Answers (26)
- sunnyview
- Contributions:26830
"Pasadenan, seems you actually sell real estate so do not be bother by those who do not."
I think I must have misunderstood you since that comment seems very unnecessary and unkind to John who was taking time to explain his concerns. If that outlook is what you call an agent providing "true value" then I will pass.
I think I must have misunderstood you since that comment seems very unnecessary and unkind to John who was taking time to explain his concerns. If that outlook is what you call an agent providing "true value" then I will pass.
- Robert Bentley, "robertbentley"
- Contributions:58
Pasadenan, seems you actually sell real estate so do not be bother by those who do not.
I rarely take time to comment on things, but find the exchange entertaining and as you can see I have just seen this exchange months after posted as busy actually representing more buyers in my market then any other agent by actual real sales stats.
Just leave the poor guy alone as he never represents sellers and hardly represents buyers.
Only practiced agents provide true value. Blogging and posting is not selling and closing!
What sellers and buyers truely value is an agent that is hard working, always on top of things, answers thier calls and actually produces results, that's it. High school antics and blogging complaints, frankly consumers see as petty and pathetic as do I.
Just keep on selling and forget those you do not, great comments though.
Be Happy Sell More!
- John P. Wells, "John P. Wells"
- Contributions:132
Actually, Pasadenan, I am a scrupulously honest, thoughtful person, known for that in my community, and truly appreciated by my clients. Most of my clients become friends, and I truly like them. I made the mistake of trying to explain things to you honestly and according to my experience.
It's a shame that you have come here to be rude and insulting. I'm not going to be bothered by your attitude and waste my time responding to your comments again.
It's a shame that you have come here to be rude and insulting. I'm not going to be bothered by your attitude and waste my time responding to your comments again.
- Pasadenan
- Contributions:25954
Thanks for clearing up the mystery! That makes much more sense now!
- Sara Bonert, "Sara Bonert"
- Contributions:931
With regards to 12 Ocean Chris is indeed the listing agent and his info is sent to us by his broker, Coldwell Banker NRT. NRT has recently implemented a national advertising deal with all of their own listings, where we are experimenting with the ad unit you see in the upper right hand corner in an attempt to accomplish their advertising objectives. Nationally, all NRT listings will look this way. Chris indeed does not have an account with us. If he did, he would appear in the directory and his photo would appear as a link at the bottom of the page. In this case, he broker is buying advertising on his behalf.
- Pasadenan
- Contributions:25954
Everyone's "worth" is "infinite" regardless if they do absolutely nothing. And the U.S. Government decided that Osama bin Laden was worth Billions of dollars of borrowed Chinese money, placing his "value" way above that of Bill Gates.
But you are definitely not "worth your weight in Gold" for "one transaction" to the buyer! That is absolute foolishness, which is why those that repeat NAR propaganda are not qualified to represent anyone.
Say your weight is 200 lbs. That is 3200 oz. Gold is presently selling for $1544.40 per ounce. So that would put your "claimed" worth for the transaction at $4.942 Million! For a $1/2 million house, your worth is 10 times the total purchase price? That is pure arrogance and deceit.
But you are definitely not "worth your weight in Gold" for "one transaction" to the buyer! That is absolute foolishness, which is why those that repeat NAR propaganda are not qualified to represent anyone.
Say your weight is 200 lbs. That is 3200 oz. Gold is presently selling for $1544.40 per ounce. So that would put your "claimed" worth for the transaction at $4.942 Million! For a $1/2 million house, your worth is 10 times the total purchase price? That is pure arrogance and deceit.
- Pasadenan
- Contributions:25954
OK, two things I'm confused about with the 12 Ocean Avenue listing that Sunnyview referenced:
1) The selling agent is listed as "Chris Viegaard" Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage. There is no Viegaard in Zillow's directory; and there are only 14 Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Massachusetts in Zillow's directory, and none of them have the same avatar image, and none of them have the 12 Ocean Avenue listing. So, if not a registered user on the site, how did the information about the broker/agent transfer with the syndication?
2) I see no place in the User information for a registered user to add "brought to you by", and that is not in the directory either; so how were those words added, unless it was a "targeted" advertisement just for the listing page? In which case, why isn't the user registered?
Normally if one is "self promoting" with a user name, or similar, one flags the user profile; but I can't even find such a user profile.
So how did they do it? And is it a good idea to add the words "brought to you by..."?
1) The selling agent is listed as "Chris Viegaard" Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage. There is no Viegaard in Zillow's directory; and there are only 14 Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Massachusetts in Zillow's directory, and none of them have the same avatar image, and none of them have the 12 Ocean Avenue listing. So, if not a registered user on the site, how did the information about the broker/agent transfer with the syndication?
2) I see no place in the User information for a registered user to add "brought to you by", and that is not in the directory either; so how were those words added, unless it was a "targeted" advertisement just for the listing page? In which case, why isn't the user registered?
Normally if one is "self promoting" with a user name, or similar, one flags the user profile; but I can't even find such a user profile.
So how did they do it? And is it a good idea to add the words "brought to you by..."?
- John P. Wells, "John P. Wells"
- Contributions:132
Most transactions without a Buyer Agent simply serve to allow the listing agent to keep the entire commission, as is stipulated in the contract with the seller. It is the listing agent that benefits from this situation, not the seller, and most certainly not the buyer, who is exposed to all kinds of risks that he probably doesn't even know about. My job is to protect my clients and, as my reviews mention, I have plenty of buyers who have been thankful of my stopping them from buying a house that they would have bought without my showing them some major issues.
I have saved my buyers money in countless ways, and protected their deposits from being at risk when they didn't know better. One misstep can be very costly. A good Buyer's Agent is worth his weight in gold, and a wise Buyer will make use of the expertise and and experience to protect their interests in making such a crucial purchase.
I have saved my buyers money in countless ways, and protected their deposits from being at risk when they didn't know better. One misstep can be very costly. A good Buyer's Agent is worth his weight in gold, and a wise Buyer will make use of the expertise and and experience to protect their interests in making such a crucial purchase.
- Michelle Carr-Crowe, "lynbrookhomes1"
- Contributions:537
I liked Zillow's ad programs much better before they changed it to the Realtor.com model. It just seems to be confusing for potential clients (Who is the listing agent? is a common question), and frustrating for advertisers like John.
- Pasadenan
- Contributions:25954
That example is impossible as the city has a sign ordinance that restricts the size of the sign.
Besides a "buyers" agent is not "free". If the buyer's agent didn't need to be paid by someone, then the price of the home would be less and the seller would still receive more.
And I would rather be unrepresented than represented by someone that intentionally distorts the truth.
And of course I will contact the listing agent directly if I need clarification on the listed information, or if the information is clearly "wrong" and needs to be corrected! There is no reason to go through a middle person that will just delay the process and that won't understand the question, and won't be able to clarify the question if the listing agent doesn't understand. Besides, why add 3 days to the process for nothing?
Besides a "buyers" agent is not "free". If the buyer's agent didn't need to be paid by someone, then the price of the home would be less and the seller would still receive more.
And I would rather be unrepresented than represented by someone that intentionally distorts the truth.
And of course I will contact the listing agent directly if I need clarification on the listed information, or if the information is clearly "wrong" and needs to be corrected! There is no reason to go through a middle person that will just delay the process and that won't understand the question, and won't be able to clarify the question if the listing agent doesn't understand. Besides, why add 3 days to the process for nothing?
- John P. Wells, "John P. Wells"
- Contributions:132
Pasadenan, let me put this in perspective. Suppose you put your house up for sale. Your listing agent also now lists the house next to yours for sale, and puts up a sign there that is twice as large as the one he put on your property. That sign offers potential buyers, in large letters, a special promotion for buying that house instead of yours.
Would you complain?
Would you complain?
- John P. Wells, "John P. Wells"
- Contributions:132
Pasadenan, would you like to be represented by an agent who protects your interests and acts when your rights are being impacted? I stand up for my clients in the same way I stand up for myself; if I think something is wrong, I speak up and try to do something about it. My clients love me for it.
And I am certainly not the only one complaining; I am just trying to convince Zillow that it is something that needs to be changed and trying to get attention of decision makers. Otherwise their program is good.
Also, it is not in your interest to contact the listing agent. A listing agent is required to share their commission with your buyer agent only if the buyer agent initiates the contact. Having a good buyer agent is hugely beneficial to you and you don't want to lose this free service!
And I am certainly not the only one complaining; I am just trying to convince Zillow that it is something that needs to be changed and trying to get attention of decision makers. Otherwise their program is good.
Also, it is not in your interest to contact the listing agent. A listing agent is required to share their commission with your buyer agent only if the buyer agent initiates the contact. Having a good buyer agent is hugely beneficial to you and you don't want to lose this free service!
- Sara Bonert, "Sara Bonert"
- Contributions:931
Pasadenan - Correct that if the listing agent has created a free profile on Zillow, their information will show up first and as the default on the Buyer's Agent List. Important that the email address on the Agent's Profile matches the contact email address on the Listing info we receive from the data source. Secondly, it is important that the agent uploads a photo when they create an account, so that we have an image to populate on the list.
- Pasadenan
- Contributions:25954
I saw a listing last night that had 3 choices for buyers agent; both top right and at the bottom.
2 were "premier agents" for the zip code (paying...); the 3rd was apparently chosen by the software based on indicated service area, contributions and review rating. (The agent didn't have their "local expert" status for the area yet).
As I stated before; 3 choices appear reasonable. I don't know why the listing agent wasn't shown; but of course the source of the listing was shown with the agent's name. I'm imagining the page formats this way when the listing agent is not registered on Zillow.
2 were "premier agents" for the zip code (paying...); the 3rd was apparently chosen by the software based on indicated service area, contributions and review rating. (The agent didn't have their "local expert" status for the area yet).
As I stated before; 3 choices appear reasonable. I don't know why the listing agent wasn't shown; but of course the source of the listing was shown with the agent's name. I'm imagining the page formats this way when the listing agent is not registered on Zillow.
- Pasadenan
- Contributions:25954
Well, the example Sunnyview posted only had two; so I still see nothing wrong with this.
But I wouldn't want an agent to represent me that complains about such things. So thank you for letting me know that you don't want to represent me.
Personally, as a business owner, I don't believe in any kind of advertisement in the first place. Yes, I know for sales, you need to let the consumer know the product is available; but that is different.
And I realize Zillow's revenue model is advertisement based, so of course there will be advertisements.
And the listing agent still needs to be posted with the listing. This is "standard practice" and would be extremely misleading if the listing agent wasn't posted on the page.
But I wouldn't want an agent to represent me that complains about such things. So thank you for letting me know that you don't want to represent me.
Personally, as a business owner, I don't believe in any kind of advertisement in the first place. Yes, I know for sales, you need to let the consumer know the product is available; but that is different.
And I realize Zillow's revenue model is advertisement based, so of course there will be advertisements.
And the listing agent still needs to be posted with the listing. This is "standard practice" and would be extremely misleading if the listing agent wasn't posted on the page.
- John P. Wells, "John P. Wells"
- Contributions:132
Premier Agent is restricted to two. Those two agents "own" the zipcode. I I'm paying for that status, and expect it to be respected. If Zillow is selling me that position, I have the right to expect Zillow to protect my interests and support my lead generation through their program, not detract from it. There is PLENTY wrong with this.
- Pasadenan
- Contributions:25954
Personally, I see nothing wrong with the ad's and listings the way they are. I saw nothing stating that a "premier agent" buying a zip code will be an "exclusive agent" - "owning" the zip code... I could easily see up to 3 premier agents for a zip code.
As a "consumer"; I actually want to see at least 3 choices. And with restaurants and retail outlets, it is well know that a few of similar being concentrated in the same area bring more business, not less.
And that "ad" by the "listing agent" is really no different than any other listing agent except the words "brought to you....". The listing agent has to be posted at the top right and bottom of the listing page regardless of any premier agents on the page.
I don't see any "policy change" and don't think it should be changed.
As a "consumer"; I actually want to see at least 3 choices. And with restaurants and retail outlets, it is well know that a few of similar being concentrated in the same area bring more business, not less.
And that "ad" by the "listing agent" is really no different than any other listing agent except the words "brought to you....". The listing agent has to be posted at the top right and bottom of the listing page regardless of any premier agents on the page.
I don't see any "policy change" and don't think it should be changed.
- sunnyview
- Contributions:26830
I am sorry to hear that Zillow has not been more responsive. Before you give up and walk away, I would definitely email Sara Bonert directly. Zillow has such good potential for agents to advertise and hit their target market. The Premier agents that I chatted with before this change seemed happy.
If you are not happy now, I am sure that you are not the only one. Thank you so much for explaining. I really appreciate being able to hear it straight from the source. I hope Zillow listens to your concerns and reconsiders.
If you are not happy now, I am sure that you are not the only one. Thank you so much for explaining. I really appreciate being able to hear it straight from the source. I hope Zillow listens to your concerns and reconsiders.
- John P. Wells, "John P. Wells"
- Contributions:132
Thanks Sunnyview. That is exactly what I am referring to and the other agent has been working with me for a month on this too. Zillow has been unrelenting. She is a franchise owner for William Raveis.
- sunnyview
- Contributions:26830
Hello John. I really appreciate your reply. I checked out the zip here. Are you talking about that upper ad like is one this page here? That would irk me if I was a premier agent.
I am not Zillow, but I can see why that would be an issue. You want your dollars spent to make the greatest impact and that extra twist would change things. I have a suggestion for what it's worth. I know you said that you complained to Zillow. If it were me, I would ask the other agent in your zip if they would be willing to sign a letter(email) with you explaining how this has impacted them. I would send it straight to this person here.
Agents are important to Zillow and I think as independent business people you have to explain what helps you and hurts you on the site. Zillow has sometimes made changes even to big programs based on feedback just like yours. I think it might be worth trying to make them understand your situation one to one.
I am not Zillow, but I can see why that would be an issue. You want your dollars spent to make the greatest impact and that extra twist would change things. I have a suggestion for what it's worth. I know you said that you complained to Zillow. If it were me, I would ask the other agent in your zip if they would be willing to sign a letter(email) with you explaining how this has impacted them. I would send it straight to this person here.
Agents are important to Zillow and I think as independent business people you have to explain what helps you and hurts you on the site. Zillow has sometimes made changes even to big programs based on feedback just like yours. I think it might be worth trying to make them understand your situation one to one.
- John P. Wells, "John P. Wells"
- Contributions:132
To Sunnyview: Check out zipcode 01950. I am one of two early zillow clients here. Both of us are extremely disturbed by what Zillow is allowing and our complaints have gotten us nowhere. Zillow will allow anyone to do this and it has seriously affected our results.
This space should be restricted to other types of service providers.
This space should be restricted to other types of service providers.
- sunnyview
- Contributions:26830
I am interested. Can you explain what you mean by "allowing other realtors to advertise in direction competition to premier agents"? I would like to know more about that.
- John P. Wells, "John P. Wells"
- Contributions:132
Zillow is allowing other realtors to advertise in direction competition to premier agents - it seriously hurts the resutls. Not worth the money until they change this.
- Sara Bonert, "Sara Bonert"
- Contributions:931
Well, I may be biased, but I think it works very well! :)
But let me direct you to some less-bias people people who have answered this question.
Blog post: Want to increase your lead flow from Zillow? (read comments here)
Blog post: Worth buying ZipCodes?
And there are many other success stories sprinkled throughout the Zillow Advice area.
But let me direct you to some less-bias people people who have answered this question.
Blog post: Want to increase your lead flow from Zillow? (read comments here)
Blog post: Worth buying ZipCodes?
And there are many other success stories sprinkled throughout the Zillow Advice area.
- Fiona Tustian, "Fiona Tustian"
- Contributions:13
I am also interested in this - I am waiting for a reply from Zillow. I am looking forward to any replies you get. Fiona Tustian, Virginia
- Brandon King, "BRANDON_KING"
- Contributions:358
Call Zillow Advertising at 866-324-4005
I am interested to know how being a premier agent for your zip code has resulted for you?
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