The digital era has changed almost every aspect of our lives, including the way we buy homes. The time and effort saved using the internet is something today’s consumers heavily rely on.
Fortunately for new movers, it’s never been easier than it is today to search for and buy a home online. With the plethora of online information and the increasing number of digital tools geared to simplify the home search process, homebuyers can take more control than ever before.
Digital Home Search
Consumers have several online tools available to make the home search process faster and easier.
Websites like Zillow, Trulia, and Realtor.com enable homebuyers to house-hunt more efficiently. Allowing you to narrow down options based on your specific wants and needs – and even giving you the ability to schedule virtual or in-person showings directly. You can save your listing search history and receive notifications on similar homes that enter the market.
These home-search platforms are now places where you can take virtual tours and scroll high-quality photos. They enable you to learn everything you can about the neighborhood, including schools, parks, amenities, and even noise-levels of the neighborhood.
Check out these statistics on how the digital world is transforming the way consumers look for homes:
- In 2024, the home buying process for many started online, with 43% of buyers indicating that their first step was to look for properties on the internet. Additionally, 21% of buyers reached out to a real estate agent as their initial action.
- Buyers spent a median of 10 weeks searching for a home in 2024, typically viewing seven homes, and two of those homes were viewed online only.
- All home buyers used the internet to search for a home. The most valuable content on websites were photos (41%), detailed information property information (39%), and floor plans (31%).
- 69% of buyers used mobile or tablet devices for their search.
- Zillow.com was the most visited real estate website worldwide, with an average 336.3 million visits per month.
Virtual Home Tours & Digital Tools
Not only are homebuyers heavily relying on the internet for their home search, they are now able to complete the entire home buying process online if they want to – including attending home tours and open houses.
For buyers who are unable to view properties in person, virtual home tours have become increasingly available. Virtual home tours are interactive and provide buyers with a 360-degree view, giving them a better sense of a home’s space. Buyers can virtually “walk through” a home and view the areas and details they want to see. Not only have virtual tours become popular, 90% of buyers are more likely to view a property when it includes a virtual tour and 75% of potential buyers consider virtual tours a major factor in their purchasing decisions.
Check out some of the other digital tools buyers say they would like to use when searching for a home.
Virtual Home Inspections
While many homebuyers generally want to attend the home inspection so they can see any problems firsthand, virtual home inspections offer a convenient alternative for buyers who may not be able to attend in person. Inspectors can hop on a video conferencing tool, share high-resolution photos, and detailed reports of their findings. They can walk buyers through potential issues and answer their questions.
Buyers can gain insight into the property’s structure, systems and maintenance needs without having to be physically present. This gives them flexibility, saving time and travel costs, especially if they are relocating or dealing with scheduling constraints. Likewise, Inspectors can manage their schedules more effectively.
Finding Mortgages Online
The mortgage industry is going digital. According to Ellie Mae’s recent Borrower Insights Survey, borrowers continue to move away from applying for loans in person, as they look for a process combining both high-tech and high-touch elements.
Researching mortgage lenders online has become more prominent over the last five years, with almost all recent borrowers conducting some sort of online research. Today’s first-time home buyers, particularly in the millennial generation, expect to be able to start the mortgage process online and have in-person communications for important portions later on.
Check out some of these interesting statistics about how the mortgage application process shifted to be more digitally focused:
- 69% of homebuyers prefer handling their mortgages entirely online.
- 55% of all homebuyers used the hybrid approach, the most popular way of obtaining a mortgage
- In general, consumers want to leverage technology to speed up the mortgage process, but they also seek a ‘human touch’ as they navigate this very personal and significant life decision.
As you can see, the home buying process is drastically changing, with a huge focus on the digital experience.
To reach this new generation of movers, paying close attention to these trends will help inform more effective marketing strategies.
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