Today very few buyers look in the newspaper or magazines to find a home. Why should they when they can just about find anything they want on the Internet. Plus the net is instant information. Buyers today want their information fast, concise and on their terms. No hassles- no high pressure sales agents.

It’s a very different market with very unique buyers…buyers that a lot of agents and sellers are not used to and in some cases simply don’t understand. That means marketing efforts need to change… attitudes need to change. This is a tough market for a seller and a great one for a buyer.

We know that nearly 80% of the buyers and I bet it’s more now, start their home search on line. In NH we know that 47% of those actually found the home they ended up buying on line.

A recent survey by the California Association of REALTORS said that 92% of the Internet buyers found their agent on line. Does your agent have an online presence? Does your home? Is that important…you bet it is.

Have you Googled your real estate agents name lately? Google mine and see what comes up. I’m pretty much an open book. Is your agent? In this market you need all the advantages you can get and that means reaching the potential buyers on their terms…their way. Their way is crucial!
That National Association of REALTORS� publishes a yearly report on Home Buyers and Sellers, they also break this report down to reflect the individual states. Having stats for the state of New Hampshire rather than nationwide is a valuable tool one that Jay and I use.

For example did you know that the average buyer purchases a home 15 miles for their previous residence… I didn’t know that!

That means that people really don’t move very far and that the potential new owner of your home could be living in your town. All the more important is that yard sign of yours. Make sure especially as fall and winter approaches that your sign is clearly visible from all angles. Please…please keep shrubbery trimmed around the sign…nothing is as frustrating for the REALTOR� professionals and potential home buyers as a hidden for sale sign!

You want your house to Pop…don’t hide the sign!

Did you know that 89% of New Hampshire’s home buyers purchased their home through a REALTOR� Professional? 89% now that’s a huge percentage if you ask me…of course I’m probably a little prejudiced since I am a REALTOR� Professional… but I still think that’s a huge percentage!� Hey don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying don’t try to sell on your own if that’s what you want to do but consider the facts…89% that means that 11% came from some other source…maybe from your For Sale By Owner sign or maybe not?? Oh by the way out of that 11% something like 4% are people you already know.

So now think about this…28% of the home buyers learned about the home they purchased through a REALTOR� Professional and 47% learned about it through the Internet…that means that you need to be sure your REALTOR� Professional has a strong company website!

Folks you need to check out your real estate companies website…don’t let anyone fool you about this one. Yes the personal touch is still needed..Thank goodness!� 89% bought their home through a REALTOR� Professional BUT 47% found their home on the Net! You betcha…a solid web presence is crucial to your success!!!

Lets look at the rest of the story.
We know that:
28% of the buyers found the home they bought from a REALTOR� Professional.
47% found the home they bought from the Internet.
12% found the home they bought from a yard sign.
AND get this 2% from print newspaper advertisement.
6% from a friend, relative or neighbor.
3% directly from the sellers.
1% from the home builder or their agent.
1% from a home book or magazine.

So where do you think your buyers are? I bet their surfing the web, watching and waiting. Can they find your agent…your home on the web?

Time to change your attitude.

NH Real Estate Professionals Jay and Monika McGillicuddy