FAIRFAX, Va. -- A new Virginia-based company is promising to help clients buy homes online in order to save them time and money.
The company is called
i-Agent.com and some are calling it the wave of the future.
The company's founder called it a hybrid company that merges traditional real estate practices with fast, high-tech, online strategies.
Company heads said they are also able to offer clients cash rebates by bringing buyers into the search process.
"They're not telling me what homes they want to show me. I'm telling them what homes I want to see. So, I could come with a list of five homes I want this week that fit my criteria. And they go out and show those homes to me," said client Mike Brensy.
However, experts in the field said the Internet option is not for everybody.
The online company promises would-be buyers a 2 percent return on their home purchases. i-Agent then gets 1 percent of the sale. The company's chief executive officer said they are able to do that by cutting overhead costs and allowing clients to surf listings themselves.
"The home buyers are more web savvy, they're more hands-on and they want to take home-buying into their own hands," said Khalil El-Ghoul, i-Agent.com's CEO.
Thomas Stevens, president of the National Association of Realtors, said online buying is a growing trend.
"Realtors have put millions of dollars into technology, because everybody's using computers today," he said.
But, Stevens also said the ideal online client is one who is business savvy and buyers who opt for an internet real estate agent should know what services they're getting at the bargain price.
"You just need to ask, 'What does my fee include? As a buyer, does it include you being with me from the time I start looking and qualifying? Do you qualify me? Do you help me with the mortgage?'" said Stevens.
Brensy said a client should also consider whether the online real estate agent provides help with debt consolidation and inspections as traditional agents often do.
El-Ghoul said the company conducts settlements and sets up walk-throughs and consultations.
i-Agent.com also offers online services for sellers with a flat listing rate.
Stevens warned that not all online companies offer the same slate of services. He said finding a real estate agent who combines technology and traditional services may be ideal.
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