I believe that the business of Real Estate has changed a lot in the last 10 years. Some people think tha t Realtor may go away with all the data available on the net but fail to understand the whole loop. The web is an output form for the information and the information comes from somewhere. That somewhere in many cases is the real estate agent collecting the data on each listings across america and Canada and inserting data in the MLS database. Realtors are part of the loop. If giants companies or website agregators cuts them off where will the data come from? Who will drive by each house to collect the ever changing conditions of each homes? Public records alone are not enough and are often not updated or contain little information when considering the whole buying process.

Even though you can find listings, etc on the internet, when it comes to actually purchasing the house and getting everything done, Realtors will continue to play a vital role in home buying and selling.

Here in Panama, PA, the government is trying to get a bigger cut in all the real estate transactions and limit ther number of the licensed realtors. And the information has proliferated rapidly, internet information is abundant but still realtors play a major role in transactions.

I think there is to many Realtors and things are charging. But when It comes to making the biggest financial decision of your life I think a professional is a must. It's a roller coaster buying a home with an agent. It will be even crazier doing it on your own. Imagine if your a first time home buyer how sure are you doing to be if your doing the right things. This business is pretty emotional and stressful at times. It's not like buying a plane ticket. I think it's way to expensive right now, 80% of homes get sold by another agent anyways, so will have to cut costs for sure and there will be less of us.

Are my days numbered; just as the grains of sand on all the beaches in the world or the stars in the sky, I am absolutely sure my days as a REALTOR are numbered. More specifically, the roles of real estate agents are sure to change, as they have since the beginning, but by offering varied services to home buyers and home sellers, real estate agents will always be marketable. There always have been those who would rather buy, sell and build without real estate agents or contractors, and many do OK, but they are dwarfed in numbers and rates of success by those who make a great living out real estate that use real estate agents and contractors, letting others work for them and doing what they specialize in. I cannot see how any governmental agency can control the number of licensees and I do not understand how they would 'cut in', as the main purpose of licensing agencies is usually to set minimum standards for the licensees and to protect the public.

I don't believe that all Realtors are going to go away at all, most of the inexperienced Realtors are getting out of the business because of costs incurred and lack of sales skills, thats to be expected. I have been around since we made the transition from MLS listing books to computers, most of the Realtors that couldn't or wouldn't adapt to it slowly faded out of business. But let me make a point a good Realtor does not need to worry about the internet, or any web gadgets, a good Realtor will market himself in the old fashion way talking to people and knocking on doors not all people are internet savvy and most still need the personal touch. http://los-angeleshomes-forsale.com/

I am an Real Esate in SC and I have been reading the post about Agents. Each of you are correct, the real estate market is changing and like all changes you have to keep up or move over. I think that we as real estate professionals we are worst enemies. We are professionals, but a lot of Realtors act less than professional. If we as Realtors would stick up for our profession and act professional, then maybe the general public would give us a higher worth. A good Realtor works very hard for their money , and are worth their weight in Gold. As far as the internet goes, I think Realtors need to focus more of their marketing on the internet. 80% of all home buyes start the home buying experience on the internet. The days of knocking on doors are fastly coming to an end, and they should. We are professionals, how many times have you been sitting down to dinner and have a doctor or attorney knock on your door and ask if you need their services, and if they did, would you use them. I would not. We as Realtors have to change the publice perception of us and make them realize that we have value, just as any other professional. From attorney to doctor. You can not change our image by door knocking. It worked in the 80's but it is out dated today. Yes, you still need to give personal service, and you should always treat each client as you would like to be treated, but you first have to get their attention before you get them as a client. My area is in a declining market, due inpart to the new media. If any of you would like to share some of the ideas you used in a down market, I would greatly appericate it. All realtor in my area are doing the same thing, I need new ideas my e mail is myra.strickland@gmail.com