real estate Web sites are providing consumers with quick and easy access to information about real estate transactions that wasn't so available before. It also means information - and lots of it.
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