Yesterday's announcement has surely gotten the attention of many people out there in various blogs. I wanted to pass along a couple of them, just so you can read the thoughts of some bloggers:
U.S. & World Report "Home Front" blog
NAR Wisdom blog
FBS Blog
Agent Mag Genius blog
Search Blog
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6 comments:
Ummm...I think Realtor.com might have something to say about this...like, that just maybe you're full of crap? Their official position is that your announcement is a "misconstrued hoax". If I were you I'd call Errol Samuelson ASAP ( you DO know who he is, don't you?) and get this straightened out before the manure hits the proverbial fan. Unless, of course, this is true, in which case you have pulled off probably the most controversial coup in RE history, as well as initiated an all-out realtor rebellion against R.com. If, however, it's NOT true...well, then you've probably damaged your credibility beyond repair and the only thing you'll be selling by owner is your domain name. Good luck with that...
So, is ForSaleByOwner.com going to retract the lies that their press release contained?
Do your clients know you publish patently false information? What are you doing with THEIR information?
(knock, knock) Any one home? Just wanted to point out to you that you might have jumped the gun just a teensy bit. Here's what Hilary Marsh at NAR has to say about your press release/propaganda:
Contrary to what the ForSaleByOwner.com news release says….
1) They are NOT in a partnership with REALTOR.com
2) The settlement between NAR and the DOJ did NOT force REALTOR.com to accept FSBO property listings
3) Properties from sellers not represented by Realtors will NOT appear on REALTOR.com
4) MLSs still get to decide which listings to distribute to REALTOR.com
Any comment?
While we're waiting, just wanted to thank you for giving homeowners everywhere another reason NOT to go FSBO. Way to go.
Ready to comment yet? That's OK, take your time. We'll just take these listings while we wait...
Unfortunatley, here's another barracuda in the RE industry causing damage to all of those trying to make a ;iving there. It's unfortunate that other real estate agents will pay the price for your dishonesty amd misleading information because the consumer will paint everyone with a braod paintbrush. We know that the housing market is very tough, but are you going to call your press release "creative marketing"? We, in the real world, call that lies. Or are you going to say that it is all symantics; where you say one thing and really mean something else? That it isn't your fault because people has chosen to intrepret what you said differently then you intended.
I'm sure that the rest of your business practices are as honest as your advertising.
ForSaleByOwner.com found a loophole and is exposing it. Others will follow, and already have, without the fanfair. Any limited service, mls listing service company can do exactly what ForSaleByOwner.com is doing. Certainly Realtor.com can try to stop them from using their name in advertising, but will that also apply to agents who use it in their advertising?
Have they bent the truth...a little...yes you have to sign a listing agreement and offer a buyers agent commission...which puts it in an mls somewhere...thereby feeding it to Realtor.com...but the seller is still in control. He can negotiate the contract anyway he chooses, which we all know can include price, terms, commissions. The seller can even cancel the agreement at anytime and would only be out the nominal advertising fee associated with whatever package chosen. If the seller has a ready, willing and able buyer, whether represented or not, he has control. Are buyers going to walk away from their dream home? Not likely. If there is no buyers agency contract then the buyer can do as he sees fit. If under a buyers agency contract the buyer can negotiate the commission in the contract, pony it up himself if the seller refuses to pay one, or take the chance for breach of contract by going behind the agents back and negotiating a contract. How much does your attorney charge for breach of contract litigation? Is it more than the commission? Are you really looking out for your clients best interest when you require that your commission be added on to the purchase price of the home? Are you looking out for your clients best interest when you skip a FSBO or refuse to show a home that has less than a "standard" buyers agency commission? READ THE CODE OF ETHICS!! You will be enlightened.
The internet has changed the way sellers and buyers come together. Don't fool yourself into believing things won't continue to change and other companies won't come up with ingenious ways to advertise a home for sale...and yes much cheaper than 6% & 7% commissions with stellar customer service and the best interests of the client at heart.
Take a drive down the street to see these same initiatives in place at Walmart, Target, Lowes, Home Depot, and Domino's. In todays market people are looking for cheaper alternatives.
Please don't respond saying you are worth every penny you earn...believe me there is someone out there that can do it better and cheaper. That being said, kudos to you that have built a strong reputation and referral network, your trust and honesty is well earned, however, someone can still do it better and cheaper. I'm sure you can all relate to a top producer in your market that you wouldn't trust your worst enemies home to. But they continue to trudge along day in and day out. It's amazing what "branding" can do for some.
Well happy selling...and oh by the way...I'm a Realtor.
Thank you very much for your post. I have gone trough this links given and Peoples must think of doing in the FSBO.
Jack roberts
Sale By Owner
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