FSBOs Get Agent-free Access to Realtor.com

Realtor.com

I'm sorry I think this is totally wrong to utilitze our TOOLS, if they dont pay, neither should we! I beleive Realtors or their boards or someone needs to get involved in this matter. Maybe if they stopped getting money from US, and let the FSBO's pay all their costs things might be different.

There are ways to protest! And stop this BS...but thats my opinion!

And now as I get ready to submit this opinion there is an ad by google for For Sale by Owner.com.....I'm sorry this is all wrong!

Lindas Stuff of TX @ Nov 17, 2008 12:27:01 PM

FSBO on Realtor.com

Isn't the website called Realtor.com? How is it possible that sellers without real estate agent affiliation have access to advertise on this site? The comments of "without the expensive cost of a commission fee", and "Our typical home seller saves nearly $13,000 in commission" by Doug Healy of ForSaleByOwner.com further damages the public perception of the services we offer as professional real estate agents.

I read REALTOR magazine, RISMedia, local and broker news. How did this slip by? There is a need for competition, but not by having my profession as a REALTOR further weakened. Was NAR too overburdened with other issues to at least prepare an explanation for its' members to give to consumers? Where's our distinction as professionals?

It's Monday morning. I'm going to make some calls and set up appointments; anything to move ahead, sell real estate and forget about this upsetting news.

Helen Hughes, REALTOR of MN @ Nov 17, 2008 11:13:47 AM

Retraction request to press release

"ForSaleByOwner.com may not in any way enable home sellers to advertise their home on REALTOR.com® without broker representation. Be assured that every property on REALTOR.com must be listed by a licensed real estate broker. REALTOR.com® has asked ForSaleByOwner.com to issue a retraction."

Statement released by California Association of Realtors 2009 President James Liptak on 11/14/08.

Juan Sosa of CA @ Nov 16, 2008 14:12:24 PM

Damage control

Getting a true statement to the local neighborhood, repeatedly so it becomes common knowledge that this is not a true happening, but a false statement- and also why we are worth our commission fees-on an upbeat scale could not only curtail the damage, but be an advertising loophole that would get REALTORS INTO ALMOST EVERY LIVING ROOM VIA THE NEWS.

of IN @ Nov 15, 2008 13:17:29 PM

Realtor.com

ForSaleByOwner.com is not fully circumventing the MLS requirement. I spoke with a representative and according to her they list the homes through a brokerage in California(I assume this follows the VOW format), thereby allowing the homes to appear on Realtor.com.

If someone is familiar with VOW's they might chime in to describe how this works. I would believe there is still a brokerage relationship, however, I would think particular state associations would comment about an unlicensed brokerage in that particular state handling a transaction, or how does a California brokerage enter a Florida listing and comply with state law in California? ForSaleByOwner.com does state that a 1% buyers agent commission be offered, but they are not obligated to accept any offer or pay any commission.

The DOJ will continue to expand its influence on the real estate market, as will the internet. Continual pressure will come from individuals and corporations to change the way real estate is bought and sold.

of MO @ Nov 14, 2008 18:36:29 PM

Define "agentfree access"?

First of all, Realtor.com isn't "owned" by NAR. The domain is a licensed user of the REALTOR trademark. It is not a free service to the Realtor members, it is a service for a FEE to the Realtor members. Realtor.com has turned into a marketing machine - not necessarily for the benefit for Realtor members - and certainly not without added costs directed to agents / brokers wanting more than minimum Realtor.com exposure.

Apparently, ForSaleByOwner.com is simply another creative agency offering bare bones marketing services.

In fact, their own marketing material indicates that the New Realtor.com Showcase listing package ($539) requires a broker affiliate to submit photos to Realtor.com

The following info is taken verbatum from ForSaleByOwner.com's webpage. Read for yourselves or check out ForSaleByOwner.com's website:

Get Your Home Featured on Realtor.com

Advertise your property on Realtor.com and put your property in front of an additional 5 million potential buyers - no local MLS listing required. Your property will be featured in a Realtor.com Showcase Listing for 6 months, and you can post up to 25 photos, receive email inquiries from buyers right in your inbox, and take advantage of a voice message system that gives buyers your direct contact information. Learn More[-].

What happens after you purchase a Realtor.com Showcase Listing?

Step 1: After you purchase a package that includes a Realtor.com Showcase Listing, you will receive an email with information on how to complete the forms that confirm your listing agreement. You can print these forms and return them by fax, or complete them online.

Step 2: In order to be featured on Realtor.com, you must indicate that you are willing to pay a buyer's agent 1% of the sale price of your home. However, by entering this agreement, you are not be obligated to accept any offer or pay any commission.

Step 3: Using the directions provided, complete and submit your forms. Upon receipt, your property will be listed on Realtor.com. Your broker affiliate will post up to 25 photos, with one main photo showing the front of your house or condo building. When you receive your listing confirmation forms, you will also receive instructions on how to submit photos.

Stephen Penrose of MO @ Nov 14, 2008 12:09:16 PM

fsbo's

i didn't know that for sale by owners were realtors...hmmmm... realtor.com or fsbo.com... how does that equate to allowing "joe shcmoe" to be equal to a realtor... all i can say is "unbelievable"!!!!

will e. dietz-nar director, cazbr vice president

re/max paradise pines realty

906 s. beeline hwy

payson, az 85541

928-472-5288 dir.

will e. dietz of AZ @ Nov 14, 2008 00:27:22 AM

Stabbed in the Back!!

I pay exobitant fees to Realtor.com, featured listings, Showcase Listings, Banners and Logos,.. they charge $10,000 a year for an area banner and they are sold out in our area.

NAR stands for National Association of REALTORS,.. it was created to serve the Realtor Member interests. Often this overlaps into the consumer as what is good for Realtors, is often also good for them,.. but their charter is to serve the REALTOR community.

Realtor.com is the "Official website of the NAR"

Realtor.com was built on the backs of Realtors, and sustained by the back pockets of each agent that gives money to NAR to be a member.

This is nothing short of Betrayal by Realtor.com and by the government in imposing that all be able to advertise anywhere,.. by that philosophy,.. I suppose that we as Realtors should also be able to advertise on forsalebyowner.com? After all,.. every home is sold by the owner,.. I don't believe that any deed is signed by the agent.

Signed,...

Sick to my stomach

Please contact your individual boards, contact your legislators, flood Realtor.com with your thoughts,.. this,.. is ridiculous!!

Randy G Morley of CO @ Nov 13, 2008 21:35:37 PM