For consumers one of the big issues with real estate agents is knowing if they are being sold a bill of goods when the responsibility of selling their home to one. They will tell us they have sold lots of homes in our area but we could never be sure…
The Houston Association of Realtors, led by Bob Hale, is going to soon publish map data to the public of which Realtor has sold which homes in the region.
Folks, this is a big deal, especially in the real estate community. With a couple of mouse click potential home sellers will be able to see who is the top seller in the subdivision or street. There is no hiding the information.
For the top producers, this is great because the writing is on the wall. For the part time agents it may just be the straw that broke the camels back. These agents who do such low volume are now going to be found out, and it will be hard for them to blow smoke that they are experts in the field.
The term “lots of homes” will all of a sudden by quantifiable.
In a couple weeks, the Houston Association of Realtors will launch a Web application that allows consumers to see which Realtors within their chosen search area are transacting business – and which are not.
Here are the highlights:
- The app is based on MLS data and will be available from the association’s highly-trafficked Website
- Every Realtor in the market is included, there is no opt-out
- The app is map-based, so consumers can see who has sold what, where, over different time periods
- The app may be made available to MLS organizations nationwide
Let that sink in…
A Realtor association is helping consumers make decisions with clarity, on their own, objectively and with no compromise.
From a consumers point of view this is a great move. Brian Boero who published this on the 1000 Watt Consulting blog asks who has got Bob Hale’s back for taking this risk and potentially pissing off a large portion of his membership.
I do. And I would guess a large majority of the real estate owners in the Houston Metro area.
Bravo!
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{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
Fabulous…wish it was happening in our area
I think the Silicon Valley should follow the Houston Association of Realtors example and post the agents data. The question is what other sites will have the access to this data? Trullia, Zillow and the likes should not be able to access this type of data in my opinion….
It's really nice to see a Realtor organization that "get's it". Consumers no longer tolerate the "old school" of real estate transactions. They expect full access to data that relates to their sale or purchase. If they don't find it from you, they WILL find it somewhere else. Hiding address' or withholding critical listing information in hopes that the person will contact YOU for that information is a failed and flawed theory. They will not contact you. They will use the internet and find what they want to know somewhere else then they will contact the person that they get it from with out asking. It is great to see that at least one organization has finally made that leap – great work Houston!
Along those lines…..
Ok, so here's the deal. You want leads…..we want Bloggers.
This is the perfect opportunity to share your real estate expertise and find great leads in the process .
Better still, it's as easy as counting to four:
Step 1. Register for an Account.
Step 2. Apply for Agent Access after your account has been activated.
Step 3. Post a new Blog once every 72 hours (this builds your readership)
Step 4. Receive leads delivered to your email.
It really is that simple! The Big Hairy Ape wants to know your thoughts on your market. Tell us your thoughts, your success stories, your moments of happiness, the adventure of the deal, the best flea market ever…what ever you have on your mind, the Big Hairy Ape wants to know!
The goal here is to present a Community driven resource that brings the "local" element back to real estate on a National Level.
[...] Shared Houston Association of Realtors Breaking Seal on Important Realtor Data ~the Real Estate Bloggers. [...]
This should be good information for consumers to have. But not everyone wants to use the busiest agent in their area. I don't think Realtors regularly misrepresent themselves as to how many homes they sell. And that's not always the deciding factor for the consumer. So it's not all bad for agents.
I think the Silicon Valley should follow the Houston Association of Realtors example and post the agents data. The question is what other sites will have the access to this data? Trullia, Zillow and the likes should not be able to access this type of data in my opinion….
I applaud any organization that is embracing transparency to better serve the very clients they make a living from. Trust and transparency is the future.
Fabulous…wish it was happening in our area
I think the Silicon Valley should follow the Houston Association of Realtors example and post the agents data. The question is what other sites will have the access to this data? Trullia, Zillow and the likes should not be able to access this type of data in my opinion….
That is too nice to see all that stuff you have on the page that will help…. so its very important.. Can you tell me Social Networks for Real Estate Resources……
[...] Shared Houston Association of Realtors Breaking Seal on Important Realtor Data ~the Real Estate Bloggers. [...]
I think the Silicon Valley should follow the Houston Association of Realtors example and post the agents data. The question is what other sites will have the access to this data? Trullia, Zillow and the likes should not be able to access this type of data in my opinion….
Good news. Thank you for sharing.
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