I was curious about websites and what we look at when searching for homes. So, I did a little searching and here is what I find.
There are more than 500 websites !
Lets start with your Zillow, Realtor.com,Trulia (owned by Zillow) type sites - here they are syndicated through the local MLS ( Multiple Listing Service). The information provided is based upon the information stream (RETS Feed) that is established between the MLS and the site.
That information is often then disseminated to the website and often into a different format. Often the agent is not able to make changes to these sites as it is proprietary to the sites creator. These sites offer searches to the public to assist in the home search at no cost, however, they are a lead capture site. The Zillow and Realtor.com sites then have a program whereby agents and brokers can sign up to have leads "referred" to them for a fee.
Then we have those just dedicated to their brand such as Century21.com - they have what is known as an IDX feed . An IDX (Internet Data Exchange) offers listings of the MLS through their site and is a convenient way to search the MLS and still be "in brand" .
Most real estate companies locally offer this on their websites, it assists consumers in their search and populates website with content to keep the consumer searching at one website and not having to seek other sites for listing information. The listing office is noted in the IDX feed though it is often hard to find even for seasoned agents. These also can be lead generating to the agent/office if they are asking for your email to continue searching, the lead then goes to the company/office or listing agent.
For the best service call a LOCAL REALTOR! that is your best bet for getting quality answers and real time information on a listing. Most of us work nights and weekends so no time is a bad time to reach out!
The good news is that if you are listing with an agent your property is likely to show up on so many websites and have exposure to a larger pool of buyers looking to purchase. The down side is that some information may be incorrect and need attention that an agent may not have control of.
For buyers there is a good chance you will find your next home on a website - maybe before you see it in person you will see it online and feel that emotion of seeing yourself in a new space. If that happens be sure to call your agent and make the appointment to walk through and see it in real time. The market is still challenging, but there are opportunities out there and new listings are coming your way!
