DOT HOMES submits to US Real Estate BROKERS – dont worry – be happy !!
March 10, 2008
Earlier today I received the following from DOT HOMES:
New pingback on your post #117 “MLS Data compliance and NAR vs. DOJ “
Website: BYTEPLAY ? Blog Archive ? For US listing brokers (IP: 195.62.28.205 , www.ec1m.net)
URI : http://www.byteplay.com/blog/archives/57
Excerpt:
[...] [...] some of the ensuing controversy (Lenderama, CBS5.com, InmanNews, GreaterTampaBayRealEstate), I?m going to attempt here a crude recap of my conversation with Kevin. If you?ve any [...] [...]
This is related to an earlier post I made regarding the DOJ’s lawsuit against Realtor.com and the issue over MLS (Multiple Listing Service). It appears that the presence of this new venture on the scene in the Real Estate Search community, had ruffled some feathers of a few of the Top Real Estate Brokers (BLOGGERS). Some suggested that what Dot Homes was doing may not be entirely legitimate or in compliance with MLS regulations.Seems that this answer is right on the money: After you have clicked on the link above you will also see my reply:
“I think this is an excellent review of Dot Homes capabilities as well as highlighting the short sidedness of many Brokers in the Real Estate industry today. I don?t think you can explain it any clearer than this. This is a tool that Brokers should welcome with open arms?especially given the current economic climate.
Also, keep in mind that there are well over 150 MLS associations in the U.S. alone, that all have their own version of what constitutes compliance. This entire MLS issue is so overblown and in many opinions has been the major issue that has suppressed innovation and competition in our industry. Why else is the US DOJ going after Realtor.Com with such vigor? Could it be that they represent monopolistic tendencies when it comes to the MLS ? Going forward, I think this kind of makes Kevin?s entire comment on the MLS issue kind of baseless. ”
Related Post:
MLS Data compliance and NAR vs. DOJ
Will you find your home on Roost ?
January 25, 2008
Another NEW Generation Real Estate Platform, joined the likes of Trulia, Realtor.com and Zillow earlier this week. I believe their actual launch was on Wednesday the 23rd.
Roost.com says they will partner with MLS?s and Brokers. They claim they are unlike other online models in that, ?Roost?s network of broker sites ensures consumers have access to comprehensive MLS listings in major metropolitan areas across the U.S., via close collaborations with MLSs and leading local brokers that can help them find their next home.?
From what I can tell they are predominantly covering the West Coast now and are in about 13 markets. It is too soon to tell if and when they will develop into the South and the Florida Markets.
From a quick overview of their platform, I noticed right off the bat that they have optimized the site for Fire Fox Browser which is great. But they may have missed a beat here. As most Realtors know, almost all of the MLS?s at present require usage of IE and in fact do not work well with Fire Fox. But then again Fire Fox is a much better browsers in my book and many Realtors could do well to add it to their tools.
Gregg Swann over at Blood Hound Blog did a really great job of describing what Roost is all about and how they intend to market their product so I would invite you to take a look at his excellent post on Roost.
If I had one initial comment to make, it would be that the folks over at Roost should spend a little more time on their blog. Using a template advertising someone else’s free WP template does not give the professional polished look you would associate with a New Technology Company that is looking to compete with some of the bigger league players. Other than that I can?t wait to kick the tires and see what this will do for us here in the South and more specifically, the Greater Tampa Bay Area Real Estate markets.
Is Roost a tool for you or your clients to use ?
Related Posts:
Newspaper ads for listings a dying breed
Zillow Newspaper advertising alliance – So What ?
Newspaper ads for listings a dying breed
November 23, 2007
New Report by media experts Borrell Associates Inc.forecast the demise of newspaper advertising as one of the staples for Real Estate listings.
“Real estate brokers and agents will continue to devote more marketing budgets to online media. This year they will spend $2.6 billion on online media and by 2012 online will topple newspapers share“.
This is indeed interesting and backs- up what many of us in the NEW Media segment have been preaching to the old guard. There is a change in the wind and it is happening much sooner and faster than Real Estate Agents and Brokers will be happy with.
I have posted several articles over the last few weeks discussing the merits or the lack thereof, pertaining to Web 2.0 adoption by the Real Estate industry as a whole, and in particular how NAR has responded at their recent convention in Vegas. (NAR members with Ostrich syndrome on Web 2.0 ) (National Association of Realtors details 10 Year Plan)
Many in the Real Estate industry still fight this notion as one recent commenter said, “The Internet is a a powerful tool as we all know, but I don?t think we can completely discount the amount of buyers that search the newspapers still these days. The paper in my market has an excellent real estate section every Sunday. I generate a lot of calls from classified ads so I know they are still reading. You have to keep things diversified.”
While this may be true today, the statistics show a rapidly declining market for newspapers and an incremental rise in-online advertising. As the Baby Boom generation completes their last home purchases, the next generation, X, Y and ?? will be accustomed to using the Internet.
Borrell’s report also forecasts; that online advertising revenue will grow by 12.4 % in 2008 and print ad spending will continue to decline at an accelerated pace. The print advertising medium is expected to shrink by as much as 16% in 2009 increasing to 13% in 2010. Online real estate advertising will have surpassed print by 2011.
The writing is on the wall and as Zillow makes agreements with Newspaper companies for add sharing revenue it is apparent they know this too is coming.
So if you are one of the ones still sitting on the fence and wondering why you should even bother with taking your advertising online, or investing the time to learn about blogs ? I think this is your call. If this pans out, that means that you would have about 3 years to get up to speed. Meantime the early adopters will be taking valuable market share that you knowingly gave away.
Technology can be daunting, but their is a lot of help in the market with more on the horizon. If you approach the inevitable change with openness and embrace it, you will find yourself much better able to handle the questions you will surely get from prospective clients inquiring about your approach to media advertising and your online presence.
I think the days are fast approaching when simply being an expert in your area of the Real Estate community is not enough. You also have to know how to market yourself and your expertise in the new medium. Not because I or any other media pundit says you should. The real drivers for adoption will be your customers, who will demand it.
Related Posts:
Are Florida Realtors up for the challenging time ahead ?
National Association of Realtors details 10 Year Plan
Zillow Newspaper advertising alliance – So What ?
NAR members with Ostrich syndrome on Web 2.0