C.A.R. Survey Profiles Technology Trends, Behaviors in Real Estate Industry.

LOS ANGELES -- The CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS[R] (C.A.R.) today released its "2006 Use of Technology Survey" during the Tech Tuesday opening session in Long Beach, Calif. Tech Tuesday provides a full day of comprehensive technology training for REALTORS[R], and precedes the California REALTOR[R] EXPO 2006, which runs from Oct. 17-19 at the Long Beach Convention Center.

The survey tracks current trends in technology used by REALTORS[R] on topics ranging from computer and technology usage to Internet needs and adoption, and was conducted during the second quarter of 2006.

Highlights of C.A.R.'s "2006 Use of Technology Survey" include:

* 40 percent of REALTORS[R]' business was generated from the Internet in 2006, compared with 19 percent in 2003.

* A digital camera was the most important technological purchase or upgrade considered by respondents this year.

* REALTORS[R] with high-speed Internet access increased to 95 percent in 2006 compared with 71 percent in 2003.

* Half (48 percent) of REALTORS[R] use their computer to conduct their real estate business at home.

* 47 percent of REALTORS[R] surveyed said e-mail was their primary means of communication, while 9 percent considered in-person contact as their primary means of communication with clients.

* Nine of 10 REALTORS[R] (87 percent) used the Internet for marketing or farming purposes.

* Although Internet marketing has grown, REALTORS[R] continued to spend more of their marketing budget on print advertising than on online advertising. Only 10 percent spent more of their marketing budget on online advertising than on print advertising.

At the Tech Tuesday opening session, "Futurecast: Visionaries Discuss Technology in a Shifting Market," some of the industry's acclaimed visionaries, including Lloyd Frink, co-founder and president of Zillow.com; Allan Dalton, president of REALTOR.com[R]; and Brad Inman, founder and publisher of Inman News; unveiled their expectations of what's next for technology in the changing marketplace. The session was moderated by C.A.R. Executive Vice President Joel Singer.

Leading the way...[R] in California real estate for 100 years, the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS[R] (www.car.org) is one of the largest state trade organizations in the United States, with more than 195,000 members dedicated to the advancement of professionalism in real estate. C.A.R. is headquartered in Los Angeles.