Realtors – Need a Local Contractor? Check out Fixr – the "eBay for Contractors"
I am always impressed with a company that has a unique idea and value proposition.
Home improvement is always a hot topic – and usually something that Realtors know a good deal about. As a Realtor, you know how important an upgraded kitchen or bath can be when listing a home, or how it pays to scrape the “popcorn” off your ceiling, or even the power of new lighting throughout the home to make it “light and bright.” When a home is picture perfect it makes it that much easier to sell, and to sell for the best price possible.
Fixr is a home improvement site that I was first introduced to on LinkedIn. Described by the press as an “ebay for contractors”, fixR is a Home Improvement, Renovations & Repair services marketplace.
How Fixr works:
- Describe your project and post it 100% free
- Get estimates from qualified pros in your area (love the local feature!)
- Pick the best based on quality, reputation and price
Pretty cool concept! I really like this for a home owner but also for the agent.
In my past job, working in a residential real estate firm as their marketing manager, I can not tell you how many times I saw emails going out asking for qualified contractors for specific projects for clients. Although most agents have relationships with key local contractors, sometimes you are up against a tight deadline, or have a really uniqe project and aren’t sure who to turn to. I think this site could be a great solution.
In addition, One thing that really caught my eye for Realtors, was this infograph they posted: 2010 Home Buying Guide to Tax Credits. They created a really easy to understand graph and easily supplied the HTML code for you to copy and paste it into your Web site or blog. Is this helpful to you? Is this something you’d use?
Would love your feedback or comments – please post below!
Written by: Katie Lance, Marketing Manager, Inman News
7 Comment(s)
3 Trackback(s)
- From Realtors – Need a Local Contractor? Check out Fixr – the “eBay for … | Shop Local Contractors | Mar 17, 2010
- From Blindly transparent « Closer To Pittsburgh | Mar 18, 2010
- From Anonymous | Mar 23, 2010
david doucette | Mar 16, 2010 | Reply
great find! i love the graph and how the allow you to embed it, that is great. i will be sure to check them out. i’m an architect, real estate broker, and general contractor but really focus on the architecture & real estate (3 years of design/was enough for me) and my advice would be to really, really check out their MOST RECENT references and call the local licensing board of the state you are in to see if anyone has lodged any complaints against them. oftentimes, the state boards will have information that doesn’t appear on their website.
i think fixr is a good place to start but the agent or homeowner, really need to do their homework to qualify the final contractor. it’s not all about price.
another great article & i just followed you on twitter!
Jeremy | Mar 17, 2010 | Reply
Sounds like a great concept. I love how the LinkedIn social networking model is beginning to branch into similar, field-specific sites, and home improvement is a great fit for this model.
Bill Hernandez | Mar 18, 2010 | Reply
Looks like this will be a very effective tool for many Real Estate individuals. The abilities of the internet to provide you with the exact person you need for a specific job is becoming a great tool! It is almost as if there is a social network for every type of business venture.
Larissa Rubijevsky | Mar 18, 2010 | Reply
It truly is amazing how far social networking sites are coming. There appears to be a different site for every line of work. I viewed this site briefly and it is extremely well set up with the ability to find a contractor that fits your exact needs and read reviews on previous work is a great tool!
Jamie Mades | Mar 23, 2010 | Reply
This is always a toughie for us Realtors…will be interesting to see if we can find a decent contractor on “ebay”.
Katie Lance | Mar 26, 2010 | Reply
Thanks everyone for your feedback and comments – I really appreciate it!
Katie
Christian | Jun 26, 2010 | Reply
I recommend trying AmericanTradesmith.com to find local contractors. THey verify each contractor before giving them your contact info. I think they will be giving SM a run for their money being that SM has become so greedy and the way they give out bogus leads.