APRIL 2020
Capturing REAL Moments in Real Estate since 1995
VOLUME 24 • ISSUE 12
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Transforming Yourself During the Ever-Evolving Digital Age of Real Estate written by RIKI MARKOWITZ
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he digital transformation of the real estate industry has already reshaped how agents and brokers do business. But REALTORS across the country have been especially slow to react to these changes, primarily because keeping up with new technology is a big challenge for a lot of agencies, large and small. According to Austin Board of REALTORS President Romeo Manzanilla, “The industry is adapting on a daily basis,” but there’s still some way to go.
they are already familiar with the neighborhood.”
For many clients, the first steps of the home buying process is fairly easy. “As far as doing everything virtually, every buyer has that ability as long as there‘s enough information for them to be able to digest and take in,” says Manzanilla. There’s an abundance of data showing that when buyers have access to photos, virtual tours and all of the proper disclosures a lot of the early footwork can and does occur digitally, especially for investors. But Manzanilla adds, “Any buyer who wants to can make a buying decision if
can be completed using a wide range of online applications and tools.
We all know about virtual tours. As far as marketing and operations are concerned, they’re one of the most successful digital tools agents have. But it’s not just the way REALTORS show properties that has been disrupted over the past decade. A large percentage of what occurs throughout the entire real estate transaction — from researching properties to closing — According to the National Association of REALTORS 2020 Home Buyers and Sellers Generational Trends Report, “Among all generations of home buyers, the first step taken in the home search process was to look online for properties.” Further, according to the report, 84% of buyers searched for homes on the internet. [Digital Age of Real Estate on page 14]