Technology offers new ways to reach home buyers

Real Estate agents now are turning to more innovative means of reaching a slim pool of potential buyers. Realtors With new technologies at their fingertips, agents are using Quick Response, or QR, codes and social networking sites such as Facebook to appeal to a new generation of buyers. The application includes a mortgage calculator, real estate tax information, a map and photos of the home. Diane Hammon, president of the DeKalb Area Association of Realtors, said buyers in the current market are more likely to do a lot of their own research and compare costs. Census Bureau data, the number of vacant homes in DeKalb County has increased from 1,314 in 2000 to 2,595 in 2010. The number of housing units for sale in the county also increased from 325 units in 2000 to 559 units in 2010. When Edwards started her career as a realtor 20 years ago, she said one of the only ways buyers had access to home and real estate information was through a set of books agents kept that contained listings. She said clients would share the books with one another. Prodehl said realtors today need to take advantage of every opportunity available for reaching potential buyers. Gannon said she also updates a Facebook page as many as three times a day with relevant real estate information buyers need to know. Our comment rules have changed, effective March 28, 2011. Please review our updated terms of service and policy on usernames. Your first name, last initial, hometown and username will appear with your comments.