How to help REALTOR.com

The Bloodhound Blog recently published one of their (IMO) funniest posts yet. I read Greg's blog for comic relief, but these guys and gals can truly write and have exhibited some real talent. This post was less writing and more graphic...ummm....literally! That graphic was hilarious! But also carried a message.

After reading the post, I felt inspired to write a post of my own. (see the comments of the link above).

While the message was funny, the point of it is pretty clear: to me. REALTOR.com is going to keep raising prices and offering little for the consumer in terms of solid information when compared to most individual REALTOR websites. My preference is for the local real estate agents to win here. Drastic changes are needed at R.com to turn this around.

My post was picked up on a blog on AR and more people chimed in about how they don't like R.com...these opinions need to tell the management team there something. I think we see a pretty strong trend...do the readers of this blog think so as well?

As REALTORS on the blogs are starting to  say "We are not going to take it anymore."  As groups of agents individually and collectively, are more and more making  the case to your sellers why NOT to use R.com. And they are making it the same way that you make the case not to use some print media, or any other inadequate source of advertising, Can REALTOR.com stop this trend? I think maybe...here's how:

Note to Mr. Samuelson (new president of R.com) here are some suggestions if you don't mind...

Step 1.Expose your LOCAL traffic information to the REALTORs themselves. For example. when Alan Dalton wags his finger at us (BTW-Mr. Dalton, many of us do not appreciate getting talked down to...see below...BAD advertising decision IMO) he uses NATIONAL numbers--X number of visitors and etc. Most of us know that ALL real estate is local. How many buyers can you bring  to us in OUR city. Honestly. That is how we must base our advertising decisions...all of them.

We realize that of the X million folks dropping by R.com for a visit only the tiniest of fractions may be looking at OUR town...

Mr. Samuelson, you need street cred. And IMO the only way to get it is abject honesty.

Step 2; Do not extort money from the REALTOR by withholding information from the consumer...in our market only typically 12% or so of the listings have multiple photos. A site with 88% of its listings with only 1 photo in today's market is circling the drain of disaster IMO. You will not get repeat visitors and YOU MAKE IT EASY for us REALTORS to explain why we don't use you!  It is a tired model and needs to change.

The customer can see the fact that the 12% of the  listings are NOT enhanced...the 88% are STRIPPED DOWN....not good IMO.

Step 3: Realize that many agents KNOW that they have not gotten buyers from your site often enough to make the fees you charge justifiable in MANY cases. Yes, there are exceptions. I acknowledge that, but of the 120 agents in our office, only 4 see any value in staying with your enhanced listings

Step 4: Understand that agents don't like being talked down to. I cannot count how many agents have approached me with angry words about being badgered on the phone by salespeople. I finally found a really nice salesperson in your office and I sent her name to everyone in my office since she was actually nice. (Am i the only one who was unfortunate enough to have this experience?) Please comment on this.

Charge less and do more. The Laffer curve works in taxes and economics. The Blackwell curve will work for you. Here it is:

Lower prices + More truth and HONESTY +Time + Courtesy to your CUSTOMERS = Increased revenues (from more agents) and Increased Credibility.

Internet credibility and authority extend from delivering TRUE value. I hope your reputation is not damaged beyond repair in this regard. Many have lost trust, but is it to late?

I'd be interested in your thoughts on this...Please put comments below and keep them civil. Would my suggestions help R.com return to former heights in your opinion?

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