REALTORS® Increase Internet Usage

© Inman News

Nearly one in four real estate transactions is generated from the Internet, according to a new California Association of REALTORS® survey tracking current trends in REALTORS®' use of technology. The survey, which was released today during Tech Tuesday at California Realtor Expo 2004 in Santa Clara, also tracked behavioral changes in Realtors use of technology, as well as adoption rates of hardware, software and Internet connectivity.

"REALTORS® continue to be more technologically savvy than their counterparts in years past, and have integrated numerous technological tools into their day-to-day businesses as well as real estate transactions," said C.A.R. President Ann Pettijohn. "Use of the Internet and Internet marketing has increased, as REALTORS® respond to meeting the needs of today's tech-savvy home buyers and sellers."

The survey also found:

• At 92%, email remains the primary use of the Internet for REALTORS®, followed by MLS access
• 82% have a high-speed Internet connection at home, compared to 71% one year ago
• All REALTORS® own one or more personal computers dedicated to their real estate business
• 38% of REALTORS® said their most important technology upgrade in the last year was purchasing a new computer
• 53% of REALTORS® maintain a personal website
• REALTORS®' use of the Internet in marketing efforts has increased to 70%, compared with 10% in 2003
• 45% of REALTORS® use email as their primary form of communication with their clients

Los Angeles-based C.A.R. is a state trade organization with more than 150,000 members.