Talking Points …

  • More home buyers are turning to social media in the home-buying process than ever, according to the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®’ (C.A.R.) “2014 Survey of California Home Buyers.”
  • More than three-fourths of home buyers used social media in their home search, up from 52 percent who used it in 2011.  Buyers said they primarily used social media to obtain buying tips and suggestions from friends (44 percent), neighborhood information (44 percent), and to view their agents’ Facebook pages (42 percent).
  • Mobile technology and the Internet continued to be important tools, with 91 percent saying they used a mobile device to access the Internet during the course of their home purchase.  Buyers looked for comparable home prices (78 percent), searched for homes (45 percent), and took photos of neighborhoods, homes, and amenities (43 percent).