Do buyers actually go to a neighborhood they’d like to live in, then check a mobile app with geolocation abilities to see nearby listings on the market?

Will buyers sign up to use a tech-focused brokerage’s virtual office website, and then work with an agent with another firm?

Does an agent risk making a bad impression — and losing out on repeat business — by carrying an old feature phone, and failing to respond to his clients’ text messages?

Answers to these and other questions of pressing importance to agents, brokers and companies that provide services to them were flying at today during a panel discussion, “Hear It Direct from Today’s Buyers: Live Consumer Panel.”

Jennifer Berman, regional manager of First Team Real Estate, grilled six buyers, ranging from first-timers to experienced investors.

The takeaway: Buyers valued not only their agent’s tech skills, but their experience, including neighborhood knowledge and negotiating skills.

– See more at: http://www.inman.com/2013/07/10/buyers-still-value-agents-knowledge-and-negotiating-skills/#sthash.q7e2MAT8.dpuf

Buyers still value agents’ knowledge and negotiating skills | Inman News.