The availability of homes for sale on the Internet has exploded recently. National real estate websites sponsored by brokerages, trade associations, and newspapers provide real estate surfers with the majority of properties listed. Anonymity and convenience of the Internet have changed how consumers begin their home search. Learning about a community and the historical financial data on comparable properties allows the consumer to drive their search before they contact a real estate agent. This shift from the real estate industry controlling information to consumer driven continues to force the industry to provide new value and business models for savvy Internet real estate consumers.

Fast Fact: How many homebuyers are using the Internet to find a home? According to the 2005 National Association of REALTORS Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, 79% of homebuyers used the Internet as an information source.

Fast Tip: Look for your real estate agent to have an e-PRO designation. It certifies that they have completed a training program presented entirely online to certify real estate agents and brokers as Internet Professionals.

Real estate help desk. Dear Mark: While surfing real estate brokerage websites I found several properties that I wanted to tour. When I called the agents representing the properties to schedule appointments, they all were no longer available as they had been sold or closed. Is this bait and switch? Susan, Montclair, New Jersey

Dear Susan: Yes and no, depending on the brokerages intent with keeping closed or sold property listings on their website. Some real estate agents look for prospects to call on all listings despite their availability to acquire new clients. Some brokerages are slow at removing listings that are no longer available. Your best source to view available properties is at public pages of Multiple Listing Services or Realtor.com as their information is updated more frequently.