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Guess who’s looking over & 2nd guessing your listing comments???

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Highland Realty, Inc 0225 099336

Web Sites Gather Home Ratings from All Corners

If you have access to the Washington Post, today might be a good day to take a look at the real estate section. There is a huge article on one of the latest trends in consumer participation in the real estate market. On www.ZipRealy.com and www.Reply.com, consumers now have the opportunity to comment on and critique your listings! A charming 1-Bedroom condo in DC now becomes “Smells like cats”. A home in Joppa, Md is highlighted by the listing agent as having “cathedral ceilings and over-sized windows”. The consumer comment notes that it is located “next to a water tower”!

Like or not, here they come. Get ready to defend or support what you say and how you describe your listings and other aspects of your business. Yes, there will be some nuisance comments and criticisms that are not accurate, but I welcome the trend. I think an empowered, knowledgeable consumer is going to make for a smoother, eyes-wide-open transaction.

Is there anything similar to this in your market area? Are you concerned about or in favor of consumer critiques?

Matt Heaton
Timu Corp - CEO, ActiveRain - Co-founder - Bothell, WA

I had some comentary on this a while back at http://activerain.com/blogsview/Consumer-feedback-on-listings-at-Zip-Realty?3202

My opinion, is that comments on listings will have a very limited value due to the lifespan of the listing.  Comments/user reviews of a neighborhood or maybe a housing development would have a much bigger impact. 

Oct 14, 2006 01:19 PM
Ray Saenz
Exit Realty Laredo - Laredo, TX
Homes for Sale in Laredo, TX - Texas, Realtor

Hey Dave

Just saying Hello, nice post !

Oct 14, 2006 01:27 PM
Ginger S
Wilkinson & Associates, Wilmington NC - Wilmington, NC
Wilmington NC Real Estate & Relocation~
Yikes!
Oct 15, 2006 07:29 AM