Realtors Vs. Online Real Estate Database Companies

[Athena Brown]

Hello! I am a college student who is very curious on how real estate agents feel about the rise of online real estate database companies such as Zillow and Trulia, where buyers can browse listings and find homes all on their own.

Here are some questions I have:

Do you feel like your role as a realtor is starting to shrink because of websites like Zillow or Trulia that make it so the buyer can do the home search all on their own?

When was the last time you took a look at a website such as Zillow?

If you don’t see the use of online real estate websites as a problem now, do you see it as a potential problem in the future?

What are some ways you are trying to keep potential clients from doing the home search all on their own online?

What are some benefits of using a real estate agent instead of doing the home search through a website like Zillow on your own?

On a scale of 1 to 10 (1 being weak and 10 being strong), how good do you feel about your own ability to market yourself or team online, through social media like Instagram/Facebook, or on your own website?

Overall, what do you find would be beneficial in keeping traditional, in person realtors relevant?