Special offer

There's No Place Like Xome

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Kolsky Realty & Management 01311273

 

Have you heard about Xome?

 

 

 

Chances are you have not heard about Xome. If you have not heard about Xome, you should probably check it out. Xome is a national property search site, powered by IDX (internet data exchange) and last week Xome (super quietly) launched their beta site.

 

So what’s so special about Xome? For starters, it is probably the largest “paper brokerage” site ever. And even more exciting: Xome pledges to feed leads to agents who agree to give back 1 percent of the deal to consumers.

 

Xome is looking (and or) is taking aim at “a radically better way to buy and sell homes” by giving back to the consumer. Behind this new concept is mortgage servicer Nationstar Mortgage Holdings, one of the largest non-bank lenders/servicers in the U.S.

 

In 2011, Nationstar acquired Real Estate Digital for $18 million. Real Estate Digital (RED) provides technology service to more than 500 MLSs, 350 brokerages, nearly 60 settlement services companies and more than 300,000 agents. RED specializes in data aggregation and has licensed 98 percent of all MLS listings – rivaling realtor.com, which licenses nearly all of the nation’s 850 MLSs.

 

Whether or not Xome is the next best and greatest thing since sliced bread (and or) Xome excites you; I am excited about Xome. And I am not excited about Xome because it looks to give Z & T a run for their money. I am excited about Xome because I like the “give back concept.” I have no problem giving back 1 percent to consumers, as a matter of fact, I feel it is about time consumers get a little something back from the deal.

 

 

Comments(23)

Troy Erickson AZ Realtor (602) 295-6807
HomeSmart - Chandler, AZ
Your Chandler, Ahwatukee, and East Valley Realtor

Jon - Thanks for sharing this info. I had not heard of Xome, but will check it out.

Jun 08, 2015 06:21 AM
Jon Kolsky
Kolsky Realty & Management - Long Beach, CA
Licensed California Real Estate Broker

Brian England ~ the site looks pretty cool and the idea of a site willing to share leads as long we're willing to give back 1 percent of the commission to the consumer sounds like a win win

Nina Hollander ~ I have filled out an application, too! I have no problem giving 1 percent of my commission to deals I get through Xome 

Jun 08, 2015 06:45 AM
Jon Kolsky
Kolsky Realty & Management - Long Beach, CA
Licensed California Real Estate Broker

Myrl Jeffcoat ~ I am glad I turned you on to Xome... Right now we will have to wait and see how this plays out, but I have a feeling this could be a win win for all parties involved

Troy Erickson ~ let me know what you think... I see this being a better solution than paying upfront for zip codes (and or) paying upfront for hopeful leads that don't pan out

Jun 08, 2015 06:50 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Jon... I agree. So long as it's not "costing" me anything to attract a lead I wouldn't otherwise have, I'm happy to pay the fee once a sale goes through.

Jun 08, 2015 07:29 AM
Sharon Lee
Sharon Lee's Virtual Assistance - Jonesborough, TN
Retired and loving life

Jon-I hope for you and other realtors/brokers that this turns out to be a great thing.

Jun 08, 2015 09:59 AM
David Shamansky
US Mortgages - David Shamansky - Highlands Ranch, CO
Creative, Aggressive & 560 FICO - OK, Colorado Mtg

Based on that I am thinking you should be excited about both, the giving back and the fact it will potentially give them a run for the money

Jun 08, 2015 01:20 PM
Katerina Gasset
The Gasset Group & Get It Done For Me Virtual Services - Provo, UT
Amplify Your Real Estate & Life Dreams!

This is an informative post. Jon. Xome seems very interesting. Thanks for sharing. All the best!

Jun 08, 2015 03:29 PM
Jon Kolsky
Kolsky Realty & Management - Long Beach, CA
Licensed California Real Estate Broker

Nina Hollander ~ I too have no problem giving up a small portion of commission for any new business that comes my way... They just sent me over there agreement... I am excited to see what kind of traffic it brings to me... 

Sharon Lee ~ thank you! I have a feeling this could be beneficial for all parties involved, but only time will tell

Jun 09, 2015 06:34 AM
Jon Kolsky
Kolsky Realty & Management - Long Beach, CA
Licensed California Real Estate Broker

David Shamansky ~ I think you know where I stand, especially the part about "giving them a run for their $$$$..." Anything that could potentially disrupt (and or) anything that can bring them down "I am a fan of"

Nestor & Katerina Gasset ~ I hope you check it out... Too me this sounds like a winning proposition

Jun 09, 2015 06:38 AM
Georgie Hunter R(S) 58089
Hawai'i Life Real Estate Brokers - Haiku, HI
Maui Real Estate sales and lifestyle info

I guess Xome is worth looking into.  I have not heard of them until now, so thanks for mentioning this site.

Jun 09, 2015 02:23 PM
Stephen Arnold
HomeSmart Elite Group - Scottsdale, AZ
CRS, GRI, SFR

Not sure if this site is a win-win for realtors...seems great while the market is strong.  But what happens when things soften up again (which they will). Hypothetical...all of your clients are from Xome...what happens with the referral business in the future?  The clients WILL EXPECT a 1% minimum kickback down the road.  Another gimick structure in my eyes...

Jun 09, 2015 02:30 PM
Jon Kolsky
Kolsky Realty & Management - Long Beach, CA
Licensed California Real Estate Broker

Georgie Hunter ~ Xome is definitely worth checking out, and I think it looks like a promising concept that should be good for all parties involved

Stephen Arnold ~ even though I don't share your sentiment, I appreciate and respect your outlook... It does not matter what type of market we are in, (the way I see it) giving 1% up of our commission in return for new business is a no brainer....

Jun 10, 2015 01:56 AM
Evelyn Santiago, Managing Broker Heart Realty Group, Inc.
Heart Realty Group, Inc.. - Oswego, IL
Passionate About Real Estate & Our Clients!

I read the Inman news article - here is my issue - The owner of this company - NationStar is one of the worst servicer of mortgages around.  Read some of the internet articles.   Were you aware that Bank of America sold a huge portfolio of their loans to NationStar right after the class action suit from the AG's.  So they are revitalizing a subsidiary they closed down - SolutionStar and renaming it - Xome...nice.  We have a bunch of internet saavy executives - Groupon, data aggregators, - RED - a specialist in outsourcing jobs to India/Phillipines - ie. Ocwen servicing style and putting them together to offer - consumers - a better experience because buying a house should be easy!   Sounds good....but buying a home is not like buying  a pair of shoes, or getting a discount for a local restaurant, spa day etc. 

So their property valuation is going to be better than Zillow...based on "data mining"...cool.  Another valuation that agents will have to explain to buyers and sellers because no matter "how accurate"  certain "data points" just can't be put a value on.   The smell from a home where a long time smoker has lived in, or the lack of maintenance in a home among impeccably cared for homes, the pet smell, the bizzare paint job, etc. etc.

Is the customer service agent assigned to the buyer going to be taking calls late at night when a buyer has an anxiety attack because they are having buyers remorse?  

Don't get me wrong, I love technology!  I worked in some of the corporations that helped to create the "backbone" where the internet was grown!  I worked with those that helped to create the "routers", servers, protocols, etc.  that do the background work to make the "magic" of the internet "work".  I text, twitter, pin, FB, etc.  These are all great tools but (there is always a but, isn't there), no matter how much research, how many cool things (3D tours via Mattaport) - until you actually "see a house in person" all the cool pics, video tours, paperless technology, easy "mortgage" software, when any of this "cool stuff" does not work for one reason or another - you better have a knowledgeable real estate agent/broker to take your hand through the process along with all the ancillary vendors - home inspectors, live mortgage brokers, appraisers, etc. to get the job done.   

Sure I will check them out....but I will keep looking to my past clients, personal network working, community involvement for my real clients and not "give" 1% of my commission to another "cool" company.

 

 

Jun 13, 2015 12:49 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Jon Kolsky 

Yep I have heard of it and am considering it. Sounds like a good idea but I have some reservations - so it's probably a wait and see

Jeff

Jun 14, 2015 10:03 AM
Jon Kolsky
Kolsky Realty & Management - Long Beach, CA
Licensed California Real Estate Broker

 Evelyn Santiago, Managing Broker Heart Realty Group, Inc. ~ I read all the negative comments in Inman, too! And without discounting them I want to give this new concept a chance. I would not have a problem with the commission, and I feel that "if" Xome can deliver new business I can provide a 1% offering for the added business... I am hoping to generate new business and if and when that happens I will be the first to let you know how things go... Right now it is just a concept, but I look forward to testing it out...

Jun 15, 2015 05:29 AM
Jon Kolsky
Kolsky Realty & Management - Long Beach, CA
Licensed California Real Estate Broker

Jeff Dowler CRS ~ it sounds like a no brainer, but until tested I am sure there will be some unanswered questions 

Jun 15, 2015 05:31 AM
Mark Loewenberg
KW of the Palm Beaches - Palm Beach Gardens, FL
KW 561-214-0370

seems to be the way that the world is heading with more online folks giving back where they may stop using agents...

Jun 16, 2015 09:56 AM
Jon Kolsky
Kolsky Realty & Management - Long Beach, CA
Licensed California Real Estate Broker

Mark Loewenberg ~ there's nothing wrong with giving something back, especially when the business is handed to us 

Jun 17, 2015 04:50 AM
Chrissi Chapman Topoleski
Coldwell Banker Realty - Woodbridge, VA
Helping agents live an exceptional life!

Thank you for directing me to your blog. I filled out an application this summer but didn't complete it. They just sent me another one to update with my new broker, and I was wondering if anyone had received business. It sounds like it could be a next, best thing, and given how few people on AR have heard of it, could work to my advantage in this area!

Jan 25, 2016 02:17 AM
Jon Kolsky
Kolsky Realty & Management - Long Beach, CA
Licensed California Real Estate Broker

Chrissi Chapman Topoleski ~ I filled out all the necessary paperwork, but I have yet to get any business. With that said, I have the same outlook as you when it comes to making it work to my advantage... Here's hoping you have good results and wishing you all the best

Jan 25, 2016 05:08 AM
Chrissi Chapman Topoleski

And to you as well! You'll have to keep me informed, and I'll do the same for you!

Jan 25, 2016 05:12 AM