Borrowers say they want technology with some personal guidance

National survey tracks consumer trends

IN the digital age, the way people find the home they want to buy is changing. Instead of driving around in search of “For Sale” signs in front yards, more and more consumers are picking up gadgets to start their search. According to research by

DARIUS TOSTON

Zillow, 87 percent of homebuyers use online resources to search for a home, with two-thirds of millennials searching on mobile devices.

The digital shift applies to how buyers explore financing after they’ve found their dream home, too. More than half of homebuyers who seek preapproval for a mortgage do so online, according to findings from mortgage software provider Ellie Mae.

With these trends, it may be surprising that when it comes to understanding and navigating the mortgage process, most people actually want to work with a real live person.

Wells Fargo’s most recent “How America Views Homeownership” survey asked consumers what they would do if they needed help figuring out how to obtain a mortgage. The most preferred method by far is to meet with someone in person (52 percent). “Finding information online” trails behind at only 19 percent.

And when it’s time to dive into the mortgage process, most people want a combination of online convenience and human guidance. While more than three-quarters of survey respondents