REALTOR.com Upgrades to "Web 2.0"
Looks like REALTOR.com has caught onto the web 2.o wave by implementing some site updates and new features. You can see video tours that showcase the recent changes at TourtheNewRealtor.com.
I must say that I like the updates and think you will enjoy them. They include:
- A Redesigned Home Page
- “Count on the Fly” Search Results
- Individual REALTOR® Blogs
- Easier Site Navigation
- Ability to Save Listings and Custom Searches
- A Realtor.com Widget that works on PDAs and Cell Phones.
- New Listing Detail Page with neighborhood information, integrated maps, and open house alerts.
- Enhanced video tours that support a variety of formats.
This shows that REALTOR.com is making an effort to stay on the forefront of industry changes. One of their video tours stated that buyers will stay on their site longer because of the feature enhancements. I agree that the upgrades will make the site more “sticky”, but I’d like to see REALTOR.com do more to promote real estate agents without charging them extra.
It’s no secret that I think most REALTOR.com “upgrades” should be standard, but that’s another topic. See the ad in this month’s REALTOR Magazine.
Michael Price
Posted at 09:46h, 29 SeptemberDee, with all due respect, Realtor.Com (Move Inc.) is attempting to catch up to the innovations of the real estate technology industry, not “stay ahead” of them. That was conceded publicly by NAR’s president last month.
I have some questions that I think agents will want to know the answers to.
How much does Move, Inc. charge to upload a video to a listing?
Are there restrictions as to whether or not the agent’s contact information can be included in the video? If so, why?
Can any agent link a third party virtual tour not purchased from Move, Inc. or a Move, Inc. “Picture Path” provider?
Is there a charge for enhancing a listing by adding a simple hypertext link to an agent’s virtual tour provider of choice?
What is your opinion of the new tag line for Realtor.Com “The Search Ends Here”?
Is there a matrix of Move Inc. services and pricing somewhere that an agent can find on the web?
Do you personally pay for any of the enhancement products on Realtor.Com? If so, does it generate a positive return on investment?
I hope you will follow up with a post that gives these answers and expands on your opinions regarding fees and policies regarding Move Inc.’s operation of the Realtor.Com portal.
It would be great to hear from other agents as well. Chime in and add your questions or comments.
Jay I know you must have a point view on this.
Dee Copeland
Posted at 15:50h, 29 SeptemberMy opinion is that REALTOR.com is at least trying to stay in the game. Coming from corporate america, some companies are very slow to put time money and effort into upgrading the user experience. I worked for Apple Computer, so am used to being on the cutting edge. In my opinion, real estate industry as a whole is very slow to respond to trends. Geekestate and ActiveRain readers are in the top 10%.
I’m willing to bet that at least 80% of agents are still not sure what web 2.0 is. Should the changes have been implemented 1-2 years ago? Yes, but I’m glad to see them.
Right now, I pay for the “Enhanced Listing” upgrade and am pretty dismayed by it. All agents should have those features at no cost. With the upgrade, we get to post more photos, link to a video tour, and get my full contact information. I think the “new” REALTOR.com works the same way. The price you pay is based on your number of listings. The more you have, the more you pay.
I can say that the Enhanced Listing Upgrade makes my sellers happy and is an added value in their minds. It didn’t cost me very much and I am able to send the viewing statistics. Using the reporting feature with HomeFeedback.com, sellers often contact me to suggest price adjustments.
P.S.
Does anyone know what’s up with the ability to link to photo tours? It seems like they’re replaced with video tours now.
Breckenridge
Posted at 08:17h, 15 OctoberReator.com is still very hard to use compared to other options available on the web today. One aspect that really drives me nuts is that 50 percent of properties listed on Realtor.com have only one picture. When I asked why, I was to told that only paying realtors have to option of displaying more than on photo. I thought the NAR collected membership fees from realtors to provided services that can help realtors and buyers alike. NAR, please display all photos, I find myself going elsewhere because I cannot see all the photos as I should.