SDRealtor – You raise some really great points and I agree that in many cases there is real value that can never be replaced by the internet. There are a couple reasons in addition to cost savings why I believe this trend towards internet based services will continue to replace services typically offered by realtors. Information availibility – The information is now available to all, whereas in the past it was only available to realtors therby creating a demand for certain services. Wired Consumers – As people become more technologically savvy they demand efficient online services.
There will always be a need for the services you described, but I also think that as people become more savvy with technology there will be a growing percentage who want to do much of it themselves. I consider myself a prime example. Using all my the resources I have available I forsee needing only limited help with my next purchase. Wheras my parents would have just called up a realotr, I will probably pay something along the lines of $500 for advisory services, document review etc. If this trend gains traction it will result in less people seeking the full services of realtors, but more people seeking a la carte, document review, limited advisory type services. There will always be full service business advising heirs, high income clients etc., but if I had to guess I would think that there will not be nearly enough of it to go around to all the realtors we see in business today.
