How your smartphone can and can't help you hunt for a house - The Dallas Morning News

It’s hardly a surprise that, since their introduction a few years ago, smartphones have been a boon to buyers scouring for real estate.

But new research reveals that home shoppers rely on their mobile devices more than many realize. And that can have its pros and cons, the experts agree.

A recent report from the National Association of Realtors found that nearly three in four buyers used their smartphones to find the homes they purchased. Almost 80% of millennials started their hunt using their phone, versus 78% of Gen Xers and 68% of young baby boomers (54- to 63-year-olds); 17% of all buyers found their real estate agent with the aid of their mobile device, too. Additionally, merely 7% of consumers polled said they didn’t use online information when searching for a home for sale.

Jessica Lautz, the Washington, D.C.-based vice president of demographics and behavior insights at the NAR, said the major takeaway from the fresh data is clear.

“Homebuyers and sellers are embracing technology as a tool in the buying and selling process, and searching for a home using your phone is a natural step in this process,” she noted. “Buyers today are more connected than they’ve ever been in the past. They know how to use their phones as a tool, to find potential neighborhoods or listings, and to contact their Realtor to set up plans and next steps.”

Amy Freedman, a real estate associate at Cleveland-headquartered UpFlip, noted that the speed and convenience of a smartphone have changed the game for house hunters.

“Our devices make it faster to get information on any property in the blink of an eye. And since most real estate platform websites are mobile-optimized, it’s easy to get the same property views you’d see on a desktop computer,” said Freedman.

But it’s not just web surfing that shoppers are using their phones for; they can be used to scan in QR codes listed on “for sale” signs and connect quickly with an agent, too.

“They can streamline communications and decision-making process,” Robert Little, an agent with The Little Group and RE/MAX Advantage in Las Vegas, said. “Things can move pretty quickly in a real estate transaction, so the ability to connect instantly with an agent via phone, text or email while you’re out and about is crucial.”

Many also employ dedicated real estate apps on their smartphones – including those offered by strong brands in the industry like Trulia, Zillow, Redfin, Realtor.com and HomeSnap – to assist them in their property pursuits.

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“Apps can make it easy to find information about a home at any time and from any location. Many agents even have their own custom apps that can link directly to an area’s multiple listing service (MLS),” explained Robyn Flint, a Realtor at Keller Williams Realty in Forest, Virginia and homeowners insurance specialist at ExpertInsuranceReviews.com.

But experts caution against an over-reliance on your mobile device where real estate matters are concerned.

“Face-to-face exchanges can be much more productive than a text thread, email chain, phone call or even video chat. And it’s tough to get a feel for a home unless you’ve actually stepped inside of it,” added Little. “It’s not uncommon for one to fall in love with a home online only to fall right out of love on their first in-person visit.”

Flint points out that smartphones, which are only as good as the online info they share, are no substitute for a flesh-and-blood agent with experience.

“Realtors generally have more information that isn’t shared online. They can compare potential homes, ask sellers specific questions about a property on your behalf, and help you follow through with a home purchase.”

What’s more, a mobile phone’s small screen size can limit your ability to shop with confidence.

“Buyers want to see their desired properties like they were standing in front of it, which a smartphone can’t accurately do,” Freedman said.

For these and other reasons, it’s best to regard your phone as a research tool and gateway device that can take you to the next step: real estate interactions in the real world that can result in a real purchase.

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How your smartphone can and can't help you hunt for a house - The Dallas Morning News
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