Zillow announced earlier this month that it was shutting down its Zillow Offers iBuyer program. Zillow’s failure illustrates the limitations of technology in the real estate market. Technology is helpful, but it still takes a real estate expert to understand the nuances of the market. And understanding the market allows real estate professionals to help buyers and sellers by properly pricing and selling homes.
Continue reading Zillow Offers Failure Shows Value of Real Estate Experts
Today’s real estate market is one of the fastest-moving in recent memory. With record-low inventory in many market segments, we’re seeing multiple offers on most homes. We’re also seeing bidding wars—for homes in the most sought-after neighborhoods. This has led some sellers to question the need for an agent. After all, why spend money on a listing agent when it seems that you can stick a For Sale sign in the yard then watch a line form around the block?
Continue reading Should I Buy or Sell a Home Without a Real Estate Agent?
Technology is changing the way we do almost everything, and real estate transactions are no exception. In fact, a new crop of tech companies wants to revolutionize the way we buy and sell homes. They have brought a new kind of home buyer, called iBuyers, into the market.
iBuyer startups like Opendoor, Offerpad, and Properly are rapidly expanding into new territories. And now established players, like Zillow, are starting to get in on the action. Also known as Direct Buyers, these companies use computer algorithms to provide sellers with a quick cash offer to buy their home.
While the actual market share of iBuyers remains small, their big advertising budgets have helped create a noticeable buzz in the industry. This has left many of my clients curious about them and how they work.
In this article, I explain their business model, weigh the pros and cons of working with an iBuyer, and share strategies you can use to protect yourself if you choose to explore this new option to buy or sell your home.
Continue reading Everything You Need to Know About iBuyers