Rita,

According to studies conducted by the National Association of Realtors, over 82% of all home buyers begin their search online. In my experience, I think that number might be low because it seems as if everyone has been on the internet searching for homes, regardless of whether they are in the market to purchase a home or not!

There is no doubt that the internet will continue to grow in popularity with home buyers who find it convenient to look at homes from the convenience of their home. This convenience does come with some caution, though. Like all things on the internet, online searches can't replace the physical act of viewing a house.

All of the pictures in the world can't tell you exactly what a house looks like--for good and bad--and buyers tend to eliminate or select homes based upon what they see online. I know that some of my buyers have passed up homes because the pictures don't look good when in fact the house was perfectly good. Conversely, too many homes look a lot better on the computer screen than they do in person!

Best wishes,

David

The most recent stat I have found was 84% of people used the internet to find their home and 29% found the home they purchased on the internet. Those are still 2007 stats and they have been going up.

Here is the link to REALTOR.ORG
http://www.realtor.org/press_room/public_affairs/tpinterneta…

I think 80 to 85 percent of people search on line before actually going out to see a home.

I think it may be even more than the 80% statistics that you read everywhere. Even buyers working with Realtors, are directed by those Realtors to look at the homes before they decide to actually look at them, saving time and Gas $$$$.

The statistics that I have seen show that 75% at least start their search online.

Hello Rita,

The data that I have says that about 80% of all buyers look online to buy a home now. This is the largest percentage yet to date ever. Marketing online now is more critical than ever. Maximizing amount of photos and putting remarks next to every picture is a must. Sheri Mapes the Cincy House Expert

To answer your question. " What percentage of Buyer's look for homes online?" It depends on the source of the answer 70% to 90% look at homes online.

I read an online article about a month ago...there is a 500% more chance that a home will be seen and sold through the internet versus print advertising.

And, I learned the following statistics in a Real Estate class - over 80% of home buyers are beginning their search on the internet. They are searching for 2 to 3 weeks before contacting an agent. 88% are interested in a property they see online. And, 78% of Real Estate agents are finding buyers online.

I can't comment on actual numbers, but I can say that with few exceptions I found possible homes before my Realtor. I would actually forward listing links to our Realtor to 'check out'.

I would also agree that properties can be misrepresented online. We finally figured out that online sites can tell you square footage, asking price and location. If those items are even close....GO LOOK AT IT! Don't rule anything out just from an online listing.

A side note...While the listings themselves are generally sub-par, tools such as aerial shot on maps.live.com and satellite imagery can be very valuable if taken with a grain of salt. Googles new 'street level view' is just plain cool.

Recently in a Real Estate class, I heard the numbers were climbing fast - that about 80% now look online first - BEFORE contacting an Agent.

Lately in a Real Estate class I heard the numbers were as high as 80%!