Docteur, I like your posts too. Hopefully you’re coming to the meet-up in July!
I work in marketing for my family’s manufacturing biz. We have survived for many reasons, but one of them is because we have embraced technology (unlike other US mfrs.) Anyway, in my marketing role, I have to stay up on Search Engine Technology. I thought many of you might find the following link interesting: http://searchenginewatch.com/searchday/article.php/3611756
It is clear the web is having a huge impact on RE.
I’m not convinced that individual real estate agents need a website, but they do need to understand and appreciate the impact the web is having on their business (and all related businesses.) At the very least, potential referrals will google a realtor’s name and a realtor without a website could present an image of a realtor who is not living in the 21st Century, and therefore not as knowledgeable. That’s just my marketing opinion of course.