Technology Entrenched in Real Estate
The National Assn of Realtors (NAR) has released the 2010 Realtors Member Profile. The results are representative of the 1.1 million Realtors who belong to NAR. The typical member has 10 years of experience, and many have taken special training, increased their web presence, and brought social media into their businesses over the past year. More than half use social networking sites, up from 35 percent in 2009.
Realtors also have responded to the change in the market toward homebuyers using short sales, needing pre-foreclosure assistance, and the glut of inventory of bank-owned properties. Although it was just launched at NAR's Annual Conference and Expo in November 2009, the SFR Certification has already become NAR's top certification, held by 12 percent of respondents.
I am one of those 12% of Realtors holding the SFR, or Short Sale and Foreclosure Resource designation. I achieved the training to add 3 new designations this past year, so I am positioned to be an expert in the new trends in our market of distressed properties. I added the CDPE (Certified Distressed Property Expert) and FSP (Five Star Professional) to my resume.
The study also found that technology plays a critical role in Realtors' success: 94 percent use e-mail daily or nearly every day, 91 percent use computers, and 56 percent use smart phones with wireless e-mail and Internet capabilities. Less frequently used but important technologies include digital cameras, instant messaging, GPS devices, and PDAs without phone capability. More than six in 10 NAR members have a personal website, while 89 percent report their firm has a Web presence. Seven out of 10 Realtors have a home office.
Contact me with your questions on either buying or selling real estate in our Daytona Beach marketplace. It is a challenging time, and you need a professional Realtor on your side. I use all the benefits of technology in my business to help you find the solutions you need.
Sherry Armstrong, Realtor
386-679-3191
yourkeytothebeach@gmail.com
www.sherryarmstrong.com
www.ormondbeachscene.com
www.daytonabeachscene.com