Eight of 10 Prospective Homebuyers Opt to Shop Online

Over 80 percent of buyers searching the Internet for homes say online photos and detailed property information were useful, according to the National Association of Realtors’ 2012 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers. Virtual tours were cited by 45 percent of buyers, while interactive maps and neighborhood information were deemed useful by 41 percent of those polled. “Given the Internet’s convenience and round-the-clock accessibility, it’s not surprising that many home buyers first look online for properties and information when beginning their search,” says NAR President Gary Thomas. “Most buyers rely on Realtor-supported online resources like multiple listing service websites and Realtor.com.” Curt Beardsley, vice president of product marketing for Realtor.com, says the site is now the top-rated real estate app on iPhone/iPad, Android, Windows 7, and other major platforms, with 20 percent of its traffic tied to mobile visits. | Read More