Recently I had the pleasure of sitting down and chatting with fellow BizNiker Christine Haskell from Social Venture Labs.  She is currently profiling entrepreneurs and small business owners with socially responsible ideals.  Social Venture Labs is an idea incubator for those leading small mission-driven businesses or organizations looking to create relationships, share ideas and get feedback on common business practices.  Christine profiles small, socially minded businesses. To see more of her company profiles, check out her blog. Christine blogs for Start Up Nation and (soon) The Seattle Examiner on small business topics.

We discussed the motivation behind my decission to specialize in Green Real Estate and what the driving factors for becoming an EcoBroker Green Real Estate Agent in Seattle were.  Take a peek at the article in the various publications she writes for:

http://socialventurelabs.wordpress.com/2008/06/23/modeling-the-way-to-green-one-house-at-a-time/

http://www.startupnation.com/blogs/index.php/2008/06/23/modeling-the-way-to-green-one-house-at-a-time/ 

http://www.examiner.com/x-422-Seattle-Business-Startups-Examiner~y2008m6d23-Modeling-The-Way-To-Green-One-House-At-A-Time

I have an experience to share that all the Redfin converts, believers, naysayers, and skeptics should find interesting. 

Before the holidays I was browsing Redfin's website to see what all the fuss was about.  Considering that my own clients were using the Redfin website rather than my company Windermere website.  As I looked around I have to admit I like the simple and straightforward design and wealth of info.  What stood out the most to me was the local "Getting to know Redfin" page.  They were offering a face-to-face meet and greet at Zeitgeist Coffee shop in Pioneer Square.  This meet and greet is clearly scheduled on their website for the Seattle area every 2nd Wednesday of the month.

I decided it would be interesting to take my brother and go see what type of information and marketing Redfin was providing at such a gracious event.  We showed up to the coffee shop at the scheduled time 6:00pm.  We ordered a coffee and milled about for 15 minutes, then started inquiring with other patrons if they were with Redfin?  It appeared that Redfin was tardy to their own event!  We found two other gentlemen that were also waiting to hear what value Redfin had to offer them as buyers and sellers.  As we sat and waited it became clear Redfin was not showing up to their own show. The barista confirmed that no one from Redfin had called to cancel.  My brother and I lost interest after waiting 40 minutes and bid well to the gentlemen left hanging by the PR whizzes at Redfin.  Upon parting I mentioned that I was actually a real estate agent with Windermere and had come to hear what all the fuss was about.  I mentioned to them that I understood the monetary value Redfin was providing in cash back at closing.  They both agreed that was a driving factor in them wanting to know more.  But they also mentioned that if Redfin not showing up to their own advertised event was any sign of their customer service...was this what they had to look forward to? 

This created a great conversation piece for me and I talked with the two gentleman for another 20 minutes about the Seattle Real Estate market, Redfin and the recent growth of Green Building in the Seattle area.  We came to see what Redfin had to offer and walked away empty handed in that regard.  Although on the bright side I was able to meet two new gentlemen and create a face to face relationship. 

Redfin has done a great job of branding, marketing and PR.  But they will never be able to provide the service and quality that a full service company does.  It just isn't part of their business model.  They are a low contact, low fee, high transaction business model and poor customer service and satisfaction are an inheriant result.  It was ironic to see the episode of the Today show the following day that showcased Redfin's Scientist data on"how to sell a home quickly for a higher price".  Thanks Redfin, glad you got the science thing figured out;-) But the reality is that good agents have been suppling this data to their clients all along.  I will give Redfin credit for compilling the data and using it as a PR pedestal. 

I would love to hear EVERYONE's opinion on this one.......