We use cookies to enhance your browsing experience and deliver our services. By continuing to visit this site, you agree to our use of cookies.More info
Eric Marcus Chicago HomesEric Marcus Chicago Homes
Call Us:

773-732-9898

    Contact Us
    Follow us
    The Team

    About Us

    • Meet the Team
    • Success Stories
    • Buyer & Seller Tips
    • Contact Us

    Our Services

    • Seller Services
    • Free Home Valuation
    • Successful Seller Clients
    • Buyer Services
    • Search for Homes
    • Mortgage Calculator
    • Download Our Home Buyer Guide
    Eric Marcus Chicago Homes

    1525 W. Belmont Avenue, Chicago, IL 60657

    • 773-732-9898
    • [email protected]

    Don't Replace Your Agent With The Internet

    With the influx of new technology and web based solutions, it isn't a surprise that everything is moving fast into the era...

    • Eric Marcus
    • December 4th, 2018
    • 10 min read
    Featured Image

    With the influx of new technology and web based solutions, it isn't a surprise that everything is moving fast into the era of the internet. From sites like Uber to Grubhub, we generally can pull up our phones or laptops to order what we want with ease. And with every industry being revolutionized by technology, the same methods are "attempting" to be applied to the real estate industry. 

    We could all agree that the simplification of the process through paperwork would be much appreciated by agents and buyers/sellers alike; but the attempt of replacing the agent by sites like Zillow and other third party resources, can lead to a snowball affect of disaster. Think about real estate being smack dab in the middle of fast food and a doctor. You can use your mobile device to quickly place your order for a $20 meal, but when it comes to getting a surgery, you'll want to put that phone down and visit a professional. Now think of your real estate agent being in the middle of all of that. You can use your devices to look for a home, look at market data the way you look at WebMD, knowing not to take it too seriously because you need a real professional's input, but it's fun and gives you a general idea of what to expect. But there in lies the issue, the data online is an oversimplified version of what goes into the process of buying and selling. The same way it oversimplifies medical diseases and surgeries, you'd still expect to get a professional's diagnosis.

    Although a real estate agent isn't quite like a doctor, the industry in it's legalities, contracts, and processes is similar in the sense that it needs to be taken seriously. Looking for a house online and wanting to put an immediate offer on one can be exciting and fun, but the issues that require a professional's guidance comes after the initial contract is written up and the hard work comes into place to actually make the home your own. Same for sellers, if you decide to put your home on the market and want a website that will give you an automatic offer, how do you know you're not being taken advantage of in the price? But most importantly, how do you know you're not being taken advantage of in other aspects of the contract? Because there is a lot more to the sale of the home then just agreeing on a number. 

    The next time you're digging through public sites for homes for sale, and getting instant home valuation estimates, keep in mind that this is a simple process to give you an idea of your market. A very general idea. But after you've found the perfect house, or after you've decided that the numbers make some sense for you to sell, call your favorite real estate agent and make sure they give you a more detailed look into the market and assist you through the full process, not just the exciting first parts. Because it's going to be in the middle of a contract when the lending is falling apart, or negotiations can't be made on repairs and emotions are at an all time high, that you are going to wish you had put down your laptop and had an agent fighting for you by your side. Use the internet, have fun with it's amazing resources, but don't let it replace your agent. We aren't in an age, just yet, where technology can do everything a professional can.

    With the influx of new technology and web based solutions, it isn't a surprise that everything is moving fast into the era of the internet. From sites like Uber to Grubhub, we generally can pull up our phones or laptops to order what we want with ease. And with every industry being revolutionized by technology, the same methods are "attempting" to be applied to the real estate industry. 

    We could all agree that the simplification of the process through paperwork would be much appreciated by agents and buyers/sellers alike; but the attempt of replacing the agent by sites like Zillow and other third party resources, can lead to a snowball affect of disaster. Think about real estate being smack dab in the middle of fast food and a doctor. You can use your mobile device to quickly place your order for a $20 meal, but when it comes to getting a surgery, you'll want to put that phone down and visit a professional. Now think of your real estate agent being in the middle of all of that. You can use your devices to look for a home, look at market data the way you look at WebMD, knowing not to take it too seriously because you need a real professional's input, but it's fun and gives you a general idea of what to expect. But there in lies the issue, the data online is an oversimplified version of what goes into the process of buying and selling. The same way it oversimplifies medical diseases and surgeries, you'd still expect to get a professional's diagnosis.

    Although a real estate agent isn't quite like a doctor, the industry in it's legalities, contracts, and processes is similar in the sense that it needs to be taken seriously. Looking for a house online and wanting to put an immediate offer on one can be exciting and fun, but the issues that require a professional's guidance comes after the initial contract is written up and the hard work comes into place to actually make the home your own. Same for sellers, if you decide to put your home on the market and want a website that will give you an automatic offer, how do you know you're not being taken advantage of in the price? But most importantly, how do you know you're not being taken advantage of in other aspects of the contract? Because there is a lot more to the sale of the home then just agreeing on a number. 

    The next time you're digging through public sites for homes for sale, and getting instant home valuation estimates, keep in mind that this is a simple process to give you an idea of your market. A very general idea. But after you've found the perfect house, or after you've decided that the numbers make some sense for you to sell, call your favorite real estate agent and make sure they give you a more detailed look into the market and assist you through the full process, not just the exciting first parts. Because it's going to be in the middle of a contract when the lending is falling apart, or negotiations can't be made on repairs and emotions are at an all time high, that you are going to wish you had put down your laptop and had an agent fighting for you by your side. Use the internet, have fun with it's amazing resources, but don't let it replace your agent. We aren't in an age, just yet, where technology can do everything a professional can.

    With the influx of new technology and web based solutions, it isn't a surprise that everything is moving fast into the era of the internet. From sites like Uber to Grubhub, we generally can pull up our phones or laptops to order what we want with ease. And with every industry being revolutionized by technology, the same methods are "attempting" to be applied to the real estate industry. 

    We could all agree that the simplification of the process through paperwork would be much appreciated by agents and buyers/sellers alike; but the attempt of replacing the agent by sites like Zillow and other third party resources, can lead to a snowball affect of disaster. Think about real estate being smack dab in the middle of fast food and a doctor. You can use your mobile device to quickly place your order for a $20 meal, but when it comes to getting a surgery, you'll want to put that phone down and visit a professional. Now think of your real estate agent being in the middle of all of that. You can use your devices to look for a home, look at market data the way you look at WebMD, knowing not to take it too seriously because you need a real professional's input, but it's fun and gives you a general idea of what to expect. But there in lies the issue, the data online is an oversimplified version of what goes into the process of buying and selling. The same way it oversimplifies medical diseases and surgeries, you'd still expect to get a professional's diagnosis.

    Although a real estate agent isn't quite like a doctor, the industry in it's legalities, contracts, and processes is similar in the sense that it needs to be taken seriously. Looking for a house online and wanting to put an immediate offer on one can be exciting and fun, but the issues that require a professional's guidance comes after the initial contract is written up and the hard work comes into place to actually make the home your own. Same for sellers, if you decide to put your home on the market and want a website that will give you an automatic offer, how do you know you're not being taken advantage of in the price? But most importantly, how do you know you're not being taken advantage of in other aspects of the contract? Because there is a lot more to the sale of the home then just agreeing on a number. 

    The next time you're digging through public sites for homes for sale, and getting instant home valuation estimates, keep in mind that this is a simple process to give you an idea of your market. A very general idea. But after you've found the perfect house, or after you've decided that the numbers make some sense for you to sell, call your favorite real estate agent and make sure they give you a more detailed look into the market and assist you through the full process, not just the exciting first parts. Because it's going to be in the middle of a contract when the lending is falling apart, or negotiations can't be made on repairs and emotions are at an all time high, that you are going to wish you had put down your laptop and had an agent fighting for you by your side. Use the internet, have fun with it's amazing resources, but don't let it replace your agent. We aren't in an age, just yet, where technology can do everything a professional can.

    Author Photo
    About the author

    Eric Marcus

    773-732-9898
    I was born in South Bend, Indiana where my family owned and operated a small business for over 50 years. Every member of my family has been licensed to practice real estate, and my dad owns a real estate company in Indiana. After graduating with honors from Indiana University in 1991, I earned my CPA and worked for a big six accounting firm in Chicago. Combining my experience and entrepreneurial spirit, I started my own successful accounting business that I ran for 3 years. Next, I embarked on a career as a soybean trader at the Chicago Board of Trade, followed by a successful run as a stock options market maker at the Chicago Board of Options Exchange. I began my real estate career in 2003 as broker/owner of ESM Realty. My team has helped more than 600 clients buy and sell condominiums, townhouses, single family homes, multi-unit residential, and commercial properties. For 14 straight years, we were recognized by Chicago Association of Realtors as Top Producers. Our extensive marketing program includes premium placement on hundreds of websites, morechicagohomes.com and state of the art Facebook advertising. My team works tirelessly to make each client feel like they are our only client! We strive for the highest level of performance every day so that we exceed your highest expectations. Our business is 75%+ referral-based and we want you to not only be our client but our biggest raving fan. In December 2020, I brought my team to Keller Williams ONEChicago with branches in Lincoln Park, Lakeview and O'Hare. To set up a consultation or if you have any questions, please contact me at 773-732-9898.

    Similar posts like this

    Lifestyle

    Little Summer Habits That Make Home Feel Like a Retreat

    Read more

    The Secret Life of a Listing: What Happens Before You Ever Go Live

    Getting a home ready to sell is a lot like producing a reality show. Here’s your backstage pass to what we do before you...
    Read more

    You Found the One. Here’s How to Win It.

    So you’ve toured a dozen homes, scrolled through hundreds more, and finally… you found it. The one. Now comes the real c...
    Read more
    Eric Marcus Chicago Homes

    Your Real Friend in Chicago Real Estate

    Keller Williams ONEChicago

    1525 W. Belmont Avenue, Chicago, IL 60657

    Keller Williams ONEChicago

    1525 W. Belmont Avenue, Chicago, IL 60657

    773-732-9898
    [email protected]

    Footer Links

    • Meet the Team
    • Client Success Stories
    • Read Our Blog
    • Contact Us
    • Seller Services
    • Get Your Home's Value
    • Buyer Services
    • Search Homes for Sale
    Join Our Email List:

    *We respect your inbox. We only send interesting and relevant emails.

    Keller Williams ONEChicago © 2025

    Privacy Policy
    Powered by