Comments on: Online real estate reality check

By: Tim Fagan

Tim Fagan — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 03:33:18 +0000

Thanks for the comments, all. Claudia, as for Google’s improvements to their listings database, I think this is a big step for them in creating an better search experience for consumers (vs. their Google Base application which I always found clunky and with spotty data quality). I do question, however (as I have done in the past with portals) Google’s ultimate commitment to the real estate category vs. other online media firms (HomeFinder, Trulia, Zillow, Homes.com etc.) who do nothing but serve real estate professionals. But we shall find out.

By: Property Listers

Property Listers — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 09:10:01 +0000

Great article. It makes me want to think of ways to further reach out to the needs of the buyer and seller. We need to be more gutsy and stick our neck out.

By: Reamark

Reamark — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 10:30:36 +0000

In seller’s markets, often they show only one home. After all, how many homes does one family need?
Some buyers will keep looking for years, but buyers who do that aren’t motivated. A motivated buyer will find a home within two weeks. Good real estate agents will listen to the buyers needs and arranges to show homes that fits their expectations. Your agent should preview homes before showing them to you as well.

By: Claudia Gonella

Claudia Gonella — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:33:05 +0000

I’d love to hear your view on Google’s real estate move today – real estate is now just a click away in Google maps – here is the update from Google: http://google-latlong.blogspot.com/2009/10/more-more-more-real-estate-in-google.html
I agree with your point that online real estate is more than just about listings. Does Google’s street view, transit information etc deliver the kind of experience you describe in your post?

By: John

John — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:30:25 +0000

Tim,
Great post.
“Consumers can view listings on myriad sites, all of which offer functionality that is strikingly similar.”
This is exactly how I feel as well. And how much of the information is just pure noise? The real estate listing site really needs to offer something both innovative and truly useful for the consumers.

By: Ted Lesher

Ted Lesher — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:11:00 +0000

I am a Buyer’s Agent. I think generic real estate sites have one primary value to the prospect who is almost always a buyer, not a lister: They help the buyer communicate with a local knowledge expert about the kind of house they think they like.

Other than that, the current listing- based business model is preoccupied with soothing and placating home sellers as a “modern day marketing tool’ (cheaper than print ads) and as a lead generator. Nice pictures but It’s content is relatively useless.

My new personal strategy is to know lots about my state-Florida; know about everything going on in my town, Palm Coast, in great detail; know my neighborhoods,gated and not; be real good at searching for a specific house profile-whether listed or not; and know how to research and negotiate a low price. And know how to create and use custom videos to communicate with buyers.

I provide my services for a negotiable fee and credit commissions earned to it. When the industry breaks cleanly into only fiduciary listers and fiduciary buyers agents who compete with each other we will begin to develop some consumer credibility. Am I leading edge or bleeding edge? Time will tell.

By: stewart taylor

stewart taylor — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 01:49:14 +0000

I live in Florida and I'm into Flipping Houses. I couldn't do what I do with out the use of online real estate companies and other real estate related websites. Where I live we have the local MLS available for all the public to view. Of course you don't get 100% of the information, but non the less it is a very important tool in my business. Thanks. Nice site. Great info and insight. I will bookmark for later.

By: Gainesville Real Estate

Gainesville Real Estate — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:35:46 +0000

I agree completely. The issue however is that most Realtors aren’t in touch with technology and most IT people don’t have a passion for real estate.

We innovate by writing our own crm software and have dramatically improved the user experience. BTW – Nothing is more irritating than popup ads on Realtor.com

Not too sure about any new ideas for national re sites right now, but there is a lot to capitalize on the local level for Realtors up to the technical challanges.