Comments on: “Agent Sued for Trulia Voices Answer” – In My Opinion, It’s Possible http://agbeat.com/editorials/real-estate/agent-sued-for-trulia-voices-answer-in-my-opinion-its-possible/ News, insights, tools, and inspiration for business owners and professionals Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:13:36 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Missy Caulk http://agbeat.com/editorials/real-estate/agent-sued-for-trulia-voices-answer-in-my-opinion-its-possible/#comment-28175 Missy Caulk Thu, 22 Jan 2009 13:03:04 +0000 http://agentgenius.com/?p=9351#comment-28175 I only answer questions in Michigan and if it is about a home NOT in my area, I skip it. I only answer questions in Michigan and if it is about a home NOT in my area, I skip it.

]]> By: Jonathan Dalton http://agbeat.com/editorials/real-estate/agent-sued-for-trulia-voices-answer-in-my-opinion-its-possible/#comment-28168 Jonathan Dalton Thu, 22 Jan 2009 05:11:06 +0000 http://agentgenius.com/?p=9351#comment-28168 I've heard that, Jenn, but I've also heard from agents who have gotten clients through long tail searches based on what they've answered. So, short answer is I don't know for sure. I’ve heard that, Jenn, but I’ve also heard from agents who have gotten clients through long tail searches based on what they’ve answered.

So, short answer is I don’t know for sure.

]]> By: Jenn Giraldi http://agbeat.com/editorials/real-estate/agent-sued-for-trulia-voices-answer-in-my-opinion-its-possible/#comment-28164 Jenn Giraldi Thu, 22 Jan 2009 02:55:01 +0000 http://agentgenius.com/?p=9351#comment-28164 Jonathan, doesn't Trulia have no follows to make SEO irrelevant? I thought they did so I could be wrong. Nice Article! Jonathan, doesn’t Trulia have no follows to make SEO irrelevant? I thought they did so I could be wrong. Nice Article!

]]> By: Jonathan Dalton http://agbeat.com/editorials/real-estate/agent-sued-for-trulia-voices-answer-in-my-opinion-its-possible/#comment-28160 Jonathan Dalton Wed, 21 Jan 2009 22:28:52 +0000 http://agentgenius.com/?p=9351#comment-28160 Except that there's no guarantee that the home would sell for "x" percent less if there was no commission involved ... I understand what you're saying. I just can't find my way to see one side without seeing the other as well. But I appreciate the commentary! Except that there’s no guarantee that the home would sell for “x” percent less if there was no commission involved …

I understand what you’re saying. I just can’t find my way to see one side without seeing the other as well.

But I appreciate the commentary!

]]> By: Dan Connolly http://agbeat.com/editorials/real-estate/agent-sued-for-trulia-voices-answer-in-my-opinion-its-possible/#comment-28157 Dan Connolly Wed, 21 Jan 2009 21:58:25 +0000 http://agentgenius.com/?p=9351#comment-28157 What I am really saying is that the idea that the Seller is paying everything isn't exactly accurate. If you had to pick one or the other, I think it would be more accurate to say that the Buyer is paying for everything because the buyer actually brings all the funds to the closing. Most buyers I work with seem to feel this way. They feel that they are paying both the Buyer's agent and the Seller's agent, because that fee has been built into the purchase price of the house. What I am really saying is that the idea that the Seller is paying everything isn’t exactly accurate. If you had to pick one or the other, I think it would be more accurate to say that the Buyer is paying for everything because the buyer actually brings all the funds to the closing.

Most buyers I work with seem to feel this way. They feel that they are paying both the Buyer’s agent and the Seller’s agent, because that fee has been built into the purchase price of the house.

]]> By: Jonathan Dalton http://agbeat.com/editorials/real-estate/agent-sued-for-trulia-voices-answer-in-my-opinion-its-possible/#comment-28140 Jonathan Dalton Wed, 21 Jan 2009 16:20:24 +0000 http://agentgenius.com/?p=9351#comment-28140 By that argument, Dan, the buyer also would be paying the listing agent. If the argument is based on each side paying his own way, or at least semantics that allow them to feel that they have, that's no better than saying the seller pays all. If the sellers' net is impacted, then it can't be said that they're not paying at least a portion of the commissions. You can divide it any way you choose from there. By that argument, Dan, the buyer also would be paying the listing agent. If the argument is based on each side paying his own way, or at least semantics that allow them to feel that they have, that’s no better than saying the seller pays all.

If the sellers’ net is impacted, then it can’t be said that they’re not paying at least a portion of the commissions. You can divide it any way you choose from there.

]]> By: Dan Connolly http://agbeat.com/editorials/real-estate/agent-sued-for-trulia-voices-answer-in-my-opinion-its-possible/#comment-28127 Dan Connolly Wed, 21 Jan 2009 06:58:07 +0000 http://agentgenius.com/?p=9351#comment-28127 I applaud Ardell's points about not criticizing the other agents. At least not out loud in a public forum. Maybe by private email, God knows a number of them need it! In Voices, politely explaining the truth of the matter is enough. The criticism is implied. I also agree that the Seller doesn't really pay the Buyer's agent's commission. In GA we have closing attorneys. THE BUYER brings ALL OF THE MONEY to the closing table. The attorney pays the buyer's agent and the sellers agent, and everyone else according to the contract. The fact that the buyer is paying for the various costs is evidenced by the fact that the buyer gets to deduct some of the closing costs even if they are on the Seller's side of the HUD. (ask your accountant) I applaud Ardell’s points about not criticizing the other agents. At least not out loud in a public forum. Maybe by private email, God knows a number of them need it! In Voices, politely explaining the truth of the matter is enough. The criticism is implied.

I also agree that the Seller doesn’t really pay the Buyer’s agent’s commission. In GA we have closing attorneys. THE BUYER brings ALL OF THE MONEY to the closing table. The attorney pays the buyer’s agent and the sellers agent, and everyone else according to the contract. The fact that the buyer is paying for the various costs is evidenced by the fact that the buyer gets to deduct some of the closing costs even if they are on the Seller’s side of the HUD. (ask your accountant)

]]> By: Matt Stigliano http://agbeat.com/editorials/real-estate/agent-sued-for-trulia-voices-answer-in-my-opinion-its-possible/#comment-28099 Matt Stigliano Tue, 20 Jan 2009 18:13:24 +0000 http://agentgenius.com/?p=9351#comment-28099 Jonathan - As you already know, I liked the post. Thanks for chatting this morning. My thoughts rest on the localization of things more often than not. I see the benefit for general talk being had by agents from all over the world, but when it comes to local questions there should be a filter of some sort to help keep things local. Of course, there are times where I think it can be appropriate to talk to someone outside your area, but these are very limited in my view. Rudy questions how we can educate the agents and even the consumers on how better to use Trulia, but I don't know if there's an answer there. I'd love to say there is, but I don't see one. He mentions community guidelines and I know its a well-intentioned idea, but really, how many people read and obey them? Most sites' community guidelines only become important when someone's being barred, banned, or admonished for their behavior. At least that's been my experience. Unfortunately, I don't think there's any true solution that will sort it all out. I do believe that localization could be a big help in curbing some of it, but even then, I think there will be other problems. I do think that one of the next steps in the internet evolution will be more policing eventually. Not just at Trulia, but anywhere the public is talking. I'm not talking about jackboots and military uniforms here, just more people like Rudy who will step in and talk it out with users; suggesting things, helping people, and explaining site policies. I think the more public you get, the more moderated you need to be on the internet, because we all know the anonymous nature (even when you're not anonymous, people still feel that they are on the internet for some reason) of the internet does bring out some strange traits in people. Matt911 (I've decided to change my name in JD's honor...haha.) Jonathan – As you already know, I liked the post. Thanks for chatting this morning. My thoughts rest on the localization of things more often than not. I see the benefit for general talk being had by agents from all over the world, but when it comes to local questions there should be a filter of some sort to help keep things local. Of course, there are times where I think it can be appropriate to talk to someone outside your area, but these are very limited in my view. Rudy questions how we can educate the agents and even the consumers on how better to use Trulia, but I don’t know if there’s an answer there. I’d love to say there is, but I don’t see one. He mentions community guidelines and I know its a well-intentioned idea, but really, how many people read and obey them? Most sites’ community guidelines only become important when someone’s being barred, banned, or admonished for their behavior. At least that’s been my experience.

Unfortunately, I don’t think there’s any true solution that will sort it all out. I do believe that localization could be a big help in curbing some of it, but even then, I think there will be other problems. I do think that one of the next steps in the internet evolution will be more policing eventually. Not just at Trulia, but anywhere the public is talking. I’m not talking about jackboots and military uniforms here, just more people like Rudy who will step in and talk it out with users; suggesting things, helping people, and explaining site policies. I think the more public you get, the more moderated you need to be on the internet, because we all know the anonymous nature (even when you’re not anonymous, people still feel that they are on the internet for some reason) of the internet does bring out some strange traits in people.

Matt911
(I’ve decided to change my name in JD’s honor…haha.)

]]> By: Jonathan Dalton http://agbeat.com/editorials/real-estate/agent-sued-for-trulia-voices-answer-in-my-opinion-its-possible/#comment-28092 Jonathan Dalton Tue, 20 Jan 2009 15:46:25 +0000 http://agentgenius.com/?p=9351#comment-28092 I've been tempted to jump in more often than I have. I took advice from a friend and tried answering national "general" questions but it didn't really feel right most of the time, at least to me. I know it works for others. Part of my reluctance to jump in is the fear of being lumped into "that" crowd, regardless of my answer. Silly, yes, but still ... Consider that when I'm talking to another agent and they mention a "creative" answer and the city where the person giving the answer lives, I can guess who gave that answer in one try. Two tops. Probably not coincidental. I’ve been tempted to jump in more often than I have. I took advice from a friend and tried answering national “general” questions but it didn’t really feel right most of the time, at least to me. I know it works for others.

Part of my reluctance to jump in is the fear of being lumped into “that” crowd, regardless of my answer. Silly, yes, but still …

Consider that when I’m talking to another agent and they mention a “creative” answer and the city where the person giving the answer lives, I can guess who gave that answer in one try. Two tops. Probably not coincidental.

]]> By: Linsey Planeta http://agbeat.com/editorials/real-estate/agent-sued-for-trulia-voices-answer-in-my-opinion-its-possible/#comment-28090 Linsey Planeta Tue, 20 Jan 2009 15:35:36 +0000 http://agentgenius.com/?p=9351#comment-28090 Love this dialogue. I do answer some questions about of state. They tend to be how to get a home sold in a generic sense. I always recommend speaking to someone about local conditions however. Kris - I cringe in the same spots. Anytime I hear an agent say that anything is in 'good condition' I flinch just a bit. To see an agent say this online about a property they've likely never seen is exactly the type of danger that we should be wary of. I was consistently answering questions on Trulia up until the last couple months. I have mixed feelings about the platform and the quality (or lack thereof) of some of the responses makes me extremely nervous and often uncomfortable. Love this dialogue.

I do answer some questions about of state. They tend to be how to get a home sold in a generic sense. I always recommend speaking to someone about local conditions however.

Kris – I cringe in the same spots. Anytime I hear an agent say that anything is in ‘good condition’ I flinch just a bit. To see an agent say this online about a property they’ve likely never seen is exactly the type of danger that we should be wary of.

I was consistently answering questions on Trulia up until the last couple months. I have mixed feelings about the platform and the quality (or lack thereof) of some of the responses makes me extremely nervous and often uncomfortable.

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