Press Release

Weichert.com Makes Connecting with an Agent as Easy 1-2-3 for Today's Internet Homebuyers

MORRIS PLAINS, N.J., – In today’s highly-connected world, more people are turning to the Internet when in the market for a new item. Prospective homebuyers are no exception. In fact, according to the National Association of Realtors, nearly 90 percent of buyers use the Web during their home search.

Yet, while the Internet might offer consumers all the information they need to feel comfortable completing their purchase of a new shirt, book or other low-cost item, buyers still want to talk to a live-person before making a major purchase like a home. Unfortunately, research shows that all too often inquiries made by homebuyers while browsing real estate Web sites can go hours or even days without a reply. 

Through its award-winning customer contact center, Weichert, Realtors provides both the personal service and immediate response demanded by today’s online home seekers.

While browsing on Weichert.com, visitors who wish to learn more about a home can call Weichert’s “Quick Connect” number (1-800-USA-SOLD) or send an e-mail.  The inquiry is answered immediately by a trained service professional in Weichert’s contact center. After gather some information about the buyer’s home search, the contact center professional connects the buyer in real-time to a neighborhood specialist who can answer questions about the property and arrange an appointment to see the home in person.

For Nicole Warnock, a recent first-time homebuyer, the buying process was much quicker and easier than she ever imagined thanks to Weichert’s contact center.

“I was a little intimidated about buying a house at first and was worried it might be a long, drawn-out process.  But I was amazed at how quick and easy it actually was once I contacted Weichert.  They got back to me right away and made sure that each step of the process was handled in a way that was most convenient for me,” said Warnock.

Warnock, who had only started searching for a home a few days earlier, submitted an inquiry while on Weichert.com for a property in Beachwood, N.J. she was interested in. Within minutes, she received a call from the Weichert contact center and was quickly put in touch with Richard Gato, a sales associate in Weichert’s Toms River office. 

Gato was able to answer all of her specific questions about the property and set up a time for Warnock, along with her husband Jamie and 14-month old daughter Isabella, to see the home the next day.  With the in-person viewing living up to the online experience, the Warnock’s made an offer that same day.  Seven weeks later, the Warnock’s are now homeowners for the first-time.

While many real estate companies use an automated system to track and respond to listing inquiries, the Weichert contact center ensures that every prospective buyer receives immediate service and never has to leave a voice mail.  More importantly, the Weichert approach helps buyer like Warnock avoid missing out on a great opportunity.

“Everything seemed to fall in to place from the beginning as if we were meant to buy this home,” said Warnock. “We really felt the home was a great value and wouldn’t be on the market long. Thanks to Weichert, we were able to see the home right away and make an offer before losing the house to someone else. I’m so happy how everything worked out.”

A top 30 real estate Web site, weichert.com had over 32 million visitors in 2008.  Indicative of its value to consumers, weichert.com consistently ranks as a top site among all real estate companies for the length of time that visitors spend at the site, according to HitwiseÒ, which monitors the activity of major Web sites. 

Weichert has nearly 18,000 sales associates in approximately 500 company-owned and franchised sales offices in key markets throughout the U.S.  A family of full-service real estate and financial services companies, Weichert helps customers buy and sell both residential and commercial real estate, and streamlines the delivery of mortgages and home and title insurance.  For more information, Weichert's customer service center can be reached at 1-800-USA-SOLD or at Weichert's Web site, www.weichert.com.  Each Weichert franchised office is independently owned and operated.

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