Future of Real Estate Marketing - Latest Comments in Estately Comes to Portland

Re: Estately Comes to Portland

Jon Baker — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 04:03:15 -0000

It's interesting looking at the differences between multi listing sites in the US and the UK. Obviously geography plays a big part in driving some of the differences, but I think there's a lot to learn in both directions. Take a look at globrix.co.uk for instance as a new UK site (that I have no connection with other than as a user).

Re: Estately Comes to Portland

sohoprop — Sat, 31 May 2008 04:47:34 -0000

Looks like a great site

Re: Estately Comes to Portland

Galen Ward — Fri, 30 May 2008 17:36:49 -0000

Jonathan, we are very disappointed by our inability to show addresses for RMLS properties. I do believe it stifles competition and limits our ability to serve consumers. We are working with RMLS board members to change this situation. Good call.

Re: Estately Comes to Portland

Jonathan Cardella — Fri, 30 May 2008 14:51:37 -0000

The guys at Estately do a great job with very little backing. When you compare that to the big guys like Zillow and Trulia, it really puts it into perspective. I am sure they want to go national but the fact that they are mapping neighborhoods nationally is not an indication because their neighborhood definitions are already on a national level while their property listings are added one MLS at a time. Unfortunately "going national" is a slow and painstaking process and don't be fooled, this is by design.

What I find interesting is the RMLS regulations which require Estately not to display property addresses. This is preposterous and definitely not in the spirit of the recent DOJ settlement with NAR. While that settlement applied only to VOW Agreements, in theory, what the DOJ finds acceptable is that online brokers (with membership) and their off line counterparts must be able to provide the same information to consumers (that the MLS normally provides its members). Essentially, this MLS regulation is designed to make Estately and similarly innovative businesses less competitive than local brick and mortar brokers, thereby limiting Estately's reach and ability to provide consumers with better agents at lower commission rates. Locking out companies like Estately is definitely not in the best interest of the consumer or the industry. And at a time when when our national real estate market is experiencing a major downturn, any efforts to stifle competition and exposure to the sector should be viewed as high treason, IMHO.

Re: Estately Comes to Portland

Hawaii_Real_Estate — Thu, 29 May 2008 15:52:57 -0000

I saw this yesterday. Great job Estately, I'm jealous. I did notice that when you typed in Portland, it gave me multiple choices and when I selected a Portland outside of the RMLS, like in Texas, it was able to map it and put boundaries on it even though there were no properties.

Hmmm...could they be going nation wide?

Re: Estately Comes to Portland

Graeme K. Brown — Wed, 28 May 2008 13:26:48 -0000

I love the functionality of the website. The proximity to local transportation is a huge asset. The MLS restrictions are frustrating for a number of reasons, but one is the inability to utilize other marketing tools such as guided home tours for listed homes. Many MLS's have restricitons on the content used to market a home which ultimately could harm the ability of that home to sell.

Re: Estately Comes to Portland

Dan — Wed, 28 May 2008 12:50:18 -0000

It seems to be more and more common for sites to focus in on a relatively small geographical area (eg estately, roost, redfin, etc.) and work it well.

It seems eventually one, or maybe more, of these guys will emerge and challenge the searches with the big national focus.

Re: Estately Comes to Portland

JoshuaFerris — Tue, 27 May 2008 23:41:36 -0000

It's coming along nicely, great work Galen and Estately!