Internet use up in searching for that dream home
I found this article interesting concerning the growth of internet use in the search for real estate. This is especially true of the Naples, Florida area where most of our buyers are from out of town and do alot of research before contacting a local realtor.
Nearly 40 percent of Americans with Internet access go online when they are seeking a place to rent or buy, according to a study by the Pew Internet and American Life Project.
Overall, more than 27 percent of all adults in the United States have looked online for information about housing, more than double the 13 percent of Americans who had done so in 2000.
About 51 percent of the youngest adult American Internet users, 18 to 29 years old, have searched online for housing information, compared with 43 percent of 30- to 49-year-old Internet users, 27 percent of 50- to 64-year olds; and 15 percent of Internet users age 65 and older.
Money is also a factor. 45 percent of Internet users whose household income is $75,000 or more have sought a home online.
Pew previously found that about half of Internet users have taken virtual tours, including checking out a home available for rent or for sale, nearly one-third have used an online classified service to search for housing.
The study supports data from the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® that shows 77 percent of home buyers had used the Internet to help in their home search in 2005.
Source: Associated Press, Anick Jesdanun (12/13/06)