Member input on new TOS

[webmaster]

I am going to be completely revamping the terms of submission regarding minimum standards required to be listed in the REW directory. The goal here is we want to do a better job ensuring that we vouch for Realtor websites that will truly be a resource to the visitor.

Stipulation #1 will always be in place (Always has) and that is, only websites promoting individual Realtors or local brokerages will be listed. Real Estate is local, and our directory refers visitors to members these members must be able to service these visitors at the local level.

So let's start talking minimum standards (Our community standards) with regards to what a Realtor website must have in order to service the customer (Please keep in mind, evaluation will be based on content, not on design or code, it does not have to appeal to your design tastes to qualify as a quality resource for local real estate consumers)

Ok - so what are the must haves for a real estate site?

#2 - Access to available inventory. The number one reason consumers turn to the internet with regards to Real Estate is access to available inventory - I think a minimum standard should be that the website submitted should provide at the very least partial access to the MLS listings for that area.

#3 - Method of contact (No stealth sites) - A phone number or email address along with a contact form must be accessible to users to allow for direct contact with a Realtor. No way to contact except a blind form - no listing.

#4 - Identify yourself - Submitted websites must identify either the agent or broker (Can be both) responsible for the website.

What else can we think of as minimum standards for a Realtor site?

[jessiesc]

IMO, I would alter the wording for #2 as not all real estate agents are affiliated with an MLS.

I would suggest that at least being able to display some listings is enough, such as any type of listings page even if it has only 1 listing!

If you want to not provide these agents with a directory listing, then yes leave #2 as is.

[RyanRE]

#4 is very important. Licensing law in most (all?) states requires that the full legal name of the broker be on ALL advertising.

I am trying to think of other good minimum standards.

[arenetwork]

How will the issue of MLS appearing on Realtors website be addressed?

[bjmatson]

require they are a member of the REW community and Blog, with a minimum of 25 acceptable posts before they are eligible for consideration. Definitely make them jump through some hoops and earn their listing.

[thataway61]

#4 is very important. Licensing law in most (all?) states requires that the full legal name of the broker be on ALL advertising.

I am trying to think of other good minimum standards.

Ryan is correct and it is very common for agents to sign up for sites and enter their franchise but not the brokerage name or just the "city real estate" as the broker name. I think if no obvious brokerage name is on the site, then no listing in the directory.

It amazes me that there are such morons in following the identity standards dictated by their State law. The very minimum in my opinion is that the very bottom of the page is the location to find out the brokerage or the agent/brokerage contact information.

[thataway61]

require they are a member of the REW community and Blog, with a minimum of 25 acceptable posts before they are eligible for consideration. Definitely make them jump through some hoops and earn their listing.

25 forum posts, not necessarily 25 blog posts. The members and moderators will be better able to oversee and police the directory prospect without them jumping straight over to the blogs and getting in trouble over there from not reading the TOS for the blogs.

[RyanRE]

a minimum of 25 acceptable posts before they are eligible for consideration.

I like this idea. It is similar to the 300 posts for nofollow removal.

[StGeorgeUTproperty]

Maybe sites that are aged a bit. A few months?? Or at least a domain of more than only a few days?? Can that be confirmed (I dont really know if it's possible). May weed out the "fly by night RE agent". Also possibly a 6 month evaluation-send an email they must confirm/update info so it's always accurate content-no reply they get dropped.

Best of luck REW I know you will figure it out!

[NealRM]

Instead of trying to do this as a directory or listing of website, why don't you try listing the sites by different ratings. I would suggest allowing forum member to vote on sites based on listings, local information, real estate information, speed, usability, appearance and overall. You can also add in a traffic estimate. Voting would consist of assigning 0 to 5 stars for each category. REW can then generate the top 10 list for each category and overall.