Searching used to be an advantage reserved for realtors – an agent could make a living just by being the most proficient searcher, jumping on the new listings before anyone else.

Now everyone has the same access, and no advantage available to the quickest, especially when you consider how fast buyers gravitate to a new listing. Sellers are caught off-guard by the incoming phone calls within minutes of hitting the MLS, and get spooked. It is tough to get a seller/listing agent to commit, when there is so much early action.

So the name of the game now is securing the sale, which usually means navigating the multiple-offer environment, and/or convincing a listing agent to take your deal when there are so many birds in the bush.