A recent Real Estate Research Report, Internet vs. Traditional Buyers, conducted by the California Association of Realtors have revealed some interesting findings.

- The typical buyer is now an Internet buyer. Homebuyers who used the Internet as an integral part of the homebuying process increased from 28% in 2000 to 70% in 2006.

- Buyers reported that the Internet provided a greater sense of control. More than nine out of ten Internet buyers indicated that the Internet helped them better understand the homebuying process and put them in better control of the process.

- Although the Internet has become an important research tool for homebuyers, most considered it an information resource rather than a substitute for a real estate agent. Nine out of ten homebuyers hired an agent to assist in the homebuying process. Internet buyers spent an average of 4.8 weeks investigating homes and neighborhoods before contacting an agent, considerably less than the 1.7 weeks that traditional buyers spent on this activity. Given their upfront preparations, Internet buyers moved more quickly once they began working with their agent. Internet buyers only spent 2.2 weeks with an agent looking for a home they bought, compared to 7.1 weeks for traditional buyers.

- Socioeconomic differences between Internet buyers have become less apparant as more buyers use the Internet. Internet buyers devoted more time researching on their own before meeting with an agent compared to traditional buyers, but they spent less time working with an agent, during which they viewed significantly fewer homes before making a purchase. Internet buyers on average visited 6.7 homes with their agent, while traditional buyers visited 15.4 homes.