Redding's Ups and Downs

Over 90% of people today, wanting to invest in real estate, usually start on the internet and spend time every day looking for answers to their questions. With the resources available on the World Wide Web, real estate information is now accessible for everyone. In this market, buying, selling, speculating, and developing real estate is easier, better, and faster than ever. Or is it? Often it is, but not always.

I epitomize today's consumer. I not only work hours on the internet everyday, I also spend time looking for information on whatever catches my whimsy at any given moment. Drives my husband nuts! Right now, I want information on choosing the absolute perfect reasonable gift for our four year old and six month old grandsons for Christmas. I'm also looking for the perfect recipes for fixing Thanksgiving dinner for thirty or so of our relatives. Any ideas?

How many times do I go to the internet for answers instead of just asking an informed person, which could possibly save me hours on the internet? Everyday. And why? Partly, I think, is because of today's mistrust of a real live person giving the answers. Plus, one person gives me just one opinion and on the internet I can get hundreds of opinions. Then I can come to my own conclusions, not someone else's. I like that.

This evolution of the way consumers think is real. As far as housing, Realtors no longer hold all the keys to the real estate kingdom. Anyone can find answers to real estate questions online. But remember, real estate decisions are very important. It's most people's biggest investment. So why do consumers spend hours online looking for answers to real estate questions? Why, when we probably already know the answers and could quickly respond to questions with just a quick email? Partly because of the mistrust, and I understand that. Why should I ask you to trust us, especially when that's how we earn a living? I can't. Although, time and time again, after hours, days, and months of searching the internet for answers, our new clients will say:

“We wish we would have come to you first, you would have saved us hours of frustration and time.”

Maybe today I should call Toys R Us and ask about the best Christmas gifts for our grandsons and maybe I could call the Kitchen Shop and ask the demonstration cook for their favorite Thanksgiving recipes. But I probably won't because I want lots of opinions on these topics. And truthfully, wanting information on Christmas toys and Thanksgiving recipes are for fun. They're not life changing decisions.

As a consumer, another thing I like about the internet is it gives me space and privacy. I love the space to be in my own world, without distractions and interruptions. (Our children are in their thirties and are on their own, yahoo!) Sometimes, I can forget the real world for a while, and sometimes I don't even answer the phone when I'm on the internet.

Today, I will be working on the internet plus I will be looking for answers to my simple questions regarding Christmas and Thanksgiving. Yes, I'm a great example of the evolution of today's consumer. And if you have important real estate questions, and want to search on your own, I understand. But do bookmark our web site. It's full of great information.  And please remember, real estate decisions you make today will affect the rest of your life.