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Replies (24)
- Debra (Debbie) Rose, "Livingston NJ"
- Contributions:2733
I think I will respond the same way Jay Thompson did..................."Interesting"!
I don't understnd the reason for limiting photos to 4...........but I can understand the desire to maintain control over a company's own listings........as the proprietors of those listings.
I am going to question the head of my company's marketing department, and see if those ideas are limited to the west coast, for now, or if they might be heading in an easterly direction!
Thanks for sharing the article/blog!
I don't understnd the reason for limiting photos to 4...........but I can understand the desire to maintain control over a company's own listings........as the proprietors of those listings.
I am going to question the head of my company's marketing department, and see if those ideas are limited to the west coast, for now, or if they might be heading in an easterly direction!
Thanks for sharing the article/blog!
- Tug of War
- Contributions:1969
I viewed it as a move/message to say....
If you want more photos/info/details then you need to use the Actual Listing Agent, our website, our MLS..to direct the Consumers/Leads back to those whose Listings are being displayed rather than those Listings being used as Lead Generators/Money makers for others
Of course there is a first time for everything so I could be wrong ;)
If you want more photos/info/details then you need to use the Actual Listing Agent, our website, our MLS..to direct the Consumers/Leads back to those whose Listings are being displayed rather than those Listings being used as Lead Generators/Money makers for others
Of course there is a first time for everything so I could be wrong ;)
- Debra (Debbie) Rose, "Livingston NJ"
- Contributions:2733
Oh, I read it the same way...........it's a way of taking control (back) perhaps.........and it would stop the "claiming:" of listings by anyone other than the listing agent.......
- Michael Emery, "MikeEmery"
- Contributions:7298
Edina Realty continues to provide listings to Realtor.com only because they haven't been able to negotiate a 'work around' with Realtor.com that would allow agents to manually input their listings on the site.
Edina Realty has not had a relationship with ZIllow.com so their listings haven't been on Zillow unless the agents put it on the site themselves. Their crosstown competitor CB Burnet has or had an exclusive agreement with Zillow to provide listings, which caused Edina to opt out of providing listings to Zillow.
Edina CEO Bob Peltier believes that with the companies massive investment in their own internet presence that it was foolish to allow companies like Trulia and Realtor.com to receive free content while draining away the leads from their own agents. Edina has a program where 'web leads' are a source of income to the company (they receive a portion of the commission on web leads that are provided to agents excepting if it's already the agents listing).
I would anticipate that more real estate companies will pull the plug on other sites like Zillow and Trulia, but I haven't heard that any other brokers that are owned by Home Services of America have turned the information tap off.
Edina Realty has not had a relationship with ZIllow.com so their listings haven't been on Zillow unless the agents put it on the site themselves. Their crosstown competitor CB Burnet has or had an exclusive agreement with Zillow to provide listings, which caused Edina to opt out of providing listings to Zillow.
Edina CEO Bob Peltier believes that with the companies massive investment in their own internet presence that it was foolish to allow companies like Trulia and Realtor.com to receive free content while draining away the leads from their own agents. Edina has a program where 'web leads' are a source of income to the company (they receive a portion of the commission on web leads that are provided to agents excepting if it's already the agents listing).
I would anticipate that more real estate companies will pull the plug on other sites like Zillow and Trulia, but I haven't heard that any other brokers that are owned by Home Services of America have turned the information tap off.
- Tug of War
- Contributions:1969
You'd have TU's Debbie but apparently Zillow has made fixing them a High Priority..last word is they will be Back in April 2012 God Willing!
- Tug of War
- Contributions:1969
I think the approach taken by the MLS (Sandicor) may be the one to watch..From the Article/Blog
"Soon, the company will decrease the number of photos that can go out to syndicators to four, down from the maximum of 25. Another upcoming change: Images sent out to outside parties will bear watermarked contact information of the listing agents."
That and their adding a Text field to the Listings
"The main idea is that the contact information in the extra field would be displayed prominently for home hunters to see, nixing any confusion over the listing agent and an agent who is advertising on Trulia or Zillow."
Will this appeal to enough Realtors/MLS's/Brokers?
- Debra (Debbie) Rose, "Livingston NJ"
- Contributions:2733
well, I don't see that any agents would be upset by having their contact information attached to their listings.
I am still a bit confused by this.
I can't imagine my company opting out of Realtor.com or zillow...if anything, the number of sites our listings are sindicated/sent to are increasing.
That's why I will be interested in seeing what my company's marketing head says in response to this.
I will email her on Monday.
In regard to TU's - so how do they simply "break", and stop functioning?
Back by April? hahaha
won'y hold my breath.......
I am still a bit confused by this.
I can't imagine my company opting out of Realtor.com or zillow...if anything, the number of sites our listings are sindicated/sent to are increasing.
That's why I will be interested in seeing what my company's marketing head says in response to this.
I will email her on Monday.
In regard to TU's - so how do they simply "break", and stop functioning?
Back by April? hahaha
won'y hold my breath.......
- Kelly Erickson, "Kelly M. Erickson"
- Contributions:32
Thank you for sharing this "hot topic"! I think all these sites should be owned by licensed (non selling) agents.
- Tug of War
- Contributions:1969
Thanks for sharing your view Kelly...
Curious..
In what way would "I think all these sites should be owned by licensed (non selling) agents." improve things, who would it benefit, why?
Curious..
In what way would "I think all these sites should be owned by licensed (non selling) agents." improve things, who would it benefit, why?
- Tug of War
- Contributions:1969
Saw this and thought it was interesting ..the Listing Agent getting the leads angle
From Chicago Agent Magazine
According to Chris Haran, marketing manager for the Chicago and Milwaukee offices of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage...Each Coldwell Banker brokerage, in pays its agents to have enhanced listings on Trulia, Zillow and Realtor.com.
From Chicago Agent Magazine
According to Chris Haran, marketing manager for the Chicago and Milwaukee offices of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage...Each Coldwell Banker brokerage, in pays its agents to have enhanced listings on Trulia, Zillow and Realtor.com.
Zillow also has an annoying quirk that can hurt agents who haven't paid for enhanced listings on the site. When a buyer finds a listing on Zillow that isn't enhanced, Zillow will recommend four different agents for that buyer to call. More often than not, Haran says, the actual listing agent isn't one of those four agents', which means the lead from that listing will not go to the listing agent.
"We saw that our competitors were showing up on our Zillow listings. That didn't seem like a good deal to us," Haran said. "That's why we pay for the enhanced listings for all of our agents, so our listing leads go back to our agents."
Full Article...Zillow, Trulia and Realtor.com: Comparing "The Big Three"
- Michael Emery, "MikeEmery"
- Contributions:7298
Today I saw that an agent on Trulia was complaining because his listing was littered with ads for (apparently) his competitors.
Which is is precisely why Edina Realty pulled out of Trulia.
Which is is precisely why Edina Realty pulled out of Trulia.
- Debra (Debbie) Rose, "Livingston NJ"
- Contributions:2733
so is the question..... who owns or should retain "ownership/control" of listings?
Is it the listing agency?
i it the site to which the listings are syndicated?
does the listing company lose control once it syndicates out?
does the listing company have a fiduciary responsibility to the owners of the home to maintain and oversee all handling of the property even if it is syndicated out to other sites?
If someone listed their home with, for example, Mike..........would they be happy to see it show up on zillow or trula with other another agent's smiling face attached to it?
Is it the listing agency?
i it the site to which the listings are syndicated?
does the listing company lose control once it syndicates out?
does the listing company have a fiduciary responsibility to the owners of the home to maintain and oversee all handling of the property even if it is syndicated out to other sites?
If someone listed their home with, for example, Mike..........would they be happy to see it show up on zillow or trula with other another agent's smiling face attached to it?
- sunnyview
- Contributions:25139
"If someone listed their home with, for example, Mike..........would they be happy to see it show up on zillow or trula with other another agent's smiling face attached to it?"
I have seen agents on Zillow post other agent's listings and claim that it "actually helps the listing agent" by increasing exposure. I don't like the practice one bit.
Listing agents should have control over their own listings. After all, it's their name on the contract and their professional responsibility to make sure the listings are as accurate as possible. That would seem to be impossible with other agents posting their listing.
I have seen agents on Zillow post other agent's listings and claim that it "actually helps the listing agent" by increasing exposure. I don't like the practice one bit.
Listing agents should have control over their own listings. After all, it's their name on the contract and their professional responsibility to make sure the listings are as accurate as possible. That would seem to be impossible with other agents posting their listing.
- Debra (Debbie) Rose, "Livingston NJ"
- Contributions:2733
I agree Sunny..........
- Tug of War
- Contributions:1969
;)
That's My Listing!
"While in the course of this little project, I find our listing on Zillow. Just one problem….someone else is noted as the listing agent."
"Zillow was very responsive when I called. They immediately ‘reclaimed' the listing for us. But, of course I wondered, how does this happen? Who is responsible for policing this? How often does this go on? She said that it was being flagged and noted that this gem of a company had claimed 730 listings. 730 listings?!"
"Zillow sent me a follow up message later in the day, "Thank you for notifying us regarding ReeBroker CA claiming your listing. We have removed the listing from this users account and are handling this issue appropriately." I guess I'm wondering what ‘appropriately' means. Have 730 listing agents not noticed that someone claimed their listing? Has anyone else notified Zillow that there is a problem? How easy is it to claim a listing that is not your own?"
That's My Listing!
"While in the course of this little project, I find our listing on Zillow. Just one problem….someone else is noted as the listing agent."
"Zillow was very responsive when I called. They immediately ‘reclaimed' the listing for us. But, of course I wondered, how does this happen? Who is responsible for policing this? How often does this go on? She said that it was being flagged and noted that this gem of a company had claimed 730 listings. 730 listings?!"
"Zillow sent me a follow up message later in the day, "Thank you for notifying us regarding ReeBroker CA claiming your listing. We have removed the listing from this users account and are handling this issue appropriately." I guess I'm wondering what ‘appropriately' means. Have 730 listing agents not noticed that someone claimed their listing? Has anyone else notified Zillow that there is a problem? How easy is it to claim a listing that is not your own?"
- blub blub blub
- Contributions:145
The listing should always show who the actual listing agents is regardless of whether or not that agent pays for enhanced listings.
Perhaps paying for enhanced listings should provide more detail about the listing and the listing agent.
Having enhanced listings or just paying for advertising is a way to try and get more business, not get the house sold by the listing agent.
Personally, as the listing agent, I wouldn't care who Zillow tells the potential buyer to contact, as long as my name was on there somewhere. Getting anyone to show the property and get it sold should be the main objective, not for the agent to get calls on their own property.
Perhaps paying for enhanced listings should provide more detail about the listing and the listing agent.
Having enhanced listings or just paying for advertising is a way to try and get more business, not get the house sold by the listing agent.
Personally, as the listing agent, I wouldn't care who Zillow tells the potential buyer to contact, as long as my name was on there somewhere. Getting anyone to show the property and get it sold should be the main objective, not for the agent to get calls on their own property.
- Mack McCoy
- Contributions:1117
Well, SV, I agree with you.
Here's the thing. Listings have become valuable, because people have figured out how to use them to for lead generation without paying for them. Recently, our MLS had a rule change with virtually put an end to this practice, as now agents have to get written permission from the Designated Broker to advertise other companies' listings.
Before CraigsList, there was HomeGain or HomeAdvisor, maybe both, that "aggregated" listings and offered to sell the leads they captured to real estate agents for a referral fee. Trulia kind of does that - you look at a listing, and another agent's ad pops up nearby.
Here's the thing. Listings have become valuable, because people have figured out how to use them to for lead generation without paying for them. Recently, our MLS had a rule change with virtually put an end to this practice, as now agents have to get written permission from the Designated Broker to advertise other companies' listings.
Before CraigsList, there was HomeGain or HomeAdvisor, maybe both, that "aggregated" listings and offered to sell the leads they captured to real estate agents for a referral fee. Trulia kind of does that - you look at a listing, and another agent's ad pops up nearby.
- Tug of War
- Contributions:1969
New Development...
Zillow hires MLS CEO to smooth industry relations
Zillow hires MLS CEO to smooth industry relations
"Real estate listings and valuation site operator Zillow Inc. has recruited the top executive at one of the nation's largest multiple listing services to help the company improve its relations with brokers and MLSs.
Bob Bemis, CEO of Arizona Regional Multiple Listing Service Inc. (ARMLS), submitted a notice of resignation to the MLS's board of directors at a special meeting Monday, ARMLS said. Zillow announced that it had hired Bemis as vice president of partner relations the same day."
"In recent months, Zillow and other listing portals have been swept into a debate over the advertisements they run next to listings they receive from brokers, MLSs and companies that syndicate listing data."
*****
But as they often seem to do ...they make it interesting ;)
"It was an interesting juxtaposition of timing," Bemis said of the Feb. 6 launch date for Realist, but dismissed "rumors that I've been run out of town" as "totally unfounded."
Bemis said he's been in discussions with Zillow "for a while," noting that the company "doesn't hire a VP overnight."
- PukonYukon
- Contributions:173
as a seller I don't want my agent to try to have so much control.
i want my agent to leverage any of these syndicated sites that get a lot of traffic. If my agent wants to serve my best interest they would see it same way.
but seeing other agents list it as their is not ok.
limit to 4 pictures doesn't help me or buyer
not having it here doesn't help me or buyer
a dishonest listing by bogus listing agent doesn't help me or buyer
a listing with a lot of information including who is the listing agent and who are other buyer's agents that one might contact does help me.
i want my agent to leverage any of these syndicated sites that get a lot of traffic. If my agent wants to serve my best interest they would see it same way.
but seeing other agents list it as their is not ok.
limit to 4 pictures doesn't help me or buyer
not having it here doesn't help me or buyer
a dishonest listing by bogus listing agent doesn't help me or buyer
a listing with a lot of information including who is the listing agent and who are other buyer's agents that one might contact does help me.
- Debra (Debbie) Rose, "Livingston NJ"
- Contributions:2733
hey, that zillow stays on their toes, don't they!
interesting recruiting move for sure...........am running out now, but will read the link later
ps
maybe Bob can help them figure out how to fix the broken thumbs up button..... and resolve the "review" issues... and other stuff!
interesting recruiting move for sure...........am running out now, but will read the link later
ps
maybe Bob can help them figure out how to fix the broken thumbs up button..... and resolve the "review" issues... and other stuff!
- Tug of War
- Contributions:1969
I'm sure he'll have as Huge an Impact as the "Expert" they hired awhile back that was going to work on/fix the Lisings issues..
I'm thinking he'll spend most his time doing what the Leaders/Voices of Zillow do..explaining how much they care, how concerned they are and how what you really need to do is buy Zip Codes to go with that Fancy Premier Agent Tag
Shoulda just got another Latte Machine or XBox for the Break Room imo
I'm thinking he'll spend most his time doing what the Leaders/Voices of Zillow do..explaining how much they care, how concerned they are and how what you really need to do is buy Zip Codes to go with that Fancy Premier Agent Tag
Shoulda just got another Latte Machine or XBox for the Break Room imo
- Debra (Debbie) Rose, "Livingston NJ"
- Contributions:2733
So what is he going to do?
Make nice nice to the RE world and MLS's across the country to make sure more of them don't pull their listings ?
Are these - Z & T - companies really afraid that will happen?
- SoCal_Engr
- Contributions:5666
I read the article when it was posted on the local news website. Some of it seemed like "hmmm...okay, I can see where they're coming from". But...
One of the things that jumped out at me was that a big concern was that "other agents" were getting exposure on third-party sites with their listing. Based on the comments being made, it really sounded like "it's our/my listng, we/I want potential buyers calling us for information, not other agents".
At one level, no problem. At another level, how many times have REAs advised "get your own representation, don't go through the listing agent"?
Follow on thought...
Of course, this assumes (doh!) that the potential buyer is only interested in the listed house. I've ignored the possibility that listings are also an ad for the listing REA, and just because a potential buyer contacts an REA through the listing, doesn't mean they will not end up buying a different house using that REA.
One of the things that jumped out at me was that a big concern was that "other agents" were getting exposure on third-party sites with their listing. Based on the comments being made, it really sounded like "it's our/my listng, we/I want potential buyers calling us for information, not other agents".
At one level, no problem. At another level, how many times have REAs advised "get your own representation, don't go through the listing agent"?
Follow on thought...
Of course, this assumes (doh!) that the potential buyer is only interested in the listed house. I've ignored the possibility that listings are also an ad for the listing REA, and just because a potential buyer contacts an REA through the listing, doesn't mean they will not end up buying a different house using that REA.
- Tug of War
- Contributions:1969
"Are these - Z & T - companies really afraid that will happen?"
My opinion is as a Business Zillow PR's/Sold at their Beginning the concept of Agents/Agencies ect. "Could" post their Lisings here.. then they moved on to "Should " and now they Sell "Need to"
Strip away the Myth, PR, spiels about this/that and begin to have a Honest Business discussion about is there truly a "Need to " or even a "Should" ..well imo that's something Z absolutely does not wish to see
.
I think the Discussion & recent actions definably makes them very nervous ...another BS move to provide Fresh BS to spread upon the fields imo
My opinion is as a Business Zillow PR's/Sold at their Beginning the concept of Agents/Agencies ect. "Could" post their Lisings here.. then they moved on to "Should " and now they Sell "Need to"
Strip away the Myth, PR, spiels about this/that and begin to have a Honest Business discussion about is there truly a "Need to " or even a "Should" ..well imo that's something Z absolutely does not wish to see
.
I think the Discussion & recent actions definably makes them very nervous ...another BS move to provide Fresh BS to spread upon the fields imo
Sandicor Fires Another Round in the Listing Syndication War
Thought some might be interested in this and/or the 80+ comments
********
"OK, maybe "Listing Syndication War" is a little too sensationalistic.
Maybe.
There's no question though that news about real estate listing syndication is now coming at a fast and furious pace.
Back in November, Edina Realty lobbed the first round when they announced they were pulling their listings from Trulia and Realtor.com
Then a couple of weeks ago it was Jim Abbott and ARG Abbott Realty Group in San Diego doing the same, and adding Zillow into the mix.
Yesterday Metrolist, the Denver, Colorado area MLS announced they were not renewing their contact with leading IDX supplier Diverse Solutions, which was recently acquired by Zillow.
And today brings the announcement that Sandicor, the San Diego area MLS is making significant changes to what they will be feeding listing syndication sites."
Full Discussion
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