Realtors have so far been able to avoid the Internet Age fate of travel agents, Blockbuster, and others but not for much longer. Today the Justice Department forced on-line access to Realtor’s prized possession – the Multiple Listing Service or MLS. Now, Realtors will stop blocking access to web listings of houses for sale.
The DOJ’s statement included this brilliant clip:
“When there is unfettered competition from brokers with innovative and efficient approaches to the residential real estate market, consumers are likely to receive better services and pay lower commission rates.
While this may matter to you as a consumer, it certainly matters to you as a business owner. Last year the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission released a report that, according to the NY Times, ‘found that more consumers use the Web when house hunting than rely on ‘For Sale’ yard signs.’
Anecdotally, I know this to be true for my family, friends, and myself. If we can’t find it on-line, we won’t buy it. If we can’t read your website on our phone, we won’t use it. What about your clients? Do es your business need a modern web re-design?
