Thread: How powerful is the Net when selling Real Estate?

Anyone who doesn`t believe the Internet isn`t a "Powerful Tool" when selling Real Estate may want to reconsider.
The NET plays such a vital role in Real Estate that it`s crucial as Realtors that you incorporate it`s usefulness to your advantage. Last Saturday I received a call from a couple in New York City who wanted to purchase a lake front home in Florida. They wanted this home to be a Summer Retreat a place where they could spend long weekends to escape the hustle of New York City!
They explained to me that the Hampton's weren`t an option any longer due in part to the tremendous amount of money it costs them each year!
The started searching the NET and wanted to know more about a listing we have in Lake Weir, Florida.
We emailed them a video of the home and two days later the wife called me to tell me "HOLD THAT HOUSE!!" She was extremely excited!
As any good Realtor knows dealing with a person from a different state is sometimes difficult. They say one thing and mean the other,so I started to use a "Soft Close" with this person, it is my opinion that if a buyer is really serious they`ll do whatever they have to in order to "HOLD A HOUSE"per se!
The conversation is as followed:
Me: I`m happy you "Love the House" the view of the lake is awesome and it`s so peaceful and tranquil up that way you`ll love it! Only one problem, we need to write an offer immediately.
New Yorker: Don`t sell that house, it`s mine. I couldn't`t dream of a nicer house if I had too! What do we do next?!!
Me: We need to have you and the seller agree upon a price and than we send you a contract.After that you`ll wire transfer our Title Company,begin inspections and secure a loan!
New Yorker: My husband and I couldn't`t believe the video you sent us it was very clear.The home looks to be in great condition. I`ll do you one better, I`m calling Jet-Blue to make arrangement's to fly down and meet you at the house.
Hard to believe, so I figure that maybe she`s kidding around, but she calls me back the next day and tells me that she`s made reservations to fly into Orlando. She`s already made a reservation for a rental car as well.
I don`t know about you, but I`m a firm believer of using every piece of technology that I can. I`m going to start using video on each listing.
If I can sell a home that fast and that easy, why the heck not?!
Back to the New Yorker, we met yesterday at our office we take her for a tour of the area, drive around Lake Weir, she`s on cloud nine!
Finally we take her to the house where she walks to the sun deck, sits down on a chair and stares at the lake.She doesn`t utter a word,she just stares! After 15 minutes she looks at me and smiles,"How Fast can we close?" she asks.
I start explaining we have to agree on a price and than look at financing. She stands up takes a picture of the Lake with her cell phone and sends the pic to her hubby! He calls back in less than 10 minutes, she moves towards the dock, where they`re discussing what to offer. She comes back ,instructs me to call the owners and give them their offer!
I place a call to the sellers, we start sitting down at the kitchen table to write the offer and the seller calls. We go back and forth with the couple and she excuses herself again to call her husband. We finally agree upon a price and she starts jumping up and down!
As I start writing the contract I explain the steps of securing a loan, she looks at me and tells me "They`ll pay cash" they want the sellers out of the home before July 4Th weekend!
Now I jump for joy,smile and continue writing! As I`m writing I keep telling myself that the NET is the only way to sell Real Estate.