Assist-2-Sell Franchise

Do You Hear Foot Steps?

I stumbled upon a real estate business related job posting the other day.  Here is a portion of the ad.

Are you passionate about building ground-breaking consumer businesses? Can you dream big while drilling down to execute on tactical details? Do you want to reinvent an old industry and delight millions of people shopping for a new home? Would nurturing mission-critical new ventures with a smart, dynamic team get you fired up? 

Before I tell you what company has this ad posted, a few things stick out. The phrase “ground-breaking consumer businesses.”  I think we loose sight what our business is all about, the consumer. Is there anything ground breaking about your business? The next thing that sticks out, "do you want to reinvent an OLD industry and delight millions of people shopping for a home?”  Sometimes the truth hurts. Real Estate is an old business that has not changed and kept up with the times. Name another major industry that hasn’t changed and progressed in the last 50-60-70 plus years? 

There is no doubt in my mind if we don’t embrace change in our industry and start innovating, someone else will. They already are. We have to provide a better experience for the consumer, bring more value to the table, and use our knowledge to position ourselves better.  

While the real estate industry is fighting about IDX, who has rights to what, how we are going to protect ourselves, why we are worth what we charge, commission splits, and countless other things, people are giving consumers what they want.

Oh yah, the above ad was posted on the Zillow.com website. You can see the full posting here. http://zillow.hrmdirect.com/employment/view.php?req=60228&

One more parting thought. How long before Zillow or a similar website becomes the new National MLS?  How important would IDX be then? What MLS rules would there left to fight about? 

 

 

Assist-2-Sell Franchise Information Seminar

Thank you for your interest in Assist-2-Sell franchise opportunities! One of the first steps to learn more about franchising with us is to attend our conference call/web presentation.

This presentation is a great way to get a good overview of the business and ask questions, it lasts about ½ hour with additional time for questions and answers. Attend by clicking on the registration link below. You will be emailed all the info to attend.

You can view the presentation and listen in as a silent participant (except to announce your name) – or you can ask questions during the question and answer period.Space is limited.

December 1, 2010 - 12:00 PM (PST)

Register Here

or, copy and paste the link in your browser https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/865354609            

 

 12:00 pm Pacific | 1:00 pm Mountain | 2:00 pm Central | 3:00 pm Eastern |

 

 

 

Agents - We're better than this

I was on the MLS earlier today and I see the following “private” remarks on a listing.  

For prompt attention, PLEASE E-mail LISTING AGENT WITH ANY QUESTIONS: xxxxxxx@ThexxxxxTeam.net. All offers MUST be e-mailed to xxxxx@thexxxTeam.net. Listing agent will not be responsible for offers submitted any other way.

I remember the days when agents actually talked to each other, gathered details, and figured out a way to make a deal work.  We would learn a little about the parties involved, closing timeframes, why the buyers made the offer they did, and any other concerns were addressed. Needless to say, that is hard to do over email.  

So many complain about the professionalism of our business, commissions going down, increased competition from online players, etc.. But I continue to see more messages like the one above, email me, fax me, text me, do anything but talk to me.

I have no problem with this but is being an order taker worth 6-7% commission? What value is the above agent/team bringing to the table besides access to the MLS? Wouldn’t a phone call with some human connection make it faster and easier?  If they are to busy to talk to an agent with a potential buyer, do they have time to service the listing?  

It seems agents are trying to remove themselves from the equation. Don't be surprised if you get completely removed from the equation. 

We are better than this aren't we?