[RonnieG]

My online registration form, to be filled out when a buyer wants advanced IDX search features, such as additional search criteria, viewing virtual tours, saving a search, getting email new listing alerts, saving favorite properties, etc., asks if the buyer is under a written contract to work with another local agent. Not working with, but under contract. About 20% of the leads I get say they are under contract to work with another agent. If their answer is yes, here is what I send them:

============================================

Dear <first_name>,

Thank you for visiting my <url> real estate web site recently. In accordance with the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use posted on the site: Basic Home Search is available to anyone without registration. Advanced Home Search is only available for properly registered users who are not under contract with another <city name> area real estate agent, and you indicated that you are under contract with, or will be using, another <city name> area agent for your home purchase.

Please see: Why Realtors Have Websites (link to page on my website)

Until we can discuss your situation further, your access to the Advanced Home Search functions on <url> has been temporarily suspended. However, you are always welcome to use the basic home search on our site, which does not require registration or user login.

Sincerely,
etc. etc.

========================================

Basically, the message I convey in the "Why Realtors have Websites" page explains that if their agent is going to get paid for the transaction, then they darn well better be providing a website with a home search as as advanced as mine to support their clients.

I do this because not once in 5 years have I ever converted a lead who said they were working with another agent when they registered, and I let them have access to the advanced search anyway. This way, I at least put the bug in their ear that they should have interviewed their agent more thoroughly. And if they are working with another agent due to relo company assignment, they should question the relo company (and their company's HR department) about why they were assigned an agent who cannot support their long distance, online home search needs better.

Since I started doing this a little over a year ago, not once has any registered lead that received this email and been blocked out ever called or emailed me to complain about the policy. They probably just went to another website to mooch off them.

I am happier because I have asked the question and met my obligation under the NAR Ethics rules to not provide equivalent real estate services to a consumer who is under a written agreement with another agent. I am also happier because I believe I am educating a few of the public about what to expect from their real estate professionals these days. I am also happier to not be cluttering up my lead management database with these jokers.

[kyle422]

Sounds like a great way to handle it Ronnie. I wouldn't be offended if I were the consumer that received your email. Cheers.

[sapanbehar]

I think I am going to be implementing something like this once I start forcing registration.

[Pinehurst Real Estate Guy]

I think you are well within your rights and there is not anything a lurker can say.

How you handle this seems very straight forward and I too would like to jump on your bandwagon when and if I can.

As with all the great ideas presented here, I feel you have given birth to something that will now take on a life of it's own with your followers tweaking your basic idea to fit their markets, rules and expectations.

Way to go Ronnie.

How do you bookmark a thread?

[RonnieG]

Don, by posting to the thread, you will get notification of any future posts to it.

[jessiesc]

You the man, Ron

Personally, I think this is a good idea, well thought out, not intrusive or arrogant.

If you don't mind, I'll be borrowing this as well.

[tommytx]

Great idea Ron, I am working on implementing this idea as we speak. It just sounds so professional, and gives me an idea for another page on the website and as we know, we cannot get tooooooo many pages indexed. So I will just write up another page and ping it to the engines and I am on my way. Thanks again for sharing.

[Larry Hann]

Glad this thread has been brought back to life. Ronnie this is an excellent idea. If you don't mind I'll adapt it to use it with my team.

[RonnieG]

The only complaint so far, and it was recent, has been from another agent from out of town who registered on my website and disagreed with my approach when I sent the email. He was going to be relocating to our area, and was very up front with me that he would definitely be using another agent buddy of his. I agree that it may not be the right approach for every agent, but it is just my own policy.