Comments on: Are Listing Agents Hurting Their Clients by Hiding Addresses? http://blog.redfin.com/blog/2009/08/are_listing_agents_hurting_their_clients_by_hiding_addresses.html Redfin Corporate Blog Sat, 11 Feb 2012 06:50:21 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: James swartz http://blog.redfin.com/blog/2009/08/are_listing_agents_hurting_their_clients_by_hiding_addresses.html/comment-page-1#comment-9316 James swartz Tue, 27 Jul 2010 17:50:43 +0000 http://blog.redfin.com/?p=1504#comment-9316 I believe that there are a lot of things that a listing agent does that is not in the best interest of their client the seller. The problem with the majority of agents in today's world of the internet, is that they just don't understand how the internet really works. It take a lot of time to understand and work the internet correctly.<br><br>I believe that the address, as well as the best pictures that can be taken, should be blasted out on the web. There are more and more buyers, and sellers using the internet today, than ever before, and it is only growing more everyday.<br><br>If you want to know more about the web and real estate go here: <a href="http://dotcomrealestatedomains.com/Sales.html" rel="nofollow">http://dotcomrealestatedomains.com/Sales.html</a><br>If you want to see how I believe a real estate site should look and display property, go here: <a href="http://www.85254homesforsale.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.85254homesforsale.com</a><br>I am the Owner/Designated Broker for Az Realty Results L.L.C. located in Scottsdale Arizona<br><a href="http://www.azrealtyresults.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.azrealtyresults.com</a> I believe that there are a lot of things that a listing agent does that is not in the best interest of their client the seller. The problem with the majority of agents in today's world of the internet, is that they just don't understand how the internet really works. It take a lot of time to understand and work the internet correctly.

I believe that the address, as well as the best pictures that can be taken, should be blasted out on the web. There are more and more buyers, and sellers using the internet today, than ever before, and it is only growing more everyday.

If you want to know more about the web and real estate go here: http://dotcomrealestatedomains.com/Sales.html
If you want to see how I believe a real estate site should look and display property, go here: http://www.85254homesforsale.com
I am the Owner/Designated Broker for Az Realty Results L.L.C. located in Scottsdale Arizona
http://www.azrealtyresults.com

]]> By: Bill Smith http://blog.redfin.com/blog/2009/08/are_listing_agents_hurting_their_clients_by_hiding_addresses.html/comment-page-1#comment-9315 Bill Smith Mon, 26 Jul 2010 09:20:05 +0000 http://blog.redfin.com/?p=1504#comment-9315 There's is also a liability factor when you represent both the buyer and seller in a transaction. I always ask my clients if they want their address hidden, most of them will list it just to help get it sold in this market.<br>Bill Smith<br>Keller Williams Realty<br>914-420-1974<br><a href="http://www.HomesForSaleInOrangeCountyNY.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.HomesForSaleInOrangeCountyNY.com</a><br><a href="http://www.TownhousesForSaleInOrangeCountyNY.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.TownhousesForSaleInOrangeCountyNY.com</a><br><a href="http://www.CondosForSaleInOrangeCountyNY.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.CondosForSaleInOrangeCountyNY.com</a> There's is also a liability factor when you represent both the buyer and seller in a transaction. I always ask my clients if they want their address hidden, most of them will list it just to help get it sold in this market.
Bill Smith
Keller Williams Realty
914-420-1974
http://www.HomesForSaleInOrangeCountyNY.com
http://www.TownhousesForSaleInOrangeCountyNY.com
http://www.CondosForSaleInOrangeCountyNY.com

]]> By: Patrick http://blog.redfin.com/blog/2009/08/are_listing_agents_hurting_their_clients_by_hiding_addresses.html/comment-page-1#comment-9229 Patrick Sat, 03 Jul 2010 13:12:19 +0000 http://blog.redfin.com/?p=1504#comment-9229 I real enjoy this real estate blog. Good information. Thanks I real enjoy this real estate blog. Good information. Thanks

]]> By: Anthroholic http://blog.redfin.com/blog/2009/08/are_listing_agents_hurting_their_clients_by_hiding_addresses.html/comment-page-1#comment-7419 Anthroholic Thu, 07 Jan 2010 22:08:48 +0000 http://blog.redfin.com/?p=1504#comment-7419 In my case, my agent decided to hide the address without asking me. When I asked her about it, she blamed it on Redfin saying they do this arbitrarily so that their agents can get the deal. BS! I'm so ready to fire her. In my case, my agent decided to hide the address without asking me. When I asked her about it, she blamed it on Redfin saying they do this arbitrarily so that their agents can get the deal. BS! I’m so ready to fire her.

]]> By: jf.sellsius.theclozing http://blog.redfin.com/blog/2009/08/are_listing_agents_hurting_their_clients_by_hiding_addresses.html/comment-page-1#comment-6454 jf.sellsius.theclozing Wed, 02 Sep 2009 14:59:23 +0000 http://blog.redfin.com/?p=1504#comment-6454 The issue that interests me is whether the decision to hide an address should be that of the homeowner or the listing agent. I would assume listing agents have the stats to support the reason why registration is preferable-- more sales--- do you know if those stats exist? I am curious to know where you got your statistics on those 66% requiring registration -- can you add a link or somehow direct me to the source. Thanks The issue that interests me is whether the decision to hide an address should be that of the homeowner or the listing agent.

I would assume listing agents have the stats to support the reason why registration is preferable– more sales— do you know if those stats exist?

I am curious to know where you got your statistics on those 66% requiring registration — can you add a link or somehow direct me to the source.

Thanks

]]> By: Larry Whited http://blog.redfin.com/blog/2009/08/are_listing_agents_hurting_their_clients_by_hiding_addresses.html/comment-page-1#comment-6452 Larry Whited Wed, 02 Sep 2009 13:13:25 +0000 http://blog.redfin.com/?p=1504#comment-6452 Well written Glen. I posted the following today on Inman on the same subect; I love it when someone out side our profession suddenly has all the answers to our future. Walk in our brokerage shoes for a few years and then tell us how you see the RE Biz. I guarantee you will have a deferent opinion. Your hypothesis that unless we can prove showing an address in VOW & IDX generates a higher sale we should not display them is absurd and completely misses the point. If we follow your advise our profession will self destruct and be replaced by a Zillow, eBay, Google or Microsoft. The consumer demands a free flow of information in this internet world. If the FTC/DOJ allows our industry to hinder that flow of info, such as the address on all IDX and VOW sites, we will be replaced. The real issue is that the large, last century, dinosaur, brokerage models want to force the consumer to be dependant on their VOW sites and by doing so force commission back to 7%. They need higher commission to support their inefficient antiquated business models. They hope to accomplish this by crushing this century value brokerage models (virtual, low cost, full service) by not allowing their property address to display on the value brokers IDX sites. IDX is much less expensive to operate than a VOW and is vital to the growth of the value brokers. They know the value brokerages will always display our address to meet the demands of this century marketing and our clients. Thus they gain a huge advantage in that buyers can see all address on their large brokerage sites (the majority being their own listings) while they block their address on the value broker sites. Buyers want to see all addresses so they will gravitate to the larger 7% broker sites at the expense of the value brokers and the consumer will pay higher commissions to sell their homes. Your premise is anti-consumer, anti-competition and enables veiled price fixing. The FTC/DOJ must address this loophole quickly. Larry A. Whited, Sr., CRB, CRS, GRI President & Founder www.maxUnet.com & www.WebMLS.net A Virtual Real Estate Franchise System ** Virtual Is the Future ** P.O. Box 757 West Chester Ohio 45071 Direct - (513) 543-2727 Fax - (513) 297-7497 Well written Glen. I posted the following today on Inman on the same subect;

I love it when someone out side our profession suddenly has all the answers to our future. Walk in our brokerage shoes for a few years and then tell us how you see the RE Biz. I guarantee you will have a deferent opinion.

Your hypothesis that unless we can prove showing an address in VOW & IDX generates a higher sale we should not display them is absurd and completely misses the point. If we follow your advise our profession will self destruct and be replaced by a Zillow, eBay, Google or Microsoft.

The consumer demands a free flow of information in this internet world. If the FTC/DOJ allows our industry to hinder that flow of info, such as the address on all IDX and VOW sites, we will be replaced.

The real issue is that the large, last century, dinosaur, brokerage models want to force the consumer to be dependant on their VOW sites and by doing so force commission back to 7%. They need higher commission to support their inefficient antiquated business models.

They hope to accomplish this by crushing this century value brokerage models (virtual, low cost, full service) by not allowing their property address to display on the value brokers IDX sites. IDX is much less expensive to operate than a VOW and is vital to the growth of the value brokers.

They know the value brokerages will always display our address to meet the demands of this century marketing and our clients. Thus they gain a huge advantage in that buyers can see all address on their large brokerage sites (the majority being their own listings) while they block their address on the value broker sites.

Buyers want to see all addresses so they will gravitate to the larger 7% broker sites at the expense of the value brokers and the consumer will pay higher commissions to sell their homes.

Your premise is anti-consumer, anti-competition and enables veiled price fixing. The FTC/DOJ must address this loophole quickly.

Larry A. Whited, Sr., CRB, CRS, GRI
President & Founder
http://www.maxUnet.com & http://www.WebMLS.net
A Virtual Real Estate Franchise System
** Virtual Is the Future **
P.O. Box 757
West Chester Ohio 45071
Direct – (513) 543-2727 Fax – (513) 297-7497

]]> By: Ian Greenleigh http://blog.redfin.com/blog/2009/08/are_listing_agents_hurting_their_clients_by_hiding_addresses.html/comment-page-1#comment-6388 Ian Greenleigh Fri, 21 Aug 2009 19:41:24 +0000 http://blog.redfin.com/?p=1504#comment-6388 Forced registration is one of the most rudimentary and annoying forms of lead capture & qualification out there today. I understand the thinking behind it, but it's needs to be reevaluated. What's really bad is when it's not even an agent's listings that require registration to view, it's the perfectly-public MLS IDX feed on their site. In this case, success in modern real estate and 2.0-thinking coincide beautifully, in that providing relevant information to the consumer without asking for some reciprocal or committal act will, ultimately, be best for both parties. I'm happy to see the data you cite bore this out. Forced registration is one of the most rudimentary and annoying forms of lead capture & qualification out there today. I understand the thinking behind it, but it’s needs to be reevaluated. What’s really bad is when it’s not even an agent’s listings that require registration to view, it’s the perfectly-public MLS IDX feed on their site. In this case, success in modern real estate and 2.0-thinking coincide beautifully, in that providing relevant information to the consumer without asking for some reciprocal or committal act will, ultimately, be best for both parties. I’m happy to see the data you cite bore this out.

]]> By: Matthew Griffin http://blog.redfin.com/blog/2009/08/are_listing_agents_hurting_their_clients_by_hiding_addresses.html/comment-page-1#comment-6385 Matthew Griffin Fri, 21 Aug 2009 14:39:30 +0000 http://blog.redfin.com/?p=1504#comment-6385 @Glenn Kelman I understand what you're saying, it's one point of view. What I said is just that we need to protect the owner privacy too. But you had a good point. @Glenn Kelman

I understand what you’re saying, it’s one point of view. What I said is just that we need to protect the owner privacy too. But you had a good point.

]]> By: Glenn Kelman http://blog.redfin.com/blog/2009/08/are_listing_agents_hurting_their_clients_by_hiding_addresses.html/comment-page-1#comment-6380 Glenn Kelman Wed, 19 Aug 2009 13:47:14 +0000 http://blog.redfin.com/?p=1504#comment-6380 @Matthew Griffin: have you ever walked into a store thinking you weren't going to buy something and then walked out an hour later two bags in tow... the same thing happens in real estate. @Matthew Griffin: have you ever walked into a store thinking you weren’t going to buy something and then walked out an hour later two bags in tow… the same thing happens in real estate.

]]> By: Matthew Griffin http://blog.redfin.com/blog/2009/08/are_listing_agents_hurting_their_clients_by_hiding_addresses.html/comment-page-1#comment-6366 Matthew Griffin Fri, 14 Aug 2009 17:33:48 +0000 http://blog.redfin.com/?p=1504#comment-6366 I think that we need some privacy in the listings. Here in ForeclosureDataOnline.com, you can see the property listings, but only after a registration you can check all the information, including the adress and phone number of the agent... This way we can avoid people who don't want to buy and just do a check in the houses. By registering, we can see who's really interested I think that we need some privacy in the listings. Here in ForeclosureDataOnline.com, you can see the property listings, but only after a registration you can check all the information, including the adress and phone number of the agent… This way we can avoid people who don’t want to buy and just do a check in the houses.

By registering, we can see who’s really interested

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