I do believe the negative perception sometimes linked with agents is rapidly disappearing.

Recently I have undertaken the sales registration course through the REIQ. I was pleasantly surprised by the strict curriculum required to pass this course. I certainly make a stance to any negative comments made about modern Real Estate agents. The “standard” set for any agent is incredibly higher than ever before, and so it should be.

I like to say, I am a believer that it’s an evolutionary process and that it will require time to change the minds of the public. But keep doing all the right things, with the right attitudes.

I believe the public want and need to use Real Estate Agents; it’s a matter of knowing they are going to get what they pay for.

“Commission is not an issue, if service is fulfilled”.

Rolland Smith

A final thought. Would you pay an experienced, reputable professional more for a service if you thought they would service you better? Absolutely, but in real estate, you don’t even have to do that, at least not until they’ve made you a fist full of money more first. With other industries you may pay for a name, or a reputation, but in real estate, you pay more and receive more when your agent earns it for you.

This could be for two reasons ….
1. They believe prices will stabelise and present some good opportunities and/or
2. An investment in the next 12 months will show a good return in the long run as any slowing of the market will be short term and in fact prices will improve greatly in the future.

Time will tell!

The statistics you provided from your research on the Raine & Horne 4BC Real Estate Show are really fascinating. Looking at the data it appears as though there is a great amount of uncertainty in the market. I would be interested to hear your thoughts on how this will affect the market over the next year, especially with a possible change of government thrown into the mix?

In particular I would be interested to hear what you think about the provided statistic regarding the 59% of surveyed people who are looking to buy in the next year, even though 41% of the total surveyed participants think that a change of government will affect real estate prices in QLD. Do they think that this government change is going to create a good time/period to buy, or is their decision to purchase made out of the feeling ‘it is now or never’.

Thank you for your comment. I know who you are you typical Gen Y’er or should I say Generation Wiser!!!!

Kevin

In regards to ‘Gen Y’s’, I think at times we can over estimate their “super powers” with regards to using technology as real estate industry participants. One of the key factors to consider with Gen Y’s is COD, aka Content on Demand. Gen Y’s love to be able to use technology to obtain the information they want now, if not yesterday. The Internet revolution has provided the ability for the population to do this i.e being able to search 150 properties in one sitting online, rather than having to visit a high volume of properties physically. The Internet revolution has made Gen Y’s what they are today, and this is the key factor to consider when servicing their needs.

On this, I believe that as consumers are now enjoying richer media when they want it i.e. video streaming online as opposed to programmed TV, with ever growing capabilities, agents must look at the needs of Gen Y’s more than ever (strongly considering the issue of consumer choice) to understand how they should be marketing to Gen Y’s. A very simple way of looking at the problem is this.

- Understand the available technologies
- Understand your audience
- Use the power of technology to reach your audience
- Engage the audience with the message you send

Gen Y’s are one of the best things that ever happened to real estate, embrace them, for their habbits reflect strongly the future, and remember…

“Gen Y’s love to spend, use technology to reach them via the mediums they use, and the possibilities are endless!”

Barry Harvey