How is You Realtor Rated??

How is Your Realtor Rated??

Just like restaurants and hotels, Zillow.com has begun rating real estate agents.  Now consumers who have accounts on Zillow can not only find the "zestimate" of their homes but research the consumer feedback on agents in their areas and also post a review of an agent that they may have worked with in the past.  More valuable than the testimonials posted to agent websites, these reviews are unedited by the Realtor.  Quoted in a related article in The Commercial Record, Connecticut's monthly business magazine,  McCaffrey Agent Dana Voelzke is quoted as saying, ‘This is already the same thing that happens among neighbors,.  They call each other and they share the dish about agents they worked with and who did a good job and who didn't.  It's just happening online for the world to see now."

The reception of this technology from agents nationally has been very cool.  Agents at McCaffrey are encouraging their clients to post reviews at Zillow.com.  Ms. Voelzke, who was the 2009 Top Producing Agent at McCaffrey Realty also sees the 1-5 star rating system as a positive step.  "I'm sure agents are going to complain about this- anyone can have a bad experience with a client," said Dana Voelzke. "Putting all that out in the open and allowing other consumers to be made aware of the experience,  I'm quite sure there's going to be some negative reaction.  Ultimately, however, the ratings feature may have a positive impact in helping to sort good agents from bad."

When Ms. Voelzke first started using Zillow she did it because, "it was essentially free advertising for my listings.  Over time I started answering consumers' questions on the site and I think that the rating system is the natural next step.  Now, rather than seeing a smiling picture and here are my listings, consumers can actually see how you work with people.  To the extent it brings more transparency to the real estate market, I think it is a good thing.  Consumers should have the ability to know what they are getting up front."

"Not all Realtors provide the same level of service, experience or knowledge, stated Linda McCaffrey owner of McCaffrey Realty. " Through both the consumer questions that are answered by the Realtor on Zillow as well as the rating system, consumers will finally be able to judge for themselves the differences and choose the professional best suited to their individual situation."