Real estate agents who try to ignore technology and the internet are sure to suffer as a new generation of younger more tech savvy agents move into the industry. Why would you list your house with an older agent who does not even know how to switch on a computer or keep a database of buyers and runs and email list? Real estate sales methods are changing with as many as 80% of inquiries starting via the internet, agents will need to learn how to "work" with the technology in order to prosper. Technology provides the means to much greater volumes of communication and buyer recall, agents need to master this in order to reach the top of their industry, modern agents have the means at their disposal to reach much greater levels of sales than ever before. On the flip side agents who want to flounder around with "old school" methods may find it much harder to get listings as mainstream internet users start to demand a strong online presence as a default requirement when choosing a real estate agent.

Some people even like to argue that the internet may one day replace the agent as we know them today - I see the agents role may constantly change as new methods and new generations of buyers come through - commission rates may drop as internet sites offer great exposure free of charge. An agents role as a marketer may evolve more towards that of a negotiator, it's not just the agents who are changing it is in fact the people who are buying who will force the change