When searching for a REALTOR®, what do I look for?

            -Donald

If I could nail it down to just a couple of key aspects, I would say integrity and feeling comfortable with them. You really need to feel that you can trust them, and that you will be able to communicate with them effectively.

I sat down with a seller, and he had a book on his dining room table titled “1001 Questions to Ask Your Real Estate Agent.” I looked at him and said, there is no way, I am going to sit here and answer 1001 questions.

I do recommend speaking with two or three agents. That way you can ask them about their experience and how they work. Whether you are a buyer or a seller, it is important to know if they are active in your market. Ask them about the local market, about their company and about them. It is a tough market in a lot of places right now, so don’t be surprised if they have not sold a lot of houses. Find out if they work alone or as part of a team. Find out if they use e-mail, text or a smart phone. If you prefer text, and they “don’t do that” you are going to have difficulty communicating.

As far as finding the three to speak with in the first place, personal referral is best. If you don’t know anyone that has bought or sold recently, try the old stand by– Google. Websites are a great resource. Read their blog. When was the last time they updated their website? Do they have any listings on their site? Where does their site come up in searches? Take a look at their listings on Realtor.com. Best of luck in search for a great Realtor.

David Welch specializes in residential re-sales and new home construction at RE/MAX 2000 Realty in and around Orlando, FL.

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REALTOR.com® was the most-visited real estate website last month

• With a 6.67 percent market share, Realtor.com dominates the list of the Top 20 real estate websites once again as the No. 1 most visited real estate website based on a sample of 10 million Internet users.

• Yahoo! Real Estate dropped one spot to No.3 with a 3.40 percent market share, while Zillow was No. 2 with a 3.43 percent market share.

• Rent.com and Zip Realty remain in the fourth and fifth spots this month. Rent.com came in with a 2.82 percent market share, down from last month’s 2.95 percent, while Zip Realty received a 2.56 percent market share, down from 2.70 percent in January.

• The remaining top ten websites included Trulia with 2.36 percent, Homes.com with 2.20 percent, MSN Real Estate with 1.96 percent, ServiceMagic with 1.93 percent and My New Place at No. 10 for the second month with 1.36 percent.

• The Hitwise report also indicated that Apartments.com was replaced by RE/MAX Real Estate as No.11, while Rentals.com continues to climb from No. 14 last month to No.13.

The new No. 1 is this charming 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath Pulaski, WI home listed for $199,900 (pictured above). The home offers 1,718 square feet with carpet, ceramic, and vinyl flooring as well as a fireplace and basement. It is located on 0.59 acres and includes a deck and shade trees.

Built in 2005, No. 2 is a 5 bedroom, 5 bath Tampa, FL home listed for $250,000. The 5,219 square-foot custom home is located in proximity to the private Tampa Yacht & Country Club located on the Hillsborough Bay. Elegant details include teak hardwood flooring, a wrought iron staircase and gourmet kitchen with granite countertops, natural gas appliances, double ovens, and butler’s pantry. The home also boasts a pool, spa, cabana, and lanai with TV hook-up. The master suite features a covered balcony and an oversized rainfall shower in the bathroom.

No. 3 is this 5 bedroom, 4.5 bath Orlando, Fl home listed for $190,000. Built in 2005, the contemporary 2,840 square-foot home includes an attic, master bedroom, bonus room, walk-in closets and a hydro-massage tub. It is located in a gated community that offers access to tennis courts as well as a pool, fitness center and playground.

This 3 bedroom, 1.5 bath Waterford, CT home listed for $169,900 features hardwood, tile and linoleum floors, an unfinished partial basement and attic storage space. Boasting 1,200 square feet, the Colonial was built in 1952 and has six rooms total including a master bedroom.

Coming in at No. 5 is this 3 bedroom, 2 bath Denver, CO home listed for $200,000. The Ranch/ Tudor style home boasts a master bedroom, den and basement with laundry room. Other features include wood and tile flooring, window coverings, newer paint, and a covered patio.

Rounding out the top 10 are:

6. 4 bedroom, 2 bath Boca Raton, FL home listed for $250,000.

7. 4 bedroom, 3.5 bath Orlando, FL home listed for $240,000.

8. 4 bedroom, 3 bath Peoria, AZ home listed for $215,000.

9. 5 bedroom, 3 bath Henderson, NV home listed for $184,900.

10. 4 bedroom, 2 bath Concord, CA home listed for $235,000.

Check out the Realtor.com Facebook page to see weekly updates on the Top 10 Most Searched Homes.

-Jana Schreiber, Move Trends Interim Editor
Email: Jana Schreiber@Move.com

Built in 2005, the new No. 1 (pictured above) is a 5 bedroom, 5 bath Tampa, FL home listed for $250,000. The 5,219 square-foot custom home is located in proximity to the private Tampa Yacht & Country Club located on the Hillsborough Bay. Elegant details include teak hardwood flooring, a wrought iron staircase and gourmet kitchen with granite countertops, natural gas appliances, double ovens, and butler’s pantry. The home also boasts a pool, spa, cabana, and lanai with TV hook-up. The master suite features a covered balcony and an oversized rainfall shower in the bathroom.

The reigning No. 1 has dropped down a spot for the first time in weeks. This a sunny 7 bedroom, 7 bath Boca Raton, FL home listed for $250,000. The estate boasts beautiful architectural details inside and out, with a covered balcony, sweeping staircase, gourmet kitchen, and an outdoor, built-in grill. Mediterranean features like marble flooring and vaulted ceilings, as well as a pool and view, make for an idyllic Floridian estate.

New to the list at No. 3, this 4 bedroom, 3 bath Pembroke Pines, FL home listed for $240,000 is pretty in pink and features 2,279 square feet of quaint, comfortable living. The home includes a wet bar, master bedroom, built-ins as well as carpet and tile flooring. Exterior elements include fruit trees, a shed and screened in patio.

Coming in at No. 4 is this 3 bedroom, 2 bath Denver, CO home listed for $200,000. The Ranch/ Tudor style home boasts a master bedroom, den and basement with laundry room. Other features include wood and tile flooring, window coverings, newer paint, and a covered patio.

This 4 bedroom, 3.5 bath Orlando, FL home listed for $240,000 is No. 5 this week. With 2,867 square feet, the Traditional style abode includes hardwood floors, a master bedroom, and vaulted ceilings. The home also offers access to a community pool, tennis courts, playground and park.

 Rounding out the top 10 are:

6. 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath Montverde, FL home listed for $184,000.

7. 3 bedroom, 2 bath North Fort Myers, FL home listed for $189,900.

8. 5 bedroom, 4.5 bath Orlando, FL home listed for $190,000.

9. 4 bedroom, 2 bath Concord, CA home listed for $235,000.

10. 3 bedroom, 2 bath Wildomar, CA home listed for $169,900.

Check out the Realtor.com Facebook page to see weekly updates on the Top 10 Most Searched Homes.

-Jana Schreiber, Move Trends Interim Editor
Email: Jana Schreiber@Move.com

The reigning No. 1 (pictured above) is a sunny 7 bedroom, 7 bath Boca Raton, FL home listed for $250,000. The estate boasts beautiful architectural details inside and out, with a covered balcony, sweeping staircase, gourmet kitchen, and an outdoor, built-in grill. Mediterranean features like marble flooring and vaulted ceilings, as well as a pool and view, make for an idyllic Floridian estate.

This 4 bedroom, 3.5 bath Orlando, FL home listed for $240,000 is No.2 for the second week. With 2,867 square feet, the Traditional style abode includes hardwood floors, a master bedroom, and vaulted ceilings. The home also offers access to a community pool, tennis courts, playground and park.

Coming in at No. 3 is this 3 bedroom, 2 bath Denver, CO home listed for $200,000. The Ranch/ Tudor style home boasts a master bedroom, den and basement with laundry room. Other features include wood and tile flooring, window coverings, newer paint, and a covered patio.

No. 4 is this 6 bedroom, 5 bath Henderson, NV home listed for $215,000. Built in 1998, this 4,242 square-foot Casita style home features custom cabinets in the kitchen and vaulted ceilings in the living room. Exterior amenities include a fully-fenced backyard, built in barbeque, pool and hot tub.

This 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath Frisco, TX home listed for $205,000, at No. 5, features a spacious 3,036 square-foot interior. A two-story grand foyer, formal dining room, upgraded light fixtures, and a kitchen with granite countertops and a gas cook top are just some of the highlights. The gorgeous rock/stone exterior and manicured landscape make for excellent curb appeal.

Rounding out the top 10 are:

6. 5 bedroom, 3 bath Orlando, FL home listed for $200,000.

7. The home is no longer listed.

8. 5 bedroom, 3 bath Discover Bay, CA home listed for $229,000.

9.  3 bedroom, 2 bath Bridgeport, CT home listed for $185,000.

10. 6 bedroom, 3 bath Charlotte, NC home listed for $250,000.

Check out the Realtor.com Facebook page to see weekly updates on the Top 10 Most Searched Homes.

-Jana Schreiber, Move Trends Interim Editor
Email: Jana Schreiber@Move.com

After launching the new REALTOR.com® Real Estate Search iPhone App last month, we received 100,000 downloads during the first 18 days, and reached 200,000 downloads in the first 28 days. On average, consumers utilize the app twice a day, for about 16.4 minutes per session- over 32 minutes a day.

That is 17 years worth of time spent in the app since it launched.

The app generates warmer and more actionable leads, meaning consumers are making more phone calls per listing views when using the app. Joel Burslem of 1000Watt Consulting, sees this fact as further exemplifying that, “the mobile web is the flyer box of the 21st century.”

The app has a very active user base compared to other free apps (11 percent vs. 1 percent) and users engage the app at 3 times the rate of the average set of free applications (16 min vs. 5 min).

RDC iPhone app vs. All FREE apps to date as of 02/07/10 

Source: Comparison of Pinch Media Q2/09 generated stats  & RDC logs from Flurry

31.4 percent of users conduct a nearby search when using the app, while 29.9 percent refine their searches, and 29.2 percent utilize the app for new searches, indicating that at least 40 percent of users are using GPS or nearby functionality and could be “nearby” where they are looking to find a home.

iPhone Search Usage Type between 01/20/10 through 01/26/10 

Source: Flurry logs 

Since its launch, the response to the Realtor.com iPhone app has been overwhelming. The app has generated a tremendous amount of positive word-of-mouth thanks to over 1,000 tweets and re-tweets. We have also received great feedback from iPhone users, reviewers, real estate professionals, bloggers  and traditional media.

What users are saying:

• “The app is simple, clean and does what it says on the tin. It is a great real estate search app, with tons of listings. It also has great tools to help in home buying like property ratings, notes and easy ways to share on FB and twitter.  Other apps I’ve used just don’t have the same depth of functionality.”  reallyhappy

•  “Easy navigation. Great search functionality and mapping tool. Can send listings to friends or agent. Save stuff and see it later on your computer. Love it!” nwportland

• “Syncs to the website version and allows you to save searches and favorites within the app. The alternatives simply don’t measure up.”  Maurice26

• “I am looking to buy a new home and I’ve used this website with great results. I also find this app to be just as useful and I love that I can save the listings I’m almost interested in viewing.  It’s a valuable resource for any house hunter.”  Michchick

Reviewers are saying:

• “If you enjoy driving or walking through a neighborhood and playing “guess the price” on all of those houses for sale, Real Estate Search can use your location to get the details about the properties you are seeing. This is also a useful feature when you are about to put your house on the market and want the dirt on the competition, since you can view multiple large photos and detailed property features,” MacWorld

• “The Realtor.com app is, of course, free. Playing around with it almost leaves me wishing that I was in the market for a house again,” Technologizer

Real Estate Professionals are saying:

• “Truly outstanding!  This is a great tool for my real estate brokerage profession. Very well designed with awesome features tied into the social media. Great app!” Wil Riva Sanibel Island   

• “As a retired realtor and user of Realtor.com, I was amazingly surprised at how great this app works. Wow! Can see all the pictures for each listing as well as have saved lists, etc. Can also email listings to people with one touch. Thanks for the app!” Suzidoer

Bloggers are saying:

• “The Realtor.com app is hands down the best real estate search tool on the market right now….I’m usually not this effervescent in my praise. In fact, many have called me a downright cynic at times. But this app is a true joy to use and fulfills the original promise of Realtor.com. It’s all the listings in one place.” Joel Burslem, Realtor.com fulfills its promise with new iPhone app

• They key features of the Realtor.com iPhone app are, GPS location of nearby homes for sale and open houses, the ability to sync your mobile searches with your online Realtor.com account, save searches to the iPhone itself, the ability to share properties via email, Facebook & Twitter, and a notes section for rating the properties you visit. I’ve had the chance to play with the app for several days now and it’s very responsive and accurate in my area. Each house I drove to had a for sale sign out front.” Jeff Turner, Realtor.com Launches An iPhone App

• Agents that already utilize Realtor.com to post their listings will be able to sync with their account via the app. Branding and contact information is carried over so that interested buyers can easily reach out to the agent, or even add the agent to their iPhone address book. In fact, an interested buyer can contact the listing agent in a number of ways with a single tap: ask a question, call agent directly, visit agent website.” Nicole Nicolay, Realtor.com Launches New iPhone App & Makes Mobile Home Search Useful

• My favorite feature is the “drive around and use your location” to find listings – but you can also enter an address for a particular listing and/or its surrounding competitors and even enter the MLS number. Great move on Realtor.com to empower the consumer.  Personally, an educated consumer is the best one in my book.” Ines Hegedus-Garcia, New Realtor.com iPhone App

Major media outlets are saying:

• “The app lets you search for nearby homes and open houses, saves listings that you may want to look at later, and keeps a record of those you’ve recently viewed….You can e-mail listings to friends or post them to Twitter and Facebook…Searches can be refined to include houses within a specified distance of where you are, by price range, number of bedrooms and baths, size, age of home and other parameters,” New York Times

• “Users can take camera-phone pictures of listings as they tour them, assign them star ratings, jot notes on the phone, and quickly post listings to their Twitter or Facebook pages — or e-mail them to friends, family and their real estate agents.” Washington Post

• “Realtor.com’s app also allows you to enter in notes and assign the property a star rating, which it saves for you – a nice assist when the average home search takes 12 weeks and involves as many as 16 homes.”  CNN Money

• “The free download (available at iTunes.com) puts property shoppers in direct touch with all the home listings at Realtor.com, the biggest of the real estate search sites. It also enables users to do tailored searches, save notes, take pictures and send links to the properties in real time via e-mail, Twitter or Facebook, in case you want to solicit others’ opinions on a candidate house.” Chicago Tribune

• “I played with the app a bit, and was envious that such a useful resource wasn’t around when I bought my home. My stepdad, a real-estate agent two decades ago, was even more envious. “Do you know how long it would have taken me to get that information?” he asked me.” MSN Real Estate

Download the free Realtor.com iPhone app now, and improve your home search experience.

-Audie Chamberlain, REALTOR.com® Blogs

This means home buyers and sellers in the aforementioned markets no longer have to base decisions on out-of-date or unreliable data now that the Olympic Listing Service and Cambria Somerset Association of Realtors has joined the growing list of MLS organizations displaying actual sales data about recently sold properties on Realtor.com.

Until now, sold data for properties has typically been available through County public records after 90-days of a transaction being completed. This delayed access to accurate data is one reason home valuations on many real estate portals are inaccurate, out of date and unreliable. County records also don’t always include significant property amenities which often have an impact on sale prices.

Information on “sold properties” will be displayed within the “Find Home Values” feature found on the homepage of Realtor.com.

“If you’re basing a real estate decision on old or out-of-date information, you risk making a poor decision with potentially significant financial consequences,” said Realtor.com President, Errol Samuelson. “Providing current and detailed information on sold properties drawn directly from the local MLS, in conjunction with our 15-minute fresh update program, educates buyers and sellers so they can have more productive conversations with their local Realtor as they navigate real estate.”

REALTOR.com® was the No. 1 most visited real estate website once again last month, leading with total unique visitors for the month of January according to the January 2010 comScore report.

Last month, Realtor.com attracted more than 7 million unique visitors- followed by Yahoo! Real Estate, which got 5.6 million unique visitors.

Other top-ranked real estate sites in January included MSN Real Estate, with 3.5 million unique visitors in January, and AOL Real Estate, which had 2.8 million unique visitors last month.

Tailored to make the search for a home an easier and more efficient process, it allows users the ability to not only choose the neighborhood, street, and exact address they want, they can now narrow down their results by price, property type, number of rooms, or even lot type with just one click.

If buyers want a house located on a cul-de-sac, they can simply click on the “cul-de-sac” option to find the homes that meet their needs. The new options will also allow users to preview their selection by displaying a listing count of homes that include a specific feature even before users select them. Once their specifications are checked off, the results page will immediately update with the changes.

If those clickable options don’t have you convinced of the expanded capabilities of the new search, Realtor.com has also added 26 searchable features under the “more search options” button. If a home buyer wants a home that is pet-friendly, eco-friendly, or both, the new search options will only yield homes that specify, “pets allowed” or “energy efficient home.”  Some of the other exciting search features include the ability to find properties with mountain, lake, river or ocean views for those who want a home that offers some stellar scenery.

Finding a house that meets all of your needs can sometimes be a difficult process, and Realtor.com is dedicated and determined to bring you a search experience that is as enjoyable as it is easy.

In addition to the Open Houses Nearby button, which uses the GPS feature to navigate users through unfamiliar neighborhoods, the iPhone app also includes a Notes and Ratings feature that gives on-the-go buyers the ability to keep their Realtor up-to-date with their impressions and opinions throughout their home search. Users can also send their friends, family, or agent a link to a property via e-mail, Twitter or Facebook to get feedback from their trusted confidantes.

Joel Burslem, of 1000Watt Consulting, who was named one of the Top 25 Most Influential Real Estate bloggers in 2007 and 2008 said upon reviewing the app: “The Realtor.com app is hands down the best real estate search tool on the market right now….I’m usually not this effervescent in my praise. In fact, many have called me a downright cynic at times. But this app is a true joy to use and fulfills the original promise of Realtor.com. It’s all the listings in one place.”

Lifehacker.com says, “This nifty app for the iPhone and iPod touch taps directly into the listings at Realtor.com to give you all kinds of information on nearby homes for sale…. If you’re in the market for a new home, or just want to daydream about what’s out there, then this app is a good start. It’s a handy way to carry around a comprehensive overview of the housing market right in your pocket or purse.”

Download the free Realtor.com iPhone app now, and improve your home search experience.