While the Internet represents an invaluable resource of information for home sellers, buyers, and Realtors alike, all of us have stumbled onto sites that initially seem promising, but ultimately disappoint us with outdated information. A dream house that's already been sold. Two-year-old statistics for a market that changes on a daily basis. Most real estate companies are aware of the power the Internet holds as a potential marketing tool, and so they update their information accordingly. It's extremely rare, however, that a real estate company updates its information every day. That's the approach taken, however, by Windermere, the giant of the Northwest, which now maintains 5,200 sales associates in 213 offices throughout Washington, Idaho, Oregon, and Western Canada.

Believe it or not, the company does indeed update its information every day, so Web users may rest assured that if, while browsing the Windermere site, they find the home of their dreams, it's not already occupied. Some Realtors fail to recognize that outdated information turns away potential customers, particularly those who call a Realtor to inquire about a home posted online only to be told that the home has already been sold ... but not to fear -- there's another home available that's even better (and usually more expensive).

Another unorthodox approach Windermere takes with its site is its "Quick Tour" option. While consumers always appreciate sites that house a wealth of information, sometimes it becomes both time-consuming and overwhelming to navigate one's way through a comprehensive site. The Quick Tour provides a brief overview and allows users to sift through available options in a time-efficient manner. Among the tour's choices are an Interpreter Directory, a novel concept for real estate company sites today, which lists the company's multilingual agents; Real Estate News On-Line, including up-to-date buying and selling news, homeowner news, and mortgage news; a career link, which describes real estate licensing requirements, how to prepare for the licensing exam, and locations where pre-licensing courses take place; and a Windermere agent and office directory, among other links.

Also on the Quick Tour, "Buying a Home," another link, is extremely comprehensive and includes additional links to "Understanding Agency Relationships," which guides consumers through each stage of the agent/buyer relationship and serves as a step-by-step primer for the entire transaction; tax and financing information and guidance; and information from the U.S. government, including a directory of home buyers' vocabulary. "Selling a Home," another link, contains much the same information, as well as additional information on preparing a home for a sale, including tips on exterior, interior, mechanical and electrical, and showing your home.

Additional helpful services include a personalized home search (users may limit their searches to include only homes that have been listed in the last five days), and a "Sunday Open House Preview" link that gives users a sneak preview of soon-to-be-listed homes in three newspapers: the Seattle Times, Tacoma News Tribune, and Spokesman Review. Users may even contact Windermere agents to arrange private showings before the Sunday newspapers hit the stands.

Although Windermere is based in the Northwest, this site is well-worth a look for Web users in other parts of the United States. Its comprehensive library of generalized-yet-updated information provides an excellent primer for anyone considering either buying or selling a home.

Published: July 27, 1998

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