How the internet has changed home buying?

[Market Driven_IHB]

For anyone that purchased a house back before the internet was prevalent with real estate sites (pre 1997 or so), was there a way to find out how much the seller paid for their place? Was this somewhat private information that only the agents would know?



With sites like Redfin and Zillow, I feel like we the buyers have a leg up on the sellers by knowing purchase prices, dates, and price reductions. Obviously, us regular folks don't have all the info (but the rest is supplied by Ipo and IrvineRenter hahah).



So, for the real estate veterans out there, were you basically at the mercy of the realtors back in the day?



Thanks.

 

[CalGal_IHB]

<blockquote>For anyone that purchased a house back before the internet was prevalent with real estate sites (pre 1997 or so), was there a way to find out how much the seller paid for their place? Was this somewhat private information that only the agents would know? </blockquote>
It was always public knowledge. We went to the town/city hall to find info on the house before we purchased our first house back in 1994. We still plan on going to the town/city hall when we purchase our next house and pull all data on the house (liens, permits, etc).

 

[tenmagnet_IHB]

[quote author="Market Driven" date=1212668617]For anyone that purchased a house back before the internet was prevalent with real estate sites (pre 1997 or so), was there a way to find out how much the seller paid for their place? Was this somewhat private information that only the agents would know?



With sites like Redfin and Zillow, I feel like we the buyers have a leg up on the sellers by knowing purchase prices, dates, and price reductions. Obviously, us regular folks don't have all the info (but the rest is supplied by Ipo and IrvineRenter hahah).



So, for the real estate veterans out there, were you basically at the mercy of the realtors back in the day?



Thanks.</blockquote>




The area where it helped me the most was with regards to comps.

Before this site and others, I would rely on the comps they provided me.

Of course the realtors would cherry pick them.



Not to generalize but the majority of the realtors I dealt with fell into this category.

These days, I still play dumb but when discussing a home or offer, I?ll blurt out this one (insert name) went for (insert price).

They always seem surprised but I?ve never been asked how do you know that or where did you get that info.



It?s leveled the playing field so to speak, making them better realtors.

I feel more comfortable knowing that my interests and agenda are foremost on their minds.

Which is, how I beleive it should be.