Shame on Move, Inc., and you better be prepared for the $hyte storm if you client is picked for a "news" story..

Stop Yesterday I wrote about a company that puts listings on the web, with a twist, Questionable Advertising & IDX = One Very Angry Client. They pick certain homes and write "news stories" about them, listing information about the owner. Name, employer, past employer. Of course they name the listing agent and listing brokerage, staying within the rules concerning IDX.

I had a frantic email from my client, I did some research, and it is not good. Along with the consumer complaints, I found an article promoting this company, BlockShopper, from Move, Inc. They have brokered a deal, and Move, Inc (as in Realtor.com) is now promoting Blockshopper to agents and brokers as a great way to reach into hyper local markets.

Consider the very angry email or phone call you will get if Blockshopper picks your client to write a "news story" about. And it doesn't pertain to only active listings. They pick solds in the area too, and write their little "news stories" about those as well. Again, listing names, employers, any info they can find on the web.

I stopped using Realtor.com last year, the cost didn't make sense to me. I have had second thoughts about it, but after hearing this, would not do it. Now I have an answer to home owners when they ask me why their home is not featured on Realtor.com. I will certainly not associate myself in any way, shape or form with this type of yellow journalism.

And now our trademarked name is forever associated with this type of advertising. Another reason why people associate realtors with bottom feeders. If you think the general public knows the difference between a Realtor® and Realtor.com®, you have another thing coming!

What really bothers me is that Move, Inc must have done research prior to brokering this deal. They obviously didn't care.  And if you think it doesn't affect you, think again. Imagine that client of yours who has a higher priced home, who gets picked at random for one of these lovely "hyper local news stories". They are really not going to like this, and you try explaining to them it is not your fault.

Although my first post is a members only post, I opted to make this a public post. I want as many as possible to know about this. I certainly am going to be asking our local and state associations how we can allow this to continue. The money I pay to be a member of NAR to protect myself and my clients is certainly money being flushed down the toilet. There is no protection of our clients, no protection of our trademark, nothing like that when the perception is we are associated with this type of behavior.

And to my fellow agents in Connecticut, this company is now in our area. Prepare your clients for becoming a targeted "news story" and their personal information being displayed.


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45 Comments on Our trademarked name will be forever associated with yellow journalism. You need to sit up and take notice of this one.

20 Most Recent Comments Displayed Show All

SEP
11
2011
182,791 Points 9 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router

I've read BlockShopper for the last couple of years just for amusement. It's all public information, so there is no expectation of privacy in a property transaction. And there's nothing libelous about it. This is really nothing more than a society page in a newspaper -- except that's it's just focused on real estate. And around here people would do anything to get mentioned in the society pages!
10:46pm • #26
SEP
12
2011
498,210 Points 150 Featured Posts Outside Blog Hit Router Called Shot Master

I always wonder, WHO thinks this is news??  Same as with some of the shows on TV.  WHO thinks that some of the so-called "reality" shows are "real" and entertainment?  I pass on the TV shows.  This type of journalism or reporting?  I pass on it too.  I have no time for it.  No interest in it.  By reading or watching it, you promote it.  And if that's the case, everyone will eventually have the microscope turned on them and have a turn at it.  Wonder how they'll feel then?

Gene
10:35am • #27
321,131 Points 6 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor

REALLY SCARY, especially when it has the word "REALTOR" associated with it.

This kind of thing has been happening for years, especially on small start-up websites (or start up agents!).

I've had a few sites that were promoting one of my listings on interior design related websites and they did link back to my IDX page, so I wasn't terribly upset BUT how hard is it to ask for permission?
11:45am • #28
569,544 Points 1 Featured Post Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Hi Andrea,  I think I understand the logistics but not the " why " behind it.  If they knew up front how sleazy this would appear why would they want to be a party to it ?  Is it gross stupidity or just greed ?!?!
1:18pm • #29
648,311 Points 63 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

This is awful...I emailed you  a local instance of this sort of thing.  This is like reality TV on-line. But at least in reaity TV - the "victims" sign up for it.  The employer thing is BAD - If buyers know that there are layoffs in a company - even if the seller isn't being and won't be laid off it can impact pricing.

1:25pm • #30
189,171 Points 1 Featured Post

The ASSOCIATION is working against us? Oh, my! Next, I'll learn that (very Zillowish) RPR really does stand for Replace Professional Realtors. Is it too late to become a travel agent?
1:48pm • #31

This is a disgusting business practice, definitely a violation of a sellers right to privacy.  That being said, due to this information being public record, there is little we can do to protect our sellers from this type of invasion of their privacy.  
2:08pm • #32
1,360,799 Points 93 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

I remember reading about Blockshopper when it was introduced.  Perhaps before there was any  connection to Move.com Or maybe I just did not know of the connection.  I remember wondering what Blockshopper would read like.    I wondered how intrusive it would feel to sellers.  Blockshopper is not in our market...yet.   Cleveland does have it, Cinci and Columbus do not.

I would hope sellers would understand that some of the info is public record, some of it has to be information they have provided?  Employment would be press releases or LinkedIn info? Not something their agent has any interest in sharing.

 

2:17pm • #33

Should we be surprised by this conduct? When you rub elbows with the pimps on K St. what more can one expect?
3:09pm • #34
823,950 Points 155 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

While I am totally opposed to this practice, I don't think anyone should be too surprised if info that is already available online is pulled together into an article.  But let's face it, some folks aren't so happy to have embarrassing moments in time displayed on the Internet, and just hope to slither away into anonymity. And yes, they will take it out on the agent. I don't think NAR should be involved in this in any way.
4:29pm • #35
421,110 Points 12 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Hi Andrea - I just had a client ask if I would feature her listing on realtor.com and I told her that there were much better real estate sites out there.   Maybe we just need to be a little insidious about this and take the money right out of their pockets. 
7:24pm • #36
1,352,282 Points 42 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Andrea - I had not heard of this and to say I am less than pleased would be a huge understatement.  This is not something that is going to please clients.  That's just not the right kind of news story.  Why not write about the house?
8:37pm • #37
1,912,933 Points 386 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Andrea, I am so glad this one got featured.  All I can say is grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!
11:21pm • #38
SEP
13
2011
705,556 Points 56 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Andrea thank you for bringing this out to everyones attention, it is all about the mighty dollar allowing them to have a business agreement with Realtor.com. I thought they were supposed to look out for us, not just make themselves money
8:16am • #39
1,392,987 Points 28 Featured Posts Hit Router Called Shot Master

I will need to check out this site and see just what they are writing.  We have a box on the MLS that we can select that asks for no outside comments on blogs or websites.  Wonder if it would hold up in court?
8:28am • #40
715,635 Points 69 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Andrea - Worse yet, newspapers are using info from blockshopper instead of using local journalists.  Our local one, ct.blockshopper.com has wildly inaccurate info on it that then gets published in our local newspaper.  For $995 a year, an agent can become the local expert for a neighborhood on their site.  I wouldn't want to be the agent getting calls about so much inaccurate information never mind the "outing" of names and professions of buyers and sellers.  Those agents are going to get an earful! 
11:44pm • #41
SEP
14
2011
813,500 Points 163 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Erica, I have noticed that in certain areas of the country, no one seems to be subscribing to the advanced features. It was something I felt I had to do, that is, until I came here and learned what else I can do...

Evelyn, I don't know. I do know the information they put there is public info, but they actually have to dig around and put it all together. It is so creepy.

George, I know Blockshopper is aware of complaints, they have had suit brought against them. But one would think Move, Inc., would have checked. Took me less than a minute to find it on Google.

Marcie, and then people come along and make it worse...

Nancy, I have to disagree with you, I think it is creepy. And my first experience with a client that was chosen was not one of... OH goodie, I am in the real estate society news....

Gene, I am not reading it. I checked it out and was disgusted.

Kerry, it was scary to me, and for my client.

Bill, you got me, I have no idea....

Ruthmarie, I wonder what they would stop at. Would they post about a divorce situation if they knew it? What would stop them doing that? They discuss things we can't unless directed by a client. I did get your email...

Gregory, I know, I burst your bubble, I am sorry...

Cindy, if we have to have permission to release information about our sellers and their motivations, why aren't websites that rely on our IDX to get info bound by the same?

Maureen, it is very creepy. I found the announcement via a blog post thru Realtor.com. It was published this year. Which set me into a tizzy, and then I sent Realtor Magazine an email, a letter to the editor, with a link to this post. I am sure it will never see the light of day.

Mike, no one watches the watchmen...

Margaret, anything that is connected or associated to our trademark should not be involved in this. And the public will see this as ours...

Peggy, I am not paying them...

Christine, they know only what they pull up on the IDX feed about the house. That isn't newsworthy I suppose.

Pat, I agree... grrrrrr for sure.

Scott, we don't own Realtor.com anymore, but because it is associated so closely with our name, the perception is otherwise. But.... money wins, ethics are out the window.

Gabe, I doubt it... but I hope you let us know if that works.

Gail, I love the concept of paying to be a local expert. And the zip codes they had listed for New Milford, well, there were about 10 of them. We have 2.... last I knew of....

6:25am • #42
SEP
15
2011
240,864 Points 5 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp

I'm over Realtor.com as well.  They also announced a partnership with AOL and MSN last week.  For now your listings will be free on those sites.  We all know what follows after FREE.
Writing such articles could be construed as an invasion of privacy. Looks like they are stooping to pick up every dime.
3:31pm • #43
SEP
19
2011
Outside Blog

 

 

Let's not rush to judgment. 

I think Blockshopper gets its information from courthouses.  It doesn't publish any transaction that's not already publicly available.  That's no more a violation of privacy than sold data on MLSs or transactions printed in a hometown paper.

Perhaps the reason it's so popular is that consumers, a lot of whom are first-time buyers, are finding it to be more interesting than traditional real estate sites. Where else can you find out who's bought or sold a home in your neighborhood?

Maybe the real estate business could use a little more pizazz.

 

 

 

 

 
12:20pm • #44
813,500 Points 163 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Bonnie, I am surprised that they are involved with them. There are many reasons why I am over Realtor.com, but this is the biggest reason.

Steve, if they are trolling for first time home buyers, why are they writing "news stories" of homes in the high end luxury home bracket. They hand pick listings from the IDX feed they have running, write "news stories" by using Google, or whatever is at their fingertips to get names, employers, etc. and publish as if it were a story. What is to stop them from going to the judicial website and writing saying,

Dr & Mrs. So and So from Westport CT are selling their home for 2.6 mil. They are getting a divorce, he is being sued for malpractice and they have been served a lis pendens.

That is merly the next step. I will rush to judgment. I have never liked Realtor.com. They charge me an arm and a leg for my own listing, I do a better job with other services I use.

I realize you worked for NAR for 7 years, so you have a different take on it. I live in a very conservative area, and I can tell you that so far the experience I have had has been negative, and the Connecticut Association of Realtors is not happy with this at all either.

2:22pm • #45

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