According to National Association of Realtor (NAR) 2006 statistics,  the method used to sell a house has trended over time to ever increasing use of realtors/agents by home sellers.  The NAR report states, "The share of home sellers who used an agent or broker, has risen over time from about 80 percent in the late 1990s to 84 percent today.  At the same time, the share of FSBO (For Sale Buy Owner)  sellers has declined from 18 percent in 1997 to 12 percent today".  While NAR does not provide the reasons behind the trend, from my experience it seems as though a significant factor behind the change is due to technological changes brought on through ever increasing use of the internet.  Although technology and use of the internet has tended to help educate buyers and sellers, it seems that they are ever more aware these days of the need to utilize the services of a professional agent skilled in the use and interpretation of data and information from systems integrated with the internet.  Indeed, sellers are putting ever increasing pressure on realtors to market their properties on venues beyond the tried and true multiple listing system (MLS).  Virtual Tours are now commonplace on MLS listings and home video tours are now touted as one of the latest marketing tools to display properties in a compelling manner.  Although the jury is still out on the impacts of other venues like Craig's List, eBay, etc., it is the local MLS that is the mainstay of access to information that helps realtors bring buyers and sellers together.  Technology continues to improve the MLS too, and the result is that what was once exclusive to brokers and agents has now been made widely available to the public (through various realtor and related sites) who wants to search the real estate market for available homes and research sales trends etc.  In fact, prospective buyers and sellers can view all of the properties in the local MLS on our site as well as view our featured listings (where your home could be featured too!) It is our desire too simplify the search for buyers who want market information, and attractively market our sellers listings.  This is a value added proposition!  Your agent should add value to your search/research as well as to the overall process of buying and selling.  If you are considering selling your home, please give us a call, send us an email or register with us to request an appointment.  I'm certain there's a buyer out there right now waiting to find your home and make it theirs.

Hope your weekend was great!

Bernie