I've posted this mostly for consumers.
Many have complained about the efficiency, speed and general usability of MLS.ca, namely that it's lacking. Now, with www.realtor.ca, consumers can finally get the service they've been asking for. The mapping is amazing, and the speed vastly improved.
However, no one is really promoting the change. Yes, if you go to www.mls.ca, there is a bright red banner saying "click here" to get to the new, improved site. And, of course, it has been mentioned in various real estate mags (and I think on our message board a couple of times). No doubt, some research has been done to prove that running both sites for a while is the best way to help consumers adjust. Of course, I've never seen it done in any other industry but then, I'm not the expert. (feel free to comment on that observation)
In my experience, most consumers don't take the time to read all the banners on a website, no matter how large and colourful--especially if the look of the site hasn't changed that much. They're used to doing something one way and it's hard to make them change. I've been told by reliable consumer sources that if they can't get to listings within 5-6 seconds, they leave the site. I think the MLS gets better results than most REALTOR(R) sites, but will most consumers catch on that there is a better site to use?
Reps, tell your customers about www.realtor.ca. Consumers, switch your listing search allegiance to www.realtor.ca today; you'll be glad you did!
Robert J. Morrow is editor of www.HamiltonHomeReview.com, an e-magazine focused on real estate in the Greater Hamilton, Ontario area.
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Are you out of your mind!!! You must be being paid to say that. Realty.ca is an atrocity. It's cumbersome, frustrating, totally inacurate and I'm sure it was designed inhouse by a total amateur. You are really putting your reputation on the line by promoting this inferior site. You need to google " Goodbye mls.ca Hello Realty.ca" and check out the comments about this site there. I have personally changed sites to look for my home to more user friendly sites with privately listed homes because of all the flaws on realty.ca. Mls.ca might not have been perfect but it beats the pants off Realty.ca.