We are no longer our own competition.
Now, I have seen plenty of feathers get ruffled lately, "Mr. Zillow and Mr. Discount Broker aren't playing by the rules! They aren't doing things the right way!"
Hmmm. Let's think about this one...
- Whose "rules" are they supposed to play by? Buyers and Sellers (for the most part) are rather intelligent. Since when is offering intelligent consumers a "choice" not playing by the rules? Discount brokers may "charge less and do less" - but there are plenty of "traditional" agents who "charge more and do less." The "charge less/ do less" business model has and will meet the needs of some homeowners. It is not wrong ... it is just how it is.
- If companies like Zillow and discount brokerages ARE in fact breaking laws, then shame on them ... but there is no agent on the planet that has not worked with/heard of another agent that did something the "wrong way" or broke a law. I'm not saying it is right, just not uncommon.
We are dealing with different yet legitimate competition, here.
Why are we "okay" with competition, as long as it is homogenous with what we do?
Why are we all up-in-arms when our competition comes in the form of a different business model? Folks ... We are in the INFORMATION AGE. Information is everywhere. Realtors® are no longer the gatekeepers of information related to homes and homeownership. This Information Age has brought new players to the game of real estate - giving consumers different options. Like it or not, they are probably here to stay - and if not them then someone else will take their place. We DO have some serious competition - and that is not bad. I happen to welcome it. What does not kill me will make me stronger.
We have been complacent in our industry for too long and that has made us incredibly vulnerable to new competition.
Of course we are freaking out. But, instead if ranting and raving - we need to focus. Stop crying, "Oh no! They're such a threat to real estate agents, everywhere!" Yes. They are. They are a threat to stodgy codger agents that still embrace antiquated old-school business practices.
If you are going to remain a player in the game, start beefing up your "skills" ... Now is the time to really educate the public on what makes you better than this new competition.
Game on!
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