One positive trend for 2015 increases the “sellability” of more properties
Experts say one of the big trends in real estate for 2015 would appear to have nothing to do with real estate. It’s about gas prices.
Real estate agents and brokers can take advantage of this monumental change with a map-based neighborhood search tool.
In a development that few Americans ever thought they would see, the price of gas is plummeting. At one time we all thought (and we’re told) that oil was a limited commodity. It was going to continue to go up in price. In desperation, the federal government kept raising the Miles Per Gallon (MPG) requirements for new cars.
But somehow, all that changed. Americans discovered new ways to mine oil (we won’t get into that whole fracking thing. All we know is gas is cheaper at the pump). Middle East suppliers of oil panicked and started a price war.
And then all of a sudden, Americans find themselves with gas approaching $1.99 a gallon. What a windfall.
This trend opens up a whole new dynamic in terms of real estate. With a map-based real estate platform such as SpatialMatch, brokers and agents can do wonderful things to show the advantages of properties in terms of gas prices and driving distances.
For example, Mr. and Mrs. Smith want to buy a 4/3 with a pool and a den and a three car garage. They want it close to the best schools in town and near a golf course and yoga studio. Plus, near a shopping mall and four-star Italian restaurant.
But they don’t want to pay the price.
Okay, time for a broker and agent to get creative.
With the SpatialMatch real estate map and data tool that is integrated with an MLS and an enormous hyper-local directory, a broker or agent can start painting a picture that meets all of the Smith’s needs.
And the great advantage of SpatialMatc is that it is embedded into the agent’s website. So, the agent can show all of this on their website and not send the Smiths off into cyberspace where who knows what they will find. Or risk they wander elsewhere into the hands of another agent.
With SpatialMatch, you can find the 4/3 homes that meet the Smith’s initial requirements. And their price range.
Then, you can use the map platform to begin showing them that the distance to the amenities they want is not that bad. And at today’s gas prices, won’t put a dent in their pockets.
Show them the best schools in the area. With the distance slider, show them the distance. With the drawing tool, map out the quickest route to those schools. Doesn’t seem that far after all, does it Mr. and Mrs. Smith?
With the neighborhood database, you can pull up yoga studios and golf courses. Show the Smiths that Stretchem Yoga Studio is only four miles away from Property X. If you take these back roads here, Prestige Pines Country Club is only five miles away from the property as well.
With cheap gas prices, driving to these places is not a big deal anymore. Those low gas prices open up a whole new range of possibilities. With SpatialMatch, you have an inexpensive tool to point that out.
To see an article on latest trends for real estate in 2015, click here.
