These days, time is a limited and precious resource, especially quality family and leisure time. These increasing time pressures have been instrumental in changing the way real estate is bought and sold.
The traditional role of the real estate agent has changed significantly too. Now with the Internet and the proliferation of newspaper supplements, tabloid property publications, open homes, and sign boards, it’s possible for potential buyers to do a lot of the initial work themselves, before even contacting a real estate company. The days of being driven around by a property consultant to look at properties which may have been totally unsuitable or out of the buyer’s price range are gone.
In fact, real estate is now primarily a marketing exercise. Recognising this, Harcourts has re-defined the role of its property consultants from salespeople to skilled marketers and negotiators.