Comments on: Why Your Local MLS is Sinking to #2 in Home Searches

By: Eric- New Orleans Condos and Lofts

Eric- New Orleans Condos and Lofts — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 02:00:52 +0000

The local MLS are most likely set in their ways. Our MLS does not let agents have IDX that they can use. The large Brokers in New Orleans want to get the leads themselves. Since its a monoply no one strives to keep the latest technology intergrated in the on line searches. In the end this opens up the door to their demise.

By: Judy Peterson

Judy Peterson — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 20:30:16 +0000

I’m syndicating listings out to more than 30 sites between my Blog, Visual Tours, Postlets and my Brokers marketing. Our MLS recently upgraded to 12 photos and some agents don’t even use all 12 spots! Whereas I can showcase up to 50 photos and panoramas in my Visual Tours. Every Seller in every price range deserves to have the best presentation of their property.

By: Vicki Moore

Vicki Moore — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 03:23:05 +0000

I get frustrated by my local MLS because there are so many other sites that are superior – they offer me the opportunity to post more photos, more language in better format, ability to make quick flyers with html for craigslist, flexible ability to create statistics, on and on. Basically the local MLS is far behind the competition before anyone even gets on the site.

By: Matt Stigliano

Matt Stigliano — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 18:30:31 +0000

Marianna – Brilliant post (again). I think San Antonio isn’t the most tech-minded city in the world when it comes to real estate based on what I see online (bad photos, lack of photos, not listed in even some of the major online services, etc.), yet we’ve got some big tech companies here in town (and those people must live somewhere, right?). Its one of the things I think that sets me apart and one of the things that I’m working on in order to stand out in the crowd.

I am finding much more of the “I found this on the internet” type calls rather than the “can you find me a house” type calls.

By: Michelle

Michelle — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 15:40:39 +0000

I’ve been marketing online for years now, and manage the online property marketing for several agents in my office. The ones that have their pricing totally dialed in are selling their homes much faster than the competition that is not marketing online, the ones that don’t, aren’t. And that’s the deal with marketing your properties online, you have to really get your pricing methodology down pat. Online marketing alone will not sell your listing. Online marketing combined with the right price (especially from day #1), will sell your listings much faster. I only use online marketing that provides tracking, and having done it long enough now, I know within a matter of 2-3 days if a price needs adjusting, based on the number of hits. Often the agents I work for don’t always agree…but you can only lead a horse to water. Most “old(est) school” agents are still getting their heads around the whole internets thingy for property marketing. Some enough so that they hire me ; ).

By: Benn Rosales

Benn Rosales — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 03:37:00 +0000

As an agent, we’re pretty enlightened to the idea of being blackmailed into using products because it’s in the best interest of someone, somewhere. The simple truth is that the broker does answer to the call to market on the internet, and he does so on the MLS, and I suppose that if Zillow would like to show buyers homes on the MLS and collect a commission on the transaction, the person from zillow would only need a license in the selling state.

I have all the respect in the world for Sara, I just happen to believe that it was never in the best interest of consumers to confuse them with incorrect property valuations that cannot be removed nor corrected- It’s a pretty website though.

By: Louis Cammarosano

Louis Cammarosano — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 02:23:38 +0000

Marianna
There are a few counter arguments to posting your listings everywhere.

This topic was explored in great detail over on Sarah Bonert’s (of Zillow) Active Rain site earlier this year

Sarah raised the breach of fiduciary argument, which if it did not seem as a pitch to list on Zillow, might have received greater credence.

http://activerain.com/blogsview/512312/Violation-Of-Fiduciary-Responsibility

By: Matt Wilkins

Matt Wilkins — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 00:15:28 +0000

My MLS offers a relatively new feature where once a search is saved it can email new/updated listings to the clients real time. This has been a service that my clients absolute LOVE and many now no longer bother with other sites instead relying on my constant email to be in the know about available homes.

By: Mariana Wagner

Mariana Wagner — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 00:12:13 +0000

Jim – That was one of my points. Buyer Agents are seen more for their powerful representation than for their abilities to find homes. This rocks.

By: Jim Duncan

Jim Duncan — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 23:55:22 +0000

Mariana – re: this:

The MLS appears to be taking a backseat when it comes to finding a property initially.

I see it a bit differently – with buyers/consumers doing more of the searching online, the MLS is actually poised (if they can possibly seize the opportunity) to be market leaders – with one big difference – the buyers are doing the finding and the Realtors are doing the representing. I’ve said it and seen it said many time before – there is a shift underway where Realtors are not finding the homes for the buyers; they are representing the buyers in their purchases. And this is a good thing, I think.