Congratulations to Bill Arce for our favorite contribution to http://www.houseblogger.com last week. As part of our Garage Sale Linking program, Bill wins Super Crunching.
Bill helps run Real Estate Latino. This is an emerging demographic that is overtaking most any other demographic in America. So great job Bill on your website, and we look forward to watching you grow.
This week we have a new offering. The book giveaway is Real Estate A La Carte. If websites like Redfin.com, ForSaleByOwner.com and others have not made you stand up and take notice. Perhaps this book will.
The premise is that the consumer just wants their house sold. And that because of the flow of information, the full fee agency is not necessary. Thus, to compete the author suggests breaking up your commissions into a menu of services. Much like a lawyer might charge.
As Stefan Swanepoel and I discussed in Part 2 of our interview series, your real estate industry is in an internal debate for standards. Much like Beta and VHS, or DVD and Blue Rey. For the first time ever, it is within the realm of possibility of the MLS being replaced.
Where the pendulum lands is anyones guess. However, if you are in this business it is best to get all sides. This is why Stefan's resource is so important, and fee for service approach is important to know even if you disagree with the model. As they say, "keep your friends close, your enemies closer."
I agree.
We do not profit by loathing these companies.
'keep them closer'.
And work with dignity and remarkability.
Posted by: Reno Real Estate | February 18, 2008 at 04:12 PM
FSBO's continue to gain traction because realtors lost the vision of what a homeowner really wants and needs. You can't be an order taker and expect ot maintain being top dog. History has proven over and over again that someone will come in and give the customers what you aren't. Just ask F.W. Woolworth's about that upstart Wal-Mart.
Posted by: David | May 4, 2009 at 02:40 AM
There is a group of realtors out there that are already breaking down their services into a more usable form, it's called A.C.R.E. and I like what they're trying to do. It is just what my clients, who are FSBO, having been asking for when and if it comes to real estate services.
Why can't they have the best of both worlds?
Posted by: David | May 4, 2009 at 09:56 AM