Online platforms are changing how people buy and sell homes. Sites like Zillow, Redfin, and Opendoor let you browse listings, view virtual tours, and make offers without a real estate agent. This can save on commissions and offer more convenience. But it also comes with downsides. This article explores the key pros and cons of transacting real estate online.
The Pros of Transacting Real Estate Online
Despite the cons, online platforms also provide advantages that attract some buyers and sellers.
Swift Sales and Purchases
Sites like Zillow offers to purchase homes directly from sellers, reducing sale timelines. For buyers, connecting with sellers and viewing virtual tours online accelerates the search before committing to in-person home visits.
Increased Visibility
Listing on popular platforms casts a wider net when trying to find the right buyer. On the buying side, broad access to MLS listings expands options. Top real estate sites get millions of eyeballs monthly.
User-Friendly Experience
Leading real estate websites offer intuitive navigation, chatbot assistance, and responsive support. Virtual tours allow “showings” anytime. Dashboards simplify listing and offer property management. These factors enhance convenience.
More Control for Sellers
Using FSBO platforms, sellers control pricing strategy, buyer vetting, and marketing. You also keep the ~6% commission typically paid to an agent. This appeals to some sellers.
Flexibility in Process
Online platforms allow you to search for and consider homes on your own schedule, before involving an agent. For sellers, you can test different listing strategies and prices easily. This provides more flexibility.
The Cons of Buying and Selling Property Online
Purchasing a home is a huge decision. It pays to understand the potential drawbacks of going the online route.
Buying and Selling Take Time and Effort
Real estate deals involve many steps. For sellers, listing the home, coordinating showings, negotiating offers, and closing the sale take time. Buyers must research listings, visit homes, secure financing, and more. Online platforms can help streamline parts of the process but don’t eliminate these efforts.
Emotions Impact Pricing and Bids
Homes carry financial and emotional value for sellers. This can make objectively pricing and appraising the property difficult. On the buying side, competition and fear of missing out prompt hurried, emotionally-driven offers. An agent provides guidance to prevent suboptimal deals.
Online Visibility Is Limited
Your personal social network only extends so far. Real estate agents leverage industry connections you lack to market listings to more qualified buyers. This exposure is key, especially in hot markets where homes sell incredibly fast.
Vetting Buyers and Properties Is Difficult
Real estate agents can filter out unserious buyers and misrepresented properties. On your own, assessing a buyer’s qualifications and the legitimacy of listings poses challenges. This introduces the risk of sales falling through or buying “lemons”.
Negotiating Takes Specialized Skills
Navigating the art of price negotiations requires experience. Agents are skilled negotiators representing your interests. Without one, you may struggle to get top dollar as a seller or pay too much as a buyer.
| Pros | Cons |
| Faster sales/purchases | Time-consuming process |
| Increased exposure | Emotions affect pricing |
| User-friendly platforms | Limited visibility online |
| More seller control | Difficulty vetting buyers/listings |
| Flexible process | Lack negotiating experience |
Watch Out for Online Real Estate Scams
With the rise of digital real estate platforms, scams are increasing too. Scammers know people turn to the web to buy or sell homes. You need to be very careful online.
Some common real estate scams are:
- Fake rentals – Scammers list homes for rent that they don’t actually own. They collect application fees and the first month’s rent from victims.
- Phishing – Emails pretending to be from real sites try to steal your personal and financial info. Don’t click links or attachments.
- Wire fraud – Hackers divert your money during closings by breaking into email accounts. Use super secure passwords.
- Appraisal fraud – Dishonest assessors work with agents to artificially inflate home values. Get multiple estimates.
- Mortgage fraud – Lying on loan applications to make buyers seem more qualified is illegal and risky.
Protect yourself by double-checking everything and using common sense online. If it seems fishy, it probably is. Report anything suspicious.
Tips for Smooth Online Closings
Closing online without an agent takes planning. Be sure to:
- Get all documents early – Review with a real estate lawyer. Ask questions.
- Confirm closing procedures – Will it be remote or in-person? Know what to expect.
- Inspect before closing – Do a final walkthrough right before closing to check for issues.
- Verify funds transfers – Speak to your bank to ensure funds move on time.
- Change utilities – Forward utilities and services to the new owner.
- Adjust insurance – Update homeowners insurance immediately. Don’t go a day uninsured.
- Lean on your lender – They facilitate most closing tasks. Seek their guidance throughout.
Being ultra-organized, proactive, and diligent prevents last-minute snags that could derail your closing.
Should I Avoid Real Estate Agents Completely?
Real estate agents provide valuable expertise for many people. But you can also mix online and traditional methods:
- Search yourself first – Identify potential homes online before involving an agent.
- Ask for limited services – Some agents offer hourly help vs. full representation.
- Be your own listing agent – Use platforms like Redfin to handle listing but get an agent for buying.
- Just use it for final steps – Work online until you need help negotiating and closing.
- Go agent-less for selling – List yourself using FSBO sites but use a buyer’s agent.
See if you can handle key steps on your own. Pull in an agent as needed for guidance rather than fully outsourcing the process. This balances independence with support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any advantages to using online platforms for buying or selling real estate?
Yes, online platforms offer benefits like faster sales and purchases, increased exposure to a wider audience, user-friendly interfaces, more control for sellers, and flexibility in the process. They can streamline various aspects of the real estate transaction.
What are the potential downsides of buying or selling real estate online?
The online route can be time-consuming, as it doesn’t eliminate the effort involved in real estate deals. Emotions can impact pricing and bids, and online visibility may be limited compared to leveraging a real estate agent’s industry connections. Vetting buyers and properties can also be challenging, and negotiating requires specialized skills.
How can I protect myself from online real estate scams when using digital platforms?
To avoid scams, double-check everything and use common sense online. Be cautious of fake rentals, phishing emails, wire fraud, appraisal fraud, and mortgage fraud. Protect yourself by verifying information, using secure passwords, and reporting suspicious activity. When in doubt, seek advice from trusted sources.
Choose the Approach That Fits You Best
There’s no universally superior method to buy or sell real estate. Consider your specific needs and abilities to decide if transacting online will benefit or hinder you. For many, an agent’s expertise still provides immense value. Others are comfortable relying on technology. Carefully weigh the pros and cons before making this major financial decision.