End of Lowe's being a REALTOR® Partner

Is this because of concerns of back scratching and it could be a RESPA problem??Endre

I remember this program from years ago.  I recieved the same email.  They are probably ending it because of the new company they are investing in.  I agree with Marnie Matarese.  It was probably a conflict of interest.

One good thing about working with investors is that the house is not a personal item, they are not attached to it emotionally. No need for a gift.

We used Lowe's for years and years until we discovered their stunt with Solo pro and pulled the plug on them. I suspect they realized the jig was up once firms realized this stopped sending (signing up) their database to them. With friends like this, who needs enemies?

I don't know the details of this incentive but I can only think that Lowes has come to the conclusion that most other MSA's in real estate have:  the CFPB will eventually shut them down and fine them retroactively for whatever they deem to have been non-compliant with RESPA, Dodd-Frank or any other regulation.  We are in a "regulation-by-enforcement" environment now and while the Bureau has been reluctant to clearly spell out what constitutes a violation, they have not hesitated to find fault and exact heavy fines.

The real reason is out this morning. They are getting into the real estate business and become our competitor. Lowes just invested into SoloPro a discount real estate brokerage that gives back commissions to the buyers.

Isn't that great....

I'm not 100% sure that anyone I entered has been getting their coupons, at least for the past 6 months. A couple people mentioned they didn't get them (we'ren't in junk/spam). So, it's not a huge loss for me. There were a few other places over the years where you could get the coupons (the U.S. Post Office mail forwarding kits come to mind) and they've pulled from those as well. They must be losing money.

Lowe's invest in a service that unbundles real estate services and offers buyers a 3% rebate for using their services.

I didn't receive that email. That's a disappointment that they are ending it. Lowe's and Home Depot are quite close to each other over here. I might be going to Home Depot now.

I didn't receive the email.  It looks like Margaret has discovered the reason for this change.

I'd used them in the past, though they've gotten sloppy lately.

Clearly, as the prior comments show, they are re-adjusting the strategy.

If Home Depot was smart, they'd essentially start the program themselves. Or some of the smaller firms which service parts of the country.  New buyers loved the 10%  and it was an easy way to pair it up with a gift and make it smooth.

That's too bad. We never had the program up here.

Anyone willing to work with a Realtor with some kind of incentive for their clients will get a good look from me.

I never really took advantage of this benefit but I always hate to see something go away that offers us free marketing opportunities.

I liked this program, and so did my clients. I am sorry that it's going away. Maybe, there will be something similar soon.

A totally separate offshoot from the purpose of the post and I'm just guessing...  But, once the government deems that Realtors are actual employees versus private contractors the end will likely come for companies like SoloPro and others attempting to manipulate the industry through agent commission rebates.  Redfin does rebates to buyers now and has for some time as well, fyi.  Not a new idea.  

That said my cloudy vision of the future looks like... Realtors that do not perform will most likely have a hard time finding work (at least for the long term) if brokers are ever forced to consider them as employees.  Required benefits will make it impossible to maintain the 0-4 home selling agent.  Mega brokerages will be a thing of the past.  Micro brokerages will likely compete with larger companies like zillow and redfin that have the power/$$$ to hire employee sales staff.  Little discount tech folks looking to make a quick buck like Solowhatever will be gone.  The micro brokers and their top agents left practicing will not be enticed by such things.  The zillows and redfins will already be doing rebates as part of their model.  They will be able to afford it because of their mass produced product.  They will also be the placethe 0-4 home a year agents will want to go.  Starbucks versus you little local coffee shop kinda concept.  

I'm rambling again...  LOL!  Sorry!

It will certainly be interesting to follow their jump into discount real estate. Ah well, nothing lasts forever.

To acquire Denver, CO Real Estate, begin dialing (303) 796-7000 to speak to Joan Cox with Metro Brokers - House to Home, Inc.

I am bummed, it was a great program.

I'm sorry to see the program go! I used it at every closing and now of course wonder what they will do with all of those emails, names, addresses - or if Richard if correct, I guess I won't wonder. We are always faced with defining and maintaining our value proposition - one thing would be to be sure that we make sure our customers/clients/public know the reason we are called "Realtors" and how that benefits them as opposed to discount brokerages of any kind with agents,

Joan Cox I got the same notice.  It's really too bad to see them go.