[20something RE Guy]

Real estate agents will exist 100 years from now, as they did 100 years ago.........

It's like asking if lawyers will be around in the future, with all the sophisticated "Legal" programs and websites to download do-it-yourself forms.

[adamwealth]

Originally Posted by 20something RE Guy

It's like asking if lawyers will be around in the future, with all the sophisticated "Legal" programs and websites to download do-it-yourself forms.

Bingo! They'll always be around. The way RE is done may change, but they'll always be around. Agents just need to get in tune with the digital age if they're to survive.

[dtriola]

I don't think they will become obsolete but future commissions will definitely decrease because of the Internet.

[GetSmart]

real estate agent is a brand that has taken years to build and has the stamp of approval from the government. i don't see agents going anywhere, since you have old fashion people that like things that are simple.

[Bob Crain]

As long as the government keeps making stupid laws concerning real estate then there will always be a need for representation.

[Puyallup Agent]

Most people would rather pay more for a car and buy it off a lot than to purchase a car cheaper from a private party. Most people do not like direct confrontation or negotiations. I expect agents will be around for quite some time.

[AZAgent2]

The internet does a lot but people still (most people) need assistance and guidance. The business is sure to evolve but stay with the curve and you do fine. I have sold hundreds of homes and I still learn new things all the time, how can "the internet" ever beat that out? Other industries have been completely changed by the internet but real estate has held pretty well. No doubt the internet will continue to advance but I still see car dealers, and even Barnes& Nobles should be out of business by Amazon yet they still make a lot of money in fact its packed every time I go there? Now I will make the concession that all agents have to be more on their game since the internet does make information very easy to access and available so the clients knowledge level is high, but I’m always going to know more because of the experience I have and that cannot be instantly learned by anyone just spending a couple nights online looking up real estate info.
Here’s one more point to really beat it to death, my fiancé is a loan officer one of my best friends is a loan officer I know all about loans, and help explain loan processes and HUD’s to clients’ everyday. BUT I most likely could not do a loan (all the paperwork and disclosures etc.) to save my life. So how is someone that went online to learn a few things going to walk themselves all the way through a home purchase with little to no help? Some people do sure, but some of those are the same people I saw on Flip this House the guy bought a rehab off craigslist and didn’t even know enough to get a home inspection the house was a disaster a simple inspection would of saved him all the money he most likely lost on the deal. I bet next time he hires an agent to “protect” his interests.

[ResaleBroker]

Preparing a home for sale, selecting the best price, exposing the home to serious qualified buyers, helping buyers make a decision, and so on... there's more to selling a home than putting a sign in the yard, an ad in the paper and waiting for a buyer to show up. IMO, if easy access to this kind of information was enough Realtor's would already be obsolete.

[Portland Real Estate]

So long as agents are cheaper than lawyers, and governments keep adding regulations and making real estate transaction ever more complex, there will be plenty of roles for real estate agents.

The Realtor lobby is also fairly well established, ensuring that politicians remember that we are paying attention to them and that we have a little money and influence to throw around, and our interests are protected through state licensing in most (all?) states?

[GetSmart]

Originally Posted by Portland Real Estate

So long as agents are cheaper than lawyers,

This is incorrect, using an attorney is cheaper than using an agent. attorneys only charge around $1,500 for both sides of transaction here in NC and probably $1,700 if you need them to draw up the purchase and sales agreement. here the average fee for a real estate agent on a $200,000 home is around $12,000, so you can save at least $10,000 selling by owner.

real estate agents are just a one stop shop. if you want to save the money you can do what an agent does and make a few calls. Once you get mortgage brokers, inspectors and closing attorneys in line, they will do the rest, and handle the closing. plus with flat fee listings, you can cut the commission in half, and have the buyers agent meet at an attorneys office and sign all the paperwork.