Housing
to Sustain While Economy Grows in 2004
David
Lereah, NAR's chief economist, said the fundamentals responsible
for this year's housing record will be in play next year as well.
Home sales will be off mildly for the second best showing ever
in 2004. With the economy improving, consumer confidence rising
and jobs being created, a growing number of households will sustain
strong housing demand :: Read
Article
US Newswire, July 15, 2003
Nearly
three out of four homebuyers now use the Internet as a tool when
searching for a home, and those who use the Internet are more
likely to use real estate professionals, according to a new survey
by the National Association of Realtors.
The 2003 National Association of Realtors Profile of Home Buyers
and Sellers, based on transactions during the first quarter of
this year, is the latest is a series of surveys evaluating marketing,
demographics and other characteristics of home buyers and sellers.
It shows that 71 percent of homebuyers used the Internet in their
search for a home during the first quarter of 2003, up from 41
percent during 2001.
Single Buyers
Single
women accounted for the second largest segment of homebuyers,
accounting for 21 percent of transactions, after married couples,
who bought 59 percent of homes. By contrast, single males were
11 percent of buyers, while unmarried couples accounted for 8
percent.
Use of Real Estate Agents
Three
out of four buyers purchased a home through a real estate agent
or broker—up from 69 percent in 2001; 14 percent bought
from a builder and 9 percent directly from an owner. Of buyers
who used an agent, 63 percent chose a buyer representative. Satisfaction
with the agent was high for both buyers and sellers
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