Here’s a cross section of stand-out comments readers left on Inman News this week.
Jim Lonz · Commented on HUD concerned over Facebook ad targeting
Seems to me, Facebook needs to build a program that meets the Fair Housing Act so as to not allow real estate agents to use the facebook program in a discrimanative way. Because reading the comments, there seems to be a number of real estate agents who have no grasp of what the Equal Opportunity and Fair Housing laws are or what they mean.
Drew Peterson · Commented on FSBO and discount-broker sales at record lows
The FSBO stats aren’t surprising given the broad range of brokerage models that exist today. Sellers don’t have much reason to go it on their own with so many limited service and discount options available.
I’d like to see NAR phrase their questions differently. Limited-service brokers are different from discount-brokers (at least in the way we use the terms in the industry).
Many discount brokers argue they perform the same services as full-commission agents. So, asking consumers if their agents performed a “broad range of services and management of most aspects of a home sale” doesn’t address commission.
Erik Russell · Commented on 3 claims Realtors should think through carefully
I just received a mailing to the condo building that I own and live in from an agent that stated “I had the pleasure of selling multiple units in the building…in the past year” – she sold only one (buyer represented) and she has “a competitive advantage over my competitors due to the various showings and Open Houses that I conducted” – Open Houses are not permitted in my complex and she never has a listing in my building. My building contains 350 units. I’m getting sick and tired of the false advertizing that some agents (only a very few) in my area are doing. She also stated that she is “currently representing buyers who are interested in acquiring..” I’m probably calling my board tomorrow.
White Sands Realty · Commented on What agents should know about today’s buyers and sellers
We work with about 85% buyers and 15% sellers here in Naples, FL. The stats on the home buying process taking longer are true here. “10 weeks” or even longer. Most importantly buyers and sellers want responsive agents. We get many buyers who have fired their previous Realtor due to lack of communication or that “they were just too busy to help me.” Buyers expect full time help from their agent and they deserve it. If you are not ready to drop everything at a moments notice don’t work with buyers.
Sara Leonard Bonert · Commented on Nextdoor contemplates foray into paid advertising
I am a lead in my neighborhood of about 250 homes. Nextdoor has been an incredible tool for us and also allowed us to shut down many other communication channels, saving costs and consolidating conversations. People have been generally respectful of not promoting their businesses, though a majority of posts have been neighbors asking for business recommendations (plumbers, contractors, etc.) – so the desire for commercial information from the community is already there.
It must costs an amazing about of money to run Nextdoor. I don’t think it would be nearly as successful or adopted if they charged a subscription fees. So I fully expected them to run advertising on the site. They have to fund the service that we get to use for free somehow? If the advertising gets annoying they’ll lose business and they know it, so it is in their best interest to launch tasteful and useful ad products.
Nekst · Commented on Zillow opens up listings to pro-quality video for a fee
So many thoughts here… 1) It’s content that makes Zillow so powerful. Putting an obstacle into getting MORE content seems counter to what has helped them grow!
2) Is the fee in place to make up for the income lost when consumers realize who the REAL listing agent is from the video and doesn’t fall for clicking on the “Premier Agent”?
3) Who is the judge of whether something is “pro-quality”? I can’t see Zillow turning down $149 from any agent if they determine a video doesn’t meet their standards.
Perhaps Zillow will soon start charging for Reviews, to Claim a Sale and to reveal the last 4 digits of the agent’s phone number… maybe I should stop giving them ideas.
As Ice-T says though, “Don’t hate the playa, hate the game.”
Top comments are compiled by the Inman editorial staff, in no particular order.